Published on: October 28, 2024
Snippets : 28 OCTOBER 2024
Snippets : 28 OCTOBER 2024
- An innovative IT solution developed by the University of Agricultural Sciences, Raichur (UASR), known as the Electronic Solution against Agricultural Pests (e-SAP), has made a significant impact on farmers across the state, delivering over 53,000 services in just two months since its launch. Originally piloted 12 years ago in the Kalyana Karnataka region, e-SAP was recently reintroduced by the agriculture department following extensive research and development efforts. The primary purpose of this app-based solution is to accurately identify pests, diseases, and nutritional disorders in crops while quickly recommending effective and authentic solutions. Field staff utilize the app during farm visits to upload photographs of the issues, details about the farmer, and information regarding the affected plant parts, allowing the app to process this data and suggest interventions based on integrated pest management practices. Currently, e-SAP covers 44 different crops and provides real-time guidance, offering farmers solutions such as cultural, physical, or chemical interventions directly to their phones. Complex cases are escalated to experts for immediate assistance through the app. In its first two months, 1,748 field staff have provided services to 36,897 farmers, with the highest usage recorded in Raichur district, where 6,356 services were delivered. The app demonstrated a remarkable efficiency rate, offering on-the-spot suggestions in 97.62% of cases, while 1,273 queries were escalated to experts at Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) to address over 900 different types of problems. Content for e-SAP is developed with input from a range of experts, including entomologists, plant pathologists, soil scientists, and agronomists. Future enhancements will see the app operating offline in field conditions, the addition of 10 more crops to its database, and full integration with horticulture and sericulture departments. Overall, e-SAP provides vital data on the area, extent, and intensity of pest attacks, facilitating quick decision-making for pest management and reducing unnecessary pesticide use
- India has been ranked 176th out of 180 countries in the 2024 Global Nature Conservation Index (NCI), highlighting critical gaps in the nation’s conservation efforts. Launched in October 2024 by the Goldman Sonnenfeldt School of Sustainability and Climate Change at Ben-Gurion University in collaboration with BioDB.com, the NCI evaluates countries based on land management, biodiversity threats, governance, and future trends. India’s low ranking is attributed to issues like ineffective land management, where 53% of land is converted for urban, industrial, or agricultural purposes, and significant soil health concerns marked by a low sustainable nitrogen index score of 0.77. Marine conservation also lags, with only 0.2% of waterways protected and no protected areas in the Exclusive Economic Zone. Habitat loss due to deforestation, urbanization, and climate change has exacerbated biodiversity threats, with 40% of marine and 65% of terrestrial species within Protected Areas showing population declines. These findings align with global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) on life below water (SDG 14) and life on land (SDG 15). India faces the additional challenge of being the world’s fourth-largest illegal wildlife trader, with annual sales reaching £15 billion. Moving forward, the report emphasizes the need for stronger political commitment, enhanced legal frameworks, funding for conservation efforts, and international collaboration to curb illegal wildlife trade and promote sustainable development.
- The UN Environment Programme’s Emissions Gap Report 2024 warns that current climate policies are projected to result in a global temperature increase of 3.1°C above pre-industrial levels, with high risks of missing the Paris Agreement targets. The report reveals that the six largest greenhouse gas emitters produce 63% of global emissions, while least developed countries contribute just 3%. Despite national pledges (NDCs), emission reductions by 2030 would likely cap warming at 2.6°C to 2.8°C. Greenhouse gas emissions rose by 1.3% since 2022, surpassing the 2010–2019 average growth rate. The report stresses a need for urgent emissions cuts of 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 to achieve the 1.5°C goal, with UNEP’s Inger Andersen calling for immediate mobilization ahead of COP29. G20 countries were responsible for 77% of global emissions in 2023, with significant per capita emissions disparities. Bridging the emissions gap requires intensified actions, particularly through expanded use of renewable energy, forest conservation, and strategies like energy efficiency, electrification, and fuel switching across key sectors.
- Guruvayur temple prohibits pesticide-laden tulsi
- The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) is urging states and Union Territories to fully utilize the ‘Support to Poor Prisoners’ scheme, which was launched last year to provide financial assistance to poor prisoners who are unable to pay fines or bail sureties . Despite repeated persuasion, many states and Union Territories have not taken full advantage of this scheme, which aims to provide relief to socially disadvantaged or low-income prisoners. The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has been designated as the Central Nodal Agency to implement the scheme, with an annual provision of Rs 20 crore. Convicted persons can receive up to Rs 25,000 if cleared by the District Empowered Committee, with higher amounts decided by the state-level Oversight Committee. Undertrial prisoners can receive up to Rs 40,000 from the District Level Empowered Committee, with higher amounts cleared by the state-level oversight panel.
