HARYANA
Groundwater level declined in 76 percent areas of Haryana in a decade: CGWB report
Despite Haryana Government’s push for incentivizing water conservation, the groundwater crisis is deepening in the agrarian state.
The decadal data shows a worrying trend with 76 percent areas in Haryana witnessing a decline in groundwater level, according to the latest report of Central Ground Water Board.
The interpretations of decadal fluctuations from 2010 to 2020 shows that groundwater level declined in 66 percent of wells which covers about 76 percent area of the state falling in all 22 districts. Water level decline in the range of 0-2m has been reported from 40 percent of the wells covering 34 percent of area of the state, as per the report.
Water level decline between 2-4m has been reported from 12 percent of wells covering 16 percent area of Haryana while decline of more than 4m has been observed in 14 percent wells and 26 percent of the area of state covering parts of Kurukshetra, Kaithal, Karnal, Panipat, Sonipat, Bhiwani, Charkhi Dadri, Palwal, Rewari, Gurugram and occurring dominantly in Mahendragarh, Mewat and Faridabad districts.
In the past few years, the Manohar Lal Khattar led Haryana Government has announced lucrative schemes to encourage farmers in paddy-rich areas to grow less water-consuming crops like maize, pulses, in a bid to address the consistent decline in the water table.
However, the farmers have stuck to the entrenched paddy-wheat cycle in the state, and paddy, being a water guzzler, is often blamed for the rapid decline in groundwater across the state.
The decadal data also indicated that there is not a very encouraging rise in groundwater level in the state. The water level rise has been observed in 34 percent of wells and just 24 percent area in the state. The water level rise in the range of 0-2m has been observed in 27 percent wells covering 21 percent area of the state, rise of 2-4m observed in four percent wells and less than two percent area of the state, rise of less than 4m has been observed in just three percent wells covering just one percent area of Haryana.
INTERNATIONAL
OECD – G20 Inclusive Framework Tax Deal
The G20/OECD Inclusive Framework Tax Agreement has been signed by India.
Highlights:
Most members of the G20/OECD Inclusive Framework for Basic Erosion and Profit Shifting, including India, passed a high-level statement containing an outline of a consensus solution to the taxation challenges posed by the digitalization of the economy.
The proposed solution is consists of two components:
Pillar One, which consists of re-allocating an additional share of profit to market jurisdictions; and
Pillar Two, which consists of a minimum tax and is subject to tax rules.
Some significant issues, such as profit allocation and the scope of subject to tax rules, remain unresolved and must be addressed.
Furthermore, the proposal’s technical details will be worked out in the coming months, with a consensus agreement expected by October 2021.
Methane in the Moons of Saturn
By flying through the plumes of Saturn’s moons (Titan and Enceladus), NASA’s Cassini spacecraft discovered an abnormally high concentration of methane, as well as carbon dioxide and dihydrogen
Highlights:
It discovered methane in Titan’s atmosphere and a liquid ocean with erupting plumes of gas and water on Enceladus.
An international research team used new statistical methods to determine whether methanogenesis, or microbe-produced methane, could explain the molecular hydrogen and methane.
Tallest Sandcastle in the World – Denmark
A sandcastle made in Denmark has entered into new Guinness World Record for being the tallest sandcastle in the world.
Highlights:
The triangular-shaped sandcastle has been constructed in the town of Blokhus in Denmark. It stands at the height of 21.16 metres (69.4 feet). This new structure is 3.5m taller than the preceding report held with the aid of a sandcastle measuring 17.66 m in Germany in 2019. Dutch creator, Wilfred Stijger, was once assisted through 30 of the world’s first-class sand sculptors. The shape is built in the form of a triangle to avoid collapsing like many others have. A wood structure used to be built around it to enable the artist to carve the top-notch figures in the sand.
NATIONAL
Ashadhi Bij – Kutchi New Year
On the occasion of Ashadhi Bij, the Kutchi New Year, Prime Minister Narendra Modi greets the people.
About Ashadhi Bij:
♦ Ashadhi Bij is an auspicious day for agricultural communities in northern India, espicially Uttar Pradesh, Gujarat, and other places.
♦ The festival takes place on the second day of the Shukla Paksha of the Hindu calendar’s Ashadha month.
♦ The festival, known as the Kutchi New Year, is associated with the start of the rains in Gujarat’s Kutch region.
♦ During this festival, farmers, astrologers, and others forecast the monsoon to determine which crop will be the most productive in the coming season.
Five Portals on the AYUSH Sector Launched
The Union Minister of Ayush launched five important portals and issued four publications.
Highlights:
♦ Ayurveda Dataset on Clinical Trial Registry of India (CTRI): The CTRI is a primary Clinical Trials Registry under the WHO’s International Clinical Trials Registry Platform. The creation of an Ayurveda Dataset in CTRI makes it easier to use Ayurvedic terminologies to record clinical studies based on Ayurvedic interventions. This will increase the global visibility of Ayurveda-based clinical trials.
♦ CCRAS-RMIS: Research Management Information System is a one-stop solution for Ayurveda-based research and development. The portal provides free reference material, research tools, and clinical and scientific advice. It was created in collaboration with the Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) and the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR).
♦ E-Medha (electronic Medical Heritage Accession) Portal: NIC’s e-granthalaya platform provides online public access to a catalogue of over 12000 Indian medical heritage books.
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