• 08 Aug 2024

Rajasthan’s New Policy on Pumped Storage Projects

Why in News?

According to the sources, the Rajasthan government is going to bring a new policy on pumped storage projects as part of its efforts to promote renewable energy.

Key Points

• According to the Chief Minister, the State would soon become self-reliant in the energy sector with steps being taken to strengthen renewable sources.
• Eight potential locations have been identified in the State for establishing these projects with the capacity of 7,100 Megawatt power for supply to electricity grids reliant on solar and wind power.
  • The work on the pumped storage projects had been undertaken in accordance with the provisions outlined in the State's wind and hybrid energy policy of 2019 and the renewable energy policy of 2023.
  • The State has received approval to initiate its first independent pumped storage project with a capacity of 1,800 MW, which will be located in the Shahbad area of Baran district, within the Kuno river basin.

The Kuno River

• It is one of the main tributaries of the Chambal River.
• It flows through the Kuno National Park from south to north, draining the other rivulets and Tributaries into Chambal River in Morena at MP-Rajasthan border.
• It is a vital source of water for the Kuno National Park’s diverse flora and fauna.
• It is 180 km long and originates from the Vindhya mountain range in Madhya Pradesh.

Jharkhand Increases Loan Waivers Limit for Farmers

Why in News?

Recently, The Jharkhand cabinet decided to widen the farm loan waiver scheme by increasing the limit of credit from Rs 50,000 to Rs 2 lakh.

Key Points

• Under the Jharkhand Agricultural Loan Waiver Scheme, loans worth Rs 1,900.35 crore of 4.73 lakh farmers were waived from the financial year 2020-21 to 2023-24.
• In another initiative, the state government has decided to double the honorarium payment to traditional village heads.
  • Mankis and Parganaits will be given an honorarium of Rs 6,000 per month, Munda and Gram Pradhan will be given Rs 4,000 and other traditional Gram Pradhans will be given Rs 2,000 per month.

Jharkhand Agricultural Loan Waiver Scheme

• It was launched by the Jharkhand state government on 1^st February 2021.
• The objective of the scheme is to relieve the farmers of the State of short-term agricultural credit from the debt burden, improve the credit worthiness of the crop loan holder, ensure credit for the new crop, prevent migration of the farming community and strengthen the agricultural economy.
• The following are the required entitlements for the beneficiary of the loan waiver scheme:
  • The ryot farmers who do their own farming on their land.
  • Non-ryot farmers who do agricultural work on the land of other ryots.
  • The applicant should be a short-term crop loan holder and the crop loan should be issued from a qualified bank located in Jharkhand.
  • A farmer from the State of Jharkhand, who is above the age of 18 years and the farmer should have a valid Aadhaar number, Kisan Credit Card holder and a valid ration card holder.
  • Members holding the same crop loan from one family will be eligible. The applicant should have a standard crop loan account.

Tiger Attack in Kanha Reserve

Why in News?

• Recently, A woman was fatally attacked by a tiger at the Kanha Tiger Reserve (KTR) in Balaghat district of Madhya Pradesh.

Key Points

• Kanha Tiger Reserve:
  • It stretches over an area of 940 square km in the two districts - Mandla and Balaghat - of Madhya Pradesh.
  • The present-day Kanha area was divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar.
  • Kanha National Park was created in 1955 and in 1973 was made the Kanha Tiger Reserve.
    • Kanha National Park is the largest National Park in Central India.

Vinesh Phogat Disqualification at Paris Olympics

Why in News?

Recently, Vinesh Phogat from haryana was disqualified at the Paris Olympics. The 50 kg wrestler failed to make a crucial second weight to be able to take part in the gold medal bout.

Key Points

• The International Olympic Committee (IOC) disqualified her for being overweight on the day of the match, as per rules.
  • The wrestler, who was eyeing a gold medal, was disqualified, which meant she cannot get even a silver medal that the semi-final win ensured.
  • She won the semi-final bout by defeating Cuba's Yusneylis Guzman Lopez with a 5-0 score.
  • She has appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) over the issue.

International Olympic Committee (IOC)

• The IOC is the guardian of the Olympic Games, established in June 1894. It is a not-for-profit independent international organisation.
• It is based in Lausanne, Switzerland, the Olympic Capital.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport

• It is an international quasi-judicial body established to settle disputes related to sport through arbitration.
• Its headquarters are in Lausanne (Switzerland) and its courts are located in New York City, Sydney and Lausanne.
• Temporary courts are established in current Olympic host cities.

Reactivation of Anti-Romeo Squads in Uttar Pradesh

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath instructed the reactivation of the Anti-Romeo Squad teams.

Key Points

• The Chief Minister emphasized the need for a fear-free environment and prioritized women's safety, directing district-level officers to ensure public hearings and communication.
• Anti-Romeo Squad:
  • They were meant to curb eve-teasing and provide greater security to women.
  • It aims to take action against boys found outside girls' colleges involved in eve-teasing and molesting girl students.
    • But couples were stopped just for being spotted together, though the squad had no legal jurisdiction to stop them.

New Tiger Reserve in Chhattisgarh

Why in News?

Recently, The Chhattisgarh government decided to declare a new tiger reserve covering areas of Guru Ghasidas National Park and Tamor Pingla wildlife sanctuary in the state.

• This will be the fourth tiger reserve in the state.

Key Points

• Creation of the tiger reserve will lead to the development of eco-tourism and generate employment opportunities for villagers living in its core and buffer areas.
  • As per the recommendation of State Wildlife Board and the consent of National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Union Ministry of Forest and Climate Change, the cabinet has decided to notify Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve in an area of 2,829.387 sq km.
• Currently, the state has three tiger reserves - Indravati (in Bijapur district), Udanti-Sitanadi (Gariaband) and Achanakmar (Mungeli).

Guru Ghasidas National Park

• About:
  • Named after the Satnami reformist, Guru Ghasidas, is the result of the carving of Chhattisgarh from Madhya Pradesh in the year of 2000. It is located in the Koriya district of Chhattisgarh.
  • The park has undulating topography and it falls under the Tropical climate zone.
• Biodiversity:
  • Flora: The vegetation consists mainly of mixed deciduous forest with teak, sal and bamboo trees.
  • Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Chital, Nilgai, Chinkara, Jackal, Sambar, Four-horned Antelope etc.

Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary

• About:
  • It is located in the Surajpur district of Chhattisgarh bordering Uttar Pradesh. It is named after Tamor hill and Pingla Nalla.
  • Tamor hill and Pingla Nalla are considered to be the old and prominent features of the sanctuary area.
• Biodiversity:
  • Flora: Mixed deciduous forests dominate the sanctuary. Sal and bamboo forests are seen all through.
  • Fauna: Tigers, Elephants, leopards, bears, sambar deer, blue bulls, chital, bison and many such animals are found here.