• 04 Feb 2025

Asteroid Discovery in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News? 

Recently, National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) has recognized Daksh Malik, a Class 9 student from Noida, for his provisional discovery of an asteroid, currently labeled as ‘2023 OG40.’ 

 Key Points 

• Participation in the International Asteroid Discovery Project (IADP): 
  • Along with two school friends, the student has actively participated in the IADP which introduced them to the International Astronomical Search Collaboration (IASC). 
  • The IASC, a NASA-affiliated citizen science initiative, enables global participation in asteroid discovery.  
    • It allows students and astronomy enthusiasts worldwide to analyze celestial data and contribute to scientific research. 
• A Rare Achievement: 
  • Despite more than 6,000 participants joining the IADP annually, only a few successfully identify new asteroids.  
  • Before this discovery, only five students from the country had ever achieved a named asteroid discovery. 
• Naming the Asteroid: 
  • This achievement also gives the privilege of naming the celestial body after its verification process, which may take around four to five years. 

 Asteroids 

• Asteroids, also referred to as minor planets, are remnants from the early stages of our solar system's formation approximately 4.6 billion years ago. 
• They predominantly exhibit irregular shapes, though some display nearly spherical forms. 
• Many asteroids are accompanied by small moons, with some even having two moons. 
• Additionally, binary asteroids consist of two similar-sized rocky bodies orbiting each other, and there are also triple asteroid systems. 

Surajpur Wetland

Why in News? 

The Greater Noida Authority has developed a project to safeguard and preserve the Surajpur wetland. 

 Key Points 

• Threat from Polluted Wastewater: 
  • The wetland faces a serious threat due to the indiscriminate discharge of highly polluted wastewater into its channels, endangering its ecosystem. 
• Need for Technical Assistance: 
  • According to the authority, research institutes, non-government organizations (NGOs), and environmental experts can provide technical support to protect and restore the wetland. 
• Ecological Significance: 
  • Located in the heart of the industrial city of Greater Noida, the Surajpur wetland serves as a vital wildlife habitat, making its conservation crucial. 
• Geographic Spread and Features: 
  • The sanctuary spans 325 hectares, including a 60-hectare natural lake situated along the Dadri-Surajpur-Chhalera (DSC) road, approximately 20 km from Noida. 
• Haven for Migratory Birds: 
  • During the winter season, the wetland attracts various species of migratory birds, enhancing its ecological and environmental value. 

 Surajpur Wetland 

 

• Location and Administrative Jurisdiction: 
  • The wetland is located near Surajpur Village in Dadri Tehsil of Gautam Budh Nagar district. 
  • It falls under the jurisdiction of the Greater Noida Industrial Development Authority, Uttar Pradesh. 
• Urban Wetland in the Yamuna Basin: 
  • The wetland serves as an excellent example of an urban wetland within the Yamuna River basin. 
• Ecological Importance and Green Cover: 
  • It acts as a green lung for Greater Noida, covering a catchment area of 308 hectares, with 60 hectares dedicated to the waterbody. 
• Recognition as an Important Bird Area (IBA): 
  • BirdLife International has classified the wetland as an Important Bird Area (IBA) due to its significance in bird conservation. 
• Breeding and Wintering Habitat for Waterfowl: 
  • The wetland provides a breeding ground for waterfowl such as Spot-billed Duck, Lesser-whistling Duck, Cotton Pygmy Goose, and Comb Duck. 
  • It also supports wintering waterfowl, including Red-crested Pochard, Ferruginous Pochard, Bar-headed Goose, Greylag Goose, Common Teal, Northern Shoveler, and Gadwall. 
• Diverse Wildlife Presence: 
  • In addition to a rich bird population, the wetland sustains six mammal species, including Nilgai, Indian Grey Mongoose, Indian Hare, Golden Jackal, and Five-striped Squirrel. 
• Environmental Threats: 
  • The wetland faces significant threats due to the indiscriminate discharge of highly polluted wastewater into its channels, posing risks to its ecosystem.

World Wetland Day 2025

Why in News? 

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organised the World Wetlands Day 2025 celebrations at the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site, Gonda, Uttar Pradesh (UP) on 2^nd February 2025. 

 Key Points 

• About:  
  • It is observed annually to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and marks the adoption of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran. 
  • Theme for 2025: Protecting Wetlands for our Common Future. 
• New Corridor:  
  • The government announced a new nature-culture tourism corridor will be developed between Ayodhya and Devi Patan in UP. 
• Amrit Dharohar Initiative:  
  • Amrit Dharohar was launched in June 2023 to conserve Ramsar Sites that focuses on four key components i.e., Species and Habitat Conservation, Nature Tourism, Wetlands Livelihood and Wetlands Carbon. 
• Threat:  
  • The biggest threat to wetlands is pollution from industrial and human effluents, which degrade these ecosystems. 

Parvati Arga Ramsar Site 

• About: It is a permanent freshwater environment, consisting of two oxbow lakes i.e., Parvati and Arga, which are rain-fed and located in the terai region (Gangetic plains). 
  • The nearby Tikri Forest is also being developed as an eco-tourism site. 
  • Oxbow lakes are U-shaped lakes formed when a meander of a river is cut off, creating a standalone water body. 

