Contents:
- 13th COP To The Convention On Migratory Species
- Soil health cards
- 3rd High Level Global Conference on Road Safety in Stockholm op
13TH COP TO THE CONVENTION ON MIGRATORY SPECIES
Why in news?
Conference of the Parties to the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS COP13) together with the associated meetings of the Standing Committee will be held in Gandhinagar, at the kind invitation of the Government of India from 15 to 22 February 2020.’
Details
- With 2.4% of world’s land area, it contributes about 8% of the known global biodiversity.
- India is blessed with diverse ecological habitats and also has four biodiversity hot spots.
- They are – the Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, Indo-Myanmar landscape and Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
- In addition, India is also home to around 500 species of migratory birds from across the globe.
- Vedas spoke of protection of animals.
- Emperor Ashoka put great
emphasis on prohibiting the destruction of forests and the killing of
animals.
Inspired by Gandhi Ji, the ethos of nonviolence and protection of animals and nature has been suitably enshrined in the Constitution of India - India’s forest cover has increased significantly.
- The present assessment also indicates that the total forest cover is 21.67% of the total geographical area of the country.
Tiger protection
- The number of Tiger Reserves has increased from 9 since its formative years, to 50 at present.
- At present India has the distinction of having a population of almost 2970 tigers.
- India has achieved its target of doubling the number of tigers two years before the committed date of 2022.
Protection of elephant
- India is supporting more than 60% of global Asian elephant population. 30 Elephant Reserves have been identified by our States
Snow leopard
- India launched Project Snow Leopard to protect the Snow leopard and its habitat in the upper Himalayas. India recently hosted the Steering Committee of the Global Snow Leopard Ecosystem Programme (GSLEP) of 12 Countries, which resulted in New Delhi declaration envisaging development of country specific framework and cooperation between countries for snow leopard conservation
Lion
- The Gir landscape in Gujarat is the only home for the Asiatic Lion and the pride of the country.
- We have initiated an Asiatic Lion Conservation project since January 2019 to protect the Asiatic Lion.
One-horned rhino
- In India, the One-horned Rhinoceros are found in three States of Assam, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal.
- The Government of India launched the “National Conservation Strategy for the Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros” in the year 2019
- The Great Indian Bustard, a critically endangered bird has also been at the focus of our conservation efforts.
- India is traditionally practicing the mantra of “Athithi Devo Bhava”, this has been reflected in the slogan/theme for the CMS COP 13: “Migratory species connect the planet and together we welcome them home”
- India will be playing a leadership role. India by 2020, will be launching its Marine Turtle Policy and Marine Stranding Management Policy.
- This will also address the pollution caused by micro-plastics. Single use plastics have been a challenge for environment protection
- Establishment of trans boundary protected areas.
- Need to conserve central Asian flyway
- India is home to several migratory species of wildlife including snow leopard, Amur falcons, bar headed Geese, black necked cranes, marine turtles, dugongs, humpbacked whales, etc.
SOIL HEALTH CARDS
Why in news?
Soil Health Card (SHC) is a Government of India’s scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare.
It is being implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory Governments.
A SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his/her holding and advise him/her on the dosage of fertilizers and also the needed soil amendments, that s/he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run.
Details
- The scheme has been introduced to assist State Governments to issue soil health cards to all farmers in the country.
- Soil health card provides information to farmers on nutrient status of their soil along with recommendation on appropriate dosage of nutrients to be applied for improving soil health and its fertility every 2 years.
- Soil Health Card provides two sets of fertilizer recommendations for six crops including recommendations of organic manures, can also get recommendation for additional crops on demand.
3RD HIGH LEVEL GLOBAL CONFERENCE ON ROAD SAFETY IN STOCKHOLM OP
Why in news?
- Sweden is to host the 3rd Global Ministerial Conference on Road Safety on 19–20 February 2020.
Details
- The theme of the conference is Achieving Global Goals 2030.
- The event is co-sponsored by the World Health Organization (WHO), and minister-led delegations from more than 80 countries are expected to attend.
- Representatives from the world of industry and research, international institutions and organizations will also participate.
- The objective of the two-day conference is to bring road safety on the global agenda and renew the world community’s commitment to safer roads.
- Leaders from participating countries will draw up a road-map for reaching the United Nation’s goal set under the UN Decade of Action of reducing road crashes by 2030.
