Vasundhara project: 

Topic : Environment (GS-3)

Context: American Express, in collaboration with NGO Safe Water Network, has launched Vasundhara,

About Vasundhara project: 

• It is a three-year initiative aimed at advancing environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience in Bengaluru and Gurugram.

• The project includes key features such as restoring urban and peri-urban ecosystems, adaptive climate measures, and energy-efficient solutions.
• The programme would also include community engagement through livelihood-based eco-restoration opportunities, mainly for women, as per the company.
• Programme Vasundhara targets a reach of over a million people across 85 villages in the two cities, Bengaluru and Gurugram. 
• Objectives include conserving approximately 710 million liters of water, planting 15,000 trees, and restoring 24,500 acres of land by 2027.
• Additionally, the programme supports renewable energy integration and trains over 900 female entrepreneurs to establish sustainable agriculture enterprises, connecting them with financial institutions for support.
• Vasundhara aims to serve as a model for corporate-supported conservation efforts that contribute to India’s sustainability and climate resilience objectives.

About NGO Safe Water Network: 

Safe Water Network is a non-profit organization founded in 2006 by actor and philanthropist Paul Newman, along with other civic and business leaders.

• Purpose: 
• The organization was founded to help address the evidence gap in off-grid water systems.
• Safe Water Network works with the private and public sectors to overcome obstacles to local sustainability and scale in providing clean and safe drinking water.
•  It oversees field initiatives to develop and refine models for providing safe water that can be taken to scale.
• Network members: 
• The network empowers communities by working with national, regional, and local government authorities in India and Ghana, as well as partnering with NGOs and private sector foundations and companieSHORTS: 
• American Express, in collaboration with NGO Safe Water Network, has launched Vasundhara, a three-year initiative aimed at advancing environmental sustainability, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience in Bengaluru and Gurugram.
• The project includes key features such as restoring urban and peri-urban ecosystems, adaptive climate measures, and energy-efficient solutions.
• The programme would also include community engagement through livelihood-based eco-restoration opportunities, mainly for women, as per the company.
• Programme Vasundhara targets a reach of over a million people across 85 villages in the two cities, Bengaluru and Gurugram. 
• Objectives include conserving approximately 710 million liters of water, planting 15,000 trees, and restoring 24,500 acres of land by 2027.

December 12, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

 Survey of street vendors :

 Topic : Economy ( GS-1)

Context: The survey of street vendors across all zones of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be completed by December 20

Highlights :

• The survey is being conducted under the provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and the Karnataka Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood, Regulation, and Licensing) Scheme, 2020. 
• Surveyors are gathering data using mobile software.
• Based on the survey findings, eligible street vendors will receive identity cards and certificates. 
• The BBMP, with Central and State support, provides welfare measures for street vendors, including PM SVANidhi aid, e-vehicle funding, housing subsidies, medical and education reimbursements, and skill training.

About PM SVANidhi:

The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme is a central sector scheme that provides collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors.

• Loan amount: The scheme provides loans ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. 
• Interest subsidy: The scheme offers a 7% interest subsidy per year on regular loan repayments. 
• Cashback: The scheme offers a cashback of up to ₹1,200 per year for undertaking prescribed digital transactions. 
• Eligibility: Street vendors who have been operating their business for at least one year before March 24, 2020, and have a valid ID proof are eligible to apply. 
• Funding: The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) fully funds the scheme. 
• The scheme’s objectives include: Facilitating working capital loans and Incentivizing regular repaymentSHORTS: 
• The survey of street vendors across all zones of the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) will be completed by December 20, said Suralkar Vikas Kishore, Special Commissioner (Revenue), BBMP. 
• The survey is being conducted under the provisions of the Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood and Regulation of Street Vending) Act, 2014, and the Karnataka Street Vendors (Protection of Livelihood, Regulation, and Licensing) Scheme, 2020. 
• Surveyors are gathering data using mobile software, and as of now, 23,407 street vendors have been identified across BBMP’s eight zones.

• The PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) scheme is a central sector scheme that provides collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors.
• Loan amount: The scheme provides loans ranging from ₹10,000 to ₹50,000. 

December 12, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP): 

Topic : Economy (GS-1)

Context: The US Consulate in Chennai has urged all American citizens in Karnataka to enrol in free digital service, the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP), provided by the US State Department.

Highlights : 

• As per the consulate, there are 80,000 US citizens in Karnataka, 50,000 in Tamil Nadu and 20,000 in Kerala.
• While about 20,000 US citizens in Karnataka previously enrolled, the recent update requires them to register again. 

About Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP): 

The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to register their trips abroad.

