Goa Affairs
Goa becoming a plastic sink, state needs to act fast: Ex-WII scientist
Though Goa is not a source of plastic production, the tourist hotpot is unwittingly becoming a sink for plastic waste, retired scientist of the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, B C Choudhary, said while underscoring the urgency in putting some mechanisms in place to tackle the menace.
The retired scientist said awareness that plastics are not welcome in Goa should begin at places like the , with clear and loud messaging for tourists setting foot into Goa.
Without realizing, Goa, a small place, is becoming a plastic sink. Not a source, but a sink. It should be extremely worrying for the State Government, said Choudhary.
He also said that if the Oceans are not protected from plastic waste, fish itself will soon become a rare commodity. Involve fishermen to get ghost nets back from the sea and compensate them for it. We should also cook our own food as much as possible, as purchased food is again packaged in disposable plastics. We should stop using straws. Though it is something small, it contributes to the waste. Close to 20 billion plastic bottles are disposed of every day. This should motivate us to use reusable water bottles instead, said Choudhary.
National and International Affairs
Airports Authority of India Launches Sustainable Green Airports Mission
In a major move towards sustainability and carbon neutrality, the Authority of India (AAI) has taken a significant step by launching its groundbreaking publication, the “Sustainable Green Airports Mission.” This initiative aims to transform airports across India into environmentally friendly and energy-efficient hubs, setting new standards for the aviation Industry globally.
A recent initiative was taken up by the publication of the Airports Authority of India (AAI) on sustainability in the form of a booklet titled “Sustainable Green Airports Mission”, It was launched on World Environment Day by Jyotiraditya Scindia, Union Minister of Civil Aviation.
Agni Prime
In a significant achievement for Indias defense capabilities, the DEFENCE Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) successfully conducted the maiden pre-induction night launch of the new-generation ballistic missile Agni Prime. The test, held at the Dr APJ Abdul Kalam Island off the coast of Odisha, showcased the missiles exceptional accuracy and reliability, meeting all objectives set for the trial.
The recent launch of Agni Prime marked the first pre-induction night launch following three successful developmental trials of the advanced ballistic missile. The flawless execution of these developmental trials demonstrated the systems superior accuracy and reliability, setting the stage for the latest test.
To capture vital flight data covering the entire trajectory of Agni Prime, an array of range instrumentation systems was deployed at strategic locations. These included radar, telemetry, and electro-optical tracking systems, strategically positioned on the island and two down-range ships. The comprehensive data collection facilitated a meticulous assessment of the missiles performance, further bolstering its credentials.
Cyclone Biparjoyis a low-pressure area that is currently forming over theSoutheast Arabian Sea.It is expected to intensify into a depression in the next 48 hours and may reach cyclonic storm intensity in the subsequent 72 hours. The track of the cyclone is not yet clear, but it is likely to move towards the West Coast of India. Cyclone Biparjoy is the first cyclone to form in the Arabian Sea this season. The monsoon season in India typically begins in June and lasts until September.
The cyclone is expected to bring heavy rains and strong winds to the West Coast of India. The heaviest rains are expected to fall in the states of Gujarat, Maharashtra, and Karnataka. The strong winds could cause power outages and damage to property. People in the affected areas are advised to take precautions and stay safe.
The name Biparjoy was given to the cyclone byBangladesh.The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) names tropical in alphabetical order according to the names submitted by member countries. Bangladesh submitted the name Biparjoy, which means Disaster in Bengali.
Five countries have been elected as non-permanent members of theUN Security Councilfollowing a vote in the General Assembly.Algeria, Guyana, Republic of Korea, Sierra Leone and Sloveniawill join the premier body for maintaining international peace and security, starting in January, serving for a two-year period. They were among six countries vying for five non-permanent seats around the Councils horseshoe-shaped table that will become vacant at the end of the year.
The five newly elected countries will join Ecuador, Japan, Malta, Mozambique and Switzerland as non-permanent members of the Council. They will take up seats currently occupied by Albania, Brazil, Gabon, Ghana and the United Arab Emirates when their two-year terms end on 31 December.
The Security Council is composed of 15 countries, five of which China, France, Russia, the United Kingdom and the United States are permanent members, granting them the right to veto any resolution or decision.
The 10 non-permanent members are elected by the General Assembly, which comprises all 193 UN Member States, and in line with geographical distribution by region.