News In Short 18-10-2024

Bushveld Minerals

Syllabus: GS1/ Geography

In News

• The discovery of living microbes in a 2-billion-year-old rock from South Africa’s Bushveld Igneous Complex is a breakthrough in understanding of early life on Earth and the potential for life beyond our planet. 

About Bushveld Igneous Complex

• Located in northeastern South Africa, it is one of the largest and most well-preserved layered igneous intrusions in the world. 
• The BIC was formed about 2 billion years ago when magma from deep within the Earth’s mantle slowly cooled beneath the surface, resulting in the formation of multiple layers of igneous rock.
• It contains 70% of the world’s mined platinum reserves, making South Africa the leading global producer of platinum.

Source: Scitechdaily

Mera Hou Chongba

Syllabus :GS 1/Culture 

In News

• The Mera Hou Chongba Festival 2024 was celebrated in Imphal. 

Mera Hou Chongba

• It is the only festival where both hill and valley indigenous communities are observed together in the state.
• It is an age- old festival that marks the oneness of the growth of nationalism in the state.
  • It has been celebrated in Manipur since the time of Nongda Lairen Pakhangba, the God King of Manipur, in the first century AD.
• It is aimed at strengthening the bond between indigenous communities in the hills and the valley of Manipur.
  • It is recognized as a General Holiday in Manipur.

Source: AIR 

Appointment to CJI

Syllabus :GS 2/Governance

In News

• Chief Justice of India D.Y. Chandrachud has recommended Justice Sanjiv Khanna to the government for appointment as the 51st Chief Justice of India.

About Chief Justice of India  :Appointment

• The Chief Justice of India and the other judges of the Supreme Court are appointed by the President under clause (2) of Article 124 of the Indian Constitution.
• The Chief Justice should be the senior most judge of the Supreme Court deemed fit for the role.
• The outgoing Chief Justice recommends the next Chief Justice to the Union Minister of Law, who forwards it to the Prime Minister for the President’s approval.
  • If there are doubts about the senior most judge’s fitness, consultations with other judges (per Article 124(2)) will occur.

Do you know ? – Appointment of Supreme Court Judges : The Chief Justice initiates the process when a vacancy arises and forwards recommendations to the Union Minister of Law. 1. The Chief Justice consults a collegium of the four seniormost puisne judges for recommendations. 2. The President appoints the seniormost available judge as Acting Chief Justice if the position is vacant.

Source:PIB

India extends its first-ever Rupee denominated Line of Credit under IDEAS

Syllabus : GS 2/IR

In News

• India has extended a Line of Credit of ₹487.60 crores to Mauritius for a water pipeline replacement project, 

About 

• It is the first ₹-denominated credit under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS). 
• It aims to replace approximately 100 km of obsolete water pipeline in Mauritius and will be financed by the State Bank of India on concessional terms. 
• This initiative reflects India’s commitment to socio-economic development in Global South countries, aligning with the needs of its partner nations.

Do you know ? – The Government of India provides development assistance through concessional Lines of Credit (LOCs) under the Indian Development and Economic Assistance Scheme (IDEAS) via the Exim Bank of India.  1. Over 300 LOCs worth $32 billion have been extended to 68 countries, funding around 600 projects in various sectors, including railways, roads, agriculture, and healthcare. 2. Under the “Neighbourhood First” policy, significant LOCs have been allocated to neighboring countries: $7.862 billion to Bangladesh, $1.65 billion to Nepal, over $2 billion to Sri Lanka, $745 million to Myanmar, and $1.43 billion to the Maldives.

Source: AIR

Hoolock Gibbon

Syllabus: GS3/ Species In News

In News

• The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has deferred its approval for oil exploration in the Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam, which serves as a crucial habitat for the Hoolock Gibbon.

About Hoolock Gibbon

• About: Gibbons are the smallest and fastest of all apes. The hoolock gibbon, unique to India’s northeast, is one of 20 species of gibbons found in tropical and subtropical forests in Southeast Asia.
  • Gibbons are known for their energetic vocal displays and were initially found in Assam. They are diurnal and arboreal. They are omnivorous. 
• Types in India: 
  • Initially, zoologists believed that there were two species of hoolock gibbons in the northeast region of India — the eastern and western hoolock gibbons.
• Threats: The primary threat to the hoolock gibbon is the deforestation caused by infrastructure projects.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Western hoolock gibbon is classified as endangered and the eastern hoolock gibbon as vulnerable.
  • Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act 1972 

Global Gibbon Network (GGN) – GGN was founded with a vision to safeguard and conserve a key element of Asia’s unique natural heritage – the singing gibbon and their habitats, by promoting participatory conservation policies, legislations, and actions. – It was first initiated in 2020  and was organized by two institutions in China through Ecofoundation Global and the Hainan Institute of National Park.

Source: TH

Wildlife Board Approves 5 roads in Ladakh

Syllabus: GS3/Infrastructure, Defence

Context

• The National Board for Wildlife has approved five critical road projects, four of which pass through the Karakoram Wildlife Sanctuary along the Line of Actual Control, and one road to Daulat Beg Oldie.

About

• Daulat Beg Oldie (DBO) is the country’s northernmost military outpost in Ladakh and location of its highest airstrip.
• In total, 35 km of new roads leading to DBO, which runs parallel to the LAC, have been authorised. 
• A key segment among these is the 7.75 km link road from DS-DBO to Saser-Brangsa-Gapshan, which will be constructed at an altitude of 17,000 ft.

Significance

• The wildlife clearance represents a major boost for the Ministry of Defence, which is increasing its infrastructure development along the LAC.
• The current DS-DBO route, extending 255 km, runs adjacent to the LAC and remains within sight of Chinese-held territory.
• It offers an alternative for rapid troop and resource movement for operational needs, located nearly 100 km from areas controlled by China. 

Source: IE