Most Probable Topics ( 201-300)

Tyagaraja was a renowned composer of Carnatic music, a form of Indian classical music. He was prolific and highly influential in the development of the classical music tradition. Tyagaraja and his contemporaries, Shyama Shastri and Muthuswami Dikshitar, were regarded as the Trinity of Carnatic music . Tyagaraja composed thousands of devotional compositions, most in Telugu and in praise of Lord Rama, many of which remain popular today. Of special mention are five of his compositions called the Pancharatna Kritis .

Ghumat

The ghumat is a membranophone instrument from Goa, India. Ghumat is a percussion instrument of earthen vessel having both sides open; on the bigger opening a leather (drum membrane) of monitor lizard is mounted.

Ghumat forms an integral part of Goan folk, religious and temple music, both Hindu and Christian. It serves as an accompaniment to the folk songs and to the mando music. But most importantly it plays a vital role in the music played in Goa during the Ganesh festival. It also used in most of the Goan temples during the spring season in an orchestra called as Suvari Vadan.

Khaprumama Parvatkar was one well known artist of this instrument.

Ghumot will soon be notified as a heritage instrument of Goa.

It is a folk instrument of the Konkani people mainly the Siddis, Kudumis and Kharvis.
It is also part of the Zagor folk dance and Dulpod (Goan dance song).

Bagru Block Printing

It is a traditional technique of printing with natural colour done by the Chippa community in Bagru village of Rajasthan.

Other Important block printings –

Gujarat: Ajrakh Print
Rajasthan: Sanganeri, Ajrakh, Dabu
Madhya Pradesh: Bagh Print, Bherogarh Print (Batik)
Andhra Pradesh: Kalamkari

Project Aipan

Project Aipan was started with an aim to revive Aipan, an art form which hails from the Kumaon region of Uttarakhand, India.

Tholu Bommalata

the shadow puppet theatre tradition of Andhra Pradesh
The best known leather puppets in our country are those used in the Tholu Bomalatta of Andhra Pradesh. The origins of these puppets can be traced back to about 2000 BCE, as they are mentioned in the Mahabharata.

(NCERT Living Craft Traditions of India-11^th )

String Puppets of India- source CCRT India

Kathputli- Rajasthan
Kundhei – Odisha
Gombeyatta- Karnataka
Bommalattam- Tamil Nadu

Shadow Puppets of India- CCRT India

– Togalu Gombeyatta- Karnataka

– Tholu Bommalata- Andhra Pradesh

– Ravanachhaya- Odisha

Rod Puppets of India- CCRT India

Putul Nautch- West Bengal
Odisha
Yampuri – Bihar

Glove puppets- CCRT India

Pavakoothu- Kerala

Folk Dances- CCRT India

Karakattam folk dance: Tamil Nadu
Taakala Folk Dance: Maharashtra
Koli Folk Dance: Maharashtra
Misra Raas of Gujarat
Tamang Selo of Sikkim
Monpa of Arunachal Pradesh
Gangte folk dance, Arunachal Pradesh
Mamita of Tripura
Satoiya Nitya of Assam
Fusim Dance of Jammu Kashmir
Hudka Chhudka of Uttarakhand

Different Forms of Traditional theatre- CCRT India

Bhand Pather – Kashmir
Swang – Rohtak and Hathras
Nautanki – UP
Rasleela -UP
Bhavai – Gujarat
Jatra – West Bengal
Maach – Madhya Pradesh
Bhaona-Ankia Naat – Assam
Tamasha- Maharashtra’
Dashavtar – Goa and Konkan region
Krishnattam – Kerala
Mudiyettu – Kerala
Koodiyattam – Kerala
Yakshagaana- Karnataka (asked earlier in prelims)
Therukoothu – Tamil Nadu

Regional Music – CCRT India

Rasiya Geet – UP
Pankhida- Rajasthan
Lotia- Rajasthan
Pandavani – Chhattisgarh
Shakunakhar Mangalgeet- Kumaon
Barhamasa – Kumaon
Mando – Goa
Alha – Bundelkhand, UP
Hori – Up
Sohar – UP
Chhakri – Kashmir
Laman – HP- Kullu valley
Kazri – UP
Qawwali- came from Persia in 13^th century- Amir Khusrau
Tappa- Punjab
Powada – Maharashtra
Teej Songs- Rajasthan
Burrakatha- Andhra Pradesh
Bhakha – jammu
Bhuta song- Kerala
Daskathia- Odisha
Bihu- Assam
Sana Lamok – Manipur
Lai haraoba festival songs- Manipur
Saikuti Zai – Mizoram
Chai hia – Mizoram- Chapchar kut festival
Basant geet – Garhwal
Ghasiyari geet – Garhwal
Sukar ke biyah – Bhojpuri
Villu Pattu “Bow song” – Tamil Nadu
Ammanaivari – Tamil Nadu ( Praise of Cholas)

The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has named the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro as the World Capital of Architecture for 2020. As the first World Capital of Architecture, Rio de Janeiro will hold a series of events under the theme “All the worlds. Just one world”, and promote the internationally agreed 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development’s 11^th Goal: “Make cities and human settlements inclusive, safe, resilient and sustainable.”