- Liz Young of England won the Hero Women’s Indian Open tournament with a score of 2-under 286. Mannat Brar finished as the top amateur and best-placed Indian, tied for 11th with a score of 4-over 292.
- The Bengaluru Metropolitan Transport Corporation (BMTC) has been awarded the “Award of Excellence in Urban Transport” under the category “City with Best Record of Public Involvement in Transport” by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs. The award was presented at the Mahatma Gandhi Mandir Convention Center in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. Ramachandran R., BMTC’s managing director, accepted the award from Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs, Manohar Lal.
- The new rules for Aadhaar enrolment, introduced last December, have made it more challenging for Overseas Citizens of India (OCIs) seeking to register. This change has led to increased pendency and rejection of applications. All individuals over 18 years wishing to enroll for Aadhaar must demonstrate they have stayed in India for at least 182 days in the previous 12 months. Verification of stay will be conducted by Revenue officials. The enrolment process for OCIs and foreign nationals with valid long-term visas has been standardized.
- In a groundbreaking feat, a baby great Indian bustard was born via Artificial Insemination (AI) at the Sudasari Great Indian Bustard Breeding Centre in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan.
- Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Spanish Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez inaugurated the TATA Aircraft Complex in Vadodara. This facility marks India’s first private military transport aircraft production plant, aimed at enhancing defense manufacturing. The C295 will replace the older Avro-748 fleet, enabling tactical transport of up to 71 troops or 50 paratroopers. Airbus will deliver the first 16 aircraft from its Seville facility, with TASL responsible for assembling the remaining 40 units at the Vadodara plant.
- Union Minister for Power and New Renewable Energy, R.K. Singh, recently led a meeting to review the impact of Flue Gas Desulphurisation (FGD) technology on SO2 emissions in various cities, based on a study by IIT-Delhi. FGD technology eliminates sulphur compounds from exhaust emissions produced by burning fossil fuels like coal, oil, natural gas, or wood. This process uses absorbents like ammonia, sodium sulphite, or lime/limestone slurry to remove up to 95% of sulphur dioxide from flue gas. The uncleaned flue gas is sprayed with a water-limestone mixture in a scrubber tower, bonding sulphur dioxide through chemical reaction. Singh’s conference emphasized ensuring 24/7 quality electricity supply, maintaining adequate coal stocks, and reducing connection times, while discussing energy transition, e-mobility, and renewable energy
- The Union Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying recently launched the Pandemic Fund Project, a $25 million initiative funded by the G20 Pandemic Fund. This project aims to enhance India’s animal health security by upgrading and expanding laboratories and developing networks. In partnership with the Asian Development Bank, World Bank, and Food and Agriculture Organization, the fund will support disease surveillance, laboratory infrastructure, cross-border collaboration, and human capacity-building. It also aims to upgrade data management and analytics for better risk assessment and decision-making, ultimately strengthening institutional capacity for disaster management in the livestock sector by August 2026.
- Ninety-five bird species and 22 butterfly species were sighted during the 8th Uttarakhand Bird Festival at Benog Wildlife Sanctuary.
- In a first, the Kadar tribe of Vazhachal, Kerala, has taken on active restoration of natural forests degraded by invasive alien species.
- IndiaAI and Meta have established the Center for Generative AI, Shrijan, at IIT Jodhpur, to empower the next generation of AI innovators and entrepreneurs. Shrijan will utilize open-source AI and Large Language Models (LLM) to conduct research, shared with students through AICTE and direct college connections. The center will engage young developers through hackathons, master training workshops, and support student-led startups. Its goals include nurturing 1 lakh youth developers and entrepreneurs in AI skills over three years, fostering indigenous research, and developing innovative AI solutions in areas like healthcare, education, and sustainability. Meta has committed INR 750 Lakhs over three years, while IndiaAI will support researchers at the center, collaborating with academic, government, and industry stakeholders to advance GenAI research and technology, including open science innovation, technology transfer, education, capacity building, policy advisory, and governance.
- Recently, the Chief Justice of India shed light on nemaline myopathy, a rare genetic muscle disorder affecting his foster daughters, during a national consultation on children’s rights. Nemaline myopathy, also known as rod myopathy, is a congenital disorder characterized by thread-like structures in muscle fibers, weakening skeletal muscles and impacting mobility and functionality. Affecting approximately 1 in 50,000 births, this hereditary condition stems from genetic mutations and varies in severity, ranging from mild to severe cases requiring significant medical intervention. Symptoms include muscle weakness in the face, neck, and trunk, feeding and breathing difficulties, foot deformities, scoliosis, and contractures. While there is no cure, treatment focuses on supportive care, including physiotherapy and muscle strengthening exercises to manage symptoms and improve quality of life for those affected.
