Prelims Focus – 6th May 2024

Paliyar Tribe

In News: Recently, a recent research carried out on ‘Paliyar Tribals in Kodaikanal and Theni areas’ urged the State government to take necessary and immediate steps to uplift the Paliyar tribes as well as the other such Adivasi communities.

• The Paliyar tribe, also known as Paliyans, Pazhaya Rares, and Panaiyars, originally derived their name from the word ‘Palaniyan,’ meaning a man from Palani in Tamil. 
• They are primarily located in various districts of Tamil Nadu and traditionally worked as hunters and gatherers in the forests of the Western Ghats. 
• They speak Tamil and follow traditional burial customs, offering prayers to Vanadevadai and worshipping god Karuppan in remote forest areas.

Sea Lions

In news: A large number of sea lions have gathered in San Francisco, setting a new record.

• Sea lions are a type of carnivorous animal that belongs to the Otariidae family. 
• They can be found both on land and in water, with a streamlined body and brown or tan coat. Sea lions have external ear flaps, long fore flippers, and the ability to walk on all fours. 
• They typically live on the western coast and islands of North America, from southeast Alaska to central Mexico, and can weigh up to 1200 pounds. 
• There are five species of sea lions, including the California, northern, southern, Australian, and New Zealand sea lions.

GI Tag to Kutch Ajrakh 

In News: Ajrakh from Kutch recently got a GI tag by the Office of the Controller General of Patents, Designs, and Trademarks (CGPDTM).

• The term “Ajrakh” is derived from the word ‘Azrak,’ which means indigo, a primary dye used in the printing procedure. 
• Ajrakh is a traditional textile craft originating from Gujarat, in particular in regions like Sindh, Barmer, and Kutch. 
• This art form entails elaborate hand-block printing on particularly dealt with cotton fabric, creating elaborate designs which are steeped in symbolism and historical importance. 
• Introduced more than 400 years ago by Sind Muslims, Ajrakh is a popular apparel among nomadic pastoralist and agricultural communities which includes the Rabaris, Maldharis, and Ahirs.

Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower

In News: The Eta Aquariid meteor shower, which has been active since April 15, will peak on May 5 and 6.

• Eta Aquarid meteors are recognised for their speed, with the meteors travelling at about 148,000 mph (66 km/s) into Earth’s surroundings.
• Fast meteors can leave glowing “trains” (incandescent bits of debris inside the wake of the meteor) which last for numerous seconds to minutes. 
• The Eta Aquariid meteor bathe is formed while Earth passes through the orbital aircraft of the well-known Halley’s Comet
• The Eta Aquarids peak during early May every year. 
• The Eta Aquarids are viewable in both the Northern and Southern hemispheres in the course of the pre-dawn hours.
  • The Southern Hemisphere is superior for viewing the Eta Aquarids.
  • The Northern Hemisphere has an hourly price of only about 10 meteors.
  • This is due to the viewing location of the radiant from different latitudes.

Swell Waves

In News: The Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) has recently forecasted that swell waves might hit several Indian coastal areas in the upcoming days.

• They are high sea waves that are shaped by an ocean swell.
• Ocean swells arise because of remote storms like hurricanes and not because of the nearby winds.
• During such storms, huge strength transfer takes area from the air into the water, leading to the formation of very high waves. 
• Such waves can tour thousands of kilometres from the hurricane centre until they strike shore.
• In March 2024, swell waves led to flooding in several areas of Kerala. Such flooding occasions are known as Kallakkadal in Kerala.
• To forecast swell waves, INCOIS released the Swell Surge Forecast System in 2020 that could supply forewarning seven days in advance.

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