State PCS

• 10 Aug 2024

Government Denies Threat to Bhoj Wetland

Why in News?

Recently, The Union Government has denied that the Ramsar site, Bhoj Wetland in Bhopal faces threat of delisting from the Ramsar Convention list.

Key Points

• According to the sources, a proposed road through the Bhoj wetland catchment prompted a local activist to file a complaint against the wetland to the Ramsar Conventions secretariat.
• The Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEF&CC) is implementing the National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA) for conservation and management of wetlands in the country, including Madhya Pradesh.
  • The scheme covers activities such as wastewater treatment, shoreline protection, in-situ cleaning, stormwater management, bioremediation, catchment area treatment, lake beautification, survey & demarcation, fisheries development, weed control, biodiversity conservation, education and awareness, and community participation.

Bhoj Wetland

• The Bhoj Wetland, also known as Bhopal Lake is a designated Ramsar site and hence, a wetland of international importance (Ramsar Convention 1971).
• It consists of two contiguous human-made reservoirs -
  • "Upper Lake" - created in the 11th century by construction of an earthen dam across the Kolans River.
  • “Lower Lake” - constructed 200 years ago, largely from leakage from the Upper lake. It is surrounded by the city of Bhopal.

National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystems (NPCA)

• NPCA is a single conservation programme for both wetlands and lakes.
• It is a centrally sponsored scheme, currently being implemented by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF).
  • It was formulated in 2015 by merging of the National Lake Conservation Plan and the National Wetlands Conservation Programme.
• NPCA seeks to promote better synergy and avoid overlap of administrative functions.

Neeraj Chopra Wins Silver at Paris Olympics

Why in News?

Neeraj Chopra, India's renowned javelin thrower, secured a silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024.

Key Points

• Neeraj's throw of 89.45m placed him second on the podium.
  • Gold medal was claimed by Pakistan's Arshad Nadeem with a throw of 92.97m, setting a new Olympic record.
• Neeraj became only the third Indian athlete, and the first in track and field, to win consecutive individual Olympic medals.
  • Wrestler Sushil Kumar (2008 and 2012) and shuttler PV Sindhu (2016 and 2021) are the other Indians who have accomplished this achievement.

GI Tag for Five Iconic Products

Why in News?

The Bihar state agriculture department is working together with Bihar Agricultural University (BAU) in Bhagalpur to obtain geographical indication (GI) certification for at least 54 distinct region-specific products.

• Research is already in advanced stages for five key items as part of this collaborative effort.

Key Points

• Five advanced stage products are 'litti chokha' (Bihar's staple dish), Sonachur rice and Gulshan tomato from Rohtas, 'singhara' (water chestnut) and Digha Malda mango from Patna.
• The states with the most geographical indication (GI) tags are Uttar Pradesh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
  • Bihar has six GI-tagged products - Shahi litchi, Bhagalpuri Zardalu mango, Katarni rice, Maricha rice, Magahi paan (betel leaf) and makhana (foxnut).
• The central government's commerce ministry is backing the drive for Geographical Indication (GI) tags, in accordance with India's commitments as a member of the World Trade Organization and under the TRIPS (Trade-Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights) agreement.

Geographical Indication (GI) Tag

• A GI tag is a name or sign used on certain products that correspond to a specific geographical location or origin.
• The GI tag ensures that only the authorised users or those residing in the geographical territory are allowed to use the popular product name.
  • It also protects the product from being copied or imitated by others.
• A registered GI is valid for 10 years.
• GI registration is overseen by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Rajya Shakti Tilu Rauteli Award

Why in News?

Recently, the Uttarakhand government recognized 13 outstanding women with the Rajya Shakti Tilu Rauteli Award in Dehradun, commemorating their exceptional accomplishments in diverse domains.

Key Points

• The awardees included Preeti Goswami, a para-swimmer and athlete hailing from Almora; Neha Devali, a taekwondo player from Bageshwar; Sangeeta Rana, a powerlifter from Haridwar; and Mandeep Kaur, a para-badminton player from Udham Singh Nagar.
• Other honorees included Padma Shri awardee Madhuri Barthwal for her work in folk singing, Soniya Arya from Champawat for promoting Hindi literature, Vinita Devi from Rudraprayag for her bravery in saving her mother-in-law from a wild animal attack in June, Narmada Rawat from Chamoli for her efforts in advancing handicrafts and handloom, and Sudha Pal from Nainital for her contributions to science.

Rajya Shakti Tilu Rauteli Award

• This award is given every year by the Government of Uttarakhand in the name of Veerbala Tilu Rauteli to women who have done remarkable work in various fields.
  • The state government had started the tilu Rauteli award for women and adolescent girls who have done remarkable work in the field of women empowerment since 2006 on the birth anniversary of Uttarakhand's heroine Tilu Rauteli.
• Under this, the state government gives 31 thousand rupees and a citation.