- A team of police personnel on the Assam-Bengal border in Gosaigaon sub-division on May 24 raided a truck on the National Highway No 31 (c) at Srirampur and seized a container truck numbered UP-21-CN 8322 with a large quantity of Burmese wooden trunks.
Why is Burma teak banned in India?
These resources are considered “conflict wood” because the sales of this wood are a crucial source of income for the military regime. Western sanctions on Myanmar’s timber trade have led to illegal trade and smuggling of teak wood, and India has become a popular destination for the same
India is now the second largest importer of “conflict wood” from Myanmar, following China, according to a recent investigation by the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ).
India has not banned the import of teak from Myanmar, which is being exported to the US and EU. This trade is detrimental to Myanmar’s forest cover and provides support to the country’s military regime.
Why has India not banned the import?
According to Forest Watch, Indian companies imported over $10 million worth of teak wood from Myanmar between February 2021 and April 2022.
Despite the controversy surrounding “conflict wood” from Myanmar, India has not banned the import of teak wood from the country.
India is the world’s largest importer of teak and the world’s largest exporter of processed teak wood products. Therefore, the teak trade with Myanmar is significant for the Indian economy.
However, the import of conflict wood has an adverse impact on Myanmar’s forests and supports the military regime, which is widely condemned by the international community.
Myanmar teak is highly valued for its durability, water resistance, and resistance to termites. It is commonly used for high-end furniture, veneers, and ship decking, especially in the luxury yacht industry.
However, the forest cover and teak reserves in Myanmar are shrinking, which ironically increases the wood’s value.
Teak is a large deciduous tree native to India, Myanmar, Laos, and Thailand, and is highly tolerant of a range of climate conditions. It is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species but not on CITES.
2.
two Assamese mountaineers – Bhaskar Baruah and Jayanta Nath unfurled the Tiranga and the Gamusa at Mt Kanchenjunga, 3rd highest mountain peak.
With this, Assam Mountaineering Association (AMA) has become the first organisation from NE have this unique distinction.
3. A remote village in Assam’s Sonitpur district will get its first government employee on Thursday when Union home minister Amit Shah will distribute appointment letters to over 40,000 candidates at a function in Guwahati to mark the completion of two years of the Himanta Biswa Sarma government.
Anil Boiga, the great grandson of Quit India movement martyr Mangal Kurku of No. 3 Erasuti Jungle village, has landed the job of a forest guard — a feat achieved for the first time by someone in the village that is home to around 2,000 tribals. In fact, the hamlet is so backward that it hasn’t been able to produce a graduate yet.
4.
Environment and Forest department is working proactively to establish a regime wherein development and Environment Regulatory could walk in hand towards achieving a Sustainable future for the future generations of Assam and towards the Macro Earth
Assam would soon develop the Transport Storage Disposal Facility(TSDF) for Hazardous Waste which is certainly a significant Step towards Environment Compliance regulation.
ASSOCHAM organized a State Level Seminar on Environmental Regulatory compliance in Guwahati, Assam in association with Pollution Control Board, Assam.
Environment protection is a shared responsibility, for ensuring a better future for ourselves and future generations. Climate change, riverbank erosion, pollution, and inadequate sanitation systems, amongst others threaten our ecosystems.” Economic well-being of any region is closely intertwined with its resource base and these are utilized for overall development and the well-being of its people.
Central government plans to combat erosion, diversified agriculture for food security, improved sanitation and drainage systems, and NGO involvement in creating awareness and implementing participatory methods are vital steps towards reducing environmental problems
Pollution Control Board, Assam, albeit a regulatory body cannot be a Policing Body for the industries, but be a supportive supervisor towards the responsibility of establishing Industries in Assam so that there would be development of the Socio-Economic ambience of the region. He informed that Assam. PCBA is working towards the fulfilment of the goals of Sustainable Development Goals and requested support from industries as per the Action Points of Mission Life in implementing and executing the same
What is macro earth?
On a macro level, the Earth system maintains its existence and functions as a whole through the interactions of its parts, called components.
5. Assam witnessed a momentous day of celebration as the National Forensic Science University (NFSU) Guwahati Campus was inaugurated, signifying a significant stride in advancing the field of forensic sciences
the NFSU Guwahati Campus became the focal point of attention, attracting national and international recognition for its commitment to forensic science education and research.
NFSU’s journey began in 2009 when Prime Minister Modi, serving as the Chief Minister of Gujarat, established the Gujarat Forensic Science University. Today, under his leadership, it has evolved into the National Forensic Science University, with campuses spread across various locations, including Dubai, Oman, Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Gandhinagar, Delhi, Goa, and now Guwahati.
