Livestock responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions: FAO

Livestock are responsible for about 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions, according to the United Nations’ Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).

Ruminants such as cattle, buffalo, sheep and goats produce nitrous oxide, carbon dioxide and methane, which is the most emitted gas and is released through belching.

What is the contribution of Transport sector to Global Warming?

• The U.N.’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change says the transport is responsible for 14 percent of emissions.

Which country has the largest livestock population in the world?

• India
• India has the largest cattle inventory in the world in 2017 followed by Brazil &China. Around 63% of the world’s cattle are in India, Brazil & China

What are the major Green house gases?

• The primary greenhouse gases in Earth’s atmosphere are water vapor, carbon dioxide, methane, nitrous oxide, and ozone

Wildlife scientists satellite-collar a dhole(the Indian wild dog)

• Wildlife scientists, for the first time, have collared a dhole, the Indian wild dog, with a satellite transmitter to study the habits of the endangered species.
•  The dhole is already extinct in about 10 Asian countries.
• Less than 2,500 individuals are surviving in the wild globally.
• The dhole is  native to Central, South and Southeast Asia.

What is the status of Dhole in the IUCN red list?

• It is listed as Endangered by the IUCN as populations are decreasing and are estimated at less than 2,500 adults

India renames the National Centre for Antarctic and Ocean Research (NCAOR)

• Renamed as the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research.
• India to expand polar research to Arctic as well
• The government is refocusing priorities to the  the Arctic  because of opportunities and challenges posed by climate change.
• India’s earth sciences community also views the Himalayas as a “third pole” because of the large quantities of snow and ice it holds.

What is HIMANSH?

• HIMANSH is  a high-altitude research station in the Himalayas, located at Spiti, Himachal Pradesh.

Which countries are the members of Arctic Council?

• Canada
• Denmark; representing Greenland and Faroe Islands
• Finland
• Iceland
• Norway
• Russia
• Sweden
• United States

What are India’s various projects in the Arctic?

• Himadri  Station is India’s first Arctic research station located at Spitsbergen, Svalbard, Norway
• IndARC is the country’s first multi-sensor moored observatory in the Kongsfjorden fjord of the Arctic, roughly half way between Norway and the North Pole.

What is India’s position in the Arctic Council?

• India is a observor in the Arctic Council
• Indian Arctic station ‘Himadri’ is located at Ny Alesund, Spitsbergen Island, Norway and serves as a hub of Indian scientific investigations

Israel Adopts Jewish Nation-State Law That Gives Special Status To Jews

• The legislation, adopted by 62 votes to 55,
• It makes Hebrew the country’s national language and defines the establishment of Jewish communities as being in the national interest.
• Arabic, previously considered an official language, was granted only a special status.

What is the capital of Israel?

• Israel has declared Jerusalem to be its capital.
• Due to the conflict and unclear situation concerning the city’s status, the foreign embassies are in Tel Aviv

Details of 2015 Naga agreement emerge

• In 2015, the Union government signed a framework agreement with the National Socialist Council of Nagaland ­Isak­Muivah (NSCN­IM) after it agreed on a settlement within the Indian federation with a “special status”.

What is Article 371-a of the Indian Constitution?

• Act of parliament relating to following matters would not apply to Nagaland unless state assembly so decides:
  
  – Religious & social practices of Nagas
  – Nagas customary law & procedure
  – Administration of civil or criminal justice involving decisions according to Naga customary law
  – Ownership & transfer of land & its resources• Special responsibility of governor with respect to law & order in the state (after consulting COMs, but his decision will be final) regarding internal disturbances occurring in Naga hills mainly in Tuesang area (Special responsibility ceases if President directs so).
• A regional council for Tuensang district, consisting of 35 members should be formed & governor in his discretion shall make all the rules & terms regarding this council
• Governor has to ensure that money provided by the GOI out of consolidated fund of India for any specific purpose, is included in the demand for grant relating to that specific purpose only, not any other.