4th, February, 2023
Topic: The first hydrogen train in India is expected to run on the Shimla-Kalka rail line.
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
Importance for Prelims: General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization and General science
Importance for Mains Exam:
- PAPER-VI: GENERAL STUDIES-III : UNIT II: Topic: Issues, concerns, policies, programmes, conventions, treaties and missions aimed at environment protection, and dealing with the problem of climate change.
What is the news?
- By the end of this year, the country’s first hydrogen-powered train could be running on the historic Kalka-Shimla railway line. The Union Railway Minister recently made an announcement to that effect.
About this Project:
- The train will run on hydrogen fuel, a green fuel with no carbon footprint. Shimla, Barog, and Kalka railway stations will all get hydrogen gas stations. According to the government, the hydrogen train project has been accelerated and is set to be completed by December of this year.
- The hydrogen train will travel on the narrow gauge line at a faster speed of 27 kmph, compared to the current train’s speed of 22 kmph to 25 kmph. It will also help to boost tourism in the state.
(News Source: The Tribune)
Topic: Renuka Ji wildlife sanctuary has seen two rare bird species.
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
Importance for Prelims: General issues on environmental ecology, bio-diversity and Climate Change – that do not require subject specialization and General science
Importance for Mains Exam:
- PAPER-IV: GENERAL STUDIES-I : UNIT II: Topic: Environment
What is the news?
- During the winter migratory bird season, two new feathery visitors, Baikal Teal and Orange-Bellied Leafbird, have been spotted at Renuka Ji wildlife sanctuary.
Why important?
- This is the first time two rare birds have been spotted in Himachal Pradesh.
About Baikal Teal:
- Baikal Teal is larger than common teal, with a distinctive green nape and yellow black auricular, neck, and throat markings.
- This species prefers wetland and marshy areas where it can feed on microflora in lake ecosystems.
- Baikal Teal breeds on the outskirts of Tundra in the far east and has made its way through the Asian flyway to Renuka Ji wetland.
About Orange-bellied leafbird:
- The other new species discovered in the state is the orange-bellied leafbird. Its natural habitat is found in North-East India. The bird was spotted on the bottlebrush plant while feeding on nectar.
The importance of these new species:
- The presence of new avifauna in Renuka Ji Lake and sanctuary is important for migratory avifauna because it demonstrates a wider habitat range of species.
- This also suggests that the mosaic habitat of Renuka Ji Lake area can attract new birds and provide them with necessary forage.
(News Source: The Tribune)
Topic: Rs 900 crore has been released for health-care schemes.
Importance: Himachal HPAS Prelims and Mains
Importance for Prelims: Economic and social development – sustainable development poverty, inclusion, demographics, social sector initiatives, etc.
Importance for Mains Exam:
- PAPER-VI: GENERAL STUDIES-III : UNIT II: Topic: Appraisal of education, Health, Physical and Financial Infrastructure Development.
What is the news?
- The state government has set aside Rs 900 crore to ensure the successful implementation of the Sahara and Himcare schemes.
- Chronically ill patients are given Rs 3,000 per month under the Sahara scheme, while the Himcare scheme covers hospital expenses for patients who are not covered by the Central Government’s Ayushman Bharat insurance scheme.
About Sahara scheme:
- The State Government has launched the ‘Sahara Scheme’ to provide financial assistance of Rs. 3000 per month to the patients belonging to the economically weaker sections of the society, who are suffering from specified diseases such as Parkinson, Malignant Cancer, Paralysis, Muscular Dystrophy, Hemophilia and Thalassemia etc.
- The patients suffering from chronic renal failure or any other disease, which renders a person permanently incapacitated, have also been covered under the scheme. The main objective of the ‘Sahara Scheme’ is to provide financial assistance as a social security measure to patients suffering from fatal diseases in order to obviate and mitigate the hardships faced during prolonged treatment to an extent.
About Himcare scheme:
- Under Ayushman Bharat, families have been selected by the Government of India on the basis of SECC, 2011 and RSBY. For providing the cashless treatment coverage on the analogy of Ayushman Bharat to the left-out families, the State is implementing Mukhya Mantri Himachal Health Care Scheme (HIMCARE) since 1st January, 2019.
- Under HIMCARE Scheme, cashless treatment coverage up to Rs. 5.00 lakh per year per family is being provided in the empanelled hospitals. In case of more than five members, the remaining members are being enrolled as a separate unit subject to the capping of five members for each such additional unit.
(News Source: The Tribune)
