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Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 09 August 2024 | Download PDF

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Addapedia Odisha – Daily Current Affairs -08 August 2024

National and International News
Bhoj Wetland Why in the news?

  • The Union Government recently denied any threat of delisting the Bhoj Wetland from the Ramsar Convention list of wetlands of international importance.

About Bhoj Wetland:

  • Location: Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Structure: Consists of two contiguous human-made reservoirs:
    • Upper Lake: Also known as Bhojtal (Bada Talaab).
    • Lower Lake: Known as Chhota Talaab.
  • Upper Lake:
    • South: Van Vihar National Park.
    • East and North: Human settlements.
    • West: Agricultural fields.
  • Importance: Upper Lake is a major source of potable water for Bhopal.
Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve Why in the news?

  • The Chhattisgarh government announced the establishment of a new tiger reserve, named Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve.

About Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve:

  • Location: Northern part of Chhattisgarh, bordering Madhya Pradesh and Jharkhand.
  • Tiger Reserve Status: This is the fourth Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh, following Udanti-Sitanadi, Achanakmar, and Indravati Reserves.
  • Area Coverage: Spread across Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh.
  • Rivers:
    • Origin of significant rivers like Hasdeo Gopad and Baranga.
    • Catchment area for rivers such as Neur, Bijadhur, Banas, Rehand.
  • Connectivity: Acts as a corridor for tigers to move between Bandhavgarh and Palamau Tiger Reserves.
  • Historical Background:
    • Originally part of the Sanjay Dubri National Park.
    • Guru Ghasidas Park was established as a separate entity in Chhattisgarh’s Sarguja region after the formation of the state in 2001.
National Coastal Mission Scheme Why in the news?

  • The Minister of State for Environment, Forest, and Climate Change recently informed the Lok Sabha about the National Coastal Scheme.

About National Coastal Mission Scheme:

  • Launch Year: 2014
  • Envisioned Under: National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC)
  • Objective: To address the impact of climate change on coastal and marine ecosystems, infrastructure, and communities in coastal areas through adaptation and mitigation measures.
  • Associated Program: National Coastal Management Program
  • Key Components:
    • Management Action Plan: Conservation of Mangroves and Coral Reefs.
    • Research & Development: Focused on Marine and Coastal ecosystems.
    • Sustainable Development of Beaches: Under the Beach Environment & Aesthetic Management Service (BEAMS).
    • Capacity Building & Outreach: Program for Coastal States/UTs on conservation, including beach cleaning drives.
  • Implementation: State Governments of Coastal States and Union Territory (UT) Administrations are the implementing agencies.
Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024 Why in the news?

  • Waqf Bill referred to the joint parliamentary panel after the Opposition calls it ‘draconian’ and an attack on the Constitution.

What is Waqf?

  • Waqf refers to properties designated exclusively for religious or charitable purposes under Islamic law
  • Once established, a waqf cannot be revoked.
  • Significance: Waqf boards are the third-largest landowners in India, managing over 9 lakh acres of land valued at approximately Rs 1.2 lakh crore.

About Waqf (Amendment) Bill, 2024:

  • Central Waqf Council: The bill proposes the establishment of a Central Waqf Council alongside state Waqf Boards, with representation from Muslim women and non-Muslims
  • District Collector’s Role: The bill proposes designating the District Collector as the primary authority to determine whether a property is classified as waqf or government land, shifting responsibility from the Waqf Tribunal. This is a contentious change, as critics fear it may lead to misuse of authority.
  • Board of Auqaf: A separate Board of Auqaf is proposed for the Boharas and Aghakhanis, ensuring representation for Shias, Sunnis, Bohras, and Aghakhanis within waqf boards.
  • Central Government Authority: The bill grants the central government the authority to initiate audits of waqf properties, with auditors appointed by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
  • Waqfnama Requirement: The bill mandates a valid waqfnama (official deed) to express one’s intention to dedicate property as waqf, replacing the current allowance for oral agreements.
Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) Why in the news?

  • The central government recently announced the full list of awardees for the first-ever Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP) 2024.

About RVP:

  • Award Recipients:
    • Vigyan Team Award: ISRO-Chandrayaan 3 Team for their contribution in Space Science and Technology.
    • Vigyan Ratna Puraskar: Celebrated biochemist Govindarajan Padmanabhan as the first recipient.
  • About Rashtriya Vigyan Puraskar (RVP):
    • A new set of awards introduced by the Government of India in the field of Science, Technology, and Innovation.
    • Objective: To recognize notable and inspiring contributions by scientists, technologists, and innovators, individually or in teams, across various fields.
    • Significance: It is one of the highest recognitions in the field of science, technology, and innovation in India.
  • Award Categories:
    • Vigyan Ratna (VR): Recognizes lifetime achievements in any field of science and technology.
    • Vigyan Shri (VS): Recognizes distinguished contributions in any field of science and technology.
    • Vigyan Yuva-Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar (VY-SSB): Encourages young scientists up to 45 years for exceptional contributions in science and technology.
    • Vigyan Team (VT): Awarded to a team of three or more scientists/researchers/innovators for exceptional team contributions in science and technology.
  • Award Ceremony: To be held on 23rd August (National Space Day)

 

Odisha Specific News
World Heritage status : Odisha’s Buddhist sites Context:

  • Archaeologists are pushing for the inclusion of Odisha’s Buddhist sites, particularly Lalitgiri, Langudi, Udayagiri, and Ratnagiri, in the UNESCO World Heritage List.   
  • The decision was taken after the 46th session of the World Heritage Committee of UNESCO which concluded in New Delhi recently.

