Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport (KMTT) Project
Myanmar rebel’s capture of Paletwa town adversely impacts KMTT project.
- Aim – To provide connectivity between India and Myanmar
- 4 stages –
- Kolkata to Sittwe port via Bay of Bengal.
- Sittwe to Paletwa inland (River Kaladan).
- Paletwa to India-Myanmar border post in Mizoram.
- Border to Lawngtlai in Mizoram (NH 54)
- Significance – Improved access to South East Asia, improved connectivity to north eastern states, etc.
Aubrites Meteorite
Study of Meteorite fragments from the Asteroid 2024 BX1 found that they are part of aubrites Meteorite.
- Aubrites Meteorite – Rare meteorites originating from an extremely reduced differentiated parent body in the solar system.
- Features – They are coarse-grained igneous rocks formed under extremely reducing conditions or by little or no free oxygen.
- Significance – Contain a variety of exotic minerals not found on Earth.
Natural gas flare
Recently, natural gas flare samples collected in USA revealed high variation in nitrogen oxides emission estimates.
- Natural gas flare – It is the burning of the natural gas associated with oil extraction.
- Procedure – Converts hydrocarbons to carbon dioxide and water.
- Significance – Lessens the climate impact and reduces the safety concerns of the natural gas.
- Concern – It also produces nitrogen oxides or NOx.
- Mitigation – World Bank and the United Nations, launched the Zero Routine Flaring by 2030 (ZRF) initiative
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Union Government launched 3 new initiatives under Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
- PMFBY – Comprehensive crop insurance from pre-sowing to post-harvest period.
- 3 new initiatives –
- Krishi Rakshak Portal and Helpline (KRPH) – To provide multilingual support, transparent communication and real-time grievance resolution.
- Learning Management System (LMS) – To train stakeholders in efficient crop insurance and agricultural credit.
- SARTHI Portal – To extend coverage to health, life, home, shop, agriculture implements, motor, and parametric products.