NITI Aayog
Energy Swaraj

Relevance IN - Prelims (about localized energy self-sufficiency or ‘Energy Swaraj')
What's the NEWS

• NITI Aayog Vice Chairman, Dr Rajiv Kumar met with Prof. Chetan Singh Solanki of Energy Swaraj Foundation applauded his efforts on undertaking "localized energy self-sufficiency or ‘Energy Swaraj' as the solution to counter the current climate crisis as well as to promote aatmanirbharta in energy consumption

Energy Swaraj Yatra

• The Energy Swaraj Foundation hopes to reach millions of people in various cities, in India and abroad, through this 11-year-long ‘Energy Swaraj Yatra'
• The Yatra intends to bring about an understanding and practical acceptance in society, at large, of the adoption of solar-powered solutions in a disciplined manner for fulfilling 100% energy needs.
• This novel initiative will bring about a huge change in the understanding and behaviour of common people. It will help India achieve the huge target it has set for 2030.

Know! about Energy Swaraj Foundation (ESF)

• The Energy Swaraj Foundation is a not-for-profit organization, formed to establish Energy Swaraj across the world. The moto of the ESF is "Energy by Locals for Locals".
• The Foundation believes that not through the governments around the world or its policies, but through the involvement of public, a major transformation in energy generation and consumption towards renewable energy can be achieved.
• The Foundation in its ‘public movement' mode of operations, works with the people to provide them affordable, reliable and complete energy solutions.
• The Foundation collaborates with local academic institutions to establish "Energy Swaraj Ashrams" or solar incubation centres to enable and nurture local entrepreneurs. Such localized operations are key to establishing Energy Swaraj.
• The Foundation has an objective to provide solar energy solutions at unbeatable prices, with unparalleled quality and unmatched services to billions of people across the world.
• This is planned to be achieved through (a) Local capacity building, (b) Simplified cost-effective but quality technology solutions, (c) Establishing last-mile supply chain and (d) Enabling local entrepreneurs to provide solution and services.

Quality Solar Solutions At Competitive Prices

• Local capacity building.
• Simplified, cost-effective but quality technology solutions.
• Establishing supply chain up to last-mile.
• Enabling local entrepreneurs to provide solutions and services.

Bilateral Relations
India-Finland Virtual Summit

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about the summit highlights) + Mains (GS II bilateral relations)
What's the NEWS

• Prime Minister of India and Prime Minister of the Republic of Finland held a Virtual Summit and discussed the entire gamut of bilateral issues as well as other regional and multilateral issues of mutual interest.

Know! about the Summit highlights

• The two leaders reviewed the ongoing bilateral engagements and expressed their desire to further expand and diversify the relationship across sectors such as trade and investment, innovation, education, emerging technologies including Artificial Intelligence, 5G/6G, and quantum computing.
• Prime Minister of India appreciated Finland's leading role in clean and green technologies, and noted the potential for Finnish companies to partner India's drive towards sustainable development.
• The Prime Minister suggested enhanced cooperation in the areas like renewable and bio-energy, sustainability, edu-tech, pharma and digitization.
• The leaders exchanged views on regional and global issues, including the India-EU partnership, cooperation in the Arctic region, WTO and UN reforms.
• Both sides noted the potential for India and Finland to cooperate in undertaking developmental activities in Africa.
• Prime Minister of India invited Finland to join the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI).
• The two leaders looked forward to their forthcoming meetings during the India-EU Leaders' Meeting in Porto and the India-Nordic Summit.

Infrastructure Development
Intra - State Transmission and Distribution systems
Relevance IN - Prelims (about the Intra - State Transmission and Distribution systems and its benefits) + Mains (GS III infrastructure development)
What's the NEWS

• The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, in a major step towards economic development of the States of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim through strengthening of Intra - State Transmission and Distribution systems has approved the Revised Cost Estimate (RCE) of Comprehensive Scheme for Strengthening of Transmission & Distribution in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim at an estimated cost of Rs. 9129.32 crore.

Know! more about the scheme

• The scheme is being implemented through POWERGRID, a Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) under Ministry of Power in association with Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh and is targeted to be commissioned in phased manner by December 2021 for awarded scope of works and 36 months from RCE approval for un-awarded packages.
• After commissioning, the created transmission and distribution system will be owned and maintained by the respective State Utilities.
• The main objective of the scheme is Government commitment for the total economic development of Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim and to strengthen the Intra-State Transmission & Distribution Infrastructure in the states by providing grid connectivity to remote distant locations.
• Implementation of this scheme will create a reliable power grid and improve States' connectivity to the upcoming load centers, and thus extend the benefits of the grid connected power to the villages and towns including the remote and border areas and all categories of consumers of beneficiaries in Arunachal Pradesh and Sikkim.
• The scheme was initially approved in December, 2014 as a Central Sector Plan Scheme of Ministry of Power and the entire cost of the scheme will be borne by the Government of India through the Plan Scheme of Ministry of Power.

