Contents
- World Turtle Day
- Hunar Haat to restart with theme of “Local to Global”
- Additional NDRF teams deployed: Amphan
- Mission Sagar – INS Kesari at Port Louis, Mauritius
WORLD TURTLE DAY
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology
Why in news?
The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), along with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) celebrated World Turtle Day on 23rd may 2020.
In order to conserve turtles and other wildlife, NMCG has taken up several initiatives including establishing conservation centers and creating public awareness about the subject.
World Turtle Day
- World Turtle Day is celebrated on May 23rd of every year.
- The purpose of World Turtle Day is to bring attention to, and increase knowledge of and respect for, turtles and tortoises, and encourage human action to help them survive and thrive.
- Founded in 1990, American Tortoise Rescue is the founding sponsor of World Turtle Day.
Turtles and Turtle conservation in India
- There are five turtle species in Indian waters — Leatherback, Loggerhead, Hawksbill, Green and Olive Ridley.
- In India sea turtles are protected under the Indian Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, under the Schedule I Part II.
- Every year, thousands of sea turtles are accidentally captured, injured or killed by mechanised boats, trawl nets and gill nets operated and used by comercial fishermen.
- The turtle breeding season is usually between November and December. In Tamil Nadu, for example, the Olive Ridley nests between December and April along the Chennai-Kancheepuram coastline.
- Sea turtles, especially the leatherback, keep jellyfish under control, thereby helping to maintain healthy fish stocks in the oceans.
- The Green turtle feeds on sea grass beds and by cropping the grass provide a nursery for numerous species of fish, shellfish and crustaceans.
Click Here to read more about the Olive Ridley Sea Turtle
HUNAR HAAT TO RESTART WITH THEME OF “LOCAL TO GLOBAL”
Focus: GS-II Social Justice
Why in news?
- After a gap of about 5 months due to the Corona pandemic, “Hunar Haat” will restart from September 2020 with the theme of “Local to Global”.
- Hunar Haat has become “Empowerment Exchange” of artisans and craftsmen from across the country.
- Hunar Haat provides market and opportunity to master artisans and craftsmen from remote areas of the country.
Hunar Haat
- The Hunar Haat is an effective platform wherein opportunity is given to artisans/craftsmen and culinary experts from across the country to showcase and market their handmade, rare, exquisite indigenous products.
- Hunar Haat is being implemented from 2016-17 as a component of USTTAD scheme.
- Ministry of Minority Affairs launched Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/ Crafts for Development (USTTAD) scheme in May, 2015 to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts/crafts of minorities.
- Construction of Hunar Hubs is one of the projects considered under the scheme with the objective of enabling artisans/entrepreneurs to carry out exhibitions/melas/food-courts/skill training under one roof in the identified MCD Headquarters.
- Hunar Haat has provided employment and employment opportunities to more than 5 lakh Indian artisans, craftsmen, culinary experts and other people associated with them in the last 5 years.
ADDITIONAL NDRF TEAMS DEPLOYED: AMPHAN
Focus: GS-III Disaster Management
Why in news?
Ten additional NDRF teams have been mobilized and are being rushed at the earliest from NDRF locations outside West Bengal to provide support to West Bengal for post cyclone Amphan management.
The additional deployment of 10 teams will bring the total deployment to 36 teams of NDRF across the 6 districts of West Bengal affected by Cyclone Amphan.
National Disaster Response Force (NDRF)
- The National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) is an Indian specialised force constituted “for the purpose of specialist response to a threatening disaster situation or disaster” under the Disaster Management Act, 2005.
- The “Apex Body for Disaster Management” in India is the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) and NDRF is under NDMA.
- The heads of NDRF – The NDRF Director Generals – are IPS officers on deputation from Indian police organisations.
- When ‘calamities of severe nature’ occur, the Central Government is responsible for providing aid and assistance to the affected state, including deploying, at the State’s request, of Armed Forces, Central Paramilitary Forces, National Disaster Response Force (NDRF), and such communication, air and other assets, as are available and needed.
- NDRF has proved its efficacy with its commendable performance during various disasters including the drowning cases, building collapses, landslides, devastating floods and Cyclones.
Click Here to Read more about Amphan Cyclone
Click Here to Read more about NCMC and NDMA
MISSION SAGAR – INS KESARI AT PORT LOUIS, MAURITIUS
Focus: GS-III International Relations
Why in news?
As part of Mission Sagar, Indian Naval Ship Kesari entered Port Louis Mauritius on 23 May 2020.
‘Mission Sagar’, is in consonance with the Prime Ministers vision of Security and Growth for All in the Region ‘SAGAR’.
Details
- Indian Naval Ship Kesari is carrying COVID related essential medicines and a special consignment of Ayurvedic medicines for the people of Mauritius.
- Specialist Medical Team comprising Indian Navy doctors and paramedics is also embarked onboard this ship, to work alongside their Mauritian counterparts and together render assistance for COIVD-19 related emergencies.
Mauritius on the map:
