Assam & NE Current Affairs & GK – January 04-06, 2024
( Covers all important Current Affairs & GK topics for the January 04-06, 2024)
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January 04-06, 2024
North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) sanctions over ₹750 crores for 5,300 Northeast Projects
North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) has sanctioned Rs 766.47 crore and disbursed Rs 547.11 crore for 5338 projects in the NorthEast region, in diverse sectors – education & training food processing, handlooms & handicrafts, healthcare, hotels & tourism, microfinance etc.
Important Initiatives of NEDFI
- NEDFi in collaboration with the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) in setting up ₹100 crore North East Venture Fund to promote regional startups.
- It also partners with banks, microcredit organisations and NGOs for last-mile delivery to remote areas.
- North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi) plays an important role in facilitating setting up of new industrial and service sector projects in the NE Region.
- ₹547 crore disbursed at concessional interest rates to micro and small businesses
- ₹41 crore credit extended via microfinance institutions ₹53 crore direct micro lending to benefit over 9 lakh individuals.
- ₹98 crore venture capital commitments to 67 startups.
About North Eastern Development Finance Corporation Ltd (NEDFi)
- It is a public limited company registered under the Companies Act 1956 on August 9, 1995.
- It provides financial assistance to MSMEs in the NE region for setting up industrial, infrastructure and agriculture-related projects.
- It also provides micro financing through MFIs/NGOS. It also provides consultancy and advisory services to state governments, private sectors and other agencies.
Three New Frogs Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
The Scientists have reported three new frog species belonging to new genera from Arunachal Pradesh’s Namdapha-Kamlang protected area network along the Myanmar border.
About the discovery
- Gracixalus patkaiensis – A translucent green tree frog with jelly-like appearance and insect-like call
- Alcalus fontinalis – A tiny brown frog inhabiting fast-flowing hill streams with unique trickling vocalization
- Nidirana noadihing – A marsh-dwelling “music frog” named after the Noa-Dihing river
About Namdapha Tiger Reserve:
- It is located in the Changlang district of Arunachal Pradesh, near the international border with Myanmar.
- It was declared a Wildlife Sanctuary under the Assam Forest Regulation 1891 on 2nd Oct.’1972.
- In the 1983 year it was declared as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger Scheme of the Govt. of India on 15th March 1983.
India, Nepal hold Seventh Joint Commission Meeting
The Seventh Meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission was held in Kathmandu. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar and his Nepal counterpart NP Saud recently attended the 7th meeting of the Nepal-India Joint Commission.
Key Points
- Nepal and India signed a long-term agreement for the export of 10,000 MW of power to India for the next 10 years.
- Inauguration of Cross-Border Inauguration of 3 cross-border transmission lines which was completed with the help of India (132 kV Raxaul-Parwanipur, 132 kV Kushaha-Kataiya and New Nautanwa-Mainahiya lines).
- An agreement for the launch of Nepali satellites was formalized between the Nepal Academy of Science and Technology and NewSpace India Limited under the Indian Space Research Organisation.
- Inaugurated 3 132-kV cross-border transmission strains, which include the second circuits of the Raxaul-Parwanipur line and the Kataiya-Kusaha line, and the New Nautanwa-Mahiya line.
About India-Nepal Joint Commission:
It was established in 1987 as a platform for the Foreign Ministers of both countries to review all aspects of the bilateral partnership.
Raghuram Iyer appointed as CEO of Indian Olympic Association
Raghuram Iyer has been appointed as the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA).
His appointment follows a meticulous selection process conducted by the nomination committee of the IOA.
The appointment comes after a significant delay and repeated reminders from the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
Raghuram Iyer’s extensive experience in sports management and administration, particularly his previous roles as CEO of Indian Premier League teams Rajasthan Royals and Rising Pune Supergiants, has been recognized as making him an ideal candidate for this position.
XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission
The Indian Space Research Organisation successfully launched the PSLV-C58 XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite) mission.
About XPoSat (X-ray Polarimeter Satellite)
- XPoSat is designed to study X-ray polarization in the medium X-ray band, offering insights into celestial sources’ radiation mechanisms and geometry.
- This study is crucial for understanding the physics behind these celestial bodies.
- The satellite carries two main payloads, POLIX (Polarimeter Instrument in X-rays) and XSPECT (X-ray Spectroscopy and Timing).
- It is India’s first dedicated polarimetry mission to study various dynamics of bright astronomical X-ray sources.
- It is designated for observation from low earth orbit.