Key points:

  • These sites, dating back to the 3rd century BC, are believed to meet the criteria for this prestigious recognition due to their historical, archaeological, and social significance. 
  • Securing the World Heritage status would not only preserve these invaluable sites but also elevate Odisha’s cultural standing on the global stage.   
  • The proposal comes after the successful bid for Konark Sun Temple as India’s sole World Heritage site.

UNESCO World Heritage List:

  • UNESCO World Heritage List is a collection of sites considered to be of outstanding universal value to humanity. 
  • These sites are designated by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO).   
  • UNESCO, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, established the World Heritage List in 1972 to identify and protect places of outstanding cultural or natural importance to humanity.

Criteria:

  • Cultural heritage: historical monuments, buildings, sites with cultural significance
  • Natural heritage: natural features, geological formations, ecosystems   

Purpose:

  • To protect and preserve these sites for future generations   
  • To promote international cooperation and awareness of cultural and natural heritage

Key Points:

    • India boasts a rich cultural and natural heritage, reflected in a total of 43 impressive numbers of UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
    • Odisha currently has one UNESCO World Heritage Site: the Sun Temple at Konarak.
  • Maximum UNESCO World Heritage Site: Six in Uttar Pradesh.

India – First UNESCO World Heritage Site: 

    • The first sites to achieve this prestigious status were: 
  • Ajanta Caves, Maharashtra   
  • Ellora Caves, Maharashtra   
  • Agra Fort, Uttar Pradesh   
  • Taj Mahal, Uttar Pradesh

Note: 

  • The first UNESCO World Heritage Sites were the Galapagos Islands and Quito, both located in Ecuador.  
Mission Vatsalya  Context:

  • The Ministry of Women and Child Development has directed the Odisha government to extend social security benefits to contractual staff working under the Mission Vatsalya scheme. 
  • These benefits include provisions like Employees’ Provident Fund (EPF) and insurance.

Mission Vatsalya:

  • Mission Vatsalya is a central government scheme aimed at the care, protection, rehabilitation, and reintegration of children in difficult circumstances.
  • Mission Vatsalya is a centrally sponsored scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India. 
  • It was introduced in 2009-10 as a replacement for the earlier Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme

Key features of Mission Vatsalya:

  • Central Sponsorship: The scheme receives financial support from the Central government.   
  • State Implementation: Odisha State implements the scheme through its Child Protection Society and District Child Protection Units.   
  • Focus on Child Welfare: It aims to protect children from abuse, neglect, exploitation, and trafficking.   
  • Rehabilitation and Reintegration: Provides support for children to reintegrate into society
India’s first Rice ATM Context:

  • Bhubaneswar has become a pioneer in food distribution technology with the inauguration of India’s first rice ATM. 
  • This innovative machine aims to streamline the Public Distribution System (PDS) and ensure beneficiaries receive the correct amount of rice.   

Key features:

  • Automated dispensing: Ration card holders can withdraw up to 25 kg of rice by entering their card number and undergoing biometric authentication.   
  • Transparency and efficiency: The ATM is expected to reduce delays, prevent theft, and ensure accurate weight distribution.   
  • Potential for expansion: If successful, the rice ATM model may be replicated across Odisha and other states under the One Nation One Ration Card scheme

Public Distribution System (PDS):

  • The Public Distribution System (PDS) is India’s food security system aimed at providing essential food grains and other commodities to the poor at subsidized prices. 
  • It’s a joint effort between the central and state governments.   

Key points:

  • Purpose: To manage food scarcity, ensure food security, and support vulnerable sections of society.   
  • Commodities: Primarily distributes wheat, rice, sugar, and kerosene.
  • Some states also include pulses, edible oils, and other items.   
  • Implementation: Operated through a network of Fair Price Shops (FPS) across the country.   
  • Targeting: Initially focused on Below Poverty Line (BPL) families, but now covers a wider population under the National Food Security Act (NFSA).   
  • Challenges: Issues like leakages, corruption, and inadequate coverage persist, hindering its effectiveness
Emergency Care System (EMS) Context:

  • Puri district in Odisha has been selected as one of the five locations in India to pilot a state-of-the-art Advanced Emergency Care System (EMS)
  • The project is initiated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR)
  • It aims to significantly reduce preventable and treatable mortality rates in the country.   

Emergency Care System (EMS):

  • India-EMS is a pilot project initiated by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) in collaboration with national health institutes to establish a state-of-the-art Advanced Emergency Care System (EMS).   

Aim:

  • The primary goal of the project is to significantly reduce preventable and treatable mortality rates in India by providing timely and effective emergency care.   
  • The seven key health emergencies that will be dealt under EMS is – heart attack, brain stroke, trauma, snake bite, poisoning, neonatal and maternal complications

Implementation

  • The project is being piloted in five districts across India:
  • Puri (Odisha)
  • Ludhiana (Punjab)
  • Vidisha (Madhya Pradesh)
  • Vadodara (Gujarat)
  • Puducherry.   

Key Features

  • Integrated System: Brings together healthcare professionals and hospitals for coordinated emergency care planning.   
  • Focus on Prevention: Aims to reduce emergency cases through preventive measures.
  • Data-Driven: Utilizes data to analyze emergency trends and inform decision-making.

 

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