UTTARAKHAND
Chamoli most seismically active zone in Uttarakhand Himalayas’
Scientists have identified a 2,291 sq km area in Uttarakhand’s Chamoli district as the “most seismically active zone in Uttarakhand Himalayas” after they found that it had the highest density of earthquakes and landslides over the study period of eight years. The flash floods in February that killed 200 people in Chamoli had also occurred in an area within this zone.
Researchers at the Dehradun-based Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG) studied the Main Central Thrust (MCT) zone, a 2,200 km-long geological fault along the Himalayan belt which demarcates the lesser Himalayas from the higher Himalayas. The zone has been touted as the “geographically weakest” part of the Himalayas since all earthquake-related activity in the Himalayas have happened in and around a 10km periphery of MCT, according to scientists.
For the study, researchers looked at the part of MCT which fell in Uttarakhand, a total area of 19,000 sq km. The study, published in Current Science journal, analysed data of earthquakes and landslides in the region between July 2007 and October 2015. Data from seismographs was collected to study earthquakes while landslide data was procured by high resolution satellite images as well as images on the Google Earth platform.
The study found 2,260 earthquakes of magnitude ranging between 1.5 and 5.1 in the study area. Among these, 769 tremors were of magnitude ranging between 1.5 and 2.0, 1,335 between 2.1 and 3.0, 129 between 3.1 and 4.0 and 27 between 4.1 and 5.0.
The data highlighted that smaller earthquakes of magnitude less than 3.0 — which were leading to frequent landslides — were “clustered” in certain areas. So scientists categorised them into three main clusters: Uttarkashi earthquake rupture zone (3,179 sq km), Chamoli earthquake rupture zone (2,291 sq km) and Munsyari zone cluster (4,220 sq km). These clusters were further studied.
The Uttarkashi earthquake rupture zone — which had witnessed a massive earthquake in 1991 that had claimed over 700 lives — had recorded 145 earthquakes and 300 landslides during the study period. The Munsyari cluster recorded 269 earthquakes and 401 landslides.
INTERNATIONAL
Wobble Effect of Moon – NASA
The Moon’s Wobble has been identified by NASA as a potential issue in the near future.
About the Moon’s Wobble:
When the moon orbits an elliptical orbit, its speed changes, causing our view of the “bright side” to appear at a slightly different angle. This is the so-called Moon’s wobble, or this is how it looks in our eyes
It is a regular swaying (Oscillation) in the moon’s orbit, as well as a cyclical shift of the moon’s orbit.
NATIONAL
Aaykar Diwas – 24th July
The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) observed the 161st Income Tax Day (also known as Aaykar Diwas) on July 24 2021.
Highlights:
In India, the Income Tax Day is celebrated every year on July 24, as it was on July 24 1980, that Income Tax was introduced in India by Sir James Wilson. The purpose of this tax was to compensate for the losses incurred by the British during the 1st war of independence against British Rule in 1857. July 24 was first celebrated as Income Tax day in 2010.
Launch of E-100 Pilot Project
The E-100 Pilot Project has been launched. On World Environment Day, the E-100 Pilot Project was launched in Pune (5 June). The project’s goal is to build a nationwide network for ethanol production and distribution.
About Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) Programme:
The Ethanol Blended Petrol Program was established in 2003 with the goal of encouraging the use of renewable and environmentally friendly fuels while reducing India’s reliance on imports for energy security.
The government has set a target of 10% ethanol blending by 2022 and 20% blending (E20) by 2030,with a starting of 5% blending.
The programme is carried out in accordance with the National Biofuels Policy.
Oil marketing companies (OMCs) will purchase ethanol from domestic sources at government-set prices under this programme.
Establishment of Dairy Investment Accelerator
The government has established the Dairy Investment Accelerator.
About the Dairy Investment Accelerator:
♦ The Dairy Investment Accelerator was established by the DAHD (Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying) of the Government of India under its investment facilitation cell.
♦ The goal is to devote special attention to promoting and facilitating investment in the Indian dairy sector.
♦ This Investment Accelerator is a cross-functional team formed to act as a point of contact for investors. It will provide assistance throughout the investment cycle:
♦ Providing specific inputs for investment opportunity evaluation
♦ Answering questions about government scheme applications
♦ Making contact with strategic partners
♦ Providing on-the-ground assistance in collaboration with state departments and relevant authorities.
Catch the Rain Project – Jal Shakti Abhiyan
The National Water Mission’s (NWM) “Catch The Rain” campaign, with the tagline “Catch the rain, where it falls, when it falls,” to promote states and stakeholders to create appropriate rainwater harvesting structures (RWHS) and suitable for climatic conditions and the underground formation before the monsoon season.
The main activities of this campaign include:
♦ Drive making inspection dams
♦ Water harvesting pits
♦ Rooftop RWHS
♦ Encroachment removal and de-silting of tanks to increase storage capacity
♦ Removal of impediments in the channels that bring water to them from catchment areas.
♦ Step-well repairs
♦ Restoring water to aquifers using defunct borewells and unused wells
♦ States have been asked to set up “Rain Centres” in each district/collectorate/municipality or GP office to facilitate these activities.
♦ The center will serve as a technical guidance center for everyone in the area to learn how to catch rain, when it falls, and where it rains.
Clean Ganga Fund – CGF
The Government of India established the Clean Ganges Fund (CGF) in accordance with the Indian Trust Act of 1882. As a trust, it allows Indian residents, non-resident Indians (NRI) and people of Indian descent (PIO), and enterprises (public and private sectors) to Contribute to the protection of the Ganges.
Donations to the Clean Ganga Fund fall within the scope of corporate social responsibility activities as defined in Schedule VII of the 2013 Companies Act.
Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati – Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana
Since 2020-21, the government is implementing Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati as a sub-program of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana to promote traditional indigenous customs and practices.
About Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP):
♦ The scheme focuses primarily on eliminating all synthetic chemical inputs and promoting on-farm biomass recycling, with a particular emphasis on –
♦ Mulching with biomass
♦ Utilization of cow dung-urine formulations
♦ Plant-based preparations
♦ Soil aeration is done on a regular basis.
♦ Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12,200 per hectare is provided for 3 years for cluster formation, capacity building, and continuous management of well-trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.
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