Jal Abhyaranya Program
Jal Abhyaranya Program Mountain natural springs are the main fresh water sources which serve nearly 40 millions of people across the Himalayas.The water problems of hill towns like Shimla are a direct result of drying of springs. According to one estimate, almost all 58,000 inhabited villages in IHR are dependent on the natural water springs or small streams originated from springs, of which at least half of the springs are drying up or have witnessed decline in water discharge resulting in acute water shortages across thousands of Himalayan villages and hill towns. GBPIHED through its various partners is taking lead in maintaining the Geo Database of spring inventory & developing demonstrative models of Gram Jal Abhyaranya in at least one village of selected districts of 12 IHR States that also include majorily the aspirational districts identified by NITI Ayog. This will help the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, New Delhi in taking lead in launching a massive drive for Himalayan spring rejuvenation using Village Water Sanctuary (Gram Jal Abhyaranya) approach for rejuvenating at least one drying spring in each of the 58,000 villages with the active support of State Forest Departments and other Ministries and organizations. Envisaged Outcome: Baseline data/information of mountain springs in terms of i.e. seasonal, dry-up and perennial spring and springs characteristics in inhabited villages of all 12 Himalayan States. Operational field demonstration models in each Aspirational Districts in all 12 IHR states for field training and capacity building and creation of 1200 para- hydrogeologists. Revival/Rejuvenation of dry up spring(s) in water stress area of Himalayan State using the Technology and Community based approaches through state agencies. State specific policy documents on conservation and management options for monitoring, protection, enhancement and restoration strategies for Springs. Aspirational District for IHR: Kupwara (Jammu Kashmir), Chamba (Himachal Pradesh), Champawat/Almora* (Uttarakhand), Darjeeling* (West Bengal), West Sikkim (Sikkim); Namsai (Arunachal Pradesh), Dima Hasao* (Assam), Kiphire (Nagaland), Chandel (Manipur), Mamit (Mizoram), Dhalai (Tripura), Ribhoi (Meghalaya). Spring Rejuvenation: Though the task of revival of Himalayan springs is gigantic, it can be achieved through a systematically coordinated, combined national, state and local level initiatives involving all possible stakeholders and partners including governments, community and people at large. Read UPSC CSE Prelims 2022 Detailed Answer Key Studies conducted by RM&DD, Government of Sikkim have showed that revival of springs is possible by taking up artificial ground water recharge works in the recharge area (springshed) of the aquifer. Based on the experiments, an eight-step action plan was designed which provides a step-by-step procedure for reviving Himalayan springs. These eight steps are as follows: Comprehensive mapping of springs and springsheds. Setting up of a data monitoring system. Understanding socio-economic and governance systems of springs. Hydrogeological mapping. Creating a conceptual hydrogeological layout of the springshed. Classification of spring type, identifying mountain aquifer and demarcating recharge area. Developing springshed management and governance protocols and Impact assessment. Challenges: Community participation is key for long term sustainability of the program. Only supply side interventions are executed which may increase the water discharge for a short term but does not solve for water security in the long term. The convergence of schemes, efforts and funds remains a challenge. The knowledge remains in the hands of the experts and is not adequately transferred to the local community making the community dependent on the govt/experts. Availability of dedicated water resource personnel at the Panchayat or the village level will significantly improve the long term efficacy of the interventions. The existing programmes should have adequate funding for HR and capacity building of all the stakeholders in the programme. The programmes do not have adequate emphasis on the data collection. In absence of data, it is difficult to measure the impact of the interventions and learn from what worked and what did not work and learn from those experiences. Way Forward: Participation: To consciously and actively engage the community during the entire programme by reducing the threshold to participation and make the interactions smooth and seamless. Long Term Assets: The programme should leave long term assets (institutional and physical) across the ecosystem that would last beyond the program. Leverage local knowledge: The design should leverage both science and local knowledge. No results Telegram Name *Email *Mobile Number *PlaceRegister Now Our Programs Books Recent Posts Daily News Analysis for UPSC | Civils360 IAS | Malayalam | October 1 2024 “Mastering UPSC Public Administration Optional: Join O ur Telegram Channel for Expert Guidance” Free Public Administration Optional Answer Writing for UPSC Mains Graphene for UPSC Prelims UPSC IAS Prelims 2023 Detailed Answer Key – Civils360 Download KnotBook App Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
