Prelims Focus 10th April 2025

Lodhi Garden

In News: Lodhi Garden, located in the heart of New Delhi, marks 89 years of its establishment as a public garden.

• • Lodhi Garden traces its origins back to the 14th and 15th centuries and was first known as Bagh-e-Jud.
  • The lawn’s roots are entwined with the Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya Dargah and later have become a burial site throughout the Sayyid and Lodi dynasties, showcasing Indo-Islamic structure.
  • The garden was advanced throughout the British Period and was inaugurated by Lady Willingdon on 9th April 1936.

• Architectural Landmarks

• • Tomb of Muhammad Shah: The oldest structure within the garden, built for the third ruler of the Sayyid dynasty. 
    • Tomb of Sikandar Lodi is an octagonal tomb from the Lodi period.
    • Sheesh Gumbad is understood for its mysterious, unidentified graves and intricate glazed tile work.
    • Bada Gumbad is a dramatic domed gateway that leads right into a mosque with three domes.
  • Khairpur Satpula Bridge: A water bridge constructed by Nawab Mirza, a noble in Emperor Akbar’s court, adding a Mughal connection to the garden.

Small Hive Beetle

In News: A scientist from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), recognized the Small Hive Beetle (SHB), Aethina tumida, in Amdanga, West Bengal.

• SHBs are small, oval-shaped beetles (5-7 mm), reddish-brown in coloration.
• It is a infamous enemy of honey bees and has triggered giant harm to the apiculture sector globally.
• It infiltrates hives, laying eggs that hatch into larvae, which feed on honey, pollen, and bee brood, contaminating honey and causing it to collapse.
• Distribution: Originating in sub-Saharan Africa, SHB has spread globally to the US, Australia, Canada, and elements of Asia.
  • India’s climate can also cause the proliferation of SHB, making early detection and response critical.
• Classifications: It is classified as an “Invasive Alien Species,” a category of non-local organisms that pose significant threats to biodiversity and local ecosystems.
  • The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) has categorized SHB infestation as a notifiable disorder because of its detrimental capacity.

7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada 

In News: The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada is set to commence, emphasizing early life nutrition and promoting healthy lifestyles to address malnutrition and obesity among children.

Introduction: 

Poshan Pakhwada is a national initiative under the Poshan Abhiyaan program, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in 2018 to combat malnutrition and improve nutritional outcomes for vulnerable groups, including pregnant women, lactating mothers, adolescent girls, and children under six years old.

Background and Significance

• Objective: The primary goal is to address malnutrition, stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight in children and women.
• Duration: The 7th edition of Poshan Pakhwada will be observed from April 8 to April 22, 2025.
• Nodal Ministry: The Union Ministry of Women and Child Development is the primary ministry responsible for implementing Poshan Pakhwada.

Key Themes of the 7th Edition

• Focus on the First 1000 Days of Life: Emphasizing the importance of nutrition from conception to a child’s second birthday, which is crucial for their physical and mental development.
• Popularisation of the Beneficiary Module of Poshan Tracker: Encouraging community participation through this digital tool for tracking nutritional outcomes. The Poshan Tracker helps beneficiaries access services more easily and monitor progress in real-time.
• Management of Malnutrition through CMAM (Community-Based Management of Acute Malnutrition): Promoting localized and accessible malnutrition management techniques to address acute malnutrition effectively.
• Healthy Lifestyle to Address Obesity in Children: Educating on the prevention and management of childhood obesity to ensure healthy growth and development.

Harmattan winds

In News: Between December and April, West Africa experiences the Harmattan winds blowing from the Sahara Desert. These winds are dry, cool, and heavily laden with dust, often resulting in various health concerns.

Key Aspects of Harmattan Winds

• Origin and Duration: The Harmattan winds blow from the Sahara Desert, primarily from December to April, coinciding with the dry season in West Africa.
• Characteristics: The winds are known for their dryness and the large amounts of dust they carry, which can lead to reduced visibility and health issues.
• Health Impacts: The dust and dry air can cause respiratory problems, including aggravation of conditions like asthma. Moreover, the dust can carry pathogens that contribute to respiratory infections and diseases such as tuberculosis.
• Agricultural and Environmental Effects: The Harmattan also affects agriculture by causing dry conditions that can damage crops, such as cocoa in West Africa. Additionally, the extreme dryness can lead to increased fire risk and severe crop damage.

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