5th FEBRUARY, 2025 A.) Araku Utsav 2024 - ‘Chali’ Why in News? The three-day Araku Utsav, titled ‘Chali,’ concluded in Araku Valley, Andhra Pradesh’s Alluri Sitharama Raju (ASR) district, showcasing tribal culture and heritage. Background • Adivasi groups from the northeast, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, and Rajasthan participated. • Tribal groups from ASR district performed the famous Dhimsa dance, a traditional folk dance of the region. Key Takeaways About Araku Valley: • A scenic hill station in the Eastern Ghats, Andhra Pradesh. • Location: Alluri Sitharama Raju district. • Elevation: ~1,200 meters above sea level. Climate: • Monsoon (June–September): Heavy rainfall. • Winters (December–February): Pleasant, with temperatures dropping to 5–10°C. Flora & Fauna: • Part of the Eastern Ghats biodiversity hotspot. • Dense tropical forests with teak, bamboo, and medicinal plants. • Anantagiri & Sunkarimetta Reserved Forests contain rich biodiversity and bauxite deposits. • Wildlife includes Indian bison (gaur), leopards, and peacocks. Economic Importance: • Coffee Plantations: o Araku Valley is renowned for organic coffee cultivation. o The coffee has received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag. • Tourism: Key attractions: o Borra Caves – limestone caves with stalactites & stalagmites. o Katiki Waterfalls – a scenic waterfall spot. o Padmapuram Gardens – botanical garden with tree houses. o Dumbriguda Chaparai – a natural rock formation with waterfalls. Significance: • Promotes tribal culture and tourism in the region. • Supports economic growth through coffee farming and eco-tourism.   B.) Asteroid 2024 YR4: Potential Earth Impact Risk in 2032 Why in News? NASA has reported that asteroid 2024 YR4 has a slightly over 1% chance of colliding with Earth in 2032. While not as massive as the asteroid that wiped out dinosaurs, it could cause significant localized damage if it impacts a populated area. Background • Discovered in December 2023 by a telescope in Chile. • Size: Comparable to a football field. • Passed closest to Earth on Christmas Day 2023, at a distance of ~800,000 km. • Will fade from view soon and won’t be visible again until 2028. • Scientists are using advanced telescopes to refine predictions of its trajectory and size before it moves out of sight. Key Takeaways Assessing Asteroid 2024 YR4 • Astronomers estimate size based on brightness, as asteroids reflect sunlight but do not emit their own light. • Exact measurements are uncertain due to the asteroid's reflectivity variations. Potential Impact & Destruction • Torino Scale Rating: 3 (on a scale of 0 to 10). • Expected to release 8 to 10 megatons of energy if it crashes. • Comparison: o Chelyabinsk asteroid (2013): Released 500 kilotons of TNT energy (~30 times Hiroshima atomic bomb). o 2024 YR4 is twice its size, potentially far more destructive. Frequency of Asteroid Collisions with Earth • Small asteroids enter Earth's atmosphere daily, but most burn up due to friction. • Large asteroids (>1 km in diameter): o Can cause global disasters but impact only once every ~260 million years. o Example: Chicxulub asteroid (~66 million years ago, led to dinosaur extinction). • Smaller but dangerous asteroids (like Chelyabinsk) can strike more frequently, depending on speed and angle of entry. Planetary Defense Mechanisms • NASA & global space agencies are developing asteroid deflection technologies. • Example: Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART) o First planetary defense mission by NASA & Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory. o Successfully changed the orbit of an asteroid in 2022, proving deflection is possible. Conclusion • While 2024 YR4 has a low probability of impact, continued monitoring and planetary defense measures are crucial. • Future research will refine impact risk before 2028, when the asteroid returns to view.   C.) PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana: Transforming India’s Energy Landscape Why in News? The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana, launched in 2024, is the world’s largest domestic rooftop solar initiative. The scheme aims to reduce electricity costs for households while boosting India’s transition to renewable energy. About PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana • Ministry: Ministry of New and Renewable Energy. • Outlay: ₹75,021 crore, to be implemented till FY 2026-27. • Objective: o Install rooftop solar (RTS) for 1 crore households. o Provide free electricity for up to 300 units per month. Key Components 1. Model Solar Village o At least one Model Solar Village per district across India. 2. Innovative Projects o Includes new solar energy technologies and integration models. Subsidy Structure • Up to 40% subsidy for households installing RTS. • Subsidy amount depends on: o Household’s average monthly electricity consumption. o Capacity of the rooftop solar plant installed. Financial Support • Collateral-free, low-interest loans (~7% interest) for RTS systems up to 3 kW capacity. Key Benefits • Government Savings: Estimated annual savings of ₹75,000 crore in electricity costs. • Household Savings: Reduces energy expenses for millions of families. • Renewable Energy Growth: Increases solar energy adoption, reducing India's carbon footprint. • Energy Independence: Decreases reliance on fossil fuels & centralized power grids. Conclusion The PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana is a game-changer in India’s renewable energy push, aiming for sustainable energy access and economic savings for citizens.   