{"id":33119,"date":"2024-12-03T18:26:27","date_gmt":"2024-12-03T12:56:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=33119"},"modified":"2024-12-10T22:12:00","modified_gmt":"2024-12-10T16:42:00","slug":"news-in-short-3-december-2024","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/03-12-2024\/news-in-short-3-december-2024","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 03-12-2024"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>The Great Stupa of Sanchi<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Ancient History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A two-day Mahabodhi Mahotsav was held at the Great Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Great Stupa of Sanchi<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A stupa is a <strong>Buddhist commemorative monument <\/strong>usually containing sacred <strong>relics of the Buddha<\/strong> or other saints.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The archetypal stupa is<strong> a hemispherical structure,<\/strong> whose origins can be traced to pre-Buddhist burial mounds found in India.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Established: <\/strong>The stupa was commissioned\u00a0 in the <strong>third century BCE<\/strong> by Emperor Ashoka of the Maurya dynasty, who embraced Buddhism after his conversion following the Kalinga War.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was constructed to house relics of the Buddha and to serve as a center for Buddhist worship.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Structure:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Great Stupa is a hemispherical dome made of stone and brick, with a central structure that is a large, raised platform containing the relics of the Buddha.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is topped by a <strong>\u2018harmika\u2019 <\/strong>to hold the triple umbrella, or <strong>\u2018chhatraveli\u2019<\/strong>, which represents the <strong>three jewels of Buddhism \u2013 the Buddha, the Dharma, and the Sangha.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Above the dome, there is a pillar-like structure called the chatra, which is a symbol of the Buddha&#8217;s presence and enlightenment.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"9b908b\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"681\" height=\"431\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-Great-Stupa-of-Sanchi.webp\" alt=\"The Great Stupa of Sanchi\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-33123\" style=\"--dominant-color: #9b908b; width:463px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-Great-Stupa-of-Sanchi.webp 681w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/The-Great-Stupa-of-Sanchi-300x190.webp 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 681px) 100vw, 681px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Stupa is a<strong> UNESCO World Heritage site <\/strong>and a pilgrimage destination for Buddhists from around the world.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.newsonair.gov.in\/2-day-mahabodhi-mahotsav-is-being-held-at-the-great-stupa-at-sanchi-in-madhya-pradesh\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>AIR<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Nazca Geoglyphs in Peru<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 1\/Places in news&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Recent advancements in AI and drone technology have dramatically accelerated the discovery of new Nazca geoglyphs<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>These discoveries provide deeper insights into Nazca culture, which is known for its ritualistic and ceremonial significance rather than written records.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Nazca Lines<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>They are <\/strong>located 400 km south of Lima, Peru and\u00a0 are ancient geoglyphs found on the<strong> barren Nazca Pampa.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Geoglyphs created by removing rocks and earth to form negative images, preserved due to the desert&#8217;s dry and windless conditions.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They date back over 2,000 years, and the dry desert climate has preserved them from erosion.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Discovered <\/strong>in the 1920s, these geoglyphs were initially unknown, with around 430 identified over nearly a century.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"d5cab0\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"576\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/peru-1024x576.png\" alt=\"Peru\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-33122\" style=\"--dominant-color: #d5cab0; width:332px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/peru-1024x576.png 1024w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/peru-300x169.png 300w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/peru-768x432.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/peru-1536x864.png 1536w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/peru.png 1600w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Peru<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Location<\/strong>: It is situated in the western part of South America.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It shares borders with Ecuador, Colombia, Brazil, Bolivia, and Chile.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geographical Features: <\/strong>\u00a0Peru extends along the<strong> Andes<\/strong>, the world&#8217;s longest exposed mountain range.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The highest peak in the country is <strong>Mount Huascar\u00e1n.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major rivers <\/strong>are the Amazon, Purus, Jurua etc<strong>. Lake Titicaca<\/strong> is a large freshwater lake in the <strong>Andes mountains<\/strong> on the<strong> border of Bolivia and Peru<\/strong>. It is often called the <strong>highest navigable lake in the world.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: IE&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Oxford Lauds PRAGATI Platform<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ E-Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A recent study by Oxford University\u2019s Sa\u00efd Business School (SBS) has lauded the <strong>PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) infrastructure<\/strong> monitoring system.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Findings of the Study<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Impact on Infrastructure Development: <\/strong>Fast-tracked 340 projects worth $205 billion, addressing critical challenges in infrastructure like land acquisition and inter-ministerial coordination.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Enabled the completion of essential infrastructure services, such as roads, railways, water supply, and electricity distribution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Technological Innovation: <\/strong>Leveraged real-time data, drone feeds, and video conferencing for efficient decision-making and project acceleration.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Incorporated sustainability by promoting green technologies and streamlining environmental clearances.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economic Transformation:<\/strong> Infrastructure spending under PRAGATI has a GDP multiplier effect of \u20b92.5 to \u20b93.5 for every rupee spent, as per RBI and National Institute of Public Finance and Policy studies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Social Benefits:<\/strong> Improved the quality of life for millions by providing essential services and ensuring inclusivity in development.