4th November, 2024 Current Affairs

NATIONAL
India Commits to 30% Protected Areas in Updated Biodiversity Plan

• India has unveiled its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) during the 16th UN Biodiversity Conference in Cali, Colombia, committing to protect at least 30% of its terrestrial, inland water, and coastal marine areas by 2030. This ambitious target aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), adopted at the previous conference in 2022, which aims for global protection of 30% of land and ocean areas while restoring degraded ecosystems crucial for providing clean water and air.
• The updated NBSAP outlines 23 national targets mirroring the 23 global goals, emphasizing India’s commitment to conserving its rich biodiversity, which represents 7-8% of the world’s species within only 2.4% of global land area.
• India’s commitment to biodiversity is reflected in its financial investment, with approximately ₹32,200 crore spent on biodiversity protection and restoration between 2017-2018 and 2021-2022. The projected annual expenditure for biodiversity conservation through 2029-2030 is estimated at ₹81,664.88 crore.

Also Read: Top 30 MCQs on Ministries and Their Portfolios 2024: Who handles the Ministry of Heavy Industries?

                         >> Download Current Affairs PDFs Here

                              Download Sakshi Education Mobile APP

INTERNATIONAL
India, Algeria sign MoU on bilateral defence cooperation

• India and Algeria today signed the Memorandum of Understanding(MoU) on bilateral defence cooperation. The MoU will elevate the defence partnership between both nations, fostering mutual understanding and enhancing strategic interests.
• It was signed by Chief of Defence Staff General Anil Chauhan and Chief of Staff of the People’s National Army SaídChanegriha in the presence of military and officials.
• On the concluding day of his visit to Algeria, General Anil Chauhan interacted with General of Army SaídChanegriha.
• Deliberations were held on furthering bilateral military cooperation and capacity building. Make In India initiatives and technology exchange were also discussed between both military leaders.

ECONOMY
Government e Marketplace (GeM)  launches 170 Seed Categories on the portal

• On a mission to simplify access to quality agricultural & horticulture seeds, Government e Marketplace (GeM) has revamped & introduced 170 Seed categories on the portal. Created ahead of the upcoming cropping season, the newly populated categories feature nearly 8,000 seed varieties that can be procured by Central/State PSUs and other governing bodies for further dissemination across the country.
• Created after consultation with stakeholders including state seed corporations and research bodies, seed categories on GeM portal offer a ready framework for seed procurement, incorporating the extant rules & regulations by Government of India and necessary parameters, easing the entire process for procuring authorities.
• The roll out of these new categories is a part of GeM’s broader strategy to promote category based procurement through the portal. With an emphasis on increasing efficiency, category based procurement of seeds aims to reduce time consumed in tendering processes, stimulate transparency & accountability in government procurement, while facilitating increased participation of sellers across the country.

SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
ISRO Begins Groundbreaking Analogue Space Mission in Leh

• ISRO announced the launch of its analogue space mission in Leh, Ladakh. This innovative mission aims to simulate life in an interplanetary habitat, addressing the challenges associated with establishing a base station beyond Earth. Through this initiative, ISRO seeks to gather insights and prepare for future space exploration endeavors.
• The mission commenced on 1st November, marking a significant milestone for India’s space exploration efforts.
• The mission aims to replicate environmental conditions similar to those found on Mars and the Moon, considering Ladakh’s unique climate and geography.
• It focuses on the extreme temperatures of the region, which range from 3 to 35 °C in summers and −20 to −35 °C in winters, with heavy snowfall in winter months.

SPORTS
Sumathi Dharmawardena Named New ICC Anti-Corruption Unit Chair

• The International Cricket Council (ICC) has appointed Sri Lankan legal expert Sumathi Dharmawardena as the new independent chair for its Anti-Corruption Unit (ACU), effective November 1, 2024. Dharmawardena will take over from Sir Ronnie Flanagan, who served in the role for 14 years, and joins with a strong background in sports corruption investigations and legal representation, including roles with Interpol and the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC).
• The ICC has a three-tier membership structure, with a total of 108 members divided into:
• Full Members (12): Full Members are nations with Test match-playing status. This includes major cricketing countries like Australia, India, England, and South Africa.
• Associate Members (96): Associate Members are countries where cricket is firmly established but do not play Test cricket. These nations participate in other ICC events like the T20 World Cup and regional tournaments.
• Affiliate Members (recently integrated into Associate Membership): These were countries where cricket was still emerging, but in 2017, the ICC merged this category into Associate Members.