• 09 Dec 2024

First Annual Review Meeting of RuTAG 2.0 Projects

Why in News?

Recently, the first annual review meeting of the Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG) 2.0 projects was held at the Sher-e-Kashmir University of Agricultural Sciences and Technology (SKUAST), Srinagar, Kashmir.

Key Points

• Rural Technology Action Group (RuTAG):
  • About:
    • RuTAG is an initiative of the office of the Principal Scientific Advisor (PSA) since 2004.
    • It was conceptualized as a mechanism to provide a higher level of science and technology intervention and support for rural areas.
    • Under this initiative, the interventions are designed to be primarily demand-driven, focusing on bridging technology gaps at the grassroots level, upgrading technology, and providing training and demonstrations through innovative projects.
  • Achievements:
    • Effective outreach to Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs), Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and community organizations.
    • Innovations reduced labor, enhanced production, and improved rural livelihoods.
  • RuTAG 2.0:
    • It was launched in April 2023 to focus on commercialization and widespread dissemination of technologies across sectors such as agriculture, textiles, energy, water conservation, healthcare, and more.
• Event Activities:
  • The foundation stone was laid down for a system designed to improve water and fertilizer efficiency, promoting sustainable farming.
  • Dignitaries explored ongoing research and technological advancements at SKUAST-Kashmir.
  • Demonstrations from seven RuTAG centres showcased grassroots innovations for rural development.
  • The official RuTAG logo was introduced to unify and strengthen communication among stakeholders.
  • RuTAG Centres that were present in the meeting were SKUAST-Kashmir, IIT Bombay, IIT Roorkee, IIT Guwahati, IIT Madras, IIT Delhi, and Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR)-National Academy of Agricultural Research Management (NAARM) Hyderabad.
• Strategic Initiatives:
  • RuTAGe Smart Village Centres (RSVC) was introduced to transform villages into economic hubs using innovative, affordable, and tailored technologies.
  • The event facilitated discussions on upscaling technologies, design improvements, and expanding adoption in similar regions across India.

Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA):

• India has had a Principal Scientific Adviser (PSA) since 1999. Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam was the first PSA from 1999-2001.
• The PSA’s office aims to provide pragmatic and objective advice to the Prime Minister and the cabinet in matters of Science and Technology. The Office of PSA was placed under the Cabinet Secretariat in 2018.
• The Prime Minister's Science, Technology and Innovation Advisory Council (PM-STIAC) is an overarching Council that facilitates the PSA’s Office to assess the status in specific science and technology domains, comprehend challenges in hand, formulate specific interventions, develop a futuristic roadmap and advise the Prime Minister accordingly.
• The Office of PSA, supported by the project management team at Invest India, is facilitating the delivery and progress of all Nine national missions under PM-STIAC. Four of the nine missions, Deep Ocean Mission, Natural Language Translation mission, AI mission, and Quantum Frontier mission have been approved

Preserving India’s Sacred Groves

Why in News?

Sacred groves actively support biodiversity and function as carbon sinks, but growing threats jeopardize their existence.

• Jharkhand, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh are among the states that are rich in sacred groves.

