NO DECISION YET ON PAN INDIA NRC, MINISTER TELLS PARLIAMENT
Why in news? The government informed the Lok Sabha that till now it “has not taken any decision to prepare National Register of Citizens (NRC) at the national level.” Form not finalised The NPR form is yet to be finalised and notified but the trial form last year collected details from 30 lakh respondents on 21 […]
PROLONGED MONSOON REVIVES WATERHOLES IN BANDIPUR
Why in news? Of the 370 big and small waterholes, 85% are full while a few smaller ones have witnessed depletion Details: Expected to help wild animals beat water stress and tide over the greater part of the scorching summer that has already set in and will last till pre-monsoon showers lash the national park […]
WHY IS THE CHEETAH EXTINCT IN INDIA?
Details: At the recent meeting of the Conference of Parties to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP 14), a researcher from the Indian delegation pronounced desertification as the primary cause of the extinction of the cheetah (and also the still-extant great Indian bustard) in India. Two idiosyncratic traits of the animal undeniably […]
SHAHEEN FALCON SPOTTED IN THIRUVANANTHAPURAM
Why in news? It was the first reported sighting of the fastest bird in the world in the capital city Also Known as Indian Peregrine Falcon, it is the fastest bird in the world Peregrine falcons are usually found along mountain ranges and river valleys, but it is not unusual to find them in cities, […]
KASTURI MANJAL (WILD TURMERIC)
Why in news? The spice is becoming extinct and is also facing threats from a counterfeit variety Details: Kasturi Manjal with milk cream or rose water has been “grandma’s potion” for glowing skin. Turmeric, an essential ingredient in all Indian kitchens, has gained fame and acceptance for its cosmetic and healing properties and has been […]
NILGIRIS: PESTICIDE LEVELS IN POTATO, CARROT
Why in news? A study of fruits and vegetables grown in the Nilgiris has found that some of the produce might be harbouring high levels of pesticide, beyond what is considered advisable Details: Organophosphate use was high in carrot and potato cultivation Using liquid chromatography in tandem with mass spectrometry, the research team developed a […]
RAIL, FLIGHT SERVICES TO TRANSPORT FARM PRODUCE
Why in news? FM has announced ‘Kisan Rail’ Programme Details The Centre has raised the target for agricultural credit by 11% to ₹15 lakh crore in 2020-21 and proposed to begin special rail and flight services to transport farm produce as part of a 16-point action plan for the agriculture sector announced in the Union […]
GOVT. TO LAUNCH CAMPAIGN TO ELIMINATE TB BY 2025
Details and Context: Presenting the Budget for 2020-21,The finance minister has proposed to expand Jan Aushadhi Kendras to all districts of the country to provide medicines at affordable rates Proceeds from taxes on medical devices would be used to support setting up of hospitals Viability gap funding will be provided for setting up hospitals in […]
PRIVATE PLAYERS ALLOWED TO SET UP DATA PARKS
Why in news? Union Budget for 2020-21 has made a provision for private players to get into data center market Details All ‘public institutions’ at the gram panchayat level, such as anganwadis, health and wellness centres, government schools, PDS (public distribution system) outlets, post offices and police stations will be provided with digital connectivity Fiber […]
NASA DECOMMISSIONS SPITZER SPACE TELESCOPE AFTER 16 YEARS OF OPERATION
Focus: GS-3, Prelims Why in news? Spitzer, which was launched in 2003, studied some of the most distant galaxies ever detected with the light from some of the cosmic bodies travelling for billions of years to reach the telescope, NASA said. Details: Spitzer showed the importance of infrared light in understanding our universe, both in […]