19 February 2025 : Daily Current Affairs Updates

Amsterdam Islands ; GS-1 (Geography) ▪️Why in the News:

Wildfire has destroyed 55 % of Amsterdam Islands of Indian Ocean.

• About Amsterdam Island:

• Also known as Nouvelle Amsterdam or Île Amsterdam, Amsterdam Island is a small French territorial island located in the southern Indian Ocean.

• It is administered as part of the French Southern and Antarctic Territories, along with the nearby Île Saint-Paul.

> Geographical Features:

• The island has an elliptical shape, covering an area of around 55 square kilometers.

• It stretches about 10 km in length and has a maximum width of 7 km.

• Human Presence:

• Amsterdam Island does not have a permanent population.

• It hosts a small scientific research station known as Martin-de-Viviès, which is occupied by a rotating team of scientists conducting research in various fields.

'NAKSHA' Programme ; GS-2 (Governance) ▪️Why in the news: The Centre has introduced the 'NAKSHA' programme to create and

update land records in urban areas.

- About NAKSHA Programme:

• The National Geospatial Knowledge-based Land Survey of Urban Habitations

(NAKSHA) programme is designed to create and update land records in urban areas; ensuring precise and reliable documentation of land ownership:

• This initiative seeks to empower citizens, simplify property-related processes, enhance urban planning, and minimize land disputes.

• The programme incorporates an IT-driven system for property record management, promoting transparency, operational efficiency, and sustainable urban development.

> Technical and Implementation Aspects:

• The Survey of India serves as the technical partner for the NAKSHA programme, overseeing aerial surveys and supplying orthorectified imagery through third-party vendors to State and Union Territory governments.

• A comprehensive web-GIS platform will be developed by the Madhya Pradesh State Electronic Development Corporation (MPSEDC) to facilitate the programme's implementation.

• Data storage and infrastructure support will be provided by National Informatics Centre Services Inc. (NICSI).

Matsya-6000 ; GS-3 (Science and Technology) ▪️Why in the news: India's Matsya-6000 deep-ocean submersible has completed wet testing, gearing up for shallow-water demonstrations at 500 metres by the end of 2025.

> About Matsya 6000:

• Matsya 6000 is India's deep-sea submersible, developed for ocean exploration, including deep-sea mining and biodiversity research.

• The submersible has been designed by the National Institute of Ocean Technology (NIOT) as part of the Samudrayaan Mission.

It is engineered to dive up to 6,000 meters into the ocean, enabling extensive deep-sea studies:

> Key Features of Matsya 6000:

• It incorporates state-of-the-art technology, including advanced life support systems, navigation equipment, robotic arms for sample collection, and high-resolution imaging systems.

• The submersible features a 2.1-meter internal diameter Titanium alloy personnel sphere, ensuring the safety of crew members at extreme ocean depths.

Loggerhead Turtles; GS-3 (Environment and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news: As per a study in Nature reports, the loggerhead turtle can learn and remember the magnetic signature of an area and does a 'turtle dance' when in a location that they associate with food

> About Loggerhead Turtle:

• The loggerhead turtle (Caretta caretta) is a widely distributed sea turtle species found in oceans across the globe.

• It is distinguished by its large head and powerful jaws, which allow it to crush hard-shelled prey effectively.

• This species is highly migratory, covering vast distances between feeding and nesting grounds.

• Habitat and Distribution:

• Loggerhead turtles inhabit the Atlantic, Pacific, and Indian Oceans, as well as the Mediterranean Sea.

• They are commonly found in coastal regions, bays, and estuaries, but they also venture into open ocean waters.

• Nesting predominantly occurs on sandy beaches in locations such as Florida (USA), Oman, and Greece.

• Diet and Feeding Habits:

• Though omnivorous, loggerhead turtles primarily feed on crustaceans, mollusks, jellyfish, and fish.

• Their strong jaws enable them to crush hard-shelled organisms like crabs and conchs.

• Conservation Status:

• Classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.