UPSC Prelims Facts - 2 April 2025 - Gokulam Seek IAS Academy

Table of Contents

Bees

Recent studies show that microplastic pollution can impair pollinators like bees and bumblebees, affecting their ability to forage and pollinate.

Live on every continent except Antarctica.
Only female bees have stingers (which are modified ovipositors, organs originally used to lay eggs).
Feed exclusively on sugary nectar and protein-rich pollen from flowering plants.
Pollinate a staggering 80 percent of all flowering plants.

Zojila pass is now open to tourists and does not require prior authorisation or a no-objection certificate (NOC).

Situated above sea level on National Highway 1 (NH-1), connecting Srinagar to Leh.
Serves as a crucial link between Ladakh and Kashmir, ensuring connectivity for military and civilian purposes.
Weather Challenges – The pass remains closed for nearly half the year due to heavy snowfall, making it one of the most difficult Himalayan passes.
Was a key battleground during the Indo-Pakistan War of 1947-48, where the Indian Army recaptured it in Operation Bison.
Zojila Tunnel Project – Launched in 2018, this tunnel will be India’s longest road tunnel and Asia’s longest bi-directional tunnel, ensuring all-weather connectivity

Locust movement is based on a cognitive decision-making process based on their perception of nearby motion as per a new study.

Short-horned grasshoppers known for their migratory habits and swarming behavior, causing large-scale agricultural devastation.
Major Species in India – India hosts 4 locust species – Desert Locust (Schistocerca gregaria), Migratory Locust (Locusta migratoria), Bombay Locust (Nomadacris succincta), and Tree Locust (Anacridium sp.).
Impact on Agriculture – Locust swarms consume crops rapidly, leading to food security threats and economic losses.
Causes of Swarming – Excessive rainfall, flooding, and lush vegetation trigger locust outbreaks, increasing their population density.
Control Measures – India has Locust Warning Organizations (LWO) and uses pesticides, drones, and satellite tracking to mitigate locust invasions

The concept of risk society given by sociologist Ulrich Beck in his book ‘Risk Society: Towards a New Modernity.’

Describes a shift from an industrial society to one increasingly shaped by uncertainty and hazards created by technological and environmental developments.
Types of Risks – Risks are categorized as Natural Risks (earthquakes, floods) and Manufactured Risks (nuclear disasters, climate change, pandemics).
Unlike industrial societies that focused on wealth distribution, risk societies prioritize risk prevention and management.
Women, especially in developing countries, face higher risks due to unequal access to resources, healthcare, and decision-making power.

Amazon launched the first 27 satellites under its Project Kuiper for deployment of an internet-from-space network.

Amazon’s satellite broadband project
Deployed in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) to provide global internet access.
Competition with Starlink – Project Kuiper competes with SpaceX’s Starlink, which has already launched over 8,000 satellites.
Technical Features – Offers low-latency, high-speed broadband with user terminals designed for homes, businesses, and mobile use.
Strategic Importance – Aims to bridge the digital divide, providing internet access to underserved regions, and integrating with Amazon Web Services (AWS)