04 Mar 2025 Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS CDS, CAPF AC Exams

1. Green Sea Turtle

A green sea turtle carcass was recently found washed ashore on Marina Beach in Chennai.

About Green Sea Turtle:

Scientific Name: Chelonia mydas
It is the largest hard-shelled sea turtle.
Unlike other sea turtles, it is herbivorous, primarily feeding on seagrasses and algae. This diet gives its body fat a greenish hue, which is the origin of its name.

Distribution:

Found worldwide in tropical and subtropical waters.
Nesting sites span across over 80 countries, with significant populations in Costa Rica and Australia.
They undertake extensive migrations, sometimes exceeding 2,600 kilometers between feeding and nesting grounds.

Features:

Typically grows up to 120 cm in length and weighs between 136-159 kg.
Recognizable by a relatively small head and a smooth, varying-colored carapace that can be black, grey, green, brown, or yellow.
Possesses a yellowish-white plastron (bottom shell).
Lacks teeth but has beak-like jaws adapted to its diet.
Has an excellent sense of smell and can hear low-frequency sounds despite having no visible ears.
Well-adapted for marine life with a streamlined body and large flippers.
Lifespan: Estimated at 60-70 years.

Conservation Status:

IUCN Red List: Endangered.

Source: Green sea turtle carcass washes ashore on Marina beach

2. Réunion Island

Cyclone Garance recently hit Réunion Island, a French overseas territory, resulting in at least four fatalities.

About Réunion Island:

A French island located in the western Indian Ocean.
Situated approximately 680 km east of Madagascar and 180 km southwest of Mauritius.
Covers an area of 2,511 sq. km.
Forms part of the Mascarene Archipelago, along with Mauritius and Rodrigues Islands.

Geographical Features:

Volcanic in origin, with mountains and deep river valleys.
Home to Piton des Neiges, the Indian Ocean’s highest peak, and Piton de la Fournaise, one of the world's most active volcanoes.
Capital: Saint-Denis, located on the northern coast.

People & Economy:

First settled by French colonists in the 17th century.
Early laborers were brought from East Africa, followed by Malays, Annamites, Chinese, and Malabar Indians as indentured workers.
The majority of the population is of mixed African, European, and South Asian descent.
Economy primarily relies on sugar exports, with additional products including meat, milk, rum, molasses, tobacco, geranium essence, and vanilla.

Source: Four dead after cyclone Garance hits French island of La Reunion

3. Meteor Missile

The U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) recently conducted the first test flight of the Meteor air-to-air missile with the F-35B Lightning II.

About Meteor Missile:

Type: Advanced radar-guided, beyond-visual-range air-to-air missile (BVRAAM).
Developed by: MBDA in collaboration with six European nations—UK, Germany, Italy, France, Spain, and Sweden.

Features:

Dimensions: 3.65 m long, 0.178 m in diameter.
Powered by a ramjet engine, enabling controlled flight, high-speed maneuvers, and a range exceeding 100 km.
Travels at speeds over Mach 4, with a significant no-escape zone.
Uses an advanced active radar seeker, allowing all-weather engagement of fast jets, UAVs, and cruise missiles.
Equipped with a two-way datalink for real-time target updates and re-targeting in flight.
Carries a blast-fragmentation warhead for maximum impact.

Source : F-35B Flies With Meteor BVR Missile For The 1st Time; Here’s What Makes F-35-Meteor Combo Truly Deadly

4. Bhagwan Mahavir Wildlife Sanctuary

The High Court recently issued notices to South Western Railway and the Directorate of Survey and Land Records (DSLR) regarding a PIL against land acquisition in Bhagwan Mahavir (Mollem) Wildlife Sanctuary.

About the Sanctuary:

Located in the Western Ghats on Goa’s eastern border, near Mollem village.
Originally named Mollem Game Sanctuary, it was designated as a wildlife sanctuary in 1969 and later renamed.
Encompasses Mollem National Park.
Area: 240 sq. km.

Key Attractions:

Dudhsagar Waterfall, Devil’s Canyon, Tambdi Surla Temple, and Tambdi Falls.

