The water cycle is a way that water moves all around the Earth. It never stops and doesn’t really have a beginning or an end. It’s like a big circle. We’ll describe it by starting with water that’s on land. For example, water in the ocean or a lake. Some water on the surface of the ocean will evaporate due to heat from the sun. When it evaporates it turns into vapor water and goes up into the atmosphere.

This vapor water gets together with a lot of other vapor water and turns into clouds. Clouds move about the earth with the weather and once they are so full of water they drop the water to Earth in some form of precipitation. It could be rain, snow, sleet, or hail. When the water hits the earth it may fall right back into the ocean or feed a flower or be snow on the top of a mountain. Eventually, this water will evaporate and start the whole cycle again.

Must Read: Water Resources of India

There are three main ways that water on land turns into vapor:

Evaporation – This is the main process by which water goes from the ground to vapor in the atmosphere. Around 90 percent of the water vapor in the atmosphere got there through evaporation. Evaporation takes place only on the water’s surface. It takes energy in the form of heat. Hot water will evaporate more easily than cold water. The sun provides a lot of the energy for evaporation in the water cycle, primarily causing evaporation from the surface of the ocean.

Sublimation – This is when water moves directly to vapor from ice or snow without ever melting into water. Good conditions for sublimation to occur is when ice or snow is in very cold conditions, but it is windy and the sun is shining.

Transpiration – Transpiration is when plants release water to their leaves that then evaporates into vapor. Plants will release a lot of water as they grow. Around 10 percent of the water vapor in the atmosphere is estimated to come from transpiration.

Also Read: Water Resources in India

Water in the atmosphere

We see water in the atmosphere in the form of clouds. There is a small amount of water even in clear skies, but clouds are where water has started to condense. Condensation is the process of water vapor becoming liquid water. Condensation is a major step in the water cycle. The atmosphere helps to move water around the world. It takes water that evaporated from the ocean and moves it over land where clouds and storms form to water plants with rain.

Precipitation

Precipitation is when water falls from the atmosphere back to land. Once enough water gathers in a cloud droplet of water will form and fall to the earth. Depending on the temperature and weather this could be rain, snow, sleet, or even hail.

Water storage

A lot of the Earth’s water does not take part in the water cycle very often. Much of it is stored. The Earth stores water in a number of places. The ocean is the largest storage of water. Around 96 percent of the Earth’s water is stored in the ocean. We can’t drink the salty ocean water, so fortunately for us, freshwater is also stored in lakes, glaciers, snow caps, rivers, and below the ground in ground water storage.

Also, Read:

Hydrosphere Facts

Global warming

Ecology and Environment

Oxygen Cycle

• Marco Polo (1254-1324):

Italian traveler Marco Polo was one of the first European to visit China and other far eastern territories. However, his reports were not believed but he encouraged the idea of trading with the East. His father and uncle were a merchant which inspired Polo to overcome the deep concepts of appraising, foreign currency and handling cargo ships.

• John Cabot (1450-98):

Italian-born explorer John Cabot was employed by British merchants to seek a western route to Asia. During his travels, he discovered parts of the northeast coast of America. He was also sponsored by the Great Britain to start an expedition for exploring the Atlantic.

Read Also: World’s Earliest Civilizations Egyptian, Sumerian, Indus Valley and Phoenician

• Christopher Columbus (1451-1506):

This Genoese colonizer discovered North, Central and South America and the islands of West Indies. It was Columbus who established the string between indigenous Americans and Europeans. As a phenomenon of culture and civilization, Columbus will be always remembered for discovering the “New World”.

• Vasco da Gama (1460-1524):

Considered as the greatest hero in the European age of discovery, Portuguese explorer Vasco da Gama traveled round the Cape of Good Hope and up the East coast of Africa and later discovered a trade route to India. After mastering in the field of mathematics and navigation he became the governor of Portuguese India in 1524.

• Ferdinand Magellan (1480-1521):

Magellan was a Portuguese explorer who led the first voyage around the world. He discovered the Strait of Magellan, near the tip of South America. He was born in Sabrosa but later adopted the nationality of Spain to serve King Charles I in order to explore the westward route to the Spice Island.

• Abel Tasman (1603-59):

This Dutchman was an aesthetic voyager and is notable for exploring Australia, New Zealand and Van Diemen’s Land (later called Tasmania). With his ships Heemskerck and Zeehaen , Tasman led the exploring expedition towards North Pacific with the object to obtain knowledge of all undiscovered beaches in the world.

