Maharashtra Launches First Solar Village
The Solar Village Scheme was introduced by Eknath Shinde, the Chief Minister of Maharashtra. This program aims to power 100 villages with 100% solar energy. The state’s first solar-powered village Manyachiwadi in Satara district, is the first to profit from this program.
What is the Solar Village Scheme?
This is an effort by the government to encourage solar energy in Maharashtra, especially. In each district, two villages are to receive full solar power.
Main Goals:
No electricity bills: Under the PM Suryagarh Muft Bijali Yojana households will not be required to pay for their electricity.
Free Power for Farmers: Farmers will receive free electricity.
Recent Progress:
First Success: Manyachiwadi is now completely solar-powered making it the first village in Maharashtra.
Future projects: Sector 25 in Nigdi and Shivtirth Nagar in Kothrud will soon be included in the program.
Government Support:
Devendra Fadnavis, the deputy chief minister, and other authorities’ support for the initiative demonstrates their dedication to renewable energy. Thanks to solar power Manyachiwadi residents will pay less for electricity and plans are to replicate this achievement in other Maharashtra villages.
Facts About PM Suryagarh Muft Bijali Yojana
The PM Suryagarh Muft Bijali Yojana provides free electricity to families in rural areas who have low incomes. The program’s main goal is to advance renewable energy via harnessing solar power. It seeks to enhance people’s lives and support regional economies. The program works with energy agencies and state governments to make it function. It supports India’s goals for renewable energy. Families must fulfill specific standards to be eligible and eligible households are informed through awareness programs. It also encourages women to participate in energy access initiatives.
AIM Invites Applications for the Australia-India Agritech Program
Applications for the climate-smart Agritech group of the India Australia Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) accelerator are now being accepted by Australian and Indian startups and small companies through the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM). This program is designed to help businesses grow internationally and collaborate between India and Australia especially in the agritech field.
Program Overview
The RISE Accelerator helps small and startup companies test and modify their products for global markets. Improving farming practices and resilience to resource scarcity, climate change, and food shortages are the main goals. Supporting companies that develop technologies to assist farmers and enhance farming methods is the aim of this group. Strengthening farming operations in Australia and India is the goal.
Program Structure
Throughout the nine-month program, in-person activities in Australia and India are combined with virtual learning. To assist them develop and better integrate into the market, participants will receive in-depth market information, individualized coaching, and mentorship from professionals in the field. The opportunity to test their technologies in practical settings and conduct field experiments will be provided to participants. They will also have opportunities to network with potential partners and customers which is crucial for business success.
Applications and Support
The application deadline is September 15, 2024. Joining is free, and businesses that meet the requirements may be eligible for non-equity subsidies of up to Rs 45 lakhs. Additionally, they will be able to travel back and forth between Australia and India, which will encourage more cooperation. This accelerator program aims to tackle important agricultural challenges and make innovative, effective farming practices available to farmers. It supports the goal of sustainable development in agriculture.
About Atal Innovation Mission (AIM)
NITI Aayog launched the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), a significant initiative in 2016. Its primary objective is to support individuals launching new enterprises throughout India and to foster innovative ideas. Building an environment that is conducive to innovation and entrepreneurship at all levels—including educational institutions research facilities small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and major industries—is the goal of AIM.
India tags horseshoe crabs for conservation efforts
A project to tag horseshoe crabs throughout the Odisha coast has been initiated by the Odisha Forest Department and the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). This is the first time India has taken such an initiative to help protect these crabs whose numbers are worryingly decreasing.
Why Horseshoe Crabs Are Important
Horseshoe crabs are some of the oldest creatures on Earth and are very important for medicine. Their blood is used to test the safety of medical products, making them essential for our health.
Types of Horseshoe Crabs in India
Horseshoe crabs are found in two different species in India: Tachypleus gigas, which is found on the coast of Odisha, and Carcinoscorpius rotundicauda which is found in the West Bengal Sundarbans mangroves. The Wildlife Protection Act of 1972 in India protects both species.
Threats to Horseshoe Crabs
Numerous factors threaten horseshoe crabs but illicit smuggling and destructive fishing methods are the main culprits for the fall in the species’ population. To safeguard them, it’s critical to implement effective management techniques.
The Tagging Program
Horseshoe crabs are tagged with tiny tags as part of an effort to gather information on their populations and habitats. Seventy crabs have been tagged thus far, and over the following three years, hundreds more are expected to be tagged.
Working Together to Protect Horseshoe Crabs
This conservation effort is being assisted by professionals from Fakir Mohan University of Balasore. They are trying to find strategies to lessen the negative fishing methods that endanger horseshoe crabs such as the use of destructive nets. In the long term, wildlife experts are pushing for the development of a species recovery plan. The survival and conservation of horseshoe crabs in India would be aided by this proposal.
Interesting Facts About Horseshoe Crabs
- Spiders and horseshoe crabs are more closely related than crabs.
- Their blood is blue because it contains a unique pigment called hemocyanin, which aids in the oxygen transfer process.
- Horseshoe crabs have been around for over 450 million years and have survived five mass extinctions.
- They chew their food with specialized appendages rather than their mouths.
- Their eyes can see ultraviolet light.
- They can regenerate lost limbs.
- Horseshoe crab blood is vital for testing medical equipment for bacteria, which is crucial for modern medicine.
Karnataka has 5,765 public EV charging stations, the most in the country.
Karnataka is leading India in the number of public electric vehicle (EV) charging stations, with 5,765 stations, according to the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE). Most of these stations (about 85%) are in the Bengaluru Urban district, showing Karnataka’s strong commitment to supporting electric vehicles.
Comparison with Other States
Following Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh has 1,989 EV charging stations, Delhi has 1,941 EV charging stations, and Maharashtra has 3,728. This demonstrates that, in comparison to other states, Karnataka has made large investments in EV infrastructure. Energy Minister K.J. George has emphasized the significance of a robust electric vehicle (EV) infrastructure, attributing its success to deliberate initiatives and regulations that support environmentally friendly transportation.
Funding Sources
- Numerous financing sources, like India’s FAME initiative (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Hybrid and Electric Vehicles), have contributed to the creation of these charging stations.
- the Bangalore Electricity Supply Company’s (Bescom) investments.
- Money from the State Transport Department’s green cess.
- Public-private partnerships (PPP).
- Karnataka was the first state in India to introduce an electric vehicle policy back in 2017, setting the stage for future growth in electric mobility.
Plans for the Future
The state government intends to build prototype EV cities to promote EV adoption even more and establish a sustainable transportation network. Plans for an additional 2,500 EV charging stations under the PPP model are included in the 2024 State Budget. In addition, 100 new charging stations would be built at an investment of ₹35 million in collaboration with electricity supply companies (escoms).
About India’s FAME Scheme
India’s Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles (FAME) scheme aims to make electric and hybrid vehicles more affordable and encourage their purchase. The scheme was introduced in April 2015 by the Department of Heavy Industry. The scheme’s goals are to promote the manufacturing of electric and hybrid vehicle technology reduce liquid fuel consumption and create a self-sufficient economy of scale.