13 Mar 2023: PIB Summary for UPSC

TABLE OF CONTENTS

1. Kamalam (Dragon Fruit) cultivation in India
2. Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) – BARC
3. CII Partnership Summit 2023
4. Exercise La Perouse – 2023
5. Identification of 75 Water Heritage Sites

1. Kamalam (Dragon Fruit) cultivation in India

Syllabus: GS III, Agriculture; Marketing of agricultural produce

Prelims: Kamalam or Dragon Fruit

Mains: Cultivation of Kamalam or the Dragon Fruit in India

Context

The cultivation of Kamalam or the Dragon Fruit in India is expected to expand to 50,000 hectares in the next five years.

Kamalam or the Dragon Fruit

Image Source: PIB

• The Dragon Fruit or Pitaya is a climbing, fast-growing perennial vine cactus species which is famously known as Pithaya in Mexico, Pitaya Roja in Central and Northern America, Pithajah in Thailand and Kamalam in India.
  • The fruit is also regarded as the “Wondrous Fruit of the 21st century”.
• Kamalam or Dragon Fruit is native to Southern Mexico, Central America and South America region and is also cultivated extensively in South-East Asia, India, the US, the Caribbean Islands, Australia and throughout the tropical and subtropical regions.
• In recent years, the fruit has attracted a lot of attention for its economic value and several health benefits. 
  • The fruit is considered good for patients with diabetes as the fruit is low in calories and high in nutrients like iron, calcium, potassium and zinc. 

Cultivation of the Dragon Fruit in India

• Dragon Fruit cultivation in India began in the 1990s and is gaining popularity as the crop of choice for India’s farmers.
• In India, the fruit has been cultivated in many States and UTs such as Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Andaman & Nicobar Islands, Mizoram and Nagaland.
• At present, the total area under cultivation of Dragon Fruit in India is over 3,000 ha. 
• Despite extensive cultivation, India is unable to meet the domestic demand and hence it is imported from Thailand, Malaysia, Vietnam and Sri Lanka.
• Dragon fruit provides faster returns in terms of economic production. The average life expectancy of the crop is about 20 years and the average economic yield after 2 years of planting is about 10 tonnes per acre. 
• Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), a roadmap is being prepared for the cultivation of Dragon Fruit and potential options to increase the production are being explored.
• Under the MIDH, the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers’ Welfare has approved the establishment of the Centre of Excellence (CoE) for Kamalam Fruit by the Indian Institute of Horticultural Research (IIHR), Bengaluru which would work for the development of the latest production technologies as per the international standard for high yield production.

2. Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) – BARC

Syllabus: GS III, Science and Technology; Indigenization of technology

Prelims: About Atal Incubation Centre (AIC) – BARC and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).

Context

Start-up Entrepreneur Workshop on ‘Dry and Wet Waste Management Technologies for Incubation’ organized by Atal Incubation Centre (AIC)-Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).

Atal Incubation Centre (AIC)-Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC)

• AIC-BARC began its operations in December 2022 by signing incubation agreements for spin-off technologies of Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) with four industries.
• AIC-BARC is established under the ambit of the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
  • Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) is a flagship initiative of the NITI Aayog to create and promote a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship across the length and breadth of our country.
• AIC-BARC was established in line with the “Aatma Nirbhar Bharat” to create a start-up ecosystem based on spin-off technologies of the Department of Atomic Energy (DAE).
• AIC-BARC is one of the first technology development-cum-incubation centres set up in DAE, for the purpose of fostering synergy between government research facilities and tech entrepreneurs.
• In its recent workshop, two technologies namely SHESHA (for wet waste management) and Rapid Bio-composting (for dry waste management) were introduced.
  • These technologies aim to contribute towards the Swachchha Bharat Mission of the Govt. of India and also aim to convert waste into wealth.
• SHESHA is a compact helical-shaped waste converter that can manage the biodegradable waste generated in-situ.
  • It is named SHESHA on the basis of the serpentine shape of the digester which resembles a snake.
• The Rapid Bio-composting technology is based on cellulolytic fungi named “Trichoderma koningiopsis” which is isolated from tree bark. 
  • This technology enables the composting of kitchen, agricultural, garden and temple wastes. 
  • The technology involves aerobic processes which make it devoid of foul odour.

3. CII Partnership Summit 2023

Syllabus: GS III, Economy; Industrial policy and industrial growth

Prelims: About CII Partnership Summit 

Mains: Important outcome of CII Partnership Summit 2023

Context

The CII Partnership Summit 2023 is being held in New Delhi between the 13th and 15th of March 2023. 

