30th January, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
THDCIL Inaugurates India’s Largest Green Hydrogen Pilot Project on 75th Republic Day

• On the 75th Republic Day, THDC India Limited (THDCIL), a prominent Power Sector PSU, proudly unveiled India’s Largest Electrolyser End Fuel Cell-based Green Hydrogen Pilot Project at its office complex in Rishikesh.
• The initiative aligns with the “National Green Hydrogen Mission,” showcasing THDCIL’s commitment to sustainable energy practices.
• he pilot project, utilizing a 1MW Rooftop Solar Plant, will produce 50KG of Green Hydrogen daily. The hydrogen will be stored in two tanks and used during night hours to illuminate the THDCIL office complex through a 70 Kw PEM Fuel Cell.

ENVIRONMENT
Status Report of Snow Leopards in India released

• Union Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav released the report on the Status of Snow leopards in India during the National Board for Wildlife meeting held. The Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Program is the first-ever scientific exercise that reports Snow leopard population of 718 individuals in India.
• The Wildlife Institute of India (WII) is the National Coordinator for this exercise that was carried out with support the support of all snow leopard range states and two conservation partners, the Nature Conservation Foundation, Mysuru and WWF-India.
• The SPAI systematically covered over 70% of the potential snow leopard range in the country, involving forest & wildlife staff, researchers, volunteers, and contributions from knowledge partners. Covering approximately 120,000km2 of crucial Snow leopard habitat across the trans-Himalayan region, including UTs of Ladakh and J & K, and states such as Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, the SPAI exercise was conducted from 2019 to 2023 using a meticulous two-step framework.
•  The first step involved evaluating Snow leopard spatial distribution, incorporating habitat covariates into the analysis, aligning with the guidelines of the National population assessment of snow leopards in India by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in 2019. This systematic approach included assessing the spatial distribution through an occupancy-based sampling approach in the potential distribution range. In the second step, Snow leopard abundance was estimated using camera traps in each identified stratified region.
• During the SPAI exercise, total efforts included: 13,450 km of trails surveyed for recording Snow leopard signs, while camera traps were deployed at 1,971 locations for 180,000 trap nights. The Snow leopard occupancy was recorded in 93,392 km2, with an estimated presence in 100,841 km2. A total of 241 unique Snow leopards were photographed.  Based on data analysis, the estimated population in different states are as follows: Ladakh (477), Uttarakhand (124), Himachal Pradesh (51), Arunachal Pradesh (36), Sikkim (21), and Jammu and Kashmir (9).
• Until recent years, the snow leopard range in India was undefined due to a lack of extensive nationwide assessments for this vulnerable species. Before 2016, approximately one-third of the range (around ca. 100,347 km2) received minimal research attention, reduced to just 5% in pockets like Ladakh, Jammu & Kashmir, Uttarakhand, and Himachal Pradesh.
• Recent status surveys have significantly increased understanding, providing preliminary information for 80% of the range (about 79,745 km2), compared to 56% in 2016. To gather robust information on Snow leopard numbers, the SPAI exercise surveyed habitats using a substantial network of camera traps.

Also Read: Persons: Weekly Current Affairs Bitbank (January 8 to 14, 2024): Who has recently been appointed as the CEO of Adani Ports and Special Economic Zone?

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SPORTS
Netherlands won FIH Hockey5s Women’s World Cup

• India finished as runner-up at the inaugural edition of the FIH Hockey 5s Women’s World Cup after a 7-2 loss to the Netherlands in the final in Muscat.
• India tried to make a comeback and scored twice – Jyoti Chhatri (20th minute) and Rutaja Dadaso Pisal (23rd minute) – but could not catch the Dutch team which added one more goal courtesy of Kalse before the full-time hooter.

Sonam Maskar Wins Silver In Women’s Air Rifle In Cairo, Egypt

• Sonam Maskar made a remarkable debut in the shooting World Cup in Cairo, Egypt, clinching the women’s air rifle silver medal.
• Despite her impressive performance, she was narrowly beaten by Anna Janssen of Germany by a mere 0.9 points. Maskar’s stellar performance highlights her potential as a rising star in the sport.

Naorem Roshibina Devi Crowned Female Wushu Athlete Of The Year

• Naorem Roshibina Devi, the pride of Manipur, has clinched the prestigious title of International Wushu Federation Female Athlete of the Year, solidifying her place as a powerhouse in the world of wushu.
• Roshibina’s triumphs at the Asian Games in 2018 and 2022 have been pivotal moments in her career, showcasing her dominance in the sport. Her silver and bronze medals in the sanda category have earned her widespread recognition and admiration.

Indian Boxer Mandeep Jangra Secures U.S Intercontinental Title

• Indian boxer Mandeep Jangra secured a remarkable triumph at the US-based National Boxing Association’s (NBA) intercontinental super featherweight championship. His win came after a compelling bout against American Gerardo Esquivel in Toppenish City, Washington.
• The National Boxing Association (NBA), headquartered in Florida, serves as a prominent sanctioning body for professional boxing matches. Jangra’s victory underscores the significance of platforms like the NBA in providing opportunities for boxers to showcase their talent and compete on an international stage.