Daily Current Affairs 07/09/2021
New Development Bank admits UAE, Uruguay and Bangladesh as new members
Why in News
- The New Development Bank (NDB) has admitted the United Arab Emirates (UAE), Uruguay and Bangladesh as the first batch of new members as part of its expansion drive.
Key Points
- New Development Bank has initiated its membership expansion and started formal negotiations with prospective members in late 2020.
- After a round of successful negotiations, NDB approved the admission of the UAE, Uruguay and Bangladesh as its first new member countries.
- New members will have in NDB a platform to foster their cooperation in infrastructure and sustainable development.
About New Development Bank (NDB):
- It is a multilateral development bank established by the BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) countries.
- It is headquartered in Shanghai, China.
- On 15 July 2014, the first day of the 6th BRICS summit held in Fortaleza, Brazil, the BRICS states signed the Agreement on the New Development Bank.
Authorized Capital: NDB has an authorized capital of US$ 100 billion, which is open for subscription by members of the United Nations.
- Since the beginning of its operations, the bank approved about 80 projects in all of its members, totalling a portfolio of USD 30 billion.
Projects: Projects in areas such as transport, water and sanitation, clean energy, digital infrastructure, social infrastructure and urban development are within the scope of the bank.
Source: newsonair
BGCI launches the State of the World's Trees Report 2021
Why in News
- Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) launched the State of the World's Trees Report 2021.
- Almost a third of the world’s tree species are at risk of extinction, while hundreds are on the brink of being wiped out.
Key Points
- According to the State of the World’s Trees report 17,500 tree species – some 30% of the total – are at risk of extinction, while 440 species have fewer than 50 individuals left in the wild.
- Among the most at-risk trees are species including magnolias and dipterocarps – which are commonly found in Southeast Asian rainforests. Oak trees, maple trees and ebonies also face threats.
- Thousands of varieties of trees in the world’s top 6 countries for tree-species diversity are at risk of extinction. The greatest single number is in Brazil. The other 5 countries are Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Colombia and Venezuela.
- The top three threats facing tree species are crop production, timber logging and livestock farming, while climate change and extreme weather are emerging threats.
Need of saving Trees:
- Trees help support the natural ecosystem and are considered vital for combating global warming and climate change.
- They store 50% of the world’s terrestrial carbon and provide a buffer from extreme weather, such hurricanes and tsunamis.
India’s Related Initiatives:
- National Mission for a Green India
- Nagar Van (Urban Forest) Scheme
- Sankalp Parva
- National Afforestation Programme
- Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act
Source: Indian Express
Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games
- Place: Tokyo, Japan (24 August- 5 September 2021)
- 16th Paralympics Mascot: Someity
India at Tokyo Paralympics:
- India’s flag bearers in the opening ceremony- Tek Chand (Shot-putter)
- India’s flag bearers in the closing ceremony- Avani Lekhara (Shooter)
Rank | Countries | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
1 | China | 96 | 60 | 51 | 207 |
2 | Britain | 41 | 38 | 45 | 124 |
3 | United States | 37 | 36 | 31 | 104 |
24 | India | 5 | 8 | 6 | 19 |
India’s performance:
- Avani Lekhara won the Gold Medal in Shooting. She became the first Indian woman to win a Gold medal at the Paralympics Games. She is only the Indian to win multiple medals in a single edition of the Games (1 Gold, 1 Bronze in Shooting in Tokyo 2020 Paralympics Games).
- Sumit Antil won the Gold medal in Javelin throw.
- Pramod Bhagat won the Gold Medal in Badminton.
- Manish Narwal won the Gold Medal in Shooting.
- Krishna Nagar won the Gold Medal in Badminton.
Source: olympics.com
Assam cabinet drops Rajiv Gandhi’s name from Orang National Park
Why in News
- The Assam Cabinet has decided to drop former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi’s name from the Orang National Park.
- Now the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park will be known as the Orang National Park.
- The decision to restore the original name of Orang National Park was taken following requests from the Adivasi groups in the State.
Key Points
About Orang National Park:
- Situated about 120 km north-east of Guwahati, the 79.28 sq. km Orang is one of Assam’s seven national parks and among the top three rhino habitats.
- It also has one of the highest density of tigers in the country.
- Orang was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1985 and was upgraded to a national park in 1999.
- It became the Rajiv Gandhi Orang National Park during the Congress government headed by Tarun Gogoi.
- The national park was declared a Tiger Reserve by the National Tiger Conservation Authority in March 2016.
Note: Assam currently has seven national parks: Kaziranga, Manas, Orang, Nameri, Dibru-Saikhowa and more recently, Raimona and Dehing Patkai.
Source: The Hindu
J B Mohapatra appointed CBDT chairman
- The Appointments Committee of the Cabinet (ACC) has approved the appointment of J B Mohapatra, as chairman, Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT).
- He has been holding the additional charge of CBDT chairman since May31, 2021 after the extended tenure of incumbent P C Mody had ended.
- Mohapatra, a 1985-batch Indian Revenue Service (Income Tax) officer, is currently the member in the board that frames the policy for the Income Tax department.
Source: The Hindu
Behler Turtle Conservation Award 2021
Why in News
- Indian biologist Dr. Shailendra Singh has been awarded the Behler Turtle Conservation Award 2021 for bringing three critically endangered turtle conservation species again from the brink of extinction.
- There are 29 species of freshwater turtles and tortoises in India.
Key Points
- These critically endangered turtles are being conserved as part of TSA India’s analysis, conservation breeding and training programme in numerous elements of the nation.
- The Northern River Terrapin (Batagur baska) is being conserved on the Sunderbans; the Crimson-crowned Roofed Turtle (Batagur kachuga) at Chambal; and the Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) at completely different temples in Assam.
About Behler Turtle Conservation Award:
- It was established in 2006 to recognise excellent achievements, contributions and management excellence in worldwide turtle conservation and biology.
- It carries an honorarium of $5000 and is widely considered the “Nobel Prize” of turtle conservation and biology.
- It is co-presented by the Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), IUCN/SSC Tortoise and Freshwater Turtle Specialist Group, Turtle Conservancy, and the Turtle Conservation Fund.
Protection Status:
- International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Critically Endangered
- CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora)
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
Source: The Hindu
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