At IIT Madras, India, and Israel Opened a New Water Technology Center
A plan to establish a Center of Water Technology at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras has been initiated by Israel and India. The goal of this project is to enhance water resource management techniques and support India’s efforts to manage water resources sustainably.
Significance of the Partnership
This agreement is a “significant milestone,” according to the Israeli Embassy, highlighting the two nations’ increased cooperation in tackling water-related issues. The partnership demonstrates a shared commitment to addressing India’s water scarcity problems.
Joint Statement of Intent
The Israeli Embassy, IIT Madras, and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs’ AMRUT mission (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation) inked a formal agreement known as the Joint Statement of Intent. The framework for the new water technology center’s establishment is outlined in this agreement.
Objectives of the Centre
It is anticipated that the Center of Water Technology will serve as a center for research and innovation, with an emphasis on expanding the possibilities of water technology and creating sustainable urban water supply solutions. As part of the initiative, a capacity-building course titled ’24/7 Water Supply in Urban Areas’ was held at IIT Madras from August 5 to August 8. In order to provide stakeholders with the necessary knowledge and abilities to manage urban water systems, this training is needed.
Overall, this collaboration aims to offer innovative solutions that can significantly impact water management across India, demonstrating the commitment of both countries to work together on addressing water scarcity and improving water management practices.
Facts About IIT-Madras
- IIT Madras was founded in 1959
- It is 620 acres in size and is situated in Chennai.
- In 1963, IIT Madras launched its B.Tech program.
- The institute is frequently listed as one of the best engineering schools worldwide.
- It has the largest solar power facility of any educational institution.
- IIT Madras has a strong support system for startups, including an incubation cell and many international partnerships.
World’s Oldest Calendar Discovered
Archaeologists have discovered the world’s oldest calendar.12,000 years old, this ancient carving of the sun, moon, and constellations is perched atop a pillar in Göbekli Tepe, southern Turkey.
Scholars surmise that the lunisolar calendar was a tool used by ancient humans to record the onset of each season. It even recorded a falling comet. If the researchers are right, then this calendar is thousands of years older than any other.
The oldest known artificial constructions in the world are found at the Göbekli Tepe site. They predate Stonehenge by over 6,000 years. The location is a series of enclosures resembling temples, the specific function of which is unknown. Numerous archaeologists believe it played a major role in the rites of the period. The new study’s author, Martin Sweatman, hypothesizes that the location captured the motions of the stars, moon, and sun.
Mysterious markings
There are 365 V-shaped marks carved into the stone of one of the pillars. The University of Edinburgh said in a statement that “Each V could represent a single day.”This interpretation allowed the researchers to tally the number of days in a year in a solar calendar that consists of 12 lunar months plus 11 extra days on one of the pillars.”something like that animal a bird has a V around its neck could be a representation of the summer solstice constellation at that time.
Sweatman has studied the carvings for years, but until someone proposed that the V symbols might be markers on a lunar calendar, he was unaware of the importance of the symbols. Everything made sense to him after he gave this interpretation some thought.
It appears that pieces of a comet that struck Earth around 13,000 years ago are depicted on another pillar. The comet wiped out several large animal species and triggered a mini-ice age lasting 1,200 years. Since the meteor strike that wiped out the dinosaurs some 66 million years ago, this was the most terrible event to occur.
The pictures depict the comet pieces coming out of Aquarius and Pisces. According to researchers, the engravings were made to commemorate the anniversary of the comet strike, which was a significant event in the rise of ancient civilizations.
According to Sweatman, “it seems the people who lived in Göbekli Tepe were astute observers of the sky.”
This makes sense considering that their world was destroyed by a comet attack. It may have even been the catalyst for the emergence of a new religion and the advancement of agricultural practices to adapt to the frigid climate, which ultimately led to the rise of civilization.
“Perhaps, their efforts to document what they observed are the initial steps toward the development of writing millennia later,” Sweatman continued.
