Dholes
- The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP), running a conservation breeding centre for the Dholes (Indian wild dogs), plans to reintroduce a pack of 16 into the forests.
- The pack should be genetically strong and have the basic instinct to hunt.
- If the Rs 1.5-crore conservation project works, it will be the third such zoo effort for the recovery and long-term survival of an endangered species.
- Earlier, Darjeeling’s Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park had a programme for the red panda and a Pygmy Hog Conservation Programme was undertaken in Assam.
- Protected under Schedule 2 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 and listed as ‘endangered’ by the IUCN, the dhole was adopted by IGZP in 2014 under the Central Zoo Authority’s mandate.
- Dholes, with a cinnamon-coloured coat, bushy tail and an alert gaze, are aggressive pack predators, covering long distances on a hunt.
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme
- Job opportunities under the PMEGP fell over 9.5% year-on-year to 3.2 lakh in FY16 from more than 3.5 lakh in FY15, according to Assocham.
- The PMEGP is an effective scheme aimed at reducing unemployment and generating sustainable employment opportunities in rural and urban India.
- It is a central sector scheme launched in 2008-09 by merging Prime Minister’s Rozgar Yojana (PMRY) and Rural Employment Generation Programme (REGP) schemes. KVIC is the Nodal Agency at National Level.
- Objectives: To generate continuous and sustainable employment opportunities in Rural and Urban areas of the country
- To provide continuous and sustainable employment to a large segment of traditional and prospective artisans, rural and urban unemployed youth in the country through setting up of micro enterprises.
- To facilitate participation of financial institutions for higher credit flow to micro sector.
Genetic secrets of the tea tree
- Scientists have unlocked the genome of the tea tree, which may help explain why tea leaves are rich in antioxidants and caffeine, and how they produce so many flavours.
- The most popular varieties of tea — all come from the leaves of the evergreen shrub Camellia sinensis, otherwise known as the tea tree.
- The researchers found that the leaves of the tea plant contain high levels of chemicals that give tea its distinctive flavour. They include flavonoids and caffeine.
- Six main types of tea are produced from Camellia sinensis - white, yellow, green, oolong, black and post-fermented. Each has its own aroma, taste and appearance.
- The distinctive flavours of these teas are created by their different chemical compositions.
- The genetic knowledge could lead to ways to improve the quality and price of tea, by selective breeding of tea plants.
SAMPADA
- The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, has given its approval for re-structuring the schemes of the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI) under new Central Sector Scheme – SAMPADA (Scheme for Agro-Marine Processing and Development of Agro-Processing Clusters) for the period 2016-20 coterminous with the 14th Finance Commission cycle.
- The objective of SAMPADA is to supplement agriculture, modernize processing and decrease agri-waste.
- It is a comprehensive package to give a renewed thrust to the food processing sector in the country.
- The implementation of SAMPADA will result in creation of modern infrastructure with efficient supply chain management from farm gate to retail outlet.
Extra Neutral Alcohol
- The Patna High Court has recently set aside the Bihar government’s decision to ban production of Extra Neutral Alcohol (ENA) by several distillery and liquor companies in the State.
- The court observed that the government had no right to ban production of ENA as it is used in various other industries apart from making liquor.
- The Extra Neutral alcohol or ENA is a high distillated alcohol without any impurities.
- ENA is mainly used in the production of potable alcohol, in the pharmaceutical industry.
- In the flavors and fragrance industry, dilute ethanol is used to produce distilled vinegar, flavour extracts and concentrates for soft drinks and food products.
