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By admin: Nov. 2, 2024

The Government of India has approved a Rs 177 crore project to develop the Muthalapozhi Port in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.

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Muthalapozhi Port in Kerala

Why in News:

• The Government of India approved a Rs 177 crore project to develop the Muthalapozhi Port in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• The redevelopment includes enhancement of both water and land facilities, with Rs 106.2 crore allocated under the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana and Rs 70.8 crore contributed by the state.
• An additional Rs 13 crore will be allocated for the Smart Green Port initiative and coastal protection.

About Muthalapozhi Port:

• Muthalapozhi Harbour is a fishing port in Kerala, India, located where the Vamanapuram River meets the Arabian Sea.
• It was built in 2001 and inaugurated in 2020.
• The port is considered one of the deadliest ports in Kerala due to several accidents and deaths.

Brazil became the second BRICS country, after India, to decide not to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative

Tags: International Relations

China’s Belt and Road Initiative:

Why in news:

• Brazil became the second BRICS country, after India, to decide not to join China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Brazil will cooperate with Chinese investors in alternative ways.
• The Brazilian government believes this decision will help avoid further complications in relations with the United States.

What is China’s Belt and Road Initiative:

• The Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) is a Chinese-led infrastructure project that aims to improve connectivity, trade, and economic growth across Asia, Africa, and Europe: 
• The BRI is also known as the One Belt One Road Initiative or the New Silk Road, a reference to the ancient Silk Road trade routes that connected China to the Mediterranean. 
• China's President Xi Jinping announced the BRI in 2013, and the planned completion date is 2049. 

How it's financed?

• The BRI is financed by the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB), Silk Road Fund, China Investment Corporation, policy banks, and other sources. 
• India’s concerns about China's Belt and Road Initiative (BRI):
• Sovereignty:India is concerned about the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), which passes through Pakistan-occupied Kashmir, a region India claims as its own. 
• Transparency:India has questioned the transparency and processes of the BRI. 
• Financial viability:India is concerned about the financial viability of the BRI projects, and whether they will create debt traps for smaller countries. 
• Environmental and social risks:India is concerned that the BRI projects may create environmental and social risks for the host countries. 
• Growing Chinese influence:India perceives China's growing influence in the Indian Ocean region as a security threat. 

India's first solar-powered miniature train

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India's first solar-powered miniature train:

Why in news:

• India's first solar energy-driven miniature train was launched by Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan at Veli tourist village in Thiruvananthapuram,Kerala.

Features the train:

• The 2.5 km train has a traditional-style station house, a tunnel, and a ticket office. It's modeled after a vintage steam locomotive and has an engine that emits artificial steam. 
• The train has three bogies that can accommodate up to 45 people. 
• The train is powered by solar energy, which is captured by photovoltaic cells installed on the train or along the railway tracks. 
• Any excess electricity generated by the train is fed into the state electricity board's grid. 

Significance:

• This endeavour is part of a string of projects worth Rs. 60 crore to elevate the facilities at the tourist village to international standards.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started the country's first analog space mission.

Tags: Science and Technology

 India's first analog space mission:

Why in news:

• Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) has started the country's first analog space mission at Leh in Ladakh, where the space agency will simulate life in an interplanetary habitat. 

What is the Purpose ?

• The mission's goals were to study the physical and mental challenges of humans in space, test life support systems, and develop strategies for long-duration space missions. 
• The mission took place in Leh, Ladakh, which was chosen because its geographical features closely resemble those of Mars and the Moon. 
• Duration of the mission will be  one month. 
• The mission used a compact, inflatable habitat called Hab-1, which was equipped with a hydroponics farm, kitchen, and sanitation facilities. 

Collaboration:

• The mission was a collaboration between the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO), AAKA Space Studio, the University of Ladakh, IIT Bombay, and the Ladakh Autonomous Hill Development Council. 
• The move assumes significance as India is planning to send a human to the Moon in the near future.

About ISRO:

• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is India's national space agency that specializes in space exploration, aerospace technology, engineering, and science.
•  ISRO was established in 1969 to replace the Indian National Committee for Space Research (INCOSPAR). The agency's headquarters are in Bengaluru, India.
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Central government begins probe into elephant deaths in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Tags: Environment

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh

Why in news:

• Union Government initiates enquiry into the death of Elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate change has constituted a team to investigate the death of ten elephants in Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve of Madhya Pradesh. 
• Further, the State Government of Madhya Pradesh has also constituted a five-member State level committee, to enquire into the matter and submit a report to the Government
• As per the preliminary information shared by the concerned officers from the State of Madhya Pradesh, the death of the elephants may be because of poisoning.

Cause of death:

• Initially it seems that poison may be the cause of death of these Elephants.
•  The final cause of death shall only be ascertained after through enquiry, detailed Postmortem reports, results of histopathological and toxicological reports and other corroborative evidences. 

What is the issue?

• The patrolling staff of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve detected the death of four elephants in Salkhania beats of Pataur and Khiatuli range of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh on 29.10.24.
•  On further combing of the adjoining areas, six more elephants were found sick or unconscious in the vicinity. The field staff and local veterinary officers started medication of the sick elephants, which was supported by a team of veterinarians from the School of Wildlife Forensic and Health (SWFH). 
• However, four sick elephants succumbed to death on 30.10.24. Further, even after continuous medication and treatment, remaining two sick and unconscious elephants lost their lives on 31.10.24
•  Out of those dead ten elephants, one was male and nine were female.
•  The viscera after the postmortem have been sent to IVRI Izzat Nagar, Bareilly and FSL, Sagar for toxicological and histopathological investigations on 01.11.24.