MicroDot Technology
MicroDot Technology “The Ministry of Road Transport & Highways (MoRTH) has issued a draft notification GSR 521(E) … amending Central Motor Vehicle Rules, allowing motor vehicles and their parts, components, assemblies, sub-assemblies to be affixed with permanent and nearly invisible microdots that can be read physically with a microscope and identified with an ultraviolet light source,” . Microdot technology involves spraying the body and parts of the vehicle or any other machine with microscopic dots, which give a unique identification. Microdots are a globally proven technology to ensure originality in spare parts of machines and components, including in the automobile sector. The government has envisaged that with microdots becoming a permanent feature in vehicles, identifying them would become easier in case they are stolen. Use of this technology will help check the theft of vehicles and also the use of fake spare parts. “The microdots and adhesive will become permanent fixtures/affixation which cannot be removed without damaging the asset, that is the vehicle itself,”. The notification says that the microdots, if affixed, will have to comply with AIS 155 requirements. Each microdot carries this identification which is registered to the owner, but is not visible to the naked eye Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help join now
Fasal Rahat Yojana
Fasal Rahat Yojana The Jharkhand government has earmarked Rs 2,000 crore for loan waiver to farmers in the state. The government is also set to replace PM Kisan Bima Yojna with the state’s own Fasal Rahat Yojna and has earmarked Rs 100 crore for this scheme. Both these initiatives are set to come into effect by the end of this month, as per details that emerged after the fourth day of the review meetings of various departments conducted by Chief Minister Hemant Soren. The biggest challenge remains in implementing the loan waiver. During the Assembly Question and Answer session in March, in a response to a question on loans of farmers, the government had agreed that the farmers owed Rs 7,000 crore to the banks. During the review of the Department of Agriculture, Animal Husbandry and Co-operative, the Chief Minister was informed that a state-level committee has been formed under the Agriculture Minister. “Crop loanee data have been submitted. Various banks have been asked to complete Aadhaar enabling of crop loanee. So far six lakhs Aadhaar cards have been enabled out of 12 lakh loan accounts,”. adding that the department is building a web portal for the purpose. Read Also Exchange Traded Funds The replacement of the PM Fasal Bima Yojna awaits Cabinet approval. During the review process, it emerged that under the central scheme where Rs 6,000 is paid to farmers annually in three installments, Rs 1,557 crore have been released to 32 lakh registered farmers. In addition, it emerged that 13.47 lakhs Kisan credit cards have been issued. “Deputy Commissioners have been asked to cover all PM KISAN beneficiaries under the credit card scheme,.” A review meeting was held on Monday for the Scheduled Tribe, Scheduled Caste, Minority and Backward Class Welfare Department. In one upcoming scheme, the government will select a few students every year for higher education in the United Kingdom and financial assistance will be provided, it was decided. “The institute will be paid directly. Rs 28.83 crore was spent in 2019-20 on the Birsa Awas Yojna for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups where money is being given to them for constructing a house. The SC, ST, minority and backward classes welfare department also presented that Rs 105.8 crore have been spent on distributing cycles to students in 2019-20. “A total of 29.59 lakh students were each given Rs 3500 directly into their account. In 2019-20, the department spent Rs 244.44 crore under the state’s Prematric Scholarship Scheme. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Bannerghatta National Park
