Why in news ?

ICAR-Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) has found CASSAVA as a raw material for bioethanol production to meet Ethanol Blending Petrol (EBP) programme target of 2025 by India.

Key Points

• As a biofuel crop, cassava has several advantages over sugarcane.
• Cassava is having a high starch content and ability to grow under low management conditions. It has been globally recognised as a potential candidate for bioethanol production.
• However, economic viability to scale-up production from cassava varieties has to be ascertained because of failure of an alcohol plant set up in Palakkad in 1990s.

Pas biofuel crop

Its starch is having unique physicochemical and functional properties which find extensive applications in food and industrial sectors. Agricultural residues of cassava like peels, stems and leaves are the potential feedstock for 2G bioethanol production.

Production of Cassava in India

Cassava, also known as Tapioca, production in India is estimated to be 4.98 million tonnes. Tamil Nadu, followed by Kerala accounts for major amount of production. Its cultivation is also extending towards non-traditional areas like Maharashtra in order to meet projected demand for starch.

Why in news ?

UN committee recommended adding Great Barrier Reef to the list of “in danger” World Heritage Sites. However, this recommendation is opposed by Australia which is blaming political interference.

Key Points

Recommendation was made by United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) committee. This committee sits under UNESCO.

According to the committee, world’s biggest coral reef system should be added to ‘in danger’ list because of impact of climate change.

Great Barrier Reef

It is world’s largest coral reef system that comprises of about 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands stretching for 2,300 kilometres over an area of 344,400 square kilometres. It is located in Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. The reef can be seen from outer space. It is world’s biggest single structure made by living organisms. Structure of the reef is composed of and built by tiny organisms called coral polyps. It was selected as World Heritage Site in 1981.

Why in news ?

Israeli military has successfully tested an airborne high-power laser which has the capability to shoot down drones

Key points

• Israel already has large and sophisticated air defense system.
• This system had 90 per cent interception rate against thousands of rockets which were fired from Gaza during 11-day war of May 2021.

About Israel’s Laser defence system

Laser is a prototype developed with Elbit Systems. It was mounted on a civilian plane and successfully shot down drones in recent test conducted over Mediterranean Sea

Yellow Gold 48: Yellow Watermelon commercially introduced

Why in news ?

German agrochemicals major Bayer has commercially launched first-ever yellow watermelon variety called “Yellow Gold 48” in India under Seminis brand.

About:

• Yellow watermelon has been developed from superior germplasm under Bayer’s global research and development efforts.
• Yellow watermelon variety has been commercially introduced in India after two years of local trials.
• Yellow Gold 48 have enhanced yield potential, better disease & pest tolerance and higher returns which can benefit watermelon growers.
• Yellow Gold 48 variety is best suited for cultivation during October to February. Harvest can be done from April onwards after which it will be available in market until mid-July.

Significance of Yellow Gold 48

Yellow Gold 48 is having high yield and income potential which will empower watermelon growers to diversify into new categories. It will also help in growing demand for exotic fruits.  It is the first of its kind yellow flesh watermelon which have moderate to good plant type. It has dark green rind with slight stripes and orange yellow flesh colour. Average weight of the fruit is 2.5 -3 kg.

Why in news ?

Odisha has become the only state in India to have all the three species of crocodiles.

About:

• Three species in the state of Odisha are:

1. Reptile freshwater Gharials at Satkosia in Mahanadi,
2. Muggers in Bhitarkanika National Park and
3. Saltwater crocodiles.

• Odisha has witnessed natural nesting of Gharials (a critically endangered species) for the first time since they were introduced in its rivers in 1975.
• About 28 hatchlings of Gharials were spotted in Mahanadi River in Baladamara area near Satkosia range.

Why in news ?

• The government of India has appointed a private person Aashish Chandorkar as Counsellor in India’s Permanent Mission in the World Trade Organisation for three years. For the first time, a private person has been appointed at the Mission.
• Chandorkar is director of Bengaluru-based policy think tank Smahi Foundation of Policy and Research. The WTO is a 164-member multi-lateral body, which deals with global trade. India is a member since 1995.

Why in news ?

• World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought is observed on 17th June every year. The day is celebrated to raise awareness of the presence of desertification and drought, and highlight methods of preventing desertification and recovering from drought.
• “Restoration. Land. Recovery. We build back better with healthy land” is the theme for 2021 World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
• In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly declared June 17 the “World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought” to market public awareness of the difficulty.
• The World Day to Combat Desertification may be a unique occasion to remind everybody that desertification is often effectively tackled, that solutions are possible, which key tools to the present aim lay in strengthened community participation and co-operation in the least levels.

Why in news ?

• Prime Minister,  Narendra Modi virtually addressed the 5th edition of VivaTech. VivaTech is one of the largest digital and startup events of Europe, held in Paris every year since 2016.
• PM Modi was invited as a Guest of Honour to deliver the keynote address at VivaTech 2021, which has been organised from 16-19 June 2021 in Paris. During his address, PM Modi invited the world to invest in India based on the five pillars: Talent, Market, Capital, Eco-system and, Culture of openness.
• Other prominent speakers of the event include the President of France Mr. Emmanuel Macron, Prime Minister of Spain Mr. Pedro Sanchez, and Ministers/MPs from various European countries.
• VivaTech is jointly organized by Publicis Groupe, a prominent advertising and marketing conglomerate, and Les Echos, a leading French media group.
• The event brings together stakeholders in technology innovation and the startup ecosystem.
• It includes exhibitions, awards, panel discussions and startup contests.

Why in news ?

• The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IIT Bombay) is hosting a three day virtual “Conference of BRICS Network Universities”. This conference is being held as a part of India’s Chairmanship of the 13th BRICS Summit in 2021.
• The basic objective of BRICS Network University is enhancing educational cooperation in general, and especially in the realm of research and innovation. The theme of the Conference of BRICS Network Universities is “Electric Mobility”.
• The event will see 18 experts from Brazil, Russia, India, China and S. Africa deliver keynotes on various aspects of electric mobility like traffic management, hydrogen technology, hybrid vehicles, lithium-ion batteries and linkage between e-mobility and livelihoods.

Why in news ?

• Telangana government has launched the Telangana AI Mission (T-AIM) powered by Nasscom and as part of the T-AIM, an accelerator programme called “Revv Up” has been launched to enable and empower AI startups.
• The programme that will begin its first cohort in July is another step towards making Telangana and Hyderabad a global destination for AI and other emerging technologies.
• The accelerator programme, exclusively designed for growth-stage AI startups, will cover various sectors.
• Telangana Industries and IT principal secretary Jayesh Ranjan stated, “Telangana is committed to its vision of positioning the State as the leader in AI.
• After becoming the first state in India to launch an actionable policy framework for Artificial Intelligence in June 2020, now set in motion the first edition of the Revv Up accelerator programme to hone innovative AI ideas under T-AIM.