• 07 Aug 2024

Swine Flu Cases in Madhya Pradesh

Why in News?

Recently, Eleven cases of Swine Flu have been detected in Jabalpur district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• The infected persons had complained of cold, cough and fever before testing positive for swine flu. They are residents of different areas in the district.
• To curb the spread of the disease, health department teams are conducting tests in various areas.

Swine Flu

• It is caused by the swine flu virus, the H1N1.
• It is an infection of the respiratory tract characterized by the usual symptoms of flu like cough, nasal secretions, fever, loss of appetite, fatigue and headache.
• It is called swine flu because in the past it was known to occur in people who had been in the vicinity of pigs.
• The virus is transmitted by short-distance airborne transmission, particularly in crowded enclosed spaces. Hand contamination and direct contact are other possible sources of transmission.

Alert in Bihar Districts due to Bangladesh Situation

Why in News?

Recently, an alert was issued in many parts of Bihar in the wake of the unrest in neighbouring Bangladesh.

Key Points

• None of the districts in Bihar is located along the border with Bangladesh, the state does share a long and porous boundary with Nepal.
  • This border is frequently used by infiltrators from other countries to enter Indian territory.
• Bangladesh was thrown into uncertainty after massive street protests over job quotas compelled Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to resign and flee.

Situation in Bangladesh

• Bangladesh has experienced a major political upheaval. Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has resigned and left the country amid widespread protests and unrest.
• The Bangladesh Army, led by General Waker-uz-Zaman, has announced the formation of an interim government with the support of political parties.
• This development marks a significant shift in Bangladesh's political landscape, ending Hasina's 15-year tenure as Prime Minister and raising questions about the nation's future stability and governance.

NGT Imposes Fine for Dumping Solid Waste

Why in News?

Recently, The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has enforced a total ban on littering or dumping solid waste in unauthorized areas of Uttar Pradesh, with fines for violations ranging from Rs. 5,000 to Rs. 50,000.

Key Points

• According to the court, the violator shall be liable to pay an environmental compensation of Rs. 5,000 for the first instance and Rs.10,000 for further instances of littering or dumping of solid waste.
  • If a bulk waste generator, concessionaire, urban local body, or any other individual is caught littering or dumping waste in bulk, a fine of Rs. 25,000 will be imposed for the first offense, and Rs. 50,000 for any subsequent offenses.
• The NGT passed the order on a petition on garbage being dumped on the embankment of the Rapti river causing water pollution.

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

• It is a specialised body set up under the National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources.
• With the establishment of the NGT, India became the third country in the world to set up a specialised environmental tribunal, only after Australia and New Zealand, and the first developing country to do so.
• NGT is mandated to make disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing the same.
• The NGT has five places of sittings, New Delhi is the Principal place of sitting and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai are the other four.

NGT to Uttarakhand: Disclose Carrying Capacity Responsibility

Why in News?

The National Green Tribunal asked the Uttarakhand's environment department to disclose responsibility in case of an accident as there is no carrying capacity restricting the number of pilgrims across Char Dham in Uttarakhand.

Key Points

• According to the tribunal, there is no carrying capacity fixed even on an ad-hoc basis for the pilgrims on the tracks of Shri Badrinath, Kedarnath, Gangotri and Yamunotri, and there is no restriction in respect of the number of pilgrims on those tracks.
  • According to the state government's counsel, one year would be required to get a report about the carrying capacity at the four pilgrimage sites.
  • As per NGT, the unregulated number of pilgrims could result in a mishap and someone must take its responsibility.

Char Dham Yatra

• Yamunotri Dham:
  • Location: Uttarkashi district.
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Yamuna.
  • River Yamuna is the second-most sacred river in India after River Ganga.
• Gangotri Dham:
  • Location: Uttarkashi district.
  • Dedicated to: Goddess Ganga.
  • Considered the most sacred of all Indian rivers.
• Kedarnath Dham:
  • Location: Rudraprayag district.
  • Dedicated to: Lord Shiva.
  • Situated on the bank of the Mandakini River.
  • One of the 12 Jyotirlingas (divine representations of Lord Shiva) in India.
• Badrinath Dham:
  • Location: Chamoli district.
  • Home to the sacred Badrinarayan Temple.
  • Dedicated to: Lord Vishnu.
  • One of the holy shrines for Vaishnavites.

Transgender Cultural Event in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Recently, A state-level transgender cultural event was held at the Mukta Kashi Stage of the Mahant Ghasidas Museum in Raipur.

• This event was a proactive initiative against the social evil of dowry, which is still prevalent in many parts of the country, particularly in underdeveloped states.

Key Points

• The event was organised jointly by the Department of Culture and Archaeology and the Chhattisgarh Mitwa Sankalp Committee.
• Transgender artists also performed dance fusion of Chhattisgarhi, Rajasthani, Kathak, Odissi and Lavani besides trans-models dazzle ramp with Chhattisgarhi and rainbow themes.
  • Senior community members honored all the artists with coconuts, shawls, and mementos.

Transgender

• According to the Transgenders Persons Act, 2019, transgender means a person whose gender does not match with the gender assigned to that person at birth.
• It includes trans-person with intersex variations, gender-queer and people having such socio-cultural identities as kinnar, hijra, aaravani and jogta.
• India’s 2011 Census was the first census in its history to incorporate the number of ‘trans’ population of the country. The report estimated that 4.8 million Indians identified as transgender.