D.) National Manufacturing Mission: Boosting India's Industrial Growth Why in News? The National Manufacturing Mission was announced as part of India's push to increase the manufacturing sector’s contribution to GDP from 17% to 25% by 2025. This aligns with the Make in India initiative and aims to position India as a global manufacturing hub. About National Manufacturing Mission • Aim: To support small, medium, and large industries under the Make in India initiative. • Make in India (2014): o Aims to transform India into a global hub for design and manufacturing. Mandate & Focus Areas The mission will focus on five key areas: 1. Ease & Cost of Doing Business: Reducing bureaucratic hurdles and improving efficiency. 2. Upskilling for In-Demand Jobs: Training the workforce for advanced manufacturing technologies. 3. MSMEs Support: Strengthening Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) to enhance competitiveness. 4. Technology Availability: Promoting R&D and innovation in key sectors. 5. Quality Products: Enhancing standards and certification for global market integration. Objectives • Policy Support: Assisting industries with policies that drive growth. • Execution Roadmaps: Providing clear guidelines for implementation at central & state levels. • Governance Frameworks: Ensuring efficient coordination between government and industries. Focus on Clean Tech Manufacturing As part of India’s sustainable development commitment, the mission will support: • Solar PV Cells • EV Batteries, Motors & Controllers • Electrolyzers (for green hydrogen production) • Wind Turbines • Very High Voltage Transmission Equipment • Grid-Scale Batteries Significance • Counter China’s Dominance: Reducing dependence on Chinese imports in clean tech. • Global Supply Chain Integration: Strengthening India's role in global manufacturing networks. • Boost to Economy & Employment: Creating millions of jobs in manufacturing and allied sectors. Conclusion The National Manufacturing Mission is a crucial step toward economic self-reliance, sustainable industrialization, and global competitiveness for India’s manufacturing sector.   E.) Golden-headed Cisticola Spotted in Mathikettan Shola National Park Why in News? • The Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis), a bird species classified as Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List, has been spotted in Mathikettan Shola National Park, Kerala. About Mathikettan Shola National Park • Location: Idukki district, Kerala • Declared as a National Park: 2003, to protect the unique shola forests and elephant corridors of the Western Ghats. Key Features Vegetation & Ecosystem • Evergreen forests, moist deciduous forests, and shola grasslands. • Shola Grasslands: Unique high-altitude mosaic ecosystems of stunted forests (sholas) interspersed with grasslands, crucial for biodiversity. Biodiversity • Fauna: o Lion-tailed macaque (Macaca silenus) – Endemic & Endangered o Gaur (Indian bison) (Bos gaurus) o Sambar deer, wild boar, langurs, and other Western Ghats species. • Avifauna: o Golden-headed Cisticola (Cisticola exilis) – A small passerine bird known for its golden plumage and distinctive song. o Other rare and endemic birds of the Western Ghats. Water Sources • The park is a crucial watershed for the Panniyar River. • Major tributaries: o Uchillkuthi Puzha o Mathikettan Puzha o Njandar Cultural Significance • Home to the Muthavan tribal colony at Aduvilanthankudy, preserving traditional knowledge and practices related to forest conservation. Conclusion • The sighting of the Golden-headed Cisticola in Mathikettan Shola highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and reinforces the need for conservation of its unique ecosystems.   F.) World Wetlands Day 2025 Celebrations at Parvati Arga Ramsar Site Why in News? • The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) organized the World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2025 celebrations at Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary, a Ramsar Site in Uttar Pradesh. About World Wetlands Day (WWD) • Observed on: February 2 every year. • Purpose: Commemorates the signing of the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands in 1971. • Theme for 2025: "Protecting Wetlands for Our Common Future." • India’s Role: A signatory to the Ramsar Convention since 1982. About Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary • Location: Tarabganj Tehsil, Gonda district, Uttar Pradesh. • Habitat Type: o Features two oxbow lakes – a permanent freshwater wetland. o Oxbow Lake Formation: Created when a river meander is cut off from the main channel, forming a crescent-shaped water body. Biodiversity & Ecological Importance • Key Fauna: o Critically Endangered: White-rumped vulture (Gyps bengalensis) and Indian vulture (Gyps indicus). o Endangered: Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). • Ecological Role: o Supports roosting and breeding of migratory birds. o Aids groundwater recharge and maintains the hydrological balance. Threats to the Sanctuary • Invasive Species: The spread of water hyacinth is a major concern, affecting water quality and biodiversity. Conclusion • The Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary plays a crucial role in biodiversity conservation and wetland ecosystem health. The WWD 2025 celebrations emphasize the need for wetland protection and restoration to secure a sustainable future.