Important Facts for Prelims (July 12, 2018)

• 12 Jul 2018

India Emerges as World's 6^th Largest Economy

According to an analysis done by the World Bank, India surpassed France to become 6^th largest economy of the world in terms of Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

Earlier in 2014, India displaced Japan to become the world’s third biggest economy in terms of purchasing power parity (PPP).

Purchasing Power Parity

The rate at which the currency of one country would have to be converted into that of another country to buy the same amount of goods and services in each country.

Nilgiri Tahr Threatened Due to Climate Change

A new study has predicted that most of the existing habitats of the Nilgiri Tahr in the Western Ghats will become unsuitable because of global warming.

Nilgiri Tahr

• Nilgiri tahrs are stocky goats with short, coarse fur and a bristly mane. Males are larger than the females, and have a darker colour when mature.
• Adult males develop a light grey area or “saddle” on their backs and are hence called “saddlebacks”.
• The distribution of Nilgiri tahr is limited to the Western Ghats and that too in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu only. They are more or less confined to altitudes of 1,200 to 2,600 meters.
• IUCN Status: Endangered
• Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 : Schedule 1 (absolute protection and offences under these are prescribed the highest penalties)
• The study predicted a maximum habitat loss of 61.2 percent, 61.4 per cent and 63 per cent for 2030, 2050 and 2080 respectively if there is no fall in level of emissions.
• The reasons for decline in Tahr populations are hunting, conflict with livestock grazing and habitat loss over the years.
• This is the first time that a study has looked into the likely effect of climate change on the Nilgiri Tahr.

Anayootu

The ‘Anayootu’ (feeding of elephants) ritual is held annually at the Sree Vadakkunnatha temple, Thrissur, Kerala. The rituals are meant for propitiating Lord Ganesha, and will start with Ashta Dravya Mahaganapathy homam.

Sree Vadakkunnatha Temple

• An ancient Hindu temple dedicated to Shiva.
• It has monumental towers on all four sides and also has a Kuttambalam (theatre hall).
• It has mural paintings depicting various episodes from Mahabharata
• It has been declared as a National Monument under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.