GOA

Poor allocation puts cloud over tourism in Goa

Calling tourism the backbone of the state’s economy, chief minister Pramod Sawant spoke about laying thrust on eco-tourism and hinterland, adventure and medical tourism in his budget speech on Thursday. There was, however, no significant allocation hike.

The 2020-21 budget provision for tourism stands at Rs 228 crore, barely Rs 11 crore more than the 2019-20 allocation. A tourist guide support scheme was also announced.

Sawant spoke about developing heritage circuits in Bicholim and Sattari talukas. He elaborated plans to develop the Jain temple and sun temple ruins in Kudnem, Bicholim, as tourism spots, setting up a botanical park at the Bondla Wildlife Sanctuary, and a tourism circuit comprising the Netravali waterfall, a strawberry plantation in Verlem and ancient petroglyphs (rock carving) sites in Ponsaimol, Colamb near Rivona.

The chief minister’s maiden budget failed to enthuse stakeholders, who said they were dismayed to find no mention of either a tourism masterplan or provisions for a tourism board.

INTERNATIONAL

Brazil to open new Antarctic research base

Brazil has announced that it is to open a new research base in Antarctica. Brazil’s original scientific outpost was destroyed by fire 8 years ago. It is expected that Vice President Hamilton Mourao and Science and Technology Minister Marcos Pontes will attend the official opening ceremony.

The Brazilian government has invested nearly $100 million in the reconstruction of the Comandante Ferraz Antarctic Station.

It is a 48,500-square-foot complex on King George Island, the largest in the South Shetland archipelago.

NATIONAL

Postal Ballot now for PwDs and super Senior Citizens too

People with disabilities (PwDs) and people over 80 years of age can now cast their vote in Delhi Assembly Election through postal ballot.

For the first time, Delhi Metro, Northern Railway Employees and media persons covering polling can also use postal ballot facility to cast their votes.

Till now, voting through postal ballot was available to armed forces and those assigned in poll duties.

Employees of essential service can fill out the form 12(D) and submit before 19th of this month to avail the postal ballot facility.

Mega campaign on fuel conservation ‘Saksham’ launched

Saksham, a people centric fuel conservation mega campaign of Petroleum Conservation Research Association (PCRA) has been launched.

One month long mega campaign was inaugurated by Petroleum and Natural Gas Minister Dharmendra Pradhan in New Delhi.

During this campaign, PCRA along with Oil and Gas companies will carry out various activities like ‘Saksham’ cycle Day, cyclothons, seminars for housewives on adopting simple fuel saving measures.

This campaign aims to spread the message of fuel conservation and greener environment across India.

Ladakh hosts first ever Food Processing Summit to attract investors

Union Territory Ladakh is hosting the first ever Food Processing Summit to attract investors to the region.

With the help of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry and the Ministry of Food Processing Industries, the UT Administration of Ladakh is organizing the Summit.

Ladakh region has vast scope for investment in food Processing Industries in horticulture products like Apricot, SeabuckThorn, Apple and agricultural produce like buckwheat and barley.

Over a hundred entrepreneurs from Leh and Kargil are participating in the Summit.

The event is aimed at encouraging the entrepreneurs to begin a StartUp to tap the potential in the Food Processing Industries in Ladakh.

India successfully launches high power communication satellite GSAT-30

India’s high power communication satellite GSAT-30 was successfully launched onboard Ariane 5 rocket from French Guiana.

Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) said the GSAT-30 is aimed at providing high-quality television, telecommunications and broadcasting services.

The 3,357-kg GSAT-30 derives its heritage from ISRO’s earlier INSAT/GSAT satellite series, and is equipped with 12 C and 12 Ku band transponders.

GSAT-30 will serve as replacement to the aging INSAT-4A spacecraft services with enhanced coverage.

WHO released 2020 Global Health Challenges report

The World Health Organization (WHO) released the list of Global Health Challenges of the forthcoming year on 13 January 2020.

Report Highlights:

The list of Global Health Challenges highlighted 13 potential threats.

The top among the listed threats was Anti-Microbial Resistance (AMR) and climate crisis.

As per the report, around 7 million people are affected because of climate change.

The report said that climate change has increased malnutrition and is fueling the spread of infectious diseases such as malaria.

Following these 2, the other threats mentioned in the list include the influenza epidemic and the spread of infectious diseases such as HIV, malaria, and tuberculosis.

The report stated that most of the death is due to stroke, chronic respiratory disease, heart attack, and lung cancer. These diseases are increased by raising levels of air pollution.

For the first time, Lack of Access has entered the list.

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