Recently, Microsoft CEO highlighted Jevons Paradox in the backdrop of increased adoption of the AI systems globally.

About Jevons Paradox

• It is the idea that technological progress that makes a resource cheaper or more efficient to use often leads to an increase in demand for that resource.
• Background: William Stanley Jevons first described a paradox in 1865 where he maintained that more efficient steam engines would not decrease the use of coal in British factories but would actually increase it.
• In the case of AI, as systems become more powerful and accessible, it is likely that their use will grow significantly.

First No Objection Certificate has been issued via the newly launched Digital Portal for National Waterways for developing a Jetty on Malim on River Mandovi.

About River Mandovi

• Mandovi, also known as Mahadayi or Mhadei river, is described as the lifeline of the Indian state of Goa.
• Mandovi joins with the Zuari, both flush out into the Arabian Sea, forming the Mormugao harbour.
• It originates from a cluster of 30 springs at Bhimgad in the Western Ghats in district Belagavi, Karnataka.
• Waterfalls: Dudhsagar and Varapoha. 
• Important tributary: River Mapusa.

Recently, one of the world’s largest container ships, MSC Türkiye, docked at Vizhinjam International Seaport, marking a milestone in the journey of India’s first deepwater transshipment port.

About Vizhinjam port

• Authority: Vizhinjam International Seaport Limited (VISL), a company fully owned by Government of Kerala.
• Location: Thiruvananthapuram.
• Type: Natural Deepwater Multipurpose Seaport.
• Objective: To cater container transhipment besides multi-purpose and break bulk cargo.
• Project model: Developed in landlord model with a PPP component on a design, build, finance, operate and transfer (“DBFOT”) basis.
  • In the landlord model, private players take over the operational aspects, while the port authority acts as a regulator and landlord.

Registrar General of India cautions hospitals over delay in reporting events of birth, death.

 About Registrar General of India (RGI)

• Set up in 1949 and comes under the Union Ministry of Home Affairs.
• Responsibilities:
  • Housing & Population Census: Under Census Act, 1948.
  • Civil Registration System (CRS): Under the Registration of Births & Deaths (RBD) Act (1969) which provides for the compulsory registration of births and deaths.
  • Sample Registration System (SRS): Important source of vital rates like Birth Rate, Death Rate, Infant Mortality Rate and Maternal Mortality Rate.
  • National Population Register (NPR): In pursuance to provisions contained in Citizenship Rules, 2003 framed under the Citizenship Act, 1955.
  • Mother Tongue Survey: Documents the linguistic features of the selected mother tongues.

National Green Tribunal (NGT) has instructed Haryana to ensure no illegal mining in Aravali Range.

About Aravali Range

• Type: One of the oldest folded mountains of the world.
• Range: Runs approximately 670 km in a south-west direction, starting near Delhi,passing through southern Haryana and Rajasthan, and ending in Gujarat.
• Highest peak: Guru Shikhar at 1,722 metres.
• Rivers: Banas River, Sahibi rivers and Luni River flow from Aravali.
• Minerals: Copper, zinc, lead, marble, etc.

Researchers from Kerala have been awarded the Future Conservationist Award by the Conservation Leadership Programme (CLP) for their project on conserving the Malabar Grey Hornbill.

• The CLP is a partnership of Fauna & Flora International, BirdLife International and the Wildlife Conservation Society.
• Award supports promising young conservationists with less than five years of professional experience, offering funding and tailored mentoring to lead impactful projects.

About Malabar Grey Hornbill

• Endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
• It occurs from an elevation of  about 50 m above mean sea level near the coast.
• IUCN status: Vulnerable.

The Genetic Engineering Approval Committee (GEAC) cleared the import of genetically modified alfalfa hay from the US 

• Its final approval from India's Agriculture Ministry is pending. 
• The US has raised concerns during trade talks.

About Alfalfa

• It is a part of the legume family, but it’s also considered an herb.
• It seems to have originally come from South and Central Asia, but it has been grown around the world for centuries.
• In addition to being used as feed, it has a long history of use as a medicinal herb for humans.

Study focused on Mesoscale Convective Systems (MCS) found Soil moisture may help forecast intense storms.

About MCS

• It is a collection of thunderstorms that act as a system. An MCS can spread across an entire state and last more than 12 hours.
• These systems often bring intense rainfall, causing widespread damage to lives, livestock and infrastructure.
• Hotspots for MCSs: West and Central Africa, northern India, Argentina, China and the United States Great Plains.

Tripura to organise Jatra Utsav.

About Jatra 

• It is a popular folk theatre of Bengal and Odisha.
• Its origin can be traced to the rise of Vaishnavism and the Bhakti Movement in the 16th century, pioneered by Sri Chaitanya Mahaprabhu.
• It is a composite art form or as a theatre of mixed means – song and dance, acting, and recitation.
• It depicts a range of diverse and complex stories including mythology, secular themes, humor, valour of heroic characters and melodramatic events.