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Jun 1, 2016

[CA] Important Points @ Glance: Part 9

Important Points @ Glance: Part 9


1)   India, which is has emerged as world’s second largest mobile market, is also the fifth largest producer of e-waste, discarding roughly 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste each year, a joint study by Assocham-KPMG says. The telecom equipment alone accounts for 12% of the e-waste.

2)   Ministry of Power and the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) have launched India’s first integrated web portal (www.nzeb.in) designed to promote and mainstream Net Zero Energy Buildings (NZEB) in India. A first of its kind, the portal provides complete information about Net Zero Energy Buildings – those that generate as much energy as they use – as well as how to achieve near-zero energy status through the use of efficient lighting and equipment, integration of renewable energy technologies, and best practice design strategies. In addition, the portal hosts the NZEB Alliance, an industry-wide body setup to drive the Indian markets toward highly energy-efficient buildings.

3)   Lakshadweep has become the first Union Territory (UT) to sign “24×7 Power for All” document. The document chalks out a plan to increase solar capacity of the region from 2.15 MW to 8.45 MW. At present, 10 inhabited islands of Lakshadweep are being fed by diesel mostly. The plan also envisions reduction of AT & C losses from current level of 21% to 6.7% till 2019 by increasing the collection efficiency up to 99 %. The ‘Power for All’ programme aims to provide each household access to electricity, 24×7 Power supply by 2019. As on date, 22 States have already signed the ‘24×7 Power For All’ Documents.

4)   Shrinking grasslands have become a cause of concern for the 344-sq km Nameri Tiger Reserve (NTR) in Sonitpur district in Assam. The latest assessment report on NTR’s predator and prey status has revealed that it has lost nearly 50% of its grasslands between 1973 and 2011. The assessment, carried out between 2012 and 2014, said NTR has around five to eight tigers, with a big cat density of 1.3 to 1.5 tigers per 100 sq km. The tiger reserve is bound by the Jia-Bhoreli river on its west and the Bor-Dikorai river on its east. The Naduar and Balipara reserved forests in Sonitpur, which forms NTR’s buffer zone, have also borne the brunt of encroachment over the years, leading to a further decline of grasslands. Located on the northern part of Sonitpur, NTR adjoins Arunachal Pradesh’s Pakke Tiger Reserve. Despite its small size, it is known for its rich flora and fauna.


5)   Gurgaon is all set to have a reserved forest zone for black bucks. An area of 140 hectares has been allotted by the forest department that will be the reserved forest zone for the endangered species. The area has been sanctioned in Sarbasirpur. NCR already has a Sultanpur national park and bird sanctuary which is providing a habitat for migratory birds. The reserve area will be developed over a period for four years and will provide a natural habitat for the black bucks. The animal prefers grassy plains and hot and humid environment.



6)   Prime Minister Narendra Modi during his recent visit to Meghalaya tried his hand in beating Khasi traditional drum ‘Ka Bom.’

7)   German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande recently marked the 100-year anniversary of the Battle of Verdun. The Verdun battle was one of the longest in World War I, lasting more than 300 days from February to December 1916, and its commemoration has come to signify the reconciliation between Germany and France after decades of hostility and distrust following two world wars.

8)   The trial of Spanish train Talgo, the lighter and faster vehicle whose speed goes up to 115 km per hour, was recently conducted between Bareilly and Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, as part of the Railways’ strategy to increase the speed of trains. These trains are also energy efficient. The Talgo train coaches are lightweight and designed in a way that it can run on curves without decelerating the speed.

9)   Music maestro A R Rahman has been announced as the recipient of Grand Fukuoka Prize 2016 for his outstanding contribution to Asian culture through his music. He has been chosen for the honour alongside Philippines’ historian Ameth R Ocampo (Academic Prize) and Yasmeen Lari from Pakistan (Arts and Culture Prize) by the secretariat of Fukuoka prize committee. The annual award was established by Fukuoka City, Japan, in 1990 with an aim to honour the outstanding work of individuals, groups and organisations working to preserve and promote the unique and diverse culture of Asia.




10)   India climbs to 41st slot on competitiveness ranking: India has moved up three spots from last year to 41 on the IMD World Competitiveness Scoreboard, 2016. The country’s ranking had fallen to 44 in 2015, from 35 in 2012. Hong Kong replaced the US as the world’s most competitive economy. Switzerland, Singapore, Sweden, Denmark, Ireland, the Netherlands, Norway and Canada have got slots in the top 10. India’s improvement is in sharp contrast to the sagging fortunes of other Asian countries.






Important Points @ Glance: Part 2

Important Points @ Glance: Part 3

Important Points @ Glance: Part 4

Important Points @ Glance: Part 5

Important Points @ Glance: Part 6

Important Points @ Glance: Part 7

Important Points @ Glance: Part 8

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