Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) | African Grey Parrot | Mount Semeru | Geological Survey of India (GSI) | Integrated Child Development Services Programme | Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

Syllabus: GS3/Defence

Context

• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police force is establishing 10 all-woman Border Outposts along the Line of Actual Control (LAC), marking a significant step toward gender inclusion in border security.

Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP)

• Raised: 24 October 1962, after the India-China war.
• Status: A Central Armed Police Force under the Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Motto: “Shaurya-Dridhata-Karma Nishtha”
• Operational Roles: Guarding the 3,488 km-long India-China border from the Karakoram Pass (Ladakh) to Jachep La (Arunachal Pradesh).
• Legal Framework: In 1992, the ITBPF Act was enacted; in 2004, the entire India-China border was assigned to ITBP for border guarding duties.

African Grey Parrot

Syllabus: GS3/Species

In News

• According to state forest departments, there are no officially registered breeders or authorized pet shops for African grey parrots in India, despite their widespread availability in markets.

African Grey Parrot

• Scientific name – Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-sized, highly intelligent parrot.
• It is often regarded as the “The Einsteins of the Bird World.”
• It is native to West and Central Africa, inhabiting savannas & coastal mangroves.
• There are two main subspecies: the Congo African Grey (CAG), known for its bright red tail, and the Timneh African Grey (TAG), with a darker maroon tail.
• Uniqueness – African greys are notable for their exceptional talking and comprehension abilities, capable of large vocabularies and contextual speech.
• IUCN Status –  Endangered by the IUCN.

Mount Semeru

Syllabus: GS1/ Physical Geography

In News

• Mount Semeru, located in eastern Java (Indonesia), erupted recently.

Why is Indonesia Prone to Volcanic Eruptions?

• Indonesia sits on the convergent boundary where the Indo-Australian Plate subducts under the Eurasian Plate
• This process forms a chain of stratovolcanoes across Java, Sumatra, and the Sunda Arc.
• It lies at the heart of the Ring of Fire, which accounts for 75% of the world’s volcanoes and 90% of earthquakes.

Geological Survey of India (GSI)

Syllabus: GS1/ Geography

In News

• The International Seminar titled “Unearthing the Past, Shaping the Future: 175 Years of GSI” was inaugurated by the Union Minister of Coal & Mines as part of the Geological Survey of India’s (GSI) 175th Foundation Year celebrations.

Geological Survey of India

• It is India’s premier national geoscientific organization
• Functions under – Ministry of Mines
• Established in – 1851 by Sir Thomas Oldham.
• The term “Geological Survey of India” was first used in 1848 during coal investigations led by John McClelland.

Key Functions

• Geological Mapping and Surveys: Comprehensive mapping of surface and subsurface geology, including ground, airborne, and marine surveys.
• Mineral Exploration: Scientific exploration and assessment of mineral, energy (including coal, oil), and water resources.
• Geohazard Studies: Conducting seismotectonic research, glaciology, climate-related geostudies, and hazard risk analysis.
• Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Studies: Supporting infrastructure planning, groundwater studies, land stability analysis, and environmental assessments.

Integrated Child Development Services Programme

Syllabus: GS2/Welfare Scheme

In News

• Integrated Child Development Services programme has expanded widely and improved nutrition, education, and early childhood care through anganwadis.

Integrated Child Development Services programme

• Launched on – 2 October 1975
• It is India’s flagship early childhood care and development programme.
• It provides a package of nutrition, health and pre-school education services to children under 6 years and their mothers through a nationwide network of Anganwadi centres.
• Financing – It is a centrally sponsored scheme
• It is now subsumed under the Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0 umbrella to integrate nutrition and early childhood care.

Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

Syllabus: GS2/ Health

In News

• Karnataka has issued guidelines for Sabarimala pilgrims following cases of amoebic meningoencephalitis or brain fever.

Amoebic Meningoencephalitis

• Pathogen – It is a rare brain infection caused by Naegleria fowleri.
• fowleri is a free-living amoeba found in warm freshwater and soil.
• Transmission: Infection typically occurs when contaminated water enters the nose during activities like swimming, nasal cleansing in religious rituals, or sinus irrigation.
• It does not spread through drinking water or person-to-person contact.
• Symptom : It travels to the brain, destroying tissue and causing brain swelling.
• Treatment and Precautions :  To reduce risk, limit water entering the nose during water activities.