Key Points

• About Sacred Groves:
  • Sacred Groves are patches of natural or near-natural vegetation, dedicated by local communities to their ancestral spirits or deities.
  • They are known as sarnas in Jharkhand, devgudis in Chhattisgarh, and orans in Rajasthan.
  • These groves vary in size, ranging from small clusters of trees to large areas spanning several acres. Some consist of a single sacred tree, like the sal tree in Jharkhand.
  • Sacred groves have been legally protected under ‘community reserves’ in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2002.
    • Community Reserves are areas designated for conservation that involve direct participation from local communities in preserving natural resources and wildlife.
• Extent and Distribution:
  • Sacred groves occupy an estimated 33,000 hectares, accounting for just 0.01% of India's total land area.
  • India has well over 13,000 documented sacred groves. The states particularly rich in abundance of groves are Kerala, West Bengal, Jharkhand, Maharashtra, Meghalaya, Rajasthan, and Tamil Nadu.
    • Maharashtra leads with nearly 3,000 documented sacred groves.
• Biodiversity and Cultural Significance:
  • Sacred groves are biodiverse areas that hold immense ecological value.
  • Tribal communities have worshipped and maintained a deep connection with these groves.
  • They historically symbolized environmental conservation, guided by spiritual codes codified in customary rules and governance systems.
• Role in Climate Goals:
  • Sacred groves contribute to climate change mitigation by acting as natural carbon sinks.
  • Their preservation is vital for achieving India’s net-zero target by 2070, alongside government-owned forests.
  • Effective management of groves can maintain the human-nature bond and prevent community alienation caused by relocation.
• Role of Sacred Groves in Biodiversity Conservation:
  • A sacred grove in Raigad district, Maharashtra, conserved by the Waghoba Habitat Foundation, recently saw the return of a leopard, indicating ecological recovery.
• Conservation Approach:
  • OECM:
    • Sacred groves align with the "Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures" (OECM) approach under the Convention on Biological Diversity.
    • Groves are managed by communities, integrating cultural values into biodiversity conservation.
    • OECM ensures long-term conservation outcomes, preserving biodiversity and ecosystem functions.
  • Government Initiatives:
    • Gherabandi in Jharkhand was introduced in 2019 to protect sacred groves by building boundary walls.
    • Renovation Projects in Chhattisgarh were introduced to restore groves were undertaken during the previous government.
      • Due to lack of community involvement in conservation schemes and prioritization of reserved forests often neglect sacred groves.

Carbon Sinks

• These are the long-term storage of carbon in plants, soils, geologic formations, and the ocean.
• It occurs both naturally and as a result of anthropogenic activities and typically refers to the storage of carbon.
• Natural Carbon Sink:
  • Under this, nature has achieved a balance of carbon dioxide in our atmosphere suitable for sustaining life. Animals expel carbon dioxide, as do plants during the night.
  • All organic life on this planet is carbon based and when plants and animals die, much of the carbon goes back into the ground where it has little impact on contributing to global warming.

Makhana Mahotsav

Why in News?

Recently, the Bihar government has organised a two-day ‘Makhana Mahotsav’ in Bengaluru to expand the market for Bihar’s important crop, makhana, and other food products in Karnataka.

Key Points

• About the Mahotsav:
  • The mahotsav and related initiatives aim to position Bihar as a leader in makhana production while promoting its economic and cultural significance across India.
  • It also seeks to introduce Bihar’s primary crop, makhana, to South Indian markets, creating new opportunities for its growth.
• Makhana Production and Market Expansion:
  • Bihar contributes 50% of the country’s makhana production, with strong demand in Northern States.
  • Bengaluru is strategically chosen as a gateway to expand the market to South Indian States, including Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
• Boosting Production through Research:
  • A dedicated research center has been established to enhance makhana production and ensure quality improvements.
    • In May 2023, the Central government upgraded the Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga to "National Research Centre for Makhana, Darbhanga" and expanded its mandate to include other aquatic crops such as fish.
  • Makhana’s GI (Geographical Indication) tag has elevated its recognition on international platforms.
  • Makhana products are being produced and marketed under the Central government’s Make in India initiative.
• Economic Impact of Makhana Production:
  • According to the State Agriculture and Health Minister, makhana production has significantly boosted employment and industry in Bihar.
  • The market for makhana products reached Rs 150 crore last year, marking a 30% growth in 2023–2024 compared to 2022–2023.

Mithila Makhana

• Mithila Makhana or Makhan (botanical name: Euryale ferox Salisb.) is a special variety of aquatic fox nut cultivated in Mithila region of Bihar and Nepal.
• Makhana is the one of the three prestigious cultural identities of Mithila.
  • Pan, Makhan and Machh (fish) are the three prestigious cultural identities of Mithila.
• It is also very famous in the Kojagara festival of Maithil Brahmins celebrated for newly married couples.
• Makhana contains protein and fiber, along with micronutrients like calcium, magnesium, iron, and phosphorus.
• It received its Geographical Indication (GI) Tag in 2022.

Farmers ‘Delhi Chalo’ March

Why in News?

Recently, farmers began their foot march to Delhi from their protest site at Shambhu border, but was stopped by a multilayered barricading of Haryana Police.