Flora & Fauna:

Vegetation: West Coast tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests.
Common Plants: Teak, bamboo, cashew, and eucalyptus.
Wildlife: Gaur, sambar, leopards, spotted deer, jungle cats, Malayan giant squirrels, pythons, and cobras.

Source: HC notice to railways over land acquisition at Mollem

5. Geological Survey of India (GSI)

GSI is set to commemorate its 175th year of geoscientific contributions.

About GSI:

Established: 1851 by Sir Thomas Oldham to locate coal deposits for railways.
Headquarters: Kolkata, with regional offices in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong, and Kolkata.
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Mines.

Roles & Contributions:

Conducts geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys.
Focuses on mineral exploration, disaster studies, and geoscientific research.
Plays a vital role in policy-making and economic growth.

Source: Union Minister for Coal and Mines, Shri G. Kishan Reddy to Inaugurate 175th Foundation Day Celebrations of Geological Survey of India at Kolkata on 4th March 2025

6. Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary

Recent explorations by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) in Kadapa district led to the discovery of rock shelters, paintings, and 30 inscriptions.

About the Sanctuary:

Location: Kadapa district, Andhra Pradesh.
Rivers: Catchment area of the Pennar River; Telugu Ganga Canal flows into its eastern flank.

Flora & Fauna:

Vegetation: Dry deciduous, scrub, mixed deciduous, thorn, and dry evergreen forests.
Key Plants: Red sanders, sandalwood, wild mangoes, bamboo.
Notable Species: The endangered Jerdon’s courser bird.

Source: Andhra Pradesh: ASI finds ancient rock art, inscriptions in Lankamalleswara sanctuary

7. Banjara Community

The Lok Sabha Speaker recently addressed the Banjara community during the 286th birth anniversary celebration of Sant Sewalal Maharaj.

About the Banjara Community:

Primarily found in Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.
Traditionally nomadic, they have now settled in Tandas (permanent settlements).
Language: Gor Boli (Lambadi), an Indo-Aryan language with no script.
Religion: Predominantly Hindu, blending traditional animistic beliefs.

Culture & Traditions:

Festivals: Teej (prayed for by young unmarried girls).
Dances: Fire dance and Charia.
Distinctive Features: Tattoos symbolize identity and heritage.

Sant Sewalal Maharaj:

A social reformer and spiritual guide for the Banjaras.
Promoted Ayurveda and Naturopathy among tribal communities.

Source: BANJARA COMMUNITY PLAYS AN IMPORTANT ROLE IN PROTECTING NATURE AND TRADITION OF THE COUNTRY: LOK SABHA SPEAKER

8. Maple Syrup Urine Disease (MSUD)

Scientists have developed a promising gene therapy for this rare genetic disorder.

About MSUD:

Cause: Deficiency of an enzyme needed to break down branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs).
Inheritance: Autosomal recessive (both parents must be carriers).

Types:

Classic: Most severe, appearing within days of birth.
Intermediate: Milder, with symptoms between 5 months and 7 years.
Intermittent: Symptoms triggered by infections or stress.
Thiamine-responsive: Managed with high-dose vitamin B1.

Symptoms:

Sweet, maple syrup-like smell in urine, sweat, or earwax.
Lethargy, irritability, and developmental delays.

Treatment:

A low-protein diet with restricted levels of BCAAs.

Source: Gene therapy for maple syrup urine disease shows promise

9. Giloy

Research publications on Giloy (Tinospora cordifolia) have surged by 376.5% in the past decade.

About Giloy:

Known as Amrita in Sanskrit, meaning "herb of immortality."
Grows throughout India; used in Ayush medicine.
Uses: Treats fevers, arthritis, and autoimmune disorders.

Source: Giloy Takes the Global Stage: Research Publications Soar Over 300% in a Decade

10. Pandoh Dam

Due to heavy rain and snowfall, the Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) recently opened Pandoh Dam’s spillway gates.

About Pandoh Dam:

Location: Mandi district, Himachal Pradesh.
Built on: Beas River (hydropower generation).
Type: Concrete gravity dam, 76m tall.
Commissioned: 1977.

Source: Heavy rain continues in Himachal, BBMB opens spillway gates of Pandoh Dam