North-East India (Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur & Mizoram) Current Affairs & GK (January 2021 – June 2021)
( North-East states – Meghalaya, Tripura, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur & Mizoram all important Current Affairs & GK topics for January 2021, February 2021, March 2021, April 2021, May 2021 June, 2021)
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January 01, 2021
Khadi and Village Industries Commission established Monpa Handmade Paper Unit
- The Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) established the Monpa handmade paper making unit.
- The Monpa handmade paper is a thousand-year-old heritage and was revived with the new unit to increase the commercial productivity of paper produced based on Monpa technique. the unit will create local employment in Arunachal Pradesh.
- KVIC had deployed a team of scientists from Kumarappa National Handmade Paper Institute, Jaipur to address the challenges. The team had put in six months of efforts to establish the unit for commercial production.
- Initially the paper unit will engage nine artisans to produce five hundred to six hundred handmade papers per day. These artisans will earn Rs 400 per day. The unit is to initially begin with twelve women and twelve men from the local villages trained in making Monpa handmade paper.
FACTIFLE – Monpa Handmade Paper
- The art of Monpa handmade paper originated in China during ancient times. The fine-textured handmade paper made using the technique is called Mon Shugu.
- The Monpa handmade paper is made from a local tree called Shugu Sheng.
- Earlier Monpa handmade paper was sold to other countries such as Japan, Tibet, Bhutan and Thailand for two reasons.
January 02, 2020
Nagaland declared Disturbed Area under AFSPA
- Union Ministry of Home Affairs recently declared Nagaland as “Disturbed Area” for the next six months under the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
- Earlier, on June 30, 2020, Nagaland was declared as “disturbed area” for a period of six months. The state has been under AFSPA for more than six decades now.
FACTFILE – Disturbed area under Section 3 of AFSPA
- Disturbed area is declared by notification under Section 3 of AFSPA. It is invoked in places where the use of armed forces is necessary to aid the civil power.
- The Governor of the state or the central government can declare the whole or part of the state or union territory as disturbed area. Once declared, the region will continue to remain in “disturbed” category for three months according to the “Disturbed Areas (Special Courts) Act, 1976”.
- The State Government can suggest if the act is required or not.
January 11, 2021
Geological Survey found promising concentrations of Vanadium in Arunachal Pradesh
- The Geological Survey of India has found promising concentrations of Vanadium in the Tamang and Depo areas of Arunachal Pradesh.
- According to Geological Survey of India, the Vanadium mineralisation is geologically similar to the “Stone Coal” Vanadium deposits of China. The GSI has discovered about seven metre thick carbonaceous phyllite for a length of more than six kilo metres in Depo area. Vanadium was also found in Subansiri district for a length of 15.5 km and thickness of 7 metres.
- According to Indian Bureau of Mines, the total estimated reserves of Vanadium in India is around 24.63 million tonnes. Of this, the estimated Vanadium Pentoxide is 64,594 tonnes.
- India consumes 3,360 metric tonnes of vanadium annually. This is 4% of Vanadium consumed by the world. Globally, 84,000 tonnes of Vanadium is consumed annually.
- China consumes 44% of world Vanadium production. And China produces 57% of the world’s Vanadium.
FACTFILE – Vanadium
- Vanadium is a by-product obtained from the processing of Vanadiferous magnetite ores. In its pure form, Vanadium is soft, ductile and grey in colour.
- Vanadium alloys are durable in extreme environments and corrosion resistant.
- They improve tensile strength of steel and reinforce steel bars used for tunnels, buildings and bridges.
The Vanadium Pentoxide is used as a catalyst in the production of Sulphuric acid. 85% of the Vanadium produced in the world are used as steel additive. Vanadium steel is used in gears, bicycle frames, axles and other critical components.
February 20, 2021
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram celebrate statehood day on February 20
Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram observed their statehood day on February 20 as both of the states received their statehood on February 20, 1987.
Arunachal Pradesh
- The state shares the border with Assam and Nagaland to its south.
- It also has its international borders with Bhutan to the west and Myanmar to the east.
- The state also has disputed border with China to the north at McMahon Line.
- The length of the border across China’s autonomous region called Tibet is 1,129 KMs.
- The state is an ethnically diverse state. It is home to Monpa people, Tani people, Tai people, and Naga people.
Mizoram
- It shares borders with three states among the Seven Sister States of old Assam that is Assam, Tripura and Manipur. The state also shares an international border with Bangladesh and Myanmar with its total length of 722-kilometre.
