GS3

Recently, the National Innovation Foundation (NIF) has developed a poly-herbal medicine called Mastirak Gel to treat Mastitis in Dairy Cattle. NIF is an autonomous institute of the Department of Science and Technology (DST), which renovates indigenous technologies based on farmer’s wisdom. Important points: It can improve the udder (Milk producing part) health. It reduces inflammation which is detrimental to …

Recently, a report titled “Mapping India’s Climate Vulnerability – A District-level Assessment” has been released by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW) (not-for-profit policy research institution). The report has also launched the first-of-its-kind Climate Vulnerability Index. The index has analysed 640 districts in India and found that 463 of these are vulnerable to extreme floods, droughts …

According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) Greenhouse Gas Bulletin, the abundance of heat-trapping greenhouse gases in the atmosphere once again reached a new record last year (2020), with the annual rate of increase above the 2011-2020 average. This is despite the approximately 5.6% drop in fossil fuel CO2 emissionsin 2020 due to restrictions related to the pandemic. Earlier, the WMO released …

Recently, The Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully flight-tested Abhyas High-speed Expendable Aerial Target (HEAT) from the Integrated Test Range in Chandipur, off the Bay of Bengal coast in Odisha. DRDO is the Research & Development wing of the Ministry of Defence, Govt of India, with a vision to empower India with cutting-edge defence …

Recently, the International Financial Services Centre Authority (IFSCA) announced a new liberal regulatory regime for facilitating formation of various international and Indian insurance businesses in the Gujarat International Finance Tec-City (GIFT City). The regulations for setting up International Financial Services Centre (IFSC) Insurance Offices (IIOs) and IFSC Insurance Intermediaries Offices (IIIOs) were notified by the IFSCA earlier, in …

Recently, Saudi Arabia, one of the world’s largest oil producers, announced that it will reach “net zero” greenhouse gas emissions by 2060. The announcement came at the start of the kingdom’s first-ever Saudi Green Initiative (SGI) Forum. SGI aims to raise the vegetation cover, reduce carbon emissions, combat pollution and land degradation, and preserve marine life. Important points: …

Recently, India and the UK started Konkan Shakti 2021, the first-ever tri-services joint exercise. It started off the west coast of India. Earlier, the Gorkha Rifles (Frontier Force) of the Indian Army was awarded a Gold medal in the Cambrian Patrol Exercise, which was held in Wales (the UK). Important points: To derive mutual benefits from each other’s …

Recently, the exports of tea from India registered a decline of around 14.4% in the first seven months (January-July) of 2021 as compared to the same period in 2020. Important points: Total exports during January to July of 2021 was 100.78 million kilograms as against 117.56 million kilograms in the same period …

Recently, an international team saw a white dwarf losing its brightness in 30 minutes, which usually takes a period of several days to months. This peculiarity in brightness of white dwarfs can be referred to as switch on and off phenomena. Using the Hubble Space telescope and Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS)astronomers have identified several …

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC), constituted by the Supreme Court, has asked the Assam government to take action on illegal construction in the identified wildlife corridors of the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve. Earlier, Kaziranga National Park became the first in the country to use satellite phones and DehingPatkai and Raimona were designated as National Parks and the Eco-sensitive zone of the DeeporBeel Wildlife …

Recently, the World Meteorological Congress 2021 has endorsed a Water Declaration, including the Water and Climate Coalition. It has also approved a new vision and strategy for hydrology and an associated plan of action. Important points: Only 40% of countries globally have operational early flood and drought warning systems. Some 60% of WMO member countries lack hydrological monitoring capabilities. Globally, more than three billion people have no …

According to a new report, Global agricultural productivity is not growing as fast as the demand for food, amid the impact of climate change. The report was released in conjunction with the World Food Prize Foundation’s annual conference. Important points: Findings: Total Factor Productivity (TFP) is growing at an annual rate of 1.36% (2020-2019). This is below the Global …

Recently, the Group of Seven (G7)wealthy nations agreed on a joint set of principles to govern cross-border data use and digital trade. The deal is a first step in reducing trade barriers, and could lead to a common rulebook of digital trade Earlier, India attended the 47th G7 Summit as a guest country. Important points: Digital and telecommunications …

Recently, the Odisha Government has decided to relocate around 420 families from four zero-connectivity villages in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary. The relocation is aimed at reducing man-animal conflict and providing better living conditions to the displaced families. Important points: It is situated in the Bargarh district of Odisha near Hirakud dam (Mahanadi River) and covers an area of …

The proposal for Indian regulators to consider a new gene editing technique has been pending with the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee for almost two years. Genome editing (also called gene editing) is a group of technologies that give scientists the ability to change an organism’s Deoxy-Ribonucleic Acid (DNA). These technologies allow genetic material to be added, removed, or altered at …

Recently, a micro snail species named Georissamawsmaiensis has been discovered in Mawsmai Cave in Meghalaya. Important points: The new species is unique from Georissasarrita (a member of the same genus discovered in 1851) in its shell morphology, starting from shell size variation to the presence of four very prominent spiral striations (a minute groove, scratch) on body …

Recently, the 2021 Production Gap Report was released by the leading research institutes and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) The Production Gap Report, first launched in 2019, tracks the discrepancy between governments’ planned fossil fuel production and global production levels consistent with limiting warming to 1.5°C or 2°C. Important points: The production gap to achieve …

Ahead of UDAN Day (21st October), the Ministry of Civil Aviation flagged off 6 routes, expanding the aerial connectivity of North-East India, under the UDAN Scheme The Government of India has acknowledged the contribution of the scheme and has identified 21st October as UDAN Day, the day on which the scheme document was first released. Important …

According to a recent study, if carbon emissions continue at current levels, summer ice in the arctic will disappear by 2100 and, along with it, creatures such as seals and polar bears. The Arctic sea ice reached its minimum extent, coming in at 4.72 million square miles. It is the 12th lowest on record and the record minimum …

Recently, NITI Aayog launched a comprehensive Geographic Information System (GIS)-based Geospatial Energy Map of India. Earlier in July 2021, the Association of Geospatial Industries released a report titled “Potential of Geospatial Technologies for the Water Sector in India’ Important points: It is developed by the NITI Aayog in collaboration with Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO)with the support …