Also, Read: Marco Polo  An Italian Travelled China and the Far East

• Henry Hudson (1550-1611):

Henry Hudson was an English navigator who searched for a Northwest Passage (a route to the east by traveling north of America) and discovered Hudson’s Bay. He is also credited to discover the area around modern New York City while exploring the route to Asia via west.

• James Cook (1728-79):

Famous British Captain James Cook led several major expeditions. He explored the coasts of Australia, New Zealand, and North America. An epitome in the area of geographical exploration, Captain Crook was killed in 1779 by Hawaiians during his third exploratory navigation.

• David Livingstone (1813-73):

Livingstone was a Scottish missionary and explorer of Africa. He discovered and named the Victoria Falls after Queen Victoria. Encourager of commercial empire, Livingstone was born in a protestant family and his father was much institutionalized to his beliefs.

• Sir Richard Burton (1821-90):

Son of a British army officer, Sir Burton is best known for exploring Arabia and Lake Tanganyika in Africa. Strictly denying the colonial policies, he served for seven years in India as a captain in the army of “East India Company”. This controversial poet is also credited for translating “One Thousand And One Nights” .

Don’t Miss:

10 people who changed the world

India crossed a new milestone in Space Technology

Recently, Geographical Indication (GI) status has been allowed to Kadaknath Chicken of Madhya Pradesh; earlier Chengalikodan banana variety from Thrissur district or Kerala. This banana is famous for its distinct taste, bunch shape and fruit colour. The nature fruits are pale yellow that, on ripening, change into golden yellow with red patches. The crop is principally cultivated in organic mode and the crop duration is 13-14 months and is chiefly grown in Thrissur district of Kerala.

What is a Geographical Indication (GI)

A GI is a sign that is used on products that have a distinct geographical origin due to which these products acquire such reputations. In order to being categorized as a GI, a sign must identify a product as originating in a particular place.

Since the qualities, characteristics, or reputation depend on the geographical place of production, there is an unambiguous link between the product and its original place of production. GI is also a type of Industrial Property Rights (IPR).

Read Also: World Trade Organization (WTO) and India’s Stand

Origin and Legal Framework of GI

The origin of GI can be tracked to various International agreements. Articles 1 (2) and 10 of the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property cover geographical indications as an element of IPR. They are also shielded under Articles 22 and 24 of the Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement TRIPS was the part of the Agreement finalizing the Uruguay Round of GATT negotiations.

India, as a member of World Trade Organization (WTO), introduced the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act, 1999. This GI Act was enacted in 2003 that finally came into force with effect from 15^th September 2003.

GI, functioning as a signaling tool, helps producers in differentiating their products from competing products in the market. It helps producers in building a reputation and goodwill around their products which generally fetch a premium price.

The Geographical Indications Act 2003 is administered by the Controller General of Patents, Designs and trademarks. This Controller General is also the Registrar of Geographical Indications. The Geographical Indications Registry is situated in Chennai.

Types of Products seeking GI

Geographical Indications are solely used for industrial products, agricultural products, handicrafts, foodstuffs, and wine spirit drinks.

Rights provided by GI

A Geographical Indications Right empowers those who use the ‘indication’ to prevent its use by a third party whose product does not conform to the applicable norms.

However, a shielded geographical indication does not mean that the holder of the GI can prevent someone from making a product using the same techniques as those framed in the standards for the indication.

Validity Period of GI

The Registration for Geographical Indications is not bonded to a specific period of validity. In fact, the protection for a Registered Geographical Indication remains valid till the registration is cancelled.

GI registered as collective and certification marks, are usually protected for a renewable ten-year periods.

Also Read: International Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement

Who can use GI?

Producers, of the Geographical defined area, who meet the specific conditions of production for the product, have the right to use the Geographical Indication.

Difference between GI and Trademark

While GIs recognize a good as originating from a particular place, the trademark identifies it a good or service as originating from a particular company. The name that is used as a geographical indication is generally predetermined by the name of the GI area while, in the case of trademark , it usually uses a recognizable sign, design, or expression.

Any person, who produces the goods according to specified and standards, can use GI; while trademark is assigned to anyone, anywhere in the world, because it is related to a specific company and not to a particular place.

