24 MARCH 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS Paper-1: Art & Culture

⭐ Sarhul Festival

⭐ Why in the News

The President of India recently extended greetings to citizens on the occasion of the

Sarhul festival.

⭐ Meaning & Significance

• Sarhul literally means “worship of the Sal tree” and is one of the most sacred

festivals of Adivasi communities.

• It is deeply associated with nature worship and symbolises the union of the Sun and

the Earth.

• The Sal tree is considered sacred and is believed to be the abode of Sarna/Sama Maa,

the village’s protective deity.

⭐ Communities & Regions

• Celebrated by several tribal communities such as:

• Oraon

• Munda

• Santhal

• Khadia

• Ho

• Each community observes the festival with its own unique customs and traditions.

⭐ Geographical Spread

• Primarily celebrated in Jharkhand.

• Also observed in parts of:

• Odisha

• West Bengal

• Chhattisgarh

GS Paper-1: Art & Culture

⭐ Navroz

⭐ Why in the News

The Prime Minister of India recently conveyed greetings on the occasion of Navroz, the

Parsi New Year.

⭐ Meaning & Nature

• Navroz is the New Year festival in Iranian/Persian traditions.

• The term is derived from:

• “Nav/Nov”=New

• “Roz”=Day

→ meaning “New Day”

• It marks the beginning of spring and is celebrated by the Parsi community

worldwide.

⭐ Historical Background

➤ Origins

• The festival traces its roots to the ancient Persian Empire.

• It is linked with the Zoroastrian calendar, where it is regarded as one of the most

sacred occasions.

➤ Association with Persian Tradition

• Associated with King Jamshid, who is believed to have established the Persian

(Shahenshahi) calendar.

⭐ Introduction in India

• Navroz celebrations in India are credited to Nusserwanji Kohyaji, a wealthy trader from

Surat (18th century).

• His interactions with Iran helped popularise the festival in India.

⭐ UNESCO Recognition

• Navroz is listed as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity by UNESCO.

GS Paper-3: Environment / Biodiversity

⭐ Prosopis juliflora

⭐ Why in the News

The Madras High Court has recently issued 34 directions for the removal of the

invasive species Prosopis juliflora from Tamil Nadu.

⭐ Nature of the Species

• Prosopis juliflora is a shrub or small tree

belonging to the Fabaceae family.

• It is commonly referred to

as a type of mesquite.

⭐ Origin & Introduction

• Native to Mexico, South America,

and the Caribbean.

• Introduced to India during the British colonial period, particularly in Delhi in the

1920s.

⭐ Invasive Character

• Considered one of the most aggressive invasive species, especially in arid and

semi-arid regions.

⭐ Local Names in India

• Known by various regional names such as:

• Bellary jaali

• Seemai karuvelam

• Seemai jaali

• Gando baval

• Vilayati kikar

GS Paper-3: Environment / Biodiversity

⭐ Key Characteristics

➤ Ecological Adaptability

• Highly adaptable and can grow in diverse soil types, from sandy dunes to clay soils.

• Tolerates saline and alkaline conditions.

➤ Climatic Range

• Can grow across a wide altitude range:

• From below 200 m to above 1500 m above sea level

• Thrives in areas receiving 50 mm to 1500 mm annual rainfall.

➤ Growth Pattern

• Exhibits rapid and aggressive growth.

• Outcompetes native vegetation and can dominate ecosystems.

⭐ Environmental Impacts

➤ Water Consumption

• Requires high water input (over 4 litres to produce 1 kg of biomass).

➤ Impact on Fauna & Air Quality

• Considered unsuitable habitat for birds.

• Leads to lower oxygen levels and higher carbon dioxide concentration compared to

native vegetation.

➤ Impact on Soil & Water

• Contributes to groundwater degradation.

• Causes land degradation by replacing grasslands, leading to:

• Loss of native biodiversity

• Increased soil erosion