Operation Karuna: INS Gharial delivers medical supplies for people of cyclone-hit Myanmar

• INS Gharial is a Magarclass amphibious warfare vessel of the Indian Navy.
• It was built by Hindustan Shipyard Limited and Garden Reach Shipbuilders and Engineers.
• It was commissioned in 1997.

Operation Karuna:

• India launched "Operation Karuna" to provide humanitarian assistance for people in Myanmar, which is affected by Cyclone Mocha.
• The ships are carrying emergency food items, tents, essential medicines, water pumps, portable generators, clothes, sanitary and hygiene items, etc.
• Indian Navy remains committed to ensuring Security and Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR) and being the first responders in providing support to our neighbours during such calamities.

Bhupender Yadav inaugurates Pashmina Certification Centre set up in Wildlife Institute of India (WII) Dehradun

• The Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change and Labour and Employment termed PCC as a boost for Atamnirbhar Bharat, adding that it will provide certification for the purity of Pashmina products.
• The Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH) collaborated with WII to establish a Pashmina Certification Center (PCC) for its associated members involved in Pashmina Trade.
• Purpose of setting:
• To streamline the Pashmina Trade.
• To provide a one-stop testing facility to certify genuine Pashmina Product free from any prohibited fibres to the associated manufacturers, exporters, and traders.
• All the tested products will be labelled with a traceable unique id tag with individual e-certificates, enabling a seamless trade of such products in national and international markets.

Wildlife Institute of India:

• It was established in 1982 in Dehradun.
• It''s an autonomous institute managed by the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change.
• Aims & Objectives:
  • Build up scientific knowledge on wildlife resources.
  • Train personnel at various levels for conservation and management of wildlife.
  • Carry out research relevant to management including the development of techniques appropriate to Indian conditions.
  • Provide information and advice on specific wildlife management problems.
  • Collaborate with international organizations on wildlife research, management and training.
• It carries out wildlife research in areas of study like: Biodiversity, Endangered Species, Wildlife Policy, Wildlife Management, Wildlife Forensics, Eco-development, Climate Change etc.

Jumbo census in Seshachalam hills, Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary hints at sizeable presence

Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary:

• It is located in Palamner - Kuppam forest ranges of Chittoor district of Andhra Pradesh.
• It is the only sanctuary in the whole state housing Asian elephants.
• This Sanctuary comes under Project elephant a Country wide Elephant Conservation Project taken up by Government of India.
• River Kaigal and River Kaundinya flow through this sanctuary and is characterized by high hills, deep valleys.
• Flora:
  • Forest type: Southern tropical dry deciduous forest, with patches of thorn, scrub and grassy plains.
  • Plants like Albizzia amara, Ficus glomerata, Zizyphus xylocarpus, Gymnosporia Montana, etc; make this a green panoramic place with a breathtaking floral diversity.
• Fauna:
  • Insects like Painted grasshopper, Plain tiger butterfly, Common grass yellow butterfly etc.
  • Reptiles like Common cobra, Rat snake, Indian rock python, Forest calotes, Skinks, etc.
  • Birds like Partidges, quails, storks, Cotton teal, etc; make this Sanctuary their domicile.
  • Mammals like Indian Elephant, Panther, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Chowsingha, Nilgai, Hyena, Jackal, etc.

Ministry of Civil Aviation organises curtain raiser event for ‘Wings India 2024’

Wings India 2024:

• Ministry of Civil Aviation (MoCA), Airport Authority of India (AAI) and Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI) are organizing the upcoming edition of ''Wings India 2024''.
• The Asia’s largest commercial, general, and business aviation event to be held in January 2024 at Begumpet Airport, Hyderabad, India.

Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce and Industry (FICCI):

• It was established in 1927 as non-government, not-for-profit organization.
• It is the largest and oldest apex business organisation in India.
• It serves its members from the Indian private and public corporate sectors and multinational companies.
• It is the voice of India''s business and industry. From influencing policy to encouraging debate, engaging with policy makers and civil society, it articulates the views and concerns of industry.

Airport Authority of India (AAI):

• It was constituted by an Act of Parliament and came into being on 1st April 1995 by merging erstwhile National Airports Authority and International Airports Authority of India.
• It is responsible for creation development and management of Air Cargo Terminals for processing of international air cargo at international and domestic airports in India.

