Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 02 March 2024 | Download PDF

• The Union Environment Ministry of India plans to establish and coordinate an International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA). 
• This initiative, approved by the Cabinet, is similar to the International Solar Alliance.

Key points:

• India’s global leadership in tiger conservation has been acknowledged. 
• The IBCA, which will be headquartered in India, will spearhead initiatives to share best practices in big cat conservation. India has committed ₹150 crore for this cause over the next five years.

Addressing Conservation Challenges: 

• Currently, there is no international body that addresses the conservation challenges faced by big cats across their various habitats. 
• The IBCA aims to fill this gap by replicating India’s pioneering and long-standing good practices in tiger and other big cat conservation in other countries.

Participation in the IBCA: 

• So far, 16 countries have given their written consent to join the IBCA. 
• The alliance is open to the 96 countries that are home to ‘big cats’, as well as other countries, conservation organizations, scientific organizations, businesses, and corporations interested in supporting ‘big cats’.

India is home to five out of seven big cat species: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, and Cheetah. The long-standing conservation practices in India, especially for tigers, are considered pioneering and could serve as a model for other countries.

Understanding Greenwich Mean Time (GMT): Greenwich Mean Time, the mean solar time at the Royal Observatory in Greenwich, London, serves as the benchmark for timekeeping. Established in the 19th century, the Royal Observatory was designated as the prime meridian (0° longitude), dividing the Earth into Eastern and Western Hemispheres.

The Vikramaditya Vedic Clock, situated on an 85-foot tower within Jantar Mantar in Ujjain, Madhya Pradesh, was virtually inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Timepiece Based on Indian ‘Panchang’: 

• This unique timekeeping system is based on the Indian ‘panchang’ (almanack). 
• It provides a wealth of information, including planetary positions, Muhurat, and astrological calculations. 
• It also displays Indian Standard Time (IST) and Greenwich Mean Time (GMT).
• Ujjain has a rich history in time calculation. The standard time of the world was determined from Ujjain 300 years ago. 
• The city, through which the Tropic of Cancer passes, is considered a hub for time calculation.

Unique Features of the Vedic Clock: 

• The clock serves multiple purposes beyond just indicating time. 
• It provides details such as the moon’s position, Parva, Shubhshubh Muhurat, Ghati, Nakshatra, and more. 
• Its design aims to revive the tradition of Indian time calculation based on astronomical theories.

Clock’s Operational Mechanism: 

• The Vedic clock calculates time from one sunrise to the next, dividing the period into 30 parts. 
• Each hour consists of 48 minutes according to ISD. The clock starts at 0:00 with the sunrise and operates for 30 hours.

• The Union Ministry of Defence signed five major capital acquisition contracts worth ₹39,125.39 crore for the three services. 
• These deals aim to strengthen indigenous capabilities, save foreign exchange, and reduce dependency on foreign origin equipment manufacturers.

Key points:

Contract with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): 

• A contract worth ₹5,249.72 crore was signed with HAL for the procurement of RD-33 aero engines for MiG-29 aircraft. 
• These engines will be manufactured by the Koraput Division of HAL under a Transfer of Technology (TOT) licence from the Russian OEM.
• This programme will focus on the indigenisation of high-value critical components, which would help increase the indigenous content of future Repair and Overhaul (ROH) tasks of RD-33 aero-engines.

Impact on Indian Air Force (IAF): 

• The IAF operates three squadrons of upgraded MiG-29UPG. 
• These aero engines are expected to fulfil the need of the IAF to sustain the operational capability of the MiG-29 fleet for the residual service life.

Contracts with Larsen & Toubro (L&T): 

• • Two contracts were signed with L&T. 
  • The contract for Close-in Weapon System (CIWS) is worth ₹7,668.82 crore, and the deal for High-Power Radar (HPR) is at a cost of ₹5,700.13 crore. 
  • The CIWS will provide terminal air defence to select locations of the country. 
  • The HPRs contracted will replace existing long-range radars of the IAF with modern active aperture phased array-based HPR with advanced surveillance features. 
• This will significantly enhance the terrestrial air defence capabilities of IAF.

