Daily Current Affairs 9 January 2020

Current Affairs Of Today Are

1) Re-grassing is mandatory after mining

• The Supreme Court on Wednesday ordered that mining leaseholders should be held responsible for re­-grassing mined areas so that biodiversity gets a second chance in these scarred landscapes.
• A Bench led by Chief Justice of India S.A. Bobde ordered the government to include re-grassing of mined areas as a mandatory condition in every mining lease, environmental clearance and mining plan across the country.
• Environmental issues caused by mining include erosion, the formation of sinkholes, loss of biodiversity, and contamination of soil, groundwater and surface water by chemicals from mining processes, and the effects persist for years
• The government was ordered to file an action taken report in three weeks. The Bench also directed the government to devise methods to ensure compliance by mining leaseholders. The cost of re­grassing the mined area and wherever damage was caused, would be entirely borne by the license holder.
• The mandatory re­grassing would be in addition to the other conditions imposed on the license holder in the mine closure plan, to restore biodiversity. 
• An area that is mined results in the complete elimination of grass, which in turn denies fodder to the herbivores. The only solution can be re­grassing of such mined areas. It is not in dispute that re­grassing technology is available in this country

2) India Meteorological Department Climate Change Report: 2019 was 7th warmest year since 1901

• Though the rise in average temperatures over India in 2019 was the lowest since 2016, according to a report from the India Meteorological Department (IMD, the year that went 2019 was the 7th warmest since recordkeeping commenced in 1901.
• During the year, the annual mean surface air temperature was +0.36C above average (defined as the mean temperature from 1980­-2010). The highest warming observed over India was during 2016, 0.71C above the mean. While 2018 was the 6th warmest in India with 0.41C above the mean, 2017 was 0.55C warmer.
• According to the World Meteorological Organisation, the rise in global mean surface temperature during 2019 ( January to October) was +1.10C.

Reason

• The main contributors to the warming this year were temperatures in the pre­monsoon (March­May) and monsoon seasons (June­-September),
• There is no declining trend. The only pattern is that global warming is raising average temperatures globally, as well as in India
• 2019 was also characterized by high rainfall, which was 9% over what is normal for a year. This was due to the monsoon rains ( June-September) being 10% over its normal and the northeast monsoon rains being 9% over its normal.

3) India and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) on cooperation in the field of Health

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its ex-post-facto approval on the Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) between Department of Health & Family Welfare (DOHFW), Government of India and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (BMGF) on cooperation in the field of Health signed in November 2019 during the visit of Mr. Bill Gates, Co-Chair, and Trustee of BMGF to Delhi.

The Memorandum of Cooperation (MoC) covers the following areas of cooperation:-

• To reduce maternal, neonatal and child morbidity and mortality, improve key nutrition outcomes, by improving the reach, coverage, and quality of essential primary health, immunization and nutrition services.
• To increase the basket of choice and quality for family planning methods, especially for reversible methods, and increase access amongst younger women.
• To reduce the burden of select infectious diseases [TB, Visceral Leishmaniasis (VL), Lymphatic Filariasis(LF)].
• To strengthen health systems, including aspects such as budget utilization, management, and skills of human resources for health, digital health, strengthening supply chains and monitoring systems.

A Program Action Committee (PAC) will be set up to further elaborate the details of cooperation and to oversee the implementation of this Memorandum of Cooperation.

4) Madhavpur Mela

The eight states of the Northern Eastern Region will participate in a big way during the Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat due to be held in the first week of April this year. The annual fair is held at Madhavpur Ghed in Porbandar district and the Mela this year will commence on 2nd April, a day after the Ram Navami festival.

About the Mela

• The Madhavpur Mela of Gujarat shares its connection to the Mishmi Tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. The Mishmi Tribe traces its ancestry to the legendary King Bhishmak and through him to his daughter Rukmini and Lord Krishna. The festival celebrates the immortal journey which Rukmini undertook from Arunachal Pradesh to Gujarat with Lord Krishna. Bhismaknagar, located near Roing in the Lower Dibang Valley district, also finds mention in Kalika Purana.
• The week-long ‘Utsav’ will see a vibrant cultural trail of art, dance, music, poetry, story-telling and folk drama from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur and the other North-Eastern States to integrate the rich cultures of the two regions.
• Madhavpur Ghed, a small but culturally significant village, is the place where, according to folklore, Lord Krishna married Rukmini, the daughter of King Bhishmaka. Madhavpur lies on the seashore, close to Porbandar. A 15th-century Madhavrai temple marks the site. This event is commemorated by a cultural fair held every year, commencing on Ram Navami. A colorful chariot carrying the idol of Lord Krishna circumnavigates the village and the festivities usually continue for five days.
• Madhavpur Mela this year will witness magnificent folk cultural performances from the North-East, especially Arunachal Pradesh and Manipur. Troupes from Assam will perform Rukmini-Haran, a popular folk theatre of the region. A musical troupe from Manipur will sing songs related to Rukmini in the Khullong Ishei and Nat genŕe.  Dance-dramas based on Rukmini-Krishna legends from Arunachal and Manipur and folk dance of the Idu Mishmi tribe from Arunachal will be part of the varied repertoire.
• An exposition and sale of art and crafts of Gujarat and handloom and handicrafts products from Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, and other North-Eastern states will be part of the event. A Visual Art Exhibition on Krishna and Rukmini put together by different institutions of Ministry of Culture like the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Manav Sangrahalaya highlighting the variegated legends of Krishna and Rukmini will be the main attraction.

5) Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited for setting up the North-East Natural Gas Pipeline Grid

The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval as under:

• The North East Gas Grid project of Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited with viability Gap Funding/ Capital Grant at 60% of the estimated cost of Rs 9265 crore (Including interest during construction). Quantum of VGF would be capped at 60% of estimated project cost and would not be linked with upward capital cost variation.
• MoPNG shall identify milestones for major activities for this project and link the same for releases of the capital grant of the project.
• For effective monitoring of the project implementation, a Committee comprising of officials from Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas, Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Development of North East Region, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change, and Department of Fertilizers, may be formed, which would periodically review the progress in implementation of the project and take steps to smoothen out any issues in execution.

About the Project and its benefit

• The total length of the pipeline is 1656 KM and the tentative project cost is Rs 9265 crore. As per the plan, Gas Pipeline Grid would be developed in the eight states of the North-Eastern region i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
• The Capital Grant will provide natural gas supplies to various types of consumers viz. Industrial, PNG(Domestic),  CNG  (Transport), etc.   and would immensely help in substituting the liquid fuels. The pipeline grid would ensure reliability and uninterrupted natural gas supplies to the consumers which otherwise gets severely affected due to various reasons in this part of the country.
• Availability of Natural gas across the region is expected to boost industrial growth without impacting the environment and would offer a better quality of life to the people in general due to the use of cleaner and green fuel

Socio-Economic and Environmental Benefits

• Development of industrial climate in eight states of the north-eastern region i.e. Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
• Reduction in the usage of kerosene, wood, etc. due to an increased usage of environment-friendly fuel natural gas thereby improving the environment in the region.
• Improvement in the standard of living of peoples living in the region.
• It will boost Exploration & Production activities and connect regional gas sources with pipeline network for early monetization of natural resources in the region.
• The possibility of installing bottling plants for LPG can be explored for reducing transportation costs. Uninterrupted supply of LPG and other value-added products can be ensured in the region which will bring energy security to the people in the area.

Background:

• To usher in Gas based economy and to increase the share of natural gas in country's primary energy mix, Government is taking focused steps viz. enhancing domestic gas production, expeditious development of gas infrastructure including pipelines, City Gas Distribution (CGD) networks, and Re-gasified Liquefied Natural Gas (R-LNG) Terminals as well as development of Gas market by providing open access to gas infrastructure.
• Indradhanush Gas Grid Limited (IGGL), a joint venture company of five CPSEs (IOCL, ONGC, GAIL, OIL, and NRL) has been incorporated on 10.08.2018 to develop and operate Natural gas pipeline grid in North-East region. Petroleum & Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) has also issued provisional authorization to IGGL on 14.09.2018 for the development of the North-East gas pipeline grid.

6)  India and Mongolia on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful and Civilian Purposes

The Union Cabinet, chaired by the Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, has given its approval for an Agreement between Government of the Republic of India and Government of Mongolia on Cooperation in the Exploration and Uses of Outer Space for Peaceful and Civilian Purposes.

About the project 

• This Agreement shall enable pursuing the following potential interest areas of cooperation such as space science, technology and applications including remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication and satellite-based navigation; Space science and planetary exploration; use of spacecraft and space systems and ground system; and application of space technology.
• The Agreement would lead to set up a Joint Working Group, drawing members from DOS/ISRO and Communications and Information Technology Authority of the Government of Mongolia, which will further work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this Agreement.

Financial Implications

The financial arrangements to cover expenses for the co-operative activities undertaken within the framework of this Agreement will be jointly decided by the respective Participants on a case-by-case basis subject to the availability of funds.

Benefits

Cooperation with and the Government of Mongolia through this Agreement would lead to developing a joint activity in the field of application of space technologies for the benefit of humanity. Thus all sections and regions of the country will get benefited.

Implementation Strategy and Targets

The signed Agreement would lead to concluding specific implementing Arrangements and setting up of Joint Working Group, to work out the plan of action including the time-frame and the means of implementing this Agreement.

Impact

The signed Agreement will provide impetus to explore newer research activities and application possibilities in the field of remote sensing of the earth; satellite communication; satellite navigation; space science and exploration of outer space.