Ministry of Education and World Bank organise a one of its kind workshop on School-to-Work Transition under the STARS Program

• School-to-Work Transition workshop under the STARS Program was co-chaired by Secretaries of School Education and Skill Development and Entrepreneurship.

STARS Program:

• Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) Project was approved by the Cabinet in October 2020 and to be implemented as a centrally sponsored scheme.
• It became effective since 2021 for a period of five yearse. up to FY: 2024-25.
• STARS project would be implemented under Department of School Education and Literacy, Ministry of Education with the financial support of World Bank.
• It is being implemented in six identified States Himachal Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. These states will be supported for various interventions for improving the quality of education.
• It is carved out of Samagra Shiksha, with a focus on those elements of the scheme that will most directly support school education enhancement.
• The overall focus and components of the STARS project are aligned with the objectives of National Education Policy (NEP) 2020 of Quality Based Learning Outcomes.
• The STARS project also aims to focus on initiatives of PM e-Vidya, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy Mission and National Curricular and Pedagogical Framework for Early Childhood Care and Education as part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.

RBI withdraws ₹2000 note from circulation, to remain legal tender

Legal Tender:

• It is a type of currency or medium of exchange.
• It is money that is valid and acceptable for the settlement of debts which must be recognized when issued.
• Almost every country uses its national currency as legal tender.
• Creditors are lawfully responsible for accepting legal tender for the repayment of debt that they have availed.
• Legal tender is constitutioned by a law that specifies the object to be utilised as legal tender and the organisation that is commissioned to create and issue the same to the public such as the Reserve Bank of India.
• In India, the authentic legal tender of the Reserve Bank of India consists of coins and notes. The creditors are supposed to accept them as a payment towards the debt.

Solar panels set to become more efficient following South Korean breakthrough

• It consists of solar cells on top of each other.
• There are several types of tandem cells that can be grouped mainly depending on materials used.
• Tandem cells are stacks of p-n junctions, each of which is formed from a semiconductor of different bandgap energy. Each responds to a different section of the solar spectrum.
• They are able to improve the efficiency of standard solar panels by splitting the light spectrum and optimising the harvesting of energy from each section into electricity.

Perovskite

• A perovskite is a material that has the same crystal structure as the mineral calcium titanium oxide, the first-discovered perovskite crystal.
• Generally, perovskite compounds have a chemical formula ABX3, where ‘A’ and ‘B’ represent cations and X is an anion that bonds to both.
• A large number of different elements can be combined together to form perovskite structures.
• Using this compositional flexibility, scientists can design perovskite crystals to have a wide variety of physical, optical, and electrical characteristics.
• Perovskite crystals are found today in ultrasound machines, memory chips, and now – solar cells.

Tiger cub found dead with injuries in Bandhavgarh reserve

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:

• Location:
  • It is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It is spread over the Vindhya hills.
• Bandhavgarh was declared a national park in 1968 and then became Tiger Reserve in 1993.
• It derives its name from the most prominent hillock of the area, which was said to be given by Hindu Lord Rama to his brother Lakshmana to keep a watch on Lanka. Hence the name Bandhavgarh (Sanskrit: Brother''s Fort).
• It is known for the Royal Bengal Tigers. The density of the tiger population at Bandhavgarh is the highest known in India as well as in the world.
• Topography: Varies between steep ridges, undulating forests and open meadows.
• Flora:
  • The vegetation of Bandhavgarh is specially filled with Sal forest in the valleys, and Bamboo stretches on the lower slopes of the region.
  • Some of the most famous floral species include Saj (Terminaliatomentosa), Dhaora (Anogeissus latifolia), Tendu, Arjun (Terminalia arjuna), Amla (Emblica officinalis), Palas (Butea monosperma) etc.
• Fauna:
  • The important prey species consists of chital, sambhar, barking deer, nilgai, chinkara, wild pig, chowsingha, langur and rhesus macaque.
  • Dependent upon them are the major predators like tiger, leopard, wild dog, wolf and jackal.

