1. New Three-Edible Bug Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
Tags: State News
A team of entomologists discovered three new species of edible stink bugs in Arunachal Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
These bugs belong to the genus Coridius within the family Dinidoridae (Hemiptera).
The new species are named Coridius adii, Coridius insperatus, and Coridius esculentus.
The findings were published in the peer-reviewed open-access journal PLOS One.
Research Team and Support:
The research team included Priyadarsanan Dharma Rajan (Team Lead), Swapnil Boyane, Sandeep Sen, Nikhil U. Joshi, and Pavan Kumar Thunga from Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE), Bengaluru, and Hemant Ghate from Modern College of Arts Commerce and Science, Pune.
The study was supported by the Department of Biotechnology (DBT), under the Ministry of Science and Technology (MoST), as part of the project titled "Bio-resource and Sustainable Livelihoods in North-East India."
About the Genus Coridius:
Coridius is economically important, as species of this genus are consumed by Indigenous people in northeast India.
These bugs are relatively large, ranging from 15 mm to 25 mm in size, and primarily feed on plant sap.
Entomophagy (eating insects) is a long-standing tradition in Northeast India.
Details of Each Species:
Coridius adii:
Named after the Adi tribe of Arunachal Pradesh, who consume it as food.
Characterized by a pale brown to dark brown color with irregular yellow patches on its upper body.
Coridius insperatus:
Unique features include 4-segmented antennae and a copper-colored back.
Differentiates from similar bugs which have 5-segmented antennae and are dark brown, yellow, or black on top.
Consumed by the Nyishi and Adi tribes of Arunachal Pradesh.
Sold in the Nirjuli local market in Itanagar during the winter season (October-January).
Coridius esculentus:
Considered a delicacy among ethnic communities.
Consumption has neurotoxic effects, causing photophobia (sensitivity to light).
The metathoracic glands of these bugs may secrete chemicals responsible for this intoxication.
2. Thiruvananthapuram International Airport Limited (TIAL) Receives Greentech Award
Tags: Awards State News
TIAL has been honored with the Pollution Control Waste Management & Recycling (PCWR) Award 2024 by Greentech Foundation.
An Overview of the News
The award was presented at the Greentech PCWR 2024 Summit, Awards, and Expo held in Guwahati, Assam.
The award recognizes TIAL's excellence in achieving a 'zero waste to landfill' status.
The airport has achieved a landfill diversion rate of 99.50% through sustainable waste management practices.
Waste Management Practices
TIAL's waste management follows the cradle-to-cradle concept, emphasizing waste reduction, reuse, recycling, and recovery.
The airport processes 100% of its plastic and solid waste.
Certification and Systems
The waste management system at TIAL is certified under ISO 14001:2015.
It includes innovative mechanisms for collecting separated waste and transporting it to the recycling yard.
TIAL is managed by Adani Airport Holdings Limited (AAHL), a subsidiary of Adani Enterprises, and is located in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
3. Chhattisgarh Establishes Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla as Fourth Tiger Reserve
Tags: State News
The Chhattisgarh government announced the creation of a new tiger reserve named Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve.
An Overview of the News
This marks the fourth tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh, alongside Indravati Tiger Reserve (Bijapur), Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve (Gariaband), and Achanakmar Tiger Reserve (Mungeli).
The decision was made in a cabinet meeting chaired by Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai after recommendations from the State Wildlife Board and approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of India (GoI).
The NTCA will provide additional budgetary support for the operations of the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve.
Background and Proposal History
In 2012, the Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Board decided to declare the combined area of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla Sanctuary as a tiger reserve.
A proposal was submitted to the NTCA in August 2014, and the NTCA gave its in-principle approval in October 2014.
The final approval for the creation of the tiger reserve was granted by the NTCA in 2021, but further action by the state authorities was delayed until now.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve will cover an expansive area of 2,829.387 square kilometers across the districts of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur, and Balrampur.
Chhattisgarh
Capital: Raipur
State Bird: Common Hill Myna
Wildlife Sanctuaries:
Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary
Udanti Wild Buffalo Wildlife Sanctuary
Tiger Reserve: Indravati Tiger Reserve
Chief Minister (CM): Vishnu Deo Sai
Governor: Ramen Deka
4. CM Bhupendra Patel Inaugurates First-Ever IACC-MSME Centre of Excellence in Gujarat
Tags: State News
On August 8, 2024, Gujarat's Chief Minister, Bhupendra Patel, inaugurated the first-ever Indo- American Chamber of Commerce (IACC)-MSME Centre of Excellence (CoE) at the KCG auditorium, i-HUB campus in Ahmedabad, Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
The CoE aims to upgrade and strengthen MSMEs to meet global export market standards.
