DAILY CURRENT AFFAIRS

By admin: April 4, 2023

Bandipur completes 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve

Tags: Environment National News

Bandipur completed 50 years as a Project Tiger Reserve 1 April 2023.

About Bandipur Tiger Reserve

• This reserve is located in the state of Karnataka and is spread over an area of 912.04 sq km.

• It is located in two districts of Karnataka, Mysore and Chamarajanagar.

• It is considered one of the world's premier tiger habitats and is an important component of the country's first biosphere reserve - the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.

• It was launched by the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1973 with the aim of arresting the decline in the tiger population.

• Bandipur was one of the first nine sanctuaries to be brought under the flagship program of Project Tiger in 1973.

• Bandipur Tiger Reserve is surrounded by-

1. Nagarahole Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two).

2. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (Tamil Nadu) in the South.

3. Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (Kerala) in the South West.

Project Tiger

• Project Tiger was started by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change in the year 1973.

• Under this program, central assistance is provided to the states having tiger populations for conservation of tigers.

• The initial reserves covered under Project Tiger were Jim Corbett, Manas, Ranthambore, Simlipal, Bandipur, Palamu, Sundarbans, Melghata and Kanha National Parks.

• At the time of the launch of Project Tiger in the year 1973, there were only 9 Tiger Reserves in the country, at present the total number of Tiger Reserves in the country has increased to 54.

Other Tiger Reserves in Karnataka

• Bhadra Tiger Reserve

• Nagarahole Tiger Reserve

• Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve

Indigenous Anti Tank Guided Missile, Amogha-III tested successfully

Tags: Defence Science and Technology

Bharat Dynamics (BDL) has successfully conducted a field firing test of its latest 3rd generation man-portable Anti Tank Guided Missile (ATGM), Amogha-III. 

About Amogha-III Missile

• The Amogha-III Missile has been developed indigenously under Integrated Guided Missile Development Programme (IGMDP).

• It is a third generation fire-and-forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile.

• Developed by the Research and Development Division of BDL, the missile also has a dual-mode IIR seeker with a range of 200 to 2500 metres.

• The missile can be fired in lock-on-before launch (LOBL) mode and its anti-armour tandem warhead can penetrate in excess of 650 mm beyond Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).

About Anti-tank Guided Missile (ATGM)

• An anti-tank guided missile is a guided missile designed primarily to hit and destroy heavily armored military vehicles.

• These missiles can be carried by a single soldier as a large tripod-mounted weapon.

New butterfly species discovered in Kerala

Tags: Science and Technology State News

Recently, a group of researchers discovered a butterfly subspecies from the fringes of Akkulam and Vembanad lakes in Kerala.

An overview of the news

• The name of this subspecies of discovered butterfly is Caltoris bromus Sadashiv.

• It belongs to the skipper butterfly family of Lepidoptera (moths and butterflies).

• It is the first Bromus swift butterfly to be documented in the Western Ghats.

• Caltoris is an Indo-Australian genus with more than 15 species found in Southeast Asia.

• Caltoris bromus is one of them and its two other subspecies are Caltoris bromus bromus and Caltoris bromus yanuka.

About Vembanad Lake

• It is the largest lake in Kerala and the longest lake in India.

• The source of the lake is related to four rivers – Meenachil, Achankovil, Pampa and Manimala.

• The Vallam Kali (Nehru Trophy Boat Race) is a snake boat race held every year in August in Vembanad Lake.

• In the year 2002, it was included in the list of wetlands of international importance as defined by the Ramsar Convention.

• The Government of India has identified the Vembanad wetlands under the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.

NASA announces four-member team of astronauts to travel to the Moon

Tags: Science and Technology International News

For the first time in five decades, NASA announced a team of four astronauts for its human spaceflight mission to the Moon.

An overview of the news

• The team of four astronauts will fly around the moon for a 10-day mission next year.

• NASA has announced the four astronauts who will go to lunar orbit and return with the Artemis 2 mission.

Who are these Artemis 2 astronauts?

• These four Artemis 2 astronauts are - Reid Wiseman, Victor Glover, Jeremy Hansen and Christina Koch.

• NASA’s Reid Wiseman will be the commander of the Artemis 2 mission.

• Victor Glover will serve as the pilot for Artemis 2. Glover was previously the pilot of NASA's SpaceX Crew-1 mission.

• Jeremy Hansen will represent the Canadian Space Agency during the mission. 

• NASA astronaut Christina Koch will be the mission specialist for Artemis 3. 

• Koch visited the space station in 2019, where she was part of the first all-woman spacewalk in history. 

• The Artemis II flight team will have three American and one Canadian astronauts, the first since the historic Apollo mission ended in 1972.

Artemis 2 mission

• The Artemis 1 mission will allow NASA to test the foundation of its latest human space exploration capabilities.

• This includes the Space Launch System (SLS) rocket, the Orion spacecraft, and all associated ground systems.

• Artemis 2 will be the first crewed mission to test all of these.

About NASA 

• NASA was formed under the National Aeronautics and Space Act on July 19, 1948, in place of its predecessor, the National Advisory Committee for Aeronautics (NACA).