• Purpose: STEP helps the U.S. Department of State (DoS) provide assistance and information to U.S. citizens overseas in an emergency. 
• Benefits: 
• Safety and security information and updates from the embassy about the destination country 
• A way for the U.S. embassy, friends, and family to contact enrolees in an emergency 
• Routine messages, such as announcements about town halls, passport outreach programs, and other issues from the consulate 
• SHORTS: 
• The US Consulate in Chennai has urged all American citizens in Karnataka to enrol in free digital service, the Smart Traveller Enrollment Programme (STEP), provided by the US State Department.
• While STEP has been around for many years, it was recently updated, which requires re-enrolling.
• While about 20,000 US citizens in Karnataka previously enrolled, the recent update requires them to register again. 
• The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service from the U.S. Department of State that allows U.S. citizens and nationals to register their trips abroad.

December 12, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Aero India: 

Events and Programmes ( Prelims)

Context: With just about two months to go for the much-awaited biennial Aero India, Air Force Station Yelahanka — where the country’s premier air show takes place from February 10-14 — is on   the radar of the state government, the forest department in particular.

Highlights : 

• The forest department has raised the red flag saying the land where Aero India is held is a  reserve forest patch in Survey Number 49, in Gantiganahalli forest block in Bengaluru North taluk, and has sought land in its lieu elsewhere in the city.
• According to the October 1, 1931, gazette notification and government order, the land is a reserve forest patch, and there is no indication of it being denotified. 
• The Karnataka government has been hosting Aero India at the location since 1996.

About Aero India: 

Aero India is India’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition where global aero vendors and the Indian Air Force (IAF) thrill the spectators with back-to-back aerobatic flying displays

• Global industry chiefs, with their latest products, try to catch the eye of Indian policy makers.
• Thousands of business visitors and general visitors including foreign decision-makers, industry chiefs, pilots and technicians travel to India and witness the flying displays. 
• It is organised by the defence ministry every alternate year in Bengaluru at Yelahanka Air Force base.
• Aero India also enables the industry professionals to gain market insights, announce new developments and offers a unique platform for international aviation firms to showcase their products and strengthen their businesses.
• The first edition of Aero India was held in 1996, under the then Defence Minister late George Fernan
• SHORTS: 
• With just about two months to go for the much-awaited biennial Aero India, Air Force Station Yelahanka — where the country’s premier air show takes place from February 10-14 — is on   the radar of the state government, the forest department in particular.
• Aero India is India’s premier aerospace and defence exhibition where global aero vendors and the Indian Air Force (IAF) thrill the spectators with back-to-back aerobatic flying displays. 
• Global industry chiefs, with their latest products, try to catch the eye of Indian policy makers.

December 12, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise

Clearing Eucalyptus trees in Ranebennur’s Blackbuck sanctuary: 

Topic : Environment ( GS-3)

Context: In an attempt to take the pressure off prime forest areas and to promote grasslands, the state forest department is improving the grassland terrains, removing Eucalyptus trees and starting a safari.

Highlights : 

• In Ranebennur’s Blackbuck sanctuary, where the department has started the exercise of clearing Eucalyptus trees, clearing the grasslands and improving the habitat for the herbivore species. 
• The department also started a safari in the region, in coordination with the villagers in the vicinity. 
• According to forest department officials this has helped in reducing the man- animal conflict.

About Eucalyptus: 

• Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs, predominantly native to Australia.
• Over 700 species of eucalyptus exist, and they have been widely planted in many other parts of the world, including India, due to their fast growth and valuable wood properties.
• Characteristics: 
• Eucalyptus trees are known for their distinctive leaves, which are often long, narrow, and aromatic due to the presence of essential oils.
•  Their smooth bark sheds in strips, revealing a colourful, mottled trunk beneath.
• Uses: 
• Eucalyptus wood is used for construction, furniture, and paper production due to its durability and fast growth.
• Eucalyptus oil is extracted for medicinal purposes, including use in cough drops, inhalants, and antiseptics.
• Some eucalyptus species are planted as ornamental trees in gardens and parks.
• Environmental Impact: 
• Eucalyptus trees have high water requirements, which can deplete local water resources and affect surrounding vegetation.
• The leaf litter from eucalyptus trees contains allelopathic chemicals that inhibit the growth of other plant species, leading to reduced biodiversity.
• Eucalyptus trees are highly flammable due to their oil-rich leaves and bark, increasing the risk and intensity of forest fires.
• Eucalyptus can become invasive in non-native areas, outcompeting indigenous flora and altering local ecosystems.
• SHORTS: 
• In an attempt to take the pressure off prime forest areas and to promote grasslands, the state forest department is improving the grassland terrains, removing Eucalyptus trees and starting a safari.
• One such is the case in Ranebennur’s Blackbuck sanctuary, where the department has started the exercise of clearing Eucalyptus trees, clearing the grasslands and improving the habitat for the herbivore species. 
• Eucalyptus is a diverse genus of flowering trees and shrubs, predominantly native to Australia.
• Over 700 species of eucalyptus exist, and they have been widely planted in many other parts of the world, including India, due to their fast growth and valuable wood properties.

December 12, 2024 Category: Current Affairs Day Wise