Prelims Current Affairs includes National Consumer Rights Day, Aravalli Hills, Thalassemia, Squash World Cup, Anjadip Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft, Bhima River.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. NATIONAL CONSUMER RIGHTS DAY

• Observed on 24 December.
• Aim: To promote awareness about consumer rights and responsibilities.
• Marks the enactment of the Consumer Protection Act, 1986.

GEOGRAPHY

2. ARAVALLI HILLS

Current Context: The Supreme Court accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli Hills, recommended by a Central Government–appointed expert committee, to protect over 90% of the Aravalli region.

SUPREME COURT OBSERVATION

• Enables landscape-level conservation.
• Treats the Aravalli as a continuous geological ridge, not isolated hill features.

KEY COMMITTEE RECOMMENDATIONS

DEFINITIONS

• Aravalli Hills: Any landform in Aravalli districts with an elevation of 100 metres or more from local relief.
• Aravalli Range: Two or more Aravalli Hills located within 500 metres of each other.

CORE / INVIOLATE ZONES
Mining is absolutely prohibited in:

•  Protected Areas
•  Eco-sensitive Zones
•  Tiger Reserves
•  Wetlands
•  CAMPA plantation sites

OTHER KEY DIRECTIONS BY SUPREME COURT

MANAGEMENT PLAN FOR SUSTAINABLE MINING

• A comprehensive plan will be prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education for the entire Aravalli region.

FREEZE ON NEW MINING LEASES

• No new mining leases until the new plan is finalised.
• Plan to follow the Saranda Forest mining plan (Jharkhand).

ABOUT ARAVALLI RANGE

• One of the world’s oldest mountain ranges (Pre-Cambrian), older than the Himalayas.
• Extends over 800 km from Gujarat to Delhi through Rajasthan and Haryana.
• Highest Peak: Guru Shikhar (Mount Abu).

HEALTH

3. THALASSEMIA

Current Context: A state-level inquiry was constituted in Madhya Pradesh after thalassemia patients contracted HIV during blood transfusions due to testing lapses.

ABOUT THALASSEMIA

• Nature: Inherited genetic blood disorder.
• Category: Hemoglobinopathies.
• Cause: Defective synthesis of haemoglobin chains.
• Effect: Reduced RBC production and inadequate oxygen supply.

TYPES OF THALASSEMIA

• Alpha Thalassemia: Reduced or absent alpha globin chains.
• Beta Thalassemia: Reduced or absent beta globin chains.

SPORTS

4. SQUASH WORLD CUP

Current Context: India won its maiden Squash World Cup title by defeating Hong Kong 3–0.

ABOUT INDIA’S ACHIEVEMENT

• India’s first-ever Squash World Cup title.
• Improved from bronze medal (2023).

HISTORICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• First Asian country to win the Squash World Cup.
• Fourth country overall after Australia, England, and Egypt.
• Final held at Express Avenue Mall.

STATE IN NEWS / DEFENCE

5. ANJADIP ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE SHALLOW WATER CRAFT

Current Context: Anjadip was delivered to the Indian Navy at Chennai.

ABOUT ANJADIP SHIP

• Type: Anti-Submarine Warfare Shallow Water Craft.
• Series: Third of eight vessels.
• Builder: Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers (GRSE), Kolkata.
• Construction Model: Public–Private Partnership between GRSE and L&T Shipyard.
• Name Origin: Anjadip Island near Karwar, Karnataka.
• Legacy: Reincarnation of INS Anjadip (decommissioned in 2003).

KEY FEATURES

• Displacement: 900 tonnes.
• Speed: 25 knots.
• Range: 1,800 nautical miles.
• Propulsion: Largest Indian naval warship propelled by waterjets.

GEOGRAPHY / STATE IN NEWS

6. BHIMA RIVER

Current Context: Karnataka sought Central intervention over Maharashtra’s excess utilisation of Bhima river water.

ABOUT BHIMA RIVER

• Nature: Perennial river.
• Status: Largest tributary of the Krishna River.
• Origin: Near Bhimashankar Temple, Western Ghats.
• States Covered: Maharashtra, Karnataka, Telangana.
• Confluence: Joins Krishna River in Raichur district, Karnataka.

BASIN AND PHYSIOGRAPHY

• Drainage Boundaries:
  1. Western Ghats (west)
  2. Balaghat Range (north)
  3. Mahadeo Hills (south)
• Basin Area: 48,631 sq km.
• Maharashtra Share: ~75%.
• Flows through a densely populated valley.

MAJOR TRIBUTARIES

• Right Bank: Indrayani, Mula, Mutha, Pavana.
• Left Bank: Sina, Nira.

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