India-Australia Hold Maritime Security Dialogue
On August 13, 2024, the 6th India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue was held in Canberra, focusing on strengthening maritime security cooperation in the Indian Ocean Region. Important marine concerns are covered in this discussion, which is a reflection of Australia and India’s Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.
Key Discussions
Senior representatives from both nations talked about how to keep the maritime environment safe while promoting inclusive growth and the welfare of all people.
Key topics included:
- Maritime Security in the Indo-Pacific: Enhancing security in the region.
- Increasing understanding and keeping an eye on marine activity is known as “maritime domain awareness.”
- Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR): Coordinating responses to emergencies and disasters at sea.
- Maritime Cooperation Areas
The discussions also covered:
Search and Rescue (SAR): Improving joint efforts for effective search and rescue operations.
Pollution Response: Take care of marine pollution, especially plastic trash.
The term “blue economy” refers to the sustainable economic activity that makes responsible use of marine resources.
Increasing the execution of international maritime laws is known as port state control.
Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the Indo-Pacific Ocean Initiative (IPOI) in 2019 to protect the marine environment. Both countries assessed the initiative’s achievements to date as well as its future objectives.
Historical Background
India and Australia reaffirmed their commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region in June 2020 when they finalized a Shared Vision for Maritime Cooperation. Through information sharing, this pact seeks to strengthen maritime domain awareness and navy-to-navy cooperation.
Facts About India-Australia Maritime Security Dialogue
- Commencing in 2015, the conversation aimed to enhance collaboration between Australia and India within the Indo-Pacific area.
- Joint Naval Exercises: To improve their military cooperation, both nations hold exercises similar to AUSINDEX.
- Addressing Maritime Challenges: The dialogue works on issues such as:
- Piracy: Fighting against pirate activities.
- Illegal Fishing: Preventing unauthorized fishing.
- Protecting maritime data and exchanging critical information are the main goals of cybersecurity and information sharing.
- Regional Cooperation: Australia and India collaborate in groups such as the Quad, which also consists of the United States and Japan.
- Capacity-Building: They help neighboring countries improve their maritime security and abilities.
- Promoting a Free and Open Indo-Pacific: Supports a region where maritime routes are open and international laws are followed.
Three New Edible Bug Species Discovered by Bengaluru Researchers
Three new species of edible bugs that are customarily consumed by indigenous communities in North-East India have been discovered by entomologists at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) in Bengaluru. This discovery underscores the importance of documenting and preserving traditional knowledge about edible insects, as many such species are still not well-documented despite their role as important food sources.
Significance of the Findings
More than 500 species of edible insects have been identified by the research, underscoring their nutritional and cultural value in regional diets. The discovery of these new species indicates that entomophagy—eating insects—and its potential for sustainable food production are being increasingly recognized.
Identification of New Species
The recently found insects are members of the Dinidoridae family, which comprises the species Coridius. Their size varies between 15 and 25 mm, and their main food source is plant sap. To identify these species, the researchers employed a thorough methodology that included measurements of physical characteristics, genetic analysis, and traditional taxonomy.
The new species are named
Coridius adii
Coridius esculentum
Coridius insperatus.
Health Concerns and Ecological Studies
Even while the study shows that eating certain edible insects may be associated with health risks, like neurotoxic reactions that might result in symptoms like photophobia (sensitivity to light), additional research is necessary to determine whether eating diverse insect species is safe. Additionally, it highlights how crucial it is to preserve and document traditional knowledge about these insects to ensure that local communities are involved in resource management and that customs are upheld. Almost two billion people eat insects worldwide, and more than 2,000 species are edible. The promotion of insects as a sustainable source of protein is supported by this research, and it can be used to supplement conventional animal production, which frequently has negative environmental effects.
Information About the Ashoka Trust for Ecology and Environment Research (ATREE)
Established in 1996, ATREE is the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment.
ATREE focuses on community engagement, policy analysis, and ecological research.
It approaches environmental issues by combining many professions.
ATREE works to preserve various plant and animal species.
The organization is involved in projects related to climate change, conservation biology, and urban ecology.