CII Partnership Summit

• The Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) has been hosting its annual Partnership Summit ever since its 100th year anniversary in 1995.
• The annual CII Partnership Summits have played a crucial role in facilitating debates on global economic dimensions and also on India’s growth and external engagement between leaders and businesses.
• The CII Partnership Summit highlights India’s economic reform process, and key industry and investment policies, and acts as a platform for opportunities for investment in various sectors.
• The Summit also acts as a global platform for dialogue, debate, deliberation and engagement among leaders from all walks of life.

CII Partnership Summit 2023

• The 28th edition of The CII Partnership Summit is being organised jointly with the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry.
• Theme: Partnerships for Responsible, Accelerated, Innovative, Sustainable and Equitable Businesses.
• This latest edition of the Summit also gains significance as India assumes the G20 Presidency with CII as the Business 20 (B20) Secretariat.
• During the Summit, the Union Minister for Commerce and Industry said that India is developing its digital infrastructure in the form of digital public goods for the use of the rest of the world. 
  • Recently India and Singapore have agreed to partner on UPI and similar deals are being negotiated with the UAE and other countries. 
• The government is also looking to expand the rupee trade with several countries which are currently in advanced stages of dialogue and finalization.
• Furthermore, the Minister said that India is committed to sustainable development goals, sustainable lifestyle and developing a circular economy and invited countries to partner with India to make the world a better place to live.

Also read – AIR Spotlight: Significance of B20: India Inception Meeting

4. Exercise La Perouse – 2023

Syllabus: GS III, Security; Various Security forces and agencies and their mandate. 

Prelims: Exercise La Perouse

Context

The 2023 edition of Exercise La Perouse is being conducted in the Indian Ocean Region between the 13th to 14th of March 2023. 

Exercise La Perouse

• Exercise La Perouse is a biennial exercise conducted by the French Navy.
• The multilateral maritime La Perouse exercise was initiated by France in 2019.
• The exercise aims at enhancing awareness in the maritime domain and improving maritime coordination among the participating navies in the Indo-Pacific Region.
• The exercise is named after the 18th-century French naval officer and explorer Jean-François de Galaup, comte de Lapérouse.
• The third edition (2023) will include the participation of the Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy and the United States Navy.
• India’s indigenously developed guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker INS Jyoti will participate in the exercise. 
• The participation of the Indian Navy in the exercise showcases the high levels of synergy, coordination and interoperability between the friendly navies.
• Complex and advanced naval operations such as surface warfare, anti-air warfare, air defence exercises, cross-deck landings and tactical manoeuvres will be performed during the course of the exercise.

Read more – Exercise La Perouse

5. Identification of 75 Water Heritage Sites

Syllabus: GS I, Art and Culture; Indian Heritage and Culture

Prelims: Water Heritage Sites, India-WRIS portal and Archaeological Survey of India (ASI)

Water Heritage Sites

• The Ministry of Jal Shakti had set up a committee to identify 75 Water Heritage Structures or Sites (WHS) in the wake of 75 years of India’s Independence.
• The Ministry has set up a special committee because there is no provision under the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958 to declare a site as a “Water Heritage Site” under the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).
• Over 400 nominations were received through States/UTs, Central Agencies, NGOs and the general public, out of which the committee has recommended 75 Water Heritage Sites.
  • Out of the 75 Water Heritage Sites, 5 are from Gujarat and 4 are from Andhra Pradesh.
• The “Jal-Itihas” sub-portal was launched in January 2023 under the India-WRIS portal and has been showcasing the 75 Water Heritage Sites.
• Currently, no central fund has been allocated for the maintenance of these sites.

About India-WRIS portal 

• India-WRIS (India – Water Resources Information System) is a database and a web-enabled Water Resources Information System.
• India-WRIS was initiated through an MoU signed in December 2008 between the Central Water Commission (CWC), the Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation (now Ministry of Jal Shakti) and the Indian Space Research Organization (ISRO).
• The development project of India-WRIS was funded by the CWC.
• India-WRIS provides a single window solution for all water resources data and information in a standardized national GIS framework.
• Further, India-WRIS allows users to Search, Access, Visualize, Understand and Analyse comprehensive and contextual water data for the assessment, monitoring, planning and development of water resources.

Read the previous PIB articles here.

March 13th, 2023, PIB:- Download PDF Here