IACC-MSME Center of Excellence (CoE) Details
The centre will enhance industrial relations between India and the United States.
It is designed to equip MSMEs with the skills and knowledge needed to navigate global markets and improve export capabilities.
This initiative is part of the IACC’s strategy to boost economic relations between India and the USA by addressing challenges faced by Indian MSMEs and facilitating their access to the American market.
Additional Information
Gujarat has 19.80 lakh registered MSMEs, employing nearly 1.07 crore people, thanks to initiatives like ease of doing business, supportive policies, and prompt government clearances.
Gujarat contributes 8.63% to India's Gross Domestic Product (GDP).
The IACC promotes trade between India and the USA, with bilateral trade reaching USD 200 billion in 2023.
About Gujarat
Founded: May 1, 1960
Previous State: Bombay State
Capital: Gandhinagar
Official Bird: Greater flamingo
Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
Governor: Acharya Devvrat
5. Union Minister Launches 24×7 Water Supply Project in Manimajra, Chandigarh
Tags: State News
Union Minister Amit Shah inaugurated the 24×7 Water Supply Project at Manimajra, Chandigarh on August 4, 2024.
An Overview of the News
The event was attended by Gulab Chand Kataria, Governor of Punjab and Administrator of Chandigarh.
Project Detail:
Completed at a cost of approximately Rs 75 crore, with Rs 85 crore allocated for 15 years of maintenance.
The project covers 22 kilometers of water supply pipeline across 855 acres, benefiting over 1 lakh residents.
Two large underground water reservoirs have been established, each with a capacity of 2 Million Gallons per Day (MGPD) to ensure 24-hour water availability.
Smart meters have been installed to detect any water leakage early, with the cost of leakage no longer being borne by the consumers.
A Variable Frequency Drive (VFD) pump has been installed to maintain optimal water pressure.
About Chandigarh
Formation: 7 October 1953
Capital: Chandigarh
Districts: 1
Administrator: Gulab Chand Kataria
Chief Secretary: Rajeev Verma, IAS
Lok Sabha Seats: 1
Symbols
Bird: Indian grey hornbill
Flower: Dhak
Fruit: Mango
Mammal: Indian grey mongoose
Tree: Mangifera indica
6. Madhya Pradesh Becomes First State to Offer Cash for Sanitary Napkins
Tags: State News
Madhya Pradesh has become the first state in India to provide cash to girl students for purchasing sanitary napkins.
An Overview of the News
Unlike states such as Karnataka, Rajasthan, and Delhi, which distribute free sanitary napkins, Madhya Pradesh is offering financial aid instead.
Details of the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme
Under the Sanitation and Hygiene Scheme, ₹300 has been transferred to the accounts of each girl student for one year.
This initiative has benefited approximately 19 lakh students from classes 7 to 12.
During a recent program, Chief Minister Dr. Mohan announced that Rani Durgavati would be included in the curriculum of government schools in the state.
About Madhya Pradesh
In terms of area, it is the second largest state of India after Rajasthan.
National Parks - Panna National Park, Pench National Park
Wildlife Sanctuaries - Gangau Wildlife Sanctuary, Ghatigaon wildlife sanctuary
Chief Minister - Dr. Mohan Yadav
Governor - Mangubhai C. Patel
Capital - Bhopal
7. Om Prakash Mathur Sworn in as 18th Governor of Sikkim
Tags: Person in news State News
Om Prakash Mathur was sworn in as the 18th Governor of Sikkim on 31st July at Raj Bhavan, Gangtok.
An Overview of the News
Chief Justice of the Sikkim High Court, Justice Biswanath Somadder, administered the oath of office and secrecy.
The ceremony was attended by Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang, Cabinet Ministers, and other dignitaries.
Ceremonial Events
The Governor was given a ceremonial guard of honour by the Sikkim Armed Police.
The event was attended by the Mayor, Deputy Mayor, DGP, former legislators, Chairpersons, Heads of Departments, and officials from the Army and Central Government agencies.
