Top News Highlights- 13 September 2024

Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana – Promotion of Fisheries Sector

• Objective: To bring a blue revolution in the fisheries sector by the adoption of sustainable practices, aimed at doubling export earnings to roughly ₹ 1 lakh crore by 2025. The scheme was launched in 2020.
• Schemes took up: Setting up of fisheries production clusters of specialization, transportation of fish through drone technology, setting up of Nucleus Breeding Centres.
• Importance: This would increase fish production by up to 22 million metric tonnes and reduce post-harvest losses from 20-25% to about 10%.

WHO’s First Ever Guidelines on Antibiotic Pollution

• Problematic condition: Antibiotic pollution by manufacturing is one of the prime agents leading to AMR, posing a serious threat to health in the world.
• Guidelines include: WHO Good Manufacturing Practices adopt environmental concerns in an updated manner, managing wastes produced during pharmaceutical manufacturing.
• Impact: These guidelines are part of the overall strategy to contain AMR, to which India has committed through a National Action Plan to address these challenges.

National Green Hydrogen Mission

• Objective: Launched in 2023, the mission aims to establish India as a global hub for the production, use, and export of Green Hydrogen.
• Targets: To achieve the production of 5 Million Metric Tons of Green Hydrogen by 2030 with an estimated investment of $100 billion.
• Opportunities: The export potential of approximately 10 MMT of Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia per annum substituting conventional fossil fuels.

Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana

• Development: PMGSY-IV will upgrade the connectivity of about 25000 habitations, hitherto unconnected with all-weather roads, and will further enhance rural connectivity and socio-economic development.
• Technologies: Comprises state-of-the-art technologies including Cold Mix Technology and use of wastes like Fly Ash in the construction of roads.
• Impact: Increased access to basic services and markets, fostered rural development and integration into the wider economy.

Mission Mausam: Strengthening Meteorological Services

• Objective: Enhancing India’s capability to address weather and climate-related hazards through state-of-the-art technology and capacity building.
• Components: Next-generation radar installation and satellite systems with high-performance supercomputers for accurately forecasting weather.
• Benefits: These will help in agriculture, disaster management, and many important sectors by providing reliable data about weather and climate.

Resumption of TAPI Gas Pipeline Project

• Overview: The TAPI Gas Pipeline Project is to export natural gas and thus has regional connectivity.
• Importance: The project is likely to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help the economic development of the participating countries by way of energy cooperation.

Key Concepts and Policies

• PMMSY [Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana]: Central government scheme for sustainable development of the fisheries sector.
• AMR [Antimicrobial Resistance]: Resistant microorganisms that pose a global health threat to antimicrobial action.
• Green Hydrogen: Hydrogen produced by an environmentally clean process, which is of great importance in reducing carbon emissions.
• PMGSY-Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: For rural connectivity by way of all-weather roads for upgraded access to basic services and market.
• Mission Mausam: Schemes for meteorological services throughout India; through this, various other schemes can be facilitated, like disaster management and agriculture.