Human-Elephant Conflict

Why in NEWS?

• The Environment Minister said that India is committed to the cause of saving Elephants and other animals and is working towards robust, practical and cost-effective solutions to end the Human-Animal Conflict.

About

• “To manage conflicts and avoid loss of valuable lives of both the humans & elephants, it is important to strengthen the human-elephant coexistence”, said the Minister while releasing a booklet on “Best practices of Human-Elephant Conflict Management in India” during the event organised on the eve of World Elephant Day. World Elephant Day is celebrated every year on 12th August.
• Shri Javadekar stressed on the need of capacity building and training of forest staff.

Surakhsya Portal

• Environment Ministry also launched beta version of a portal on Human-Elephants Conflict. The National Portal was launched during the celebration of international annual event World Elephant Day.
• The National Portal on human elephant conflict called “Surakhsya” for collection of real time information & also for managing the conflicts on a real time basis will help to set the data collection protocols, data transmission pipelines and data visualization tools to enable policy-makers to leverage HEC data for policy formulation and for preparation of Action Plans for mitigation of conflicts.
• At present the beta version of the portal is being launched for data testing before the pan India roll out for adoption by the states, which is likely to be done before year end.

World Elephant Day

• It is observed on August 12 every year to spread worldwide awareness for the conservation and protection of elephants from the numerous threats they face.
• It was launched on August 12, 2012, to bring attention to the urgent plight of Asian and African elephants.
• Escalation of poaching, habitat loss, human-elephant conflict and mistreatment in captivity are some common threats to both African and Asian elephants.

Project Elephant

• The Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by the Ministry of Environment and Forest.
• The project aims to provide financial and technical support to wild life management. It aims to make sure long-term survival of elephant populations in the natural habitats.
• The project also supports research in management of elephants and providing veterinary care and also conservation among local people.

Finance Minister launches an Online Dashboard for the National Infrastructure Pipeline

IN NEWS

• Union Minister for Finance & Corporate Affairs Smt. Nirmala Sitharaman inaugurated the National Infrastructure Pipeline (NIP) Online Dashboard here today through video conferencing.

ABOUT

• The online dashboard is envisaged as a one stop solution for all stakeholders looking for information on infrastructure projects in New India.
• The dashboard is being hosted on the India Investment Grid (IIG) (www.indiainvestmentgrid.gov.in). IIG is an interactive and dynamic online platform that showcases updated & real-time investment opportunities in the country.
• NIP will provide a boost to the vision of an Aatma Nirbhar Bharat. The availability of NIP projects on IIG will ensure easy accessibility to updated project information and attract investors for PPP projects.

PURPOSE

• NIP is a first-of-its-kind initiative to provide world-class infrastructure across the country and improve the quality of life for all citizens.
• NIP will improve project preparation, attract investments (both domestic & foreign) into infrastructure, and will be crucial for attaining the target of becoming a $5 trillion economy by FY 2025.
• NIP covers both economic and social infrastructure projects- based on the updated Harmonized Master List of Infrastructure.

INDIA INVESTMENT GRID (IIG)

• India Investment Grid is an interactive and dynamic online platform to showcase the best of investment opportunities in India to the global investor community.
• Developed and managed by Invest India, the National Investment Promotion and Facilitation Agency. IIG allows investors to:

• Search a pan-India database for investment opportunities across sectors
• Track the progress of preferred projects and indicate interest
• Directly communicate with project promoters

Defence Minister Launches Various Initiatives of DPSUS & OFB

IN NEWS

• Defence Minister launched the initiatives of a number of modernisation and up-gradation of facilities as also new infrastructure creation by Defence Public Sector Undertakings (DPSUs) and Ordnance Factory Board (OFB) through digital link in New Delhi.
• It was part of the of the Atmanirbhar Week celebration of the Ministry of Defence.

ABOUT

• The ban on imports of 101 defence items is a big step towards an Atma Nirbhar Bharat. This list of negative items contains not only small items but weapon systems of high and critical technology.
• Government has made timely and thoughtful interventions during Covid-19 times like issuing negative list for import, increase in FDI limits, separate budget for domestic capital procurement and emphasis on indigenization.
• Defence industry has always been the forerunner of cutting-edge technologies world across and hence self-reliance in Defence is a tall task which needs whole hearted involvement of all to be fruitful.

INITIATIVE FOR ATMA NIRBHAR BHARAT

• Pinaka Rocket Complex at Ordnance Factory Chanda has launched Upgradation of facilities to meet the enhanced requirement of Pinaka.
• BEL has launched fully indigenised Maareech Integration facility for manufacturing, integration and testing of Anti Torpedo Defence System Maareech which has been designed by DRDO.
• HAL has handed over the 500th AL-31FP overhauled engine to the IAF which are mounted on its most lethal frontline fighter aircraft Su-30MKI. It has been done by the Koraput Division of HAK.
• BEML has set up Industrial Design Centre at Bengaluru as part of its new infrastructure creation.
• GRSE has enhanced the capability at its Raja Bagan Dockyard to meet the production requirement for the ongoing prestigious P17A project
• MIDHANI under its Corporate Social Responsibility & Sustainable Development Policy has set up a state-of-the-art Skill Development Center

CONCLUSION

• India is on way for Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan and 5-I formula of ‘Intent, Inclusion, Investment, Infrastructure and Innovation’ that will put the economy on high growth trajectory.
• The spirit demonstrated by the DPSUs and OFB will usher the nation in a quantum jump to a resilient, Aatmanirbhar economy.

Submarine Cable Connectivity Project

Why in NEWS?

• PM Modi launches submarine optical fibre cable connecting Andaman & Nicobar Islands with mainland.

About Submarine Cable Project

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated Submarine Optical Fibre Cable Connectivity between Chennai and Andaman and Nicobar Islands via video conferencing, in New Delhi, on August 10, 2020, which will make islands digitally independent.
• 2300 Km of submarine optical fibres cable (OFC) have been laid down which is completed before the deadline of the project.
• The fibre will connect Chennai and Port Blair and seven other islands.
• The connectivity project was funded by the Centre through the Universal Service Obligation Fund under the Ministry of Communications.
• It was executed by Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) and Telecommunications Consultants India Limited (TCIL) was the technical consultant.
• The cable would bring new opportunities for the islands’ residents and would give residents of the islands faster Internet connection.

Andaman and Nicobar Island

• The Indian Ocean and the Andaman & Nicobar Islands had been important centres for trade and strategic cooperation.
• The Andaman & Nicobar Islands had an important role to play in India’s “Act East” policy.
• This archipelago is composed of 265 big and small islands (203 Andaman Islands + 62 Nicobar Islands).
• Island extend from 6° 45′ N to 13° 45′ N and from 92° 10′ E to 94° 15′ E for a distance of about 590 km.
• Andaman Islands are divided into three main islands i.e. North, Middle and South.
• Duncan passage separates Little Andaman from South Andaman.
• The Great Andaman group of islands in the north is separated by the Ten Degree Channel from the Nicobar group in the south.
• Port Blair, the capital of Andaman Nicobar Islands lies in the South Andaman.
• Among the Nicobar Islands, the Great Nicobar is the largest. It is the southernmost island and is very close to Sumatra island of Indonesia. The Car Nicobar is the northernmost.
• The Barren and Narcondam islands, north of Port Blair, are (only active volcano of India) volcanic islands.
• Saddle peak (737 m) in North Andaman is the highest peak.
• PM has declared that the Islands will be developed as a "maritime and startup hub’’.