According to the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), between 2016 and 2018, a startling number of 49 elephants were killed in railway accidents in India. This information was disclosed in response to a question posed in the Rajya Sabha. Additionally, during the same period, road accidents claimed three tigers’ lives while railway accidents led to the demise of eight tigers.
Despite attempts to mitigate such incidents, such as the MoEFCC’s 2016 advisory document ‘Eco-friendly measures to mitigate impacts of linear infrastructure on wildlife’, the death toll for wild animals continues to rise.
The Farm-to-Port Project: A Boost to Agro-industries
In response to food security concerns, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Saudi Arabia are now turning to India. This new initiative, known as the Farm-To-Port Project, sees India acting as a base from which to address these countries’ needs. Under this project, crops will be grown specifically tailored to the market requirements of the UAE and Saudi Arabia.
This development marks a first for India, as its export policy acknowledges the potential of agriculture, horticulture, dairy, plantation and fisheries sectors. Experts believe that this new direction will significantly boost farm incomes and create new opportunities for agro-industries.
Kambala: An Annual Thanksgiving Festival
Kambala, a traditional buffalo race, is an annual festival celebrated in the Dakshina Kannada district of Karnataka, India. Typically held from November to March, this event serves as a display of gratitude towards the Gods for safeguarding the animals from diseases.
Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal and Justice AK Sikri’s Stand
Justice AK Sikri recently declined the government’s offer of a nomination to the Commonwealth Secretariat Arbitral Tribunal (CSAT). This decision comes after his vote was instrumental in the removal of Alok Verma from the post of CBI director.
About The Commonwealth Secretariat and CSAT
Founded in 1965, the Commonwealth Secretariat is the main intergovernmental agency and central institution of the Commonwealth of Nations. This London-based body acts as an arbiter in disputes among its 53 member-countries.
| Founded | Location | No. of Member Countries |
|---|---|---|
| 1965 | London, UK | 53 |
The CSAT comprises eight members, including its president. Each member serves a tenure of four years. Selected based on regional representations, these individuals should ideally hold or have held high judicial office in a Commonwealth country.
Commonwealth of Nations: A Brief Overview
The Commonwealth of Nations is an international organization comprising mostly former British territories and dependencies. Established through the London Declaration in 1949, Queen Elizabeth II currently presides over it.
India’s Largest Startup Ecosystem Launch
One of India’s largest startup ecosystems, covering a sprawling 1.8 lakh sq ft. facility, was recently launched in Kerala. Known as the Integrated Startup Complex under the Kerala Startup Mission (KSUM), this state-of-the-art ecosystem includes cutting-edge facilities in biotechnology, computer-aided design, augmented/virtual reality, and advanced communication fields.
