PIB 11th June

Contents

1. KVIC on Enhanced Import Duty on Bamboo Sticks
2. IFLOWS-Mumbai: Flood Warning System
3. Advisory for import and possession of exotic pets

KVIC ON ENHANCED IMPORT DUTY ON BAMBOO STICKS

Focus: GS-III Indian Economy

Why in news?

The Central Government has decided to increase import duty on bamboo sticks from 10% to 25%.

The KVIC has also launched a bamboo plantation drive to make India self-sufficient to meet the growing demand of bamboo in the next 3-4 years.

How will the increase in Import Duty of Bamboo impact India?

• Khadi & Village Industries Commission (KVIC) has said that, in the next 8-10 months, at least one lakh new jobs will be created in the Agarbatti industry due to increase in import duty of Bamboo, as it discourages heavy import and help local industry grow.
• Heavy import of bamboo sticks from China and Vietnam caused huge employment loss in India.
• This decision will pave the way for setting up of new agarbatti stick manufacturing units to meet the ever-growing demand of Agarbatti in India.
• India is the 2nd largest producer of bamboo in the world but ironically, it is also the 2nd largest importer of bamboo and its products.

KVIC

• The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) is a statutory body formed in April 1957 by the Government of India, under ‘Khadi and Village Industries Commission Act of 1956’.
• It is an apex organisation under the Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises, with regard to khadi and village industries within India
• Aim of KVIC is: plan, promote, facilitate, organise and assist in the establishment and development of khadi and village industries in the rural areas in coordination with other agencies engaged in rural development wherever necessary.

Objectives and Functions of KVIC

• The Social Objective – Providing employment in rural areas
• The Economic Objective – Providing saleable articles
• The Wider Objective – Creating self-reliance amongst people and building up a strong rural community spirit.

The KVIC is authorized to establish and maintain separate organisations for the purpose of carrying out any or all of the above matters besides carrying out any other matter incidental to its activities.

The KVIC may also undertake directly or through other agencies studies concerning the problems of Khadi and/or village industries besides research or establishing pilot projects for the development of Khadi and village industries.

IFLOWS-MUMBAI: FLOOD WARNING SYSTEM

Focus: GS-III Disaster Management, Prelims

Why in news?

In a bid to aid in the mitigation activities of the flood prone city of Mumbai, an Integrated Flood Warning System for Mumbai referred to as, IFLOWS-Mumbai is developed.

Details

• Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) initiated the development of IFLOWS-Mumbai which is a state of art Integrated Flood Warning system to help Mumbai provide early warning for flooding specially during high rainfall events and cyclones.
• I-FLOWS is built on a modular structure and comprises of seven modules, namely Data Assimilation, Flood, Inundation, Vulnerability, Risk, Dissemination Module and Decision Support System.

The major causes of floods in India are:

1. Meteorological Factors: Heavy rainfall; Tropical Cyclones; Cloud Burst.
2. Physical Factors: Large Catchment Area; Inadequate Drainage Arrangement.
3. Human Factors: Deforestation; Siltation; Faulty Agricultural Practices; Bursting of Dams; Accelerated Urbanisation.

Flood Mitigation and Control Measures Warning

With the advancement of technology such as satellite and remote-sensing equipment, flood waves can be tracked as the water level rises. Evacuation is possible with suitable monitoring and warning. A warning is issued by the Central Water Commission (CWC), Irrigation and Flood Control Department and Water Resources Department.

1. Mapping of the Flood Prone Areas: Flood hazard mapping will give the proper indication of water flow during floods. Land use Control It will reduce danger of life and property, when the waters inundate the flood plains and the coastal areas. No major development should be permitted in the areas which are subjected to high flooding.
2. Flood Control: It aims to reduce flood damage. This can be done by decreasing the amount of run-off with the help of reforestation. Flood diversion includes levees, embankments, dams and channel improvement. Dams can store water and can release water at a manageable rate. But the failure of dams in earthquakes and operation of releasing the water can cause floods in the lower areas.
3. Flood Proofing: It reduces the risk of damage. Measures include use of sand bags to keep flood water away, blocking or sealing of doors and windows of houses, etc. Restoration of Original Drainage System Drainage system is generally choked by the construction of roads, canals railway tracks etc. Floods could be checked if the original form of drainage system is restored.

ADVISORY FOR IMPORT AND POSSESSION OF EXOTIC PETS

Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology

Introduction

• Exotic live species are animal or plant species moved from their original range (location) to a new one. These species are introduced to a new location most often by people. Many citizens of the country have kept CITES (Convention of International Trade in Endangered Species) enlisted exotic animal species in their possession but there is no unified information system available of such stock of species at the State/Central level.

How will this help?

• The registration will be done for the stock of animals, new progeny, as well as for import and exchange.
• This will help in better management of the species and guide the holders about proper veterinary care, housing and other aspects of well-being of the species.
• The database of exotic animals will also help in control and management of zoonotic diseases on which guidance would be available from time to time to ensure safety of animals and humans.

Click Here to read more about Exotic Pets, Wildlife Protection act and CITES  (4^th Article)