The Union Cabinet chaired by chaired by Prime Minister has approved the Restructuring of the Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM).
The restructuring would help in enabling the IBM to effectively discharge its function to help reform and transform the regulation of the mineral sector.
IBM was set up by the Government of India on 1st March, 1948 under the Ministry of Works, Mines and Power.
It was setup as an advisory body to help in formulation of policy and legal framework for mining sector and advising Central and State Governments on development and utilization of mineral resources.
The objective of the IBM is to promote systematic and scientific development and optimum utilization of mineral resources of the country (both on-shore and off-shore).
From a small beginning as a purely advisory body, the IBM has emerged into a premier national organization involved deeply into the various aspects of the mineral industry.
Sloth Bear Sanctuaries
Sloth bears have been distributed across India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Nepal and Bhutan.
The largest population in the world can be found in India.
In the country, they are spread across several States, including Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chattisgarh, Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Gujarat and Rajasthan.
The animals have been declared “vulnerable” by the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
Ratanmahal Sloth Bear Sanctuary (1)
Located in the Dahod district of Gujarat.
It lies on Gujarat’s border with Madhya Pradesh and the actual habitat of the bear extends into this neighboring State.
The tree called mahuda locally and a favourite of the sloth bears is found in abundance in the region.
Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary(2)
Located in Banaskantha district of Gujarat
The sanctuary spans over 180 sq.km. Of forest tracts of Jessore hill and adjoining areas.
In addition to sloth bears, the region shelters a variety of rare and endangered species of flora and fauna
Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary(3)
Daroji is located near Hampi in Karnataka’s Ballari district.
it is situated within the Bilikallu reserve forest.
Green Revolution — Krishonnati Yojana
The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs has given its approval for the Umbrella Scheme, "Green Revolution – Krishonnati Yojana" in agriculture sector beyond 12th Five Year Plan.
The Umbrella scheme comprises of 11 Schemes/Missions
Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture aims to promote holistic growth of horticulture sector.
National Food Security Mission (NFSM), including National Mission on Oil Seeds and Oil Palm (NMOOP), aims to increase production of rice, wheat, pulses, coarse cereals and commercial crops, through area expansion and productivity enhancement.
National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA) aims at promoting sustainable agriculture practices best suitable to the specific agro-ecology.
Submission on Agriculture Extension (SMAE) aims to strengthen the ongoing extension mechanism of State Governments, local bodies etc., achieving food and nutritional security.
Sub-Mission on Seeds and Planting Material (SMSP) aims to increase production of certified / quality seed, to increase SRR, to upgrade the quality of farm saved seeds.
Sub-Mission on Agricultural Mechanization (SMAM) aims to increase the reach of farm mechanization to small and marginal farmers and to the regions where availability of farm power is low.
Sub Mission on Plant Protection and Plan Quarantine (SMPPQ) aims to minimize loss to quality and yield of agricultural crops from the ravages of insect pests, diseases, weeds, nematodes, rodents, etc.
Integrated Scheme on Agriculture Census, Economics and Statistics (ISACES) aims to undertake the agriculture census, study of the cost of cultivation of principal crops etc.,
Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Cooperation (ISAC) aims to provide financial assistance for improving the economic conditions of cooperatives, remove regional imbalances.
Integrated Scheme on Agricultural Marketing (ISAM) and National e-Governance Plan (NeGP-A) are the other two schmes under it.
Glow-in-the-dark algae
Scientists study bioluminescence phenomenon in northern Arabian Sea.
The glow is caused by Noctiluca algae, commonly known as sea tinkle,
It is a parasite and occurs in patches or ‘blooms’ in the northern Arabian Sea.
Their bioluminescence has earned them the name ‘sea sparkle’.
These patches ring an alarm bell for ecologists because the algae compete with fish for food and choke their supply.
Researchers from the Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services (INCOIS) and the U.S.’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration say that “global warming conditions” may be be responsible.
INCOIS is a Ministry of Earth science body.
WHO’s report on air pollution
More than 90 percent of the global population is breathing in high levels of pollutants according to the World Health Organization.
Poor air quality is the reason for some seven million deaths annually.
Most of the deaths linked to air pollution occur in low-or middle-income countries, mainly in Asia and Africa.
PM2.5 includes toxins like sulphate and black carbon.
They pose the greatest health risks as they can penetrate deep into the lungs or cardiovascular system.
They can cause diseases like strokes, heart disease, lung cancer and respiratory infections such as pneumonia.
More than 40 percent of the global population still does not have access to clean cooking fuels and technologies in their homes.
The use of dirty cooking fuel, like burning charcoal, is a major source of household air pollution, which is estimated to cause some 3.8 million premature deaths each year.
