ODISHA
- Large swathe of rural Odisha water stressed
- The World Water Day is an annual event celebrated on March 22 as a means of focusing attention on the importance of freshwater and advocating for the sustainable management of freshwater resources. The theme for 2019 is “Leaving no one behind”.
- There are many habitations in Odisha that do not meet the norm of 40 liters per capita per day (lpcd). In a number of areas, tube wells stop yielding water during summer. The problem occurs when the water table falls below the level to which the tube well has been dug.
- Around 38.5 per cent families travel at least half a km to fetch drinking water in Odisha villages. The number of such families was 32.5 per cent in 2001, which increased by 6 per cent in 10 years.
- Compared to 21.1 per cent people in 2001, around 18.5 per cent have to travel beyond 100 metres for drinking water in urban areas. Out of 157,296 rural habitations in Odisha, only 72 per cent of the households are fully covered with respect to a provision of 40 liters per day of drinking water.
- Proper water and sanitation facilities are crucial and preconditions for promoting quality of life of communities. The National Water Policy -2002 as well as the Odisha State Water Policy -2007 defines water as a prime natural resource, a basic human need and a precious national asset. Accordingly, both the National Water Policy and the Odisha State water policy accord highest priority to water supply for human and livestock consumption for drinking and domestic use.
- As per Odisha State Urban Water Supply Policy 2013, all households shall have access to water through direct piped connection.
- Rainwater harvesting can be done in residential buildings, industrial and large scale commercial, institutional buildings. In addition recharging projects should be undertaken so that extraction is less than recharge.
- This would allow the aquifers to provide base flows to the surface system, and maintain ecology. Integrated watershed development activities with groundwater perspectives need to be taken in a comprehensive manner to increase overall water productivity.
INTERNATIONAL
- WHO released the Global Influenza Strategy 2019-2030
- World Health Organization (WHO) released a Global Influenza Strategy for 2019-2030 aimed at protecting people in all countries from the threat of influenza, one of the world’s greatest public health challenges.
- The aim of the strategy is to prevent seasonal influenza, control the spread of influenza from animals to humans, and prepare for the next influenza pandemic.
- Every year across the globe, there are an estimated 1 billion cases, of which 3 to 5 million are severe cases, resulting in 290000 to 650000 influenza-related respiratory deaths.
- WHO recommends annual influenza vaccination as the most effective way to prevent influenza, which is especially important for people at higher risk of serious influenza complications and for health care workers.
- The new strategy is the most comprehensive and far-reaching that WHO has ever developed for influenza and it outlines a path to protect populations every year and helps prepare for a pandemic through strengthening routine programmes.
- For more than 65 years, the Global Influenza Surveillance and Response System (GISRS), comprised of WHO Collaborating Centres and national influenza centres, have worked together to monitor seasonal trends and potentially pandemic viruses and this system serves as the backbone of the global alert system for influenza.
- Japan announced Rs 22 lakh for Kolkata museum
- The Japanese government announced a donation of some Rs 22 lakh ($31,800)to the Rabindra Bharati Museum, Kolkata in a bid to strengthen historical and cultural ties with India.
- Rabindranath Tagore, Asia’s first Nobel Prize recipient, visited Japan in 1916, 1924 and 1929, renewing relations between the countries as India’s leading cultural ambassador.
- World Consumer Rights Day 2019: 15 March 2019
- World Consumer Rights Day is celebrated every year on 15 March as part of an initiative by Consumer International, a membership organisation for consumer groups around the world.
- Theme: Trusted Smart Products
- The day is celebrated every year, to celebrate consumer rights and build a world where everyone has access to safe and sustainable products and services.
- World Consumer Rights Day was inspired by President John F Kennedy, who was the first leader in the world to address the issue of consumer rights in a special message sent to the US Congress on 15 March 1962.
NATIONAL
- The United States to set up six nuclear power plants in India
- India and the US said they have agreed to build six American nuclear power plants in India, in a boost to bilateral civil nuclear energy cooperation.
- The two countries said this in a joint statement issued at the conclusion of the 9th round of India-US Strategic Security Dialogue.
- India and the US signed a historic agreement to cooperate in the civil nuclear energy sector in October 2008.
- The United States also reaffirmed its strong support to India’s early membership in the 48-member NSG.
- Geographical Indication (GI) tag granted to Coorg Arabica Coffee and 4 other varieties of Coffee by the Geographical Indications Registry
- Geographical Indication (GI) tags have been granted to Coorg Arabica Coffee, Wayanad Robusta Coffee, Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee, Araku Valley Arabica Coffee and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee, by the Geographical Indications Registry on 1st March 2019.
- Coorg Arabica Coffee is grown in Kodagu, Karnataka.
- Wayanad Robusta Coffee is grown in Wayanad, Kerala.
- Chikmagalur Arabica Coffee and Bababudangiris Arabica Coffee are grown in Chikmagalur, Karnataka.
- West Bengal has maximum first-time voters in Lok Sabha polls
- According to Election Commission, West Bengal has the maximum number of first-time voters, around 1 lakh, in the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.
- WB is followed by Uttar Pradeshand Madhya Pradesh, with around 16.7 lakh and 13.6 lakh first-time voters, respectively.
- The number of people eligible to vote has reportedly increased by 8.4 crore as compared to 2014 General Elections.
- Over 1.5 crore voters are in the age group of 18-19 years. These “young voters” constitute 1.66 per cent of the total electors.
- Climate Vulnerability Index Highest For Assam And Mizoram
- Indian scientists have developed a common framework for the assessment of climate change vulnerabilityin all the states in the Himalayan region.
- The assessment shows that the vulnerability index is the highest for Assam (0.72) and Mizoram (0.71).
Sikkim is the least vulnerable state with the index being 0.42.
Assam is highly vulnerable to climate change because of factors like low per capita income, deforestation, large number of marginal farmers, least area under irrigation, lack of alternative sources of income and high rates of poverty.
- Erode Turmeric received GI tag
- Erode Turmeric has finally received GI tag from the Geographical Indication Registry. Erode is the city in the state of Tamil Nadu. The product to acquire GI tag has to indicate that a product of a particular origin has a certain quality or reputation or some other characteristics, which is essentially attributable to its geographical origin.
- Erode Turmeric is golden yellow in colour withresistance to pests after boiling
- Erode turmeric contains 5 to 4.5% of curcumin content
- Erode Turmeric is grown in hot moist conditions prevalent in the area with temperature ranging from 20 degrees to 37.9 degrees Celsius with an average of 600 to 800 mm rainfallin a year
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