Published on: January 4, 2025
Snippets : 4 JANUARY 2025
Snippets : 4 JANUARY 2025
- World Organisation for Animal Health (WoAH) Reference Laboratory for Leptospirosis was inaugurated, January 2, 2025, at ICAR National Institute of Veterinary Epidemiology and Disease Informatics campus, in Ramagondanahalli, Yelahanka.
- Labani Jangi, a research scholar from Centre for Studies in Social Sciences in Kolkata, became the first recipient of the TM Krishna-PARI award for her work in art that “reflects the resilience and complexities of rural India, combining artistic expression with critical social commentary”, said a statement from People’s Archive of Rural India. The award honours individuals whose works bridge the worlds of art and journalism and includes a cash prize of ₹1 lakh.
- Researchers from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong discovered a new plant species and named it as Stellaria bengalensis.
- Dhaatu’s International Puppet Festival, scheduled for January 4 and 5, will feature a diverse range of puppet shows from India and Austria, including rod, string, and hand puppet performances, as well as a baroque show and a seminar on the art and craft of puppetry, showcasing traditional and modern techniques, including 3D printing, at the Mandala Cultural Centre in Bengaluru.
- China is experiencing an outbreak of human metapneumovirus (HMPV), with hospitals overwhelmed and crematories struggling to keep up, amid reports of multiple viruses circulating, including influenza A, HMPV, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, and Covid-19, with HMPV causing flu-like symptoms, primarily affecting the upper respiratory system.
- Telangana aims to boost its renewable energy capacity from 11,399 MW to 20,000 MW, with a comprehensive green energy policy in the works. The state’s current renewable energy mix includes 7,889 MW of solar power, 2,518 MW of hydropower, 771 MW of distributed renewable energy, and 221 MW of wind power, among others. With a wind power potential of 54,717 MW, Telangana is poised for significant growth in the renewable energy sector, and is also promoting the development of electric vehicles with over 872 EV charging stations already available.
- Bengaluru ranks second among cities witnessing a surge in under-construction premium residential property prices, with a 25% year-on-year (YoY) increase in 2024, according to a Savills India report. Gurgaon led with a rise of 5% to 55% YoY, while Bengaluru’s completed projects saw a comparatively lower 19% YoY growth. Central Bengaluru recorded a 31% annual increase in capital values, with East, South, and North Bengaluru seeing YoY price hikes of 24%, 21%, and 20%, driven by high demand for luxury properties and rising input costs. Additionally, average rental values in Bengaluru rose by 10% YoY, with East and North micro markets experiencing the highest rental growth at 20% and 19% YoY, respectively.
- Senior IAS officer Faiz Ahmed Kidwai isthe new Director-General (D-G) of the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
- India, a global leader in banana production, has achieved a tenfold increase in banana exports over the past decade, with the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) setting an ambitious target of $1 billion in exports within the next five years. Bananas, the second most important fruit crop after mango, thrive in tropical climates with temperatures between 15ºC and 35ºC and relative humidity of 75-85%. They are grown from sea level to elevations of up to 2000m in deep, rich loamy soils with a pH of 6.5-7.5, ensuring good drainage and fertility. Saline or calcareous soils are unsuitable. India’s diverse climate, ranging from humid tropical to dry mild subtropics, supports various banana varieties, including Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Monthan, Poovan, and Grand Naine. Key producing states include Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Karnataka, and Kerala. This robust growth in exports reflects India’s capacity to capitalize on its agricultural potential while aiming to dominate the global banana market.
- Scientists have discovered that the dark markings on the Brazilian Velvet Ant, a species of fluffy wasp, reflect less than 1% of light, making them ultrablack. Velvet ants, a group of parasitic wasps, are recognized for their defensive traits, including bright coloration and a powerful sting. Their unique appearance includes distinct black and white markings, with some species being wingless. Found in the Caatinga, a shrub desert in Brazil, these wasps are highly mobile, covering vast distances in search of hosts and are most active during early morning and late afternoon when sunlight is less intense. The ultrablack pigmentation in female velvet ants absorbs nearly all visible light, a rare trait in the animal kingdom. This pigmentation provides advantages such as camouflage from predators, temperature regulation, and enhanced visual appeal for mating through contrast with brighter colors, making this finding particularly unique.
- Scientists have demonstrated that a nano-formulation of melatonin exhibits enhanced antioxidative and neuroprotective properties, positioning it as a promising therapeutic candidate for Parkinson’s disease (PD). Melatonin, a neurohormone secreted by the pineal gland in response to darkness, plays a critical role in regulating sleep-wake cycles by aligning with the body’s internal clock. It induces sleepiness typically within 30 to 45 minutes of secretion and peaks during the night before tapering off as the body prepares to wake. This natural rhythm of melatonin production underscores its importance in maintaining sleep quality, and its therapeutic potential, especially in neurodegenerative disorders like PD, represents a significant advancement in medical research.