Some recent GI tags awarded to:

Bangalore Rose Onion grows in Bangalore and its surrounding areas. It is famous for its high demand compared to other varieties.

Kaipad Rice that is cultivated in the blackish water tracts of northern parts of the Kerala.

Dahrmavaran Saris comes from Dharmavaran, a cluster of weavers in Anantpur, Andhra Pradesh. The Saris have broad solid colour borders with contrast pallus woven with brocaded gold patterns.

The first agricultural product in India to be accorded with GI tag is Darjeeling Tea. There are about 200 unique products registered as GIs in India.

Don’t Miss: RCEP Ultimatum : Cut Tariffs or Leave FTA talks

On Wednesday some parts of India witnessed a partial solar eclipse. It was the first such phenomenon of year 2016.

What is a Solar Eclipse?

Human beings experience a solar eclipse on Earth when the Moon, while moving in its orbit, comes in its orbit between Earth and the Sun. it is a natural event that is also known as an occultation. As the lunar orbit is oval and sloped, with respect to Earth’s orbit, one can only see up to 5 eclipses each year.

When an eclipse happens, the Moon’s shadow passes across the surface of Earth. The Moon’s shadow has two parts: the dark umbra (darkest shadow of the Moon), and the lighter penumbra (the lighter path of the Moon’s shadow).

Types of Solar Eclipse

There are three types of it:

• Total
• Annular
• Partial

Also Read: Our Solar System

Total Solar Eclipse:

In a total solar eclipse, the Moon blocks the entire solar disk (the surface of the Sun). In this event, the narrowest part of the path (where the Moon, while shedding its Umbra, completely blocks the surface of the Sun) is known as the “zone of totality.”

In this zone of totality one sees a darkened Sun (frequently termed as a “hole in the Sky”) with the shadowy Shine of the solar corona reaching out to space. As sunrays glow out through valleys on the lunar surface one can witness a phenomenon known as “Bailey’s Beads” that happen frequently.

During the event of total solar eclipse (TSE) one can also witness prominences, loops and flares during totality. It is imperative here to point out that a TSE is the only time when it is safe to look directly at the Sun. in all other solar eclipses (even in a partial one) one needs special solar filters to protect one’s eyes from burning.

Annular Solar Eclipse:

This kind of eclipse occurs when the Moon remains farther away in its orbit than usual and becomes unable to completely cover the surface of the Sun. during the event, a bright ring of sunlight glows around the Moon. As the word annular has its origin in the Latin word annulus meaning “ring”, this kind of eclipse has been termed an annular eclipse.

The annular solar eclipse can last from 5 or 6 minutes to up to 12 minutes. Since enough bright sunlight releases during this period of annularity, one cannot look at the Sun directly and needs eye protection to watch the event.

Must Read: Solar System: Some Important Facts

Partial Solar Eclipse:

An event of a partial solar eclipse happens when Earth passes through the lighter part of the Moon’s shadow (lunar penumbra) as the Moon comes between Earth and the Sun. in this event the Moon does not completely cover the surface of the Sun, as seen from Earth. During a partial solar eclipse one might see anything between from a small scrap of the Sun being blotted out to a nearly total eclipse as it depends entirely on one’s location.

Safety Notes for Watching a Solar Eclipse:

In order to avoid serious eye damage that can even lead to the blindness because of the burning of eyes, one must never look at the Sun directly. To watch the eclipse safely one must use approved filters such as projecting sunlight through a telescope and into a white piece of paper or cardboard. One must never look at the Sun through a telescope that does not have proper filter.

Some Facts

• The reason for the occurrence of the Solar Eclipse is that the distance between the Earth and the Sun is about 400 times the Moon’s distance from the Sun and the diameter of the Sun is approximately 400 times larger than the Moon’s.
• A total solar eclipse can occur once every 1 to 2 years. This makes it a very rare event.
• The width of the “zone of totality” is usually about 160 km and can sweep across an area of about 10,000 miles of Earth’s surface.
• If any planets remain in the sky at the time of a total solar eclipse, they can be watched as points of light.
• Almost same eclipses occur after 18 years and 11 days. This period of 223 synodic months has been termed as saros.
• Conditions in the zone of totality, during a total solar eclipse, can change quickly. Air temperature drops and immediately the area becomes dark.

Next solar eclipse will occur on 1 September 2016.

Don’t Miss: General Geography Compendium – Earth for Competitive Exams