Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 17 January 2024 | Download PDF

• According to the NCDC survey, In 13 out of 20 hospitals, more than 70% of patients were given at least one dose of antibiotic
• The findings of the report are worrying as India is among the few countries where antimicrobial resistance is notably high. 
• Such resistance develops when antimicrobials, which include antibiotics, are misused or overprescribed. 

Key fact

According to the WHO, antimicrobial resistance was directly responsible for 1.27 million global deaths in 2019 and contributed to 4.95 million deaths

About NCDC

• The National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC), formerly National Institute of Communicable Diseases (NICD), had its origin as the Central Malaria Bureau, established at Kasauli (Himachal Pradesh) in 1909.
• NICD was transformed into the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) with a larger mandate of controlling emerging and re-emerging diseases in 2009.
• It functions as the nodal agency in the country for disease surveillance facilitating prevention and control of communicable diseases.
• It is also a national level institute for training specialized manpower for public health, laboratory sciences and entomological services and is involved in various applied research activities.

One more cheetah, part of the set of 20 imported from Africa, died recently.

About Kuno National Park (KNP):

• It is located in the Sheopur district in Madhya Pradesh.
• It is nestled near the Vindhyan Hills.
• It is named after the Kuno River (One of the main tributaries of the Chambal River) that cuts across it.
• Initially established as a wildlife sanctuary, it was only in 2018 that the government changed its status into a national park.
• Kuno National Park was selected under ‘Action Plan for Introduction of Cheetah in India’. 
• Vegetation: Kuno is primarily a grassland region, though a few rocky outcrops are found here too. 

Flora:

• Kardhai, Salai, and Khair trees dominate the forested area of Kuno National Park, which is mostly mixed forest.
• The park has a total of 123 tree species, 71 shrub species, 32 exotic and climbing species, and 34 bamboo and grass species.
• Fauna: The protected area of the forest is home to the jungle cat, Indian leopard, sloth bear, Indian wolf, striped hyena, golden jackal, Bengal fox and dhole, along with more than 120 bird species.

• India and Saudi Arabia discussed ways to enhance navy-to-navy cooperation, joint training, and opportunities for joint ventures in defence production
• Discussions were held on issues of mutual strategic interests, bilateral defence cooperation, opportunities for joint ventures in defence production and technology collaboration and joint military training, duly affirming stronger ties between both nations

• India announced the acquisition of five lithium blocks in Argentina.
• Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL), operating under the Ministry of Mines, signed an agreement with Argentina’s state-owned Catamarca Minera Y Energética Sociedad Del Estado (CAMYEN) based in Catamarca province.

Key points

• KABIL, which has obtained exploration and exclusivity rights for the blocks, will start exploration and development of the five lithium brine blocks — Cortadera-I, Cortadera-VII, Cortadera-VIII, Cateo-2022-01810132, and Cortadera-VI — covering an area of about 15,703 hectares. 
• KABIL was preparing to set up a branch office at Catamarca, officials told businessline, adding that the project cost (for development and exploration) was about ₹200 crore and would be spread over a five-year period.

Key fact

India’s lithium requirements, amounting to about ₹24,000 crore, are met through imports, with the bulk of supplies coming from China. Often called ‘white gold’, lithium is key to the ‘green transition’ and is used in energy storage solutions, batteries for mobile phones, and in EVs.

• Historical play ‘Ahe Nilashaila’ of Choklate Productions will be staged at Odisha’s Puri town during the inauguration of Jagannath Temple Heritage Corridor project.
• The play is dedicated to Lord Jagannath
• It will be staged in front of the Nakachana Gate of Srigundicha temple

• Odisha has emerged as a ‘top performer’ in Startup Ranking-2022, showing significant growth in the startup ecosystem and initiatives to nurture entrepreneurs.
• The state was evaluated across seven reform areas divided into 25 action points ranging from institutional support, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, access to market, incubation support and funding support to capacity building of enablers and a roadmap to a sustainable future.

• The Department of Water Resources will observe the Pani Panchayat fortnight during which attempts will be made to change the social behavioural attitude of farmers towards traditional patterns of agriculture.
• As farmers of the state are still reluctant to adopt diversification of crops, efforts will be made to educate them on its benefits and adoption of climate-resilient agricultural practices through efficient use of water.

• Reliance Jio has expanded its JioAirFiber services to over 30 major cities and towns in Odisha.
• It aims at enhancing the digital landscape in the state.
• JioAirFiber plans to ensure connectivity to every home and small business which earlier did not have access to quality home broadband due to the complexities involved in extending optical-fiber to their premises.

• The Bhubaneswar Development Authority (BDA) will organize Ekamra Utsav in the city to celebrate Odia language and culture.
• The event will be held to honour the three-day-long World Odia Language Conference in Bhubaneswar

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