NFSU Guwahati Campus holds great significance, not only for Assam but for students from across Southeast Asia. With its diverse range of forensic disciplines, including cyber security, digital forensics, forensic psychology, forensic accounting, wildlife forensics, ballistic forensics, forensic chemistry, forensic biology, forensic nursing, and drone forensics, the university aims to strengthen the criminal justice delivery system by providing robust and irrefutable evidence.
one of the key issues faced by Assam was the vulnerability of witnesses turning hostile, leading to a lack of effective evidence during trials. By emphasizing the importance of forensic science, the government aims to mitigate this challenge and bolster the conviction process.
6.
Dibrugarh University honoured renowned writer and literary figure Nirupama Borgohain with the prestigious degree of Doctor of Literature (D.Litt.) (Honoris Causa) today.
The conferment took place at the Guwahati residence of Borgohain, where Prof. Jiten Hazarika, the Vice-Chancellor, and Paramananda Sonowal, the Registrar of Dibrugarh University presented the degree to her.
It is important to note that though the honorary degree of D.Litt. was supposed to be conferred on Borgohain by the Vice President of India and the Chief Guest of the XXI Convocation of Dibrugarh University held on May 3, 2023, in the presence of the Chancellor of the University, Chief Minister of Assam, and several other eminent personalities; however, she was unable to attend the convocation ceremony held at the university premises due to certain health issues. Hence, it was decided later on to confer the degree to Borgohain at her residence.
It may be mentioned that Nirupama Borgohain, through her exceptional literary achievements, has become an inspiration for aspiring writers and a beacon of cultural pride for the people of Assam. The conferment of the D.Litt. (Honoris Causa) Degree by Dibrugarh University not only recognizes her remarkable accomplishments but also reinforces the university’s commitment to honoring literary excellence.
7.
The Prime Minister Narendra Modi addressed the Assam Rozgar Mela via a video message today.
Addressing the gathering, the Prime Minister congratulated the youth and their families who were recruited for government jobs in the Government of Assam. He recalled his visit to the state last month on the occasion of Bihu and said that the memory of the grand event which was a symbol of the glorification of Assamese culture, is still fresh in his mind. He noted that today’s Rozgar Mela is a reflection of the seriousness towards the future of the youth in Assam. Even before this, the Prime Minister said, more than 40 thousand youths have been given government jobs through the Rozgar Mela in Assam. He informed that appointment letters have been handed over to about 45 thousand youths today and wished a bright future for the youth.
Reflecting on the processes initiated by the Government of Assam to make government recruitment more transparent, the Prime Minister touched upon the ‘Assam Direct Recruitment Commission’ that has been formed to carry out the recruitment process in various departments. He mentioned that many recruitments could not be completed on time due to the earlier process where each department had different rules and the candidates had to appear for different examinations for different departments. He stated that all these processes have now been made very easy, and congratulated the Assam Government for this feat.
8.
The 221st birth anniversary (Tirobhav tithi) of Mottock king Swargadeo Sarbananda Singha was observed at Tinsukia with religious fervour on Wednesday. The programme began with obeisance at the statue of king in Tinkunia Pukhuri followed by recitation from Bhagavad Gita. A religious procession was brought out that passed close all ponds which were dug by the King, namely Na-Pukhuri, Chualdhowa Pukhuri, Devi Pukhuri, Bengmora Pukhuri, Selukia Pukhuri, before concluding at maidam of the King.
Who was Sarbananda Singha?
Sarbananda Singh or Mejera was a Moamoria leader. He was a Buruk Chutia by ethnicity.
He was the first ruler of the autonomous region called Matak rajya from 1791–1805, selected by his followers, with its capital in Bengmara, in what is now Tinsukia district. He was the son of Merutnandan. He was succeeded by his eldest son Matibor Borsenapoti as the second ruler of the Matak Kingdom.
9. The main water pipeline connecting the newly inaugurated JICA water treatment plant in Jaipur area of Guwahati’s Kharguli exploded around 3.15pm on Thursday.
About JICA
Japan International Cooperation Agency is a government agency of Japan. This organization helps in social and economic growth in developing countries and also looks to promote international cooperation. Professor Shinichi Kitaoka is the president of JICA and its headquarters is in Tokyo.
10. Government of Assam has ensured that the commitments it had made to the rice millers with regard to subsidies are being met and that any grievances regarding the same would be addressed at the earliest.
coming July 1 deadline, after which non-FRK rice grains shall not be procured by any government rice grain procurement agencies.
So far, subsidies amounting to a total of Rs 9 crore have already been released
As per directives from the Government of India, rice to be procured by the government agencies from coming July 1 has to be mandatorily blended with fortified rice kernels.
The Government of Assam has extended subsidies of upto Rs 2 lakh per mill for the purchase of blender machines, required for the purpose of blending general rice grains with FRK.
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