BIHAR
In a first, Bihar to set up bird monitoring, ringing station
Bihar government is soon going to set up ‘bird monitoring and ringing station’ with a view to tracking their routes, giving them a safe haven for breeding and ensuring protection of migratory birds.
The department of environment, forest and climate change (DEFCC) is soon going to sign an MoU with Mumbai-based Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) for setting up the centre. DEFCC sources said the Bihar centre would be fourth in the country. The three other centres are in Tamil Nadu, Bharatpur (Haryana) and Chilika lake (Odisha).
The BNHS, established on September 15, 1883, is one of the largest non-governmental organisation engaged in biodiversity conservation and biodiversity research.
The DEFCC would either set up the station at Bhagalpur or Jamui. Besides, there would be camp stations at Jamui, Kanwar lake (Begusarai), Kusheshwarstan (Darbhanga) and Valmikinagar (West Champaran).
Bihar has a total of 133 wetlands that have area of more than 100 hectare. Of all the identified districts, Vaishali has highest number of wetlands of 14.
The Bombay Natural History Society had carried bird ringing studies and bird banding in Bihar in 1980s and 1990s.
The studies have shed light on the connectivity of wetlands in Bihar along the long-distance bird migratory route.
Many wetlands in Bihar act as winter sites for the migratory birds.
INTERNATIONAL
World’s 1st fully electric commercial aircraft takes inaugural test flight in Canada
Signifying the start of the electric aviation age, the world’s first fully-electric commercial aircraft took its inaugural test flight, in Vancouver, Canada.
The technology would mean significant cost savings for airlines, not to mention zero emissions.
The range is enough to start the revolution, adding that batteries and electric motors will eventually be developed to power longer flights.
The company designed the plane’s motor and worked in partnership with Harbour Air.
India among top 10 countries with higher climate performance
India, for the first time, ranks among the top 10 in this year’s Climate Change Performance Index (CCPI) released at the COP25 climate summit in Spanish capital Madrid.
The current levels of per capita emissions and energy use in India ranked 9th in the high category showing that emissions are still comparatively low.
India’s 2030 renewable energy target is rated very high for its well-below 2 degrees Celsius compatibility.
As none of the countries assessed is already on a path compatible with the Paris climate targets, the first three places of the ranking remain unoccupied.
While some EU countries such as Sweden (4th) and Denmark (5th), one of the best climbers, achieve overall high or very high ratings.
China, the largest global emitter slightly improves its ranking in the index to 30th place.
Universal Health Coverage Day: 12 December
Universal Health Coverage Day is celebrated annually on December 12 and is promoted by the World Health Organization.
This day reminds of the quality health care that people need and deserve without facing financial hardship.
December 12 is the anniversary of the first unanimous United Nations resolution calling for all nations to provide for their citizens affordable, quality health care.
The theme of Universal Health Coverage Day 2019 is “Keep the Promise”.
NATIONAL
ISRO launches earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1 from Sriharikota
The ISRO (Indian Space Research Organisation) launched its earth observation satellite, RISAT-2BR1 on PSLV-C48 from the First Launch Pad (FLP) of Satish Dhawan Space Centre, Sriharikota.
RISAT-2BR1, a Radar imaging earth observation satellite weighing about 628 kg, will be placed into an orbit of 576 km at an inclination of 37 degrees.
PSLV-C48, which is the 50th mission of PSLV, will also carry 9 customer satellites of Israel, Italy, Japan and the USA as co-passengers.
These international customer satellites are being launched under a commercial arrangement with NewSpace India Limited.
National award for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug Abuse
Department of Social Justice and Empowerment has started the scheme of National award for outstanding services in the field of Prevention of Alcoholism and Drug abuse.
The scheme is applicable to institutions and individuals working in the field of prevention of alcoholism and drug abuse.
The national award will be presented to the awardees on the occasion of International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking on 26th of June next year.
India won the 2019 South Asian Games championship
The 13th South Asian Games concluded in Nepal on 10 December 2019. India topped the championship with a medal tally of 312 medals, of which 174 gold, 93 silver, and 45 bronze. It was followed by Nepal, Sri Lanka, and Pakistan.
SAG was held for the first time in September 1984 in Kathmandu, Nepal. The games are held once every 2 years. It is held among the Asian athletes. South Asia Olympic Council (SAOC) is the governing body of SAG. The 8 members of SAG are India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Afghanistan, the Maldives, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.
Ministry of Culture Prahlad Singh Patel Indian Culture web portal
Ministry of Culture launched the Indian Culture web portal in New Delhi. It was launched by the State for Culture and Tourism (IC), Shri Prahlad Singh Patel.
The knowledge and cultural resources of various organizations of the Ministry of Culture are now available in the public domain on a single platform
This is the first government-authorized portal of such kind
The portal is a part of the Prime Minister’s Digital India initiative
It will showcase information about the rich cultural heritage of India.
This portal will host images, documents, audio-video files and other data from archives, museums, academies and libraries across India.
Information about more than 90 lakhs items are currently available in the portal.