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Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 8th Dec 2020

New Zoo : U.P. and Bihar
HEADLINES:
Two new Zoos one each in Bihar and Uttar Pradesh granted recognition by Central government
WHY IN NEWS:
Vision Plan for upgradation of 15 select Zoos to global standards
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Conservation of Flora and Fauna
ISSUE:
- The Environment Minister applauded the good progress in developing a 10-year Vision Plan for the up-gradation of 15 select zoos .
- These zoos will be of global standards which is hoped to ‘twin’ top Indian and foreign zoos .
RAJGIR ZOO SAFARI, NALANDA, BIHAR
- Rajgir Zoo Safari, in the eastern state of Bihar was granted recognition on December 07, 2020.
- The zoo proposes to house Lion, Bear, Tiger, Leopard .
- It also has a mixed safari of common herbivore species such as Spotted Deer, Sambar among others.
- The zoo is located close to the historically important Nalanda and is expected to have a high footfall.
SHAHEED ASHFAQUE ULLAH KHAN PRANI UDYAAN, GORAKHPUR, U.P.
- Shaheed Ashfaque Ullah Khan Prani Udyaan, Gorakhpur, U.P Bihar was granted recognition on December 07, 2020.
- With this, the state of Uttar Pradesh has a total of 9 zoos.
- The zoo is situated in the spiritual land of Gorakhpur and has a high visitation.
- The zoo aims to create awareness through naturalistic enclosures .
IASbhai WINDUP:
- The zoo features enclosures for a range of birds, herbivores and carnivores.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 8th Dec 2020
SC nod for Central Vista inauguration
HEADLINES:
SC nod for Central Vista inauguration
WHY IN NEWS:
PM will lay foundation stone on Dec.
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 2 : Parliament
ISSUE:
- The government gave an undertaking to keep in abeyance the construction or demolition of buildings and the shifting of trees in the Central Vista area for now.
QUESTIONS ON LEGALITY
- The question concerning legality of the Central Vista project was still in court.
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Solicitor General apologised to the court and gave an undertaking that no physical changes would be made to the area.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 8th Dec 2020
Only organic farming allowed in Lakshadweep
HEADLINES:
Only organic farming allowed in Lakshadweep
WHY IN NEWS:
Islands are eyeing an expansion of business in coconut and its products
SYLLABUS COVERED: GS 3: Agriculture
ISSUE:
COCONUT PRODUCTION : LAKSHADWEEP
OVERVIEW
- With the entire Lakshadweep group of islands being declared an organic agricultural area.
- This decision will enhance value addition, better marketing, and round-the-year processing.
AGRICULTURAL AREA
- Around 10 crore coconuts are produced on the island in 12,000 small holdings with an average size of 0.25 hectares.
- The total acreage under coconuts is around 2,800 hectares.
- At present, only about 3 crore nuts are processed on the island and there is an excess of around 7 crore nuts, which are mostly sold in mainland India.
IDLE FOR SIX MONTHS
- The coconut processing industry also works only for about six months a year when the weather is dry.
- The move is expected to increase coconut utilisation from the present level of around 50% to more than 70%.
- The business in coconuts and coconut products is worth around ₹75 crore a year now.
- The island’s coconut farmers are also expected to benefit from the Union government’s ‘One District One Product’ programme of food processing.
COMMON BRAND NAME
- One of the key areas of attention is marketing.
- The administration will choose a brand name which is common in nature .
- Taking this into consideration, the island administration plans to help the farmers market their products .
IASbhai WINDUP:
- Ensuring the quality of the raw material and augmented processing facilities with value addition will go a long way in giving a boost to the business.
SOURCES: THE HINDU | Current Affairs News Analysis for UPSC | 8th Dec 2020
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