The Indore Municipal Corporation produces 17,000 kilograms of Bio-CNG every day from Asia’s largest municipal solid waste-based facility.

• The plant was launched in 2022.
• It is part of Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) initiative to turn waste into wealth.

About GOBARdhan initiative

• The Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation of Ministry of Jal Shakti is the coordinating department.
• Aim:  converting biodegradable/ organic waste into valuable resources such as biogas, compressed biogas (CBG), and organic manure and to promote circular economy.

Recently, many Pagers used by Hezbollah in Lebanon exploded simultaneously. 

About Pagers

• Pagers or beepers are wireless communication devices, first patented in 1949 by Alfred J. Gross. 
• Functions: To receive and display alphanumeric or voice messages via radio frequencies from a base station or a central dispatch. 
• Benefits 
  • Long battery life, easy to use and one-way pagers are generally untraceable. 
  • Tone, beep, or vibration for message alert is desired in noisy environments or setups like hospitals.
  • Due to non-dependence on cellular networks, they are reliable in situations (like natural disasters).

Recently, the Government released guidelines for EV charging stations in line with the new PM E-DRIVE Scheme.

About the Guidelines:

• Aim at increasing EV adoption by ensuring charging stations are safe, reliable, and accessible, and developing a robust national charging network, initially prioritising key locations.
• Guidelines will apply to Privately-owned, semi-restricted areas (E.g. office buildings) and public spaces (E.g. petrol pumps, railway stations).
• New revenue-sharing model between government and private players.
• Tariff for electricity supply to Charging station shall not exceed ‘Average Cost of Supply’ till 31st March, 2028.
• Specifies minimum density of public charging stations.

The Jharkhand government has filed a Contempt petition against the Centre alleging delay in appointment of the Chief Justice of the High Court.

About Contempt of Court

• Defined under Contempt of Courts Act, 1971.
• Article 129 and Article 215 give power to the SC and HCs to punish contempt.

Two types of contempt

• Civil contempt: Wilful disobedience to any judgment, decree, direction, order, writ or other process of a court or wilful breach of an undertaking given to a court;
• Criminal Contempt: Publication of any matter which
  • Scandalises or lowers the authority of, any court; or
  • Prejudices, or interferes with, the due course of any judicial proceeding; or
  • Interferes with, or obstructs the administration of justice.

Manipur’s Tamenglong district imposes a ban on hunting of Amur Falcon. 

About Amur Falcon 

• It is locally known as ‘Kahuaipuina’ in Manipur.
• Migratory raptor: Make voyage from breeding grounds in Russia and China to southern Africa.
  • 22,000 km journey (longest sea crossing of any raptor)
  • Passes through Manipur and Nagaland.
• Face the threat of illegal trapping and killing during migration. 
• Feeds on dragonflies that follow a similar migration path over Arabian Sea.
• IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern.

National Disaster Management Authority and Southern Command of the Indian Army are set to host the Exercise AIKYA in Chennai (Tamil Nadu). 

• The exercise's primary objective is to improve disaster preparedness and foster strong collaboration among key stakeholders.
• The exercise will incorporate simulations, technology discussions, and expert insights into various disaster management roles.

Due to natural disasters, since 1900, India has suffered an economic loss of $150 billion with largest loss from floods and storms (SBI Ecowrap report 2023).

Bengaluru-based space startup Bellatrix Aerospace unveiled a Project 200. 

About Project 200

• It is an innovative satellite designed to operate at an Ultra-Low Earth Orbit (180 km-250 km). 
• Advantage of Ultra-LEO: At 200 km, a satellite’s capability would improve significantly due to reduced communication latency and improved image resolution. Cost of the satellite is also low.
  • So far, limitations of propulsion technology have prevented satellites from operating in this orbit.
    • Conventional LEO satellites typically orbit well above 400-450 km.

More than 18,o00 individuals registered on the first list of FTI-TTP.

• In June 2024 the FTI-TTP was inaugurated at  Indira Gandhi International Airport, New Delhi.

About FTI-TTP

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Home Affairs
• Objective: To speed up the Immigration clearance process for eligible persons at select major airports through electronic gates.
• Two phases: In the first phase, Indian citizens and OCI cardholders are covered and in the second phase, foreign travellers will be covered. 
• Airports covered: 21 major airports in the country will be covered. 
• Nodal agency: Bureau of Immigration