Ministry of Power and Ministry of Environment to develop Carbon Credit Trading Scheme for Decarbonisation

Carbon Markets

• Carbon markets are essentially a tool for putting a price on carbon emissions— they establish trading systems where carbon credits or allowances can be bought and sold.
• A carbon credit is a kind of tradable permit that, per United Nations standards, equals one tonne of carbon dioxide removed, reduced, or sequestered from the atmosphere.
• Carbon allowances or caps, meanwhile, are determined by countries or governments according to their emission reduction targets.
• A United Nations Development Program release this year noted that interest in carbon markets is growing globally, i.e., 83% of NDCs submitted by countries mention their intent to make use of international market mechanisms to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

Two types of Carbon Markets:

• Compliance Market –
• These are set up by policies at the national, regional, and/or international level— are officially regulated.
• Entities in this sector are issued annual allowances or permits by governments equal to the emissions they can generate.
• If companies produce emissions beyond the capped amount, they have to purchase additional permit, either through official auctions or from companies which kept their emissions below the limit, leaving them with surplus allowances.
• The market price of carbon gets determined by market forces when purchasers and sellers trade in emissions allowances.

Voluntary Market:

• These are markets in which emitters— corporations, private individuals, and others— buy carbon credits to offset the emission of one tonne of CO2 or equivalent greenhouse gases.
• Such carbon credits are created by activities which reduce CO2 from the air, such as afforestation.
• In a voluntary market, a corporation looking to compensate for its unavoidable GHG emissions purchases carbon credits from an entity engaged in projects that reduce, remove, capture, or avoid emissions.

Cyclone Mocha to intensify into severe cyclonic storm; IMD issues warning

• It is a tropical cyclone formed over the southern Bay of Bengal.
• The cyclone''s name ‘Mocha’ is suggested by Yemen and was named after the Red Sea port city, which is known to have introduced coffee to the world.
• Tropical Cyclone Formation
  • A tropical cyclone is formed only over warm ocean waters near the equator.
  • Warm, moist air rises up and away from the ocean surface, creating an area of low pressure.
  • It causes the air from surrounding areas with higher pressure to move towards the low-pressure area.
  • This leads to the warming up of air and causes it to rise above.
  • As the air rises & cools, the water in the air forms clouds.
  • This complete system of clouds and wind spins & grows, along with the ocean’s heat.
  • As the wind rotation speed increases, an eye gets formed in the middle.
• Characteristics of a Tropical Cyclone:
  • The centre of a cyclone is very calm and clear with very low air pressure.
  • The average speed is 120 kmph.
  • They have closed isobars which leads to greater velocity. Isobars are imaginary lines on a weather map that connect locations with equal atmospheric pressure.
  • They develop over oceans and seas only.
  • They move from east to west under the influence of trade winds.
  • They are seasonal in nature.
• Cyclones are classified on the basis of wind speed by the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD):
  • Depression: Wind speeds of between 31–49 km/h
  • Deep Depression: Between 50-61 km/h
  • Cyclonic Storm: Between 62–88 km/h
  • Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 89-117 Km/h
  • Very Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 118-166 Km/h
  • Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm: Between 166-221 Km/h
  • Super Cyclonic Storm: Above 222 Km/h

‘Highly Endangered’ Sea Mammal Dugong Safely Released By Tamil Nadu Fishermen

• The dugong (Dugong dugon), also called the sea cow, is a herbivorous mammal.
• Scientific Name: Dugong dugon
• Distribution:
  • They have a broad but fragmented range inhibiting the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific oceans.
  • The largest population of sea cows is found in the northern waters of Australia.
  • The second largest population is found in the Arabian Gulf.
• Dugongs are not considered migratory but are known to travel great distances within their range in order to find food.
• Habitat: They generally inhabit shallow waters, remaining at depths of around 10 m.
• Features:
  • Dugongs range in length from about 2.2 to 3.4 metres and weigh 230 to 420 kg.
  • It has a tapered body that ends in a deeply notched tail or fluke.
  • The forelimbs are rounded flippers lacking nails; there are no hind limbs nor any discernible neck.
  • They are long-lived animals (up to 73 years).
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN: Vulnerable

Ntca Finds 9 Illegal Resorts In Tiger Reserve Limits

Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve (BRT):

• Location:
  • It is located in Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka State.
  • This unique Bio-geographical habitat is in the middle of the bridge between the Western and Eastern ghats.
• The tiger reserve derives its name from ''BILIGIRI '', the white rocky cliff which has a temple of Lord ''VISHNU'', locally known as ‘Rangaswamy’.
• It was declared as a Tiger Reserve in 2011.
• Vegetation: The forests of BRT Tiger Reserve are principally of dry deciduous type and are interspersed with moist deciduous, semi-evergreen, evergreen and shola patches occurring at varying altitudes.
• Flora: The major species include: Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Grewia teliaefolia, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, Terminalia paniculata etc.
• Fauna: Animals including tiger, elephant, leopard, wild dog, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelope, sloth bear, wild boar, common langur, bonnet macaque, varieties of reptiles, birds, etc., are found in the Tiger Reserve.

