JHARKHAND
PLANT AND ANIMAL LIFE of Jharkhand
More than one-fourth of Jharkhand’s land area is forested. Most forests occur on the Chota Nagpur plateau; those on the plain largely have been cleared to allow cultivation of the land. The natural vegetation is deciduous forest; Chota Nagpur is rich in sal (Shorea robusta), a valuable hardwood. Other trees include the asan (Terminalia tomentosa), the leaves of which provide food for the silkworms of the sericulture industry, as well as several trees that are important in the production of lac (a resinous substance used to make varnishes).
The tree locally known as mahua (Madhuca longifolia) yields sweet edible flowers that are used to make liquor. Bamboo and bhabar (an Indian fibre grass; Ischaemum angustifolium) from Chota Nagpur supply raw materials for paper manufacture. Among the other common trees, most of which are found in the plain, are the banyan (Ficus benghalensis), Bo tree (or pipal; Ficus religiosa), and palmyra palm (Borassus flabellifer).
The Hazaribag Wildlife Sanctuary is noted for its Bengal tigers. These endangered animals, along with leopards, elephants, and bears, inhabit only the more remote forests. Various species of small mammals, birds, reptiles, and fish are plentiful throughout the state.
INTERNATIONAL
Nomura Expects India to be fastest growing Asian economy in 2021 at 9.9%
The Japanese research and brokerage house Nomura has projected India to be the fastest growing Asian economy in 2021.
Nomura has estimated the gross domestic product (GDP) growth of India for the calendar year 2021 (CY21) at 9.9%.
For calendar year 2020 (CY20), Nomura expects GDP growth at-7.1 percent.
Apart from this, the Nomura expects GDP at -8.2 percent in FY21, and 11.9 percent in FY22.
UNESCO to launch international prize in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib
UNESCO has decided to launch an international prize in the field of ‘creative economy’ in the name of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
Starting November 2021, the dollar 50 thousand award will be given away once in two years for global economic initiatives of the youth.
The international award will create a knowledge-sharing mechanism by capturing, celebrating and communicating best practice in the development of creative entrepreneurship.
UNESCO has declared 2021 as ‘International Year of Creative Economy for Sustainable Development’.
Currently, there are 23 UNESCO International Awards in the name of international celebrities and organisations.
NATIONAL
Handicraft and GI Toys exempted from Quality Control Order
Centre has exempted Handicraft and Geographical Indications toys from Quality Control Order.
Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade mentioned this exemption in Toys (Quality Control) Second Amendment Order, 2020.
Quality control order was issued by the Department for standardization and quality adherence of Toys and the order will come into effect from 1st January next year.
This order aims to bring forward the synergized efforts of the centre, states and the stakeholders to promote ‘Team up for toys’ vision keeping quality standards of the indigenous toys as the priority.
BSE launches e-agricultural spot market platform ‘BEAM’
BSE Ltd. has launched an electronic spot platform, BSE E-Agricultural Markets Ltd (BEAM) , for agricultural commodities through its subsidiary BSE Investments Ltd.
BEAM will function as a national level, institutionalised, electronic, transparent commodity spot trading platform in line with the Prime Minister’s vision to create a single market.
With the help of BEAM, farmers in one state will be able to reach out to markets in other states and auction their produce.
The farmers will be able to discover best prices for their produce based on the quality, as well as build capacity to help intermediaries, processors and exporters procure from states.
Ministry Of Tourism Organized A Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series
The Ministry of Tourism organized a webinar about “Birding in India” under the Dekho Apna Desh webinar series.
The Ministry of Tourism has launched the “DekhoApnaDesh” webinar series in order to provide information about the many destinations and the depth and breadth of India’s incredible culture and heritage.
It aims to showcase the rich diversity of India under the leadership of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.
It will be available on the Ministry’s social media handles- Incredible India on Instagram and Facebook.
It established a technical partnership with the National e-Governance Department of the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
Helpage India Has Been Presented The UN Population Award
HelpAge India won the 2020 UN Population Award in the Institution category. The Queen Mother of Bhutan, Gyalyum Sangay Choden Wangchuck, won the 2020 UN Population Award for Individuals for her work on sexual health and the elimination of gender-based violence.
Every year, the United Nations Population Award Committee recognizes individuals or institutions for their outstanding contributions to population and reproductive health problems and solutions.
The award was first established in 1981 by the General Assembly and was first awarded in 1983. The award includes a gold medal, a diploma and a currency award.
It is India’s leading charity organization, working with disadvantaged seniors and serving them for nearly 40 years. It was established in 1978 and was registered under the Association Registration Act of 1860.
This is the first time in the history of the United Nations Population Award that this honour has been awarded to an institution in India.