Employment Generation: The projects with L&T are expected to generate direct and indirect employment of approximately an average of 2,400 persons per year for five years (CIWS) and 1,000 people/year over five years (HPR).

Contracts with BrahMos Aerospace Private Limited (BAPL): Two contracts were signed with BAPL for the procurement of missiles worth ₹19,518.65 crore and ship-borne BrahMos system worth ₹988.07 crore. These missiles will be utilised to meet combat outfit and training requirements of the Navy. This project is likely to generate employment of nine lakh man-days in Joint Venture entity and around 135 lakh man-days in ancillary industries, including MSMEs.

• Exercise Samudra Laksamana is currently underway from 28 Feb – 02 Mar 24 at/ off Visakhapatnam. 
• The Indian Naval Ship Kiltan and the Royal Malaysian Ship KD Lekir are participating in the 3rd edition of this exercise.

Key points:

• • During the harbour phase, the crew of both ships engage in various professional interactions, Subject Matter Expert Exchanges on topics of mutual interest, sports fixtures, and other interactions. These interactions aim to enhance the knowledge base, share best practices, and further cooperation on maritime aspects.
  • In the sea phase, units jointly hone their skills while conducting various operations at sea.
• The exercise aims to strengthen bonds and enhance interoperability between the Indian and Royal Malaysian Navy.

Exercise Harimau Shakti: It is a bilateral exercise between the Indian Army and the Malaysian Army. It focuses on counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in rural and urban environments.

The Civil Accounts Day 2024 on 1st March was celebrated in New Delhi to mark the 48th foundation day of the Indian Civil Accounts Service (ICAS). 

Key points:

• The Indian Civil Accounts Service was constituted in 1976, following the separation of the maintenance of Accounts of the Union government from Audit. 
• This led to the Comptroller and Auditor General of India being divested of this responsibility.
• ICAS is one of the Civil Services of India (“Group A”) and falls under the Department of Expenditure in the Union Ministry of Finance.
• The service was created with the purpose of separating Auditing and Accounting functions of the Union Government, with deputation and transfer from the Indian Audit and Accounts Department.
• ICAS is responsible for the development of processes, systems, and forms related to government accounts of the Union of India and the states. 
• It frames and optimises manuals, rules, and procedures for accounting of receipts and payments according to Government Accounting Rules, 1990. 
• ICAS also prepares monthly and annual account statements, conducts periodic audits of revenue, deficits, and borrowings, and monitors and reconciles cash balances of the Government of India with the Reserve Bank of India.

• The Thwaites Glacier, often referred to as the “doomsday glacier,” began its rapid retreat earlier than previously known, likely starting in the 1940s, according to a study that utilized new satellite technology.

Location: Located in West Antarctica, the Thwaites Glacier spans approximately 192,000 square kilometers (74,000 square miles) and is situated adjacent to the Amundsen Sea.

Significance: Thwaites Glacier, one of the widest and fastest-flowing glaciers in Antarctica, acts as a major conduit for the flow of ice from the West Antarctic Ice Sheet into the ocean, significantly contributing to global sea-level rise.

Concerns: 

• Recent years have seen accelerated melting and thinning of the Thwaites Glacier. 
• The retreat of the grounding line, the transition point where the glacier’s ice shifts from resting on bedrock to floating on the ocean, destabilizes the glacier and contributes to sea-level rise. 
• The glacier’s complete collapse could raise sea levels by several feet and undermine the stability of the West Antarctic Ice Sheet, causing catastrophic global flooding.

The Thwaites Glacier is a critical component of the Antarctic ice sheet. Its rapid melting poses significant risks for global sea-level rise, highlighting the urgent need for strategies to mitigate the impacts of climate change. The glacier’s retreat was likely triggered by an extreme El Niño event at a time when the glacier was already in a phase of melting.

• Odisha Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik inaugurated 9 industrial projects and laid the foundation for 23 industrial units.
• The projects are expected to create 24,508 jobs in Odisha.

