UNESCO Recommends To Take Great Barrier Reef Off Danger List
On August 1, a UNESCO heritage committee refrained from categorizing Australia’s Great Barrier Reef as “in danger.” However, it cautioned that the world’s largest coral reef ecosystem continues to face “serious threats” posed by pollution and rising ocean temperatures.
For years, Australia has actively advocated for the preservation of the reef. This natural wonder not only contributes approximately A$6 billion ($4 billion) to the economy and supports 64,000 jobs, but it also holds immense heritage value. Placing it on the endangered list could jeopardize its status and diminish its allure for tourists.
In the latest report, UNESCO expressed its appreciation for the commitments and initial actions taken by the Australian government to safeguard the reef.
The Great Barrier Reef is situated in the Pacific Ocean, off the northeastern coast of Queensland, Australia, in the Coral Sea. Renowned as the longest and largest coral reef system globally, it stands as a marvel of nature’s grandeur.
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PM Narendra Modi Conferred Lokmanya Tilak National Award
Prime Minister Narendra Modi has been honored as the 41st recipient of this prestigious award. Instituted in 1983 by the Tilak Smarak Mandir Trust, this accolade is bestowed annually on the 1st of August, marking the death anniversary of Lokmanya Tilak. It recognises individuals who have made remarkable and extraordinary contributions towards the progress and development of the nation.
Previously distinguished individuals such as former President Dr. Shankar Dayal Sharma, Pranab Mukherjee, former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee, Indira Gandhi, Dr. Manmohan Singh, as well as eminent personalities like N R Narayan Murthy and Dr. E. Shridharan, have been honored with this prestigious award.
Bal Gangadhar Tilak, widely recognized as Lokmanya Tilak, was a distinguished Indian nationalist, valiant freedom fighter, progressive social reformer, and influential political leader in the course of the Indian independence movement.
He was a key figure in shaping modern India and arguably the most vocal proponent of Swaraj, advocating for self-rule in India.
He is known for his slogan, “Swaraj is my birthright and I shall have it.”
Tilak, an eminent writer and journalist, skillfully utilized his newspaper “Kesari” (meaning Lion) in Marathi, and later “Maratha” in English, as a powerful medium to propagate nationalist ideologies.
Tilak initiated the Home Rule League in Maharashtra, Central Provinces, Karnataka, and the Berar region, while Besant’s League operated in the remaining parts of India. The objective was to champion self-governance and enhance public consciousness regarding India’s rightful authority to govern itself.
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ISRO Conducts TransLunar Injection Of Chandrayaan-3
On August 1, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully executed the TransLunar Injection (TLI) maneuver, propelling Chandrayaan-3 towards its lunar destination. The TLI operation was flawlessly executed by the ISRO Telemetry, Tracking, and Command Network (ISTRAC) in Bengaluru.
TransLunar Injection (TLI) is a pivotal maneuver executed in space missions to propel spacecraft from Earth’s orbit onto a trajectory that will transport them to the Moon. This crucial maneuver serves as the launching pad for lunar exploration and interplanetary voyages.
It plays a pivotal role in lunar missions, allowing spacecraft to break free from Earth’s gravitational pull and embark on a voyage to the Moon. The Trans-Lunar Injection (TLI) maneuver is executed when the spacecraft reaches a precise moment in its orbit referred to as the ‘perigee,’ which denotes its closest proximity to Earth.
The Trans Lunar Injection (TLI) burn has proven to be a critical and triumphant maneuver in numerous lunar missions, such as the iconic Apollo missions, the groundbreaking Chang’e missions, and the ambitious Artemis missions. Its successful execution has propelled humanity towards the Moon, marking significant milestones in our exploration of space.
Chandrayaan-3 is the upcoming third lunar exploration mission by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). Its primary objective is to showcase the complete end-to-end capability of safe landing and rover mobility on the lunar surface.
The mission comprises three major modules: the Propulsion module, Lander module, and Rover. The lander, named Vikram after Vikram Sarabhai, the father of the Indian space programme, will facilitate the safe landing, while the rover, named Pragyan, will enable roving activities on the lunar surface.
This ambitious interplanetary mission aims to demonstrate India’s prowess in lunar exploration.
Read More About : Chandrayaan-3, ISRO’s Moon Space, ISRO’s Space Mission