The Closest Living Relative of the First Animal Has Finally Been Found

Comb Jelly:

• It is any of the numerous marine invertebrates constituting the phylum Ctenophora.
• It is a beautiful, oval-shaped animal with eight rows of tiny comblike plates that it beats to move itself through the water.
• As it swims, the comb rows break up (diffract) light to produce a shimmering rainbow effect.
• Some ctenophores live in somewhat brackish water, but all are confined to marine habitats.
• They live in almost all ocean regions, particularly in surface waters near shores.
• They are frequently swept into vast swarms, especially in bays, lagoons, and other coastal waters.
• They are carnivorous, eating myriads of small planktonic animals.

DRDO light tank ''Zorawar'' to be ready for trials by year-end along China border

• It is an indigenously designed and developed Light Tank.
• Developed by Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) in collaboration with Larsen & Toubro Limited.
• Features:
  • It is designed to operate in varying terrainfrom high altitude areas and marginal terrains to island territories.
  • It will be highly transportable for rapid deployment to meet any operational situation.
  • It will be equipped with all the modern technologies such as Artificial Intelligence, Drone Integration, a high degree of situational awareness, and amphibious operation capability.
  • It will weigh less than 25 tonnes with a high power-to-weight ratioas well as superior firepower and protection.

Zorawar

• He was a military general — Zorawar Singh Kahluria, and had served under Jammu’s Raja Gulab Singh in the 19th Century.
• He is honoured for his conquests in the Himalayas including Ladakh, Tibet, Baltistan and Skardu.

Digitisation and proper mapping of land records could lead to substantial economic prosperity

• Land is a precious asset for any country, and more so for India where more than 50% of the working population is engaged in agriculture. It is, therefore, all the more important to develop a modern, comprehensive and transparent land record management system.
• Keeping this in view, the government revamped the existing National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP) by bringing into force, the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) in 2016.

Significance of Land

• Source of Livelihood:Land provides habitation and sustenance to a wide variety of flora and fauna, including human beings. More than 50% of the working population in India is engaged in agriculture, which depends on land as a primary resource.
• Land is also used for forestry, mining, and other activities that generate income and employment.
• Economy:Land is a valuable asset that can attract investment, promote industrialization, and boost growth. Special Economic Zones (SEZs) are examples of land-based initiatives that aim to create hyper-liberalized enclaves for export-oriented production.
• Land can also generate long-term capital gains when transferred, subject to certain conditions and exemptions.
• Natural Resources: Land contains a variety of natural resources, including minerals, water, and forests. These resources are essential for human industry and commerce.
• Culture and Identity: Land can be a source of identity and belonging for people. It can be associated with a particular culture or community, and it can play a role in religious and spiritual practices.

Digitization of Land Record Management System needed in India

• Reduce Litigation:Land-related disputes account for a large proportion of pending court cases in India, which take a long time and cost to resolve. A comprehensive and transparent land record management system can reduce the scope and frequency of such disputes by providing clear and secure ownership rights that are backed by the government.
• Improve Transparency: Land records in India are often inaccurate, outdated, and fragmented across different departments and levels of government. A comprehensive and transparent land record management system can improve the quality and accessibility of land records by digitizing them and linking them to spatial data and other databases such as Aadhaar, tax records, etc.
• Promote Development:Land is a valuable asset that can attract investment, promote industrialization, and boost growth. A comprehensive and transparent land record management system can create a conducive environment for land markets and transactions by reducing transaction costs, risks, and uncertainties. It can also enable landowners to access credit, insurance, and markets by using their land titles as collateral.
• Ensure Equity:A comprehensive and transparent land record management system can support the implementation of land reforms that aim to redistribute land among the landless and marginalized sections of society. It can also empower women and other vulnerable groups by recognizing their land rights and enhancing their access to land-related services.

National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP)

The National Land Record Modernization Programme (NLRMP) was a centrally sponsored scheme that was launched by the Government of India in 2008 with the aim to modernize the land records system in the country and implement the conclusive land-titling system with title guarantee. The NLRMP was later revamped and renamed as the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP) in 2016 as a central sector scheme with 100% funding by the Centre.