Bengaluru Bannerghatta Biological Park is a unique region of ecological importance as it’s situated on the northern terminal point of Mysuru Elephant Reserve. The Park plays a major role in conservation of rich floral, faunal diversity , sequester carbon and sustains regional hydrology. To protect and conserve Wildlife and Environment through Sustainable and Scientific management of zoo. The main objective of the zoo is ex- situ conservation and augment the depleting population of the endangered species. At present over 2300 animals belonging to 103 species are being protected in naturalistic environment and provided with veterinary care at the Park. To Inspire, Inform, Enhance Scientific literacy of citizens to support national effort of Conservation of rich Biodiversity on Earth. Objectives: To compliment and strengthen the national efforts in ex-situ conservation and strength the conservation of the rich Bio-Diversity of the country, particularly the fauna. Supporting the conservation of endangered species by giving species, which have no chance of survival in wild, a last chance of survival through coordinated breeding under ex-situ condition and raise stocks for rehabilitating them in wild as and when it is appropriate and desirable To inspire amongst zoo visitors empathy for wild animals, an understanding and awareness about the need for conservation of natural resources and for maintaining the ecological balance. Providing opportunities for scientific studies, Research and documentation on conservation and creation of database for sharing between authorities involved in In-Situ and Ex-Situ conservation. Bring awareness to the public on conservation and propagation of wildlife by conducting regular awareness and education campaigns and programs Providing dedicated facilities for the rescued and orphaned wild animals by providing appropriate housing, clinical and management facilities in off-the display area To serve as gene pool and germplasm reserve for future biological research on wild animals and to extend facilities for studies on behaviour and breeding of different animals. To create awareness about nature and wildlife conservation to the visiting tourists. To sustain the founder population and also to augment the depleting populations of endangered species in the wild. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Kra Canal
Kra Canal The Kra Canal project, a proposal 120-kilometer mega canal cutting through the Isthmus of Kra in Thailand could have been a crucial strategic asset for China, allowing the Chinese navy to move freely and quickly between its newly constructed bases in the South China Sea and the Indian Ocean. The project was China’s response to putting an end to the Malacca dilemma by bypassing the Strait of Malacca, a narrow chokepoint between the Malay Peninsula and the Indonesian island of Sumatra that divides the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Key Highlights of Kra Canal: Kra Canal project, if constructed, would allow China to bypass the Strait of Malacca Purchase of two Chinese submarines worth USD 724 million delayed China losing key allies in Indo-Pacific Region China’s Malacca dilemma continues to haunt it after Thailand announced it will scrap the Kra Canal project that Beijing wanted to build to bypass the Strait of Malacca. The Indian Navy had deployed its frontline vessels along the Malacca Straits, a strategic chokepoint, after the Galwan Valley clash in Ladakh. This comes as a double blow to China amid a standoff with India. The Thai government has also delayed the purchase of two Chinese submarines worth USD 724 million after facing intense pressure from its arch-rival Pheu Thai Party and the public. Thailand no longer wants the Kra Canal as it is turned out to be infeasible both economically and politically. According to a report in the Foreign Policy, there were concerns that the canal would undermine the independence of poor Southeast Asian countries like Myanmar and Cambodia, which have comparatively weak civil societies that are highly vulnerable to Chinese interference China-Indo –pacific Apart from the cancellation of the canal, the Royal Thai Navy told the parliament’s budget committee to slash the submarine procurement funding to zero for this fiscal year with Prime Minister Prayuth Chan-ocha, who also holds the post of Defence Minister, telling the Navy to postpone the agreement until the fiscal year 2022. Thailand was planning to purchase two Yuan-class S26T submarines for 22.5 billion baht (USD 720 million) over seven years. These new developments might force China to introspect why it is losing key allies in the Indo-Pacific and why aggression, intimidation and coercion rarely work in bilateral relations. Benefits: The Kra canal is its financial viability : The route through the Kra canal will only result in a saving of 10 hours for merchant traffic, as compared to the Malacca Strait, the cost of fuel saved is likely to be only around $25,000, a fraction of the transit cost of over $500,000. The savings