• 04 Jun 2024

Astro Tourist in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttarakhand government organised a three-day ‘Nakshatra Sabha’ to promote astro tourism in the region.

• Besides astro tourism, the state is also focusing on green tourism, adventure tourism, and wellness tourism

Key Points

• The event is part of Uttarakhand’s initiative to promote multidimensional tourism in the state.
• This pioneering initiative aims to make Uttarakhand a premier destination for celestial admirers and travelers seeking unique experiences under the night sky.
  • The event took place at George Everest Peak in Mussoorie, known for its spectacular views of the snow-clad Himalayan peaks and the Doon Valley.
• The event featured stargazing through specialized instruments, talks by experts, an astrophotography competition, and special solar observations.

Muradi Demands Village Status Back

Why in News?

Muradi was merged into Naugaon Nagar Panchayat in 2018, alongside Mungra, Naugaon, and Dhari Gram Panchayats.

• Since becoming part of the Nagar Panchayat, the village residents have reported experiencing more losses than gains.

Key Points

• Agriculture is the primary income source in village, but Nagar Panchayat lacks farming facilities.
  • Irrigation canals (kools) maintained by the former Gram Panchayat are now neglected.
  • Increased wild animal intrusions (monkeys, pigs, stray cattle) threaten crops.
• A major canal damaged during highway expansion has remained unrepaired for five years and smaller canals also suffer damage, impacting irrigation.
  • Local youth raised Rs 35,000 for temporary canal repairs, which proved ineffective without government support.
• Transition from Gram Panchayat to Nagar Panchayat led to the loss of Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) benefits.
• Residents now face higher house taxes, water, and electricity tariffs without service improvements.
• A major concern of Muradi residents is the increased migration.
  • The village boasts a historically non-migratory community, but residents fear that urban incorporation will disrupt this tradition.

MGNREGA Scheme

• About:
  • MGNREGA is one of the largest work guarantee programmes in the world launched in 2005 by the Ministry of Rural development.
  • It provides a legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.
• Implementation Agency:
  • The Ministry of Rural Development (MRD) is monitoring the entire implementation of this scheme in association with state governments.
• Objective:
  • This act was introduced with an aim of improving the Purchasing Power of the rural people, primarily semi or unskilled work to people living below poverty line in rural India.
  • It attempts to bridge the gap between the rich and poor in the country.

Rs 10,000 Crore Project to Combat Air Pollution in Haryana

Why in News?

Haryana Chief Secretary reveals that the state government will soon roll out a Rs 10,000-crore project funded by the World Bank to address air pollution.

Key Points

• The project will be implemented in phases. The initial phase focuses on districts falling within the National Capital Region (NCR), with later replication across the entire state.
• Enhancements to Haryana’s air quality monitoring infrastructure are part of the project. This includes establishing a cutting-edge laboratory and modernizing existing ones.
  • A dedicated program management unit will oversee project implementation.
• Training programs for stakeholders engaged in air quality management are included.
• The project targets transportation, industry, construction, road dust, biomass burning, and household pollution.
  • It aims to promote cleaner vehicles, incentivize electric vehicle adoption, and phase out older, polluting vehicles.

World Bank

• About:
  • It was created in 1944, as the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) along with the IMF. The IBRD later became the World Bank.
  • The World Bank Group is a unique global partnership of five institutions working for sustainable solutions that reduce poverty and build shared prosperity in developing countries.
  • The World Bank is one of the United Nations' specialized agencies.
• Members:
  • It has 189 member countries.
  • India is also a member country.

Haryana Government Denies Allegation of Less Water Supply

Why in News?

Recently, the Chief Minister of Haryana dismissed the Delhi government's accusation that Haryana was not providing Delhi with its allocated share of water.

• The Haryana government has supplied water to Delhi beyond the agreed-upon quantity.

Key Points

• Delhi is currently facing an acute water shortage, and the Delhi government has blamed Haryana for not releasing the required quantity of water from the Yamuna.
  • The water dispute between Haryana and Delhi highlights the challenges of resource allocation and management in the region.

Yamuna River

• About:
  • The Yamuna River is one of the major tributaries of the Ganges in Northern India.
  • It forms an integral part of the Yamuna-Ganga Plain, one of the world's most extensive alluvial plains.
• Source:
  • It has its source in the Yamunotri Glacier at an elevation of 6,387 meters on the southwestern sides of Banderpooch crests in the lower Himalayan ranges.
• Basin:
  • It meets the Ganges at the Sangam (where Kumbh mela is held) in Prayagraj, Uttar Pradesh after flowing through Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Haryana and Delhi.
• Important Dam: Lakhwar-Vyasi Dam (Uttarakhand), Tajewala Barrage Dam (Haryana) etc.
• Important Tributaries: Chambal, Sindh, Betwa and Ken.

New Rainwater Harvesting Rules in Rajasthan

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan State Industrial Development & Investment Corporation (RIICO) has issued a circular requiring all plot lessees with an area of 500 square meters and above to construct Rainwater Harvesting Structures on their premises.

Key Points

• The goal is to conserve water and increase groundwater levels in the state, which faces water scarcity due to its arid climate.
  • Groundwater depletion is a critical issue associated with groundwater use. It refers to long-term declines in water levels caused by sustained pumping of groundwater.
• If there’s a delay in constructing Rainwater Harvesting Structure, the lessee will be subject to penalties as prescribed by RIICO.
• The penalty amount varies based on plot size:
  • For plots between 500 sq m and 2,000 sq m: Rs 25,000 per annum.
  • For plots above 2,000 sq m: Rs 50,000 per annum.
• Besides RIICO, other departments are also implementing rainwater harvesting. For instance, the Rajasthan Police Housing and Construction Corporation Limited (RPH&CCL) is collecting rainwater from rooftops and surrounding areas to recharge existing wells and aquifers.
• The state government is also emphasizing tree plantation to further conserve water.