Current Affairs Question - 13 January 2020

Explanation :

• The Chinese paddlefish (Psephurus gladius),native to the Yangtze River was one of the world's largest species of freshwater species.
• It was one of only two living species of paddlefish, the other being the American paddlefish (Polyodon spathula) part of an ancient group of fish known to have existed since the Lower Jurassic, 200 million years ago. It was also the only species in the genus Psephurus.
• Referred to as the “aquatic panda of rivers”, the Chinese paddlefish was an elusive and long-protected species. Capable of growing up to 7 meters long, it had a distinctive elongated nose.
• Prior to the extinction, it was listed as “critically endangered,” by the IUCN.
• It is the third species unique to the Yangtze River ecosystem to be declared extinct, following the Baiji dolphin in 2006 and the Chinese shad in 2015.

Explanation :

• Coastal stretches of creeks, bays, seas, rivers and back waters that are affected by the tidal actions of up to 500 metres from the High Tide Line and the land between the Low Tide Line and the High Tide line are Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ).
• The coastal areas have been classified into four categories—CRZ-I, CRZ-II, CRZ-III and CRZ-IV.
• CRZ-I: these are ecologically sensitive areas; these are essential in maintaining the ecosystem of the coast. They lie between low and high tide line. Exploration of natural gas and extraction of salt are permitted here.
• CRZ-II: these areas are urban areas located in the coastal areas. Now under new coastal zone regulations 2018, the floor space index norms have been de-freezed.
• CRZ-III: these are rural and urban localities which fall outside the CRZ-I and CRZ-II. Only certain activities related to agriculture even some public facilities are allowed in this zone.
• CRZ-IV: this lies in the aquatic area up to territorial limits. Fishing and allied activities are permitted in this zone. Solid waste should be let off in this zone. This zone has been changed from 1991 notification, which covered coastal stretches in islands of Andaman & Nicobar and Lakshadweep.