UTTARAKHAND
Stalled since 1992, tallest dam on Yamuna in Uttarakhand gets Centre nod
The finance committee of the Jal Shakti ministry has given its approval to the tallest dam on the Yamuna — with a proposed height of 204 metres — which will come up in Uttarakhand at a cost of Rs 5,747 crore.
The nod to the dam — which was first approved in 1976 and work on which was halted in 1992 due to lack of funds — has reignited a decades-old debate, with environmentalists again red-flagging the project as a “flood risk” to Delhi and “ecological threat to the Himalayas”.
The financial approval to the 300 MW Lakhwar Multipurpose Project, which will straddle Dehradun and Tehri districts with its 22 kilometre long reservoir, was given by the ministry. The project is now awaiting final clearance from the Union cabinet.
The multipurpose project will provide drinking water and electricity to six states — Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Haryana, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Delhi. It will also provide irrigation on 33,780 hectares. For the project, 90% of the cost is to be spent by the Centre while the remaining 10% will be borne by the states.
INTERNATIONAL
WHO Tightens Global Air Pollution Standards
The World Health Organisation revised its air quality guidelines for the first time since 2005 in keeping with WHO.
Highlights
Tightening the guidelines, WHO aim to spur countries toward clean energy and stop deaths and illnesses caused by pollution.
The new recommendations mainly target pollutants, including particulate and dioxide, found in fuel emissions.
Air pollution kills a minimum of seven million people prematurely each year.
Even at deficient levels, research has shown air pollution affects all parts of the body, from the brain to a growing baby during a mother’s womb.
COP 26 – India Pushing for Climate Finance, Green Tech Transfer
In the Conference of Parties, India has been stressing and repeating its position on the transfer and finance of green technologies from developed countries to developing ones (COP 26).
Key points:
♦ In November 2021, the UN Climate Change Conference (UNFCCC) will hold its 26th meeting in Glasgow.
♦ Green technology transfer is seen as critical to achieving an ambitious conclusion at the next climate summit.
♦ Critical climate activities on finance, mitigation, and adaptation were also considered during the meeting to address the global crisis.
The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was developed as an environment protection convention to address “human interference with the climate system.” It was formed in part by stabilizing the amounts of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere. In 1992, 154 countries signed the agreement at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED), also known as the Earth Summit.
International start-up hubs ranking 2021
International start-up hubs ranking 2021 was recently compiled and published by Start-up Genome for its annual Global Start-up Ecosystem Report 2021.
As per the comprehensive ranking of international start-ups, London, Mumbai and Bangalore have been featured among the world’s top start-up hubs.
London maintained the second-place ranking along with the New York for second consecutive year, despite Brexit and the coronavirus pandemic.
Bangalore has also been ranked at 23rd position, maintaining the position among top 30 global tech hubs.
Delhi was ranked at 36th
Mumbai has been ranked at first position in the Emerging Ecosystems ranking, outperforming the fast-growing ecosystems in areas of performance, funding, talent and market research.
Karnataka is also the 4th largest technology and innovation cluster in the world and is home to more than 400+ global R & D centres.
NATIONAL
A Unique SPIN Scheme Launched By KVIC
Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) kick-started the (SPIN) Strengthening the Potential of India scheme to make potters self-sustainable.
Highlights:
♦ Under SPIN, KVIC will help potters get easy loans from banks which helps to expand their activities and improve their income.
♦ It is directed at sustainable development by creating local self-employment, joined with the Prime Minister’s commitment to “Job to Every Hand” (Har Hath Me Kaam).
♦ It will lessen their dependence on government subsidies and thus make potters self-reliant.
It is a no-subsidy program.
♦ KVIC aids potters to get bank loans under Pradhan Mantri Shishu Mudra Yojana.
♦ No financial burden on the bank.
♦ Beneficiaries can repay the loans in easy instalments.
Leh to host first edition of Himalayan Film Festival
Himalayan Film festival will run for five days from September 24 to 28.
Ladakh is hosting the film festival as part of the celebrations of ‘Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav’ to commemorate 75 years of India’s Independence.
The 5-day festival will comprise of several segments to capture audience and film buffs alike.
Aim of the festival
The five-day festival is being organised with the aim of creating an interactive and exposure platform in order to promote aspiring local filmmakers as well as to showcase Ladakh as an attractive film destination.
