Why there is no cyclone at the equator

WHY THERE IS NO CYCLONE AT THE EQUATOR

The Coriolis force acts perpendicular to the Pressure gradient force. The Pressure gradient force is perpendicular to the Isobars. The higher the Pressure gradient force, the more is the Velocity of the wind and larger will be the deflection due to Coriolis force in the direction of the wind. As a result of these two forces operating perpendicular to each other, in low pressure areas, the wind blows around the low pressure, and cyclones are created. But at the Equator, Coriolis force is zero and wind blows perpendicular to the Isobars. The low pressure zone gets filled instead of getting intensified. That is why there is no cyclone at the Equator.

Source: NCERT: Fundamentals of Physical Geography.  11th class

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

WORLD FOOD PROGRAMME

OBJECTIVE:

The UN World Food Programme was established in 1960 with objectives of Preparation for emergencies, restoration and rebuilding of lives after emergencies, reduction of chronic hunger and malnutrition and help countries reduce hunger by capacity building.

THREATS ASSESSED BY WFP:

Poverty, uneven food distribution, natural disaster, deforestation and low education levels are listed among the threats to food security by WFP.

FOCUS AREAS:

Reduction of Child Mortality, Improvement of maternal health, control and eradication of diseases and enabling environment stability in agricultural operations.

WORKING MECHANISM:

The programme uses food as an incentive to help the poor to gain education, provide healthcare and work to build assets.

WFP IN INDIA:

In India WFP aims to combat malnutrition and invest in human resources, help improve immediate food security for selected target groups, maximize the active participation of women, advocate joint forest management, help strengthen distribution channel for local food grain, increase agriculture production and create employment

INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

INDIAN GREEN BUILDING COUNCIL

Definition of Green Building:

"A green building is one which uses less water, optimises energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides healthier spaces for occupants, as compared to a conventional building."

Vision

To enable a sustainable built environment for all and facilitate India to be one of the global leaders in sustainable built environment by 2025.

Concept of Green Homes

Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) Green Homes is the first rating programme developed in India, exclusively for the residential sector. It is based on accepted energy and environmental principles and strikes a balance between known established practices and emerging concepts. The system is designed to be comprehensive in scope, yet simple in operation. 

Benefits

• Energy saving 20 to 30%
• Water Saving 30-50%
• Enhanced air quality
• Excellent day lighting
• Health and Wellbeing of occupants
• Conservation of scare natural resources

Eligibility

IGBC Green Homes Rating System is a measurement system designed for rating new residential buildings which include construction categories such as 

• Individual Homes
• High rise residential apartments
• Gated Communities
• Row Houses
• Existing residential buildings which retrofit and redesigned in accordance with the 
• IGBC Green Homes criteria

The project team can evaluate all the possible points to apply under the rating system using a suitable checklist. The project can apply for IGBC Green Homes certification if it can meet all mandatory requirements and achieve the minimum required points. 

Concept of Green Building Townships

IGBC continuously works to provide tools that facilitate the adoption of green building practices in India. The development of 'IGBC Green Townships Rating System' is another important step in this direction.

The rating system is designed to address large developments and it is mandatory to include residential development as part of the township. Some typical examples of large scale developments are integrated townships, satellite cities, gated communities, campuses with multiple buildings etc.

Concept of Green Building SEZ

Indian Green Building Council(IGBC) has developed green building rating programmes to cover commercial, residential, factory buildings, etc., Rating programmes would help projects to address all aspects related to environment and is an effective tool to measure the performance of the building/ project.

IGBC along with the Ministry of Commerce and Industry (MoCI) has prepared the Green SEZ guidelines. IGBC has further developed IGBC Green SEZ Rating System as an extension of the Green SEZ guidelines which encourages the projects to exceed the requirements of many codes and standards. IGBC Green SEZ Rating System is a voluntary and consensus based programme. 

The rating system has been developed based on materials and technologies that are presently available. The objective of IGBC Green SEZ is to facilitate the creation of energy efficient, water efficient, healthy, comfortable and environmentally friendly SEZ. 

The rating system evaluates certain credit points using a prescriptive approach and other credits on a performance based approach. The rating system is evolved so as to be comprehensive and at the same time user-friendly. 