- The state was a part of Assam until year 1972.
- In the year 1972 it was made a Union Territory.
- In 1986, the UT was given the statehood in accordance with the 53rd amendment of the Indian Constitution.
- On February 20, 1987, it became the 23rd state of the India.
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February 22, 2021
Mass Migration of Blue Earthworms in Meghalaya
- The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has prepared a report on two-way mass migration of the blue earthworms in the state of Meghalaya.
- The blue earthworms, measuring up to 1.6 feet in length, migrate up and down to 300 metres in the East Khasi Hills of the state.
- Uphill migration of the earthworms starts in April-May. With the onset of monsoon, they emerge from the rivers and streams.
- Downhill migration occurs during September-October when the vegetation starts to dry and temperature & humidity drop.
- They play a major role in enhancing the fertility of soil. It helps in shifting the locals to ecologically sustainable organic farming.
FACTFILE – Blue earthworm
- The scientific name of the blue earthworm is Perionyx excavates.
- It is also called as composting worms, blues, or Indian blues. The species is known for its ability to create the fine worm castings so quick.
- The species have become popular in North America recently where it is used for composting purposes.
February 24, 2021
New Alpine Plant Species Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
- A group of scientists from three institutes have discovered a new species of alpine plant in the Tawang district of Arunachal Pradesh. The details were published in ‘Biodiversitas: Journal of Biological Diversity’.
- The new species of Alpine Plant Belongs to the family of Himalayan sunflower. It has been named as Cremanthodium indicum. This species of plant generally flowers during the months from July to August.
- It is endemic to the Penga-Teng Tso Lake of Tawang district. As per the IUCN Guideline, this alpine plant species has been listed as critically endangered.
- The plants that grow in the alpine climate. Many of the plant species and taxon grow as a plant community in such alpine tundra including perennial grasses, forbs, sedges, mosses, cushion plants and lichens.
FACTFILE – Tawang District
- It is the smallest district out of the 16 administrative districts of Arunachal Pradesh.
- It is the eighth least populous district in India, with a population of 49,977.
April 9, 2021
New bird species Three-branded Rosefinch discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
- Scientists from the Bombay Natural History Society recorded a new species of bird ‘Three banded Rosefinch’, in the high-altitude coniferous forests of Arunachal Pradesh.
- The three branded Rosefinch is a resident of southern China and a vagrant in Bhutan. The bird was first photographed at an altitude of 3,852 meters above the sea level. It was seen along with the flock of white browed Rosefinch.
- The three branded rosefinch may be using the high altitude temperate coniferous forests of Arunachal Pradesh as a passage while they were migrating from China to Bhutan.
- The Three Branded Rosefinch belongs to the finch species of birds. Finch birds have world wide distribution except for Australia and polar regions.
State of India’s Bird, 2020
- The State of India’s Bird, 2020 report categorised 101 species of birds in India as “high concern”, 319 as “moderate concern” and 442 as “low concern”.
- The Indian Vultures experienced catastrophic population decline.
- The White-rumped Vulture suffered the most severe decline followed by Indian Vulture and Egyptian Vulture.
- the Indian Peacock, the National bird of the country has increased dramatically in the last few decades. They have been categorised as “Least Concern” in the IUCN Red List.
April 9, 2021
3 out of every 1,000 pregnant women in Meghalaya test positive for HIV
- The Assembly Committee on Women Empowerment, led by Ampareen Lyngdoh, recently submitted its report to the Meghalaya Government. It has found that three out of every thousand pregnant women in the state are testing positive for HIV in the state.
- There are five thousand plus cases of HIV/AIDS in Meghalaya and this number is increasing alarmingly.
- The committee has identified that there is an urgent need to address the issue of commercial sex workers. The major concern that needs immediate action is the prevalence of HIV among sex workers in the East Khasi hills.
- The Government of Meghalaya has been suggested to frame a policy to address the issue of HIV/AIDS.
- According to National AIDS Control Organisation(NACO), 0.54% of population in Meghalaya are living with HIV. Also, Meghalaya has the highest Syphilis cases in the country.
Meghalaya Health Policy
- In March 2021, the Meghalaya State Government adopted a new Health Policy. The policy does include AIDS but it has not prioritised the issue.
- The policy lacks to provide a detailed plan to eliminate AIDS in the state.
- The policy will aim to achieve “Global Target of 2020” where 90% of the people living with HIV will receive antiretroviral therapy.