World Capital of Architecture initiative is a joint initiative of UNESCO and the International Union of Architects (UIA) launched in 2018.

UNESCO Global Geopark Network Status

UNESCO Global Geoparks are single, unified geographical areas where sites and landscapes of international geological significance are managed with a holistic concept of protection, education and sustainable development.
It aims to enhance awareness and understanding of key issues facing society, such as using our earth’s resources sustainably, mitigating the effects of climate change and reducing natural disasters-related risks.
The Global Geoparks Network (GGN), is a legally constituted not-for-profit organisation.
Its membership is obligatory for UNESCO Global Geoparks.
140 UNESCO Global Geoparks in 38 countries.
An aspiring Global Geopark must have a dedicated website, a corporate identity, comprehensive management plan, protection plans, finance, and partnerships for it to be accepted.
As of now there is no geo-heritage site from India .
Geological Survey of India (GSI) chose follwoing heritage locations in Maharashtra and Karnataka for UNESCO Global Geopark Network site status-

Lonar Lake, Maharashtra:
It is the world’s oldest meteoric crater formed around 50,000 years ago and the
only one formed in basalt rock.
It is a salt water lake.
It became a national geo-heritage site in 1979.

Mary’s Island and Malpe Beach:
Karnataka
It is a hexagonal mosaic of basaltic rocks in an island off Udupi.
It is estimated to be an 88-million-yearold formation that goes back to a time when Greater India broke away from Madagascar.

“Victorian and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai” has been included in UNESCO’s World Heritage list.

37 world heritage sites in India.
With five sites, Maharashtra has the maximum number of sites in India.

Intangible Cultural Heritages of India

The ICH list for India includes

Koodiyattam: Sanskrit Theatre, Kerala
Mudiyettu: a ritual theatre of Kerala
The Tradition of Vedic Chanting
Ramlila: the Traditional Performance of the Ramayana
Ramman: religious festival and ritual theatre of the Garhwal Himalayas
Kalbelia: folk songs and dances of Rajasthan
Chhau dance: 3 distinct styles from the regions of Seraikella (Jharkhand), Purulia (Bengal) and Mayurbhanj (Odisha). Of these, the first two use masks.
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh: recitation of sacred Buddhist texts in the trans-Himalayan Ladakh region, Jammu and Kashmir
Sankirtana: ritual singing, drumming and dancing of Manipur
Traditional brass and copper craft of utensil making among the Thatheras of Jandiala Guru,Punjab
Yoga
Nawrouz
Kumbh Mela (latest addition in 2017)

The Kumbha Mela is held four times over the course of 12 years, in rotation between four Hindu pilgrimage places on four sacred rivers:

o Haridwar (banks of Ganga),

o Prayagraj/Allahabad (Confluence of Ganga, Yamuna and Saraswati),

o Nashik (banks of Godavari)

o Ujjain (banks of Shipra).

Kumbh Mela can be traced back in history through the writings of 7th century Chinese traveller Hiuen Tsang who came to India during the rule of Harshavardhan. The festival was also popularised among people by the eighth century saint Shankaracharya.
At Prayagraj, Kumbh Mela held at every 6 years and Maha Kumbh at every 12 years.

UNESCO Cultural Heritage List – India
UNESCO Natural Heritage List- India

(For quick revision of the above lists ,check the articles in Strategic Articles section.)

World Network Of Biosphere Reserves – India
Biosphere Reserves of India
Classical Dance Styles of India

Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve enters UNESCO list

11 Indian reserves now listed in World Network of Biosphere Reserves.
The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve (KBR) of Sikkim, the highest biosphere reserve in the country that includes the third highest mountain peak in the world, Kanchenjunga (8,586 m), has been included in the UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserve (WHBR).
The last biosphere reserve to be included was the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve in Kerala in 2016. The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve was the first reserve from the country to be included in the WNBR. India has 18 biospheres reserves, of which 11 have been included in the WNBR.
The Khangchendzonga National Park (KNP), which comprises the core area of the KBR, was inscribed as India’s first “Mixed World Heritage Site” on July 17, 2016. Eighty six per cent of the core lies in the Alpine zone and the remaining portions are located in the Himalayan wet temperate and sub tropical moist deciduous forest.
The Khangchendzonga Biosphere Reserve is one of the world’s 34 biodiversity hotspots that has good species diversity with high levels of endemism, with many mountains, peaks, lakes, caves, rocks, stupas (shrines) and hot springs.

