TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture Sector
2. Maratha Military Landscapes of India
3. Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’

1. Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture Sector

Syllabus: GS-3, Agriculture

Mains: Carbon market in agriculture details

Context:

Union Minister launched the Framework for Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture Sector and the Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries.

Voluntary Carbon Market in Agriculture:

• The Agriculture Ministry has prepared a framework to promote the Voluntary Carbon Market (VCM) in the country’s agricultural sector to encourage small and medium farmers to avail benefits of carbon credit benefits. 
• Apart from benefiting farmers, this move will also accelerate the adoption of environment-friendly agricultural practices.
• Voluntary carbon markets allow carbon emitters to offset their emissions by purchasing carbon credits emitted by projects targeted at removing or reducing greenhouse gases from the atmosphere.
• In the case of farming, carbon credits are created based on carbon dioxide drawn down into the soil and GHG emissions reduced above the soil (for example, through improved nitrogen timing) – beyond what was already happening on a farm.
• Agriculture is an important contributor to climate change but it also has the potential to mitigate it as it is a carbon sink.

Accreditation Protocol of Agroforestry Nurseries:

• This protocol will strengthen the institutional arrangements for the production and certification of planting material on a large scale to promote agroforestry in the country.

2. Maratha Military Landscapes of India

Syllabus: GS-1, Art & Culture

Prelims: Forts built by the Marathas, UNESCO World Heritage List

Context:

“Maratha Military Landscapes of India” will be India’s nomination for recognition as UNESCO World Heritage List for 2024-25.

Details:

• The “Maratha Military Landscapes of India” will be India’s nomination for recognition on the UNESCO World Heritage List for the year 2024-25. 
• The twelve component parts of this nomination are Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg in Maharashtra and Gingee Fort in Tamil Nadu. 
• These components, distributed across diverse geographical and physiographic regions, showcase the strategic military powers of the Maratha rule.
• The Maratha Military Landscapes of India, which developed between the 17th and 19th centuries, represent an extraordinary fortification and military system envisioned by the Maratha rulers.
• There are more than 390 forts in Maharashtra out of which only 12 forts are selected under the Maratha Military Landscapes of India, of these eight forts are protected by the Archaeological Survey of India.

UNESCO World Heritage Sites in India:

• At present, in India, there are 42 World Heritage sites, out of which 34 are cultural sites, seven are natural sites and one is a mixed site.
• In Maharashtra, there are six World Heritage Sites, five cultural and one natural site. They are:
  • Ajanta Caves (1983)
  • Ellora Caves (1983)
  • Elephanta Caves (1987)
  • Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj Terminus (2004)
  • Victorian Gothic and Art Deco Ensembles of Mumbai (2018)
  • The Western Ghats of Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu and Kerala is serial property in natural category (2012)

3. Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’

Syllabus: GS-3, Security; GS-2, IR

Prelims: Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’

Context:

The inaugural edition of the India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commenced at Mahajan, Rajasthan. 

Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’:

• The Exercise is being conducted from 29th January to 10th February 2024.
• The Exercise aims to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter. 
• The Exercise will enable both sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in the sub-conventional domain. 
• It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both sides.

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