• Under Section 163 of the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita (BNSS) Haryana Police cited a prohibitory order to the farmers.

Key Points

• Farmers' Demand:
  • Farmers are marching to demand a legal guarantee for Minimum Support Price (MSP) for crops from the Central government.
  • The protest is being led by farmers under the banners of Samyukta Kisan Morcha (non-political) and Kisan Mazdoor Morcha.
• Protest Actions:
  • Farmers camping at Shambhu and Khanauri border points between Punjab and Haryana since 13^th February 2024, were stopped by security forces on the way to Delhi.
  • Some protesters pushed down an iron mesh barricade set up by security personnel on the bridge over the Ghaggar River.
• Government Response in Haryana:
  • The Haryana government suspended mobile internet and bulk SMS services in 11 villages of Ambala district from 6^th to 9^th December 2024.
• Heightened Security Measures:
  • Delhi Police has increased security at the city's border points in response to the ongoing farmer agitation.

Rajasthan CM Launched Nine New Policies

Why in News?

Recently, Rajasthan Chief Minister unveiled nine new policies aimed at promoting investments and speeding up the State’s economic growth.

• The policies were launched ahead of the Rising Rajasthan Global Investment Summit-2024 scheduled to be held in Jaipur from 9^th to 11^th December 2024.

Key Points

• Policies Aimed at State Development:
  • The newly approved policies and schemes aim to ensure economic progress, employment generation, and social prosperity in Rajasthan.
  • These policies were approved during a recent State Cabinet meeting to drive the all-round development of Rajasthan.
  • The policies focus on sector-specific initiatives:
    • MSME Policy: Aims to enable local industries to compete on a global scale.
    • Export Promotion Policy: Focused on expanding the global reach of Rajasthan's products.
    • One District-One Product Policy: It supports district-specific crafts by building infrastructure for local producers.
    • Tourism Policy: Promotes eco-tourism and heritage tourism to create employment.
    • Clean Energy Policy: Positions Rajasthan as a leader in renewable energy through solar, wind, and green hydrogen projects.
    • Mineral Policy: Sets an ambitious target of 1 crore jobs and Rs 1 lakh crore annual revenue by 2046.
    • Cluster Development Scheme: Encourages cluster-based small industry growth with access to raw materials and training facilities.

Dr. Ambedkar’s Death Anniversary

Why in News?

Recently, Uttar Pradesh leaders paid tributes to Dalit icon and India’s first Law Minister Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, who headed the Drafting Committee of the Indian Constitution, on his death anniversary.

Key Points

• About:
  • Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar was a prominent Indian jurist, economist, social reformer, and politician.
  • He was born on April 14, 1891 in Mhow, Madhya Pradesh.
    • His father, Subedar Ramji Maloji Sakpal, was a well-read person and follower of Sant Kabir.
• Education:
  • Ambedkar earned his Bachelor's degree from Bombay University and went on for further studies to Columbia University in New York and London School of Economics.
• Contributions:
  • In 1924, he started an Association for the welfare of the depressed classes and in 1927, he started the Bahishkrit Bharat newspaper to address the cause of the depressed classes.
    • He also led the Mahad Satyagraha in March 1927.
  • He participated in all three Round Table Conferences.
  • In 1932, Dr. Ambedkar signed the Poona pact with Mahatma Gandhi, which abandoned the idea of separate electorates for the depressed classes (Communal Award).
  • In 1936, he formed the Independent Labour Party to safeguard the interests of the depressed classes.
  • In 1942, Dr. Ambedkar was appointed to the Executive Council of the Governor General of India as a Labour member and elected to the Constituent Assembly from Bengal in 1946.
    • He was the Chairman of Drafting Committee and remembered as the Father of the Indian Constitution.
  • In 1947, Dr. Ambedkar became Minister of Law in the first Cabinet of independent India.
    • He resigned from the cabinet in 1951, over differences on the Hindu Code Bill.
• Additional Details:
  • Later in life, He converted to Buddhism. He passed away on December 6, 1956, which is commemorated as Mahaparinirvan Diwas.
    • Chaitya Bhoomi is a memorial to B R Ambedkar, located in Mumbai.
  • He was also awarded India’s highest civilian honour the Bharat Ratna in 1990.