Plantation Drive
After the swearing-in, the Governor and Chief Minister participated in a plantation drive at the Raj Bhavan premises.
Under the "Ek Ped Maa Ki Naam" (Plant for Mother) initiative, they planted Rhododendron saplings.
About Sikkim
It is a state in northeast India.
Bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal.
Founded - 16 May 1975
Capital - Gangtok
Governor - Om Prakash Mathur
Chief minister - Prem Singh Tamang (SKM)
8. Indrani Bridge in Sikkim Reconstructed by BRO, Reconnecting Northern Region to the Rest of India
Tags: State News
The Border Roads Organisation (BRO) successfully reconstructed the Indrani Bridge in Sikkim, reconnecting the northern region of the state to the rest of India.
An Overview of the News
The bridge was severely damaged by flash floods in October 2023, necessitating the reconstruction effort.
The project was led by the 764 Border Roads Task Force (BRTF) under Project Swastik.
A 300-foot Bailey Suspension Bridge was constructed as part of the reconstruction.
The project involved ajoint survey with Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers (GRSE).
Border Roads Organisation (BRO)
Founded: 7 May 1960
Headquarters: New Delhi
Director General: Lt. Gen. Raghu Srinivasan
Garden Reach Shipbuilders & Engineers Ltd. (GRSE)
Founded: 1884
Headquarters: India
Key Person: Cmde PR Hari, IN (Retd.) (Chairman & MD)
About Sikkim
It is a state in northeast India.
Bordered by Bhutan, Tibet, and Nepal.
Founded - 16 May 1975
Capital - Gangtok
Governor - Om Prakash Mathur
Chief minister - Prem Singh Tamang (SKM)
9. K. Kailashnathan Sworn in as 25th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry
Tags: Person in news State News
K. Kailashnathan took the oath as the 25th Lieutenant Governor of Puducherry on August 7, 2024.
An Overview of the News
The oath was administered by the Acting Chief Justice of the Madras High Court, D. Krishnakumar.
Kailashnathan, a retired Gujarat cadre IAS officer, is the first full-time Lt. Governor of Puducherry since Kiran Bedi left in 2021.
The event was held at Raj Nivas and was attended by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, Speaker of the territorial assembly R. Selvam, and other officials.
Kailashnathan was felicitated by the Acting Chief Justice, Chief Minister Rangasamy, and Chief Secretary Sharat Chauhan.
About Puducherry
Formation: July 1, 1963
Capital: Pondicherry
Chief Minister: N. Rangasamy
10. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav Announces New Peacock Sanctuaries in Kerala and Karnataka
Tags: State News
Union Minister Bhupender Yadav, from the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), has declared Choolannuar in Kerala and Adichunchanagiri in Karnataka as Peacock Sanctuaries.
An Overview of the News
Since 1963, the MoEF&CC has established breeding and conservation centers to safeguard peafowl, the National Bird of India.
Choolannuar Peacock Sanctuary(Kerala)
Establishment: Established on March 14, 1996, as "Chulannur Peafowl Sanctuary."
Location: Located about 30 km from Palakkad town in Kerala, spreading over 500 hectares in Peringottukurisi Panchayat, Palakkad district, and Malesamangalam in Thrissur district.
Renaming: Renamed in 2008 to honor K.K. Neelakantan, an Indian ornithologist.
Local Name: Known locally as Mayiladumpara.
About Kerala
Capital - Thiruvananthapuram
Chief minister - Pinarayi Vijayan
Governor- Arif Mohammed Khan
Districts - 14
Rajya Sabha - 9 seats
Lok Sabha - 20 seats
Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Chimmony Wildlife Sanctuary
Adichunchanagiri Peacock Sanctuary (Karnataka)
Establishment: Founded in 1981, catering to a large population of peafowl.
Location: Situated in Mandya district's Nagamangala Taluk, Karnataka, about 115 km west of Bengaluru.
Area: Covers approximately 88.4 hectares and is popular for trekking and mountain climbing.
Proximity: Close to Chunchanagiri Temple, a renowned pilgrimage site.
About Karnataka
Capital:- Bengaluru (Executive Branch)
Chief minister:- Siddaramaiah
Governor:- Thawar Chand Gehlot
Bird:- Indian roller
India's largest and third leopard safari has been launched at Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP), located 25 kilometers south of Bengaluru.
