Daily Current Affairs and GK | 15 March 2022

Topic: Environment and Ecology

1. Union Environment Minister released report on rejuvenation of 13 Major Rivers through Forestry Interventions.

• The rivers identified for forestry interventions include Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas, Sutlej, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, Luni, Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, and Cauvery.
• Detailed project reports (DPR) for these rivers have been prepared by the Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE), Dehradun.
• The National Afforestation and Eco-Development Board under the Environment Ministry will provide funding for rejuvenation of the identified rivers.
• These DPRs will set a target of green cover expansion for the upcoming 10 years to 20 years.
• Reduced water flow in rivers, deforestation, siltation, and shifting cultivation have been identified as most common problem for rivers.
• A total of 667 treatment and plantation models have been proposed in all 13 DPRs.
• Out of 667 treatment and plantation models, 283 treatment models are for natural landscapes, 97 treatments models are for Agriculture Landscapes and 116 treatment models are for Urban Landscapes.
• The total budget outlay of thirteen DPRs is Rs 19,342.62 crores. These DPRs will be implemented through the State Forest Departments as nodal agency.
• The largest outlay has been allocated for the Yamuna of Rs 3,869 crore and the smallest for Chenab of Rs 376 crore.
• The main objective of DPR is to contain soil erosion, recharge water table, and increase green cover.
• DPRs will focus on ecological restoration, moisture conservation, livelihood improvement, income generation, ecotourism, and spreading awareness among people.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: National News

2. India’s first ‘World Peace Center’ will be established in Gurugram.

• Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organization will set up India’s first ‘World Peace Center’ in Gurugram.
• 'World Peace Center' will work for the establishment of peace and harmony in the world.
• Programs of Peace Education will be prepared in the coordination of ancient knowledge and modern science.
• The World Peace Center will work for the mental, emotional, and character development of the people.
• Ahimsa Vishwa Bharti organization was founded by eminent Acharya Dr. Lokesh Muni to spread the message of Peace, Harmony, and Non-Violence.

Topic: National News

3. Lok Sabha Speaker addressed at the National Youth Parliament Festival in Parliament House.

• In the Central Hall of Parliament in New Delhi, Lok Sabha Speaker Shri Om Birla addressed the valedictory function of the 3rd edition of the National Youth Parliament Festival 2022.
• The third edition of the NYPF was launched in virtual mode at the district level on February 14, 2022.
• In the National Youth Parliament 2022 National Round Competition, Raageshwari Anjana of Bhopal got the first position, Siddharth Joshi of Dungarpur, Rajasthan got the second position and Amarpreet Kaur of Bathinda got the third position.
• From 23 to 27 February, 2022, more than 2.44 lakh young people around the country participated in virtual District Youth Parliaments and then to State Youth Parliaments.
• At the national level, three final winners got certificates and awards (Cash prizes of INR 2,00,000, INR 150,000, INR 100,000).
• The National Youth Parliament is a unique program that teaches young people about parliamentary procedures and democratic processes.
• NYPF is based on the Prime Minister's proposal from his Mann Ki Baat Address on December 31, 2017.
• The first edition of NYPF was held from January 12 to February 27, 2019.

(Source: PIB)

Topic: Important Days

4. World Consumer Rights Day 2022: 15 March

• Every year on March 15, World Consumer Rights Day is commemorated.
• The aim of this day is to ensure consumers' rights are honored and to protect them from unfair market malpractices.
• The theme of World Consumer Rights Day 2022 is ‘Fair Digital Finance’.
• In 2019, the Government has constituted the Consumer Protection Act, 2019 by replacing the old 1986 act to protect the interest of consumers and timely settlement of disputes.
• World Consumer Rights Day was first celebrated in 1983.
• Every year on 24 December, India commemorates National Consumer Day.
• Consumers International:
  • Consumers International is an organization for consumer groups around the world.
  • It was founded on 1 April 1960.
  • Headquarters: London, United Kingdom
  • Director-General: Helena Leurent

Topic: Books and Authors

5. Abhay K's poem 'Monsoon' published by Sahitya Akademi.

• On the occasion of its 68th anniversary, Sahitya Akademi has published a poem titled "Monsoon".
• Indian poet-diplomat Abhay K has written this poem.
• Monsoon is a poem of 150 verses of 4 lines that depicts journey of Monsoon.
• Sahitya Akademi:
  • The Sahitya Akademi was founded on March 12, 1954.
  • Satyajit Ray designed its logo, and Pt. Jawaharlal Nehru served as the organization's first President.
  • The first book published by the Academy was Bhagwan Buddha by D.D. Koshambi in 1956.