in distance and time expected for the merchant marine: the total distance saved by routing maritime traffic through Kra Canal instead of transiting through the Malacca Strait is less than 500 kilometres. The distance is translated into actual transit time of merchant ships, the resultant saving in time is well under 10 hours. Challenges: The geo-strategic significance of the project, the assessment mentions that Thailand, located in Southeast Asia, has the South China Sea (SCS) to the East and Andaman Sea to the West. There are presently three major Straits in the region: Malacca, Sunda and Lombok. The preponderance of maritime trade passes through Malacca Strait, which is the busiest in the world,” the assessment reads. “The proposed Kra canal, if constructed, would bifurcate Thailand’s Kra isthmus and directly connect the SCS and Andaman Sea, bypassing Malacca.” This project is likely to cause major environmental issues for Thailand, and would also negatively affect marine ecology and tourist sites (over 20 per cent of Thailand’s GDP is based on tourism). This project is likely to cause major environmental issues for Thailand, and would also negatively affect marine ecology and tourist sites (over 20 per cent of Thailand’s GDP is based on tourism). India should capitalise on the opportunity – bundled with its own set of challenges – that the Kra Canal offers and offer transhipment ports to vessels bound for either Malacca or Kra Canal. As of now, ships wait for their turn at Sri Lankan ports, earning Colombo precious foreign exchange as well as leverage. Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. JOIN NOW
Exchange Traded Funds
Exchange Traded Funds ETFs or exchange traded funds are similar to index mutual funds. However, they trade just like stocks. ETFs were started in 2001 in India. They comprise a portfolio of equity, bonds and trade close to its net asset value. These funds mainly track an index, a commodity, or a pool of assets. They have the following advantages over mutual funds and equity/debt funds:1. Lower Costs: An investor who buys an ETF doesn’t have to pay an advisory/management fee to the fund manager and taxes are relatively lower in ETFs.2. Lower Holding Costs: As commodity ETFs are widely traded in, there isn’t any physical delivery of commodity. The investor is just provided with an ETF certificate, similar to a stock certificate. Gold ETF: When it comes to making gold purchases, especially for investment purposes, gold coin and bar tend to be the preferred options. However, all things taken into consideration, the ideal gold investment vehicle turns out to be gold ETFs. A gold ETF aims to track the price of domestic physical gold and invests in 99.5% purity gold bullion. When you invest in a gold ETF, you purchase gold in an electronic form. One gold ETF unit is equal to 1 gm of gold and is backed by physical gold of very high purity. One can buy and sell gold ETFs just the way you trade in stocks. Just like a stock of any company, gold ETFs are listed and traded on stock exchanges and can be bought and sold continuously at market prices. Hence, gold ETF combines the flexibility of stock investment and the simplicity of gold investments. Since ETFs are held in demat form, one needn’t worry about the safety aspect. Also, the cost of acquisition in gold ETF is very low, given the absence of making charges and other related expenses. As a result, ETFs have much lower expenses compared with physical gold investment. One can even consider doing an SIP for as low as Rs 1,000 a month to collect gold units over time to meet future requirement. Read Also Gig Economy Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help join now
Juice Jacking
Juice Jacking Mobile phones can get infected through a type of cyber attack called Juice Jacking. A USB port is not simply a power socket, you can also use it to transfer and sync your data. A hacker can tamper with a USB charging port at a public charging station to steal passwords and export data. Juice Jacking – Threats: The State Bank of India has warned its customers against plugging-in their phone at charging stations at various public places and also informed people about ‘juice jacking’, a USB charger scam could end up draining bank account of a customer. Juice jacking is a type of cyber attack involving a charging port that doubles as a data connection, typically over USB. It is also called known as USB data blocker. 1. Data theft: Data is stolen from the connected device; there are crawlers that can search your phone for personally identifiable information (PII), account credentials, banking-related or credit card data. These crawlers have the ability to copy all information to their own devices. There are also many malicious apps that can clone all your phones’ data to another phone. 