- CLIMATE CHANGE LINKED HAZARD ON WOMEN, CHILDREN
- The Study — Focuses on the adverse impacts of climate change on women and children in various states across India
- Conducted by — M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
- Commissioned by — Ministry of Women and Child Development
- The study specifically highlighting their vulnerability to climate[1]related disasters such as floods, cyclones, and droughts
- It reveals that these groups are particularly at risk in states like Bihar, Gujarat, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, West Bengal, and Telangana
- Key findings from the study include: – Women and children in designated climate and health hotspots are more likely to suffer from under-nutrition, stunting, underweight conditions
- In the case of teenage girls, higher rates of early pregnancies There are 183 districts particularly vulnerable to hydro[1]meteorological disasters, while 349 districts frequently experience drought conditions
- The northern areas of Bihar and Gujarat are highlighted as regions where drought, flood, and cyclone exposure coincide with high rates of stunting and underweight children
- Study highlights— Often overlooked issue of women and children’s health and safety ○ Points out gaps in existing research
- Need for development of methods to measure such exposure
- Recommendations include Improving data collection and research to better inform policy aimed at mitigating these impacts
2. ENCROACHMENTS, LAND DIVERSIONS FOR NON – FORESTRY PURPOSES THREANTEN DELHI RIDGE THE CAPITAL LUNGS
- “Non-forestry purposes” refer to activities or uses of forest land that do not involve the preservation, cultivation, or management of forested areas It means the land is being used for something other than forestry-related tasks – which typically include tree cultivation, conservation, and maintenance of forest ecosystems
- In the context of the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) report on the Delhi Ridge
- Non-forestry purposes likely refer to the use of forest land for developments like building infrastructure, industrial use, urban expansion, or other forms of land use that do not align with maintaining or enhancing the forest environment
- Such diversions are significant because they involve the transformation of ecologically sensitive and protected areas into spaces that serve economic or urban development goals.
- This can lead to a reduction in biodiversity, disruption of ecosystems, and loss of natural habitats, which are critical issues especially in ecologically valuable areas like the Delhi Ridge
3. KHANIJI BIDESH INDIA MAY ACQUIRE LITHIUM ASSET IN AUSTRALIA
- Khanij Bidesh India Ltd. (KABIL) hopes to acquire a lithium block in Australia this year
- KABIL, a joint venture of three PSUs to scout for mineral assets overseas, has been working in Australia for the last year
- KABIL has the responsibility to look at other countries
- But unlike Argentina, Australia would be a bit costly so the paid-up capital of KABIL will have to be increased
- KABIL has a paid-up capital of ₹100 crore at present
- Lithium is the most important mineral for the energy transition
- A fundamental component of lithium-ion batteries, which power electric vehicles and battery energy storage systems.
4. SOLAR STROM
- A solar storm, also known as a geomagnetic storm, is a disturbance in Earth’s magnetosphere that occurs when there is a very efficient exchange of energy from the solar wind into the space environment surrounding Earth
- These storms result from variations in the solar wind that produces major changes in the currents, plasmas, and fields in Earth’s magnetosphere Solar storms are typically caused by two types of solar wind disturbances that are often linked to sunspots:
- Solar Flare ○ Coronal Mass Ejection (CME)
5. FOREIGN PORTFOLIO INVESTORS
- Foreign Portfolio Investors (FPIs) have turned aggressive sellers in Indian equities in May 2024
- FPIs are largely spooked by the uncertainty over the outcome of general elections
- They now favour the ‘Sell India, Buy China’ trade due to cheaper valuations in Chinese and Hong Kong markets
ONE LINER
- India is ranked 13th as the destination country for immigrants – World Migration Report. It is released by International Organisation for Migration (IOM)
- Glyptothorax punyabratai a new catfish species has been described from the Brahmaputra River drainage in Arunachal Pradesh