The Ministry of Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy - written reply in the Rajya Sabha
Establishment of Regional Cum Facilitation Centre by NMPB

Relevance IN - Prelims (about NMPB and the role of RCFCs + Pradhan Mantri VRIKSH AYUSH Yojana")
National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB)

• National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) has established seven Regional Cum Facilitation Centres (RCFCs) in different regions of the country.
• RCFCs are acting as an extended arm for NMPB to implement its various schemes with different State level department like State Medicinal Plants Boards (SMPBs) / State Forests / Agriculture / Horticulture Department etc. in achieving the mandate of NMPB.
• Ministry of Finance, Government of India has announced Rs.4000 Crore package under Atmanirbhar Bharat for Promotion of Herbal Cultivation.
• Accordingly, the Ministry of AYUSH has prepared a draft scheme namely "Pradhan Mantri VRIKSH AYUSH Yojana" for consideration and approval of Government to promote cultivation and marketing of medicinal plants.
• To encourage cultivation of herbal / medicinal plants, the Ministry of AYUSH is presently implementing a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of National AYUSH Mission (NAM) throughout the country.
• Under the NAM Scheme, 140 species of herbal / medicinal plants have been prioritized for cultivation which also include species endemic to specific regions.

Know! about National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB)

• In order to promote medicinal plants sector, Government of India set up National Medicinal Plants Board (NMPB) on 24^th November 2000.
• Currently the board is working under the Ministry of AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga & Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha & Homoeopathy), Government of India.
• The primary mandate of NMPB is to develop an appropriate mechanism for coordination between various ministries/ departments/ organization and implementation of support policies/programs for overall (conservation, cultivation, trade and export) growth of medicinal plants sector both at the Central /State and International level.

Written reply by the Union Minister of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare in Lok Sabha
Natural Farming System

Relevance IN - Prelims ( about BPKP and PKVY +AICRP-IFS + ATMA scheme)
Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP)

• Bhartiya Prakritik Krishi Padhati (BPKP), is introduced as a sub scheme of Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) since 2020-21 for the promotion of traditional indigenous practices including natural farming.
• The scheme mainly emphasises on exclusion of all synthetic chemical inputs and promotes on-farm biomass recycling with major stress on biomass mulching; use of cow dung-urine formulations; plant based preparations and time to time working of soil for aeration.
• Under BPKP, financial assistance of Rs 12200/ha for 3 years is provided for cluster formation, capacity building and continuous handholding by trained personnel, certification and residue analysis.
• Until now, under natural farming an area of 4.09 lakh ha area has been covered and a total fund of Rs. 4587.17 lakh has been released in 8 States across the country including the State of Tamil Nadu

Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojna (PKVY)

• It is a sub-component of Soil Health Management(SHM) scheme under National Mission of Sustainable Agriculture(NMSA) aims at development of sustainable models of organic farming through a mix of traditional wisdom and modern science to ensure long term soil fertility build-up, resource conservation and helps in climate change adaptation and mitigation.
• It primarily aims to increase soil fertility and thereby helps in production of healthy food through organic practices without the use of agro-chemicals.
• PKVY also aims at empowering farmers through institutional development through clusters approach not only in farm practice management, input production , quality assurance but also in value addition and direct marketing through innovative means.
• Participatory Guarantee System under PGS-India programme will be the key approach for quality assurances under the PKVY.
• The farmers will have option to adopt any form of organic farming in compliance of PGS-India standards.
• While adopting a system it must be ensured that the system adopted is compatible to the area and crop and assures optimum yield and provides adequate measures to manage nutrients ,pests and diseases.
• Farmers will have the flexibility to use appropriate package of practice(s) best suited to their situations.

Training for Multi-Layer Farming

AICRP-Integrated Farming Systems (AICRP-IFS)

• ICAR-Indian Institute of Farming Systems Research, Modipuram is undertaking research (on-station) and technology validation through farmers' participatory research (on-farm research) on Integrated Farming Systems and Cropping Systems under AICRP-Integrated Farming Systems (AICRP-IFS) in 24 states and 1 Union Territory with the participation of 34 State Agricultural Universities, 6 ICAR institutes and 1 Central University.
• At selected locations, location specific multi-layer farming involving crops of different heights have been experimented.
• Awareness among farmers and other stakeholders on multi-layer farming and advantages thereof in these states are also being conducted.

