• 16th September is International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer. It is observed every year on 16th September.
• The ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful portion of the rays of the sun, thus helping preserve life on the planet.
• A number of commonly used chemicals have been found to be extremely damaging to the ozone layer.
• The scientific confirmation of the depletion of the ozone layer prompted the international community to establish a mechanism for cooperation to take action to protect the ozone layer.
• This was formalized in the Vienna Convention for the Protection of the Ozone Layer. It was adopted and signed by 28 countries, on 22nd March 1985.
• In September 1987, this led to the drafting of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
• The principal aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global production and consumption of substances that deplete it.
• In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer.
• On 16th September 2009, the Vienna Convention and the Montreal Protocol became the first treaties in the history of the United Nations to achieve universal ratification.
• The Parties to the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer reached agreement at their 28th Meeting of the Parties on 15 October 2016 in Kigali, Rwanda to phase down hydrofluorocarbons.
• The theme for the 2022 International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer is ‘Montreal Protocol@35: global cooperation’ protecting life on earth.
• The theme recognises the wider impact the Montreal Protocol has on climate change and the need to act in collaboration, forge partnerships and develop global cooperation to address climate challenges and protect life on earth for future generations.

• The UN World Food Program has warned that the world is facing a global emergency of unprecedented magnitude, as around 345 million people marching toward starvation.
• The executive director of the U.N. World Food Program, David Beasley said that 345 million people facing acute food insecurity in 82 countries.
• He said it is incredibly troubling that 50 million of those people in 45 countries are suffering from very acute malnutrition.
• UN Under Secretary-General for Humanitarian Affairs Martin Griffiths said, the widespread and increasing food insecurity is a result of the direct and indirect impact of conflict and violence.
• He also urged the Security Council to leave no stone unturned in trying to end these conflicts.

About the World Food Programme (WFP):

• The World Food Programme (WFP)is the leading humanitarian organization saving lives and changing lives, delivering food assistance in emergencies and working with communities to improve nutrition and build resilience.
• It was founded in 1961 by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)and United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) with its headquarters in Rome, Italy.
• It is also a member of the United Nations Sustainable Development Group (UNSDG), a coalition of UN agencies and organizations aimed at fulfilling the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• The international community has committed to end hunger, achieve food security and improve nutrition by 2030.
• WFP works in over 120 countries and territories to bring life-saving food to people displaced by conflict and made destitute by disasters.

• In a significant move, the Indian Navy has revived the Naval training area at Manasbal Lake in Kashmir’s Ganderbal district after 33 years to provide training to National Cadet Corps (NCC) Cadets.
• Addressing a press conference, NCC Group Commander, Brigadier K S Kalsi said that around one hundred NCC Cadets including girls from various colleges in Jammu and Kashmir are going to participate in the training camp.
• He said that the revival of the Naval training area will go a long way and is a historic day as, after a gap of 33 years, NCC training activities are being revived.
• The training in the area was suspended in the early 1990s.

• A tripartite peace agreement was signed between the Centre, Assam Government and eight tribal groups of Assam to end decade old crisis of tribals and tea garden workers.
• The tribal groups which signed the agreement include Birsa Commando Force, Adivasi People’s Army, All Adivasi National Liberation Army, Adivasi Cobra Military of Assam and Santhal Tiger Force.
• Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the signing of the agreement in New Delhi yesterday.
• Terming this a historic day for the North East region, Mr. Shah said, several steps have been taken to ensure peace and development in the North East under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi.
• Shah said, the Centre is committed to resolve all border disputes between the North Eastern States and all disputes related to armed groups by 2024.

