5 Nov CA

1.

Russia’s new strategic nuclear submarine, the Imperator Alexander III, has successfully tested a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile

The Imperator Alexander III is the seventh of the Russian Project 955 Borei (Arctic Wind) class nuclear submarines and the fourth of the modernised Borei-A variant

2.

Israel’s Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu was suspended indefinitely after he said in an interview that dropping a nuclear bomb on the Gaza Strip was one of the possibilities

Israel, which has one of the most powerful armies in the Middle East, is widely believed to possess nuclear weapons, although it has never publicly conducted nuclear tests

3.

Why Nepal is prone to earthquakes?

Considering recent happenings

Nepal sits on the boundary of two enormous tectonic plates — the Asian and Indo-Australian plates

Every year, these two great slabs converge at a rate of about four to five centimetres (two inches).

Even though it might not seem like much, the result of this force building up is an earthquake, which can be extremely destructive.

Nepal’s situation becomes more problematic because of its flimsy buildings, which cannot withstand powerful earthquakes.

The growing population is a contributing factor to the issue

4.

Naga statesman and peace activist Niketu Iralu received the Bhupen Hazarika Integration Award (Xomonnoy Bota) 2023

Its first recipient was Lata Mangeshkar.

5.

Gajamitras of UP

A recent initiative to address the increasing incidents of human-elephant conflict. Nearly 100 villagers from areas along the Indo-Nepal border have been trained and provided with equipment to handle elephants. The initiative aims to patrol the area, act as informants, and coordinate with forest officials from Nepal regarding elephant movement

Assam also has introduced Elephant bathing and tending as part of a tourism initiative to highlight the bond between mahouts and elephants

6.

34 km wildlife friendly elevated road coming in Kaziranga National Park

The four-lane elevated road along NH-715 (old NH-37) will be at three locations with a total length of 34.28 km and this will also include two tunnels

the methodology to be used will avoid much construction on the existing road to reduce the impact on traffic flow, use precast/prefab technology to the extent possible to minimise construction time, while there will be no work after sunset to ensure minimal disturbance to the wildlife of the KNP.

The concept of the wildlife-friendly road was developed in consultation with the Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun, and will have elevated roads and tunnels to act as animal underpasses and overpasses respectively

7.

Sarpang district Special Economic Zone ( Bhutan King ‘s visit in Assam)

Sarpang SEZ would retain uniquely Bhutanese characteristics, including cultural and spiritual centres and environmentally sustainable businesses, that also incorporate high-technology innovations, and would seek to create jobs for thousands of Bhutanese youth who are increasingly moving abroad due to lack of opportunities within the country.

Note: This project is a sister concern of the earlier Gelephu project

8.

Adaptation Gap Report 2023 released by the United Nations Environment Programme

What is an Adaptation Gap?

The Adaptation Gap is the difference between the funds needed to adapt to climate change in countries (generally developing and least developed countries) and the actual financial support received. For instance, developing countries require $215-387 billion annually for climate adaptation, but they are only receiving about $21 billion.

9.

Arunachal Pradesh govt to designate Pre-Independence Government Schools as Heritage Sites

Besides setting up of museums in the school premises, the ‘Heritage’ status would also ensure special attention in terms of maintenance and infrastructure to these schools.

10.

The Restricted Area Permits (RAP) and Protected Area Permits (PAP), needed by foreigners for travel to three border states of North East, have been eased considerably with very few rejections

Now any foreign traveller can visit Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland and Mizoram through organised tours which have to be handled by a local tour operator based in that particular state

The local tour operators will have to do all the facilitation and there is very little rejection of foreign tourists in these states but they have to apply a bit early

11.

The Indian government is also planning to open border area tourism in the next few years as there are hardly any activities or industries in these areas.

In a bid to provide more opportunities to people of these areas, the Government of India is planning to open up the border areas with tourists likely to be allowed to go up to four kilometres near the China and Myanmar borders

In the meantime, many vibrant villages have been declared in terms of what is unique like the Kibithu village in Arunachal Pradesh where it is said that the sun rays fall first in the country

12.

The Assam government is actively considering a proposal to make available tea at a subsidized rate to all ration card holders at a time when the plantation industry is celebrating a crucial milestone of 200 years of its existence in the state

At Rs 100-150 per kg from 2024

Note: The state generates annual foreign exchange earnings estimated at an equivalent to Rs 3,000 crore.

Issues with Assam tea: rising production costs, relatively stagnant consumption, subdued prices and crop losses due to climate change. It also faces the challenge of finding a footing and holding its ground in a competitive global market.