Bandipur Tiger reserve

Karnataka’s long-drawn battle to keep roads through Bandipur National Park closed at night got a shot in the arm after the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH) informed the Supreme Court that they have accepted the recommendation of maintaining status quo on National Highway 766. Kerala opposed the ban .

Sabarimala celebrated Makaravilakku festival (two months long annual festival of the temple) on the occasion of Makara Sankranti.

It is located at Sabarimala inside the Periyar Tiger Reserve in Pathanamthitta district, Kerala,
The temple is dedicated to the Hindu celibate deity Ayyappan also known as Dharma Sastha, who according to belief is the son of Shiva and Mohini, the feminine incarnation of Vishnu.
The traditions of Sabarimala are a confluence of Shaivism, Shaktism, Vaishnavism, and other Sramaṇa traditions.
The Supreme Court in September ordered the Sabarimala temple administration to throw it open to women of all age declaring unconstitutional a Kerala law that banned entry of menstruating women in the shrine.

PAIKA REBELLION

Paikas were the traditional landed militia of Odisha who used to perform policing functions.
Paiks owned rent-free land that had been given to them for their military service to Kingdom of Khurda.British usurped their land and imposed repressive policies.
It was led by Jagabandhu Bidyadhar Mahapatra Bhramarabar Rai or Buxi Jagabandhu, the military chief of the King of Khurda. The uprising was set off on 29 March 1817 as the Paiks attacked the police station and other government establishments at Banpur. Odisha.

Both zamindars and ryots joined the Paiks. A ‘no-rent campaign’ was also started. The priests of the Jagannath Temple also extended the Paiks their full support. The British imposed Martial Law and the by May 1817 the uprising was mostly contained.

Haifa

It is third largest city in Israel.
It is home to the Bahá’í World Centre, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a destination for Bahá’í pilgrims (one of the religious group in Israel).
The Indian cavalry brigades fighting under the leadership of British General Edmund Allenby helped liberate Haifa from the clutches of the Turkish-German forces in 1918.(First World war).

Kartarpur Corridor

The proposed project will connect the Dera Baba Nanak Sahib Gurdwara in India’s state of Punjab to the Gurdwara Darbar Sahib Kartarpur shrine in Narowal district of Pakistan’s Punjab province which is reportedly to be completed before the 550^th anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev. It runs across the Ravi River. The Kartarpur Corridor, seeks to visa-free access from India to the shrine inside Pakistan.The Gurudwara was ordered by Maharaja of Patiala between 1921-1929 and is believed to be place where Nanak ji spent about last 18 years of his life.

Guru Nanak Dev Ji

He was the founder of Sikhism (the first of the ten Sikh Gurus) and a Bhakti saint.
Guru Nanak and Sikhism were influenced by the nirguni (formless God) tradition of Bhakti movement in medieval India.
He emphasized the importance of the worship of one God.
He insisted that caste, creed or gender was irrelevant for attaining liberation.
He used the terms nam, dan and isnan for the essence of his teaching, which actually meant right worship, welfare of others and purity of conduct.
His teachings are now remembered as namjapna, kirt-karna and vand-chhakna, which also underline the importance of right belief and worship, honest living, and helping others.
He insisted that his followers must be householders and should adopt productive and useful occupations.

Sant Kabir’s Teachings

Kabir’s teachings were based on a complete, indeed vehement, rejection of the major religious traditions and he vouched for Nirguna form of Bhakti.
His teachings openly ridiculed all forms of external worship of both Brahmanical, Hinduism and Islam, the pre-eminence of the priestly classes and the caste system.
It is considered that he got all his spiritual training from his Guru named, Ramananda, in his early childhood.
Kabir Panth is the huge religious community which identifies the Kabir as the originator of the Sant Mat sects.

Advaita Vedanta is a non-dualistic school of Hinduism with its roots in the Vedas and Upanishads which recognizes one reality and one God.

Shankaracharya is the founder of advaita Vedanta. According to Shankara, the atman experiences a false sense of plurality and individuality when under the influence of the delusive power of maya. A soul becomes liberated from the cycle of rebirth by realizing that its very experience of samsara is an illusion.

Swami Vivekananda was a great proponent of Vedantic philosophy and he spread Advaita Vedanta to the west via the Ramakrishna Mission.

Ramanujacharya, or Ilaiya Perumal was a bhakti saint and also spread the message of equality.