• NASA - National Aeronautics and Space Administration

• Headquarters- Washington D.C.

• Administrator - Bill Nelson

India, Netherlands hold first Ministerial-level meeting of Joint Working Group

Tags: International Relations International News

The 1st Ministerial-level meeting of the Joint Working Group between India and the Netherlands was held on 3 April in New Delhi.

An overview of the news

• The meeting was held in the presence of Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat and Minister for Infrastructure and Water Management, Government of the Netherlands, Mark Harbours.

• The 'Strategic Water Partnership' was launched during a virtual meeting between the Prime Ministers of India and the Netherlands in April 2021.

• The partnership provides the necessary impetus to expand bilateral water cooperation.

• The Netherlands is associated with various states and municipalities, including Uttar Pradesh, Delhi, Gujarat, Punjab, West Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Maharashtra, in various water resources projects.

• River-city alliance between the two countries for river-sensitive cities and technologically driven nature-based solutions for river rejuvenation.

India-Netherlands Relations

• India and the Netherlands enjoy long-standing warm and friendly relations based on shared values of democracy, rule of law, human rights and historical bonds of friendship.

• Both countries share common ideals of democracy, pluralism and rule of law.

• Bilateral relations have been marked by strong economic and commercial ties.

• The Netherlands signed the Framework Agreement of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and became the 64th signatory member country.

• There are over 200 Indian companies operating in the Netherlands.

• The total bilateral trade stood at US$ 6.28 billion in the financial year 2018-2019.

• The Netherlands was India's fourth largest trading partner in the European Union after Britain, Germany and Belgium.

About Netherlands

• The Netherlands, also known as Holland, is a country located in northwestern Europe.

• Monarch: King Willem-Alexander

• Prime Minister: Mark Rutte

• Capital: Amsterdam

• Currency: euro

5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure

Tags: Summits National News

The Prime MInister, Narendra Modi on 4 April addressed the 5th International Conference on Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (ICDRI) 2023 via a video message.

An overview of the news

• He called upon the world for an integrated approach to deal with the impact of disasters.

• The PM pointed out that in a few years, more than 40 countries have become part of the CDRI.

• The summit is becoming an important forum for both advanced economies and developing economies, large and small countries.

• CDRI's theme for this year's conference is 'Delivering Resilient and Inclusive Infrastructure'.

• Last year, the Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund was announced and this 50 million-dollar fund has generated immense interest among developing countries.

About Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI)

• India officially launched the CDRI on 23 September 2019 at the 2019 United Nations Climate Action Summit in New York.

• It is an international coalition of countries, United Nations agencies, multilateral development banks, the private sector and academic institutions.

• Its aim is to promote disaster-resilient infrastructure.

• Headquarters: New Delhi, India (Interim Secretariat)

• Founder countries - India,  Australia, Bhutan, Fiji, Indonesia, Italy, Japan, Maldives, Mexico, Mongolia, Rwanda, Sri Lanka and the United Kingdom. (13 countries).

Bahrain Launches Golden License To Make Large-Scale Investments

Tags: International News

Bahrain launched the Golden License Initiative to encourage investment and job creation in the country and aims to provide streamlined services and benefits to local and foreign businesses with large-scale investment projects in Bahrain.

An Overview of the News

• Companies with important strategic projects and investments of more than US$50 million or creating more than 500 jobs in Bahrain will be eligible for the licence.

• The Golden License offers various benefits, including priority land allotment for investment, infrastructure services, utilities, and streamlined access to government services such as business licensing and building permit approval.

• The licence will also provide support from Tamkin and the Bahrain Development Bank.

• The initiative was launched by Bahrain's cabinet, chaired by Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of Bahrain, to attract local and international investment to create job opportunities.

• India has the largest expatriate population in Bahrain, with around 350,000 Indians living in the country.

About Bahrain

• It is an island country located in western Asia on the Persian Gulf and consists of 50 natural islands and 33 artificial islands, of which Bahrain Island is the largest.

• The capital of Bahrain is Manama, which serves as the commercial and financial centre of the country.

• The majority of the population is Muslim, with Sunni and Shia Muslims being the largest groups.

2nd G20 Empower meeting of Ministry of Women and Child Development begins in Thiruvananthapuram

Tags: Summits National News

The Ministry of Women and Child Development has launched the 2nd G20 Empower meeting in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala under the theme “Women Empowerment: Win-win for Equality and Economy”.

An Overview of the News

• The meeting includes various side events that address important issues related to women's safety, health, wages and insurance.

• Issues such as women empowerment, women entrepreneurship, leadership development and economic prosperity through women's participation in non-traditional sectors will be discussed in the meeting.

• G20 Empower 2023, under the chairmanship of India, aims to promote India's women-led development agenda.

About the G20

• It is an international forum of the world's leading economies established in 1999.

• Its primary objective is to promote international financial stability and sustainable economic growth.

• The G20 serves as a forum to discuss and coordinate policies related to a wide range of economic and financial issues such as trade, investment, employment, energy and climate change.