Something About Tamil Nadu

Something About Tamil Nadu

Rivers

Arani, Palar, Penniyar, Manimukta, Vaigai (This River is Eastern Extension of Periyar river), Cauvery, Chittar, 

Lakes:

Pulicut Lake( share with Andhra),  Kilvelli lake, Kollidam, Stanley Res., Krishnaraj Sagar Res,, Bhavani Sagar Res., Shatnur Res.

Eastern Ghat:

Javedi Hills, Shevaroy Hills, Panchamalai Hills

Western Ghat:

Palani Hills, Sirumalai Hills, Varushnad Hills

Agriculture:

Rice, Cotton Yarn, Sugarcane, Tea and Coffee

Industry:

• Siriculture in Kanchipuram, Vellore and Pallavaram Districts
• Automobile and Pharma industries in Ennore
• Aluminium and Iron industries in Salem
• Automobile industry in Coimbatore
• Textile Industry in Erode
• Cement Industry in Dindigul
• Madurai is called Coffee Capital of India
• Cement and Cotton Industries in Virudhnagar
• Firework industries in Shivkashi
• Artificial port in Chennai
• Coal and Iron is imported from Indonesia and Australia through Ennore Port
• Thoothukkudi: Important port for export

Wildlife:

• Vedanthangal: Bird Sanctuary
• Mudumalai: Tiger Reserve
• Kalkad: Tiger Reserve
• Neyyar: Wildlife Sanctuary

Some Important Straits of the World

Some Important Straits of the World

Strait of Bab-el Mandeb: 

It is between Yemen and Eritrea and joins Red sea and Arabian Sea

Suez Canal:

Is is between Egypt and Israel and joins Mediterranean and Red Sea

Strait of Malacca:

It is between Singapore and Sumatra and joins Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean

Makassar:

It is between Celebes Islands and Borneo Islands in Pacific Ocean

Bering Strait:

It is between Russia and Alaska and joins Bering Sea and Chukchi Sea

Strait of Hormuz:

It is between Iran and Oman 

Gilbraltar:

It joins Atlantic ocean and Mediterranean Sea

Magellan Strait: 

It is in the Southern part of Chile

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

UN Convention on the Law of the Sea

The issue of varying claims of territorial waters was raised in the UN in 1967 by Arvid Pardo, of Malta, and in 1973 the Third United Nations Conference on the Law of the Sea was convened in New York. In an attempt to reduce the possibility of groups of nation-states dominating the negotiations, the conference used a consensus process rather than majority vote. With more than 160 nations participating, the conference lasted until 1982. The resulting convention came into force on November 16, 1994, one year after the sixtieth state, Guyana, ratified the treaty.

The convention introduced a number of provisions. The most significant issues covered were setting limits, navigation, archipelagic status and transit regimes, exclusive economic zones (EEZs), continental shelf jurisdiction, deep seabed mining, the exploitation regime, protection of the marine environment, scientific research, and settlement of disputes.

Internal Water

Covers all water and waterways on the landward side of the baseline. The coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource. Foreign vessels have no right of passage within internal waters.
Territorial waters

Territorial Water

Out to 12 nautical miles (22 kilometres; 14 miles) from the baseline, the coastal state is free to set laws, regulate use, and use any resource. Vessels were given the right of innocent passage through any territorial waters, with strategic straits allowing the passage of military craft as transit passage, in that naval vessels are allowed to maintain postures that would be illegal in territorial waters. "Innocent passage" is defined by the convention as passing through waters in an expeditious and continuous manner, which is not "prejudicial to the peace, good order or the security" of the coastal state. Fishing, polluting, weapons practice, and spying are not "innocent", and submarines and other underwater vehicles are required to navigate on the surface and to show their flag. Nations can also temporarily suspend innocent passage in specific areas of their territorial seas, if doing so is essential for the protection of its security.

Archipelagic waters

The convention set the definition of Archipelagic States in Part IV, which also defines how the state can draw its territorial borders. A baseline is drawn between the outermost points of the outermost islands, subject to these points being sufficiently close to one another. All waters inside this baseline are designated Archipelagic Waters. The state has full sovereignty over these waters (like internal waters), but foreign vessels have right of innocent passage through archipelagic waters (like territorial waters).

Contiguous zone

Beyond the 12-nautical-mile (22 km) limit, there is a further 12 nautical miles (22 km) from the territorial sea baseline limit, the contiguous zone, in which a state can continue to enforce laws in four specific areas: customs, taxation, immigration and pollution, if the infringement started within the state's territory or territorial waters, or if this infringement is about to occur within the state's territory or territorial waters.[4] This makes the contiguous zone a hot pursuit area.