Topic: Government Schemes and Initiatives

6. ISRO introduced ‘Young Scientist' Program for Class 11 students.

• “YUva VIgyani KAryakram” (YUVIKA) or “Young Scientist Programme” is being organized by the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO) as a special program for school children.
• The goal of the program is to teach young people about space technology, space science, and space applications.
• The objective of this program is to select 150 students across the country who are studying in class 11.
• The residential programme YUVIKA-2022 will last two weeks, from May 16 to May 28. The program will be organized at five ISRO centers.
• ISRO had started this program in 2019. 

Topic: National News

7. First drone school of Madhya Pradesh and Himachal Pradesh inaugurated in Gwalior and Kangra respectively.

• Civil Aviation Minister Jyotiraditya Scindia and MP Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan inaugurated the first drone school of Madhya Pradesh in Gwalior.
• During the first drone Mela held at Gwalior in December 2021, Aviation Minister announced that five drone schools will be opened in Madhya Pradesh at Gwalior, Bhopal, Indore, Jabalpur and Satna.
• These drone schools will help in creating an ecosystem for drone operations in India.
• Madhya Pradesh is one of the leading states in the use of drone technology.
• In March 2022, an MoU was signed between Department of Technical Education, HP and Indira Gandhi Rashtriya Udan Akademi (IGRUA) to establish the first drone pilot school at ITI Shahpur, Kangra, Himachal Pradesh.
• Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Jai Ram Thakur also inaugurated the first Drone Pilot school of the state at ITI Shahpur.
• IGRUA is an autonomous body that functions under the Ministry of Civil Aviation.
• Drone or Unmanned Ariel Vehicle is an airborne system or an aircraft operated remotely by a human or autonomously by an onboard computer. It is used in various sectors from delivering medicines/vaccines to employing them for crop assessment, spraying of insecticides, etc.
• The use of all manned or automated aerial vehicles in India is governed by Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA).
• In order to ease out drone ownership and operation for civilian drone operators, Drone Rules were issued by the Ministry of Civil Aviation in August 2021.

Topic: Indian Polity

8. Ganesh Gaonkar and Rajen Singh took oath as Pro-tem Speaker of Goa assembly and Manipur assembly respectively.

• Ganesh Gaonkar has won the recent election from Sanvordem Assembly Seat.
• Ganesh Gaonkar and Rajen Singh were administered oath by Governor of Goa P S Sreedharan Pillai and Governor of Manipur La Ganesan respectively.
• In the recent elections held in Goa, BJP had won 20 seats out of 40 assembly seats.
• In Manipur, BJP had won 32 seats out of 60 seats.
• Article 180 (1) gives power to the Governor to appoint a pro-term speaker in case the chair of the Speaker falls vacant and there is no Deputy speaker to fill his position.
• Pro-tem Speaker:
  • The senior most MP/MLA is appointed as Pro-tem speaker in Lok Sabha/State Assembly by President/Governor.
  • The Pro-tem speaker is appointed to conduct the house proceedings as the post of speaker falls vacant before the first meeting of the newly elected house.
  • He/She presides over the first sitting of Lok Sabha or State Assembly and administers the oath to the newly elected MPs/MLAs.
  • He/She conducts the election of speaker and deputy speaker of the house.
  • As soon as new Speaker is elected, the term of Pro-tem speaker ends.
  • He/She also conducts the floor test in the assembly.

Topic: Environment and Ecology

9. Green sea turtle found on the shores of Maharashtra.

• A Green sea turtle has been found in the Sindhudurg district of Maharashtra. This species has been found in only two places in India.
• A local found the eggs of turtle on the shore that were confirmed as the eggs of the green turtle by Nupur Kale, a turtle researcher at the Wildlife Conservation Society at Bangalore.
• The green turtle is one of the largest sea turtles. Green turtles are found mainly in tropical and subtropical regions.
• Green turtles have been kept in the endangered category in IUCN Red List. Overharvesting of eggs, hunting of adults, caught in fishing nets, are the main threat for this species.
• The turtle is the oldest reptile and the leatherback turtle is the largest Turtle.
• Olive Ridley Turtles, green sea turtles, leathery turtle, and eastern mud turtle are found in India. They are protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.

