Current Affairs for BANK, IBPS Exams - 07 September 2021

::National::

India's first Dugong Conservation Reserve to be set up in Tamil Nadu

The State government in Assembly on Friday declared 500 sq.km of the biodiversity-rich waters in the Palk Bay, on the southeast coast of Tamil Nadu, as India’s first dugong conservation reserve. The reserve will span the northern part of the Palk Bay from Adiramapattinam to Amapattinam.
Marine biologists and conservationists have long demanded a reserve as the population of dugongs, as known as sea cows, in Indian waters has been dropping to dangerous levels. According to Wildlife Institute of India (WII) estimates, only 200-250 Dugongs are left in the wild, of which 150 are found in the Palk Bay and Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, among the last surviving natural habitats for dugongs in the world.
According to Environment Secretary SupriyaSahu, 500 sq.km is only an indicative number. “We will conduct a detailed study and a stakeholder meeting after which the actual size of the conservation reserve will be notified,” she said.
Explaining the importance of conserving dugongs, Sahu said they play a play a crucial role in maintaining healthy fish stock. “Dugong is the only herbivorous marine mammal on earth that feeds exclusively on seagrass. It consumes 40kg of seagrass daily and helps in the growth of fresh vegetation. In the absence of dugongs, seagrass will grow densely and fish will not come to lay eggs,” she said. In India, dugongs are found in Palk Bay, Gulf of Mannar in Tamil Nadu, Gulf of Kutch in Gujarat and Andaman and Nicobar islands. Dugongs generally inhabit shallow waters.

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::International::

Naval exercise 'AUSINDEX' started between India and Australia

Navies from Australia and India have commenced the bilateral maritime exercise, codenamed Australia India (AUSINDEX) 2021.
The maritime exercise, which will run until 10 September, focuses on developing deeper understanding and cooperation between the the Indian Navy (IN) and the Royal Australian Navy (RAN).
Indian Navy task group comprising vessels Shivalik and Kadmatt will participate in the exercise alongside the RAN’s Anzac-class frigate HMAS Warramunga.
The participating vessels form part of the Indian Navy’s Visakhapatnam-based Eastern Fleet under the Eastern Naval Command (ENC).
The fourth iteration of AUSINDEX exercise includes complex surface, sub-surface and air operations between ships, submarines, helicopters and long-range maritime patrol aircraft (MPA) of the two participating navies.
In a press statement, the Indian Ministry of Defence (MoD) stated: “The exercise is a true representation of Joint Guidance signed by the Chief of the Naval Staff, IN and Chief of Navy, RAN on 18th August 2021.
“This important document is aligned to the ‘2020 Comprehensive Strategic Partnership’ between the two nations and aims to further consolidate shared commitment to regional and global security challenges promoting peace, security and stability in the Indo-Pacific region.”

Varanasi-Chunar Cruise Service launched to promote tourism

In the holy city of Varanasi, apart from enjoying the serene and spiritual ambience of its ghats, you can enjoy a ride on the luxury cruise called Alaknanda. The luxury cruise service in Varanasi was inaugurated in the month of September in 2018.
Before the introduction of the cruise, both the locals and tourists were used to seeing boats (both motorised and non-motorised) on the waters of the River Ganga. This is the first time that an exquisite looking luxury cruise will make its way through the holy waters.
Varanasi is one of the most visited religious destinations in India, thanks to its historic ghats, splendid temples and the distinct flavour of the city itself. It is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world, a fact that makes it even more fascinating as a popular tourist spot in India.
It is the River Ganga though, which lends the city its identity. Indeed, the city and the river have become synonymous to each other. Much of the daily life in the city revolves around the Ganga, and it finds a strong presence in the everyday conversations and lifestyle of the people.

::Science and tech::

India's first bio-brick based building commissioned at IIT Hyderabad

Constructed entirely out of Agro-waste, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT), Hyderabad, recently inaugurated its first bio-bricks-based building. IIT came up with the structure to counter air pollution caused by stubble burning.
Pollution is one of significant India is facing. Many Indian cities have even come under the top 10 World's polluted cities. So, it is essential to understand and rectify the problem, which is increasing daily.
The bio-brick facility developed by IIT was made as an alternative and sustainable building material to replace stubble burning. According to a report in the Times of India, The bio-bricks used for roofing and paneling could effectively reduce heat gain by five to six degrees. Compared to burnt clay bricks, bio-bricks would cost about Rs 2 to Rs 3 when mass-produced.
Before finalising, a guard cabin prototype was designed and executed in the space allocated by IIT-H. BS Murty, the director professor of IIT-H, told TOI that the entire building is made up of bio-brick material and has support from a metal framework.
In the current times, when money and infrastructure are the soul and backbone of society, building something from waste to save the environment is a brilliant initiative.
Murty said the facility is a perfect example of wealth from waste. The committee plans to submit the proposal for promoting its wider adoption by the rural community to the ministry of agriculture and farmers' welfare.

::Sports::

130th edition of Durand Cup begins in Kolkata

130th Edition NS Durand Cup kicked on Vivekananda YubabharatiKrirangan in Kolkata.
West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee Kicked the ball and inaugurated the tournament. 16 teams are playing in this edition of Asia's oldest club football tournament while two clubs East Bengal and MohunBagan are not participating. Final match will be held 3 October.