05 Feb 2025: Daily Current Affairs Updates

South Georgia Island ; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the News: A23a, the world's largest iceberg, is on a collision course with a remote

South Georgia Island, potentially putting penguins and seals in danger.

> Location and Area:

• South Georgia Island is a rugged and remote landmass located in the South Atlantic Ocean.

• It is part of the British overseas territory of South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands.

• The island covers an area of 3,756 square kilometers.

• Human Presence:

• There are no native or permanent human residents on the island.

• The island hosts only temporary researchers, government officials, and visitors.

• Biodiversity:

• Due to its harsh Antarctic climate, with snow covering about three-fourths of the island, the vegetation consists mainly of resilient grasses and tundra plants.

• South Georgia Island is home to vast populations of seabirds, including king penguins, albatrosses, and petrels.

• It also supports large numbers of seals, such as fur seals and elephant seals, along with various whale species.

PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana; GS-2 (Governance) ▪️ Why in the news: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently announced the launch of the PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana, aimed at benefiting 1.7 crore farmers across the country.

> Introduction: The PM Dhan Dhanya Krishi Yojana has been introduced in the Union Budget 2025 by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman.

> Aim: This scheme is designed to improve agricultural conditions in 100 districts across India that have been identified for their low productivity levels.

> Key Features of the Scheme:

• The scheme will consolidate multiple existing agricultural programs under one framework to improve efficiency and overall impact.

• Specialized interventions will be designed to address the distinct agricultural challenges faced by each of the 100 identified districts.

• The government will utilize technology-driven solutions to support the adoption of modern, sustainable farming practices among farmers.

• The program will focus on enhancing access to institutional credit, encouraging farmers to participate in government-backed financial initiatives and microfinance programs.

• By promoting formal credit channels, the scheme aims to minimize the risks of rural indebtedness linked to informal lending practices.

Makhana ; GS-3 (Economy) ▪️ Why in the news: Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman while presenting the Union Budget said that a "Makhana Board" will be set up in Bihar.

> Definition:

• Makhana (Hindi) Fox nut & Gorgon Nut (English) & Euryale ferox (Biological name) belong to the Family of 'Nymphaeaceae'

• Also known as ' Black Diamond' due to its multi-purpose use in medicine, healthcare, nutrition.

• It is a non-cereal food

• It is a perennial aquatic cash crop.

- Climate Suitable for Cultivation:

Makhana is a plant that is mostly found and grown in tropical and subtropical climates.

• Temperature: Between 20 to 35 degree Celsius

• Relative humidity: 50%-90%

• Annual rainfall: 100-250 cm.

• Pond Ecosystem: The plant flourishes well in stagnant perennial water bodies (including various ponds, land depressions, oxbow lakes, swampy lands and ditches).

• Botanical Traits:

• It is a seed propagated plant.

. It has a thick rhizomatous stem.

• It is a self-pollinated plant.

> Major Producers:

• Largest: India is the largest producer, accounting for approximately 70-80% of the global yield

• Countries including Japan, Korea, China, Bangladesh and Russia also grow Makhana in wild form.

• States: At around 80%, Bihar accounts for the highest production of makhana in the country. It is also grown in Assam and Bengal.

Inland Mangrove ; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news: Gujarat has declared the inland mangrove site at Guneri village in Kutch district as its first-ever Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).

> Inland Mangrove of Guneri:

• The Inland Mangrove of Guneri is a natural mangrove site located in the Kutch district of Gujarat.

‣ Significance:

• This mangrove is the last remaining inland mangrove in India.

• It is considered rare, with only eight known locations worldwide where inland mangroves are found.

> Origin:

• These inland mangroves are believed to have originated either after a marine transgression that occurred in the area during the Miocene period or along the bank of the lost Saraswati River in the Great Rann of Kachchh.

> Ecological Features:

• Studies in other regions have shown that inland mangroves tend to thrive in areas with limestone deposits, which connect to the seabed

• The presence of limestone ensures a continuous flow of groundwater, benefiting the mangrove ecosystem and vegetation.