Recently, a Supreme Court-appointed committee has questioned relaxations given for the upgrade of a 4.7-km road (Laldhang-Chillarkhal road) in the buffer zone of Rajaji Tiger Reserve and sought replies from the Centre and Uttarakhand government. The relaxation for measurement of roads was approved by the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL). NBWL is the …

The State Governments of Punjab, National Capital Region (NCR) States and Government of National Capital Territory of Delhi (GNCTD) have developed detailed monitorable action plans based on the framework by the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to tackle the problem of air pollution. The newly constituted commission (CAQM) has sweeping powers in controlling air pollution in Delhi-NCR. Also, recently, …

Recently, an international team of researchers made the first direct detection of dark energy. The experiment named XENON1T, is the world’s most sensitive dark matter experiment and was operated deep underground at the INFN Laboratori Nazionali del Gran Sasso in Italy. Dark energy is the mysterious form of energy that makes up about 68% of the universe, and has …

Recently, the first in-person meeting of Quad leaders was hosted by the US. Issues like climate change, Covid-19 pandemic and challenges in the Indo Pacific, amidst China’s growing military presence in the strategic region, were discussed in the meeting. Important points: In November 2017, India, Japan, the US and Australia gave shape to …

Government e Marketplace (GeM) was announced as the winner in the Best Use of Digital Technology category at the CIPS Excellence in Procurement Awards 2021 (CIPS Awards). GeM was shortlisted as a finalist in two additional categories as well, i.e., ‘Public Procurement Project of the Year’ and ‘Best Initiative to Build a Diverse Supply Base’. Important …

Recently, the Goa government’s Feni Policy 2021 has paved the way to take the GI (Geographical Indication) Certified Goan Cashew Feni forward at par with other international Liquors such as Mexico’s tequila, Japanese Sake and Russia’s Vodka. The Goa government in 2016 classified Feni as the Heritage Spirit of Goa. Important points: It is the …

Recently, the President of India conferred the National Service Scheme (NSS) Awards for 2019-20. Important points: Under NSS Awards 2019-20, 42 awardees in different categories such as University or (+2) Councils, NSS Units and their programme officers and NSS volunteers were conferred with these awards. The NSS Awards were instituted by the Ministry …

Recently, a report titled Environmental performance of blue foods has stated that the Aquatic or blue foods can be made more environmentally sustainable than they are now. The report is published as part of the Blue Food Assessment (BFA). The BFA is a collaboration between Sweden-based Stockholm Resilience Centre, United States-based Stanford University and the …

Recently, the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) has published a new report on Climate Indicators and Sustainable Development: Demonstrating the Interconnections. WMO studied seven climate indicators — carbon dioxide (CO2) concentration, temperature, ocean acidification and heat, sea ice extent, glacier melt and sea-level rise. Its release coincides with the United Nations General Assembly annual session and the opening in September 2021 …

Recently, the Union government has filed an affidavit in the Supreme Court claiming that a caste census of the Backward Classes is administratively difficult and cumbersome. The government’s assertion came in response to a writ petition filed by the State of Maharashtra to gather Backward Classes’ caste data in the State while conducting Census …