Published on: October 23, 2024
Snippets : 23 OCTBER 2024
Snippets : 23 OCTBER 2024
- The Sharavathy Pumped Storage Project, proposed by the Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL), is a 2,000-MW facility situated on 133.8 acres within the Sharavathy Lion Tailed Macaque sanctuary. Recent research has highlighted the project area’s rich biodiversity, revealing a diverse array of flora and fauna, including several endangered species. A biodiversity assessment conducted over three months in 2019 documented 362 species of flora, with a notable increase during the monsoon season. Key mammals identified include the critically endangered Lion Tailed Macaque, while 130 bird species were also recorded, including vulnerable species such as the Tawny Eagle. Despite these findings, experts express concerns about the study’s limitations, emphasizing that the full biodiversity of the area may not be fully documented and that the long-term environmental impact of the project remains uncertain.
- On October 20, 2024, Egypt was officially declared ‘malaria-free’ by the World Health Organization (WHO), marking it as the second country in 2024, after Cabo Verde, to achieve this status. The WHO’s malaria-free certification is awarded to nations that have successfully interrupted the transmission of malaria for at least three consecutive years, highlighting nearly a century of persistent efforts in Egypt to eradicate the disease. This achievement places Egypt as the third nation in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region to be certified malaria-free, following the United Arab Emirates and Morocco. With this certification, the total number of countries and territories recognized by the WHO as malaria-free has reached 44, underscoring a global commitment to eliminating malaria, particularly in regions historically burdened by the illness. The efforts leading to this milestone included extensive public health campaigns, insecticide spraying, and vector control initiatives, demonstrating the government’s and the public’s dedication to public health. Egypt’s success also serves as an inspirational model for other African countries still grappling with malaria.
- On October 22, 2024, India launched its fourth nuclear-powered ballistic missile submarine (SSBN) at the Ship Building Center (SBC) in Visakhapatnam, codenamed S4*. This new SSBN features approximately 75% indigenous content, highlighting India’s commitment to self-reliance in defense manufacturing. Equipped with K-4 ballistic missiles, which have a range of 3,500 km, the submarine represents a significant advancement over its predecessor, the K-15 missiles carried by INS Arihant, which have a range of only 750 km. The development of SSBNs is crucial for India’s strategic nuclear deterrence, providing a reliable second-strike capability under the principle of mutual assured destruction. With the recent launch, India joins an elite group of six countries operating SSBNs, which are essential for ensuring the survivability of nuclear weapons in the event of a first strike.
- India and China recently signed a deal to resolve the ongoing military stand-off in the Depsang and Demchok regions of Ladakh. Under this agreement, the Indian Army will resume patrolling, and local farmers will regain access to grazing lands in these areas. However, the deal does not cover regions such as the Galwan Valley, Pangong Tso, and Gogra-Hot Springs, where patrolling remains restricted due to a moratorium. The stand-off, which began in April-May 2020, saw disengagement in other areas, but Depsang and Demchok had remained unresolved until now. This agreement comes ahead of Prime Minister Modi’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
- BSNL (Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited) has introduced a new corporate identity with a fresh tagline, changing from “Connecting India” to “Connecting Bharat,” reflecting the government’s increasing use of the term ‘Bharat.’ BSNL has also updated its logo, changing the globe-like structure’s color from grey to orange, a move that may attract political criticism for “saffronisation.” Along with these changes, BSNL unveiled new services, including a spam-blocking solution to filter out malicious SMS, Wi-Fi roaming services allowing users to connect to any BSNL FTTH Wi-Fi network while traveling, and access to over 500 premium TV channels for FTTH users.
- A new snake species discovered by researchers in the Himalayas has been named after Hollywood actor Leonardo DiCaprio in recognition of his efforts to raise awareness on global climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution. The snake was discovered near Thanei Kothi village in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh by a team of researchers including H T Lalremsanga.
- India signed an agreement with Pakistan to extend the validity of a 2019 agreement, which had opened a corridor allowing pilgrims from India to cross over to the neighbouring country to visit Gurdwara Kartarpur Sahib, one of the holiest shrines for Sikhs.
- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) has maintained its growth rate projections for India in its latest World Economic Outlook report, predicting a 7% growth rate for the current fiscal year ending March 31, 2025, and 6.5% for the next fiscal year. The World Bank has also revised its growth forecast for India to 7% for the current financial year, up from its earlier projection of 6.6%. This growth is driven by factors such as private consumption and investment.
- A team of arachnologists has discovered a new genus of jumping spiders, ‘Tenkana’, found across southern India, encompassing two previously known species. It also introduced a new species, Tenkana jayamangali, from Karnataka. The name Tenkana comes from the Kannada word for south, reflecting that all the known species are from southern India and northern Sri Lanka. This new group belongs to the Plexippina subtribe of jumping spiders and is different from related groups such as Hyllus and Telamonia. Two species that were previously in Colopsus — Tenkana manu (found in south India and Sri Lanka) and Tenkana arkavathi (from Karnataka) — have now been moved to the new genus. Interestingly, the former was named after a retired professor, Dr. Manu Thomas, in 2014. The team also described Tenkana jayamangali for the first time, named after the Jayamangali river in Karnataka, where it was first seen.
- The degradation of natural ecosystems is an urgent global issue, and India, with its vast geographical and ecological diversity, is no exception. With almost 30% of its total geographical area having land degradation, the need for India to adopt a comprehensive nature restoration law is more acute. The Nature Restoration Law (NRL), which was enacted by the European Union (EU), is an inspiring model from which India can draw points to tackle its growing environmental crises.
- The NRL, adopted by the EU’s Environmental Council on June 17, 2024, is a groundbreaking piece of legislation that aims to restore the health of Europe’s ecosystems.
- Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) has been awarded with SHRM – HR Excellence Awards for ‘Excellence in Inclusion, Equity & Diversity’ and ‘Excellence in Managing the Distributed Workforce’ categories at the prestigious SHRM India Annual Conference 2024 held in New Delhi, recently.
- National Education Society for Tribal Students (NESTS) today launched the Third Phase of the ‘Amazon Future Engineer Program’ in 50 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) spread across Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana and Tripura. The third phase would include an orientation on blockchain, artificial intelligence, coding, block programming and AI sessions. The third phase of the Amazon Future Engineer Program will be rolled out across 410 proposed EMRSs in India. The Amazon Future Engineer Program has been running for two years, has already introduced over 7,000 students in grades 6 to 8 to the fundamentals of computer science and block programming, with over 50 teachers trained in the previous phases. The third phase will expand the curriculum to include blockchain, artificial intelligence, and coding for students in grades 6 to 9. Additionally, project-based virtual sessions will be provided for class 10 students, further aligning with the CBSE AI Skills Curriculum.