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Addressed bureaucratic inertia by fostering a Team India mindset and encouraging accountability across stakeholders.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Lessons for Global Development:<\/strong> Provides a governance model for nations grappling with the Middle-Income Trap.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About PRAGATI (Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation) Platform<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Launch:<\/strong> Introduced in 2015 under Prime Minister Narendra Modi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Core objectives of PRAGATI:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>To expedite project implementation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To foster a collaborative approach among various government agencies.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>To ensure accountability in governance and project execution.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Key features of PRAGATI:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Integration of technology for real-time monitoring.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Direct interaction between the Prime Minister and senior officials at both state and central levels.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>A focus on removing administrative silos and improving coordination.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: TOI<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Prospects and Concerns for the Rabi Crop<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Agriculture<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Rabi cropping season is facing challenges due to:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>High October temperatures, which have delayed sowing and affected crop germination.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Shortages of di-ammonium phosphate (DAP) fertiliser, which have hindered timely planting.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Reasons Behind the Slow Progress<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>High October Temperatures: <\/strong>Temperatures were 0.68\u00b0C above normal, delaying sowing and causing poor germination, especially in crops like jeera (cumin) and other spices.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Fertiliser Shortages: <\/strong>The unavailability of DAP fertiliser disrupted planting schedules for farmers.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Delayed Start of Sowing:<\/strong> Farmers in key states like Uttar Pradesh began sowing later than usual (October 20-22 instead of mid-October).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Rabi Crops<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sowing Period:<\/strong> Around October, during the Retreating Monsoon and Northeast Monsoon.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Harvesting Period:<\/strong> April to May (summer season).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate Requirements: <\/strong>Warm climate for seed germination.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Cold climate for crop growth.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Rainfall: <\/strong>Not heavily dependent on rainfall; irrigation is commonly used.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major Crops:<\/strong> Wheat, gram (chickpeas), peas, barley, mustard.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Other Crops Grown\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kharif Crops:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sowing Period: <\/strong>During the Southwest Monsoon (end May to early June).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Harvesting Period:<\/strong> Post-monsoon rains (beginning October).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate Requirements:<\/strong> Requires heavy rainfall and hot weather for growth.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major Crops:<\/strong> Rice, maize, pulses (urad, moong dal), millets, cotton.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Zaid Crops:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Sowing and Harvesting Period:<\/strong> March to July (between Rabi and Kharif seasons).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Climate Requirements: <\/strong>Warm weather with adequate water supply.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Major Crops:<\/strong> Seasonal fruits (e.g. watermelon, muskmelon), vegetables, and fodder crops.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Windfall Tax<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The government abolished the <strong>windfall tax on crude oil, ATF, petrol, and diesel exports<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Windfall Tax<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A windfall tax is <strong>imposed on industries or companies that experience extraordinary profits<\/strong> due to favorable market conditions, not attributable to their own efforts or innovation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These taxes help <strong>governments capture a share of these gains to fund public projects<\/strong>, manage fiscal deficits, or address wealth disparities.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Introduced in July 2022<\/strong>, when global crude oil prices surged due to geopolitical tensions, including the Russia-Ukraine war.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It targeted domestic crude oil producers and exporters of petroleum products (e.g., petrol, diesel, ATF), who benefited from elevated global prices.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Why was it abolished?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Stabilizing global oil prices:<\/strong> Crude oil prices have come down from their peaks, reducing the need for the tax.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boosting Domestic and Export Sectors: <\/strong>Encourages more investments in oil and gas exploration and production.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: ET<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Vadhavan Port<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Infrastructure<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Vadhavan greenfield port is under construction near <strong>Dahanu in Maharashtra.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Development: <\/strong>Developed jointly by the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority (JNPA) and the Maharashtra Maritime Board (MMB)<strong>.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is scheduled to be finished by <strong>2034<\/strong>, it is projected to be <strong>among the top 10 ports in the world.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It will <strong>double India\u2019s container trade<\/strong> from the current levels upon completion.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>A greenfield project means<\/strong> that the construction or expansion of the port takes place on previously undeveloped land.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Brownfield projects<\/strong> are built on land that has been previously used and often requires redevelopment or rehabilitation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_delhi\/issues\/109896\/OPS\/GKFDLL97A.1+GK2DLN53J.