May 1, 2021
Scheme of Financial Assistance to NE & Hilly States for Capex
- The Ministry of Finance recently announced that it is to provide Rs 15,000 crores to the states for their Capital Expenditure for 2021-22 under the “Scheme of Financial Assistance to States for Capital Expenditure”. This is being provided as an interest free fifty-year loan to spend on capital projects.
- In 2020-21, Rs 12,000 crores was allocated for the scheme and Rs 11,830.29 crores was released to the states. The scheme will help to speed up the National Infrastructure Pipeline projects. It will help the states to settle the pending bills in the ongoing capital projects.
- Part I of the Scheme is to be implemented in the NE States and Hilly states. Around Rs 2,600 crores has been allocated for this part of the scheme. Of this, Himachal Pradesh, Assam and Uttarakhand are to get Rs 400 crores each.
- Part II of the scheme worth Rs 7,400 crores is for All the other states. This fund is to be allocated in proportion to their share of central taxes as prescribed by the fifteenth commission of 2021-22.
- Part III of the scheme, worth Rs 5,000 crores incentives are to be provided to the states for disinvestment of state public sector enterprises and for recycling or monetisation of infrastructure assets.
May 4, 2021
Indian Army’s first Green Solar Energy plant in Sikkim
- The Indian Army recently launched the first Green Solar Energy harnessing plant in Sikkim, at an altitude of 16,000 feet, to benefit the troops of the Indian army.
- The capacity of the plant is 56 KVA. It was built in collaboration with IIT Mumbai.
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May 5, 2021
100 million-year-old bones of Sauropods discovered in Meghalaya
- The researchers in the Geological Survey of India recently found fossil bone fragments of Sauropod dinosaurs, which were 100 million years old. These dinosaur bones were found in West Khasi hills in the district of Meghalaya. Sauropods had very long necks, small heads, long tails and four pillar-like legs.
- The findings of Sauropods in Meghalaya make it the fifth state after Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. Also, Meghalaya is the only state in the North-East to report Sauropod bones.
- Dinosaurs in India existed from the late Triassic period till the Cretaceous period. The Rajasaurus dinosaur originated in India. Of all the dinosaurs found in India, Barapasaurus was the biggest in India. It was four metres tall and 24 metres in length. The fiercest was the Tyrannosaurus rex.
May 14, 2021
African Swine Fever in the North East region
- The African Swine Fever has stuck Meghalaya, after it had struck Mizoram.
- It has killed 1,700 pigs in Mizoram in a month. It has now spread to Meghalaya and has killed three hundred pigs here so far.
FACTFILE – African Swine Fever
- It was first detected in Africa in 1920s.
- There is no cure to the disease and thus the only way to stop the disease from spreading is by culling the animals.
- It is not a threat to human beings as the disease spreads from animal to animal.
- The African Swine Fever has been included in the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Terrestrial Animal Health Code.
Nuklu Phom of Nagaland won “Green Oscar” Whitley Awards, 2021
- Whitley Awards are called “Green Oscar”. In 2021, the Whitley Award was won by Nuklu Phom of Nagaland. He became the only Indian to receive the award. The winners receive 40,000 pounds.
FACTFILE – Whitley Awards
- Whitley Awards are presented annually by the Whitley Fund for Nature. It is presented to recognise grass-roots level conservation leaders.
- The Whitley Fund for Nature was established by Edward Whitley in 1994. It has so far given 16 million pounds to support the work of two hundred environmental heroes.
- Biodiversity Peace Corridors incorporate 16 villages spread across four districts. It adopts sustainable land use practices.
#FACT2Remember: Nagaland is called the “Falcon Capital of the World”.
Whitely Fund for Nature
- It works to find local conservationists in the regions of resource-poor, biodiversity rich countries.
- It supports projects based on science and community involvement
- It also works to boost the national and international winners who address challenges faced by biodiversity worldwide.
BIOGRAPHY – Nuklu Phom
- He is populary known as the “Amur Falcon Man of Nagaland”. He is creating “Biodiversity Peace Corridors”. The main objective is to extend the “Yaongyimchen Community Biodiversity Area”.
- Apart from conservation of wildlife and environmental protection he also extends his works to health, education and microfinance.
- He founded the Lemasachenlok Society, which worked towards sensitising the locals about the Amur Falcons. It has set up three reserves that helped to increase the number of roosting Falcons.
May 16, 2021
Sikkim celebrates Statehood Day on May 16
- Every year the Sikkim Statehood Day is celebrated on May 16. Sikkim joined the Union of India on May 16, 1975.
