Kerala Affairs
Land conversion: Kerala govt earns Rs 447 crore
In the last one year, the government earned Rs 447 crore throughland conversionin the state, revenue ministerK Rajansaid in the assembly.
As per the details of the settlement of land, there were 30 lakhs acre ofpaddy landin the state. In 1970, the extent was 20 lakh acre and when the area of paddy land was assessed 14 years ago, the extent had reduced to 5 lakh acre.
The minister said that to address environmental issues and the reduction in area of farming land, the government had to introduce the act against conversion of paddy land and wetland in 2008. As per provisions of the act, while the conversion of wetland has been completely banned, paddy land can be filled only for construction of houses and for public purposes. Families that have no land other than paddy land are allowed to fill paddy land up to 10 cents in panchayat areas and up to five cents in areas to construct houses, subject to conditions.
National and International Affairs
World Bank And Niti Ayog Ready Electric Vehicles Financing Push
The and Niti Ayog are ready to financially push the EVs in India.
Highlights
The World Bank (WB) and the NITI Aayog (National Institution for Transforming India) are collaborating to support a scheme for faster and easier financing of electric vehicles (EVs).
The State Bank Of India (SBI) will serve as the program manager for a $300 million ‘first loss risk sharing instrument’ set up by NITI Aayog and the World Bank.
The present rate of interest on electric two-wheelers and electric three-wheelers, which is at 20-25 percent, is likely to drop to 10-12 percent.
Marusudar River Diversion – Pakal Dul HE Project Launched
Minister of Power, New & , R.K. Singh Launched the Pakal Dul Hydro Electric Project on November 1, 2021.
Highlights:
This project is located in Jammu and Kashmir’s Kishtwar district.
Accelerated hydropower project development is critical for grid balancing and peak power generation.
The Pakal Dul H.E. Project will contribute to achieving the 450 GW renewable energy target by 2030.
In this region, an Investment of Rs 8212 crores is being made through this project.
Direct and indirect EMPLOYMENT opportunities will be created as a result of the investment.
It will contribute to the general development of the local Population.
World Tsunami Awareness Day Is Commemorated On 5 November
On November 5, the world commemorated World Tsunami Awareness Day.
Highlights:
The day is observed to raise awareness about the hazards of Tsunamis among people all around the world.
World Tsunami Awareness Day in 2021 promotes the “Sendai Seven Campaign,”
It aims to “significantly expand international cooperation to developing nations through suitable and sustainable support to complement their national measures for the implementation of the current Framework by 2030.”
After the proclamation of the UN General Assembly on December 22, 2015, World Tsunami Day was first formally marked on November 5, 2016.
The United Nations General Assembly urged all countries in international organizations to increase awareness of the crisis and share product ideas.
The report was published in the backdrop of Indias target to achieve net zero emissions by 2070. This target was committed by Prime Minister Narendra Modi at COP26 global Climate summit in Glasgow.
At the summit, PM Modi also committed:
To bring non-fossil energy capacity of India to 500 GW by 2030,
To lower carbon intensity to 45 per cent by 2030
To reduce 1 billion tonnes of carbon emissions out of total projected emission by 2030.
To fulfil 50 per cent of energy requirement using renewable waste by 2030.
Report highlights that, Indias transition towards a <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/green-economy“>Green Economy could contribute about $1 trillion in economic impact by 2030. It will create more than 50 million jobs.
The economic impact would increase to $15 trillion by 2070.
Report notes that, Indias commitments are a critical foundation for achieving 1.5-degree Celsius Global Warming target.
India is on the frontline of Climate Change. More of Indians are exposed to negative effects of climate change and extreme weather events as compared to other nationality.
Energy, Industry, mobility, <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Agriculture-notes-for-state-psc-exams”>Agriculture and Infrastructure & cities are the five pillars in India, contributing over 90 per cent emissions. India will require to curb this emission, along with four cross-sectoral enablers including-
Accelerated approach to green technology innovation;
Integrated approach to carbon, capture, utilisation and storage
Overarching framework to catalyse green finance and
Plan for climate adaptation.
Bird of The Year Award – New Zealand
Forest & Bird, an independent conservation organization, organized its annual Bird of The Year Award.
Highlights:
The Pekapeka-tou-roa, a New Zealand native bat species, took up the annual bird of the year award in 2021.
Despite not being a bird, the species was declared the winner of the competition.
Long-tailed bat is another name for Pekapeka-tou-roa. It is one of two land animals found in New Zealand.
Forest and Bird named this bat to their Bird of the Year list because both bats and native birds are endangered by the same issues such as habitat loss, predators, and <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change.