Exclusive economic zones (EEZs)

These extend from the edge of the territorial sea out to 200 nautical miles (370 kilometres; 230 miles) from the baseline. Within this area, the coastal nation has sole exploitation rights over all natural resources. In casual use, the term may include the territorial sea and even the continental shelf. The EEZs were introduced to halt the increasingly heated clashes over fishing rights, although oil was also becoming important. The success of an offshore oil platform in the Gulf of Mexico in 1947 was soon repeated elsewhere in the world, and by 1970 it was technically feasible to operate in waters 4000 metres deep. Foreign nations have the freedom of navigation and overflight, subject to the regulation of the coastal states. Foreign states may also lay submarine pipes and cables.

Continental shelf

The continental shelf is defined as the natural prolongation of the land territory to the continental margin’s outer edge, or 200 nautical miles (370 km) from the coastal state’s baseline, whichever is greater. A state’s continental shelf may exceed 200 nautical miles (370 km) until the natural prolongation ends. However, it may never exceed 350 nautical miles (650 kilometres; 400 miles) from the baseline; or it may never exceed 100 nautical miles (190 kilometres; 120 miles) beyond the 2,500 meter isobath (the line connecting the depth of 2,500 meters). Coastal states have the right to harvest mineral and non-living material in the subsoil of its continental shelf, to the exclusion of others. Coastal states also have exclusive control over living resources "attached" to the continental shelf, but not to creatures living in the water column beyond the exclusive economic zone.



Aside from its provisions defining ocean boundaries, the convention establishes general obligations for safeguarding the marine environment and protecting freedom of scientific research on the high seas, and also creates an innovative legal regime for controlling mineral resource exploitation in deep seabed areas beyond national jurisdiction, through an International Seabed Authority and the Common heritage of mankind principle.
Landlocked states are given a right of access to and from the sea, without taxation of traffic through transit states.

Indian Nuclear Arrangements

Indian Nuclear Arrangements

Department of Atomic Energy, India has been pursuing the nuclear program in 3 stages

1st Stage :

• It is the only stage in commercial domain
• In this stage the Pressurized Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR)is developed
• Natural Uranium (Uranium 235) is used  as fuel
• Heavy Water is used as moderator or coolant
• The Nuclear Power Corporation of India ltd (NPCIL) is responsible for design, construction and operation of nuclear reactors
• PHWRs are at Kundankulam, Kakrapar(Gujrat), Rawatbhata(Rajasthan)

2nd Stage:

• This stage is in Demostration Stage
• In this stage Fast Breeder Reactors (FBS) are developed 
• Plutonium is produced by irradiation of Uranium 238
• Liquid Sodium is used as Coolant
• Indira Gandhi Center for Atomic Research (IGCAR)  is engaged in design and development of reactors
• Prototype FBR is  working at Kalpakkam
• Bhartiya Nabhikiya Vidyut Nigam (BHAVINI) is implementing the project at Kalapakkam

3rd Stage:

• This stage is in Development Stage
• This stage is based on Thorium-Uranium-233 Cycle
• Uranium-233 is obtain by irradiation of Thorium
• In this stage Advanced Heavy Water Reactor(AHWR) is Developed at BARC
• AHWR is first time developed in the world
• A research reactor KAMINI is operational at Kalapakkam

In all the 3 stages only 1st is in commercial use, 2nd stage is in demonstration, and the 3rd stage is in developmental stage

 

Biosphere Reserves of India

Biosphere Reserves of India

Biosphere Reserves of India

• Great Rann of Kutch Gujarat
• Gulf of Mannar, Tamil Nadu
• Sundarbans West Bengal
• Cold Desert, Himachal Pradesh
• Nandadevi, Uttarakhand
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu,Kerala andKarnataka
• Dihang-Dibang, Arunachal Pradesh
• Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
• Seshachalam Hills, Andhra Pradesh
• Simlipal, Odisha
• Achanakamar -Amarkantak, Madhya Pradesh,Chhattisgarh
• Manas, Assam
• Khangchendzonga, Sikkim
• Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve, Kerala, Tamil Nadu
• Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, Andaman and Nicobar Islands
• Nokrek, Meghalaya
• Dibru-Saikhowa, Assam
• Panna, Madhya Pradesh