Ramanuja’s philosophy was called vishistadvaita,or ‘qualified monism’.
Ramanuja’s God (Brahma) is a personal God with omniscient qualities. He has created the world, but he has created the world out of His own self. Thus the world bears to Brahman the relation of part to whole, or the relation of a ‘qualified effect’ to the base (hence qualified monism) full of grace and love for his creation. It was one with God, but yet separate.
According to him, the best means of salvation was devotion, and the best yoga was bhakti-yoga,such intense devotion to Vishnu that the worshipper realized that he was but a fragment of God, and wholly dependent on him. Another means of salvation was prapatti,the abandonment of self, putting one’s soul completely in the hands of God, trusting in his will, and waiting confidently for his grace.

Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) is a not-for-profit public interest research and advocacy organisation based in New Delhi, India. Established in 1980, CSE works as a think tank on environment-development issues in India, poor planning, climate shifts devastating India’s Sundarbans and advocates for policy changes and better implementation of the already existing policies. CSE uses knowledge-based activism to create awareness about problems and propose sustainable solutions.

The director of the Centre is Sunita Narain.

CSE gets 2018 Indira Gandhi Prize Awarded for its pioneering work on environment and sustainable development.

Thanjavur painting

It is a form of miniature painting that flourished during the late 18^th and 19th centuries. However, its origin can be traced back to early 9th century.
It is characterised by bold drawing, techniques of shading and the use of pure and brilliant colours along with semi-precious stones, pearls and glass pieces.
The conical crown appearing in the miniature is a typical feature of the Tanjore painting.
Gold is extensively used in Thanjavur paintings as the glitter makes it more attractive as well as prolongs the life of the painting.
It has also been granted Geographical identification tag.

Madhubani/Mithila painting

It is practiced in the Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal deriving its name from the Madhubani town in Bihar.
It is often characterized by complex geometrical patterns, these paintings are known for representing ritual content for particular occasions, including festivals, religious rituals, etc.

Union Cabinet has signed a MoU with Vietnam on joint postal stamp which depicts Sanchi Stupa and Pho Minh Pagoda of Vietnam.

Sanchi Stupa

It is one of the oldest structures in India and was commission by 3rd century BCE by Emperor Ashoka. It is believed that during the reign of Shunga Emperor Pushyamitra Shunga it was vandalised. While under Agnimitra Shunga,son of Pushyamitra, it was refurbished.

During the Satavahans Period the gateways, and the balustrade were built and highly decorated. The gateways commissioned were covered with narrative structures. The figure of Lord Buddha was carved in these structures as canopy under the Bodhi Tree at the point of Enlightenment.

UNESCO world heritage site

(Buddhism + Unesco world heritage site+current event)

India’s National War Memorial- India Gate Complex

– built to honor soldiers who laid down their lives defending the nation, post-independence. It also commemorates the sacrifices made by Indian soldiers sent on peace-keeping missions of the United Nations, Humanitarian Assistance Disaster Relief (HADR) and counter-insurgency operations.

Silappadikaram

It was composed during Sangam Period (3^rd century BC to 4th century AD).
Silappadikaram (the story of the anklet) written by Ilango-Adigal (Tamil poet and Jaina Monk) is one of the five Great Epics of Tamil Nadu, followed by Manimegalai, Civaka Cintamani, Valayapathi and Kundalakesi. The epic revolves around Kannagi, who having lost her husband to a miscarriage of justice at the court of the Pandyan Dynasty, wreaks her revenge on his kingdom. All three of the Tamil kingdoms of the ancient era – the Chola, the Pandya and the Chera – are mentioned in the tale. It is considered to be one of the greatest poetic works detailing the Tamil culture. It also emphasizes the importance of various religions, town plans and city types, and the mingling of Greeks and Arabs with the Tamil peoples.

Classical Languages of India

Criteria for Declaring Classical Language – 4 criterias-

High antiquity of its early texts/recorded history over a period of 1500-2000 years;
A body of ancient literature/texts, which is considered a valuable heritage by generations of speakers;
The literary tradition be original and not borrowed from another speech community;

4.The classical language and literature being distinct from modern, there may also be a discontinuity between the classical language and its later forms or its offshoots.

6 Classical Languages-

Tamil
Sanskrit
Kannada
Telugu
Malayalam
Odia

Geological Survey of India

It is an attached office to the Ministry of Mines.
It was set up in 1851 primarily to find coal deposits for the Railways.
Its main function is creation and updation of national geoscientific information and mineral resource assessment.
Its headquarter is in
It has declared 32 Geological Heritage Sites/National Geological Monuments for conservation, protection and maintenance.

The Archaeological Survey of India

It is an Indian government agency attached to the Ministry of Culture that is responsible for archaeological research and the conservation and preservation of cultural monuments in the country. It was founded in 1861 by Alexander Cunningham who also became its first Director-General.

