New Reserves of Natural Gas found in UAE
Context :
United Arab Emirates found shallow flammable gas reserves of around 80 trillion cubic feet. The reserve located between the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai.In November 2019, UAE declared the disclosure of 7 billion barrels of oil.
In news :
- The reserve located between the Emirates of Abu Dhabi and Dubai. In November 2019, UAE declared the disclosure of 7 billion barrels of oil.
- This raised the unrefined stores of the nation to 105 billion barrels making it the 6th biggest on the planet. IT had likewise declared the disclosure of 58 trillion cubic feet of gas. This puts the all-out stores of gaseous petrol of UAE to 273 trillion cubic feet regular gas and 160 trillion cubic feet unconventional gas.
United Arab Emirates :
The UAE is shaped by seven Emirates to be specific to Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Ajman, Sharjah, Ras Al-Khaimah, Fujairah, and Umm Al-Quwain. Around 30% of the GDP of the nation legitimately founded on oil and gas.
India-UAE :
The India-UAE respective exchange at present stands at 59.9 billion USD. India is the third biggest speculator in UAE. There are more than 2 million Indian populace living and working in the UAE. The all-out settlements from the UAE to India in the year 2009 was 10 to 12 billion USD. This is 33% of the all-out settlements received by India and most noteworthy among all the GCC nations.
World Cancer Day
Context :
World Cancer Day observed every year on February 4 by the Union for International Cancer Control. The day is being set apart from 2008. The day is observed by the United Nations also.
Theme: I am I will
This subject is being followed for the long stretches of 2019-2021.
As indicated by WHO, consistently, 8.8 million individuals die due to cancer in low-and center salary nations. World Cancer Day observed to lessen illness and demise brought about by cancer and to spread awareness about the same.
Union for International Cancer Control :
It is a Non-Governmental Organization framed in 1933, the central station of the association situated in Geneva, Switzerland. The association moves in the direction of lessening worldwide cancer growth and to coordinate disease control measures into the world health agenda.
The association conducts World Cancer Congress, World Cancer Leaders’ Summit, GAPRI (Global Access to Pain Relief Initiative), ChiCa (Childhood Cancer), GETI (Global Education and Training Initiative), GICR (Global Initiative for Cancer Registries).
Gram Nyayalayas
Context :
The Supreme Court has directed the states, which are yet to come out with notifications for establishing ‘Gram Nyayalayas’, to do so within four weeks, and asked the high courts to expedite the process of consultation with state governments on this issue.
What’s the issue :
So far only 11 states have taken steps to notify Gram Nyayalayas. Several states have issued notifications for establishing ‘Gram Nyayalayas’ but all of them were not functioning except in Kerala, Maharashtra and Rajasthan.
Only 208 ‘Gram Nyayalayas’ are functioning in the country as against 2,500 estimated to be required by the 12th five-year plan.
About Gram Nyayalayas :
Gram Nyayalayas or village courts are established under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 for speedy and easy access to justice system in the rural areas of India.
The Act came into force from 2 October 2009.
Composition:
The Gram Nyayalayas are presided over by a Nyayadhikari, who will have the same power, enjoy same salary and benefits of a Judicial Magistrate of First Class. Such Nyayadhikari are to be appointed by the State Government in consultation with the respective High Court.
Jurisdiction:
- A Gram Nyayalaya have jurisdiction over an area specified by a notification by the State Government in consultation with the respective High Court.
- The Court can function as a mobile court at any place within the jurisdiction of such Gram Nyayalaya, after giving wide publicity to that regards.
- They have both civil and criminal jurisdiction over the offences.
- The pecuniary jurisdiction of the Nyayalayas are fixed by the respective High Courts.
- Gram Nyayalayas has been given power to accept certain evidences which would otherwise not be acceptable under Indian Evidence Act.
Procedure to be followed :
Gram Nyayalayas can follow special procedures in civil matters, in a manner it deem just and reasonable in the interest of justice.
Gram Nyayalayas allow for conciliation of the dispute and settlement of the same in the first instance.
Appeals :
Appeal in criminal cases shall lie to the Court of Session, which shall be heard and disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of such appeal.
Appeal in civil cases shall lie to the District Court, which shall be heard and disposed of within a period of six months from the date of filing of the appeal.
Significance :
The setting up of Gram Nyayalayas is considered as an important measure to reduce arrears and is a part of the judicial reforms. It is estimated that Gram Nyayalayas can reduce around 50% of the pendency of cases in subordinate courts and can take care of the new litigations which will be disposed within six months.
Locust attacks
Context :
During the past few weeks, major locust attacks have been observed in several countries in western and southern Asia and in eastern Africa.
Which countries are affected :
The Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) of the United Nations has currently identified three hotspots of threatening locust activity, where the situation has been called “extremely alarming” — the Horn of Africa, the Red Sea area, and southwest Asia.
- The Horn of Africa has been called the worst-affected area, where the FAO has said there is “an unprecedented threat to food security and livelihoods”.
- Locust swarms from Ethiopia and Somalia have travelled south to Kenya and 14 other countries in the continent.
- In the Red Sea area, locusts have struck in Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Yemen.
- In southwest Asia, locusts swarms have caused damage in Iran, India, and Pakistan.
- Pakistan and Somalia have recently declared locust emergencies.
What are locusts :
Locusts are a group of short-horned grasshoppers that multiply in numbers as they migrate long distances in destructive swarms (up to 150km in one day).
Four species of locusts are found in India: Desert locust (Schistocerca gregaria), Migratory locust (Locusta migratoria), Bombay Locust (Nomadacris succincta) and Tree locust (Anacridium sp.).
How do they inflict damage :
- The swarms devour leaves, flowers, fruits, seeds, bark and growing points, and also destroy plants by their sheer weight as they descend on them in massive numbers.
- The desert locust is regarded as the most destructive pest in India as well as internationally, with a small swarm covering one square kilometre being able to consume the same amount of food in one day as 35,000 people.
Sources: Indian Express.
Ujh Multipurpose Project
Context :
Ujh Multipurpose Project is planned to fast track utilization of India’s rights under Indus Waters Treaty.
The project will enhance the utilization of waters of Eastern Rivers allotted to India as per the Indus Water Treaty.
Location: The project is planned to be constructed in Kathua District of Jammu & Kashmir on the River Ujh.
Ujh is a tributary of the Ravi river.
Indus Waters Treaty :
- The Indus system comprises the Indus, Jhelum, Chenab, Ravi, Beas and Sutlej. The basin is shared by India and Pakistan.
- Under the Indus Waters Treaty signed between India and Pakistan in 1960, the waters of three rivers, namely Ravi, Sutlej and Beas (Eastern Rivers) shall be available for the unrestricted use of India.
- While, the waters of Western rivers – Indus, Jhelum, and Chenab were allocated to Pakistan except for specified domestic, non-consumptive and agricultural use permitted to India as provided in the Treaty.
- India has also been given the right to generate hydroelectricity through run of the river (RoR) projects on the Western Rivers which, subject to specific criteria for design and operation is unrestricted.
- India is also allowed to use 20% of water from Indus, Chenab and Jhelum (Western rivers) for irrigation, power generation and transport purposes.
- This is a unique treaty involving a third party since it was brokered by the World Bank.
- A Permanent Indus Commission was set up as a bilateral commission to implement and manage the Treaty.
- The Commission solves disputes arising over water sharing.
- The Treaty also provides an arbitration mechanism to solve disputes amicably.