PIB Summary- 4th June, 2023 | Current Affairs & Hindu Analysis: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - UPSC PDF Download

Clean and Green Navy

Context
Indian Navy’s initiatives for Clean and Green Navy.

Details

• The Indian Navy has commissioned solar power with a collective capacity of 15.87 MW, which is in accordance with the Navy’s objective of fulfilling the GoI’s  Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM). Also, 16 MW capacity of SPV are at various stages of execution.
• An indigenously made and patented retrofit device for reducing diesel engine emissions was installed on a shore based diesel generator for long-term trials and trials have resulted in 70% reduction in carbon monoxide, hydrocarbons and particulate matter in the engine’s exhaust emissions. The retrofit device for the reduction in diesel engine exhaust emissions is being inducted in a phased manner on all land based diesel engines and will enable the Indian Navy to reduce the exhaust emissions to a great level.
• In an attempt to combat the oil spills at naval harbours, indigenous bio-remedial agents have been developed. It consists of a combination of micro-organisms and their growth stimulants which consume various types of oil such as diesel, lubricating oils etc, thus helping to save the marine ecosystem.
• The Indian Navy in collaboration with IISC (Bengaluru) has operationalised the ‘first of its kind’ 100 KW capacityAC Plant at the Centre of Excellence (Marine Engineering), INS Shivaji. This AC Plant is based on natural refrigerant Carbon Dioxide (GWP=1), unlike conventional HCFCs (Hydro Chloro Fluoro Carbons) which have high Global Warming Potential (GWP). This is in line with the Kigali Agreement  2016 ratified by India.
• Use of Hydrogen as an alternate source of energy is also being pursued by the Indian Navy, successful shore trials of Hydrogen Aspirated Diesel Engines have been completed which has resulted in reduced carbon monoxide emissions. Also a developmental project on Hydrogen Fuel Cell-powered ferry craft is also being pursued with shipyards.

Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multilateralism

Context
The Union Minister of Ports, Shipping and Waterways and Ayush called for greater cooperation among BBINM countries for maximising maritime trade potential.

Details 

• The Union Minister interacted with the envoys of Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Nepal as well as trade and industry representatives and called for greater cooperation among all the stakeholders to unlock the full potential of the maritime sector in the region. The Minister was speaking at a stakeholder meeting of Syama Prasad Mookerjee Port (SMP), Kolkata.
•  The GoI remains deeply committed to the Act East Policy  and is working towards enabling its maximum potential for growth and development in the eastern region of the country. The Objective of “Act East Policy”, is also to promote economic cooperation, cultural ties and develop strategic relationships with countries in the Asia-Pacific region through continuous engagement at bilateral, regional and multilateral levels. The Act East Policy has been a harbinger of growth, not only for the eastern part of India but also for the trade and business interests of Bangladesh, Bhutan, Nepal and Myanmar.
• Major Issues deliberated in the meeting:
  • Trade through National Waterways 1 and 2 to North East Region for ensuring transit transportation of North East Cargo through Bangladesh/North East Region/Myanmar, 
  • to strengthen Trade Ties with Bangladesh through facilitation of movement of goods between SMP Kolkata and various ports of Bangladesh (Chittagong, Mongla) involving IWAI (Inland Waterways Authority of India),
  • Collaboration with Myanmar’s Sittwe Port in Myanmar, as a part of KMMTTP (Kaladan Multimodal Transit Transport Project), to transport cargo to NE India, via Mizoram,
  • Using Deep Drafted Facilities within SMPK (Syama Prasad Mukherji Port Kolkata ) limits for overcoming the constraints of shallow draft for STS (Ship-to-Ship)/Transshipment operations,
  • Capacity Enhancements at SMPK through PPP Mode.

India’s Purple Revolution

Context
The Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh inaugurated the 2-day lavender festival at Bhaderwah, Jammu.

Details

• The Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh while inaugurating the two-day lavender festival at Bhaderwah said that Bhaderwah has emerged as the lavender capital of India and AgriStartup destination.
• The festival was organised by CSIR IIIM (Indian Institute for Integrative Medicine), Jammu as a part of One Week, One Lab Campaign. Bhaderwah is the birthplace of India’s Purple Revolution, its land and climate is best suited for lavender cultivation.
• The CSIR Aroma Mission  is a flagship project of CSIR under which lavender cultivation is promoted in the temperate regions of J&K. The CSIR-IIIM has developed the elite variety of lavender – RRL-12 and agrotechnology of lavender. It is highly suitable for cultivation in rainfed temperate regions of India. CSIR-IIIM has trained more than 2,500 farmers and young entrepreneurs from J&K on lavender cultivation, processing, value addition and marketing.
• Under CSIR Aroma Mission, CSIR-IIIM introduced lavender and provided more than 30 lakh free lavender plants to the farmers of different districts of J&K. CSIR-IIIM received the CSIR award for S&T innovations for rural development (CAIRD-2020) for Purple Revolution in J&K.
• The net annual income of farmers who switched from maize to lavender cultivation has increased manifold – from around Rs 40,000 – 60,000 per hectare to Rs 3,50,000 – Rs 6,00,000 per hectare.