RAJASTHAN

Government nod to foundation on Mukundra tiger reserve

The state government has given its nod to constitute Mukundra Hills Tiger Reserve (MHTR) foundation ahead of shifting tigers by March.
Once tigers are relocated to Mukundra, Rajasthan will be able to boast to have foundations in place for big cats in all three reserves, including Ranthambore and Sariska.

It was further informed, as provided under Section 38 X of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, the department will constitute foundation for MHTR with the general objectives to facilitate and support the management for conservation of tigers and biodiversity and to take initiatives in eco-development by involvement of people in such development process.

The MHTR administration has now shifted the deadline to March 5 to complete the infrastructure and relocated the tigers from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR). In Darrah range, the department is building enclosure to help animals acclimatize with the habitat before releasing them into the wild. For the same, in Darrah, enclosure is being developed over 24 hectares.

If all goes as per the new plan, Rajasthan can boast of having tigers in all its three reserves. The forest department is finally relocating tigers to Darrah range of MHTR after 14 years.

The project was first initiated in 2003 and notified in 2013, shortly before Vasundhara Raje became chief minister for the second time. The relocation project is expected to be completed during the present BJP government’s tenure.

Though MHTR is spread over 759.99 sq km, covering the four districts of Kota, Bundi, Chittorgarh and Jhalawar, initially, only 200 sq km in Jhalawar will be dedicated to tigers.

INTERNATIONAL

· India, Bangladesh, Russia Sign Pact For Rooppur Atomic Plant

Indian companies can now participate in construction and installation works in the “non-critical” category for the Rooppur nuclear power plant in Bangladesh, according to the Russian atomic energy agency Rosatom.
The Rooppur project is the first initiative under an Indo-Russian deal to undertake atomic energy projects in third countries.
This will also be the first time Indian companies will be able to participate in a nuclear power project abroad. India, Bangladesh, and Russia signed an agreement in this regard in Moscow, Russia.

· Twenty Seven Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey Tournament Begins In Malaysia

The 27th Sultan Azlan Shah Cup Hockey tournamentbegins in the Malaysian city of Ipoh. Six nations – India, hosts Malaysia, defending champions England, Australia, Argentina and Ireland – are taking part in the tournament.
India, currently the world number six side, will take on world number two Argentina in their opening round-robin match.

NATIONAL

· Vice President M Venkaiah Naidu arrives at Parmath Niketan in Rishikesh to attend the International Yoga Festival

Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu arrived at Parmath Niketan in Rishikeshto attend the International Yoga Festival.
The festival is being attended by the National and International participants.
Speaking on the occasion Vice President India has become the Spiritual leader in the world.
He stated that the body and mind of individual remain fit through regular practice of Yoga. Earlier, Governor K.K. Paul, Chief Minister Trivendra Singh Rawat, and other officials welcomed Vice President at Jolly Grant Airport.

· Worlds Largest Solar Park ‘Shakti Sthala’ Launched In Karnataka

The Karnataka government inaugurated the first phase of a 2,000 megawatts (MW) solar park in the drought-prone district, Tumkur.
The first phase of the Rs16,500 crore park called “Shakti Sthala” will generate 600MW, while the balance 1,400MW is expected to be commissioned by the end of 2018.
The solar project is the largest in the world, is spread over 13,000 acres and five villages. It is part of the “Karnataka Solar Policy 2014-2021” which aims to decrease dependence on traditional power sources and move to environmentally friendly ones to meet the growing power needs of the state.
The park ties in with the center’s scheme to generate 100 gigawatts (GW) of solar power by 2020.

· Lakshadweep joins hand to incorporate UDAY scheme providing electricity to people

Lakshadweep, the Union Territory joined hands with the UDAY scheme, which is meant for the revival of debt-stressed power distribution companies (discoms) in the country.
The Memorandum of Understanding signed as an operational turnaround of the Union Territory’s Electricity Department.
The Union Territory will have an overall benefit of around Rs 8 crore that would provide ways of cheaper funds, reduction in AT&C losses, and intervention in energy efficiency.
The MoU a paved path for improving the efficiency of the Electricity Department of Lakshadweep. Initiating mandatory distribution transformer metering, consumer indexing, consumer indexing and GIS mapping of losses and various other requirements will help eliminate the gap between cost of supply of power and realization.

· Public sector banks to consolidate 35 overseas operations

The union government asked Public Sector Banks (PSBs)to consolidate 35 overseas operations.
Financial Services Secretary Rajiv Kumar said in a tweet that 69 overseas operations have also been identified for further examination.
The Expressing government’s commitment to clean and responsible banking, Mr Kumar said, the overseas operations of the state-owned banks will be rationalized.
The move comes in the wake of the recent Punjab National Bank scam in which Nirav Modi allegedly cheated the bank in connivance with PNB staff and officials of overseas branches of other state-owned banks.

· Navjot Kaur Wins Gold In Asian Wrestling Championship

Navjot Kaur clinched the 1st gold medalfor India in the Asian Wrestling championship in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.
She defeated Imai Miyu of Japan in the final of women’s 65 kg freestyle.
With 1 gold, 2 silver, and 1 bronze medal, India was at the second spot in the medals tally.
Vinesh Phogat and Pinki of Indian Railways claimed silver medals while Sakshi Malik won a bronze in the 62-kilogram category.
China was leading the table with 4 gold and 1 bronze medal while Japan was at the third place with 1 gold, 1 silver, and 2 bronze medals.

· ATGM Nag successfully test fired in desert conditions

Indigenously developed Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM) Nagwas successfully test-fired in desert conditions against two tank targets at different ranges and timings.
It is one of five missile systems developed indigenously by DRDO under integrated guided missile development programme (IGMDP).
The Nag missile is third generation ATMG which works on “fire and forget” principle. It has an operational range of 500m to 4km (Land version).
It also possesses advanced passive homing guidance system. It has been designed mainly to destroy modern main battle tanks.

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