Prelim Bits 31-12-2017

Narcondam Hornbill

The Narcondam hornbill (Rhyticeros narcondami) is a small, distinctive, dark hornbill, measuring 45 to 50 cm in length.
They are monogamous, non-migratory resident birds showing sexual dimorphic.
This species is endemic to the tiny (6.8 sq.kilometers) dormant volcanic island of Narcondam, forming part of the Andaman Islands, India.
It is resident in fairly open mixed forest, which covers most of the island, from sea-level to the peak
This hornbill is listed as “Endangered” in IUCN red list and CITES Appendix II.
It is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act and Narcondam Island is a wildlife sanctuary, near Myanmar’s Coco Island.
The Important Bird and Biodiversity Area (IBA) of these hornbill species in India is the Narcondam Island Wildlife Sanctuary.
Its population appears to be stable despite some degree of hunting and habitat degradation.

Narcondam Hornbill

Mission Seven Summits

It is a unique series of mountaineering expedition launched by Indian Air Force (IAF).
The mission’s aim is to fly the tricolour and the IAF flag on the highest peaks in every continent.
A team of Mountaineers recently scaled Mt Vinson in Antarctica. With this, IAF becomes the first organisation in India to achieve this unique feat.

World’s First Photovoltaic Highway

World’s first solar highway in Jinan, the capital city of China's Shandong province was recently opened for testing.
The new solar road consists of an insulating layer on the bottom, photovoltaic panels in the middle, and transparent concrete on top.
It can generate 1 million kilowatt-hours of power in a year and saves the space for building solar farms and shorten the transmission distance.

Umananda Island

It is the smallest inhabited river island in the world.
It is situated in the river of Brahmaputra in Assam.
According to the Hindu mythology, Lord Shiva lived in the island much to the ananda or joy of his consort Uma, another name for Parvati, hence the name ‘Umananda’.
It is also known as Peacock island, because it resembled a peacock’s feathers splayed in full view.
Golden Langur, one of the most endangered species of primates is found in this island.
Golden langurs are found only in parts of Western Assam and the neighbouring foothills of the Black mountains of Bhutan.

Agariyas

Agariyas are nomadic tribes and traditionally salt farmers in Rann of Kutch, a seasonal salt marsh in Thar Desert, Rajasthan.
The tribes derive their names from the word “Agar” meaning salt farms.
During the monsoon months, the Rann of Kutch is submerged in sea water.
As the sea water finally begins to recede in October, the Agariyas move in and begin the elaborate process of salt farming.
This salt is different from the marine salt produced on the coast and is locally known as Badagara, literally meaning Bada (big) and Agara (pan).
They suffer from skin lesions, severe eye problems, tuberculosis and abnormally thin legs, stiff with years of exposure to high concentration of salt.
After the salt production season, they move to the peripheral villages.
High Temperature, high wind velocity and high soil salinity makes Rann of Kutch an ideal place for salt production.
It is home to rare breed of wild ass and flamingos.

Dhanush Artillery Gun

Dhanush is an upgraded version of the Swedish bofors howitzers.
It is a 155 mm gun with a maximum range of 40 km compared to 17 –km range of the original guns.
It is expected to be inducted in the Indian Army by 2018.
Army is keen on inducting Dhanush since it has not inducted any new artillery gunds since the Bofors procured in 1980’s form Sweden.

Source: The Hindu, PIB