Salient features of DILRMP

• A Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN)or Bhu-Aadhaar number has been assigned for a land parcel, which is a 14 digit alphanumeric unique ID based on geo-coordinates which will serve as a pan-India number for obtaining ownership details of a plot along with its size and geolocation.
• A uniform system called National Generic Document Registration System (NGDRS)has been developed for addressing the diversity prevailing across States with regards to registration of deeds/documents.
• TheRecords of Rights have been transliterated in all the 22 scheduled languages mentioned in the Constitution to address the problem of linguistic barriers in land governance in the country.
• The DILRMP scheme will also facilitate various services such as providing caste, income and domicile certificates, and online information on crop profile, crop insurance and e-linkages to credit facilities/banks.
• A comprehensive land record management system will also help resolve long pending arbitration cases and boundary-related disputes amicably, thus reducing the burden on the judiciary and the administration.

How can DILRMP (Digitisation of Land Records) be beneficial?

• Improve the Quality and Accessibility of Land Records:
• The DILRMP aims to digitize and update the textual and spatial records of land ownership and transactions, such as sale deeds, inheritance records, mortgage and lease documents, cadastral maps, etc.
• These records are made available online to the public and are updated regularly. This helps to reduce errors, inconsistencies, and gaps in land data, and make them more reliable and transparent.
• Reduce Litigation and Frauds:
• The DILRMP aims to implement the conclusive land-titling system with title guarantee, which means that the land records provide a conclusive proof of ownership of land and are backed by the government.
• The title holder is protected from any challenge or dispute by other claimants and is indemnified by the government in case of any loss arising from any defect in the title.
• This helps to reduce the scope and frequency of land-related disputes and frauds, which account for a large proportion of pending court cases in India.
• Promote Development and Growth:
• The DILRMP aims to create a conducive environment for land markets and transactions by reducing transaction costs, risks, and uncertainties.
• It also enables landowners to access credit, insurance, and markets by using their land titles as collateral.
• This helps to attract investment, promote industrialization, and boost growth in various sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, housing, etc.
• Ensure Equity and Empowerment:
• The DILRMP aims to support the implementation of land reforms that aim to redistribute land among the landless and marginalized sections of society.
• It also empowers women and other vulnerable groups by recognizing their land rights and enhancing their access to land-related services.
• This helps to improve their livelihoods, dignity, and social status.

Challenges associated with Land Record Digitisation

• Lack of Coordination and Cooperation among States:
• Land is a state subject and the implementation of DILRMP depends on the willingness and cooperation of the state governments.
• However, some states are reluctant or slow to adopt the DILRMP due to various reasons such as political, administrative, legal, or technical constraints.
• There is also a lack of coordination and standardization among states in terms of land laws, policies, procedures, and systems.
• Inadequate resources and capacity:
• The DILRMP requires adequate financial, human, and technical resources and capacity to carry out the massive task of modernizing the land records system in the country.
• However, there is a shortage of funds, staff, equipment, and infrastructure at various levels of implementation.
• There is also a need for training and capacity building of the concerned officials and functionaries on the use of modern technology and tools for land record management.
• Lack of awareness and participation among stakeholders:
• The DILRMP requires the active involvement and participation of various stakeholders such as landowners, buyers, sellers, tenants, intermediaries, etc., who are directly affected by the changes in the land records system.
• However, there is a lack of awareness and sensitization among them about the benefits and procedures of DILRMP.

Looking ahead

• Enhancing the Coordination and Cooperation Among States:
• The central and state governments need to work together to overcome the challenges and issues faced by the DILRMP.
• They need to harmonize and streamline the land laws, policies, procedures, and systems across the states. They also need to share the best practices and experiences of the DILRMP among themselves.
• Maintaining Transparency:
• The central and state governments need to take strict action against any sabotage or manipulation of the DILRMP.
• They need to ensure transparency and accountability in the process of land survey, digitization, verification, and titling.
• They also need to create a grievance redressal mechanism for resolving any disputes or complaints arising from the DILRMP.
• Mobilizing Adequate Resources and Capacity:
• The central and state governments need to allocate sufficient funds, staff, equipment, and infrastructure for the implementation of DILRMP.
• They also need to provide training and capacity building to the concerned officials and functionaries on the use of modern technology and tools for land record management.
• They may also leverage the public-private partnership (PPP) mode of service delivery for enhancing efficiency and convenience.
• Creating awareness and participation among stakeholders:
• The central and state governments need to create awareness and sensitization among the various stakeholders about the benefits and procedures of DILRMP.
• They need to address their apprehensions or misconceptions about the DILRMP by providing clear and accurate information.
• They also need to encourage their involvement and participation in the process of land record management.