14th December 2020

 

Topic: Culture and Heritage

What is the news?

• Project Chambyal, for display and sale of traditional Chamba products.

 

Purpose:

• To recognize traditional products of Chamba district at national and international level.

 

About Promotion:

• The products will be displayed at Rang Mahal of Chamba and Dalhousie hill town at tourist places to promote sale and awareness.

People involved:

• Women’s from local panchayats and volunteers will run the centre, and this will help them in economic gain.

(Source: Tribune HP)

 

TOPIC: HP Agriculture and Economy

 

What is the news?

• Himachal govt. has decided to protect traditional Red Rice.

 

What is the Plan?

• Govt. to bring more than 3000 hectares of land under its cultivation.
• At present, it is cultivated on 1,100-hectare land, and total yearly production id 9926 quintals.
• Himachal govt. is trying to get GI Tag for Red Rice.
• The Red Rice as per the govt. is one of the most ancient crop domesticated around 10,000 years ago.

 

Where to cultivate?

• Chirgaon, Rohru and Rampur and high hills of Shimla, Sirmour and Chamba districts, and some areas of Kangra.

Note: In 2013, the Red Rice became the first crop of the state to be registered under the Protection of Plant Variety and Farmers Act 2001.

(Source: Tribune HP)

 

TOPIC: HP Wildlife

 

What is the news?

• Serow, a Himalayan goat antelope seen in Hurling village of Spiti.

 

About Serow:

• Included under Wildlife Protection Act 1972 and its hunting is prohibited
• IUCN also listed it in endangered species.

 

Habitat:

• Serow is a near-threatened species and found in the cold desert.
• Earlier it was spotted in Great Himalayan National Park, Kullu and Chamba district also.

(Source: Tribune HP)

 

TOPIC: HP Agriculture

What is the news?

• Black wheat cultivation in Himachal

 

What is Black wheat?

• Black wheat is helpful in prevention from cancer, diabetes and heart diseases.
• Black wheat has more content of Anthocyanin than others.
• Anthocyanin is an anti-oxidant with more Zinc content.
• Anthocyanin is the pigments that give red, purple, and blue plants their rich colouring.

 

Location of cultivation:

• It was tested successfully in Una plains, now next trial will be at higher elevations at Gohar in Mandi district.

Which Institutes involved?

• National Institute of Agro-Food Biotechnology Institute Chandigarh is researching Himachal witn Ayurvedic Institute Jogindernagar.

 (Source: Amarujala HP)