• 15 Apr 2023

NMNH and State Museum, Lucknow signed an MoU for Environmental Education & Conservation

Why in News?

On 12 April 2023, the National Museum of Natural History (NMNH), New Delhi and the State Museum, Lucknow signed an MoU to work together towards Environmental Protection and Environmental Education among the public.

Key Points

• The MoU was signed by Naaz Rizvi, Director, the National Museum of Natural History and Dr. Anand Kumar Singh, Director, the State Museum, Lucknow at Paryatan Bhawan, Gomti Nagar, Lucknow.
• Under this MoU, multidimensional efforts will be made to organize programs for school and college students to create awareness about nature.
• National Museum of Natural History (NMNH):
  • It was established as one of the national level institutions during the Silver Jubilee Celebrations of India's independence to depict and promote awareness on the country's natural heritage.
  • Dedicated to environmental education, the institute is primarily theme-based exhibition galleries, and experiential resource centers such as Discovery Rooms, and Activity Rooms and is endowed with educational and outreach activities.
  • It aims to portray the rich natural heritage and natural history (Geology, Botany and Biology) of the country.
  • The main objective of the National Museum of Natural History is to promote environmental education at the national level.
  • As a national institution, the National Museum of Natural History is mandated to create environmental awareness and promote conservation education throughout the country.
  • To achieve this objective, NMNH has expanded its services and its vision to have a nationwide outreach through its four Regional Museums in the Southern, Central, Eastern and Western regions of the country. An upcoming regional center will be set up in the north-eastern region.
• State Museum, Lucknow
  • The state has one of the prestigious and oldest multi-purpose museums, which houses a wonderful collection of artefacts related to archaeology, natural history, decoration, arts and numismatics.
  • Along with the conservation, display, research and publication of artefacts, the museum organizes temporary/permanent exhibition galleries, workshops for technical officers/staff, seminars for intellectuals/researchers, art appreciation courses and other educational programs from time to time.
  • State Museum, Lucknow works in collaboration with other museums of India, with the aim of spreading awareness in different regions of the country regarding the rich heritage of the country and the world.

In the field of Education, Sheikhpura is 1st & Purnia ranks 2nd in the Top Five Districts of the country.

Why in News?

According to information received from media sources on 13 April 2023, Sheikhpura district of Bihar ranks at first and Purnia district at second among the top five districts of the country in the segment of education in the delta rating of aspirational districts released by NITI Aayog.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that in the field of education, the names of the districts of Bihar and Jharkhand have been in the list of top five aspirational districts of the country. Jharkhand's Giridih, Bokaro and East Singhbhum stood third, fourth and fifth respectively.
• In the education segment of Delta Rating of Aspirational Districts issued by NITI Aayog, mainly attention is paid to education, library, structure of schools, facilities available to students, etc. Apart from this, attention is also paid to the facilities of drinking water and toilets available in the schools in the education sector.
• However, there is not a single district of Bihar in the overall segment of the Delta Ranking of Champions of Change for February 2023 released by NITI Aayog.
• On the other hand, in the top five districts of health and nutrition, Jharkhand's Sahibganj is in first place and Bokaro is in second place.
• Out of the 112 underdeveloped districts of the country, Bihar has 13 districts under the Aspirational Districts Program which is running since the year 2018. For better work among these districts, ranking is done every month on the prescribed scale of development of these districts.
• It is known that the central government gives special funds to develop major areas like health, nutrition, education, financial status and basic infrastructure in the aspirational districts of the country.

