Odisha government seeks urgent deployment of kumki elephants from Tamil Nadu
Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Wildlife Conservation
Topic: Human-Animal Conflicts
Issue: Human-Elephant conflicts
Context: Odisha government has sought assistance of kumki elephants and mahouts in the wake of worsening human-elephant conflict.
Synopsis:
- Kumki elephants can be deployed strategically
- To help manage and drive wild elephants thereby reducing damage to crops, human habitations and the potential loss of both human and elephant lives.
- For forest patrolling and rescue operations.
- Tamil Nadu model:
- Successful and commendable programme,whereby kumki elephants are trained and utilised for wildlife conservation purposes.
| Take Away Notes:
Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees) ● It is an initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC). ● The project employs a unique and eco-friendly solution-Bee fences These fences are made up of rows of beehives strategically placed along the fringes of forests and agricultural lands preventing elephants from entering human habitations. |
Source: The Hindu
Chinese research vessel Xiang Yang Hong 03 enters Indian Ocean, ‘heading’ to Male, say trackers
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: International Relations
Topic: India and its Neighborhood
Context: Steady rise in the deployment of Chinese research vessels in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Previously Chinese ‘spy ship’ Yuan Wang 5 which is a dual-use ship for tracking satellites, rockets and intercontinental ballistic missiles docked at the Hambantota port in Sri Lanka.
Concerns for India:
- Challenge to India’s dominance in the region.
- Proximity to Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep Islands which are at strategic locations.
- Collection and Interception of intelligence in the name of scientific research.
Places in News:
Source: The Hindu
PM Modi announces solar roof-top scheme for one crore households
Syllabus: GS-III
Subject: Environment and Ecology
Topic: Solar Energy
Issue: Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana
Context: Prime Minister announced ‘Pradhanmantri Suryodaya Yojana’ with the target of installing rooftop solar on one crore houses.
India’s solar energy
| Targets | Installed Capacity(Aug 2023) |
| 100 GW by 2022 | 70 GW |
| 60 GW from utility project (mega concentrated solar parks) | 58 GW has been installed in the utilities |
| 40 GW from rooftop solar | 12 GW on rooftops. |
Source: The Hindu
Supreme Court to decide if Centre encroached on Punjab’s domain.
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Indian Polity and Constitution
Topic: Federalism-issues
Issue: BSF jurisdiction
Context: Punjab has challenged the centre’s decision of extending BSF’s jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km from the Indo-Pakistan border.
Border Security Force (BSF):
- BSF is one of the five Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) of India, was raised in 1965 for ensuring the security of the borders of India and for related matters.
- Currently BSF guards India’s border with Pakistan and Bangladesh.
- The Border Security Force Act 1968 was enacted to regulate BSF.
Section 139 of the BSF Act, 1968 – authorises the Centre to confer powers and duties on members of the BSF force in respect of any Central Acts.
Purpose: To gain a more effective control on trans-border crimes in cooperation with the State Police.
| Centre’s arguments for extension | Punjab’s arguments against extension |
| Improve its operational effectiveness in curbing trans-border crimes. | Attack on Federalism as Police and Public order are subjects in the state list. |
| Establishes uniformity (50km) in defining the area within which the BSF can operate. | Usurpation of state powers by centre. |
Source: The Hindu
Technology industry of choice for Gen Z students: A report by Nasscom-Indeed.
Syllabus: GS-II
Subject: Economy
Topic: Indices and reports
Issue: Nasscom Indeed Report.
Context: Nasscom-Indeed Report 2024.
Highlights of the Report:
| DATA (For Mains)
1. 77% of Gen Z students in India express interest in the technology industry. 2. Millennials and Gen Z constitute about 90% of the tech workforce in India. 3. 84% of organizations are exploring gig models, with startu-ps and BPM leading the trend. |
Conclusion:
The future of work hinges on balancing automation efficiency and unleashing creativity.
Institution in News:
| National Association of Software and Service Companies (NASSCOM):
· Non-profit, Non-governmental trade association. · Members: Includes organizations in software development, software services, and IT-enabled/BPO services. · Includes domestic and multinational companies operating within India. · Aim: Focus on ensuring high service quality standards and upholding intellectual property rightsTop of Form |
Source: Indian Express