Headquarter – New Delhi

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems(GIAHS) List India

Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems(GIAHS) are outstanding landscapes of aesthetic beauty that combine agricultural biodiversity, resilient ecosystems and a valuable cultural heritage.Located in specific sites around the world, they sustainably provide multiple goods and services, food and livelihood security for millions of small-scale farmers.

Why is there a Need for GIAHS?

1.These agricultural systems are threatened by many factors including climate change and increased competition for natural resources.

2.They are also dealing with migration due to low economic viability, which has resulted in traditional farming practices being abandoned.

3.Endemic species and breeds being lost.

4.These ancestral agricultural systems constitute the foundation for contemporary and future agricultural innovations and technologies. Their cultural, ecological and agricultural diversity is still evident in many parts of the world, maintained as unique systems of agriculture.

Number of sites in the world- 57 sites in 21 countries
Number of sites in India– 3

GIAHS sites in India

1.Saffron heritage of India

Pampore Karewas,Kashmir

(Question has come on karewas in past prelims,picked from NCERT – Indian Physical)

2.Koraput Traditional Agriculture,Odisha

3.Kuttanad Below Sea Level Farming System- Kerala

Though Not a GIAHS, you should know that traditional rice cultivation is practised by Apatani tribes in Ziro Valley of Arunachal Pradesh.

Important Climate Funds (Full List is available in Pro section)

Adaptation fund– World Bank

The Green Climate Fund (GCF) was adopted as a financial mechanism of the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) at the end of 2011(asked in past prelims)

BioCarbon Fund– World Bank

Clean Technology Fund– The World Bank Group, the African Development Bank, the Asian Development Bank, the European Development Bank, and the Inter-American Development Bank are the implementing agencies for CTF investments.

Forest Carbon Partnership Facility– World Bank

Global Climate Change Alliance

The Global Climate Change Alliance (GCCA) is an initiative of the European Union. Its overall objective is to build a new alliance on climate change between the European Union and the poor developing countries that are most affected and that have the least capacity to deal with climate change.

Administrating Organisation— European Commission – Directorate-General for Development and Cooperation – EuropeAid

Global Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Fund-European Investment Bank (EIB)

The Least Developed Countries Fund

It is administered by the Global Environment Facility with World Bank as trustee.

Special Climate Change Fund–

Administrating Organisation— Global Environment Facility (GEF)

Adaptation for Smallholder Agriculture Programme (ASAP)

Administrating Organisation- International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD)

Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program for Low Income Countries

The Scaling-Up Renewable Energy Program in Low Income Countries (SREP) is a targeted program of the Strategic Climate Fund (SCF), which is one of two funds within the Climate Investment Funds (CIF) framework.

The SREP was designed to demonstrate the economic, social and environmental viability of low carbon development pathways in the energy sector in low-income countries. It aims to help low-income countries use new economic opportunities to increase energy access through renewable energy use.

Administrating Organisation- World Bank

UN-REDD Programme– previously asked in UPSC Prelims

Three UN Agencies – United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) – have collaborated in the establishment of the UN-REDD programme, a multi-donor trust fund that allows donors to pool resources and provide funding with the aim of significantly reducing global emissions from deforestation and forest degradation in developing countries. Through its nine initial country programme activities in Africa, Asia and Latin America, the UN-REDD Programme supports the capacity of national governments to prepare and implement national REDD strategies with the involvement of all stakeholders.

Administrating Organisation – UNDP

Mnemonics for administrating organisation of climate funds-

Most of the funds are administered by World Bank.
None of the funds is administered by IMF- IMF doesn’t concern with environment related activities.In previous years prelims ,UPSC had asked a similar question in which in one of the options IMF was mentioned as fund administrator.Any such statement should be considered False.

Geographical Indications In News( Last 1 year)

Marayur Jaggery – Kerala

Marayur jaggery gets GI tag.
Marayoor and Kanthalloor Panchayaths in Idukki district are famous for the unique product Marayoor jaggery or Marayoorsharkara.

Marayoorsharkara is one of the sweetest jaggeries produced in the area using traditional technologies. High sweetness without salty taste, high content of iron, less sodium content, less insoluble impurities, organic method of production and dark brown colour are the unique characters of this traditional sharkara.

Turmeric of Erode – Tamil Nadu

Turmeric grown in the Erode region was conferred the Geographical Indication tag , enabling the farmers and traders from the region to claim sole rights over the famed ‘Erode Manjal’.

