News: During the Wildlife week, an intensified tree planting exercise has been started in various parts of the Western Ghats bordering Tamil Nadu
Facts:
- Wildlife Week is celebrated every year in India between October 1 and 8.
- Aim: to promote the preservation of fauna.
- Background: It was conceptualized in 1952 with the overall goal of raising awareness to serve the long-term goal of safeguarding the lives of wildlife through critical action.
News: On Swachh Bharat Diwas (2nd October), Swachh Bharat (2020) Awards were distributed.
Facts:
- Swachh Bharat Awards are conferred upon best performing States/UTs, districts, blocks, GPs and others in various categories and campaigns under Swachh Bharat Mission.
- Gujarat was felicitated with the first prize in the state for Swachh Sundar Samudayik Shauchalaya (SSSS) campaign.
- Telangana received the top award for maximum Shramdaan participation.
- Haryana was felicitated with the top award for declaring maximum ODF Plus villages
Additional Information:
Swachh Bharat Mission:
- It is a nationwide cleanliness campaign initiated by Govt. of India on 2nd October 2014.
- Aim: It sought to achieve a Clean India by 2019, as a tribute to the 150th Birth Anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi.
- Objectives:
- Eliminate open defecation
- Conversion of insanitary toilets to pour flush toilets,
- Eradication of manual scavenging,
- 100% collection and scientific processing/disposal reuse/recycle of Municipal Solid Waste,
- To bring about a behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices,
- Generate awareness among the citizens about sanitation and its linkages with public health.
- Strengthening of urban local bodies to design, execute and operate systems,
- To create enabling environment for private sector participation in Capital Expenditure and Operation & Maintenance (O&M) costs.
- Components:
- Construction of Household Toilets,
- Community and Public Toilets
- Solid Waste Management
- Information, Education & Communication (IEC) and Public Awareness,
- Capacity Building and Administrative & Office Expenses (A&OE).
- Sub-Missions:
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin): It aims to improve the levels of cleanliness in rural areas through Solid and Liquid Waste Management activities and making villages Open Defecation Free (ODF) and clean. It is implemented by Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation, Jal Shakti Ministry
- Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban): It aims at elimination of open defecation, conversion of unsanitary toilets to pour flush toilets, eradication of manual scavenging, municipal solid waste management and bringing about a behavioural change in people regarding healthy sanitation practices. It is implemented by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs.
News: Ministry of Jal Shakti has launched ‘100 days campaign’ on 2nd October 2020 to ensure piped safe water in schools and anganwadi centres across
Facts:
- The piped water facilities will be operated and maintained by the Gram Panchayat and/ or its sub-committee i.e. Village Water & Sanitation Committee or Paani Samiti.
Jal Jeevan Mission:
- Aim: It seeks to provide safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections (HarGharJal) to all rural households by 2024.
- Implementing Agency: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation under the Jal Shakti Ministry.
4 Indian Navy (In) – Bangladesh Navy (Bn) Bilateral Exercise Bongosagar And In-Bn Corpat
News: Second Edition of Exercise Bongosagar is scheduled to commence in Northern Bay of Bengal on 03 October 2020. 3rd edition of IN – BN Coordinated Patrol (CORPAT) will also be conducted in Northern Bay of Bengal from 4 to 5 October 2020
Facts:
- It is a bilateral naval exercise between Indian Navy (IN) and Bangladesh Navy (BN).
- Aim: developing inter-operability and joint operational skills through conduct of a wide spectrum of maritime exercises and operations.
- The first exercise was held in 2019. The second edition of Exercise Bongosagar assumes greater significance since it is being conducted during Mujib Barsho, the 100th birth anniversary of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.
5 Dept of Fertilizers ranked 3rd among 65 ministries/depts in implementing central schemes
News: Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI) has been released.
Facts:
Data Governance Quality Index (DGQI)
- Conducted by: Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), Niti Aayog
- Aim: To assess the data preparedness of ministries/departments on a standardised framework to drive healthy competition among them and promote cooperative peer learning from best practices.
- Major Themes: data generation; data quality; use of technology; data analysis, use and dissemination; data security and HR capacity and case studies.
- Categories of Ministries/Departments: Administrative, Strategic, Infrastructure, Social, Economic and Scientific.