• The National Commission for Protection of Child Rights, NCPCR has revamped online portal E-Baal Nidan for timebound redressal of grievances against violation of child rights.
• The new features include bifurcation of complaints based on the nature of the complaint into their subject matters like Juvenile Justice, POCSO, Labour and Education.
• It will be beneficial for the complainants as well as the commission while dealing with complaints.
• Women and Child Development Ministry said, the portal will make the process of redressal of complaints transparent for the complainant and helps in timely disposal of cases by the Commission.
• The NCPCR will be providing user IDs and Passwords to the State Commissions to enable them to view the complaints registered on the portal to take necessary action.
• The portal will have an option of transferring the registered complaints from NCPCR to the concerned State Commission.

• BSF’s first female camel riding squad is ready to be deployed along the India-Pakistan border in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
• The squad will participate for the first time in the BSF Raising Day Parade on 1ST December.
• This Squad will be the first of its kind in the world.
• Pushpendra Singh Rathore DIG BSF Bikaner told that Intensive training was given to this squad at the Bikaner Regional Headquarters of BSF under the supervision of skilled trainers.

• India is going to host 9th session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture from 19th to 24th of this month.
• The Treaty is a legally binding comprehensive agreement adopted in November 2001 at Rome during the 31st session of Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, which entered into force in June 2004.
• Addressing media about the event, Department of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare Secretary Manoj Ahuja informed that during the event an extensive deliberation on how to preserve, conserve and maintain the germplasm, biodiversity, and food and agriculture will be held.  He said, deliberation will also be held on how to exchange and share the tolerant germplasm through a multilateral system.
• Mr Ahuja added that the event will also witness a discussion on farmers’ and breeders’ rights.
• Representatives of nearly 262 countries are expected to participate in this seven-day-long event.

• Prime Minister will launch the National Logistics Policy NLP in New Delhi.
• The need for a national logistics policy was felt since the logistics cost in India is high as compared to other developed economies.
• It is imperative to reduce the logistics cost in India for improving the competitiveness of Indian goods both in domestic as well as export markets.
• Reduced logistics cost improves efficiency cutting across various sectors of the economy, encouraging value addition and enterprise.
• Since 2014, the government has put significant emphasis on improving both Ease of Doing Business and Ease of Living.
• National Logistics Policy, a comprehensive effort to address issues of high cost and inefficiency by laying down an overarching interdisciplinary, cross-sectoral, and multi-jurisdictional framework for the development of the entire logistics ecosystem, is yet another step in this direction.
• The policy is an endeavour to improve competitiveness of Indian goods, enhancing economic growth, and increasing employment opportunities.
• It will develop world-class modern infrastructure through integration of all stakeholders in holistic planning and implementation so that efficiency and synergy is achieved in the execution of the project.
• The PM GatiShakti – National Master Plan for muti-modal connectivity, launched by the Prime Minister last year, was a pioneering step in this direction.
• PM GatiShakti will get further boost and complementarity with the launch of National Logistics Policy.

• In the world’s highest ultra marathon Khardungla Challenge, Divya Vashisht of Dharamsala has secured the second position in the Veteran category.
• In the competition held in Leh on September 9, Divya completed the race in the senior category of 50 plus age in 12:48 hours in the tough Khardungla Challenge Marathon of 72 km.
• In the marathon which started at 3:00 am in minus degree temperature, Divya has completed this race on her own strength

Khardung La

• Khardung La or Khardung Pass is a mountain pass in the Leh district of the Indian union territory of Ladakh. The pass is on the Ladakh Range, north of Leh, and connects the Indus river valley and the Shyok river valley. It also forms the gateway to the Nubra valley, beyond which lies the Siachen Glacier.

• The Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance, Government of India, has given an in-principal approval to the innovative Urban Transport Ropeway project worth Rs 1,546.4 crore for Shimla.
• The ropeway network will have a length of 14.9 km, with several boarding and disembarking points
• Tourists to park their vehicles at entry points of Shimla. They will then use the ropeway network
• Eco-friendly mode of transportation as the project will be carbon neutral
• The ropeway project would start off from Taradevi and would have a combination of smart parkings, lifts and escalators integrated with the existing transport networks,” said Thakur.