Background

Department of Space (DOS) and the Mongolian Ministry of Infrastructure signed an 'Agreement for cooperation in space science, technology and applications' on January 15, 2004. Apart from training of Mongolian officials on space technology application, no major cooperative activities have been taken up. When our Embassy in Mongolia was contacted for reviving the cooperation, it is understood that the Mongolian Ministry of Infrastructure is abolished and the space activities are presently handled by the Communication and Information Technology Authority (CITA) of Mongolia.

7) Operation Sankalp

•  In the backdrop of the deteriorating security situation in the Gulf region, post attacks on merchant ships in the Gulf of Oman in Jun 19, Indian Navy had commenced Maritime Security Operations, code-named Op SANKALP, in the Gulf Region on 19 Jun 19 to ensure safe passage of Indian Flag Vessels transiting through the Strait of Hormuz.
• Indian Navy warships and aircraft were deployed to establish a presence, provide a sense of reassurance to the Indian merchantmen, monitor the ongoing situation and respond to any emergent crises. One warship is presently deployed for Operation SANKALP.
• The operation is being progressed in close coordination with all stakeholders including the Ministry of Defence, Ministry of External Affairs, Ministry of Shipping, Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas and DG, Shipping. Regular Inter-Ministerial meetings have been held to review the evolving Maritime Security Situation in the Gulf region.
• Indian Navy continues to monitor the situation in the Gulf region and is maintaining a presence in the region to ensure the security of our seaborne trade and the safety of Indian Flag Merchant Vessels transiting through the region. The Indian Navy stands committed to the protection of the nation's maritime interests.

8) IP based Video Surveillance System being installed by Indian Railways at railway stations to enhance security

To enhance security at Railway stations which are major hubs of transportation, Indian Railways is in the process of installing Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS) at stations, that is, waiting halls, reservation counters, parking areas, main entrance/ exit, platforms, foot overbridges, booking offices, etc. Railway Board has approved works for the provision of a Video Surveillance System covering 983 stations over Indian Railways under Nirbhaya funds. This year a budget of Rs. 250 crore was allotted to Indian Railways from the Nirbhaya fund for installation of the video surveillance system.

About the project

RailTel, a Miniratna PSU under the Ministry of Railways, has been entrusted with the work of providing IP based VSS with video analytics and facial recognition system. To have better coverage and clearer image, four types of Full HD Cameras – Dome type (for indoor areas), Bullet type (for platforms), Pan Tilt Zoom type (for parking areas) and Ultra HD- 4k cameras (for crucial locations) are being provided. CCTV camera lives feeds are displayed on multiple screens at the Railway Protection Force (RPF) control room for monitoring. Each HD camera at the station consumes approximately 1TB of data and 4k camera consumes 4 TB data per month. The recording of the video feeds from CCTV cameras will be stored for 30 days for playback, post-event analysis and for investigation purposes. Important videos can be stored for a longer duration.

Phase 1 of the project

• In phase-I that is targeted for this year, South Western Railway (SWR) has recently commissioned Video Surveillance system (CCTV) at 6 major stations - Ballari by providing 33 Cameras, Belagavi with 36 Cameras, Vasco-Da Gama with 36 Cameras, Bengaluru Cantt with 21 Cameras, Bangarpet with 36 Cameras, Hassan with 36 Camera and at 3 Stations at Hassan, Shivamogga Town & Sathya Sai Prasanthi Nilayam, work is under progress and will be commissioned shortly. Integrated security systems comprising CCTV have already been installed at 11 stations including Bengaluru with 71 Cameras, Yesvantpur with 35 Cameras, and Mysuru with 34 Cameras. This SWR has functional CCTV at 17 locations and will complete the work in Phase-I by having CCTV functional at a total of 20 railway stations by the end of January 2020. Security personnel can monitor these cameras not only from station control rooms but also from Central Security Control Rooms located at Divisional HQ, i.e, Hubballi, Mysuru and Bengaluru.
• Internet Protocol (IP) based Video Surveillance System (VSS) has also been installed at 10 Railway stations of Western Railway namely  Bhavnagar Terminus, Udhna, Valsad, Veraval, Nagda, Navsari, Vapi, Viragam, Rajkot, Gandhidham. This Video Surveillance System is expected to ensure better security of passengers at railway stations and railway property. 

9) 10,000 camels to be killed in drought­hit Australia

• Snipers took to helicopters in Australia on Wednesday to begin a mass cull of up to 10,000 camels as drought drives big herds of the feral animals to search for water closer to remote towns, endangering indigenous communities.
• Local officials in South Australia state said “extremely large” herds have been encroaching on rural communities threatening scarce food and drinking water, damaging infrastructure, and creating a dangerous hazard for drivers.
• It comes after Australia experienced its hottest and driest year on record in 2019, with the severe drought causing some towns to run out of the water and fuelling deadly bushfires that have devastated the country's southeast.
• The five­day cull in the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands home to about 2,300 indigenous people in the northwest of South Australia is the first in the State
• These (camel) groups are putting pressure on the Aboriginal communities and the pastoral operations as the camels search for water