Front and Center: Current Affairs Spotlight

 

Captive-bred Wolves into the Wild in Gujarat

Context :
Gujarat's ambitious project to reintroduce wolves bred in captivity to the wild shows early signs of success.

This initiative is the first of its kind outside the United States, aiming to restock wolf populations so they can perform their role as biocontrol agents that keep the population of wild herbivores, like nilgai (blue bulls) and wild boars under control.

Major Points Related to Wolves
About:
Wolves are the largest members of the dog family (Canidae), known for their majestic physique, thick fur, sharp eyes, strong jaws, pointed ears, and a long bushy tail add to their formidable presence.

Ecology and Behavior:

Social Animals: They live in packs typically consisting of a breeding pair and their offspring, working together to hunt and raise pups.

Apex Predators: Primarily hunting large ungulates like deer, elk, and moose, they play a crucial role in maintaining ecosystem balance.

Communicative Masters: Their famous howls are not just eerie calls, they serve to strengthen pack bonds, defend territory, and communicate with other packs.

Subspecies Found in India:
 

India boasts two wolf subspecies: the grey wolf (Canis lupus pallipes) in the peninsular region and the Himalayan or Tibetian wolf (Canis lupus chanco) in the north.

 

National Statistical Office (NSO)
About: 

NSO acts as the nodal agency under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation for planned development of the statistical system in the country, lays down and maintains norms and standards in the field of statistics, involving concepts and definitions, methodology of data collection, processing of data and dissemination of results.

The National Statistical Office(NSO) consists of the Central Statistical Office (CSO), the Computer center and the National Sample Survey Office (NSSO).

Extended PLI Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components

The Ministry of Heavy Industries has recently extended the tenure of the Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Components by one year, with incentives now applicable for five consecutive financial years starting from 2023-24.

This decision has been made after receiving the approval of the Empowered Group of Secretaries (EGoS).

Companies failing to meet the first year's sales increase threshold will not receive incentives for that year.

However, they remain eligible for future benefits by achieving a 10% year-on-year growth over the first year's threshold.

Status of the Automobile Sector in India

India is the world’s third-largest automobile market. The Automobile Sector resulted in 5.41% of the total FDI inflow as per the September 2023 DPIIT Report.

The Electric Vehicle market is expected to grow at a CAGR of 49% between 2022-2030 and the EV industry would create 5 Mn direct and indirect jobs by 2030.

Related Government Initiatives:

• FAME Scheme

• Automotive Mission Plan 2016-26 (AMP 2026)

 

Rani Velu Nachiyar Birth Anniversary

• The Prime Minister of India has paid tributes to Rani Velu Nachiyar (3rd Jan 1730 – 25th Dec 1796) on her birth anniversary.

• Rani Velu Nachiyar, also known as Veeramangai, was the princess of the Ramnad Kingdom of Ramanathapuram, Tamil Nadu.

• She is revered as the first queen to fight against the British colonial power in India

• She was a scholar in languages like French, English, and Urdu.

• Nachiyar became queen of the Sivaganga estate (present-day Tamil Nadu) in 1780 after her husband Muthuvaduganathaperiya Udaiyathevar’s death. She ruled until 1790.

• She went on to produce the first human bomb as well as establish the first army of trained women soldiers in the late 1700s.

 

India’s Steel Sector

Context:-

Over the years, the Steel Sector has witnessed tremendous growth and India has emerged as a global force in steel production and the 2nd largest producer of steel in the world after China.

State of Steel Sector in India

Present Scenario:

• India’s steel output has been 125.32 million tonnes (MT) of crude steel and 121.29 MT of finished steel production in FY23.

Significance:

• Steel is one of the widely used materials all over the world. The iron and steel industry is the bottom-line producer industry.

• The steel industry plays a pivotal role in crucial sectors such as construction, infrastructure, automobile, engineering, and defense.

• Steel is a key sector for the Indian economy (responsible for 2% of the country’s GDP in FY 21-22).

Producing States:

• India's major steel-producing states include Odisha, which leads among all steel-producing states, followed by Jharkhand and Chhattisgarh. Karnataka, Maharashtra, Gujarat, and West Bengal also play crucial roles.

Upgrade Existing Facilities:

• Renovate bathrooms to ensure cleanliness, functionality, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Install proper ventilation, lighting, and hygiene supplies like soap, paper towels, and sanitary bins.

Develop Sanitation Guidelines:

• Set national standards for sanitation facilities in courts, ensuring consistency and quality across different states and court levels. This could include guidelines for minimum amenities, accessibility requirements, and hygiene protocols.

Encourage User Feedback:

• Create mechanisms for court users to provide feedback on sanitation facilities, identify issues, and propose improvements. This could involve suggestion boxes, surveys, or public meetings.

• Ensure swift and timely action on suggestions and complaints.

Status of Toilet Facilities in India

• Sanitation is a State subject, and hence the task of providing toilets, initiating behavior change activities, providing Solid and Liquid Waste Management arrangements, and sustaining the various activities vests with the states.

• According to the National Family Health Survey (NFHS), 69.3% of households have access to improved toilet facilities or those that are not shared.

• 8.4% of households have access to shared toilet facilities and 2.9% have access to unimproved facilities.