India long endurance UAV to make flying debut at Aero India Show (GS Paper 3, Science and Tech)
Why in news?
- The DRDO-developed Medium Altitude Long Endurance class unmanned aerial vehicle TAPAS-BH (Tactical Aerial Platform for Advanced Surveillance - Beyond Horizon) will make its flying debut at ‘Aero India’.
- The TAPAS-BH will showcase its capabilities and there will be static as well aerial displays.
TAPAS-BH:
- TAPAS is DRDO's solution to the tri services ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance) requirements. The UAV is capable of operating at altitudes up to 28000 feet, with an endurance of 18 plus hours.
- TAPAS-BH, which would make its first public flight, can carry a variety of payloads up to a maximum of 350 kg.
Display at ‘Aero India’:
- DRDO would display products on Aeronautical Systems, Missiles, Armaments, Electronics, Micro Electronic Devices and Computational Systems, Soldier Support Technologies, Life-sciences, Naval & Material Science amongst others.
- The DRDO pavilion will showcase over 330 products categorised into 12 zones including Combat Aircraft & UAVs, Missiles & Strategic Systems, Engine & Propulsion Systems, Airborne Surveillance Systems, and Sensors Electronic Warfare & Communication Systems, it was stated.
Wildlife enthusiasts spot 145 species during first Sundarban bird festival
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- Recently, 145 different bird species were sighted during the first Sundarban bird festival.
- The first-ever festival was organised by the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) division of West Bengal Forest Department, where six teams visited different areas inside the Sundarban Biosphere Reserve.
Key Highlights:
- The species recorded during the bird festival included 78 forest birds and 42 species of waders, raptors etc.
- The two-day exercise also recorded six species of waterfowl.
- The total number of birds spotted during the exercise was 5,065.
- Two threatened bird species of the Sundarbans, Eurasian Curlew and Lesser Sand Plover, were also spotted.
- Birders were able to spot seven of the 12 species of kingfishers found in the Sundarbans.
Threats:
- A publication by Zoological Survey of India, (ZSI) in 2021, had recorded 428 bird species in the Sundarbans which is one-third of all the avian species found in the country.
- Despite being home to so many species of birds the habitats face threats including plantation activity along the chars (river islands) which disturbs the birds, and illegal activities along chars and uninhabited islands.
Significance:
- The first-ever bird festival has provided baseline data as far as the number of bird species in the Sundarbans is concerned.
India-ASEAN approved at 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting
(GS Paper 2, International Organisation)
Why in news?
- Recently, the 3rd ASEAN Digital Ministers (ADGMIN) meeting with India was held on a virtual platform.
Details:
- In 2022, ASEAN India Friendship Year was celebrated, commemorating 30th anniversary of establishment of dialogue relations with ASEAN which culminated into ASEAN and India elevating Strategic Partnership to the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership (CSP).
- Under the theme: “Synergy Towards a Sustainable Digital Future”, the meeting had fruitful and productive discussions on strengthening India ASEAN relations in the field of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs).
India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023:
- The Ministers meeting approved the India-ASEAN Digital Work Plan 2023.
- The workplan includes the capacity building and knowledge sharing in emerging areas in the field of Information and Communication Technologies such as
- Artificial Intelligence in Cyber Security,
- Application of IoT & AI in Next Generation Smart City & Society 5.0,
- Sustainable Data and Transport Network for Future: Standards and Applications,
- 5G technologies for IoT and future trends,
- Role of ICT in implementation of Digital Health and Security protection and assessment for future network, etc.
Way Forward:
- The ongoing and proposed projects in ICTs, will strengthen collaboration between India and ASEAN by leveraging complementary strengths of each other.
