Topics
- SECOND EDITION OF GLOBAL BIO-INDIA-2021
- PRASHAD SCHEME
- HIMALAYAN SEROW
- BLACK-BROWED BABBLER
Second Edition of Global Bio-India-2021
Context:Recently, second edition of Global Bio-India-2021 was inaugurated by Union Minister for Health & Family Welfare through virtual mode.
Organizers:Department of Biotechnology (DBT), Ministry of Science & Technology, Government of India and it’s Public Sector Undertaking, Biotechnology Industry Research Assistance Council (BIRAC)
Theme:“Transforming lives” with the tag line “Biosciences to Bio-economy”.
- It is a mega international congregation of Biotechnology, with stakeholders including international bodies, regulatory bodies, Central and State Ministries, SMEs, large industries, bioclusters, research institutes, investors, and the startup ecosystem.
- It aims at facilitating the recognition of India as an emerging Innovation Hub and the bio-manufacturing hub globally.
- India was ranked 48 in the Global Innovation Index Report 2020
- Biotechnology sector is recognized as the key driver for contributing to India’s USD 5 Trillion economy target by 2024.
- As India progresses on this transformational journey, Global Bio-India 2021, the largest Bio event, would showcase opportunities in Indian Biotechnology sector to the world.
PRASHAD SCHEME
Context:Recently, Union Minister for Tourism virtually laid the Foundation Stone for the project “Development of Maa Bamleshwari Devi Temple, Dongargarh, Chhattisgarh”
- Project was approved under PRASHAD Scheme of the Ministry of Tourism.
About PRASHAD scheme
- The ‘National Mission on Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive’ (PRASHAD) is a Central Sector Scheme fully financed by the Government of India.
- The scheme aimed at infrastructure development such as entry points (Road, Rail and Water Transport), last mile connectivity, ATM/ Money exchange, area Lighting and illumination with renewable sources, waiting rooms, first aid centers, craft bazars etc.
- Out of 13 projects successfully completed under the scheme two projects include each at Somnath, Mathura, Tamil Nadu and Bihar and one project each at Varanasi, Guruvayur and Amaravati (Guntoor), Kamakhya and Amritsar.
- It was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in the year 2014-15 with the objective of integrated development of identified pilgrimage and heritage destinations.
Himalayan serow
Context:Recently, Himalayan serow was spotted in Assam
- Himalayan serow resembles a cross between a goat, a donkey, a cow, and a pig.
- It is a medium-sized mammal with a large head, thick neck, short limbs, long, mule-like ears, and a coat of dark hair
- There are several species of serows, and all of them are found in Asia
- The Himalayan serow, or Capricornissumatraensis thar, is restricted to the Himalayan region.
- Himalayan serows are herbivores.
- They are known to be found in eastern, central, and western Himalayas, but not in the Trans Himalayan region
The Trans-Himalayas Mountain Region or Tibet Himalayan Region is located to the north of the Great Himalayas which consists of Karakoram, Ladakh, Zaskar and Kailash mountain ranges. |
Conservation Status
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES:Appendix I
- The Wildlife Protection Act, 1972:Schedule I
Black-Browed Babbler
Context:Recently, a Black-Browed Babbler (Malacocinclaperspicillata) was rediscovered in southeastern Kalimantan
- Southeastern Kalimantan is the part of Borneo that is administered by Indonesia.
- For more than 170 years after that reporting, this single specimen represented the only recorded sighting of this bird species
About bird
- It has a strong bill, chocolate colouring and distinctive black eye-stripe, its iris is of striking maroon colour.
- It has brown wings and a black stripe across its brow
- It has relatively short tail and a robust bill
- The upper parts of the bird were rich brown, while the underparts up to the breast were greyish with fine white streaking
IUCN Red List: Data Deficient