The Earth Hour 2019 was observed on March 30, from 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm local time, under the theme #Connect2Earth. The annual global celebration, initiated by the World Wide Fund for Nature’s (WWF), involves people turning off their lights for one hour to demonstrate concern for the future of our planet. It is a tradition that started in Sydney, Australia in 2007 and has since grown to encompass over 180 countries and territories.
About Earth Hour
Earth Hour is not just about saving energy during those 60 minutes. It aims to bring attention to the issues our planet is facing, and to inspire millions worldwide to live sustainably.
World Wildlife Fund
The World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) is an international non-governmental organization founded in 1961. It concentrates on wilderness preservation and reducing humanity’s environmental footprint. Headquartered in Gland, Switzerland, its mission is “to stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature”.
Earth Day
Earth Day is another annual event, celebrated on April 22, during which worldwide events are held to show support for environmental protection. This tradition began in 1970 and is now globally coordinated by the Earth Day Network (EDN), a nonprofit organization based in Washington D.C., USA, whose mission is to educate and activate the environmental movement worldwide.
Kolam Tribe
The Kolam tribe, also known as the Kolavar, is a scheduled tribe of Maharashtra. They also reside in Andhra Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. They speak their own Dravidian language, Kolami, practice monogamy, and follow Hinduism.
| Tribes | States |
|---|---|
| Katkaria (Kathodia) | Maharashtra |
| Kolam | Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh |
| Maria Gond | Maharashtra |
Arbitrage Funds
Arbitrage funds are a type of mutual fund that can provide profit during volatile markets without carrying much risk. These funds earn profits by buying and selling securities on different exchanges.
Statement of Guiding Principles
India and the United States signed the amendments to the Statement of Guiding Principles (SGP) on Triangular Cooperation for Global Development in 2014. The SGP Agreement provides a framework for cooperation between the two countries to meet the developmental aspirations of partner countries, particularly in Asia and Africa.
Northern Triangle
The U.S. government has recently decided to cut aid to the countries of the “Northern Triangle”, namely El Salvador, Guatemala, and Honduras. The US authorities blame these Central American countries for the migration issue at the U.S.-Mexico border.
Phayeng Village
Phayeng, a small village in Imphal West district of Manipur, is India’s first carbon-positive settlement. A village earns the carbon-positive tag if it sequesters more carbon than it emits, thus slowing the accumulation of greenhouse gases and mitigating climate change.
National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC)
The National Adaptation Fund for Climate Change (NAFCC) was set up in 2015-16 to support tangible adaptation activities which alleviate the adverse effects of climate change. The National Bank for Agriculture and Rural Development (NABARD) is the National Implementing Entity (NIE).
Ahmad Sar Lake
Parts of Gujarat are currently facing severe water scarcity at the onset of summer. The Ahmad Sar Lake at Sarkhej Roza in Ahmedabad has dried up. Sarkhej Roza is a 15th-century complex that includes a mosque and the tomb of Saint Ahmed Khattu Baksh, who was the spiritual advisor to the ruling dynasty of Gujarat during the 14th and early 15th centuries.