Topic: Sports

10. Indian shuttler Pramod Bhagat won two silver, one bronze medals at Spanish Para-Badminton International.

• He has won Bronze in the mixed doubles SL3-SU5 event and Silver in the men’s singles SL3 event.
• Sukant Kadam won the Bronze medal in the Para-Badminton International 2022. Manasi Girishchandra Joshi has also won the Bronze medal.
• In another tournament, Indian shuttler Lakhshay Sen wins silver at German Open 2022.
• Lakshya Sen has become 1st Indian to won the Silver medal at the Badminton World Federation Superseries 300 German Open 2022.
• Thailand's Kunlavut Vitidsarn defeated India's Lakshya Sen in the finals.

(Source: News on AIR)

Topic: State News/Jammu and Kashmir

11. Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman presented Rs 1.42 lakh crore budget for Jammu and Kashmir for FY 2022-23 on 14 March 2022.

• On the same day, Lok Sabha passed JK Appropriation Bill, 2022 and JK Appropriation No.2 Bill 2022.
• According to the JK Appropriation Bill 2022, Rs 797.34 crore has been allocated for the general administration department and Rs 10,831.18 crore for the home department.
• Finance Minister said that 75 off beat destinations have been identified across J&K. They will be developed with proper infrastructure and requisite facilities for tourists.
• She said National Highway project between Jammu and Srinagar is being completed on a fast track basis.
• She said it will take only six hours to reach Shri Mata Vaishno Devi Shrine from Delhi with the completion of Delhi-Amritsar-Katra Expressway.
• She further said that every household will be provided tapped water connection under Jal Jeevan Mission by August 2022.
• She quoted Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy and said that unemployment rate in Jammu and Kashmir has come down from 20% in 2016 to 13.2% in late February 2022.

Topic: National News

12. India’s first Artificial Intelligence & Robotics Technology Park (ARTPARK) has been launched in Bengaluru on 14 March 2022.

• ARTPARK has been promoted by a not-for-profit foundation set up by the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) Bengaluru.
• India’s first Digital Water Bank ‘AQVERIUM’ has also been launched in Bengaluru on 14 March 2022.
• AQVERIUM is formed by AquaKraft Group Ventures, which is an enterprise focused on providing clean drinking water and sanitation.
• Minister of Information Technology – Biotechnology and Science & Technology of Karnataka, Dr. C. N. Ashwatha Narayana, launched both ARTPARK and AQVERIUM.
• He told that Indian water & sanitation market opportunity which was pegged at USD 297 billion is highly unorganized.

Topic: International News

13. US to revoke 'most favoured nation' status from Russia.

• The United States, the European Union, Britain, Canada and Japan to take away the “most favoured nation” status from Russia.
• In the US, the “most favoured nation” status is also known as permanent normal trade relations (PNTR). Only North Korea and Cuba do not enjoy the “most favoured nation” status from the US.
• United States administration will also impose higher tariffs on Russian products. The US will ban imports of Russian alcohol, seafood, and diamonds.
• The main aim of this step is to punish the Russian government for its invasion of Ukraine.
• United States will also not export luxury goods to Russia. Earlier, the United States has banned the import of Oil and energy from Russia.
• Most-favoured-nation (MFN):
  • Under the WTO agreements, countries cannot normally discriminate between their trading partners.
  • It is an economic position in which a country enjoys the best trade terms given by its trading partner.
  • It helps in reducing bureaucratic hurdles and various other taxes in the area of ​​imports. This increases the demand for goods and boosts the economy and exports.

Topic: Important Days

14. International Day of Action of Rivers: 14 March

• It is observed every year on 14 March to raise awareness about the importance of rivers.
• This day is dedicated for the conservation of rivers, river management, pollution, and equitable access to clean and flowing water.
• The theme of this year’s International Day of Action of Rivers is to highlight the importance of Rivers to Biodiversity.
• This year is being observed as the 25th anniversary of the International Day of Action for Rivers.
• The International Day of Action for Rivers was started by the first meeting of people affected by major dams in Brazil in 1997.
• World Rivers Day is celebrated on the fourth Sunday of September.

(Source: News on AIR)