Rapid Fire Current Affairs | 25 Jan 2023

Water Hyacinth Invasion in Sankhya Sagar

Sankhya Sagar - an artificial lake in Madhya Pradesh has virtually disappeared under a thick layer of Water Hyacinth - an invasive aquatic plant. Sankhya Sagar was declared a Ramsar site in July 2022, and helps maintain the ecological balance of the Madhav National Park.

The lake is home to 19 indigenous fish species and in turn piscivorous birds along with Marsh crocodile (WPA 1972; Schedule I).

Water Hyacinth, though, native to South Africa, has naturalised itself in many other parts of the world. However, it can’t be outrightly placed in a harmful or useful category - on one hand, it acts as a water purifier by removing heavy metals present in small quantities while on the other, once it covers the entire surface of a water body, it does not allow sunlight to penetrate the water and also starts depleting oxygen.

The water hyacinth in Sankhya Sagar is leading to the death of native species; its presence also indicates high nitrogen levels in the lake.

Read More - Water Hyacinth, Ramsar Sites

Ops Alert Exercise

In view of the upcoming Republic Day celebrations, the Border Security Force (BSF) has started an "Ops Alert'' exercise (21-28 Jan 2023) to enhance security along the India-Pakistan border from from Sir Creek (marshy area) to Kutch (Gujarat) and Barmer (Rajasthan) with the objective of "thwarting any ill designs of anti-national elements".

To enhance its security, "permanent vertical bunkers" of concrete are being constructed for the first time to station BSF troops right at the strategically significant Sir Creek and ‘Harami Nalla’ marshy area.

The Union Home Ministry has sanctioned a Rs. 50-crore fund for the construction of 8 multi-storey bunkers cum observation posts in this area in view of the “constant infiltration of Pakistani fishermen and fishing boats in the area”.

Read More - Border Security Force (BSF)

TROPEX 2023

The 2023 edition of Indian Navy’s major maritime exercise TROPEX, was conducted in the Indian Ocean Region. The Theatre Level Operational Readiness Exercise (TROPEX) is conducted biennially and witnesses participation from all Indian Navy units and also Indian Army, Indian Air Force and Indian Coast Guard.

TROPEX 23 is being conducted over a duration of three months from Jan - Mar 23. As part of the exercise, all surface combatants of the Indian Navy including Destroyers, Frigates, Corvettes as well as submarines and aircraft are put through complex maritime operational deployments to validate and refine the Navy’s Concept of Operations including operational logistics and interoperability with other Services.

Read More - TROPEX, Indian Navy

National Girl Child Day

On January 24, India celebrates National Girl Child Day with the objective of highlighting the prejudice and injustice that girl children face. This day also encourages awareness of women's rights in our country. The day was established in 2008 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.

The government of India has taken many initiatives for the betterment of the girls. 'Beti Bachao and Beti Padhao (BBBP)' is one such initiative. BBBP was recently revised.