RTDC Meeting organized regarding the Implementation of the Announcements of the Budget 2023-24

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, a meeting of the Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation was organized in connection with the implementation of the announcements of the State Budget 2023-24 at the office located at Paryatan Bhawan in Jaipur, Rajasthan.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chairman of Rajasthan Tourism Development Corporation, Dharmendra Rathore said that special tourism services are being made available to the tourists while continuously expanding tourism facilities in the state.
• In compliance with the announcement to make Dhola Maru Tourist Complex to promote tourism, the land marking and DPR work has been completed. With the formation of a tourist complex, facilities of international level hospitality, desert stay, hotel, camping sites, night park, amusement park etc. will be available in Jaisalmer at one place.
• To promote golf tourism in the state, in the budget year 2023-24 announcement, EOI was issued by RTDC for golf courses to be built in Udaipur, Jodhpur, Ajmer-Pushkar, Mount Abu and Alwar. With the formation of international level golf courts in the state, Rajasthan will be able to develop as a destination for international golf competitions as well as become a leader in the field of high spending tourism.
• EOI has been issued by RTDC for setting up MICE (Meeting, Incentive, Conference, Exhibition) centers in Jaipur, Udaipur, Jodhpur and Ajmer in compliance with the budget announcement.
• Rajasthan state is emerging as a conference and wedding destination and establishment of MICE centers will give a new identity to the state in this field.
• With the intention of adding a new chapter in the form of water-based tourism activities in the tourism facilities of the state, 6 places are being developed as eco-adventure, in which Kanota Dam of Jaipur, Baretha Dam of Bharatpur, Kaylana and Surpura Dam of Jodhpur, Hemawas Dam of Pali, Kot Dam of Jhunjhunu are included. In this regard also EOI has been issued and instructions have been given to complete the work at the earliest.
• There is a plan to conduct water tourism activities on Ajmer's Foy Sagar lake and cruise on Chambal in front of Kota.
• In the meeting, detailed information was also given about the development of Pushkar as an international camp city and the action plan for Pushkar Development Authority included in the Budget 2023-24 announcement.

Administrative, Financial and Technical Approval issued for the Construction Work of 'NRI Club-21' worth about Rs 30 crore

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, Rajasthan Housing Commissioner and President of 'NRI Club-21' Pawan Arora told in the meeting of the executive committee constituted to make 'NRI Club-21' operational in Jaipur that the state's prestigious 'NRI Club-21' Administrative, financial and technical approval has been issued for the construction of about 30 crore rupees.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that about 700 people had applied for membership of 'NRI Club-21', due to which the board has earned a revenue of about Rs 25 crore.
• To make the club functional, to develop and equip other facilities including necessary construction & development work, administrative & financial approval has been issued at the divisional level and in the coming days, the work of its rapid construction and equipment will be started.
• 'NRI Club-21' will be a unique club not only in Jaipur but also in the state with state-of-the-art facilities where members will get a chance to spend quality time. Developed on the basis of international standards, 25 rooms will be built in this club house, where a bar, all-weather swimming pool and other facilities will be developed.
• On the basis of private participation only necessary facilities, including decorations, furnitures will be developed here.

Chief Minister will inaugurate UNESCO's Sub-Regional Conference

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, Principal Secretary Tourism and Culture and Managing Director Tourism Board Shiv Shekhar Shukla said that Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan, UNESCO, Ministry of Tourism, Government of India, Department of Archaeological Conservation and Tourism of Madhya Pradesh will jointly inaugurate the Sub-Regional Conference on World Heritage in Bhopal on 17th April.

Key Points

• Shiv Shekhar Shukla informed that the delegates reaching Bhopal for the two-day conference will visit UNESCO World Heritage Site Sanchi on 16th April. Several sessions will be organized on 17th and 18th April.
• Representatives from India, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Nepal, Maldives, Sri Lanka and various states of the country will deliberate on topics such as achievements, challenges and future strategy in the field of conservation of World Heritage Sites.
• In the conference, there will be a brainstorm regarding the achievements of the last 50 years and the next 50 years towards the conservation of World Heritage at the international and regional level whose focus will be on themes such as World Heritage and Sustainable Development, World Heritage and Sustainable Tourism, World Heritage and Global Strategy, Historic Urban Landscapes.
• The conference will discuss an integrated approach to safeguard cultural heritage and promote sustainable tourism.
• It is noteworthy that in November 2022, the 50th anniversary of the UNESCO World Heritage Convention was celebrated. In the last 50 years, the meaning of cultural heritage has changed from 'monument centric' to 'people centric' and 'holistic approach'. New dimensions have been added such as historical towns, industrial heritage, historical routes, historical landscape etc.
• Madhya Pradesh has made several efforts in this direction in association with UNESCO, in which HUL (Gwalior and Orchha) project, selection of 4 historical/tourist places in the tentative list of UNESCO World Heritage sites, etc. are the main ones. UNESCO recommended Gwalior and Orchha for the first time among South Asian countries for the HUL project.

