Top News Highlights-5 November 2024

Odisha’s Cyclone Resilience 25 Years On

• Odisha has learned much from the 1999 supercyclone, which killed over 9,000 people.
• Key developments include the creation of the Odisha State Disaster Management Authority (OSDMA) and the “Mission Zero Casualty” initiative.
• The community-level approach to disaster preparedness involves volunteers from gram panchayats and women’s SHGs.
• Improved early warning systems and the National Disaster Management Act (2005) have strengthened disaster response.

India’s New Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) Model

• Indian scientists have developed a model to understand the Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) which affects satellite navigation and power grids.
• EEJ is a 100-kA current that flows at Earth’s magnetic equator, strengthening Earth’s geomagnetic field near the equator.
• EEJ disruptions impact power systems and satellite communications in equatorial regions.
• The study of EEJ helps in improving the accuracy of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS).

Coastal Zone Management Plan (CZMP) in Kerala

• CZMPs have been approved for 10 coastal districts of Kerala for regulating human activities in the coastal areas.
• The CZMPs have divided the coastal areas into zones like No Development Zones (NDZ) and Coastal Regulation Zones (CRZ).
• CZMPs promote greater public participation and also consider the interest of the local community, as proposed under the Coastal Regulation Zone Notification 2019.
• Administered by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change, CZMPs are vital for coastal development in a sustainable manner.

National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2024-2030

• India’s updated NBSAP aligns with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework to address the reversal of biodiversity loss by 2030.
• It has 23 targets on reducing threats to biodiversity, ensuring sustainable use of resources, and strengthening the tools for conservation
• Capacity building, resource mobilization, and partnership with the like of Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) have been integrated in India’s approach
• Green bonds and other financial instruments are encouraged to engage the private sector.

World Cities Day 2024: Urbanization Focus

• On October 31, this year, the theme is “Youth leading climate and local action for cities.”
• By 2050, cities will house 70% of the world’s population. India expects 40% of its population to be urbanized by 2036.
• World Cities Day stresses the need for sustainable urban development and international cooperation in the matter of urban issues.
• Urbanization in India demands a strong infrastructure that would deal with the population in the future.

Global Health Emergency Corps (GHEC) Activation

• WHO has activated GHEC for the first time during the recent Mpox outbreak.
• GHEC was initiated in 2023 to coordinate the deployment of experts and technical support for health emergencies.
• It increases readiness to respond to crises for the global health workforce, thereby enhancing collaboration among health networks.

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) for Plastic Waste

• EPR obligates producers, importers, and brand owners to collect back 100% of the plastic packaging that they introduce into the market.
• EPR certificates that are issued for compliance, can be traded in with plastic waste processors but there is still fraudulence.
• Fair EPR pricing and elimination of fake certificates; this informs ODSPD to include the informal sector.

Key Terms and Concepts

• OSDMA – Odisha State Disaster Management Authority; the first agency of disaster management by an Indian state, who advocates community-driven response to disaster
• Equatorial ElectroJet (EEJ) – A strong current in the ionosphere that affects GNSS and satellite communication.
• CZMP-Coastal Zone Management Plan; A legal framework for sustainable coastal development.
• CRZ Notification 2019 -Regulation that identifies coastal stretches and zones for the protection of coastal ecosystems.
• NBSAP– National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan; India’s action plan towards biodiversity conservation is aligned with international biodiversity frameworks.
• EPR– Extended Producer Responsibility; policy where the producer takes responsibility for the life cycle of his product especially the collection and recycling of wastes.