Today’s Current Affairs Update: “ProxyGyan IAS Express”
Date: 05 July 2024.
1. BRICS
2. Weapon Systems School
3. Indian Gaur
4. Nagarjuna Srisasalam TR
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1. BRICS: Int. Organization In News
• News: BRICS is attracting Southeast Asian countries, with Thalland and Malaysia being the latest to express their interest in joining the bloc.
• What is BRICS?
> Definition: BRICS is an acronym for the grouping of the world's leading emerging economies, namely Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa.
• Establishment:
• In 2001, the British Economist Jim O'Neill coined the term BRIC to describe Brazil, Russia, India, and China.
• South Africa was invited to join BRIC in December 2010, after which the group adopted the acronym BRICS.
• The first formal summit took place in Yekaterinburg, Russia, in 2009.
• Share of BRICS:
• The BRICS brings together 5 of the largest developing countries of the world
• Representing 45% of the global population
• 24% of the global GDP and 16% of the global trade.
• Chairmanship:
• The chairmanship of the forum is rotated annually among the members, in accordance with the acronym B-R-I-C-S.
• Russia is the current chair of BRICS for 2024
• India was the chair for 2021.
> Headquarter: Shanghai, China
2. Weapon Systems School
• News: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari has inaugurated the newly established Weapon Systems School (WSS) at Air Force Station Begumpet, Hyderabad.
• Overview: The Weapon Systems School (WSS) is a new branch of the Indian Air Force (IAF) aimed at recalibrating and transforming the IAF into a future-oriented force.
• Streams: The WSS will encompass four distinct streams:
• Flying Stream: To operate the weapons and systems in airborne platforms like the Sukhoi-30 MKI and C-130J;
• Remote Stream: To operate remotely piloted aircraft;
• Mission Commanders And Operators: For Surface to Air and Surface-to-Surface weapon systems,
• Intelligence Stream: For handling space-based intelligence and imagery.
• Objective: The WSS is designed to provide effect-based training that is contemporary and aligns with the evolving requirements of the lAF.
3. Indian Gaur : Animal Species in the news:
News: Indian Gaur was spotted in the Atmakur division Nallamala forest after a gap of several decades, giving hope to wildlife enthusiasts.
• About Indian Gaur:
• Common Name: Indian Bison
• Scientific Name: Bos gaurus
• Distribution: Indigenous to South and Southeast Asia
• Habitat:
• Gaurs primarily inhabit evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, as well as moist deciduous forests with open grasslands.
ᐧ They prefer hilly terrains below an altitude of 1,500-1,800 meters with large, undisturbed forest tracts and abundant water sources.
• Physical Features:
° Size: The Indian Bison ranges from 240 cm to 340 cm in length, with a tail length of 70 cm to 105 cm.
• Height: Approximately 170 cm to 230 cm.
• Weight: Adult males weigh between 600 kg and 1500 kg, while adult females weigh between 400 kg and 1000 kg.
° Head and Limbs: They have a convex-shaped forehead and very strong, sturdy limbs.
° Horns: Both males and females possess horns that are pale green or yellowish-brown and have a slightly inward curvature.
° Tail: Typically short.
• Social Behavior: The gaur is a social animal, generally living in groups of about 30 to 40 individuals.
• Conservation Status:
• IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
• CITES: Listed in Appendix - I
4. Nagarjunasagar Srisasalam Tiger Reserve
• News: Indian gaur has been spotted in the Nagarjunasagar Srisailam Tiger Reserve
(NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh.
• Location and Establishment:
• NSTR is situated in the Nallamala hill ranges, an offshoot of the Eastern Ghats, in Andhra Pradesh
• It became a Tiger Reserve in 1983.
• It covers a total area of 3,727.82 square kilometers, making it India's largest Tiger Reserve.
• Constituent Wildlife Sanctuaries:
• The reserve includes two wildlife sanctuaries: Rajiv Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary and GundlaBrahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary (GBM).
• Geographical Features:
• The Krishna River traverses the reserve for approximately 270 kilometers.
• Flora: Major plant species in the reserve include Andrographis nallamalayana, Eriolaena lushingtonii, Crotalaria madurensis var, Dicliptera beddomei, Premnahamiltonii, Tectona grandis (teak), and Anogeissuslatifolia.
• Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Wolf, Wild Dog, and Jackal,Sambar, Chital, Chowsingha, Chinkara, Mouse Deer, Wild Boar, and Porcupine, Muggers (crocodiles), Otters, and Turtles etc.
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