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA)

• It is a statutory body under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• It was established in 2006 under Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.
• Objectives:
  • Providing statutory authority to Project Tiger so that compliance of its directives becomes legal.
  • Fostering accountability of Center-State in management of Tiger Reserves by providing a basis for MoU with States within the federal structure.
  • Providing for an oversight by Parliament.
  • Addressing livelihood interests of local people in areas surrounding Tiger Reserves.
• NTCA Composition:
  • Minister in charge of MoEFCC (as Chairperson);
  • Minister of State in MoEFCC (as Vice-Chairperson);
  • three members of Parliament, the Secretary (MoEFCC), and other members;

UNHRC passes resolution on human rights abuses in Sudan amid worsening conflict

• It is an inter-governmental body within the United Nations system, which is responsible for strengthening the promotion and protection of human rights around the world.
• Mandate: To promote “universal respect for the protection of all human rights and fundamental freedoms for all” and “address situations of violations of human rights, including gross and systematic violations, and make recommendations thereon.”
• Establishment: It was founded in 2006. It replaced the former United Nations Commission on Human Rights (UNCHR).
• Functions:
  • It investigates allegations of breaches of human rights in UN member states.
  • It addresses important human rights issues such as freedom of expression, women''s rights, LGBT rights, and the rights of racial and ethnic minorities.
  • The UNHRC works closely with the Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR).
• Membership:
  • The Council is made up of 47 Member States, which are elected by UN General Assembly through direct and secret ballot.
  • The Council''s Membership is based on equitable geographical distribution. African and Asia-Pacific states have 13 seats each, Latin American and Caribbean states have 8 seats, Western European and other states have 7 seats, and Eastern European states have 6 seats.
  • Members of the Council serve for a period of three years and are not eligible for immediate re-election after serving two consecutive terms.

Railways'' bonanza for Agniveers: Reservation in Level-1, Level-2 non-gazetted posts, exemption from physical test, age criteria relaxed

• The features and benefits offered under Agniveer Salary Package are similar to the Defence Salary Package.
• The first batch of Agniveers under the "Agnipath Scheme" will be joining Training Centres by January 2023.

Agnipath scheme

• Defence Minister Rajnath Singh recently announced the “Agnipath” scheme, for recruitment of youth in the armed forces for four years.
• Enrolment: Enrolment to all three services will be through a centralised online system, with special rallies and campus interviews at recognised technical institutes.
• Eligibility criteria: The new system is only for personnel below officer ranks
• Recruitment: It will be carried out on an ‘All India All Class’ basis with the eligibility age ranging from 17.5 to 21 years, with medical and physical fitness standards in accordance with existing norms.
• Salary package: Agniveers will receive Rs 33,000 in the second year, Rs 36,500 in the third year and Rs 40,000 in the fourth year. They will get Rs 11.71 lakh as Seva Nidhi Package after four years.
• Qualification: The required educational qualification will be Class X-XII.
• Reselection: For those who are re-selected, the initial four-year period will not be considered for retirement benefits.
• Permanent Commission: Up to 25% of each batch will be enrolled as regular cadre as under permanent commission and would be required to serve for a further minimum period of 15 years.

US State Department Approves Potential Sale of Chinook Helicopters to Germany, Pentagon

• It is the U.S. Army’s primary heavy troop and supply transport aircraft.
• It is an advanced multi-mission helicopter.
• It is manufactured by American aerospace and defence firm Boeing for the US Army and international defence forces.
• It is used for the transportation of troops, artillery, supplies, and equipment to the battlefield.
• India has about 15 CH-47 Chinook helicopters.
• Features:
  • It contains a fully integrated digital cockpit management system.
  • It advanced cargo-handling capabilities that complement the aircraft''s mission performance and handling characteristics.
  • It has a monolithic airframe with vibration reduction.
  • Maximum Speed: 160 knots (296 kmph).

CBIC rolls out automated scrutiny module for GST returns

• This module will enable the officers to carry out scrutiny of GST returns of Centre Administered Taxpayers selected on the basis of data analytics and risks identified by the system.
• The module shows the discrepancies with the return to the tax officer and provides the tax officer with a way to interact with the taxpayer through the GSTN Common Portal for communication of discrepancies.
• The implementation of this Automated Return Scrutiny Module has commenced with the scrutiny of GST returns for financial year 2019-20.

6th Indian Ocean Conference to begin in Dhaka on Friday

• It will discuss aspects strengthening cooperation between the countries of the Indian Ocean region.
• The 6th edition of the Conference is being organised by India Foundation in association with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Bangladesh and S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies.
• Theme: “Peace, Prosperity and Partnership for a Resilient Future”
• The Conference endeavours to bring critical states and principal maritime partners of the region together on a common platform to deliberate upon the prospects of regional cooperation for Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).
• The first edition of the Conference was held in Singapore in 2016.

MyGov collaborates with IHM Pusa to launch ''YUVA PRATIBHA - Culinary Talent Hunt'' tomorrow

• The purpose of this competition is to bring out the lost recipes and promote the culinary talents of young and aspiring chefs and home cooks.
• The aim to create awareness and increase the production and consumption of millet, the year 2023 has been declared as the International Year of the Millets by the United Nations.
• The fusion of millets in this competition provides a unique opportunity for participants to showcase their creativity and innovation in cooking with healthy and sustainable ingredients.
• This will create awareness of the contribution of nutri-cereals (millets) for food security and nutrition.
• The contest is open to the citizens of India within the age group of 18 to 40 years.
• The dish should be home-cooked, wherein 50 percent of the ingredients should be of millet.