Why in the News?

The National Coal Index (NCI) has shown a significant decline of 33.8 per cent in May this year at 157.7 points compared to May last when it was at 238.3 points. It indicates a strong supply of coal in the market, with sufficient availability to meet the growing demands.

About National Coal Index:

• Launch Date:
• The National Coal Index was introduced in the year 2020.
• Ministry:
• Developed under the purview of the Ministry of Coal, India.
• The esteemed Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata, played a key role in creating the index as part of India's transition away from coal.
• Price Index:
• It serves as a price index, reflecting changes in the price level of coal during a specific month relative to the fixed base year.
• Objective:
• The primary objective of the National Coal Index is to offer an accurate reflection of the market price of coal.
• Base Year:
• The base year for the index is 2017-18.
• Inclusive Prices:
• The price index amalgamates coal prices from various sales channels, including Notified Prices, Auction Prices, and Import Prices.
• The National Coal Index combines coal prices from all sales channels, including notified prices, auction prices and import prices.
• It serves as a reliable indicator of market dynamics, providing valuable insights into coal price fluctuations.
• The National Coal Index (NCI) has shown a significant decline of 33.8% in May 2023 compared to May 2022, which suggests significant reduction in coal prices.
• This indicates a strong supply of coal in the market, with sufficient availability to meet the growing demands.

Why in the News?

Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav on Thursday launched a Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC), conceptualised under India’s G20 Presidency, to promote the practices of resource efficiency and circular economy globally.

About Resource Efficiency and Circular Economy Industry Coalition (RECEIC):

• RECEIC was launched in 2023 at Chennai, Tamil Nadu, with the honorable presence of Shri Bhupender Yadav, Minister for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change.
• The launch event witnessed the participation of distinguished guests, including the Commissioner on Environment from the European Union and esteemed Ministers from Canada, France, Italy, Denmark, Mauritius, and the United Arab Emirates.
• Industry-Driven Initiative:
• RECEIC is an industry-led initiative with a primary goal of fostering global resource efficiency and circular economy practices.
• Embracing the circular economy model, RECEIC promotes production and consumption practices involving sharing, leasing, reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling materials and products to maximize their utility.
• Sustainable Impact:
• The coalition is envisioned to be a self-sustaining entity, committed to lasting environmental sustainability, beyond India's G20 Presidency.
• Founding Members:
• With 39 companies headquartered in 11 different countries, the coalition boasts a diverse group of founding members.
• As a collaborative platform, RECEIC fosters knowledge-sharing, best practice exchange, and the adoption of sustainable approaches among participating industries.

Why in the News?

In a recent discovery, a previously unknown species of millipede was found dwelling beneath the city of Los Angeles, United States.

About Millipede Species:

• The recently discovered species belongs to the category of thread Millipedes.
• It measures approximately the length of a paperclip but is as slim as pencil lead.
• Scientifically identified as Illacme socal, this millipede is translucent and displays sinuous movements akin to a jellyfish tentacle.
• The creature's habitat lies about four inches beneath the ground, where it burrows and secretes distinctive chemicals, exhibiting unique behavior.
• Remarkably, this millipede is blind and relies on hornlike antennas extending from its head to navigate its surroundings.

What are Millipedes?

• Millipedes belong to the arthropod class Diplopoda, placing them in the same group as centipedes.
• These invertebrates exhibit a cylindrical or slightly flattened body structure.
• Despite their name, "millipede," which translates to "a thousand feet," these creatures do not actually have a thousand feet. However, they possess numerous legs on their bodies.
• The millipede's body is segmented, and each segment carries two sets of legs attached to the underside.
• Diet-wise, millipedes are detritivores, subsisting on dead organic matter found in the earth, such as damp wood pieces, decaying leaves, and other materials that are naturally present in their moist underground habitat.

Why in the News?

Recently, a team of scientists from Allahabad University and the University of Bern, Switzerland, made an intriguing discovery. They unveiled that the Dhala crater was formed by the impact of an exceedingly uncommon and ancient meteorite called Ureilite.

Key Facts About Ureilite:

• Ureilite is an extraordinary type of meteorite, characterized by its rarity, making up only a minuscule portion of the meteorites found on Earth.
• The name "Ureilite" originates from the location of its first discovery, the Novo Urei village in Russia.
• Composition:
• Ureilites are primarily composed of silicate rock, with olivine and pyroxene being the dominant minerals.
• They also contain a smaller fraction of carbon, which can be in the form of either diamond or graphite, along with metal sulphides and a few fine-grained silicates.
• Elongated cavities are commonly found, typically oriented in the same direction.
• Lack of Chondrules:
• Unlike many other stony meteorites, ureilites do not contain chondrules, which are small, spherical grains that formed in the early solar system.
• Primitive Nature:
• Ureilites are regarded as primitive meteorites because their composition closely resembles the material from which the solar system originated.
• Their unique characteristics offer valuable insights into the early stages of our cosmic environment.

About Dhala Crater:

• Dhala Crater holds significance as India's oldest and largest impact crater, with an estimated formation age of approximately 2500 million years.
• Named after the village Dhala, it remains an eroded remnant of the original impact structure.
• Situated in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, the crater boasts an impressive size, spanning a massive 11 km in diameter, making it the largest impact crater in Asia.

Why in the News?

During a recent event held in Rajasthan's Sikar, the Prime Minister unveiled "Urea Gold," a novel type of Urea fertilizer.

About Urea Gold:

• Urea Gold is an advanced variety of Urea that features a Sulphur coating.
• Its primary purpose is to address soil Sulphur deficiency while also offering cost-saving benefits to farmers.
• In comparison to the existing Neem-coated urea, Urea Gold stands out due to its superior economic viability and efficiency.
• The gradual release of nitrogen facilitated by its Sulphur coating enhances crop uptake, and the inclusion of humic acid extends its fertilizing lifespan.
• Notably, Urea Gold not only acts as a substitute for traditional urea but also contributes to a reduction in overall fertilizer usage.
• According to a report, using 15 kg of Urea Gold can provide comparable benefits to 20 kg of conventional urea, making it a more efficient and effective choice for farmers.