During the Sangam era, 2000 BC, of Tamils, the peasants grew turmeric plants in front of their houses. There is evidence that turmeric is one of the commodities traded during the Chera, Chola and Pandian Kingdoms. The turmeric assumed greater importance in the religious and socio-cultural traditions as it was considered as an auspicious and holy herb. For its aroma and colour to the food items, turmeric has multifaceted utility in food, medicine and cosmetics,” the application said.

Alphonso Mangoes- Maharashtra

Alphonso mangoes from Ratnagiri, Sindhudurg and other adjoiining areas in Maharashtra have finally got the Geographical Indication tag.

The king of mangoes, Alphonso, is better known as ‘Hapus’ in Maharashtra.

Kadaknath chicken meat- Jhabua- Madhya Pradesh

The famous Kadaknath chicken meat from Jhabua district of Madhya Pradesh has now got a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

Kadaknath or Kali Masi (flowl with black flash) is unique breed of chicken that is complete black colour.t is completely black with black plumage having greenish iridescence, black legs, beak, tongue, comb and wattles.Apart from its meat, its bones and most organs are also black. Its black colour stems from deposition of melanin pigment.

Shahi Litchi

After Katarni rice, Jardalu mango and Magahi paan (betel vine), Bihars Shahi litchi has got the Geographical Indication (GI) tag .

The famous Shahi litchi, which is famous for its sweet, juicy, unique flavour and aroma, is mostly grown in Muzaffarpur and neighbouring districts including East Champaran, Vaishali, Samastipur and Begusarai.

GI tag for Telangana’s Adilabad dokra, Warangal Dhurries

Adilabad Dokra- an ancient bell metal craft popular in the tribal regions of Adilabad district in Telangana,Practiced by Woj community.They use ancient casting technique called cire prudue(lost wax process)

Warangal Durries-Dhurries is popular traditional thick cotton rug in which weavers create beautiful patterns and dye them using vegetable colours, which are washed in flowing water after the printing process.

Sangli chi halad- Maharashtra

Sangli chi halad gets GI tag.

Turmeric from Sangli, which has great medicinal value, accounts for nearly 70 per cent of the state’s total production. Within Maharashtra, Sangli and Parbhani are major turmeric growing districts.

Boka Chaul/ Assamese Soft Rice

The indigenous Boka Chaul (Oryza sativa) or Assamese soft-rice is the latest natural produce from Assam to be registered with the Geographical Indications (GI) tag.

This is the only product after Muga silk, Joha rice and Tezpur litchi to be registered as GI from Assam.

Boka Chaul is mostly cultivated in Nalbari, Barpeta, Goalpara, Baksa, Kamrup, Dhubri, Kokrajhar and Darrang districts of lower Assam. It is a winter rice or sali, which is sown from the third and fourth week of June.

This native variety of rice is unique because it requires no fuel to cook and can be eaten by just soaking it in water at room temperature. It is known for its nutrition and is consumed during summer because of its cooling effect.

Other News related to GI

– Baba Budangiri, 250 km from Bengaluru, where coffee was first grown in India, is going for Geographical Indication (GI) of its variety of the Arabica brew.

– Coffee Board has filed an application for the GI tagging of Baba Budangiri Arabica and four other varieties — Coorg Arabica, Wayanad Robusta, Chikmagalur Arabic and Araku Valley Arabica — with the Geographical Indication Registry at Chennai.

– The rights of Geographical Indication(GI) can be enforced only in respect of goods and not services, held the Calcutta High Court, while dismissing an infringement suit by Tea Board against Indian Tobacco Company(ITC).

– Application for GI tag from Jharkhand for-Sohrai and kohvar paintings are indigenous art forms also known as the wall paintings of Hazaribagh.Kohvar (“koh” means cave and “var” signifies a bridal couple) is generally associated with marriages, whereas sohrai celebrates harvest and fertility.Artists use natural resources such as red, black, yellow and white soil, cow dung, coal and powdered leaves, to make colours.

– Odisha’s Kandhamal Haldi (turmeric) will soon get Geographical Indications (GI) tag.

Living Craft Traditions- NCERT 11^th Important Points

Koftgari is the term for a type of silver and gold damascene work produced in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, Jaipur, Rajasthan, Hyderabad, Andhra Pradesh and Punjab. In ordinary damascene (tari-nishan), a technique used frequently to adorn the blades of swords, a chiselled groove is first made into which precious metal wire is hammered. The koftgari process is simpler and less time consuming, and allows for much freer decoration.

Bidri, a technique named after its place of origin, Bidar, Andhra Pradesh, is the application of inlay (mainly silver) to objects cast in a relatively soft alloy of zinc, copper and lead. After the inlay work is completed, the ground is stained black using chemicals, thus creating a splendid contrast to the silver decoration

Meenakari or Enamel Work

One of the most sophisticated forms of jewellery developed in North India is meenakari. Jaipur is the main centre, but some craftsmen practise this art in Delhi, Lucknow and Varanasi as well. Meenakari is combined with kundan to produce a delicate and rich effect. The meenakari or enamelled patterns are so fine and intricate that they need to be examined with a magnifying glass. This tradition continues even today.

