The Belmont Forum, created in 2009, is a high level group of the world's major funders of global environmental change research and international science councils.
It provides an opportunity to identify, study and deliver international environmental research priorities.
India is a member of Belmont Forum, besides Australia, Brazil, Canada, European Commission, France, Germany, Japan, Netherland, South Africa, UK and USA etc.
Ministry of Earth Science represents India in the Belmont Forum since 2012.
In order to coordinate the activities of the Belmont, a Full time Secretariat is hosted by one of the Belmont forum member on rotational basis.
National French Research Agency (ANR), France is hosting the Secretariat from January, 2015 to December, 2017.
Recently, India has approved the collaborative agreement with ANR France for supporting the Belmont Forum Secretariat from 2015 to 2017.
Mahatma Bunker Bima Yojana
The Scheme is implemented by Ministry of Textiles.
The objective of the scheme is to provide insurance cover to handloom weavers in case of natural death (Rs. 60,000/-), accidental death (Rs.1,50,000/-), total disability (Rs.1,50,000/-) and partial disability (Rs. 75,000/-).
In addition to above, a scholarship of Rs.300/- per quarter per child is available to students studying in standards IX to XII. The benefit is restricted to two children of the member covered.
Water Management Index
The index is developed by Niti Aayog.
The index acts as a useful tool to assess and further improve the performance in efficient management of water resources.
The Index has 28 key Performance Indicators covering irrigation status, drinking water and other water-related sectors.
Niti Aayog will prepare the index for States/Union Territories from the current financial year (2017-18).
The index would provide useful information for the States and Central Ministries enabling them to formulate and implement suitable strategies for better management of water resources.
