Goa Affairs
Goas forest quality is third-best in country after Uttarakhand and Kerala
After Kerala and Uttarakhand, Goa has the third highest per hectare growing stock in forest in the country, as per the India State of the Forest Report (ISFR) 2021 of the Forest Survey of India.
Growing stock refers to the volume of all living trees in a particular forested area, and higher per hectare growing stock indicates a highly-sustainable and productive forest.
Higher per hectare growing stock also shows the forest is providing good ecosystem service in acting as a .
It is also a forest of higher economic value. The volume of living trees in Goasforestsper hectare is almost double the national figure.
The ISFR 2021 report has indicated that by 2030, 671 sq km or nearly 30% of Goas forest and tree cover are likely to experience high severity impact of <a href="https://exam.pscnotes.com/Climate-change”>Climate Change. This means temperatures are expected to rise by 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius in the state, while there will be variation of 20 to 26% in the rainfall pattern.
National and International Affairs
Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre (VWDC) Scheme
The Supreme Court has directed the High Courts of the country to provide an estimate of manpower required to create Vulnerable Witness Deposition Centre (VWDC) scheme in their states within three months. It has introduced new definitions to the vulnerable victims.
The Supreme Court has included the sexually assaulted victims in the vulnerable witnesses. The other vulnerable victims are as follows:
Gender neutral victims of sexual assault
Witnesses under threat perception. These witnesses are those included under the Witness Protection Scheme of the Union launched by the Central Government in 2018.
India Edtech Consortium
The private companies in India have joined together to form India EdTech Consortium. It was formed under the guidance of Internet Mobile Association of India. It was launched after Government of India announced that it is to launch as policy to regulate the edtech sector, that is Education and technology sector.
EdTech is Education and Technology. Before COVID-19, the education and technology sector were performing normally. They were growing steadily. The COVID induced lock down shut schools and colleges. Suddenly modern choice, that is, remote Learning became the only alternative. Four out of every six edtech startup have succeeded in their respective field during this phase.
The consortium has launched a three page code. It stresses on transparency, warnings of misleading ads. The educational institutions can use their students success as promotion tool only with proper proof of performance.
Worlds largest Khadi National Flag
On January 15, 2022, worlds largest , made of Khadi fabric will be put to display, to celebrate the Army Day.
It will be displayed at Longewala, along the India Pakistan Border in Jaisalmer.
Longewala was the centre stage of historic battle of 1971 between India and Pakistan.
It will be the fifth public display of the Khadi flag.
This will be the 5th public display of the National Flag, after it was first unveiled in Leh on October 2,
It was displayed later at Hindon Airbase to mark the Air Force Day on October 8, 2021 and at Red Fort on October 21, 2021, marking the completion of 100 crore Covid-19 vaccinations across India.
Furthermore, it was displayed at the Naval Dockyard near Gateway of India in Mumbai, on December 4, 2021, to celebrate Navy Day.
How is the day celebrated?
Indian Army Day marks the celebration of not only the brave soldiers, but also marks the transfer of power from British rule to India.
On this day, a grand parade is organised at Cariappa parade ground in Delhi cantonment.
The salute of this parade is usually taken by Indian Army Chief. Thus, in 2022, General Manoj Mukund Naravane will make the salute on the occasion.
Apart from this, the Day also involves a showcase of all the weapons in Indian Army arsenal. The latest kind of weapons, helicopters, drones, etc are displayed with great pride.
Why is the day marked on January 15?
The day is marked on January 15, every year because on this day Lieutenant General KM Cariappa was appointed to the post in 1949. He became the first Indian to head the forces. Since then, this day has become a significant day for Indian HISTORY. It was the first time an Indian soldier took reigns of the armed forces.
Army Day 2022
Indian Army Day is celebrated to honour soldiers of the armed forces in India, for their selfless service.
The day is celebrated at all army command offices across India as well as the headquarters in New Delhi.
North Korea Railway-borne missile
North Korea recently tested the RAILWAY-borne missile. With this, North Korea has tested three missiles in January 2022 amidst rising tensions with the US. This has pushed for fresh sanctions by the US.
The railway-borne missile recently tested by the North is a ballistic missile. The missiles that were tested previously were hypersonic missiles.
The missile flew 800 kilometres and struck a target in the east coast of North Korea.
Railway borne missile means the missile is launched from a train.
North Korea tested two railway borne missiles.
The test comes after the South Koreans tested the submarine launched ballistic missile. With this, it became the first country to develop such as system without nuclear weapons. The Koreans have been indulging in arms race and are unveiling more capable weapons and missiles.