ATMA Scheme

• In addition to this, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme ‘Support to State Extension Programs for Extension Reforms" popularly known as ATMA Scheme is already under implementation since 2005.
• Presently, Scheme is being implemented in 691 districts of 28 states & 5 UTs in the country.
• The scheme promotes decentralized farmer-friendly extension system in the country.
• Under the scheme grants-in-aid is released to the State Governments with an objective to support State Government's efforts to make available the latest agricultural technologies and good agricultural practices in different thematic areas of agriculture and allied areas to farmers including training for multi-layer farming.
• Training of farmers is one of the eligible activities of ATMA Scheme.
• During last one year, the Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) conducted 4221 training programmes on various themes related to Multi-Layer Farming with participation of 136391 farmers.

Miscellaneous
11^th edition of India Chem-2021
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about India Chem)
What's the NEWS

• Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizer will inaugurate 11^th edition of India Chem-2021 on 17^th March 2021

Know! all about India Chem

• It is one of the largest composite events of the chemical and petrochemical sector in the Asia-Pacific Region.
• Department of Chemicals and Petrochemicals, in association with FICCI, is organizing the 11th edition of India Chem- 2021 during 17-19th March 2021 in New Delhi.
• During the India Chem-2021, events such as Global CEOs Round Table, Conclave on Global Chemical Industry: Special focus on Specialty Chemicals, Conclave on Global Petrochemical Industry in collaboration with GCC, Conclave on Global Agrochemical Industry, Capital Goods, Plant Machinery, Pumps & Valves and Processes Roundtable will be organised.
• On 19th March, 2021, three bilateral events namely (i) India-Japan Chemical and Petrochemical Forum (ii) India-EU Chemical and Petrochemical Forum and (iii) India-US Chemical and Petrochemical Forum will be organized with the objective to enhance bilateral trade and investment opportunities in the sector.
• India Chem-2021 with the theme of "India: Global Manufacturing Hub for Chemicals and Petrochemicals" will showcase tremendous potential and supportive government policy for sustainable growth in the sector and provide a platform for domestic and international investors and other stakeholders to interact and forge alliances.
• This mega event will highlight the investment potential in Indian Chemicals & Petrochemicals Industry especially in Petroleum, Chemical and Petrochemical Investment Regions (PCPIRs) to transform India into a global manufacturing hub.

Prelims Factoids
Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees)
Relevance IN - Prelims ( about Project RE-HAB)

Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees

• An initiative of the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC), Project RE-HAB (Reducing Elephant-Human Attacks using Bees) intends to create "bee fences" to thwart elephant attacks in human habitations using honeybees.
• The pilot project was launched at four locations around Chelur village in Kodagu district
• These spots are located on the periphery of the Nagarahole National Park and Tiger Reserve, known conflict zone.
• The total cost of the project is Rs.15 lakh and Project RE-HAB is a sub-mission of the KVIC's National Honey Mission.
• The KVIC has set up 15 to 20 interspersed bee boxes at each of the four locations.
• The bee boxes are set up in the passage ways of human-elephant conflict zones to block the entrance of elephants to human habitations.
• The boxes are connected with a string so that when elephants attempt to pass through, a tug causes the bees to swarm the elephant herds and dissuade them from progressing further.
• Installing bee boxes along the periphery of the forest and the villages with the belief that the elephants will not venture anywhere close to the bees and thus avoid transgressing into human landscape.
• This idea stems from the elephants' proven fear of the bees.
• The biggest advantage of Project RE-HAB is that it dissuades elephants without causing any harm to them.
• It is extremely cost-effective as compared to various other measures such as digging trenches or erecting fences
• Between 2015 and 2020, nearly 2,500 people have lost their lives in elephant attacks across India, of which 170 human fatalities have been reported in Karnataka alone,
• The KVIC has roped in the College of Forestry under the University of Agriculture and Horticultural Sciences, Ponnampet, for impact assessment of the project.

Prelims Factoids
Great Indian Bustard
Relevance IN - Prelims (about Great Indian Bustards)
What's the NEWS

• The Supreme Court intervened on behalf of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustards over the birds falling dead after colliding with power lines running through their dwindling natural habitats in Gujarat and Rajasthan.
• A Bench led by Chief Justice of India Sharad A. Bobde will examine on a priority basis whether overhead power cables can be replaced with underground ones to save one of the heaviest flying birds on the planet.

Great Indian bustard

• The great Indian bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) or Indian bustard is a bustard found on the Indian subcontinent.
• A large bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs, giving it an ostrich like appearance, this bird is among the heaviest of the flying birds.
• Once common on the dry plains of the Indian subcontinent, as few as 150 individuals were estimated to survive in 2018 (reduced from an estimated 250 individuals in 2011) and the species is critically endangered by hunting and loss of its habitat, which consists of large expanses of dry grassland and scrub.
• These birds are often found associated in the same habitat as blackbuck. It is protected under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 of India.

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