The Governor inaugurated the Mobile Health Service Vehicle of Red Cross

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, Madhya Pradesh Governor Mangubhai Patel flagged off the Indian Red Cross Society's mobile medical health service vehicle at Raj Bhavan.

Key Points

• It is noteworthy that on Dr. Bhimrao Ambedkar Jayanti, the health service vehicle is being operated by Red Cross MP State Branch in Bhopal.
• Red Cross State Branch Chairman Dr. Gagan Kolhe said that regular health camps will be organized in remote areas of Bhopal metropolis with the use of mobile health service vehicles.
• Along with the health check-up by the service vehicle, a public awareness campaign will also be launched for the diseases spread by infection.
• Necessary material for health protection will also be distributed from the vehicle.

State's first Hi-tech Floriculture Nursery and Aeroponics Lab will be established in Gwalior

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, Minister of State for Horticulture and Food Processing (Independent Charge) Bharat Singh Kushwaha said that the state's first hi-tech floriculture nursery and aeroponics lab would be established in Gwalior.

Key Points

• This decision was taken in a high-level meeting held in the ministry regarding establishment of hi-tech floriculture nursery and aeroponics lab included in the joint action plan of Farmers' Welfare & Agriculture Development Department, State Agricultural Marketing Board & Horticulture and Food Processing Department.
• Minister of State Kushwaha said that on the proposal of the Horticulture Department, the construction of Flower Dome in Bhopal will also be started soon. An action plan has been prepared for this.
• State Minister Kushwaha said that the work of the lab would be started in the first week of next month. He asked to speed up the implementation of the schemes in coordination with the Agriculture, Mandi Board & Horticulture and Food Processing Department. Along with this, instructions were also given to start the chain fencing scheme soon.

Chief Minister inaugurated SIDOKOFD

Why in News?

Recently, Jharkhand Chief Minister Hemant Soren formally launched the Sidho Kanho Krishi Evam Vanopaj Rajya Sahkari Sangh (SIDOKOFD) on the Sidho-Kanho birth anniversary celebrations. This campaign will run till 10-12 May.

Key Points

• New members will be made for Pax-Lampus under the Sidho Kanho Krishi Evam Vanopaj Rajya Sahkari Sangh (SIDOKOFD). People doing agriculture can also become its members.
• Currently Pax-Lampus has 14 lakh million members. The target is to increase its number to 28 lakhs by running a campaign in the next one month.
• Mrityunjay Barnwal, Chairman of Registration Cooperation Committee, said that the work of strengthening PACS and LAMPS is going on in the state. In 2022, the number of members will be increased from 10 to 14 lakh now. Lamps and packs have been connected to 511 Pragya Kendras. 2000 pax lamps are being computerized.
• One PDS shop will be given to lamps and packs in each district of the state. All the data of the Lampus-Pax will be digital so that there is no scope for error.

Chief Minister inaugurated 'Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana' in Jagdalpur

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel launched the 'Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana' in the presence of special guest Priyanka Gandhi at the 'Bharose Ka Sammelan' organized at Lal Bagh, Jagdalpur, the headquarters of Bastar division.