- The Territorial Army has recently formed a dedicated task force for the rejuvenation and protection of the Gomti River, a vital tributary of the Ganga flowing entirely through Uttar Pradesh. Originating from Gomat Taal (Fulhaar Jheel) near Madho Tanda in Pilibhit district, the Gomti drains the region between the Ramganga and Sharda rivers before flowing through districts like Lucknow, Barabanki, Sultanpur, Faizabad, and Jaunpur, eventually merging with the Ganga. Spanning approximately 900 km with a drainage basin of 18,750 square km, the Gomti is a perennial river known for its sluggish flow, except during monsoons when heavy rainfall boosts runoff. Its significant tributaries include the Sai, Chowka, Kathina, and Saryu rivers, underscoring its ecological and cultural importance.
- DFS Secretary launches revamped ‘BAANKNET’ e-auction portal for e-auction of properties as one-stop destination. Listings on the e-auction portal include residential properties such as flats, independent houses, and open plots, as well as commercial properties, industrial land and buildings, shops, vehicles, plant and machinery, agricultural and non-agricultural land
- The ‘Logistics Ease Across Different States (LEADS) 2024’ report, an indigenous, data-driven index, assesses logistics infrastructure, services, and human resources across all 36 States and Union Territories (UTs) of India. The report serves as a guide for identifying interventions to improve logistics efficiency at the state and UT level. LEADS also positively impacts international indices such as the Logistics Performance Index and encourages healthy competition among states and UTs. The report is based on the Logistics Performance Index developed by the World Bank in 2018 and has evolved to reflect changes in logistics practices. LEADS 2024 provides a regional performance overview, classifying states and UTs into groups like ‘Achievers’, ‘Fast Movers’, and ‘Aspirers’ based on their logistics performance. The report also highlights the LEAPS 2024 Awards, recognizing excellence across multiple logistics categories, including Core Logistics, Startups, MSMEs, and Institutions. Additional initiatives featured include the PM GatiShakti course to promote infrastructure planning and the unveiling of the Logistics Cost Framework report by NCAER to assess logistics costs in India.
- China has approved the construction of the Yarlung Zangbo hydropower dam in Tibet, which is set to become the largest hydropower dam in the world upon completion. The dam, spanning 31 miles along the Yarlung Zangbo River, will generate 300 billion kWh of power and is crucial to China’s carbon neutrality goals for 2060. While the dam aims to increase green energy production, it has raised environmental and social concerns, especially for neighboring countries like India and Bangladesh, which rely on the river for water. India has expressed concerns about the downstream impact on water supplies, urging China to ensure the protection of downstream states. Additionally, the project’s massive cost of over $34 billion and the displacement of local populations raise further worries. The dam’s expected energy output will triple that of China’s existing Three Gorges Dam, making it a significant step in the country’s energy future.
- The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has amended rules regarding the selection of experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). Established under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (Rules, 1989)” as part of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, the committee was renamed from the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee in 2010. It functions under the supervision of MoEF&CC and is tasked with several critical functions including the environmental appraisal of activities involving hazardous microorganisms, regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs), enforcing compliance under the Environment Protection Act, and overseeing GM crops. The GEAC also requires mandatory approval for the environmental release of GM crops. The committee is chaired by the Special Secretary/Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC, with a co-chair from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), and comprises 24 members, including experts from various ministries and institutions like ICAR, ICMR, and CCMB. Recently, new rules have been introduced for the selection of experts, including the disclosure of any conflicts of interest, ensuring experts recuse themselves from discussions where a conflict exists, and providing a background of professional affiliations over the past 10 years.
- India recently submitted its Biennial Update Report (BUR) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), detailing the nation’s progress on climate action and its efforts to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The BUR, a mandatory report under the Paris Agreement, provides an inventory of national emissions, outlines mitigation actions, and discusses support received for climate efforts. India’s BUR-4, submitted in December 2022, highlighted a GHG emissions inventory of 2,959 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent in 2020, with a 36% reduction in emission intensity from 2005 levels. The report focuses on energy, agriculture, and industrial emissions, with the energy sector contributing the largest share. India is committed to ambitious climate goals, including a 45% reduction in emission intensity by 2030, 50% non-fossil fuel power generation capacity by 2030, and a net-zero target by 2070. The country is making significant strides towards these goals, with 46.52% of installed power generation capacity already from non-fossil sources. India’s mitigation efforts include the Perform, Achieve, and Trade (PAT) Scheme, which has led to energy savings and emission reductions in various sectors. However, India faces challenges in adopting advanced technologies for low-carbon growth and urges enhanced technology transfer, particularly in energy, industrial, and water sectors, to overcome barriers to achieving climate goals.
- The government has formed an 18-member panel led by NITI Aayog member Ramesh Chand to revise the base year of the Wholesale Price Index (WPI) and propose a roadmap for transitioning to the Producer Price Index (PPI). The panel’s key mandates include updating the base year for WPI from 2011-12 to 2022-23, developing a revised commodity basket for both WPI and PPI, and recommending methodologies for their computation. Additionally, the panel will review the current price collection system and propose necessary improvements. The members of the panel comprise economists from various sectors including government, rating agencies, asset management firms, banks, and the RBI. The panel is required to submit its report within 18 months to the Office of the Economic Adviser, DPIT.