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Exercise CINBAX<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The 1st edition of joint table top exercise CINBAX, between the Indian Army and the Cambodian Army commenced at Foreign Training Node, Pune (India).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Exercise CINBAX is a <strong>planning exercise<\/strong> designed to simulate joint Counter Terrorism (CT) operations conducted under <strong>Chapter VII<\/strong> of the United Nations Charter.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The exercise will be carried out in <strong>three phases <\/strong>and will include discussions on information operations, cyber warfare, hybrid warfare, logistics and casualty management, HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) operations etc.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2079505\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Exercise AGNI WARRIOR (XAW-2024)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Defence<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Indian Army and the Singapore Army concluded the 13th edition of Exercise Agni Warrior (XAW), in Maharashtra (India).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Held in India <strong>since 2004<\/strong>, XAW is conducted under the ambit of the Army Bilateral Agreement, and highlights the warm and long-standing defence relationship between Singapore and India.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The <strong>aim of XAW-2024<\/strong> was to maximise mutual understanding of drills and procedures to achieve jointness as a multinational force under the <strong>United Nations Charter<\/strong>.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2079355\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP)<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Environment&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification\u2019s 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) is being held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, marking the first time the event is hosted in West Asia.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>COP16 is the largest multilateral event <\/strong>ever hosted by Saudi Arabia, providing a platform for governments, businesses, and civil society to collaborate on sustainable land management.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Presentation of the Aravalli Green Wall Project (AGWP)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>India will present the AGWP, a major initiative aimed at restoring 1.15 million hectares of degraded land across four states in northwestern India.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Features of the Aravalli Green Wall Project(AGWP): <\/strong>The project covers the 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Hill Range in Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>National Goals:<\/strong> The project is part of India\u2019s effort to achieve the national goal of creating an additional 2.5 billion tonnes of carbon sink by 2030.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Broader Impact: <\/strong>The project contributes to India&#8217;s commitments under international conventions such as:\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity),<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Objectives and Features of AGWP: <\/strong>The project focuses on combating desertification, land degradation, and drought.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It integrates indigenous species afforestation, biodiversity conservation, and advanced water management strategies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source: DD News&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Nagaland Statehood Day<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Nagaland Statehood Day <\/strong>\u00a0was observed on December 1.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Nagaland: Key Facts<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Formation: <\/strong>The state was formed on <strong>December 1, 1963<\/strong>, as the 16th state of India, and since then the day is annually celebrated as <strong>Nagaland Statehood Day<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Until 1957, the region we today call Nagaland was just a district of the state of <strong>Assam<\/strong>, known to people as \u2018The Naga Hills\u2019.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Boundary: <\/strong>One of the <strong>seven sister States<\/strong>, Nagaland is bound by Assam in the west, Myanmar in the east, Arunachal Pradesh and part of Assam in the North and Manipur in the South.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Official language:<\/strong> Nagaland\u2019s official language is <strong>English<\/strong> while Nagamese, a kind of pidgin Assamese, has become the common lingua.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Tribes: <\/strong>There are <strong>17 major tribes<\/strong> living in Nagaland: Angami, Ao, Chakhesang, Chang, Kachari, Khiamniungan, Konyak, Kuki, Lotha, Phom, Pochury, Rengma, Sangtam, Sumi, Tikhir, Yimkhiung, and Zeliang.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Hornbill Festival: <\/strong>Also called the \u2018Festival of Festivals\u2019 and named after the Hornbill <strong>(Dhanesh bird)<\/strong>, this 10-day event celebrates the traditions, cuisine, lifestyles, and dances of Nagaland&#8217;s Indigenous Warrior Tribes.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Amur falcons: <\/strong>Nagaland is also known as the \u2018Falcon Capital of the World\u2019 as it is the primary stopover roosting site for Amur falcons.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Economy:<\/strong> Nagaland is predominantly an <strong>agrarian economy<\/strong> with 71% of its population dependent on agriculture.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Naga chilli<\/strong>:\u00a0 Considered one of the world\u2019s hottest chillies based on the Scoville Heat Units (SHUs), is grown in Nagaland.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"858684\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"541\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-Nagaland.png\" alt=\"About Nagaland\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-33121\" style=\"--dominant-color: #858684; width:406px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-Nagaland.png 541w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2024\/12\/About-Nagaland-300x236.png 300w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 541px) 100vw, 541px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source:<\/strong> <a href=\"https:\/\/pib.gov.in\/PressReleaseIframePage.aspx?PRID=2079491\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">PIB<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>A two-day Mahabodhi Mahotsav was held at the Great Stupa at Sanchi in Madhya Pradesh.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":4,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-33119","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33119","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/4"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33119"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33119\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33124,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33119\/revisions\/33124"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33119"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33119"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33119"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}