Key Points

• Under this scheme, there is a provision to give grants to the Gram Panchayats by the state government for the dignified organization of tribal festivals and festivals.
• On the launch of the scheme, the Chief Minister released a grant amount of Rs.5000 each to 1840-gram panchayats of Bastar division as the first installment.
• Under this scheme, each gram panchayat will get an amount of Rs 10,000 in two installments per year.
• Objective of the Scheme:
  • Under 'Mukhyamantri Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana', tribal festivals, festival fairs, Madai, Jatra festival, Sarna Puja, Devguri, Nawakhai, Chherchera, Akti, Hareli etc. for the purpose of preserving festivals, festivals, culture, a grant amount of Rs 10,000 per year will be released to each gram panchayat in two installments.
  • The objective of Mukhyamantri Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi is to preserve the culture & tradition of Teej festivals of the tribals, to transfer these festivals in their original form to the next generation and record the cultural traditions.
• Plan implementation: The unit of the scheme will be grama (village). The nodal agency for the scheme will be the Chief Executive Officer, Janpad Panchayat. Village level governing body and section level governing body will be constituted for the implementation of the scheme. The format of the body will be as follows-
  • The village level governing body will be headed by the Sarpanch of the concerned Gram Panchayat. Gayata, Pujari, Sirha, Gunia, Baiga will be the members. The village level governing body will have two village elders, two women, village Kotwar, Patel and secretary of the village panchayat as members.
  • In the district level governing body, the Sub-Divisional Officer, Revenue will be the President and the Chief Executive Officer, Janpad Panchayat will be its Member Secretary. President of District Panchayat, Block Education Officer, Tehsildar will be its members.
  • In which festivals this amount is to be used in the village, it will be decided by the village level committee. The district level governing body will be responsible for monitoring and coordinating the implementation of this scheme at the district level.
• It is notable that Chief Minister Bhupesh Baghel had announced 'Chief Minister Adivasi Parab Samman Nidhi Yojana' on 26 January 2023, on the occasion of Republic Day, to preserve the culture and tradition of festivals of the tribal society.
• A provision of Rs 5 crore has been made for this scheme in the budget of the financial year 2023-24. This scheme will be applicable in the entire Scheduled Area (Scheduled Tribe Development Block) of Chhattisgarh.

'A-Help' program started in Uttarakhand

Why in News?

On 13 April 2023, Uttarakhand Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami launched the 'A-HELP' (Accredited Agent for Health and Expansion of Livestock Production) program in the state at Survey of India Auditorium, Dehradun.

Key Points

• On this occasion, Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami said that under the A-Help scheme envisaged by the Government of India, women have been selected to strengthen livestock related activities in remote rural areas.
• Trained A-HELP workers under 'A-HELP- Accredited Agent for Health and Extension of Livestock Production' program to prevent various infectious diseases in animals, artificial insemination under Rashtriya Gokul Mission (RGM) will make significant contributions in tagging and animal insurance.
• He said that this would be an incomparable example of ensuring inclusion and participation of women power for socio-economic upliftment as per the vision of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries Minister of Uttarakhand Saurabh Bahuguna said that the livestock sector offers a very important opportunity for women but till now it lacked institutional support. This gap will be bridged with the launch of the A-HELP programme.
• This new band of community-based activists, designated as Accredited Agents for the Health and Extension of Livestock Production (A-HELP), is expected to fill the void between local veterinary institutions, livestock owners and provide primary services.
• Under the RGM, livestock breed improvement programs will be organized with the help of a large number of trained A-Help workers who are interested in undergoing artificial insemination after additional training.
• A-Help workers will play an important role in implementing the Pashudhan Bima Yojana as well as other interventions, for which they will be provided remuneration as per the provisions of the scheme, which will also help them in providing some income and financial security.
• It is noteworthy that the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) has launched this new initiative by signing an MoU with the National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) under the Department of Rural Development (DORD), Govt.
• The primary responsibility of A-Help workers is to meet the health care needs of the livestock population in the village.
• This program is being successfully implemented in Madhya Pradesh, Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. More than 500 participants including progressive farmers and animal friends took part in this programme.