1. Uttar Pradesh Unveils World's First Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre
Tags: State News
On 6 September 2024, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath inaugurated the Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre in the Bharivaisi, Campierganj Range of the Gorakhpur Forest Division.
An Overview of the News
The centre is the world's first dedicated conservation and breeding facility for the Asian King Vulture (red-headed vulture).
While there are other vulture conservation centres named Jatayu in India, they cater to all vulture species, not just the Asian King Vulture.
During the ceremony, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath directed the state Forest Department to establish a forestry college in Gorakhpur.
Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre Details:
Location: Maharajganj, Gorakhpur forest division.
Area: Spreads over 1.5 hectares.
Cost: Built at a cost of Rs 2.8 crore.
Facilities: Includes bird cages, a juvenile nursery, a hospital and recovery facility, and a food processing centre.
Special Features: Contains an incubation centre to artificially rear vulture eggs to ensure 100% success.
Breeding and Release:
Breeding: The Asian King Vulture pairs for life and the female lays one egg annually.
Release Plan: The centre aims to release 40 pairs of vultures over the next 8 to 10 years.
Current Residents: Six king vultures (one male and five females) are currently housed at the centre.
Status and Conservation Efforts for the King Vulture
Scientific Name: Sarcogyps calvus
Location: Mainly found in North India
Conservation Status: Critically endangered according to the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature)
Threats:
Loss of habitat
Exposure to diclofenac, a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug used in animals
Impact of Diclofenac:
Vultures ingesting diclofenac-contaminated meat suffer from head/neck drooping syndrome
Infected vultures ultimately die
Conservation Efforts:
Jatayu Conservation and Breeding Centre has set up a food processing center to prevent vultures from consuming contaminated meat
2. Amit Shah Unveils '200 Not Out' Documentary on Mumbai Samachar in Mumbai
Tags: Books and Authors State News
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Amit Shah, released the documentary '200 Not Out' on Mumbai Samachar in Mumbai, Maharashtra.
An Overview of the News
The Chief Minister of Maharashtra, Eknath Shinde, and other dignitaries were present.
Historical Reporting: Mumbai Samachar has reported on major historical events including the 1857 revolution, formation of Congress, Ganesh Utsav by Lokmanya Tilak, the Quit India Movement, and India's independence.
Preservation of Gujarati Language: The newspaper has played a crucial role in preserving the Gujarati language and culture, despite the challenges it faced over the years.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister -Eknath Shinde
Governor - C. P. Radhakrishnan
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance - Lavani
Additional Information:-
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.
Sujata Saunik Appointed Maharashtra's First Woman Chief Secretary.
Maharashtra becomes the first state in the country to approve Good Governance Regulations.
Maharashtra was awarded Best Agriculture State for 2024 by the 15th Agriculture Leadership Awards Committee.
3. Uttar Pradesh Government to Host Semicon India 2024 at India Expo Mart
Tags: State News
The Uttar Pradesh government, led by Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath, will host Semicon India 2024 at the India Expo Mart in Greater Noida from September 11 to 13.
An Overview of the News
The event is organized in collaboration with SEMI, Messe Muenchen India, and the Electronic Industries Association of India.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi will inaugurate the event on September 11, with Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also attending.
Significance and Scope:
Semicon India 2024 will be held alongside Electronica India and Productronica India, the largest electronics fairs in Southeast Asia.
The event aims to enhance India’s semiconductor sector and establish the country as a significant global player.
It will unite a wide range of domestic and international companies, offering opportunities to explore India’s growing semiconductor industry and discover new business prospects.
About Uttar Pradesh
Founded: 24 January 1950
Capital: Lucknow (Executive Branch)
Rajya Sabha: 31 Seats
Lok Sabha: 80 Seats
Chief minister: Yogi Adityanath
Governor: Anandiben Patel
4. Manish Kumar Gupta Appointed New Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh
Tags: Person in news State News
Manish Kumar Gupta has been appointed as the new Chief Secretary of Arunachal Pradesh.
An Overview of the News
Gupta is a 1991 batch IAS officer from the AGMUT cadre (Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Mizoram, and other Union Territories).
The appointment was announced by the Union Home Affairs Ministry on September 5.
Gupta replaces the outgoing Chief Secretary Dharmendra, who has been transferred to the national capital.
Prior to this, Gupta served as the Principal Secretary (Home) and Additional Chief Secretary in the Delhi administration.
About Arunachal Pradesh
It is a state located in the northeastern region of India.
It shares its borders with the countries of Bhutan, China, and Myanmar.
Establishment:- 20 February 1987
Capital:- Itanagar(Executive Branch)
Chief Minister:- Pema Khandu
Governor - Kaiwalya Trivikram Parnaik
Official flower:- Rhynchostylis retusa
Official Animal:- Gayal
5. Madhya Pradesh Approves ‘Brindavan Gram’ Scheme and Launches Statewide ‘Gita Bhavan’ Initiative
Tags: State News
The Madhya Pradesh government approved the 'Brindavan Gram' scheme, announced on Janmashtami, August 26.
An Overview of the News
The ‘Brindavan Gram’ scheme, led by Chief Minister Mohan Yadav, will be implemented in one gram panchayat from each of the 313 blocks of the state.
Key focus: Establishing gaushalas (cow sheds) to promote milk production and increase farmers' incomes.