Key points:

• These projects, with a total investment of Rs 6992.94 Crore, are spread over 14 districts: Bolangir, Boudh, Cuttack, Ganjam, Jajpur, Jagatsinghpur, Jharsuguda, Keonjhar, Khurda, Puri, Rayagada, Sambalpur, Subarnapur, and Sundergarh.
• The Chief Minister highlighted that the industrial portfolio of Odisha is expanding to include new-age and employment-intensive sectors such as green energy equipment manufacturing, textiles, and tourism.
• He credited the state’s continuous improvement in the Ease of Doing Business ranking, along with a business-friendly environment, world-class industrial infrastructure, and skill development initiatives, for attracting investments.

• The Babasaheb Bhimrao Ambedkar Bus Terminal at Baramunda in Odisha’s capital, Bhubaneswar, was inaugurated by Chief Minister Naveen Patnaik.
• Patnaik highlighted that the terminal, named after BR Ambedkar, will offer improved facilities to passengers and become a significant landmark in the city and state.
• A gallery showcasing Ambedkar’s contributions to the country has been established at the terminal.
• The Chief Minister expressed gratitude to stakeholders, including bus owners, Baramunda shopkeepers, and passengers, for their cooperation in constructing the terminal.
• Built over 17 acres, the terminal can accommodate 30,000 passengers and 700-800 buses daily.

• Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan inaugurated the I-Hub at IIM-Sambalpur during the 100 Cube Startup Conclave, promising startups the necessary resources, support, and financial aid to attract investors and generate employment in Odisha.

Key points:

• The 100 Cube Conclave, an initiative of the Ministry of Education, seeks to establish 100 startups at IIM-S, each with an approximate value of ₹100 crore, by Odisha’s centennial celebration in 2036.
• The I-Hub will support ventures in sectors such as textiles, arts and culture, agriculture, healthcare, financial and digital inclusivity, tribal entrepreneurship, and sustainability.
• IIM-Sambalpur aims to promote local art, culture, and intellectual industries, adding value to regions rich in mineral and mining resources and establishing Odisha as a startup and entrepreneurial hub.

• Four railway stations from Odisha have been recognized as ‘eat right’ stations, a part of the Eat Right India movement by FSSAI, ensuring safe and nutritious food options for passengers across India. 

Key points:

• The stations – Bhubaneswar, Puri, Cuttack, and Jharsuguda – were evaluated on various parameters such as water quality, cleanliness, sanitation, pest control, register maintenance, and food item inspection.
• The Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) awards certifications to railway stations adhering to quality and hygiene standards.
• In addition to railway stations, 28 campuses in the state, including hospitals, educational institutions, state PSUs, and Aahar centers, have been certified as ‘eat right campus’.
• The campuses include AIIMS-Bhubaneswar, Capital Hospital, Rourkela Government Hospital, SUM Hospital, Apollo Hospital, Kalinga Hospital, Care Hospitals, IIT-Bhubaneswar, IIM-Sambalpur, OMC Ltd, Krushi Bhavan, CTTC, NISER, NIT-Rourkela and Government ITI, Bhubaneswar.

• The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) released a report stating a significant decrease in the leopard population in Odisha.

Key points:

• • The leopard population in Odisha dropped to 568 in 2022 from 760 in 2018, marking a decrease of 192 leopards over four years.
  • In contrast, the leopard population in India rose to 13,874 in 2022 from 12,852 in 2018, showing an increase of approximately 1,000 leopards over the same period.
• Madhya Pradesh had the highest leopard population in 2022 with 3,907 leopards, followed by Maharashtra (1,985), Karnataka (1,879), and Tamil Nadu (1,070), as per the report.

• The Odisha Cabinet has approved the establishment of the State Water Informatics Centre (SWIC) to manage hydro-meteorological data for the state.
• SWIC will operate under the Department of Water Resources and will have a team skilled in water resource management and information technology.

Key points:

• The initiative aims to improve water resource management, aid in decision-making, and streamline policy planning.
• SWIC will collaborate with the National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) to exchange hydro-meteorological data between the Centre and the state government.
• The state government will provide ongoing funding for SWIC’s operations beyond the national hydrology project period.

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