Important Points @ Glance: Part 9
1)
India, which is has emerged as world’s second largest
mobile market, is also the fifth largest producer of e-waste, discarding
roughly 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste each year, a joint study by
Assocham-KPMG says. The telecom equipment alone accounts for 12% of the
e-waste.
2)
Ministry of Power and the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) have launched India’s first integrated web
portal (www.nzeb.in) designed to promote and mainstream Net Zero Energy
Buildings (NZEB) in India. A first of its kind, the portal provides complete
information about Net Zero Energy Buildings – those that generate as much
energy as they use – as well as how to achieve near-zero energy status through
the use of efficient lighting and equipment, integration of renewable energy
technologies, and best practice design strategies. In addition, the portal
hosts the NZEB Alliance, an industry-wide body setup to drive the Indian
markets toward highly energy-efficient buildings.
3)
Lakshadweep has become the first Union Territory (UT)
to sign “24×7 Power for All” document. The document chalks out a plan to
increase solar capacity of the region from 2.15 MW to 8.45 MW. At present, 10
inhabited islands of Lakshadweep are being fed by diesel mostly. The plan also
envisions reduction of AT & C losses from current level of 21% to 6.7% till
2019 by increasing the collection efficiency up to 99 %. The ‘Power for All’
programme aims to provide each household access to electricity, 24×7 Power
supply by 2019. As on date, 22 States have already signed the ‘24×7 Power For
All’ Documents.
4)
Shrinking grasslands have become a cause of concern
for the 344-sq km Nameri Tiger Reserve (NTR) in Sonitpur district in Assam. The
latest assessment report on NTR’s predator and prey status has revealed that it
has lost nearly 50% of its grasslands between 1973 and 2011. The assessment,
carried out between 2012 and 2014, said NTR has around five to eight tigers,
with a big cat density of 1.3 to 1.5 tigers per 100 sq km. The tiger reserve is
bound by the Jia-Bhoreli river on its west and the Bor-Dikorai river on its
east. The Naduar and Balipara reserved forests in Sonitpur, which forms NTR’s
buffer zone, have also borne the brunt of encroachment over the years, leading
to a further decline of grasslands. Located on the northern part of Sonitpur,
NTR adjoins Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve. Despite its small size, it
is known for its rich flora and fauna.
5)
Gurgaon is all set to have a reserved forest zone for
black bucks. An area of 140 hectares has been allotted by the forest department
that will be the reserved forest zone for the endangered species. The area has
been sanctioned in Sarbasirpur. NCR already has a Sultanpur national park and
bird sanctuary which is providing a habitat for migratory birds. The reserve
area will be developed over a period for four years and will provide a natural
habitat for the black bucks. The animal prefers grassy plains and hot and humid
environment.
6)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit
to Meghalaya tried his hand in beating Khasi traditional drum ‘Ka Bom.’
7)
German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President
Francois Hollande recently marked the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of
Verdun. The Verdun battle was one of the longest in World War I, lasting more
than 300 days from February to December 1916, and its commemoration has come to
signify the reconciliation between Germany and France after decades of
hostility and distrust following two world wars.
8)
The trial of Spanish train Talgo, the lighter and
faster vehicle whose speed goes up to 115 km per hour, was recently conducted
between Bareilly and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, as part of the Railways’
strategy to increase the speed of trains. These trains are also energy
efficient. The Talgo train coaches are lightweight and designed in a way that
it can run on curves without decelerating the speed.
9)
Music maestro A R Rahman has been announced as the
recipient of Grand Fukuoka Prize 2016 for his outstanding contribution to Asian
culture through his music. He has been chosen for the honour alongside
Philippines’ historian Ameth R Ocampo (Academic Prize) and Yasmeen Lari from
Pakistan (Arts and Culture Prize) by the secretariat of Fukuoka prize
committee. The annual award was established by Fukuoka City, Japan, in 1990
with an aim to honour the outstanding work of individuals, groups and
organisations working to preserve and promote the unique and diverse culture of
Asia.
10)
India climbs to 41st slot on competitiveness ranking:
India has moved up three spots from last year to 41 on the IMD World
Competitiveness Scoreboard, 2016. The country’s ranking had fallen to 44 in
2015, from 35 in 2012. Hong Kong replaced the US as the world’s most
competitive economy. Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, the
Netherlands, Norway and Canada have got slots in the top 10. India’s
improvement is in sharp contrast to the sagging fortunes of other Asian
countries.
Important Points @ Glance: Part 2
Important Points @ Glance: Part 3
Important Points @ Glance: Part 4
Important Points @ Glance: Part 5
Important Points @ Glance: Part 6
Important Points @ Glance: Part 7
Important Points @ Glance: Part 8
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