Key Features of the ‘Brindavan Gram’ Scheme
Promotion of Milk Production: Gaushalas will be set up in selected villages to enhance milk production.
Solar Energy: Houses in the selected gram panchayats will be equipped with roof-top solar panels under the state’s solar policy.
The scheme will be implemented by the Panchayat and Rural Development Department, with an official notification to be issued soon.
Launch of ‘Gita Bhavan’ Initiative
The Madhya Pradesh government also approved the establishment of ‘Gita Bhavan’ in all urban bodies across the state.
Purpose: To disseminate spiritual knowledge and teachings of scriptures and prominent personalities.
Each centre will house spiritual literature, including the Bhagavad Gita and other works related to Lord Krishna.
Existing Gita Bhavan in Indore
Madhya Pradesh currently has one ‘Gita Bhavan’ in Indore, which serves as a religious and cultural centre promoting the teachings of the Bhagavad Gita.
It is a religiously neutral space that welcomes people from all faiths, featuring images and idols of various gods and depictions from the Puranas, Mahabharata, and Ramayana.
320th Birth Anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar
The state government approved the formation of an organising committee to plan celebrations for the 320th birth anniversary of Ahilyabai Holkar.
Various events and programs will be conducted throughout the year to honour the Maratha Malwa queen, known for her visionary leadership.
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
Capital - Bhopal
Chief Minister - Dr. Mohan Yadav
Governor - Mangubhai C. Patel
6. President Droupadi Murmu Inaugurates Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Maharashtra
Tags: State News National News
President Droupadi Murmu inaugurated the Vishwashanti Buddha Vihara in Udgir, Latur district, Maharashtra.
An Overview of the News
President installed a statue of Gautama Buddha inside the vihara and paid tribute to Dr. Babasaheb Ambedkar by offering flowers at his statue.
The event included a traditional Buddha worship ceremony.
Governor C.P. Radhakrishnan, Chief Minister Eknath Shinde, Union Minister of State for Social Justice Ramdas Athawale, and Deputy Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis attended the event.
Features of the Buddha Vihara
The newly inaugurated Buddha Vihara is a replica of the Buddha Vihara in Kalburgi, Karnataka.
Located on a 15-hectare site, it features a meditation centre that can accommodate 1,200 followers.
The main entrance, inspired by the Sanchi Stupa in Bihar, serves as an impressive entryway to the premises.
About Maharashtra
It is a state located in the western part of India and covers a significant part of the Deccan Plateau.
Chief Minister - Eknath Shinde
Governor - C.P. Radhakrishnan
Official Animal - Indian giant squirrel
Official Bird - Yellow-footed Green Pigeon
Official Dance -Lavani
7. Cabinet Approves ₹3,300 Crore Semiconductor Facility by Kaynes Semicon in Gujarat
Tags: Economy/Finance State News
The Cabinet has approved Kaynes Semicon Pvt Ltd's proposal to establish a semiconductor unit in Sanand, Gujarat.
An Overview of the News
The aim is to foster a vibrant semiconductor ecosystem. The investment for this unit will be ₹3,300 crore.
The unit will have a production capacity of 60 lakh chips per day. The chips produced will serve various sectors, including industrial, automotive, electric vehicles, consumer electronics, telecom, and mobile phones.
The Programme for Development of Semiconductors and Display Manufacturing Ecosystem in India, launched in December 2021, has a total outlay of ₹76,000 crore.
Construction of four semiconductor units is advancing rapidly, with a combined investment of nearly ₹1.5 lakh crore.
The total production capacity of these units will be approximately seven crore chips per day.
About Gujarat
Founded: May1, 1960
Previous State: Bombay State
Capital: Gandhinagar
Official Bird: Greater flamingo
Chief Minister: Bhupendrabhai Patel
Governor: Acharya Devvrat
8. Sembcorp to Invest Rs 36,238 Crore in Green Hydrogen Facility in Tamil Nadu
Tags: State News National News
Sembcorp Industries, based in Singapore, will invest Rs 36,238 crore to set up a green hydrogen/green ammonia manufacturing unit in Thoothukudi, Tamil Nadu.
An Overview of the News
Tamil Nadu will be the first state in India to commence large-scale commercial production of green hydrogen.
Facility Overview:
The foundation stone for the unit was laid by Tamil Nadu Chief Minister M.K. Stalin on August 21, 2024, during the Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2024 in Chennai.
The facility will cover 160 acres and initially produce 200,000 metric tonnes of green ammonia annually for export to Japan.
At the Tamil Nadu Global Investors Meet 2024, Sembcorp signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish the facility.
Tamil Nadu Investment Conclave 2024 Highlights:
The Chief Minister inaugurated 28 industrial projects with a total investment of Rs 51,157 crore and 19 additional projects with an investment of Rs 17,616 crore, bringing the total to 47 projects.
The Tamil Nadu government, in collaboration with Tamil Nadu Industrial Development Corporation Limited (TIDCO) and TATA Technologies, will set up the Tamil Nadu Engineering and Innovations Centre (TN ENGINE) in Coimbatore with an investment of Rs 400 crore.
Tamil Nadu
It was formerly known as Madras State.
Capital: Chennai
Bird: Emerald Dove
Chief Minister: M.K. Stalin
Governor: R.N. Ravi
9. 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.
10. 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.