ODISHA
Blackbuck Population Increased in Odisha
According to a census conducted by the Odisha State Forest Department, the blackbuck population in Odisha has more than doubled in the last six years.
The Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra), also known as the Indian Antelope, is a type of antelope native to India and Nepal.
It is widespread in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, and other parts of peninsular India.
It is regarded as the epitome of grassland.
It is thought to be the world’s fastest animal, next to cheetah.
It has been designated as the state animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh.
Its skin and horns are regarded as sacred objects in Hinduism, making it a symbol of purity. It represents good fortune in Buddhism.
Protection Status:
♦ Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule I
♦ IUCN Status: Least Concern
♦ CITES: Appendix III
♦ Threats include fragmentation of habitat, deforestation, natural disasters, and illegal hunting.
INTERNATIONAL
International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
The United Nations is celebrating the “International Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories” from May 25 to 31, 2021.
A Non-Self-Governing Territory is one where “people have not attained a full measure of self-government,” according to the UN Charter.
In 1946, UN Member States identified a number of non-self-governing territories under their administration and placed them on the UN list.
The country that administers Non-Self-Governing Territories is called the administering powers.
However, due to the decolonization process, some territories were removed from the list.
India and Israel – Cooperation Work Program
India and Israel signed a three-year agricultural cooperation work program.
Highlights:
The “Indo-Israel Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence” and “Indo-Israel Villages of Excellence” are being implemented by Isreal and India.
Indo-Israel Agricultural Project Centres of Excellence:
The Agriculture Ministry, the Government of India, and Mashav (Israel’s International Development Cooperation Agency) are leading Israel’s largest G2G cooperation, with 29 operational Centres of Excellence (COEs) across India in 12 states.
They are establishing Advanced-Intensive Agriculture farms using Israeli Agro-Technology tailored to local conditions.
The Centres of Excellence generate knowledge, demonstrate best practices, and provide farmer training.
NATIONAL
Mekedatu Multi-Purpose Project – NGT
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has formed a joint committee to investigate allegations of illegal construction activity in Mekedatu. The Karnataka government had proposed building a dam across the Cauvery River in the same location.
Highlights:
The Mekedatu multi-purpose project entails the construction of a balancing reservoir across the Cauvery River near Kanakapura in Ramanagaram district.
It intends to supply drinking water to the districts of Bengaluru and Ramanagaram, as well as generate electricity.
However, Tamil Nadu has objected on the grounds that the project violates the award of the Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal.
Government Clarification Regarding Issues with Whatsapp
The Indian government has stated that it recognises the right to privacy as a fundamental right and is committed to providing it to Indian citizens and at the same time it is also committed to maintaining law and order as well as national security.
Highlights:
The Information and Technology (IT) Minister stated that “none of the measures proposed by India will have any impact on the normal functioning of WhatsApp in any way whatsoever, and there will be no impact on ordinary users.”
According to the clarification, the right to privacy, like all fundamental rights, is not absolute and is subject to reasonable limitations.
It stated that the requirements in the Intermediary Guidelines pertaining to the first source of information are an example of a reasonable restriction.
Hallmarking of Gold Jewellery in India
Gold jewellery hallmarking will start on June 15th. Due to the Covid pandemic, this date has been pushed back even further to January 15, 2021.
Mandatory hallmarking of gold jewellery/artefacts was scheduled to begin on January 15, 2020, but was pushed back to June 1, 2021, in order to clear out old stock of unhallmarked jewellery.
Jewellers who sell gold jewellery and artefacts will be required to register with the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) and sell only hallmarked gold jewellery and artefacts.
The goal of making hallmarking mandatory is to ensure that consumers are not cheated when purchasing gold ornaments and receive the purity indicated on the ornaments.
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