UTTARAKHAND
- Uttarakhand awaits Biodiversity Management Committees
According to preliminary estimates made by the state biodiversity board, a total of 2,387 Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) will be formed under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, in Uttarakhand.
These BMCs will ensure conservation of natural resources and biodiversity, and provide equal economic rights to farmers and locals on natural resources. While several states enjoy services of BMCs, Uttarakhand was still awaiting their formation. According to sources, BMCs could not be set up in the state as the forest department could not decide as to which body should be tasked to form these committees.
These BMCs are extremely important for Uttarakhand as the state has a large forest cover. Around 74% of the geographical land of the state is under forest department.
INTERNATIONAL
● Scotland becomes the first country in the UK to ban the smacking of children
Scotland has become the first part of the United Kingdom to ban the smacking of children. The country introduced a law that makes smacking the children a criminal offence for parents and carers to use physical punishment against a child.
The law change is aimed to give children the same protection from assault as adults. This law has brought Scotland into line with United Nations recommendations. Currently, the parents and the carers are allowed to use reasonable physical force in order to discipline children.
● India and Bangladesh signed MoU to set up coastal surveillance
India and Bangladesh have signed an MOU to set up a coastal surveillance system radar in Bangladesh on 5 October. Delhi will enable the setting up the surveillance. The countries have decided to further expand connectivity network corridors to boost Delhi’s Indo-Pacific strategy with Dhaka emerging as a key pillar in that vision.
Including this, India and Bangladesh signed MoUs to strengthen ties: The MoUs include:
MOU to provide a Coastal Surveillance System
Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) on the use of Chattogram and Mongla Ports for Movement of goods to and from India
Withdrawal of 1.82 cusecs of water from Feni River by India for drinking water supply scheme for Sabroom town, Tripura
Agreement concerning Implementation of the Lines of Credit (LoCs) committed by India to Bangladesh.
NATIONAL
● Exercise Nomadic Elephant XIV commenced on 6th October in Bakloh
The Exercise Nomadic Elephant XIV, 14th edition of Indo–Mongolian joint military training has commenced from 6 October 2019. The exercise is conducted over a period of 14 days from 6 October to 18 October 2019 at Bakloh, Himachal Pradesh.
Nomadic Elephant-XIV aims to train troops in counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations under the United Nations mandate. It aims to enhance defence co-operation and military relations between the two countries.
The exercise will provide a platform to share the experiences and best practices of the two countries and gain mutually during the joint training.
It aims to evolve various tactical drills in counter-terror environment like Convoy Protection Drill, Room Intervention Drills, Ambush/ Counter Ambush Drills.
● Wildlife Week is celebrated from 2nd to 8th October
Wildlife Week is celebrated in India in the month of October from 2nd to 8th October every year. The week is celebrated with the view to preserve the fauna means the animal life of India.
This week, the government has launched varieties of sanctuaries and national parks have been already launched in the appropriate localities all across the country.
The week aims to make people more aware of the conservation and protection of wildlife. It will focus the people’s attention on the importance of conservation of wildlife. It aims to implement more services to preserve wildlife. It will also discuss all the issues related to the preservation of wildlife.
● Novak Djokovic won Japan Open 2019 title
Novak Djokovic, World No.1, won the 2019 Japan Open title . He defeated the Australian qualifier John Millman to win the title. Djokovic secured 6-3, 6-2 and marked his 10th win in a tournament main draw debut in his celebrated career.
It was his first competition after pulling out of the US Open due to a left shoulder injury.
● Naomi Osaka won the 2019 China Open title
Japanese Tennis player Naomi Osaka won the 2019 China Open title. She defeated world number one Ashleigh Barty to win her second Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) Tour 2019 title.
2019 China Open is the 21st edition for the men and the 23rd for the women. The championship is a part of the Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) Tour 500 series on the 2019 ATP Tour.