• Cabinet has recently approved Laser Gravitational-Wave Observatories (LIGO)-India, a gravitational-wave detector to be built in Hingoli, Maharashtra.
• It is estimated to be built by 2030.
• LIGO will be built by Department of Atomic Energy and the Department of Science and Technology with an MoU with the U.S. National Science Foundation.
• The observatory will be the third of its kind. It is made to the exact specifications of the twin LIGO, in Louisiana and Washington in the U.S.
• A fourth detector in Kagra, Japan, is in the pipeline.
• Four comparable detectors need to be operating simultaneously around the globe to localise a source of gravitational waves anywhere in the sky.

About LIGO

• LIGO currently consists of two interferometers, each with two 4 km long arms arranged in the shape of an “L”.
• These instruments act as ‘antennae’ to detect gravitational waves.
• It comprises stable high-power lasers, precisely figured mirrors, etc.

About Gravitational Waves (GW):

• When two massive objects collide, they create a ripple in space and time in such a way that waves of undulating space-time would propagate in all directions away from the source.
• Predicted in Einstein’s General Theory of Relativity (1915)
• They travel at the speed of light, carrying with them information about their origins

• The Rs 206-crore ropeway project aimed at connecting Jabli on the Kalka-Shimla national highway (NH) with Kasauli is stuck at the tendering stage.
• The Ropeways and Rapid Transport System Development Corporation (RTDC) is executing the project.
• The 88-km ropeway, which will reduce the journey time from an hour to about 20 minutes, will be an eco-friendly transportation mode. It will have the twin advantages of easing traffic snarls as well as saving fuel to promote cleaner environment.
• The lower terminal point of the project will be situated at Mohal Bhat ka Gaon (Jabli) on the Parwanoo-Dharampur section of the NH-5. The upper terminal point has been identified near the Public Works Department Circuit House in Kasauli.
• Tourists were eagerly awaiting the setting up of the ropeway, which is slated to emerge as a major tourist attraction.

• On April 5th, India celebrated National Maritime Day, which commemorates the maiden voyage of the first Indian commercial vessel, the SS Loyalty, from Mumbai to London in 1919.
• This year’s theme was “Propelling Indian Maritime to Net Zero.”
• It was organized by the Directorate General of Shipping, Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways in Mumbai concluded with a ceremony at the Domestic Cruise Terminus in Mumbai Port Trust, highlighted the need for a coordinated and collaborative approach to achieve the net-zero target in the maritime sector.
• During the program, Sagar Samman Awards were awarded to the contributors to the growth of the Indian maritime industry.

• Subansiri Lower Dam project i.e., SLHP is hit by a landslide during pre-monsoon rain.
• SLHP is located on Subansiri River (tributary of River Brahmaputra), which is on border of India’s two north-eastern states, Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.
• It is the biggest hydroelectric project undertaken in India so far and is a run-of-river scheme on river Subansiri.
• Construction of SLHEP was awarded to National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) Limited.

• It was released by World Trade Organization.
• World merchandise trade volume is projected to grow 1.7% in 2023 before picking up to 3.2% in 2024.
• Value of world commercial services trade increased 15% in 2022 to US$ 6.8 trillion.
• Risks to the forecast are tilted to downside, including geopolitical tensions, food insecurity, potential financial instability stemming from monetary policy tightening, and increasing levels of debt.

• Recently, The Geographical Indication (GI) Registry in Chennai, responsible for registering products under the GI Act, 1999, has awarded the registration to Ladakh’s wood carving.
  • The GI registration ensures that the product has a unique identity and origin,
  • It cannot be duplicated or sold under the same name by any other manufacturer from a different region.
• Ladakh’s wood carving is renowned for its intricate designs and unique patterns that are mostly inspired by Buddhist themes and motifs.
• Local wood such as willow and apricot are used to make these wood carvings, which are often used to decorate doors, windows, and other household items.

• Recently, Banarasi Paan is granted with GI tag
• The religious and tourist city Kashi has emerged as a GI hub.
  • Special Banarasi Langda Mango, Banarasi Paan, Ramnagar’s Bhanta (White Big Round Brinjal), and Adamchini Rice (District Chandauli) have got the Geographical Indications and Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) tag.
• Not only ‘Banarasi Paan’, but Mathura’s ‘Peda’, Agra’s ‘Petha’ and Kanpur’s ‘Sattu’ and ‘Bukunu’ would also get tags as part of efforts of the Uttar Pradesh government to provide wider recognition to local goods.
• After the success of the One District One Product (ODOP), aiming to provide wider recognition to local goods.

• India has been elected to United Nations Statistical Commission for a four-year term beginning January 1, 2024.

About United Nations Statistical Commission

• HQ-New York, USA
• Established in 1947, it is the highest body of global statistical system bringing together Chief Statisticians from member states from around the world.
• It oversees the work of United Nations Statistics Division (UNSD), and is a Functional Commission of UN Economic and Social Council (UNESC).
• Membership: Consists of 24 member countries of UN elected by UNESC on basis of an equitable geographical distribution.
• Term of office: 4 years.

• It was released by International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA).
• Current pledges and plans fall well short of IRENA’s 1.5°C pathway and will result in an emissions gap of 16 gigatonnes (Gt) in 2050.
• Global investment across all energy transition technologies reached a record high of USD 1.3 trillion in 2022.
• Deployment is also limited to certain parts of the world. China, the European Union and the United States accounted for two-thirds of all additions last year, leaving developing nations further behind.
• Recommendations
  • To keep 1.5°C target alive, deployment levels must grow from some 3,000 gigawatt (GW) today to over 10,000 GW in 2030, an average of 1,000 GW annually.
  • Net-zero commitments must be embedded in legislation and translated into implementation plans.
  • Every investment and planning decision should consider structure and geography of low-carbon economy of the future.

About International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

• It is an intergovernmental organisation; it was officially founded in Bonn, Germany, in January 2009.
• It has 167 members and India is the 77th Founding Member of IRENA.
• Headquarters- Abu Dhabi, UAE.

• A rescued Black Panther will be released into the Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary

• Located in South-Eastern Goa, River Netravali or Neturli originates in this sanctuary which is an important tributary of the Zuari River.
• It has two all-season waterfalls, namely Savri and Mainapi.
• On eastern side, it is bounded by Cotigao Wildlife Sanctuary and on northern side by Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Forests mostly consist of moist deciduous vegetation interspersed with evergreen and semi-evergreen habitat. The high-altitude areas in the hills have natural grassy patches that provide ideal habitat for the herbivorous population.
• Fauna: Leopard, Giant Squirrel, Mouse Deer, Nilgiri Wood Pigeon and Ceylon Frogmouth, Indian gaur, spotted deer, sambar deer, barking deer, wild boar, black-faced langur, the Great Pied Hornbills, Black Panther, Slender Loris and the Giant Squirrel.