Addapedia Odisha | Daily Current Affairs | 14 February 2024 | Download PDF

• Dzuds are a specific type of disaster unique to Mongolia.
• They are characterized by extreme winters with freezing temperatures, heavy snowfall, and frozen ground, making it difficult for animals to reach pasture.

Causes of Dzuds

• Dzuds are often preceded by dry summers with minimal grazing, leaving livestock without enough fat reserves for winter.
• The UN Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP) attributes the increasing frequency and intensity of dzuds since 2015 to climate change and poor environmental governance.

The Dual “White” and “Iron” Dzud

• This winter, Mongolia is experiencing a dual dzud, characterized by two phases:
• The “white dzud” features deep snow cover, preventing animals from accessing grass.
• The “iron dzud” follows a short thaw and subsequent hard freeze, locking up pastures in ice.

Impact of Dzuds

• Dzuds freeze the soil, making it impossible for animals to access pasture.
• Livestock are left without adequate food sources, forcing them to resort to unconventional food, such as tree bark, for survival.

• The World Government Summit (WGS) is an annual global event that brings together world leaders, policymakers, experts, and thought leaders from various fields to discuss and tackle pressing global issues. 
• Established in 2013 under the leadership of the Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, the summit takes place annually in Dubai, UAE.
• Through its various activities, the summit explores the agenda of the next generation of governments, emphasizing the use of innovation and technology to address universal challenges.
• Since its inception, the summit has aimed to shape future governments and create a better future for humanity.

In 2024, the World Government Summit will focus on the theme “Shaping Future Governments” and will delve into six main themes:

• Government Acceleration and Transformation
• Artificial Intelligence and The Next Frontiers
• Reimagining Development and Future Economies
• Future Societies and Education
• Sustainability and The New Global Shifts
• Urbanization and Global Health Priorities

GROW Portal

• “Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)-Suitability Mapping” portal launched on ‘Bhuvan’.
• Provides universal access to state and district-level data.
• Expected to boost promotion of agroforestry initiatives by government bodies.

• Recently, NITI Aayog launched the Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW) report and portal, aiming to bolster efforts in environmental conservation and sustainable land use across India.

Report 

• Utilizes cutting-edge remote sensing and GIS technologies.
• Offers comprehensive state-wise and district-wise analysis.
• Provides crucial insights for government departments and industries engaged in greening and restoration projects.

Initiative Overview

• Led by NITI Aayog.
• Employs remote sensing and GIS techniques for evaluation.
• Introduces Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI) for national-level prioritization.
• Highlights the potential of converting wastelands into productive agroforestry zones.

Current Status

• Agroforestry covers 8.65% of India’s total geographical area.
• Encompasses approximately 28.42 million hectares.

• The Mini Qutub Minar, a Grade A listed protected heritage monument, serves as a reminder of Shah Jahan’s presence in Hastsal and is in urgent need of conservation to preserve its historical significance.

History

• Constructed in 1650 by Mughal emperor Shah Jahan near his hunting lodge in Hasthal.
• Originally a 5-storeyed tower with a domed Chhatri pavilion for Shah Jahan’s entertainment.
• Legends suggest a tunnel existed from the tower to the royal hunting lodge.
• Upper two storeys and the domed pavilion collapsed in the 18th century.
• Abandoned and forgotten, surrounded by urbanization at present.

Architecture

• Resembles Qutub Minar in Delhi, built with Lakhori bricks and red sandstone
• Originally had five storeys with a narrowing diameter, accessed by a narrow staircase
• Each storey surrounded by an octagonal ring with overhanging eves (Chhajja) like the Qutub Minar

Threats

• Endangered due to decades of neglect and lack of conservation
• Threatened by natural elements and encroachment of new constructions in Hastsal
• Completely surrounded by haphazardly built houses and buildings, with new constructions encroaching upon the lower platform

Odisha Regional Specific News

• Odisha CM presented the first phase of the “Chief Minister’s Awards for Excellence in Healthcare Services”. 
• This initiative recognizes the outstanding contributions of individuals and institutions towards transforming the state’s healthcare system.

Key Highlights:

• 153 awards were delivered across six categories:

1. Old Medical Colleges & Hospitals
2. New Medical Colleges & Hospitals
3. Standalone COVID Hospitals
4. Central Government Institutions
5. Individual Doctors
6. Individual Paramedics

• 28 doctors and 16 paramedics received individual awards.
• SCB Medical College & Hospital bagged the top award among old institutions, while Bhima Bhoi MCH Bolangir won among new ones.

• Ashwini COVID Hospital Cuttack was recognized as the best standalone COVID facility, and RMRC Bhubaneswar received the award for exceptional services during the pandemic.

• The Odisha Electricity Regulatory Commission (OERC) has announced a welcome reduction in power tariffs for domestic consumers across all consumption slabs, effective April 1, 2024. 
• This move aims to provide financial relief to households and potentially stimulate economic activity within the state.
• A uniform 10 paise per unit decrease applies to all consumption slabs for domestic consumers

The main features of the order:

• The retail supply tariff of all other categories has not been revised. The tariff of those categories has remained constant for three years.
• The fixed monthly charges for BPL consumers has been reduced from Rs 80 to Rs 70 per month.
• The consumers who will opt for E-bill shall get a rebate of Rs 10 per bill.
• The premium of Green Energy tariff has been reduced from 25 paise per unit to 20 paise per unit.
• The EV charging tariff has been reduced from Rs 5.50 per unit to Rs 5 per unit.
• Consumers with pre-paid meters shall get 4% rebate on pre-paid amount and the LT domestic and single-phase general-purpose consumers will continue to get 4% digital payment rebate.
• The cold storage tariff was reduced by Rs 1.60 per unit from Rs 4.60 per unit to Rs 3 per unit.

• • The Odisha CM inaugurated and laid foundation stones for several irrigation projects in Kalahandi, Cuttack, Dhenkanal and Angul districts.
  • The projects include the Sandul barrage in Kalahandi district, Manjore irrigation project, Rengali dam and Samal barrage canal system. 
  • The irrigation projects will provide irrigation facilities to 32,000 more acres in Kalahandi, Cuttack, Dhenkanal and Angul districts.
  • The canal work of Rengali dam and Samal barrage are being completed in phases
• Irrigation facilities for 15,000 acre cropland in Athagarh and Tigiria blocks of Cuttack district and Dhenkanal block will be available

• The Government of Odisha has launched the “Nua-O” scholarship scheme to provide financial assistance to Plus-III (degree) and postgraduate students pursuing their education in state universities, government and non-government aided colleges, including aided Sanskrit colleges. 
• This initiative aims to enhance accessibility and affordability of higher education, particularly for female students and those from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Key Features:

Scholarship Amounts:

• Boys: Rs. 9,000 annually
• Girls: Rs. 10,000 annually

Students belonging to SC/ST and Nirman Shramik families:

• Boys: Rs. 10,000 annually
• Girls: Rs. 11,000 annually

Eligible Courses: 

• General degree and postgraduate program

• The Odisha govt doubled the financial assistance provided under the Mamata scheme from existing Rs 5,000 to Rs 10,000, today. 
• The beneficiaries in the State will get the assistance amount at an increased rate in two phases with “Retrospective effect” from August 2023.
• Beneficiaries will get assistance in two phases Rs 6,000 and Rs 4,000, respectively.
• Besides, the arrear amount will be remitted to each beneficiary between February 20 and February 25.

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