Current Affairs Assam – February 2018 e-Magazine
February 13
Forest cover in 5 NE states decreases
In a disappointing development, the forest cover in five north-eastern states has decreased. Assam’s forest cover, however, has increased by 567 sq km. This was stated in the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2017, which was released by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Dr Harsh Vardhan.
The north-eastern states that have lost forest cover are Mizoram (531 sq km), Nagaland (450 sq km), Arunachal Pradesh (190 sq km), Tripura (164 sq km) and Meghalaya (116 sq km).
The report said the north-eastern states had recorded a high forest cover which was more than 70 per cent in each state. The reasons for decrease in forest cover are shifting cultivation, other biotic pressures, rotational tree felling, diversion of forest land for developmental activities, submergence of forest cover, agriculture expansion and natural disasters, the report said.
Assam has increase in forest cover in the State is mainly due to plantations, mostly outside forest areas. Based on interpretation of satellite data pertaining to October-December 2015, the forest cover in Assam is 28,105 sq km, which is 35.83 per cent of the State’s geographical area.
Assam has 2,979 sq km dense forest, 10,192 sq km moderately dense forest and 15,116 sq km open forest, the report said, adding, the area of water bodies within the forests has also recorded an increase of 87 sq km compared to 2005.
FACTFILE – India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2017 Highlights
- The total forest cover is 7,08,273 sq. km, which is 21.54% of the total geographical area of the country.
- Forest and tree cover combined is 8,02,088 sq. km or 24.39% of the total geographical area.
- India’s tree and forest cover has registered an increase of 1% or 8,021 sq. km in two years since 2015
- The report said the present assessment reveals that 15 states have over 33 per cent of the geographical area under forest cover.
- Of these states, Mizoram, Lakshadweep, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Meghalaya and Manipur have more than 75 per cent forest cover.
- Tripura, Goa, Sikkim, Kerala, Uttarakhand, Dadra and Nagar Haveli, Chhattisgarh and Assam have a forest cover between 33 per cent to 75 per cent.
- Madhya Pradesh (77,414 sq. km) has the largest forest cover in the country in terms of area, followed by Arunachal Pradesh (66,964 sq. km) and Chhattisgarh (55,547 sq. km).
- In terms of percentage of forest cover with respect to the total geographical area, Lakshadweep with (90.33%) has the highest forest cover, followed by Mizoram (86.27%) and Andaman and Nicobar Island (81.73%).
- The top five States where maximum forest cover has increased are
- Andhra Pradesh (2,141 sq. km),
- Karnataka (1,101 sq. km),
- Kerala (1,043 sq. km),
- Odisha (885 sq. km)
- Telangana (565 sq. km).
Sharmila Nicollet first Indian Golfer To Qualify For China LPGA Tour
Sharmila Nicollet become the first Indian golfer to qualify for the China Ladies PGA Tour. The 26-year-old Bengaluru golfer fought her way back into the tournament in the last two rounds to earn a card for the Tour.
Sharmila, who played on the Ladies European Tour before losing her full card, played her three rounds in the CLPGA Tour Qualifying School to finish in tied 21st and pick one of the 30 cards available in the 88-player field.
Rohan More becomes 1st Asian to swim across Ocean Seven
Pune-based swimmer, Rohan More became the first Asian as well as the first Indian to swim across the Ocean Seven. He is the youngest to complete it. He swam across the Cook Strait between North and South Islands of New Zealand in 8 hours and 37 minutes.
With this, More becomes only the ninth person in the world to complete it. He has received the Tenzing Norgay Award from the Indian Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports. The award, also known as the National Adventure Award, was presented by President Ram Nath Kovind.
February 14
Uplifting NE textile sector Centre’s top priority: Union Minister of Textiles
Development and modernisation of the textile sector in north-eastern states is being given the highest priority by the Centre, said Union Minister of Textiles Smriti Zubin Irani. The move will create more jobs, especially for women of the region and also lead to enhancement of infrastructure of northeastern states such as roads, power, water supply, etc., she said.