 

• Ecological Significance: It is a refuge for critically endangered white-rumped vulture, Indian vulture, and endangered Egyptian vulture. 
  • Migratory birds like Eurasian coots, mallards, greylag geese, northern pintails, and red-crested pochards visit the site in the winter months. 
• Invasive Species: It faces threats from invasive species, notably the common water hyacinth. 
• Cultural Landmarks: The region is home to cultural landmarks such as the birthplaces of Maharishi Patanjali and Goswami Tulsidas, boosting religious and cultural tourism. 

Union Budget 2025: Major Allocations for Bihar

Why in News? 

Recently, the Union Finance Minister announced a series of projects for Bihar in Budget speech 2025. 

 Key Points 

• Boost for Foxnut Farmers: 
  • The newly announced Makhana Board will enhance production, processing, value addition, and marketing of foxnuts. 
  • Mithila Makhana received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2022, with Bihar contributing 80% of India’s total production. 
  • The initiative is expected to benefit over five lakh farmers, particularly in Darbhanga, Madhubani, Sitamarhi, Saharsa, Katihar, Purnia, Kishanganj, Araria, Supaul, and Madhepura. 
• Expansion of Aviation Infrastructure: 
  • New greenfield airports in Bihar to meet future demands. 
  • Capacity expansion of Patna airport and the development of a brownfield airport at Bihta are also planned. 
• Investment in Education and Infrastructure: 
  • Additional funds will be allocated for capital investments, and Bihar’s requests for external assistance from multilateral development banks will be fast-tracked. 
  • A National Institute of Food Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Management will be set up under the Purvodaya initiative to develop eastern India. 
  • Infrastructure expansion, including hostels, is planned for the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Patna. 
• Temple and Tourism Development: 
  • The Budget pledges support for the comprehensive development of the Vishnupad and Mahabodhi temple corridors, modeled after the Kashi Vishwanath temple corridor. 
  • Nalanda will be developed as a major tourist center, with efforts to restore Nalanda University to its historical prominence. 

 Vishnupad Temple and the Mahabodhi Temple 

• Vishnupad Temple at Gaya:  
  • It is situated on the banks of the Phalgu/Falgu river in Gaya district of  Bihar. The temple is dedicated to Lord Vishnu. 
  • Legend:  
    • According to local mythology, a demon named Gayasur requested the gods to grant him the power to help others attain moksha (liberation from the cycle of rebirth).  
    • However, after misusing this power, Lord Vishnu subdued him, leaving a footprint in the temple, believed to be a mark of that event. 
  • Architectural Features:  
    • The temple stands about 100 feet tall and features 44 pillars constructed from large gray granite blocks (Munger Black stone) joined with iron clamps.  
    • The octagonal shrine is oriented towards the east. 
  • Construction:  
    • It was constructed in 1787 under the orders of Queen Ahilyabai Holkar. 
  • Cultural Practices:  
    • The temple is particularly significant during Pitra Paksha, a period dedicated to honoring ancestors, attracting many devotees. 
    • The Brahma Kalpit Brahmins, also referred to as Gayawal Brahmins, have been the traditional priests of the temple since ancient times. 
• Mahabodhi Temple at Bodh Gaya:  
  • It is believed to be the site where Gautam Buddha attained enlightenment under the Mahabodhi Tree. 
  • Construction of Temple:  
    • The original temple was built by Emperor Ashoka in the 3^rd century BC, with the current structure dating back to the 5^th–6^th centuries. 
  • Architectural Features:  
    • It comprises the 50 m high grand temple (the Vajrasana), sacred Bodhi Tree and other 6 sacred sites of Buddha's enlightenment. 
    • It is surrounded by numerous ancient Votive stupas, well maintained and protected by inner, middle and outer circular boundaries. 
    • It is one of the earliest brick temples from the Gupta period, influencing later brick architecture. 
    • The  Vajrasana (the Diamond Throne) was originally installed by Emperor Asoka to mark the spot where Buddha sat and meditated.

 

Anti-Conversion Bill

Why in News? 

The Rajasthan government introduced the Prohibition of Unlawful Conversion of Religion Bill, 2025, aiming to prevent religious conversions through force, fraud, or inducement.  

• The Bill includes provisions for imprisonment of up to 10 years and a fine of up to Rs 50,000 for various offences. 

 Key Points 

• Approval and Purpose: 
  • In November 2024, the State Cabinet approved the draft of the Bill, aiming to stop the "increasing instances of 'love jihad'" in certain areas of the State. 
    • The term ‘love jihad’ refers to Muslim men marrying Hindu women to convert them to Islam. 
• Bill Provisions: 
  • The State Medical and Health Minister introduced the Bill, which makes offences cognisable, non-bailable, and triable in court. 
  • The Bill criminalizes conversions through misrepresentation, force, coercion, allurement, fraud, or marriage. 
  • Individuals wishing to convert their religion must give a declaration to the District Magistrate at least 60 days in advance. 
• Rationale Behind the Bill: 
  • According to the Bill’s statement, while other states have laws on the right to religious freedom, Rajasthan lacked such a statute. 
  • The Bill aims to balance the individual right to religious freedom with the need to prevent proselytism, which could undermine secularism. 

 Religious Conversion 

• Religious conversion is the adoption of a set of beliefs identified with one particular religious denomination to the exclusion of others. 
• Thus "religious conversion" would describe the abandoning of adherence to one denomination and affiliating with another. 
  • For example, Christian Baptist to Methodist or Catholic, Muslim Shi'a to Sunni. 
• In some cases, religious conversion "marks a transformation of religious identity and is symbolized by special rituals".