- In 1975, the Sikkim Prime Minister appealed to India for Sikkim to join Union of India. Following this, the Indian Army took over the city of Gangtok and the palace guards of Chogyal palace were disarmed. A referendum was held in which 97.5% supported to join India abolishing the monarchy.
- Indian Parliament laid down conditions in its 35th amendment that made Sikkim an “Associate State”. The 36th amendment repealed the 35th amendment and made Sikkim a full state.
FACTFILE – Sikkim
- Sikkim is a state in northeastern India. It borders the Tibet Autonomous Region of China in the north and northeast, Bhutan in the east, Nepal in the west, and West Bengal in the south.
- Sikkim is the least populous and second smallest among the Indian states.
- Sikkim is notable for its biodiversity, including alpine and subtropical climates, as well as being a host to Kangchenjunga, the highest peak in India and third highest on Earth.
- Sikkim’s capital and largest city is Gangtok.
- Almost 35% of the state is covered by the Khangchendzonga National Park – a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
May 22, 2021
Tripura Government has launched an online portal ‘Jagrut Tripura’
- Tripura Government has launched an online portal named Jagrut Tripura to help the people of the state avail benefits from the various schemes that has been launched by the State and Central Government.
- Through this platform business owners whose business was impacted due to the COVID-19 pandemic can also be supported.
- The online portal falls under one of the many initiatives that have been undertaken by the state government of Tripura under its Atmanirbhar Tripura initiative. It has been developed by a company of the Jio Group named EasyGov.
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Two species of Monals sighted together in Arunachal Pradesh
- Two species of monals were sighted together by local wildlife enthusiasts in upper Siang district of central Arunachal Pradesh. Monals is a colour pheasant.
- One discovered species is While Himalayan monal also called as Lophophorus impejanus. It is widely distributed from Afghanistan to northeast India. The other monal is Sclater’s monal which is also called as Lophophorus sclateri. It is found in southern China and northern Myanmar. It is listed as vulnerable by International Union of Conservation of Nature.
FACTFILE – Monal bird
- Monal bird belongs to genus Lophophorus of pheasant family called Phasianidae. Male birds have colourful, iridescent plumage with plump physique.
- They are listed as vulnerable due to habitat destruction and hunting.
June 21, 2021
Central Got to link innovative agriculture technologies to farms in Northeast Region
- Government of India is working towards linking innovative agricultural technologies with farms to benefit small and marginal farmers in northeast India. It will primarily focus on women under Biotech-KISAN programme.
- Department of Biotechnology issued special call for the Northeast region under the programme which will help in understanding local issues of farmers & provide scientific solutions to them.
- Programme will specifically focus on the Northeast region because it is predominantly agrarian where 70% of its workforce were engaged in agriculture & allied sectors for livelihood.
- The Biotech-KISAN programme will be implemented in NE Region with the objective of linking innovative agriculture technologies with farms for small & marginal farmers.
- The Northeast region produces 1.5% of India’s food grain and continues to be a net importer of food grains for its domestic consumption.
FACTFILE – Biotech-KISAN programme
- Mission Programme Biotech – Krishi Innovation Science Application Network is a scientist-farmer partnership scheme launched in 2017.
- It was launched for agriculture innovation with the objective of connecting science laboratories with farmers to get innovative solutions and technologies which can be applied at farm level.
June 25, 2021
World Bank loan for strengthening Mizoram Health Systems Project
- Central government, state government of Mizoram and the World Bank signed a loan agreement of worth $32 million, for Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project.
- It will improve management capacity and quality of health services in Mizoram.
- Mizoram Health Systems Strengthening Project will strengthen governance and management structure of Department of Health & Family Welfare (DoHFW) and its subsidiaries. It will also improve quality & coverage of services delivered by state government health systems.
Endangered ‘African Violet’ plant discovered in Mizoram
- A new species of plant, called African violet, was discovered by Indian Institute of Science education and research (IISER), Bhopal, in parts of Mizoram and adjoining areas in Myanmar.
- Discovery was done under Tropical Ecology and Evolution Lab, a unit of IISER.
- IISER Bhopal described new species as “Didymocarpus Vickifunkiae”. This species is found in only three locations currently in Mizoram and thus are considered an endangered species.
- They are the flowering plants in genus Saintpaulia of family Gesneriaceae. These plants are native to higher elevations in tropical eastern Africa. They are widely grown horticulturally and are characterised by small perennial herbs having thick, hairy, ovate leaves. Leaves are dark green and have long stems.
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