State Health Minister of Kerala - Veena George

Chairperson of G20 Empower - Dr. Sangita Reddy

Union Minister of State for Women and Child Development - Munjpara Mahendrabhai

Sheenu Jhawar becomes first woman president of TiE Rajasthan

Tags: Person in news

Dr. Sheenu Jhawar has been appointed as the new President of TiE Rajasthan for a two-year term from 2023 to 2025.

An Overview of the News

• Dr. Jhawar is the first woman to hold this position in the 21 year history of TiE Rajasthan.

• He succeeds Dr. Ravi Modani, who was leading it with effect from 2021.

• She has been associated with TiE Rajasthan for many years and has contributed significantly to its growth and success.

• As chairman, Dr. Jhawar aims to continue promoting entrepreneurship and innovation in Rajasthan and support women entrepreneurs in particular.

About The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) Rajasthan

• It is a chapter of TiE Global and has been recognized as the best chapter in 2021.

• TiE Rajasthan since its inception in 2002 has been a pioneer in the state of Rajasthan and has contributed significantly to the start-up ecosystem.

• TiE Rajasthan was honoured with the highly coveted Best TiE Chapter Award in 2021.

• The Indus Entrepreneurs (TiE) is a non-profit organisation established in 1992 in Silicon Valley, working globally with 58 chapters in 14 countries, with the main objective of promoting entrepreneurship.

• Through various initiatives such as mentoring, networking, education, incubation and funding, TiE aims to support and foster the next generation of entrepreneurs around the world.

MF Hydra: World's first liquid hydrogen ferry

Tags: International News

Norwegian company Norld launched the world's first ferry to run on MF Hydra liquid hydrogen.

An Overview of the News

• The vessel, named MF Hydra, is a hybrid and uses both batteries and liquid hydrogen fuel cells for power.

• The Norwegian Maritime Authority (NMA) granted approval to operate the yacht.

• An important step towards reducing greenhouse gas emissions in the marine industry.

• Hydrogen fuel cells produce only clean water as a byproduct, making them an environmentally friendly option for powering ferries and other marine vessels.

• The MF Hydra was to be delivered in 2021 and measures 82.4 metres in length, with a passenger capacity of 300 and a capacity to carry 80 vehicles.

• It uses two 200 kW fuel cells, two 440 kW generators and two Shottel thrusters to reach a speed of 9 knots.

• The hydrogen system was provided by Linde Engineering, the fuel cell by Ballard and the battery by Corvus Energy. The ferry was completed by Westcon and systems integrator SEAM.

About Norway

Capital- Oslo

Currency- Norwegian Krone

King- Harald V of Norway

Eravikulam National Park got a fernarium for the first time

Tags: Environment State News

Eravikulam National Park in Munnar, Kerala has a new attraction – a fernarium and it is the first fern collection set up in a hill station.

An Overview of the News

• The Fernarium is located within the park close to the Orchidarium and is accessible to the public from 20 April.

• The objective of the Fernarium is to educate visitors about the biodiversity of the park and to showcase the flora in a unique way.

• Ferns grow naturally in a soilless environment by absorbing water and nutrients from trees, making the park an ideal location for a fernarium.

About Eravikulam National Park:

• Location: Eravikulam National Park is located in the Western Ghats of India, within the state of Kerala.

• History: The park was initially established as a game sanctuary in 1975, with the primary objective of protecting the endangered Nilgiri tahr, a type of mountain goat that is endemic to the Western Ghats.

• National Park Status: In 1978, the sanctuary was declared a National Park and now it is spread over an area of 97 square kilometres.

• Biodiversity: The park is famous for its rich biodiversity, which houses a number of wildlife species including Nilgiri Tahr, Macaque, Leopard and many bird species.

• Recognition: The park has received international recognition for its conservation efforts, and was awarded the prestigious Green Globe certification in 2019 for its commitment to sustainability and responsible tourism.

International Mine Awareness Day - 4 April

Tags: Important Days

International Mine Awareness Day is observed every year on 4 April to raise awareness about the danger of landmines and explosive remnants of war.

An Overview of the News

• The day was first celebrated in 2006 after it was established by the United Nations General Assembly.

• The theme for 2023 International Mine Awareness Day is "Mine Action Can Not Wait".

• The theme was chosen by the UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) to draw attention to the urgent need to address long-standing problems caused by explosive mines in countries such as Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam.

• Explosive mines are a major humanitarian and security issue in these countries, where they have caused thousands of deaths and injuries over several decades.

• The "Mine Action Can Not Wait" campaign aims to emphasise the urgency of addressing these problems and encourage action to prevent further damage.

• The UN Mine Action Service (UNMAS) leads the mine action community and plays a key role in achieving the goals of mine action.

• The day is significant because it aims to create a world that is free of landmines and explosive remnants of war, thereby ensuring the safety of individuals and communities.

• On this day, 12 different departments and offices of the United Nations Secretariat, as well as specialised agencies, funds and programmes, come together to support mine action programs in 30 countries and 3 territories.

About United Nations Mine Action Service (UNMAS)

UNMAS is based at the United Nations Headquarters in New York.

Established - October 1997

Head - Ileen Cohn