JHARKHAND
Jharkhand’s forest cover increases marginally by 58sqkm
Jharkhand, which is known for its rich flora and fauna, has witnessed a marginal increase in its forest cover by 58.41sqkm from the previous assessment, but the tree cover has decreased by 265sqkm during the same period, according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2019.
According to the latest report, Jharkhand’s total area under forest cover now is 23,605sqkm vis-a-vis 23,553sqkm in the 2017 report, which was released last year. In terms of forest classification, out of 23,605sqkm area, 4,387sqkm are reserved forests, 19,185sqkm is protected forest and 33sqkm is unclassed forests.
The total carbon (CO) stock of the forests is 178.01 million tonnes (652.70 million tonnes of CO equivalent) which is 2.50% of total forest carbon of the country. Bamboo bearing area inside recorded forest area (Green Wash) is 4,123 sqkm, which is 2.58% of the country’s bamboo coverage, the report said.
The density of forest cover both within the recorded forest area and outside has also increased compared to 2017. The report said very dense forest (VDF) within the recorded forest area has expanded to 1,415sqkm as compared to 1,405sqkm in 2017 and moderately dense forest (MDF) has risen to 5,185sqkm which was 5,177sqkm in the last study. Similarly, VDF and MDF outside recorded forest area have also increased to 1,188sqkm and 4,502sqkm respectively as opposed to 1,193sqkm and 4,509sqkm in 2017.
INTERNATIONAL
Google searches for Operation Twist surge in India
Google searches for Operation Twist surge in India. The announcement came after the central bank announced its version of the U.S. Federal Reserve unconventional monetary policy. The searches for the term came from Delhi, Maharashtra.
The central bank buys long-term bonds while simultaneously selling short-term government securities to cheapen long-term borrowing and boost bank lending. The Reserve Bank of India buys longer-tenor bonds to sell for shorter debt. The Operation Twist in 2011-2012 to cheapen long-term financing and spur bank lending. It is India’s central bank that controls the issue and supply of the Indian rupee. RBI is the regulator of entire Banking in India. It plays an important part in the Development Strategy of the Government of India.
NATIONAL
India first Transgender University to come up in Uttar Pradesh
India’s first university for the transgender community will be opened in the Fazilnagar block of the Kushinagar district in Uttar Pradesh. The transgender community members will be able to get an education.
The university is being built by Akhil Bhartiya Kinnar Siksha Seva Trust (All-India transgender education service trust). The university will facilitate its members to study right from class 1 to Post Graduate (PG) and even do research and get a PhD degree. The Members of the transgender community will get an education and will be able to give a new direction to the country. From 15 January 2020. The two children who are brought up by community members will get admission and from February and March 2020 other classes will start.
Digital Radio to be launched in 2024
Centre government planning to revamp All India Radio officially known as Akashvani by introducing Digital Radio in India by 2024. The country will be technologically-equipped for it. The announcement in this regard was made by Union Information and Broadcasting (I&B) Minister Prakash Javadekar at the 2019 Akashvani Annual Awards in New Delhi.Digital Radio launched by the year 2024, there will be more clarity as the audio of digital radio. There will be four times radio stations.
It is officially known since 1956 as Akashvani, is the national public radio broadcaster of India and is a division of Prasar Bharati. It was founded on 1936.
NTPC to invest 50,000 crores for 10 GW solar capacity
NTPC planning to add 10 GW of solar energy generation capacity by 2022. An investment of ?50,000 crores to be funded mainly by green bonds.
NTPC installed renewable energy capacity of 920 MW, which constitutes mainly solar energy. It formulated a long-term plan to become a 130 GW company by 2032 with 30% non-fossil fuel or renewable energy capacity. The company will tender 2,300 MW of solar energy capacity by the end of this fiscal. NTPC plans to add 10 GW solar energy capacity assume significance in view of India’s ambitious target of having 175 GW of clean energy by 2022.
The power would set up some of its solar energy projects under a scheme to keep the tariff below the ?3-per-unit level. The company will also set up solar energy projects without long-term (25 years) power purchase agreements as it aims to sell the electricity to industrial as well as commercial consumers and also at energy exchanges. The Central Electricity Regulatory Authority approved the real-time power market and 48 sessions of half an hour each in a day to allow consumers to get the desired power supply within an hour.
WCD Ministry invites application for Nari Shakti Puraskar for 2019
Ministry of Women and Child Development has invited applications for Nari Shakti Puraskar for the year 2019.
The National Award is given annually to individuals, groups, institutions in recognition of their exceptional work towards the cause of women empowerment, especially for vulnerable and marginalized women.
Nearly 40 Nari Shakti Puraskar will be given on International Women’s Day observed on 8th March 2020.
Union Cabinet approves creation of CDS single-point military adviser to govt
Cabinet Committee on Security (CCS) approved the chief of defence staff (CDS)point military adviser by the Kargil Review Committee in 1999. The department of military affairs headed by the CDS will be created under the defence ministry. The CCS approved the report of a high-level committee. It is headed by National Security Advisor Ajit Doval, which finalised responsibilities and the enabling framework for the CDS.
The cabinet approved the creation of defence staff. The CDS is a four-star general who will also head the department of military affairs. The CDS will be first among equals among service chiefs.
The main aim of the CDS to ensure joint manship among the three services. This includes powers to work on setting up a few theatre commands as well as allocating military assets among the services to synergise their operations. The three services coordinate their work under the framework of the Integrated Defence Staff (IDS). The CDS will act as a single-point military adviser to the prime minister and defence minister on key defence and strategic issues.