Uttarakhand

• 03 Dec 2022

Reconstitution of State Wildlife Board

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on December 2, 2022, the Uttarakhand State Wildlife Board has been reorganized. Three NGOs and seven non-governmental members have been nominated for a two-year term. Instructions have been issued by the government in this regard.

Key Points

• The order issued by Forest Secretary Vijay Yadav said that the State Wildlife Board has been reconstituted under the Wildlife Protection Act. Under the provision given in the Act, approval has been given by the Governor to nominate the members for two years.
• The state wildlife board is headed by the chief minister, while the vice-chairman is the forest minister. Apart from this, a total of 15 ex-officio members, including the Director General of Police of the state, and 16 members are nominated by the state government. Apart from this, three legislature party members, three NGOs members and seven members are named ecologists, environmentalists and conservationists.
• The NGOs nominated to the State Wildlife Board are:
  • WWF India, World Nature Fund, India
  • Himalayan Environment Studies and Conservation Organization (HESCO), Dehradun
  • Himalayan Exxon Research Centre, Dehradun
• The non-official members nominated to the State Wildlife Board are:
  • Anup Shah, Nainital (Well-known photographer)
  • Anil Kumar Dutt (Retired IFS)
  • B.S. Bonal (Retired Additional Director General, Wildlife)
  • Faiz Aftab, Dehradun
  • Mayank Tiwari, Nainital
  • Sanjay Sondhi, Titli Trust, Dehradun
  • Om Prakash Bhatt, Sarvodaya Kendra Chamoli
• It is known that the proposal to include new members was sent to the state government on behalf of the Forest Department in October.

First Government Drone Institute and Repairing Center in Uttarakhand

Why In News?

According to information received from the media on December 2, 2022, the state government will open drone institutes in Uttarakhand to make the work of departments easier and create employment opportunities for the youth with the help of drones. This will make the path of construction, operation and repair of drones easier.

Key Points

• According to the information, the Information Technology Development Agency (ITDA) has sent a drone policy to the government to attract investors from the manufacture of drones in Uttarakhand to repairing. Many important changes have been made in the policy on the lines of Telangana's drone policy. The government can soon take a decision on drone policy in the cabinet.
• Under this, apart from the drone corridor, provision is also being made to open government drone institutes, repair centers.
• According to the information, such a drone institute will be created which will identify the needs of drones in government departments with training to the youth. With this help, departments will be able to make their work easier with drones. At the same time, drone repair centers can also be opened in the state.
• It has been provided in the drone policy that drone manufacturers and service providers will be able to test their products free of cost. For this, a free fly zone will be prepared. Airstrip , ground control station, mechanical and electrical lab, hangar, training, helipad, support specialist, recharging station etc. will be provided for takeoff and landing of drones.
• A provision has also been made in the policy that the government will open a facilitation cell which will facilitate the licensing and registration of drones. The aim of the government is that the rules of DGCA should be strictly followed and drones should also be encouraged. This cell will also help in obtaining permits for drone manufacturing.
• A special advisory board will be constituted with the help of retired army officers, jawans and policemen for the safe flight of drones. This board will give necessary advice regarding the safe flight of drones based on the experiences of the army.
• With the help of ITDA, youth will be given training in drone operation and maintenance in government and private engineering colleges and polytechnic institutes of the state. Special programs will be conducted regarding aerial photography, surveillance, remote sensing. The university working in drone engineering will also be tied up. Research of drones will be promoted.
• Benefits to manufacturers-
  • Manufacturers can be given 100 percent discount in SGST for a certain period.
  • They can invest up to a maximum of five crore rupees.
  • They will be given a subsidy of 25 percent in the project, which will be up to a maximum of three crores.
  • 30 percent subsidy will be given on lease or rent for 10 years.
  • Provisions such as 100 percent exemption in stamp duty on purchase of land.
• Benefits to service providers-
  • 25% subsidy on investment up to Rs 50 lakh,
  • 30% subsidy on lease or rent up to Rs. 5 lakh,
  • No fee will be charged for setting up drone stalls in many exhibitions.
  • Up to 100 percent discount in internet charges,
  • The state government will provide a grant of up to Rs 10 lakh on research in the identified area.

Poultry Valley Scheme

Why In News?

On December 1, 2022, Uttarakhand Cooperation Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat and Animal Husbandry Minister Saurabh Bahuguna jointly launched the 'Poultry Valley Scheme' to double the income of farmers.

Key Points

• It is worth mentioning that the Department of Cooperation and Animal Husbandry has jointly taken the 'Poultry Valley Scheme' initiative to double the income of farmers. The scheme aims to connect five thousand youths and women in three years.
• In the program organized at UKCDP Directorate, Cooperation Minister Dr. Dhan Singh Rawat said that the government will double the income of poultry farmers. At present, chickens are coming from Najibabad and Bijnor in Uttarakhand. Efforts are being made by the government to provide assistance to poultry farmers at the local level so that their income is doubled and migration from mountainous areas can be stopped. Poultry work has just started in Chakrata. After this, this work will now be implemented in the entire state.
• Animal Husbandry Minister Saurabh Bahuguna said that after the implementation of this scheme, employment opportunities will be created for the youth.
• Dr. BVRC Purushottam, Secretary, Cooperative and Animal Husbandry Department, said that under this scheme, a target has been set to add 5000 beneficiaries for the project period from financial year 2022 to 2025. In this scheme of 182 crores, free chickens and interest free loan will be given to the beneficiaries.