18 Feb 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Rann Utsav
2. Nuclear power plant in Haryana
3. Bandipur Tiger Reserve
4. Sagar Parikrama Phase III

1. Rann Utsav

Mains: Tribal and Folk art in India

Context: The Vice President, Jagdeep Dhankhar attended Rann Utsav in Gujarat. 

Key Details:

• Rann Utsav is celebrated every year by Gujarat Tourism from end of November till February. 
• This festival is also called the White Desert Festival. 
• Spread over a vast 7,505 sq km, the Great Rann of Kutch lies in the heart of the Thar Desert, touching Pakistan’s Sindh Province on one side, and making it the largest salt marsh in the world. 
• Rann Utsav brings together local artisans, performers, musicians and folk artists in an attempt to recreate the state’s rich culture.
• Rann Utsav promotes natural beauty and other famous traveling places of the stunning zone of Kutch. 

2. Nuclear power plant in Haryana

Mains: Recent developments related to Nuclear Energy in India 

Context: North India’s first nuclear plant coming up in Haryana.

Key Details:

• According to the Minister of State for Science and Technology and Earth Sciences, North India’s first nuclear plant will be installed in Gorakhpur, Haryana. 
• In a bid to increase India’s nuclear capacity, bulk approval of the installation of 10 nuclear reactors has been given a nod by the Union government.
• The Department of Atomic Energy has also been permitted to form joint ventures with Public Sector Undertaking (PSUs) for resources to open atomic energy plants.
• Gorakhpur Haryana Anu Vidyut Pariyojana (GHAVP) having two units of 700 MWe capacity each of Pressurised Heavy Water Reactor (PHWR) indigenous design is under implementation. 
• Construction of Water Duct from Tohana to GHAVP for meeting operational cooling water requirements has been taken up through Haryana Irrigation & Water Resources Department (HI&WRD) as deposit work.

Read more on Nuclear Power Plants in India

3. Bandipur Tiger Reserve

Syllabus: GS03-Environment

Mains: Significance of National Parks and wildlife sanctuaries in India.

Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi has Complimented the staff at Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) for saving electrocuted Elephant.

About BTR:

• It was established in 1973 under Project Tiger. In 1985, by including adjacent areas from Venugopala Wildlife Park, it was enlarged and named as Bandipur National Park.
• It is located at the tri-junction area of the States Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. It forms a part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• Of the tiger population of 524 in Karnataka, as per a 2018 census, Bandipur Tiger Reserve alone has 173 tigers.

Read more on Bandipur Tiger Reserve

4. Sagar Parikrama Phase III

Syllabus: GS03- Economy

Mains: Economics of Animal-Rearing

Context: Department of Fisheries to host Sagar Parikrama Phase III Program from Gujarat to Maharashtra.

About: 

• Sagar parikrama is being organised by the Department of Fisheries as part of Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav. 
• The initiative aims to resolve the issues of the fishermen and other stakeholders and facilitate their economic upliftment by spreading awareness about various fisheries schemes of the government among fishermen. 
• The journey of Sagar Parikrama shall focus on the sustainable balance between the utilisation of marine fisheries resources for the food security of the nation and livelihoods of coastal fisher communities and the protection of marine ecosystems, to bridge the gaps of fisher communities, and their expectations, development of fishing villages, upgradation and creation of infrastructure such as fishing harbours & landing centres to ensure sustainable and responsible development through an ecosystem approach.
• To improve the quality of life and economic well-being of people in rural areas and to create more livelihood opportunities, a holistic approach has been adopted by the government to meet Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The third phase of the parikrama will cover the coastal areas of northern Maharashtra namely, Vasai, Versova, and other areas of Mumbai.

Fisheries in India:

• India has a coastline of 8118 km, covering 09 maritime States & 04 Union Territories and providing livelihood support to 2.8 million coastal fisher folk. 
• India contributes 8% of the global share of fish production and is ranked 3rd largest fish producer in the world. 
• The total fish production of the nation is 162.48 lakh tonnes, of which 121.21 lakh tonnes are from inland and 41.27 lakh tonnes from marine. 
• The value of fisheries exports stood at INR 57,586.48 crores. 
• The sector shows a steady growth rate in GVA accounting for a 6.72% share of Agriculture GDP and contributing to about 17% of agriculture exports.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

February 18th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here