Prelim Snippets- 14.02.2020

1. The Future of EarthReport – 2020

Why in News?
  • Recently, the South Asia Future Earth Regional Office, the Divecha Centre for Climate Change and the Indian Institute of Science have released “The Future of Earth, 2020” report.
Key Points:
  • It has been prepared with the aim of reducing carbon footprint and halting global warming below 2 degrees Celsius by 2050.
  • The five global risks are, failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation, extreme weather events, major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse, food crises, and water crises.
  • The South Asia Future Earth Regional Office is hosted by the Divecha Centre for Climate Change, Bengaluru, India. The office plays a key role in promoting solution-oriented research on environmental sustainability in the south Asian region.
  • The Divecha Centre for Climate Change was established at Indian Institute of Science in 2009. The primary goal of this centre is to understand climate variability and climate change and its impact on the environment.

2. Virupapura Gaddi

Why in News?
  • The Supreme Court has recently confirmed the Karnataka government’s decision to demolish restaurants and other buildings constructed in Virupapura Gaddi.
About Virupapura Gaddi
  • It is an oval islet formed by the Tungabhadra river and located west of the Hampi (UNESCO World Heritage Site).
  • The Karnataka government released a notification under Section 19(3) of the Mysore Ancient and Historical Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1961 indicating the entire village of Virupapura Gaddi as a protected zone.
About Hampi:
  • It comprises mainly the remnants of the capital city of the Vijayanagara Empire (14th-16th century CE), the last great Hindu Kingdom.
  • It located in the Tungabhadra basin in Bellary District, Central Karnataka.
  • It unique features is the wide chariot streets flanked by the row of pillared madapas.

3. Konark Sun Temple

Why in News?
  • Union Culture Minister has a plan to restore the Konark Sun temple in Odisha.
About Konark Sun Temple:
  • It is located in the East Odisha near the sacred city of Puri. Built in 13th century by King Narasimhadeva I.
  • Its scale, refinement and conception represent the strength and stability of the Ganga Empire as well as the value systems of the historic milieu.
  • It is designed in the shape of a colossal chariot. It is dedicated to the sun God. It is directly and materially linked to Brahmanism and tantric belief systems.
  • It is widely known not only for its architectural grandeur but also for the intricacy and profusion of sculptural work.
  • It was declared a UNESCO world heritage site in 1984. It also called as Black Pagoda because it was supposed to draw ships into the shore and cause shipwrecks.

4. The Energy and Resources Institute – TERI

Why in News?
  • TERI- This institution is recently seen in news.
About TERI:
  • It is a non-profit research institution that conducts research work in the fields of energy, environment and sustainable development.
  • It is established in 1974 as Tata Energy Research Institute and was renamed The Energy and Resources Institute in 2003.
  • It aims to focus on formulating local and national level strategies for shaping global solutions to critical issues.
  • Its key focus lies in promoting clean energy, water management, pollution management, sustainable agriculture and climate resilience.

5. Yaravirus

Why in News?
  • Researchers have recently discovered an unusually small virus in a lake in Brazil.
About Yaravirus:
  • It has been named Yaravirus after ‘Yara’, a water-queen figure in Brazilian mythology.
  • It infects amoeba and has genes that have not been described before, something that could challenge how Deoxyribonucleic Acid (DNA) viruses are classified. It does not infect human cells.
  • The DNA viruses are classified based on the protein that makes up their shell, or capsid.
  • The capsid of Yaravirus doesn’t resemble any previously known protein.

6. SEBI

Why in News?
  • The Securities and Exchange Board of India (SEBI) has developed an in-house system to track the movement of its client securities.
About SEBI:
  • SEBI is a statutory body established on April 1992 in accordance with the provisions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India Act, 1992.
  • The basic functions of the Securities and Exchange Board of India is to protect the interests of investors in securities and to promote and regulate the securities market.
  • Initially SEBI was a non-statutory body without any statutory power. It became autonomous and given statutory powers by SEBI Act 1992.
  • The headquarters of SEBI is situated in Mumbai. The regional offices of SEBI are located in Ahmedabad, Kolkata, Chennai and Delhi.
  • Before SEBI came into existence, Controller of Capital Issues was the regulatory authority; it derived authority from the Capital Issues (Control) Act, 1947.
  • In April, 1988 the SEBI was constituted as the regulator of capital markets in India under a resolution of the Government of India.
  • SEBI is a quasi-legislative and quasi-judicial body which can draft regulations, conduct inquiries, pass rulings and impose penalties.
  • It functions to fulfill the requirements of three categories –
    • Issuers – By providing a marketplace in which the issuers can increase Their Finance.
    • Investors – By ensuring safety and supply of precise and accurate information.
    • Intermediaries – By enabling a competitive professional market for Intermediaries.
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