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Daily PIB/ 08 Oct
General Studies- II
Topic- Important International institutions, agencies and fora- their structure, mandate.
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High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People
Context:
At a ceremony held between the French and Indian governments, India officially joined the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People.
Highlights:
- India is the first of the BRICS bloc of major emerging economies (Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa) to join the HAC
- India’s announcement comes in the lead up to a high-level biodiversity meeting, hosted by China.
- The virtual meeting to take place October 11-15 will tackle key aspects of the biodiversity treaty to be finalized in 2022.
- The global 30×30 goal is currently a centerpiece of the treaty.
What is the ‘High Ambition Coalition’ (HAC)?
High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People, was initiated at the “One Planet Summit” in Paris in January 2021,
High Ambition Coalition (HAC) is a group of more than 70 countries encouraging the adoption of the global goal to protect 30×30.
- It is co-chaired by Costa Rica and France and by the United Kingdom as Ocean co-chair.
- HAC champions a global deal for nature and people with the central goal of protecting at least 30 percent of world’s land and ocean by 2030.
- The 30×30 target is a global target which aims to halt the accelerating loss of species, and protect vital ecosystems that are the source of our economic security.
- HAC members currently include a mix of countries in the global north and south; European, Latin American, Africa and Asia countries are among the members.
Why 30×30?
In order to address both the biodiversity crisis and the climate crisis, there is growing scientific research that half of the planet must be kept in a natural state.
- Despite this, experts agree that a scientifically credible and necessary interim goal is to achieve a minimum of 30% protection by 2030.
- The scientific data help justify the 30×30 target for biodiversity conservation both at a global level and a regional level.
Significance:
Currently, an estimated 15% of the world’s land and 7% of the ocean are protected.
- In order to achieve the goal of protecting at least 30% by 2030, we’ll need to double the current land protections and more than quadruple current ocean protections.
- This coalition aims to promote an international agreement to protect at least 30 % the of world’s land and ocean by 2030.
General Studies- II
Topic- Indian culture will cover the salient aspects of Art Forms, Literature and Architecture from ancient to modern times.
Buddhist Circuit
Context:
Centre plans major infrastructure push for Buddhist Circuit.
Background:
Buddhist Circuit project was announced by the central government in 2016. Since then, Rs 343 crore has been sanctioned for the project under various schemes.
- Under the Ministry of Tourism’s flagship Swadesh Darshan scheme, multiple projects have been undertaken in Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh.
- In Bihar and Uttar Pradesh, the plan is to further develop the sites of Bodh Gaya, Nalanda, Rajgir, Viashali, Sarnath, Shravasti, Kushinagar, Kaushambi, Sankisa and Kapilavastu.
- These sites currently receive approximately six per cent of nationwide foreign tourist arrivals, with Sarnath and Bodh Gaya leading the pack.
What is Buddhist Circuit?
The holy places of Buddhism, where Lord Buddha was born and He taught, preached, and attained ‘Enlightenment’ and ‘Nirvana’, are termed as Buddhist Circuit.
- These are the spiritual homes of Buddhism, housing temples and monasteries of high religious significances, where followers of Buddhism associate themselves with the teachings of Lord Buddha.
- Buddhist Circuit has evolved as tourist centres for not only the followers of Buddhism but also others.
Development of Buddhist circuit:
Buddhism themed tourism circuit under the Swadesh Darshan Scheme, involves tour to Buddhist sites in the country.
- Initially, it was envisaged only to seven major Buddhist pilgrimage sites in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, later it was expanded to 21 more states to make it India’s first trans- national tourist circuit.
- It has identified stupas and viharas in these 21 states, around which small intra-state Buddhist zones will be developed.
- The states now that will be covered includes Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala, West Bengal, Goa, Gujarat and Jammu & Kashmir.
- The Buddhist circuit has four international and two domestic airports, while two more in the pipeline.
- There are also plans of developing helicopter services and improving international connectivity under the UDAN scheme.
- Apart from the special Buddhist Circuit train, a total of 88 pairs of trains have been connected from Gaya to New Delhi, Kolkata, Chennai, and Varanasi.
Swadesh Darshan Scheme:
It was launched by the Ministry of Tourism in 2014-15 to develop theme-based tourist circuits in the country.
- It is 100% centrally funded scheme for project components undertaken for public funding.
- It also has provision for leveraging voluntary funding under Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and corporate sector.
Under this scheme, 13 thematic circuits have been identified for development.
These are:
- Buddhist Circuit,
- North-East India Circuit,
- Coastal Circuit,
- Himalayan Circuit,
- Krishna Circuit,
- Desert Circuit,
- Eco Circuit,
- Wildlife Circuit,
- Tribal Circuit,
- Rural Circuit,
- Spiritual Circuit,
- Ramayana Circuit and
- Heritage Circuit.
General Studies- II
Topic- Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources.
PM Cares for Children Scheme
Context:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued the detailed guidelines for PM CARES for Children Scheme.
About the scheme:
- The PM CARES for Children Scheme was launched on 29th May, 2021.
- It aims to support children who have lost both the Parents or legal Guardian or Adoptive Parents or Surviving Parent to COVID-19 pandemic during the period starting from 11th March 2020.
Objective:
To ensure comprehensive care and protection of Children in a sustained manner, and enable their well-being through health insurance, empower them through education and equip them for self-sufficient existence with financial support on reaching 23 years of age.
Implementation:
- The Ministry of Women and Child Development shall be the nodal Ministry for execution of the scheme at the central level.
- Department of the State/UT government dealing with the Juvenile Justice set up in the State shall be the nodal agency at State level.
- The District Magistrates shall be the nodal authority at District level for execution of the scheme.
Measures announced under the scheme:
Fixed Deposit in the name of the child: PM CARES will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each child when he or she reaches 18 years of age.
This corpus:
- Will be used to give a monthly financial support/ stipend from 18 years of age, for the next five years to take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education and
- On reaching the age of 23 years, he or she will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.
School Education:
For children under 10 years: The child will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.
- If the child is admitted in a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES.
- PM-CARES will also pay for expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks.
For children between 11-18 years: The child will be given admission in any Central Government residential school such as Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya etc.
- If the child is admitted in a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES.
- PM CARES will also pay for expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks.
Support for Higher Education: The child will be assisted in obtaining education loan for Professional courses / Higher Education in India as per the existing Education Loan norms.
- The interest on this loan will be paid by the PM CARES.
- As an alternative, scholarship equivalent to the tuition fees / course fees for undergraduate/ vocational courses as per Government norms will be provided to such children under Central or State Government Schemes.
- For children who are not eligible under the existing scholarship schemes, PM CARES will provide an equivalent scholarship.
Health Insurance:
- All children will be enrolled as a beneficiary under Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs.
- The premium amount for these children till the age of 18 years will be paid by PM CARES.
Need and Significance:
- Children represent the future of the country and to develop them as strong citizens and have a bright future, there is need to do everything possible to support and protect the children.
Chrome facts for Prelims
EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR
The 6th Edition of India – UK Joint Company Level Military Training EXERCISE AJEYA WARRIOR has commenced at Chaubatia, Uttarakhand.
- The exercise is part of an initiative to develop inter-operability and sharing expertise with friendly foreign nations.
This joint military training will go a long way in improving bilateral relations and also will be a major step towards further strengthening the traditional bond of friendship between the two Nations.
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