TAMILNADU
New insect species discovered in biodiversity-rich Nilgiris
Researchers from the molecular biodiversity laboratory in the department of Zoology and Wildlife Biology in the Government Arts College in Ooty have discovered a new wingless insect in the Nilgiris.
A research paper on the new species has been published in international journal Biologia published by Springer Nature. “The 1mm-long flightless insect has been named Bionychiurus tamilensis as it was recorded in Tamil Nadu,” said associate professor and laboratory head R Sanil. “There are only six species under this genus reported so far across the world and reported only from cold high-altitude regions of Switzerland, China and Korea.”
The insect was first observed in 2018 in the soil samples collected from Ooty Government Arts College campus. Further surveys showed its presence in grasslands and unpolluted humus soil samples.
DNA profiling was conducted and details are deposited in the NCBI database. None of the similar specimens obtained from other parts of the world are barcoded till date.
INTERNATIONAL
HO Awarded Malaria – Free Certification For China
Nearly for 70-years of effort, China has been awarded a malaria-free certification from WHO – an exceptional feat for the united states that stated 30 million instances of the disease yearly in the 1940s.
China is the first country in the WHO Western Pacific Region to be awarded a malaria-free certification in more significant than three decades. Other international locations in the area that have completed this popularity encompass Australia (1981), Singapore (1982) and Brunei Darussalam (1987).
All over the world, 40 countries & territories have been granted a malaria-free certification from World Health Organisation (WHO) – including, most recently, El Salvador (2021), Algeria (2019), Argentina (2019), Paraguay (2018) and Uzbekistan (2018).
NATIONAL
Indian Initiatives Shaping Energy Transition
The Minister of State for New and Renewable Energy released the booklet titled “The India Story.” It is a collection of Indian initiatives that are shaping the country’s energy transition. It was unveiled at the Accelerating Citizen-Centric Energy Transition event. In addition, the Minister launched a website that will serve as a repository for energy transition-related knowledge resources from around the world.
In the last six years, India’s installed Renewable Energy (RE) capacity has increased by more than two and a half times, reaching more than 141 Giga Watts (including large Hydro).
The installed solar energy capacity has grown by more than 15 times and now stands at 41.09 GW.
Over the last seven years, over USD 70 billion has been invested in real estate in India.
India accepts 100 per cent FDI through the automatic route in the energy sector.
The government is encouraging the use of green hydrogen by imposing obligations on the fertiliser and refining industries (Green Hydrogen Purchase obligations).
LiDAR Based Survey of Forest Areas
A detailed project report (DPR) based on LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging) survey of forest areas in 10 states was released.
Ministry: Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.
Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Goa, Jharkhand, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura are the ten mapped states.
WAPCOS was awarded the project in July 2020 at a cost of more than Rs. 18 crore for implementation in 26 states.
It is a first-of-its-kind study that makes use of LiDAR technology.
It will aid in the supplementation of water and fodder in jungle areas, thereby reducing human-animal conflict.
States will receive funds from the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) to use in this project.
In each of these states, one major ridge within a forest block is identified, with an average area of 10,000 ha selected.
Project Seabird – Naval Infrastructure Project
Project Seabird is a naval infrastructure project involving the construction of a naval base.
About Project Seabird:
It is a naval infrastructure project involving the construction of a naval base at Karwar (Karnataka) on India’s west coast.
When completed, this $3 billion programme and effort will provide the Indian Navy with its largest naval base on the west coast as well as the largest naval base east of the Suez Canal.
The new and expanded naval complex will be able to support a number of major warships, submarines, and yard craft.
A specialised dockyard repair and maintenance facility (including piers, wharfs, revetments, quay walls, etc.), covered dry berths for ships and submarines, new technology and advanced security and communication systems, and a naval air station (including multiple runways, Hangars, housing, ordnance handling areas, services, personnel support infrastructure, etc.), various public utility systems, and housing and residential areas in multiple locations are some of the other facilities of the base.
Deployment of INS Tabar
INS Tabar was deployed to participate in joint exercises with friendly navies in Europe and Africa.
About INS Tabar:
The Indian Navy’s Talwar-class stealth frigate, INS Tabar, was built in Russia for the Indian Navy.
The ship, which is one of the Indian Navy’s first stealth frigates, is outfitted with a diverse array of weapons and sensors.
The ship is part of the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy, which is stationed in Mumbai and is part of the Western Naval Command.
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