Punjab is famed for its traditional embroidery called phulkari— flowering work. Using threads in brilliant colours like flaming pinks, oranges, mustard yellows and creams, the reverse satin stitch is done on a brick-red khadi cloth. An allover embroidered shawl (dupatta) is called a bagh, literally resembling a garden of flowers.

Sujni, from Bihar, is a form of quilted embroidery with mainly narrative themes.

Chikan-work from Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh, has many different stitches worked on cotton mull, creating a textured relief of flowers, paisleys and stars. The stitches have wonderful names—ghas-ki-patti as delicate as grass, murri which looks just like a grain of rice, and keel, the tip of a nail.

Kantha, embroidery from Bengal, is made of thousands of fine stitches, giving the fabric a puckered quilted look. In Bangladesh and India kantha was used to make quilts and coverlets.

Asked in past prelims-

Kalamkari or vrathapani from Andhra Pradesh demonstrates the variety of natural materials used to create a work of art. Kalamkari means ‘pen work’ in Persian and refers to both printed and painted cloth. In the seventeenth century Persian influences led to artists experimenting with the depiction of trees, fruits, flowers and ornamental birds.

The patachitra of Orissa depicts stories from the famous poem, the Geet Govind, and devotional stanzas by ancient poets, singers and writers. The pat was earlier made as a temple offering. Stories are drawn in sections on palm leaf as etchings or as paintings on paper and silk. Deep red, ochre, black and rich blue colours from minerals, shell and organic lac are used in these paintings. Modern developments have encouraged them to paint on wooden boxes, picture frames etc. for contemporary use.

The jharnapatachitra of West Bengal is a long vertical paper scroll used to tell stories from religious epics.

Ramsar Convention on Wetlands

The Convention on Wetlands of International Importance, especially as Waterfowl Habitats
Aim– Conservation and Sustainable utilisation of Wetlands
Ramsar – Town in Iran
Signed in 1971
Came into effect in 1975
February 2 – World Wetland Day
Maximum number of Ramsar sites – UK
Largest area under Ramsar Sites – Bolivia
Ramsar secretariat – IUCN- The World Conservation Union in Gland, Switzerland
Its an intergovernmental treaty and is not a part of UN.
Concept of “ Wise use of Wetlands” is related to Ramsar Convention.
Its not legally binding.
No of sites in India – 27

The Montreux Record

The Montreux Record is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference. It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.

2 Indian sites are in Montreux Record-

1) Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan

2) Loktak Lake, Manipur

Most Important Wetlands-Complete list in Pro section

Sunderbans Wetlands-

India has designated Sundarban Reserve Forests as the wetlands of International Importance, making it the 27th site in India – latest
It is the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world. – Sundarbans has now become the largest Ramsar Site in India.
It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
Large number of Royal Bengal Tigers.
The critically endangered northern river terrapin, the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, and the endangered fishing cat – all are found in Sunderbans

Tsomoriri – Jammu and Kashmir

Freshwater to brackish lake
Borax laden wetlands
Only breeding ground outside China for the Black Necked crane– endangered species
Only breeding ground for Bar-Headed Geese in India
Habitat for- The great Tibetan Sheep or Argali & Tibetal Wild Ass which are endemic to Tibetan plateau
Barley fields at Korzok – highest cultivated land in the world
400 year old Korzok monastery is situated here
Lake is considered holy by Buddhist communities and water is not used
It is designated as WWF Sacred Gift for the Living Planet.

Keoladeo National Park – Rajasthan

UNESCO World Heritage Site
Ramsar site
Listed on Montreux record
Artificial wetlands in Bharatpur,Rajasthan
Rare Siberian Cranes visit this site in large numbers though the population is dwindling at unprecedented rate.

Loktak Lake – Manipur

Shrinking freshwater lake
Thick floating mats of weeds covered with soil – Phumdis are unique feature
Listed on Montreux record
Habitat of Sangai– endemic and endangered species of brown antlered deer -state animal of Manipur.

Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary – Gujarat

Ramsar site
Natural freshwater lake
Largest natural wetland in Thar Desert Biogeographic Province
Considered relict of sea
Indian Wild Ass habitat
Habitat of Bharwad tribes who live on its islands and Padhars who lives on its banks.

