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)