- After this launch, India became the second nation after the US to send an observatory to study astronomical sources, such as black holes, and neutron stars, among others.
Wetland City Accreditation
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has submitted three nominations from India for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA).
The nominated cities include Indore (Madhya Pradesh), Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh), and Udaipur (Rajasthan).
These are the first three Indian cities for which nominations have been submitted for WCA based on the proposals received from respective State Wetlands Authorities in collaboration with the Municipal Corporations.
About Wetland City Accreditation:
- The Ramsar Convention during COP12 held in the year 2015 approved a voluntary Wetland City Accreditation system.
- The scheme aims to promote the conservation and wise use of urban and peri-urban wetlands, as well as sustainable socio-economic benefits for local populations.
- It recognizes cities which have taken exceptional steps to safeguard their urban wetlands and also recognizes the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban environments and to take appropriate measures to conserve and protect these wetlands.
- This voluntary scheme provides an opportunity for cities that value their natural or human-made wetlands to gain international recognition and positive publicity for their efforts.
About the cities nominated for WCA
- Indore: Founded by Holkars. Sirpur Lake, a Ramsar Site in the city has been recognised as an important site for water bird congregation and is being developed as a Bird Sanctuary.
A strong network of wetland mitras is engaged in bird conservation and sensitising the local community to protect Sarus Crane.
- Bhopal: Bhoj Wetland, Ramsar Site is the city’s lifeline, equipped with the world-class wetlands interpretation centre, Jal Tarang. Additionally, the Bhopal Municipal Corporation has a dedicated Lake Conservation Cell.
- Udaipur: The city is surrounded by five major wetlands, namely, Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. These wetlands are an integral part of the city’s culture and identity, help maintain the city’s microclimate, and provide a buffer from extreme events.
Union Cabinet approves overarching scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)”
The Union Cabinet recently approved the comprehensive scheme “PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI)” by the Ministry of Earth Sciences. This overarching initiative, with an allocation of Rs 4,797 crore for the period 2021-26.
About PRITHvi VIgyan (PRITHVI) Scheme
Objectives:
The major Objectives of the overarching Prithvi Scheme are:
- Augmentation and sustainance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change
- Development of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change
- Exploration polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources;
- Development of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications ·
- Translation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.
The Prithvi scheme integrates five existing sub-schemes:
- Atmosphere and Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems and Services (ACROSS)
- Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART)
- Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER)
- Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE)
- Research, Education, Training, and Outreach (REACHOUT).
Additionally, the scheme focuses on providing advanced warning services for natural disasters like cyclones, floods, heatwaves, and earthquakes, facilitating prompt and effective disaster management.
The scheme ensures precise weather forecasts for both land and oceans, enhancing safety and minimizing property damages in adverse weather conditions.
‘Clean and Green Village’ Programme for Solar Power Expansion
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is prioritizing the ‘Clean and Green Village’ theme as part of its Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).
About ‘Clean and Green Village’ Programme
- Clean and Green Village’ is the fifth theme under the GPDP.
- The programme aims to install solar power capacities on a commercial basis.
- It aims to develop sustainable business models for solar initiatives at the grassroots level.
- The programme focuses on access to safe water, sanitation, and low pollution environments for healthier lives.
- It emphasizes sustainable natural resource management for better livelihoods, food security, and environmental protection.
- It aims to achieve UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG7 (affordable and clean energy) and SDG13 (climate action).
Areas of Action: Includes 10 specific areas like Open Defecation Free (ODF) Village, Clean and Green School, promotion of Organic Farming, and more.
Initiatives and Schemes for Clean and Green Village:
- Organic and natural farming initiatives like Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana.
- Reducing chemical fertilizers through schemes like PM-PRANAM. Waste to wealth initiatives like GOBARdhan and SATAT.
Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) in Bengaluru have observed a significant shift in the habitat of numerous bird species in the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary due to the escalating temperatures in the region.
About Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary
- It is a protected area of India in the Himalayan foothills of West Kameng District, Arunachal Pradesh.
- It conjoins Sessa Orchid Sanctuary to the northeast and Pakhui Tiger Reserve across the Kameng river to the east.
- It is situated in the biodiversity hotspot of Eastern Himalayas and home to over 500 bird species.
- It is also a part of the Kameng Elephant Reserve.
- It derives its name from the Red Eagle Division of the Indian army The temperate cloud forest is intermixed with dense bamboo patches and broadleaved evergreen forest across a wide altitudinal range, with conifers and rhododendrons at the higher elevations.