Chilika Lake – Odisha

Brackish water lagoon at the mouth of the Daya River, flowing into the Bay of Bengal
It is the largest coastal lagoon in India
2nd largest coastal lagoon in the world
It has been listed in UNESCO World Heritage tentative
Largest wintering ground for migratory birds on the Indian sub-continent

Bhitarkanika mangroves- Odisha

Mangrove forests
Gahirmatha beach- largest nesting site of Olive Ridley turtle
Highest density of saltwater crocodiles in India

Deepor Beel – Assam

Perennial freshwater lake
Only major storm water storage basin for Guwahati
Birdlife International has declared it as an Important Bird Area (IBA)

Harike Lake – Punjab

At the confluence of Beas and Sutlej Rivers
Indus Dolhin– state aquatic animal of Punjab was recently sighted in Beas river.

Kolleru Lake – Andhra Pradesh

2^nd largest freshwater lake of India
Contains large number of fertile islets called Lanka’s.
Habitat of vulnerable Grey Pelican migratory birds

Sasthamkotta lake – Kerala

Largest freshwater lake of Kerala
Supports Kollam district
Water contains no common salts , no minerals and supports no water plants
Larva called “cavaborus” abounds and eliminates bacteria leading to highly pure water
Sastha Temple– ancient pilgrimage centre

Precision Agriculture

Precision agriculture (PA), satellite farming or site specific crop management (SSCM) is a farming management concept based on observing, measuring and responding to inter and intra-field variability in crops. The goal of precision agriculture research is to define a decision support system (DSS) for whole farm management with the goal of optimizing returns on inputs while preserving resources.

Drip Irrigation

Drip irrigation is a type of micro-irrigation system that has the potential to save water and nutrients by allowing water to drip slowly to the roots of plants, either from above the soil surface or buried below the surface. The goal is to place water directly into the root zone and minimize evaporation.

Kolams – Telangana

Telangana government begins health profiling of Adivasis.

Around 10 per cent of Kolams suffer from Thalasemia and sickle cell health problems.

Many PVTGs are suffering from Thalassemia and Sickle Cell anaemia which are hereditary and contacted because of consanguineous marriages. Some other PVTGs are suffering from malnutrition as well as kidney, cardiac and liver-related problems.

According to rough estimates, there are 63,000 members of the community living in 350 Kolams gudas in erstwhile Adilabad district.

The Kolam population is also in considerable number in bordering Maharashtra where the CCDP for the PVTGs is being implemented.

Mankidia Tribes- Odisha

The habitat rights of Mankidia community of Odisha, one of the state’s 13 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG), are in a limbo.

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) has a special section regarding the 75 PVGTs in the country.

The Act recognises the forest and habitat rights of the PVTGs. ‘Habitat’, as defined under Section 2 (h) of the FRA, includes the area comprising the customary habitat and such other habitats in reserved forests and protected forests of primitive tribal groups and pre-agricultural communities and other forest dwelling Scheduled Tribe. The bone of contention for the forest department is the core area of the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) where the Mankidia eke out a living by collecting Siali fibre.

(Forest Rights Act is important this year)

Corals

– Corals are marine invertebrates.

– They are important reef builders that inhabit tropical oceans and secrete calcium carbonate to form a hard skeleton.

– Individual heads grow by asexual reproduction of polyps.

– Corals are major contributors to the physical structure of the coral reefs that develop in tropical and subtropical waters, such as the enormous Great Barrier Reef off the coast of Queensland, Australia.

-Coral reefs have the greatest biodiversity of all marine ecosystems.

-Corals are under threat mainly due to sea temperature rise, sea level rise and pH changes from ocean acidification, all associated with greenhouse gas emissions.

CORAL REEFS IN INDIAN OCEAN

2 types found in India– Fringing reefs and Atolls.

Fringing reefs are common. They occur around the islands in the Gulf of Mannar, Gulf of Kachchh, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

The reefs in the Lakshadweep group of islands are oceanic atolls.

Barrier reefs are not known form Indian seas .

Are there coral reefs on the central east and west coasts of India?

No. The conditions here, especially salinity and high sediment load, are not ideal for coral growth. Most major rivers of India, like the Ganges, flow into the sea on the east coast, bringing in lots of sediments that would not allow the corals to grow. On the west coast, the monsoon is intense from June to August. The fresh water flow into the sea at this time reduces salinity to less than half of the normal and the sea water becomes murky brownish with the sediments.

Are sea grasses are the only flowering plants that live in water?

Sea Grasses enjoy the protection of the lagoon and proliferate. Many fishes and small crustaceans feed on these grasses. You may find the sea cucumber(remember,its an animal,not a plant.Question has come on sea grass in past years) in abundance in the sea grass beds.

–Turtle Grass is one of the species of sea grass .

(There are 100 entries in the list.We will correct the numbering in sometime.Error is due to automated bulleting of the list)

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