Centre promulgated Ordinance to amend coal mining laws
Context : The Central government announced the promulgation of the ordinance for amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.
Ordinance :
On 11 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. The ordinance aims to ease the auction of coal mines, allow Foreign direct investment (FDI) and enhance ease of doing business.
Provisions of the Ordinance :
- The amendments Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 will offer unexplored and partially explored coal blocks for mining through prospecting license-cum-mining lease (PL-cum-ML).
- It will enable any India-registered company to invest in the coal mining sector and develop coal blocks. The companies must have prior experience of mining in India to bid for the blocks.
- It will allow FDI in the coal mining sector by removing the restrictions and eligibility criteria for participation.
- Easing restrictions on end-user is expected to open up the coal sector for commercial mining for all local and global firms.
- GoI expects to attract investments from Indian and global corporates as Coal India has been tasked to produce one billion tonnes by 2023-24.
Australian Koalas become endangered in bush fires
Context : The Australian Koalas population suffered an extraordinary hit in the bush fires of Australia. It took 3 months for the firemen to control the fires.
Highlights :
Australia recorded 2019 as its hottest year on record. Around 1.25 billion animals are believed to be dead in bush fires. It has also destroyed more than 10 million hectares of land.
The Australian Koalas are to be put under “endangered” from “vulnerable” as 30% of their habitat were destroyed by the fires. The Australian Government has announced 50 million Australian Dollars emergency fund to save the wildlife affected due to the fires.
Australian Koalas :
The Australian Koalas is herbivorous animals that are native to Australia. They are found in coastal areas of New South Wales, Queensland, Victoria and South Australia. The IUCN red list currently puts Australian Koala under Vulnerable Category.
200 fighter jets to be acquired by Indian Air Force
Context : Centre is planning to acquire around 200 aircraft for the Indian Air Force (IAF). Of these 200, 83 fighter jets are LCA Tejas Mark 1A and are to be procured from HAL. The rest are to be procured based on Request for Proposals. The aim is to cope with the depleting aerial inventories of IAF.
Contract for LCAs:
IAF is also in a move to finalize a contract for 83 Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mark 1 A as the contract for Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL)-manufactured 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1 A advanced fighter jets are about to be completed. It is expected that 83 LCA Tejas Mark 1 A, the advanced fighters, will meet the urgent needs of India. The contract for the LCAs will be signed in 2020.
IAF’s aircraft types:
IAF currently has Mirage 2000 aircraft, Sukhoi 30 MKI aircraft, Mig 29 aircraft, Jaguars and Mig 21 Bisons in its inventory of fighter jets.
World Future Energy Summit began on 13 January in Abu Dhabi
Context : The World Future Energy Summit began at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC), Abu Dhabi on 13 January 2020. The theme of the summit is Rethinking Global Consumption, Production, and Investment. The event will be held from 13-16 January 2020 in ADNEC, Abu Dhabi.
Events :
- The four-day event includes exhibition and forum programs that address energy, solar, water, waste and smart cities.
- It also focuses on clean energy generation, water sustainability
- The summit discussed the ways in which digital innovation can help to improve the quality of life in an urban environment.
- Along with the summit, the Climate Innovations Exchange (CLIX) will be held.
Participants :
Around 35,000 people from 170 countries are participating in the summit. 90 speakers, including music star and philanthropist Akon, Paul Kagame, the president of Rwanda and Sheikh Hasina, the prime minister of Bangladesh, among others are the noted participants of the summit.
World Future Energy Summit :
World Future Energy Summit is an annual event. It was first held in 2011. The summit invites innovators, academicians, political leaders and industry leaders to creates new business and investment.
Centre promulgated Ordinance to amend coal mining laws
Context : The Central government announced the promulgation of the ordinance for amendment in the Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) (MMDR) Act, 1957 and the Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015.
Ordinance :
On 11 January 2019, the Union Cabinet approved the promulgation of Mineral Laws (Amendment) Ordinance 2020. The ordinance aims to ease the auction of coal mines, allow Foreign direct investment (FDI) and enhance ease of doing business.
Provisions of the Ordinance :
- The amendments Coal Mines (Special Provisions) Act, 2015 will offer unexplored and partially explored coal blocks for mining through prospecting license-cum-mining lease (PL-cum-ML).
- It will enable any India-registered company to invest in the coal mining sector and develop coal blocks. The companies must have prior experience of mining in India to bid for the blocks.
- It will allow FDI in the coal mining sector by removing the restrictions and eligibility criteria for participation.
- Easing restrictions on end-user is expected to open up the coal sector for commercial mining for all local and global firms.
- GoI expects to attract investments from Indian and global corporates as Coal India has been tasked to produce one billion tonnes by 2023-24.
Wetland Bird Census at Kaziranga National Park
Context : The second wetland bird count was conducted in the Kaziranga National Park from 9th– 10th January 2020.
Number of Birds :
- A total of 19,225 birds belonging to 96 species under 80 families was reported which is significantly higher than that of 2018.
- Having 96 species of wetland birds is one of the highest for wildlife reserves in India.
Range wise Distribution :
- The survey covered four ranges of the park — Agoratoli, Bagori, Kohora and Burapahar.
- More than half the birds (9,924) and 85 of the 96 species were recorded in Agoratoli Range. This was because Sohola, the largest of Kaziranga’s 92 perennial wetlands, is in this range.
About Kaziranga National Park :
- Location : It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 ha. It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain.
- It was declared as a National Park in 1974.
- It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km.
- It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985.
- It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International.