Daily News Analysis : 31 July 2024

Chinese migratory Bird sanctuaries added to UNESCO World Heritage List

Chinese migratory bird sanctuaries along the Yellow Sea-Bohai Gulf have recently been added to the UNESCO World Heritage List at the 46th session of UNESCOs World Heritage Committee held in New Delhi. Bohai Gulf is the innermost gulf of the Yellow Sea and it was earlier called the Gulf of Chili or the Gulf of Pechili. The Gulf is enclosed by the Liaodong Peninsula.

Key Points:

A) The newly recognised sites are an important addition to the original area, which was added to the World Heritage List in 2019.B) These sanctuaries are important for the survival of millions of migratory waterbirds, providing important places to breed, rest, and spend the winter.C) The addition of these sites shows China’s dedication to protecting nature and preserving biodiversity.

PUC not mandatory to renew car insurance

The Supreme Court recently abolished its own directive issued in 2017 that made a valid Pollution under Control (PUC) certificate mandatory for renewal of a third party insurance policy. A PUC is a mandatory document for every vehicle owner in India and all vehicles on Indian roads are required to possess a valid PUC under the Central Motor Vehicles Rule 1989.

Key Points:

A) The 2017 order was passed on the recommendation of the Environment Pollution (Prevention and Control) authority, or EPCA, a statutory body assisting the court on environment and pollution-related issues.B) The 2017 order said, It is made clear that the insurance companies will not insure a vehicle unless it has a valid PUC certificate on the date of renewal of insurance policy.

INS Tabar participating in Russian Navy Day celebrations

The INS Tabar of the Indian Navy was recently greeted by Russian President Vladimir Putin. The ship is participating in Russia’s Navy Day celebrations. The Naval Parade is taking place on the Neva River in St Petersburg. INS Tabar is a stealth frigate and third of the Talwar class frigate of the Indian Navy.

Key Points:

A) Putin reviewed the Main Naval Parade on the Neva River in St Petersburg.B) The foreign combat ships that were part of Russia’s Main Naval Parade on the Neva River included the Indian Navy’s frigate Tabar, the Algerian Navy’s training ship Soummam and the Chinese guided missile destroyer Jiaozuo.C) About 2,500 soldiers marched to Senate Square in St. Petersburg, where Russia’s main naval parade will conclude.

Only 4 out of 12 CoEs utilised NPRD funds

As per Patient advocacy groups, Only four out of twelve Centre of Excellence (CoEs) for rare diseases have utilised funds provided under the National Policy for Rare Disease (NPRD). NPRD was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare in March 2021. The major aim of the policy is to manage patients having rare diseases, early detection and treatment of such diseases.

Key Points:

A) Only four CoEs had utilised upwards of 87 per cent of the funds allocated to them since 2021, while the fund utilisation rate for seven other centres ranged from 4 to 57 per cent between 2021-22 and 2023-24.B) The twelfth centre, All India Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS), Bhopal has only been designated as a CoE in November last year.C) CoEs are institutions identified by the central government to actively manage patients suffering from rare diseases. 

One DAE One Subscription

The Department of Atomic Energy recently inaugurated “One DAE One Subscription” (ODOS) at Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai. The unique initiative allows DAE and its 60 subunits to read and publish access to National and international research papers as well as scientific journals. 

Key Points:

A) The mission of DAE is a significant step in unifying the 60 units and sub-units of DAE under one roof for reading and output.B) The ODOS programme also aims to accelerate the pace of research and innovation in India by making the current state of research accessible to all.C) This project is part of the government’s support for One Nation One Subscription (ONOS), a nationwide initiative that aims to make science accessible to all citizens.

Standardised Agriculture Demonstration Farm (SADF)

A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between Bureau of Indian Standards and Govind Ballabh Pant University of Agriculture and Technology (GBPUAT) to facilitate Standardised Agriculture Demonstration Farm (SADF). The objective is to develop SADF farms as experimental sites for testing and implementing various agricultural practices and new technologies.

Key Points:

A) The MoU signed on July 24 is the first collaboration between BIS and an agricultural university in the country towards the establishment of the SADF.B) This partnership will benefit farmers and drive innovation in agriculture by integrating Indian standards to improve agriculture.

 Ideas4LIFE portal

The Ideas4LIFE portal was launched by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change Shri Bhupendra Yadav. The aim of the portal is to invite ideas related to products and services that induce behavioural changes related to environment friendly lifestyles. Participants can submit their ideas and innovations online under each of the seven themes of Mission LIFE.

Key Points:

A) The aim is to inspire and encourage students, teachers and researchers to contribute to Mission LiFE’s international projects with their innovative ideas.B) This is a great opportunity for people to be inspired to join the global movement towards environmental sustainability.

GEEF Global Water Tech Award

The Central Water Commission recently won the Global Water Tech Award at Global Water Tech Summit 2024. The award was won under the category “Water Department of the Year”. CWCs pivotal role in hydro-meteorological data collection, flood forecasting etc was recognised by the Global Energy and Environment Foundation.

Key Points: 

A)  This recognition underscores CWC’s commitment to excellence and continuous efforts to advance water technology and resource management.B) The Global Awards recognises the most important achievements in the water sector in several categories to honour and reward initiatives in the water, wastewater and desalination sectors on innovation, technology, conservation and sustainable development.C) In addition, the Foundation has undertaken many new projects from CWC like interaction with water resources/water/Jal Shakti departments of all states/UTs to improve the efficiency of CWC Regularization and related activities: Water resources.

STI conclave on Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods

The first STI conclave on Traditional Knowledge for Sustainable Livelihoods was organised jointly by the International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation (ISTIC)-UNESCO and CSIR. Theme of the conclave was “Strengthening Competencies in Digitization, Preservation and Protection of Traditional Knowledge – Intellectual Property and People’s Rights”. 

Key Points:

A) The three-days Conclave has internationally acclaimed speakers from India on varied subject such as biodiversity, traditional cultural expressions, integrative health and research, national and international policies on TK, IPR and associated matters, besides South-South Cooperation.B) The International Science, Technology and Innovation Centre for South-South Cooperation under the Auspices of UNESCO (ISTIC) is a UNESCO Category 2 Centre, the Malaysian Government has hosted since 2008.

Sri Lanka beats India to lift maiden Asia Cup Title

Sri Lanka beat India at the Women’s Asia Cup Final 2024 by 8 wickets to lift its maiden title. A prize money of USD 100,000 was announced by the Sri Lankan board for the Players and Support staff. Harshita Samarawickrama was recognized as the Player of the match and Chamari Athapaththu was recognised as Player of the Series.

Key Points:

A) This triumph marks only the second time in nine editions of the Asia Cup (across ODI and T20I formats) that India have lost a final, with the previous instance being against Bangladesh in 2018.B) Chamari Athapaththu was awarded the Player of the Tournament for her impact in the 2024 Women’s Asia Cup. 

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