Biosphere Reserves Recognized by UNESCO

• Achanakmar-Amarkantak Biosphere Reserve, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh
• Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu
• Nanda Devi Biosphere Reserve, Uttarakhand
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, TamilNadu, Kerala, Karnataka
• Nokrek Biosphere Reserve, Meghalaya
• Pachmarhi Biosphere Reserve, Madhya Pradesh
• Simlipal Biosphere Reserve, Odisha
• Sundarbans national park, West Bengal

Potential Sites for Biosphere Reserve

• Namdapha, Arunachal Pradesh
• Thar Desert, Rajasthan
• Little Rann of Kutch, Gujarat
• kavalam, Assam
• Kanha, Madhya Pradesh
• North Islands of Andaman Andaman & Nicobar
• Abujmarh, Madhya Pradesh
• Chintapalli, Andhra Pradesh
• Lakshadweep Islands, Lakshadweep
• Singbhum

SABLA

SABLA

The original name of this scheme is Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)

This scheme covers out of school and school going Adolescent girls under 11 to 18 age group

This scheme has two components: Nutritional Components and Non Nutritional Component

Nutritional Component:

• Take home ration or hot cooked meal for out of school going girls under 11 to 14 years age
• Also take home ration or hot cooked meal for school going girls under 14 to 18 years age

Non-Nutrition Component:

• For out of school girls under 11 to 18 years of age
• They are provided Iron&Folic acid supplement, Health check up, nutrition and health education, counselling/guidance on family welfare, adolescent reproductive sexual health, child care practices and life skill education, and accessing public services

Vocational Training:

• For all girls under 16 to 18 age

Other provisions:

• Anganwadi are the implementation agencies
• 100% central assistance under non-nutritional components
• 50% central assistance under nutritional components

Disability and Govt. Policy

Disability and Govt. Policy

India is a Country which posses all types of disabilities like Visual, Hearing, Speech, Locomotors and Mental Disabilities.

The constitution of India, specially the articles 17,21,21A,14 ensure equality, freedom, justice and dignity of all individuals and implicitly mandate an inclusive society for all including the persons with disabilities.

Some international conventions, of India is signatory:

• Declaration on the Full Participation and Equality of People with Disabilities in the Asia Pacific Region
• Biwako Millennium Framework: For action towards an inclusive, barrier free and rights based society.
• UN Convention on Protection and Promotion of the Rights and Dignity of Persons with Disabilities.

Some National Mechanisms:

National Policy for Persons with Disabilities 2005:

• It focuses on prevention of desabilities and physical and economic rehabilitation of persons with disabilities 

Persons with Disabilities(Equal opportunities, Protection of rights and Full Participation) Act, 1995

• Focuses on Education, Employment, Vocational Training , Creation of Barrier free environment, Rehabilitation Services, Institutional Services and Supportive Social Security Measures like unemployment allowance and grievance redressal machinery.

National Trust for Welfare of Persons with Autism, Cerebral Palsy, Mental Retardation and Multiple Disabilities Act, 1999

• India is the only country in the world to have legislation for Autism
• This act focuses on extending support to registered organisations providing need based services
• Also focuses on to evolve procedures for appointment of legal guardians for persons with disabilities.

Rehabilitation council of India:

Statutory body setup under the Rehabilitation Council of India Act, 1992. Its working areas are

• Standardization and Regulation of Training Courses for profession trainers
• Recoginsation of institutions and universities running training courses in area of rehabilitation of disabled within and outside the country
• Promotion of research in rehabilitation and special education
• Maintenance of Central Rehabilitation Register for Professionals possessing the recognised rehabilitation qualification
• Encouragement of continuing rehabilitation education programmes

Other National Mechanisms:

• Office of Chief Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities
• National Handicapped Finance and Development Corporation
• Schemes for Assistance to Disabled Persons for Purchase/Fitting of Aids and Appliances

Some Institutes in Field of Rehabilitation and Special Education

• National Institute for Visually Handicapped, Dehradun
• National Institute for Orthographically Handicapped, Kolkata   
• Ali Yavur Jung National Institute for Hearing Handicapped, Mumbai
• National Institute for Mentally Handicapped, Secunderabad
• National Institute for Rehabilitation Training and Research, Cuttack
• Institute for Physically Handicapped, New Delhi
• National Institute for Empowerment of Persons with Multiple Disabilities, Chennai
• Artificial Limb Manufacturing Corporation of India, Kanpur