National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) to Use Miyawaki Plantation to Increase Green Cover Along National Highways

• NHAI will use the Miyawaki plantations method for afforestation.
• This initiative will focus on lands adjacent to the National Highways in the Delhi NCR (National Capital Region) to increase the green cover in these regions.
• The afforestation initiative is scheduled to be launched during the Monsoon season in 2024.

Understanding Miyawaki Plantations

• About
  • It was named after Japanese botanist Akira Miyawaki.
  • This method involves planting two to four different types of indigenous trees within every square metre.
  • The methodology was developed in the 1970s, with the basic objective of densifying green cover within a small parcel of land.
  • In this method, the trees become self-sustaining and they grow to their full length within three years.
  • The plants used in the Miyawaki method are mostly self-sustaining and don’t require regular maintenance like manuring and watering.
• Significance
  • The dense green cover of indigenous trees plays a key role in absorbing the dust particles of the area where the garden has been set up.
  • The plants also help in regulating surface temperature.
  • Some of the common indigenous plants that are used for these forests include Anjan, Amala, Bel, Arjun and Gunj.
  • These forests encourage new biodiversity and an ecosystem which increases the soil's fertility.

National Highway Authority of India (NHAI)

• Ministry: Union Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
• Union Minister: Nitin Gadkari.
• Chairman of NHAI: Santosh Kumar Yadav (IAS)
• About
  • It is a statutory body set up under the NHAI Act, 1988 and became operational in February 1995.
  • It is responsible for the development, maintenance and management of National Highways entrusted to it and/or matters connected or incidental thereto.

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Summer Solstice: A Celestial Phenomenon

• Why in the News?
  • International Day of Celebration of Solstice is annually observed on 21st June.
  • It marks the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
• Solstice
  • It is a Latin word that means stalled sun.
  • It is a natural phenomenon that occurs twice every year, once in the summer (Summer Solstice) and again during winter (Winter Solstice) in each hemisphere of the earth.
• Summer Solstice
  • It occurs when the Earth's axial tilt is closest to the sun.
  • This tilt causes the sun to reach its highest position in the sky, resulting in the longest daylight period.
  • During this time, the North Pole is tilted about 23.4 degrees towards the sun and the sun is directly over the Tropic of Cancer, at 23.5 degrees north latitude.
• Winter Solstice
  • It is the shortest day and longest night of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and is also known as the ‘first day of winter’ in the Northern Hemisphere as well as ‘Hiemal solstice or Hibernal solstice’.
  • During this, countries in the Northern Hemisphere are farthest from the Sun and the Sun shines overhead on the Tropic of Capricorn (23.5° south).
• Scientific Explanation
  • The Earth orbits the sun in an elliptical path and its axis is tilted relative to its orbital plane.
  • This tilt, combined with the Earth's orbit, causes the seasons.
  • The solstices, both summer and winter, occur because of this axial tilt.
  • During the summer solstice, the Northern Hemisphere experiences the maximum amount of sunlight, leading to the longest day and shortest night of the year.
  • In contrast, the Southern Hemisphere experiences the winter solstice, marking the shortest day and longest night.
• Historical and Cultural Significance
  • For ancient civilizations, this event was a time to honor the sun and its life-giving energy.
  • Monuments such as Stonehenge in England and the Pyramids of Egypt are believed to be aligned with the solstice sun, indicating its importance in ancient times.
  • In many cultures, the solstice is associated with themes of fertility, growth and harvest. For example:
    • In Ancient Egypt, the summer solstice marked the start of the Nile's flooding, crucial for agriculture.
    • In Ancient Greece, the solstice was considered the first day of the year and was celebrated with the festival of Kronia, honoring Cronus, the god of agriculture.
    • In Scandinavian countries, Midsummer festivals are still celebrated with dances, bonfires and feasts, reflecting ancient customs and the joy of the sun's abundance.

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Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (AH&D) Signed MoU with National Dairy Development Board (NDDB) for the Upgradation of the Biocontainment Facility

• About
  • The agreement is for the Upgradation of Biocontainment Facility and associated repair works at Chaudhary Charan Singh National Institute of Animal Health (CCSNAIH) in Baghpat.
  • CCSNAIH, Baghpat, is an apex laboratory under the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying.
  • It serves as a national facility for quality assessment of veterinary vaccines and diagnostics used in India.
  • The bio-containment facility at the institute was commissioned in 2010.
  • The Institute is recognized as a Central Drugs Laboratory by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India.
  • It undertakes Quality Control Testing of Veterinary Biologicals for Hemorrhagic Septicemia (HS) and Ranikhet Disease (RD).
• Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (AH&D)
  • It was created by the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying in 2019.
  • The Department is responsible for matters relating to livestock production, preservation, protection from diseases and improvement of stocks and dairy development and for matters relating to Delhi Milk Scheme (DMS) and National Dairy Development Board (NDDB).
• National Dairy Development Board (NDDB)
  • It was created to promote, finance and support producer-owned and controlled organisations.
  • Its programs and activities seek to strengthen farmer owned institutions and support national policies that are favourable to the growth of such institutions.
  • Its efforts transformed India’s rural economy by making dairying a viable and profitable economic activity for millions of milk producers while addressing the country’s need for self-sufficiency in milk production.

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International Yoga Day 2024

• International Yoga Day is annually observed on 21^st June.
• The day serves as a platform to raise awareness about the manifold benefits of practicing Yoga.
• The theme for this year is “Yoga for Self and Society”.

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Krishi Sakhi Convergence Program (KSCP)

• Why in the News?
  • Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi granted certificates to more than 30,000 self-help groups as Krishi Sakhis at Varanasi on June 18, 2024.
  • Realizing the significant role & contribution of women in agriculture and to further enhancing the skills of rural women, the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare and the Ministry of Rural Development signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) in 2023.
  • KSCP is the ambitious initiative under this MoU.
• About
  • KSCP aims to transform rural India through the empowerment of rural Women as Krishi Sakhi, by imparting training and certification of Krishi Sakhis as Para-extension Workers.
  • This certification course aligns with the objectives of the “Lakhpati Didi” Program.
  • Krishi Sakhi Training Program has been rolled out in 12 states in Phase – 1: Gujarat, Tamil Nadu, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, Odisha, Jharkhand, Andhra Pradesh and Meghalaya.
• Lakhpati Didi Program
  • The Lakhpati Didi program, implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, aims to catalyze economic empowerment and financial independence among women in rural areas.
  • A Lakhpati Didi is a Self-Help Group member who earns an annual household income of Rupees One Lakh (₹1,00,000) or more.
  • Lakhpati initiative facilitates diversified livelihood activities, by ensuring convergence across all Government departments/ Ministries, Private sector and Market players.

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India Ranks 63^rd on Energy Transition Index, Sweden on Top: WEF

• Why in the News?
  • India now stands at 63rd place out of 120 nations in the World Economic Forum's (WEF) 2024 Global Energy Transition Index, up three spots from 67th place the previous year.
  • Sweden is leading the energy revolution once again, as seen by its ranking at the top of the index.
  • India has made great strides toward energy equity, security and sustainability, according to the WEF.
• World Economic Forum (WEF)
  • WEF is the International Organization for Public-Private Cooperation.
  • The Forum engages the foremost political, business, cultural and other leaders of society to shape global, regional and industry agendas.
  • It is headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland.
  • Klaus Schwab, a German professor Klaus from Harvard, founded WEF in 1971.
  • Originally it was known as the European Management Forum.