DRDO hands over AHSP of Akash Weapon System to Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (GS Paper 3, Defence)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) handed over Authority Holding Sealed Particulars (AHSP) of Akash Weapon System (Indian Army Version) to Missile Systems Quality Assurance Agency (MSQAA) in Hyderabad.
- The handing over was held at Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL) which, as a nodal agency, has designed and developed the Akash weapon system.
Akash:
- Akash is the first state-of-the-art indigenous surface-to-air missile system which has been with Armed Forces for nearly a decade defending the Indian skies and providing national security.
- It is inducted by Indian Army and Indian Air Force with order value worth Rs 30,000 crore, which is one of the largest single system orders for indigenous missile system.
Way Forward:
- The transfer process will enable the roadmap for future missile systems, which are under production.
5 Bihar villages to be developed into human carnivore coexistence zone
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- Five villages of the Valmiki Tiger Reserve in West Champaran district of Bihar will be developed into a model human-carnivore coexistence zone.
Objective:
- The objective of the project is to end the human-carnivore conflict in the Valmiki-Chitwan-Parsa transboundary landscape.
Stakeholders:
- The state government will join hands with the Wildlife Trust of India, a Nepalese organisation and a UK-based zoo for the project.
- The WTI, National Trust for Nature Conservation (NTNC-Nepal) and Chester Zoo (UK) had jointly applied for the project and sought a letter of support from the Environment, Forest and Climate Change Department.
Human-wildlife conflict:
- The Chester Zoo has been actively working on human-wildlife conflict worldwide for the last several years, including in Terai in Nepal, where human-tiger conflict is a matter of concern.
- Human-wildlife conflict is among the most severe threats to many species around the world.
- The project will focus on community engagement, develop methods to reduce livestock depredation and alter village practices and behavioral issues.
- The three-year initiative will start in 2023.
Valmiki Tiger Reserve:
- The Valmiki Tiger Reserve was recently in news as a man-eater tiger that had killed nine people and scores of domestic animals, was shot dead in October 2022.
- The reserve plays a critical role in maintaining genetically robust populations of tigers.
- The forest corridors between India and Nepal are extensively used by tigers and other large mammals.
Tiger population in Bihar:
- The state government has taken several measures to protect the habitats of the big cats and conserve its population based on the National Tiger Conservation Authority's guidelines.
- The tiger population of the state jumped by over 50 per cent between 2014 and 2018, from 32 to around 50.
Indias Greenhouse in a box wins Prince Williams Earthshot Prize 2022
(GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- India’s Greenhouse-in-a-box was among the five winners announced by the Prince of Wales, Prince William, in Boston, United States.
Details:
- It is a sustainable solution for small-scale farmers developed by an Indian startup, Kheyti, in Telangana which has won one million pounds ($1.2 million).
- Kheyti won the prize in the Protect and Restore Nature category which saw hundreds of entries from across the world.
Greenhouse-in-a-box:
- Kaushik Kappagantuluof Kheyti, had launched the solution for at least 100 million local smallholder farmers who are most impacted by climate change.
- The aim of greenhouse-in-a-box is to reduce costs and increase yields which in turn would help protect the livelihoods of these farmers.
- This simple solution has bigger implications than the Greenhouse-in-a-box, which can grow crops while offering them shelter from unpredictable elements including destructive pests.
- The plants in this greenhouse require 98 per cent less water while the yield is seven times higher than those grown outside. Furthermore, it also costs 90 per cent less than an average greenhouse.
Other winner from India:
- Among the 15 finalists, there was another Indian project named Fleather, developed by Founder and CEO Ankit Agarwal’s Phool which is based in the state of Uttar Pradesh.
- The project began with the aim to clean up India’s holiest river Ganges and eventually they were able to collect flowers dispensed into the river and turn them into sustainable leather called Fleather.
About ‘Eco Oscars’:
- Founded by Prince William, this was the second edition of the Earthshot prize which has also been dubbed the ‘Eco Oscars’ and witnessed the presence of several celebrities who walked the green carpet.
Maharashtra first state with Divyang department
(GS Paper 2, Social Justice)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Maharashtra Chief Minister has announced the setting up of a separate Divyang department for the welfare of differently-abled people with a fund allocation of Rs 1,143 crore.
Key Highlights:
- The government has created 2,063 posts for the new department which will formulate policies for the welfare of the disabled by taking into consideration views of the stakeholders.
- The sections looking into issues of Divyang (differently-abled) people under the Social Justice and Special Assistance department will be clubbed to form the new Divyang Welfare Department,.
- Welfare activities of Divyang people like education, training, and rehabilitation were so far taken care of by the state social justice department.
Way Forward:
- Maharashtra is the first State in the country to have a separate Ministry for the disabled that aims to ensure the welfare of the disabled and effective implementation of various government schemes for them.
