Forest Advisory Committee
Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has exempted surveys involving drilling and felling of up to 100 trees for hydro and other developmental projects in forest areas from taking prior forest clearance.
- A statutory body under Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).
- Function –
- Approves diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.
- Assesses land request validity, evaluates impact minimization plans, and considers potential damage to local ecology and wildlife habitats.
- Role of FAC is recommendatory in nature so far as diversion of forest land for purpose of non-forestry use is concerned.
Village Defence Guards Scheme
Union Minister said that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) have been provided with sophisticated weapons to deal with rising incidents of terror in the Jammu region.
- Aim – To organize small group of volunteer armed civilians in identified villages in Jammu division and to ensure safety and security of such villages, infrastructure, etc.
- Previously, Village Defense Groups were constituted in 1995 to supplement efforts of security forces in safeguarding internal security.
- VDGs shall be headed by a retired officer of the Army/ CPMF/ J&K Police.
Carry Trade
Yen carry trade has been in focus in the past few trading sessions in the wake of the sell-off in shares of US technology giants.
- An investment strategy most often associated with foreign currency trading.
- An investor borrows in a low interest-rate currency to buy a currency or asset earning a higher interest rate.
- It is a high-risk strategy due to volatile currencies or changes in interest rates.
Vampire stars
Researchers, using data from AstroSat, discovered a vampire star (named WOCS 9005) in star cluster M67.
- Also known as – Blue Straggler Stars (BSS)
- Defy simple models of stellar evolution and show characteristics of younger stars.
- They rejuvenate by eating up material from a binary companion star in a process known as mass-transfer in a binary system.
Money mule
Man who gave mule accounts to Dubai-based crooks held.
- Someone who transfers or moves illegally acquired money on behalf of someone else.
- Criminals recruit money mules to help launder proceeds derived from online scams and frauds or crimes like human trafficking and drug trafficking.
- They can move funds in various ways, including through bank accounts, cashier’s checks, virtual currency, prepaid debit cards, or money service businesses.