February 24, 2020

 

Topic:- Water Pollution

 

News:-PCB imposes Rs 7.5L fine on Baijnath MC.

• Has been dumping garbage in Binwa river.
• Highest penalty to any civic body in the state.

 

Context:-The State Pollution Control Board (PCB) has imposed a fine of Rs 7.5 lakh on the Baijnath Municipal Council (MC) for dumping and burning garbage in the Binwa river, which is a major source of drinking water in the region.

 

NGT Orders:-

• National Green Tribunal (NGT) had banned the burning and dumping of garbage in the water bodies all over India. The NGT has ordered all state governments to impose a minimum fine of Rs 25,000 on those who are found violating the order. However, there was no impact of the NGT orders on the MC staff in Baijnath where garbage dumping and burning in the river had become a routine affair.

 

About Binwa river:-

• River Binwa, a corrupt form of ancient Binduka, a tributary of the Beas River in Baijnath, Distt Kangra.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic:- Polity

 

News:-The Municipal Council, Mandi, is striving hard for its upgrade as Municipal Corporation.

• At present, there are only two Municipal Corporations in the state — Shimla and Dharamsala.
• Municipal Council representatives have already submitted a proposal to the Chief Minister in this regard. On his part, the Chief Minister is believed to have assured them of doing the needful once all required formalities have been completed.

 

Requirements:-

• The major requirement is meeting the desired population target required as per the norm for declaration as a corporation.
• As per population classification, a corporation should have a minimum population of 5 lakh, a municipal council 50,000 and a Nagar panchayat 20,000.
• The council has intensified its exercise to bring populated panchayat areas under its jurisdiction. According to the plan, it is keen to extend the base area towards the Pandoh and Balh side.

(Source:- The Tribune)

 

 

Topic:- Success in Scientific work in HP

 

News:-VC: Approval for HP’s first indigenous cattle breed

 

Context:-Finally, Himachal Pradesh has its first officially recognised indigenous cattle breed ‘Himachali Pahari’, thanks to the scientific work by animal breeders from CSK Himachal Pradesh Agriculture University.

 

Ashok Kumar Sarial, the Vice-Chancellor, said:-

• The breed registration committee of the National Bureau of Animal Genetic Resources (NBAGR), Karnal, had approved and registered ‘Himachali Pahari’ as the first indigenous cattle breed of the state.
• Seven cattle breeds recently registered, ‘Himachali Pahari’, with an approximate population of 8,00,000, is primarily distributed in mid to high hills of the state like Kullu, Chamba, Mandi, Kangra, Sirmaur, Kinnaur and Lahaul Spiti districts and adapted to mountain topography, extremely cold climate and fodder scarcity. It is a small to medium in size animal primarily black and blackish-brown in colour with a compact cylindrical body, short legs, medium hump, horizontally placed ears and comparatively long tail. Horns are medium in size and are mainly curved in lateral and upward directions.

 

How this will be helpful for livestock keepers:-

• Livestock keepers will have exclusive rights on its ownership.
• They will feel encouraged to rear it for the unique characteristics, especially its adaptability and milk
• Quality with high contents of amino acids and high disease resistance.

(Source:- The Tribune)