ODISHA

Centre to display natural heritage

The state government has decided to set up a state-of-the-art interpretation centre in the Bhitatkania National Park to showcase its flora and fauna besides rich biodiversities.

The centre, which will be of international standard, is coming up under the Integrated Coastal Zone Management Programme. The project is worth Rs 3 crore.

The centre will preserve the natural heritage of the national park, its flora and fauna. Besides, it will provide exposure to visitors, who are thronging the Ramsar wetland site. The researchers will also reap benefits as it will be storehouse of information and exhibits

At present, the national park has an interpretation centre at Dangmal. But, it has proved to be inadequate to preserve the vast reserve of natural heritage

Bhitarakanika continue to be one of the best natural abodes for estuarine crocodiles. It is said to house 70 per cent of the country’s estuarine or saltwater crocodiles, conservation of which had been started in 1975. Crocodile population in Bhitarakanika is estimated to be 1,698, according to the latest census.

According to Bhitarakanika National Park authorities, mammals found in the place are leopard, wild boar, jungle cat, fishing cat, hyena, sambar, striped palm squirrel, Gangetic dolphin, while reptiles found consist of turtles, including the olive ridley ones, crocodile, lizard, water monitor, python and king cobra. Around 166 species of birds have been spotted in the park.

Bhitarakanika is one of the richest storehouses of mangrove genes. Researchers have come across 11 of the 70 mangrove species, which were at elevated threat of extinction.

INTERNATIONAL

· World Bank to issue world’s first blockchain bond

The World Bank has mandated the Commonwealth Bank of Australia(CBA) to issue the world’s first blockchain-based bond.
The Kangaroo bond, referring to foreign bonds issued in Australia in the local currency, has been named bond-i, an acronym standing for Blockchain Offered New Debt Instrument. (It’s also a reference to Bondi Beach, an iconic spot in Sydney.

BBC’s Women Who Changed the World List: Marie Curie Topped

BBC History Magazine conducted a poll of 100 women who changed the world. Marie Curie voted the woman who made the most significant impact on world history.
Women from several fields in areas like politics, science, sports, technology, and literature were shortlisted.
Curie was the first woman to win a Nobel prize in physics, a first female professor at the University of Paris and also the first person to win a second Nobel prize.

NATIONAL

Pune best city to live in, Bengaluru ranked 58^th

Bengaluru does not figure even in the top 25 Indian cities in the Ease of Living Index, which rates Pune as the best city to live in.

Bengaluru was rated 58th among major cities surveyed to assess living conditions of urban areas in the country.

Navi Mumbai bagged the second place followed by Greater Mumbai. Temple town Tirupati was ranked fourth in the country.

The survey was commissioned by the Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs in 111 major cities.

· WSO alleged against the fencing that poses threat to wildlife

Forest departmenthas installed barbed wire fencing for its plantation projects causing a threat to movement of wildlife, especially elephants. The Wildlife Society of Orissa (WSO), an environmental pressure group, has expressed its concern by suggesting the Forest department to use green fences comprising bamboo and Amari (Ipomoea Carnea) instead of the artificial barricades like barbed wire fence or stone rubble walls.
The barbed wire fence remains a threat to wild animals as there is a high chance of the animals to get stuck or seriously injured if they run into them while being chased by predators or hunters.
WSO activists protested against the proposed rubble wall of over several kilometres for around 100 hectares of plantation project site near Pangatira village, Mahabirod range, Dhenkanal as this area is an ideal elephant habitat. This long and high stone wall shall block elephant movement lead to increase conflict between man and elephant.

· Exim Bank signed MoU with BRICS Development Banks

The MoU signed by Exim Bank Managing Director David Rasquinha.
The main objective is to strengthen the cooperation under the BRICS Interbank Cooperation
The signatories agreed to constitute a joint research working group which will formulate the research agenda and targeted outcome.

· WCD mulls incentive to promote adoption

The Women and Child Development (WCD) Ministry is planning to introduce monetary incentives for child care institutions if they promote adoption of children under their care.

Child care institutions are currently getting Rs 2,000 per child per month for their maintenance which makes them reluctant to give the child up for adoption as their income would reduce.

ð There are just 1,991 children available for adoption for about 20,000 prospective parents in the country.

ð According to the Child Adoption Resource Information and Guidance System, there is just one child available for every nine adoptive parents in India waiting to take a child home.

· Rafael Nadal won Rogers Cup 2018

Rafael Nadal defeated Greek teenager Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He clinched his fourth Canadian Masters 1000 title at the Rogers Cup in Toronto.

Earlier, Romania’s Simona Halep beat American Sloane Stephens in three sets to win the women’s event in Montreal.

OPSC Notes brings Prelims and Mains programs for OPSC Prelims and OPSC Mains Exam preparation. Various Programs initiated by OPSC Notes are as follows:-

For any doubt, Just leave us a Chat or Fill us a querry––