Daily Current Affairs for UPSC IAS: 2nd November 2024

Aarambh 6.0 Initiative:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi engaged with young civil servants during Aarambh 6.0, focusing on enhancing governance through public participation (Jan Bhagidari) and improving feedback and grievance redressal systems.

• Aarambh 6.0 initiative is an orientation program for young civil servants, designed to equip them with governance skills and foster innovative thinking.
• This edition emphasized “Jan Bhagidari” (public participation), the importance of robust feedback mechanisms, and streamlined grievance redressal.

Mummy-Papa Vote Do Campaign : Election Commission

Ahead of the upcoming assembly elections in Jharkhand, the Election Commission launched an innovative voter awareness campaign, “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do,” engaging schoolchildren to encourage their parents to vote.

•  “Mummy-Papa, Vote Do” Campaign aimed at increasing voter turnout by involving children in urging their parents to vote.
• Over 1.7 million students from 18,570 schools wrote letters to their parents, encouraging them to fulfill their civic responsibility.
• Boosts democratic participation, especially in rural areas, and emphasizes the importance of voting as a civic duty.

Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park : In News

Himachal Pradesh’s upcoming Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in Kangra’s Dehra constituency is set to become India’s first zoo certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) for sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure.

• It is Situated in the Bankhandi area of Kangra’s Dehra assembly constituency, Himachal Pradesh.
• The park will feature 34 enclosures within its Van Vaibhav Path and Biodiversity Court, housing 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds.
• With a budget of ₹619 crore, it emphasizes eco-friendly design and will be the first zoo to earn IGBC certification.
•  Aims to attract tourists, create jobs, and promote eco-tourism in Kangra, reinforcing its status as Himachal Pradesh’s “Tourism Capital.”
• Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) formed in 2001 as part of the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII).
• Headquarters: Based in Hyderabad, India.

Gold Reserves : RBI

India’s total gold reserves held by the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) amount to 854.73 metric tonnes, according to the central bank’s latest report.

India’s Gold Reserve Status:

• Total Gold Reserves: 854.73 metric tonnes, with 510.46 metric tonnes held domestically and 324.01 metric tonnes stored at the Bank of England and BIS.
• Gold’s Share in Total Reserves: Gold now represents 9.32% of forex reserves as of September 2024, an increase from 8.15% in March.
• Import Cover: As of June 2024, forex reserves cover 11.2 months of imports, slightly down from March’s 11.3 months.

World ranking: (as of September 2024)

• Top rankers are United States, Germany and Italy.
• The United States has the most gold reserves and has nearly as many reserves as the combined total of the next three countries with the largest gold holdings: Germany, Italy, and France.
• India holds a significant position in global gold reserves, ranking 8th in the list of countries with the most gold reserves.

Tiger Translocation for Genetic Diversity:

The Odisha government translocated a tigress named Jamuna from Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra to the Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha.

• Translocation was aimed at enhancing genetic diversity in Similipal, where there are concerns about inbreeding due to a small population.
• In 2018, a tigress named Sundari was relocated to Satkosia Tiger Reserve, Odisha.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) gives approval for the translocation project.
• The Odisha Tiger Estimation conducted in 2024 found a total 24 adult tigers in Similipal, with a notable presence of pseudo-melanistic tigers.
• STR is the only habitat where these black tigers are found in the wild.
• The high number of pseudo-melanistic tigers (13 out of 24 adults) in Similipal raises concerns about inbreeding and lack of genetic flow, prompting the need for external genetic input.
• Plans are in place to establish a melanistic tiger safari in Similipal, which would be the first of its kind in the world.
• Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is situated in Maharashtra and is the oldest and largest national park in the state.

Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary : Adult Tigress And Three Cubs Spotted

An adult tigress and three cubs were spotted in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary (WLS), Goa for the first time since 2020.

• WLS is located near the Chorla Ghat, situated between North Goa and Belgavi. It borders both Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• The Mhadei River flows through this sanctuary.
• Mhadei WLS, along with other protected areas in Goa like Mollem National Park, forms part of the Western Ghats. This region is globally renowned for hosting the world’s largest tiger population.
• The sanctuary plays a vital role in a network of wildlife corridors that connect tiger populations across the Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (Maharashtra) and the Kali Tiger Reserve (Karnataka)
• Notably, Vazra Falls in Mhadei WLS serves as a nesting ground for critically endangered Long-billed vultures, underscoring the sanctuary’s importance for avian conservation.
• Goa stands as the only state in India to have its entire portion of the Western Ghats under state protection, with Mhadei WLS being a critical part of this area.
• The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) recommended the designation of Mhadei WLS as a tiger reserve under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, to enhance conservation efforts for the tiger population in this unique region.

Mule Accounts for Money Laundering:

The Union Ministry of Home Affairs has issued an alert about illegal payment gateways like PeacePay, RTX Pay etc set up by transnational cybercriminals using mule bank accounts for money laundering.

• A mule account is a bank account used to facilitate illegal activities.
• A money mule is someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.
• Transnational cybercriminals use accounts of shell companies and individuals as mule accounts, exploiting the bulk payout facility provided by banks.
• A shell company is a company without active business operations or significant assets.
• They are not all necessarily illegal, but they can be used illegitimately to conceal business ownership from law enforcement or the public.
• The Bulk Payout facility offered by banks allows businesses and organisations to make multiple payments to various beneficiaries in a single transaction.

Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds into India:

The Centre issued the ‘Guidelines for Import of Live Seaweeds into India’ to support the import of high-quality seed materials or germplasm, aimed at enhancing livelihood opportunities for coastal communities.

Guidelines:

• Establishes a regulatory framework with clear guidelines for live seaweed import into India, covering quarantine, risk assessment, and post-import monitoring to prevent pests, diseases, and biosecurity risks.
• India’s seaweed industry faces challenges from limited seed availability and quality issues, especially in the widely farmed Kappaphycus species.

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY):

• The PMMSY targets raising India’s seaweed production to over 1.12 million tonnes by 2025, with major initiatives such as a Multipurpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu to bolster seaweed farming.
• The guidelines encourage environmentally sustainable and economically beneficial seaweed cultivation.
• Introducing new strains drives research and development, boosting the production of diverse seaweed species including red, brown, and green algae.

GARUD SHAKTI 24:

The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 25 skilled personnel from The Parachute Regiment (Special Forces), recently embarked on a journey to Cijantung, Jakarta, Indonesia to participate in the 9th edition of the India-Indonesia Joint Special Forces Exercise, GARUD SHAKTI 24.

15th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces Exercise:

Indian Army contingent embarked on a journey to participate in the 15th edition of the India-US joint Special Forces Exercise, VAJRA PRAHAR, set to be conducted from November 2 to November 22, 2024.

Fashion world mourns the loss of Rohit Bal:

The fashion world mourns the loss of Rohit Bal, an iconic Indian designer known for his mastery of textile, design, and intricate craftsmanship, who passed away on November 1, 2024, at the age of 63. Affectionately called “Gudda” by close friends, Bal’s work celebrated the rich heritage of Indian culture and left an indelible mark on global fashion.

Fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket:

Ravindra Jadeja achieved a significant milestone by becoming the fifth-highest wicket-taker for India in Test cricket. This feat was accomplished on the first day of the third Test match against New Zealand in Mumbai, where Jadeja surpassed Ishant Sharma’s wicket tally.