2. Malware installation: Once the connection is established, malware is automatically installed in the connected device. The malware remains on the device until it is detected and removed by the user. There are many categories of malware that cybercriminals can install through juice jacking, including adware, cryptominers, ransomware, spyware, or Trojans. Steps to Mitigate the Risks: The main way to avoid juice jacking is to stay away from public charging stations or portable wall chargers. Carry a personal charger or a power bank or use USB condoms which are adaptors that allow the power transfer but don’t connect the data transfer pins. Switch off your phone or lock your phone and then plug it into the charging port. But this technique only works on few mobile models Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Nandur Madhameshwar
Nandur Madhameshwar Nandur Madhameshwar The International Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has declared Nandur Madhameshwar wetland in Niphad tahsil of Nashik district as Ramsar wetland. This is the first wetland in the state and among the nine wetlands in India declared by the Convention as Ramsar sites . Nandur Madhmeshwar wetland has been formed by shallow backwaters of Nandur Madhmeshwar dam and is known as Maharashtra ‘s Bharatpur. It lies in the 100 sq km Nandur Madhameshwar sanctuary formed in 1986, Nandur Madhameshwsr has measured up to the seven out of nine criteria set for recognition by the Ramsar Convention. These are “rare species and threatened ecological communities, biological diversity, support during critical lifecycle stage or in adverse conditions, more than 20,000 water birds, more than one percent water bird population of one species or sub-species of water birds, significant and representative fish and fish spawning ground. Nandur Madhameshwar boasts of threatened plants like Indian sandalwood, threatened birds like Indian Spotted Eagle, Eastern Imperial Eagle, Common Pochard, Bristled Grass Bird, Wooly-necked stork, White-rumped vulture, Indian vulture and Egyptian vulture, threatened fish Deolali Minnow and mammal like leopard. As for biological diversity, the wetland houses 536 species of aquatic and terrestrial plants, eight mammal species, 265 bird species, 24 fresh water fish species and 41 butterfly species. It supports migratory birds species by serving as a wintering and stopover site and as breeding site for resident birds. It has more than one percent population of Common Pochard, White Stork, Common Crane, Eurashian Spoonbill and Glosdy Ibis bird species. Among fish, the wetland has Butter cat fish, Deolali minnow, Slender rasbora, Novacula razorbelly minnow and globally threatened specie Shalini barb. Read Also Galathea Bay The advantages of being declared Ramsar site: It will help in conservation and wise use of the wetland. Receive national and international cooperation for conservation and management Receive Central funding, boost tourism Generate employment for locals and bring economic benefits for surrounding areas due to increased tourism Create awareness for conservation of other wetlands in the state. Wetlands: The wetlands are land areas covered by water, either temporarilyseasonally or permanently. They play a key role in flood control, water supply and providing food, fibre and raw materials. Such land areas also support migratory birds from colder regions of the world in summers, apart from mangroves that protect coastlines and filter pollutants. Ramsar Convention: Ramsar Convention is a contract among 90 countries aiming at conserving wetlands across the world. It was signed at Ramsar in Iran in 1971 and became operational in 1975. Since then, 37 sites in India have so far been declared as sites of international importance. Nandur Madhameshwar’s number in the list is 2410. The Ramsar Convention is the only global treaty that focuses specifically on wetlands The 2nd of February each year is World Wetlands Day, marking the date of the adoption of the Convention on Wetlands on 2 February 1971. “Wetlands and Biodiversity” is the theme for 2020. The Ramsar Convention works closely with six other organisations known as International Organization Partners (IOPs). These are: Birdlife International International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) International Water Management Institute (IWMI) Wetlands International WWF International Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust (WWT) Read Also Kanjli Wetland Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
Mt. Everest ‘grows’ taller as China