There are 23.77 lakh handlooms in the country, of which 16.47 lakh handlooms (69.28 per cent) are in the Northeast as per the handloom census of 2009-10. An amount of Rs 690 crore has also been utilised for development of sericulture in the region, the minister said.
Twenty-one readymade garment manufacturing units are fully operational in Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Nagaland, Mizoram and Tripura. These units have given a boost to the textile industry in the Northeast. This has seen an increase in the export of readymade garments from the region.
Three factories have become fully operational in each of the seven states of the Northeast in a record time of two years. Each factory employs around 1,200 people, mainly women. These factories are owned by local entrepreneurs. Agencies like the Clothing Manufacturers Association of India, Arvind Mills and Apparel Export Promotion Council are placing orders for readymade garments with these units.
The Textile Ministry’s specific objectives for the Northeast are to increase the value of textile production, technological upgradation, improvement in capability, better access to domestic markets and clusterisation.
It has provided Rs 18 crore to each readymade garment manufacturing unit. The National Building Construction Corporation has constructed these units in the seven states. The garments manufactured here are being exported not only to other parts of the country but also to Bangladesh and Myanmar, the minister said.
Mumbai declared the 12th richest city globally: New World Health Report
Mumbai is the 12th wealthiest city, followed by Toronto with a total wealth of $944 billion, Frankfurt (14th, $912 billion) and Paris (15th, $860 billion).
Total wealth, refers to the private wealth held by all the individuals living in each city. It includes all their assets (property, cash, equities, business interests) less any liabilities. Government funds are excluded from the figures.
The list was topped by New York with a total wealth of $3 trillion. Mumbai also features among the top 10 cities in terms of billionaire population.
International Conference on Unani Medicine held in New Delhi
The International Conference on Unani Medicine was held in New Delhi. It was inaugurated by Minister of State (IC) for Ministry of Development of Northern Pics. It was organized by Central Council for Research in Unani Medicine (CCRUM), under Ministry of AYUSH is organizing as part of the celebration of Unani Day.
The Various national level eminent personalities and stakeholders from academia, industry, regulators, and researchers in the field of Unani Medicine participant.
FACTFILE – Unani Medicine
- Unani medicine is the term for Perso-Arabic traditional medicine as practiced in Mughal India and in Muslim culture in South Asia and modern day Central Asia.
- The term Yūnānī means “Greek”, as the Perso-Arabic system of medicine was based on the teachings of the Greek physicians Hippocrates and Galen.
- The Hellenistic origin of Unani medicine is still visible in its being based on the classical four humours: Phlegm (Balgham), Blood (Dam), Yellow bile (Ṣafrā’) and Black bile (Saudā’), but it has also been influenced by Indian and Chinese traditional systems.
February 15
Logistics hub at Ashok Paper Mill site planned
The State government with support from the Centre would set up a multi-model logistics hub at the site of the dysfunctional Ashok Paper Mill at Jogighopa in Goalpara district.
Revealing this at the Assembly while replying to a question raised by Congress legislator Abdul Khaleque, Industries and Commerce Minister Chandra Mohan Patowary said that the hub encompassing an area of 2,200 bigha would include a paper mill (private-public venture), an automobile manufacturing unit, an industrial estate and an IT centre.
World’s tallest hotel Gevora opens in Dubai
World’s tallest hotel Gevora opens in Dubai which is also home to Burj Khalifa – the world’s tallest building. Located in Dubai, the Gevora Hotel by the Al Attar Group will boast 75 floors (1,167 feet) and 528 rooms.The JW Marriot Marquis Hotel which opened in 2012 previously held the title.
Gevora hotel is only one meter taller than its predecessor – Dubai’s JW Mariott Marquis.The Gevora which is located near the DIFC cluster and Emirates Towers will allow for a better balance between Dubai and Chinese developments in Dubai.
