PIB Analysis 29th July 2020

Tiger Census and Global Tiger Day

Context

The Union Environment Minister released a detailed report of Tiger Census on the eve of Global Tiger Day.

Highlights of the Report

The detailed report assesses the status of tigers in terms of spatial occupancy and density of individual populations across India.
The detailed report of the 4th All India Tiger Estimation is unique in the following ways:

Abundance index of co-predators and other species has been carried out which hitherto was restricted only to occupancy
Sex ratio of tigers in all camera trap sites has been carried out for the first time.
Anthropogenic effects on tiger populations have been elaborated in a detailed manner.
Tiger abundance within pockets in tiger reserves has been demonstrated for the first time.

The report compares information obtained from the earlier three surveys (2006, 2010, and 2014) with data obtained from the 2018-19 survey to estimate population trends at country and landscape scales, patch colonization and extinction rates along with information on likely factors responsible for changes in tiger status at the fine spatial resolution of 100 km.
The report evaluates the status of habitat corridors connecting major tiger populations and highlights vulnerable areas that require conservation attention for each landscape.
It also provides information on major carnivores and ungulates regarding their distribution and relative abundance.

Global Tiger Day

The Heads of the Governments of Tiger Range countries at St. Petersburg, Russia, had resolved to double tiger numbers across their global range by 2022 by signing the St. Petersburg declaration on tiger conservation.
During the meeting it was also decided to celebrate 29 July as Global Tiger Day across the world, which is since being celebrated to spread and generate awareness on tiger conservation.
During Global Tiger Day 2019, it was a proud moment for India as the Prime Minister declared to the world fulfilment of India’s resolve as it had doubled its tiger numbers four years in advance to the target year highlighting resolute action taken by all concerned.

India’s tiger population now stands at 2967 which is 70 percent of the global tiger population.

A feather in India’s cap was added with the Guinness World Records recognizing the country’s efforts as the world largest camera trap survey of wildlife.

To read more about Tiger Census CLICK HERE

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1641759

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Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank

Context

Union Minister of Finance & Corporate Affairs attended the 5th Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) via video conference.

Highlights

Every year at the Annual Meeting, the Board of Governors meet to take key decisions that impact the Bank’s future.
The discussions at the meeting broadly covered official business including election of the President of the AIIB and a roundtable discussion on the theme ‘AIIB 2030-Supporting Asia’s Development over the Next Decade’.
The Finance Minister mentioned some of the expectations from the Bank, including introduction of new financing instruments, mobilising private sector finance and providing financing for social infrastructure to achieve the SDGs 2030.
She suggested integrating development of climate resilient and sustainable energy access infrastructure into the recovery response to the COVID-19 crisis.
Suggestions were also made to establish Regional Presence which would aid in effective project management and implementation.

Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB)

It is a multilateral development bank with a mission to improve social and economic outcomes in Asia.
Headquarters - Beijing

It began operations in January 2016 and has now grown to 103 approved members worldwide.
By investing in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors in Asia and beyond, it seeks to connect people, services and markets that over time will impact the lives of billions and build a better future.
The starting capital of the bank was $100 billion
It is seen as a potential rival to the World Bank and IMF.
China is the largest shareholder with 26.61 % voting shares in the bank followed by India (7.6%), Russia (6.01%) and Germany (4.2 %).

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1641841

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India Report on Digital Education 2020

Context

Union Minister for HRD launched India Report on Digital Education, 2020.

Details

The report elaborates on the innovative methods adopted by the Ministry of HRD, Education Departments of States and Union Territories for ensuring accessible and inclusive education to children at home and reducing learning gaps.
Some of the major digital initiatives by State Governments are SMILE (Social Media Interface for Learning Engagement) in Rajasthan, Project Home Classes in Jammu, Padhai Tunhar duvaar (Education at your doorstep) in Chhattisgarh, Unnayan Initiatives in Bihar through portal and mobile application, Mission Buniyaad in NCT of Delhi, Kerala’s own educational TV channel (Hi-Tech school programme), E-scholar portal as well as free online courses for teachers in Meghalaya.
Telangana has online certificate programs for teachers on ‘Management of mental well-being during COVID’.

To read more about the digital initiatives in Education Sector CLICK HERE

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1641850

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World Hepatitis Day

Context

2nd Empathy e-Conclave was organised on the occasion of “World Hepatitis Day”.

Highlights

The event was organised by Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) in collaboration with Airport Authority of India (AAI) for creating awareness among the parliamentarians.
The theme of this year’s conclave was “Keep your Liver Safe in COVID times”.

Hepatitis and India

Viral Hepatitis is a very common and serious disease in India, but is virtually unknown to health care providers and the general public.
Individuals with viral B & C hepatitis are at increased risk for liver cancer and chronic liver disease, yet an estimated 80 percent of persons with chronic viral hepatitis do not know that they are infected.
Institute of Liver and Biliary Sciences (ILBS) is a WHO collaborative centre.
It helped in the development of the ‘National Viral Hepatitis Program’ which was launched on July 28, 2018.
It is the largest program for Hepatitis B and C diagnosis and treatment in the world.

World Hepatitis Day

It is observed on July 28 every year.
Theme for 2020: Hepatitis Free Future
Hepatitis has become a global health problem.
It aims to raise global awareness of hepatitis — a group of infectious diseases known as Hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E — and encourage prevention, diagnosis and treatment.
World Hepatitis Day is one of eight official global public health campaigns marked by the World Health Organization (WHO).

Hepatitis

Hepatitis is inflammation of the liver tissue.
Hepatitis is acute if it resolves within six months, and chronic if it lasts longer than six months.
Hepatitis is most commonly caused by the viruses hepatitis A, B, C, D, and E.
Hepatitis A and E are mainly spread by contaminated food and water.
Hepatitis B is mainly sexually transmitted, but may also be passed from mother to baby during pregnancy or childbirth and spread through infected blood.
Hepatitis C is commonly spread through infected blood such as may occur during needle sharing by intravenous drug users.
Hepatitis affects hundreds of millions of people worldwide, causing acute and chronic disease and killing close to 1.34 million people every year.
Hepatitis causes liver diseases and can also kill a person.

Source:

https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1641742

MCQs based on PIB Analysis

Q.1 Which one of the following statements is not correct? (UPSC PYQ )

(a) Hepatitis B virus is transmitted much like HIV.

(b) Hepatitis B, unlike Hepatitis C, does not have a vaccine.

(c) Globally, the number of people infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses are several times more than those infected with HIV.

(d) Some of those infected with Hepatitis B and C viruses do not show the symptoms for many years.

Q.2 The term ‘M-STrIPES’ is sometimes seen in the news in the context of ( UPSC PYQ )

(a) Captive breeding of Wild Fauna

(b) Maintenance of Tiger Reserves

(d) Security of National Highways

Q.3 Consider the following statements, with reference to Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank (AIIB) :

It is headquartered in Philippines, Manila
India has the third largest voting share
It invests in sustainable infrastructure and other productive sectors only in Asia

Which of the statements given above is/are incorrect?