Mt. Everest ‘grows’ taller as China, Nepal announce new height Nepal and China jointly announced the new height of Mount Everest as 8,848.86 metres in a highprofile virtual ceremony, with their Presidents exchanging letters and the Foreign Ministers in attendance, all aimed at showcasing both a deepening strategic relationship and the amicable resolution. Everest — also known as Sagarmatha in Nepal and Mount Qomolangma in China — was “an important symbol of the ChinaNepal friendship”, China’s President Xi Jinping said, calling it a “peak of ChinaNepal friendship”. The mountain lies on the border between Nepal and Tibet and the summit can be accessed from both sides, although the Nepal route is more popular. The project had “overcome all kinds of difficulties and finally reached a conclusion on the snowcovered height based on the International Height Reference System” Advantage of China: For Nepal and China, the height of Everest wasn’t merely an academic debate. It also had ramifications for a lucrative tourism industry. Officials told the Kathmandu Post the slightly higher “snow height” was “one of the key reasons why Nepal had been drawing Everest aspirants in droves”. Ang Tsering Sherpa, former president of theNepal Mountaineering Association, told that climbers from Nepal “started to swell from 2007 when China started issuing Everest climbing certificates stating the height as 8,844.57 metres against 8,848 metres in certificates issued by Nepal for the same peak”. “Now, there will be a common height,” he said, but it will give China an advantage in the climbing stakes as “climbing Everest through the northern side is much cheaper than climbing from the southern side”. The new height replaced the longassociated 8,848 metreheight, which was, the legacy from 1954, and a measurement carried out by the Survey of India Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards your Civils journey. Feel free to reach out to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help. join now
Jotedars
Jotedars Many zamindars were facing a crisis at the end of the eighteenth century, a group of rich peasants were consolidating their position in the villages. In Francis Buchanan’s survey of the Dinajpur district in North Bengal we have a vivid description of this class of rich peasants known as jotedars. Significance: The Tebhaga movement was led by the share croppers of the Bengal region against the oppressive jotedars in 1946-47. The uprising was due to the share cropping system that prevailed in the Bengal. During the early nineteen century a new class of rich peasants known as jotedars emerged in the Bengal region. The jotedars collected huge tracts of land in rural areas. They also controlled the local markets, money lending activities, exercised control over the poor cultivators. In rural villages these jotedars exercised more control than the Zamindars, who often lived in urban areas. The large agricultural areas under the jotedars were cultivated through sharecroppers (also known as bhagadars), who handed over half of the crop after the harvest to the jotedars. The jotedars were mainly concentrated in the North Bengal, whereas in other parts of the Bengal they are known as haoladars, gantidars, or mandals. Jotedar Vs Zamindar: Jotedar Zamindar Jotedars were landed peasentry who used to own large tracts of land. Zamindars were the owners of land, water, mountains, villages and almost everything under the sun. They generally were quite wealthy. The zamindars had the power to settle people on their lands, employ them for tilling if fields and other jobs. Jotedars belonged to the upper castes Bengalis. They also levied taxes on production of crops, handicrafts, fishing etc. This class used to employ the share croppers on landless peasents in their lands for tilling. Prelims 2022 Detailed Answer Key After the royalty, zamindars used to wield the highest power in rural Bengal. The rise of Jotedars inevitably weakened zamindari authority: Within the villages, the power of Jotedars was more effective than that of Zamindars. The Zamindars who often lived in Urban areas whereas the Jotedars were located in the villages and exercised direct control over a considerable section of poor villagers. They forcefully resisted efforts by zamindars to increase the Jama of the village, prevented zamindars officials from executing their duties, mobilised ryots, who were dependent on them, and deliberately delayed payments of revenue to zamindar. When the estates of the zamindars were auctioned for failure to make revenue payment, Jotedars were often the purchasers. Which is the best UPSC Test Series Check Now https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AX2CRSHbAoM Enroll today with the best civils service academy and take your first step towards yours Civils out journey. Feel free to reach to us for any inquiries, collaborations, or support. We’re here to help JOIN NOW
