Vedanta commissions World’s first red mud powder plant

Vedanta Aluminium Ltd. (VAL) has commissioned a red mud powder producing unit at Lanjigarh refinery in Odisha, describing it as first of its kind in alumina industry tackling major environmental hazards.

Scientists build world’s smallest FM radio transmitter

A team of Columbia Engineering researchers have taken advantage of graphene’s special properties — its mechanical strength and electrical conduction — and created a nano-mechanical system that can create FM signals, in effect the world’s smallest FM radio transmitter.

NASA launches robotic explorer to Mars

NASA’s newest robotic explorer, MAVEN (Mars Atmosphere and Volatile Evolution), rocketed toward Mars on 18th November to unravel the ancient mystery of the red planet’s radical climate change.

Chit funds regulation: SC notice to Centre, RBI

The Supreme Court on Tuesday issued a notice to the Centre, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) and Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI) seeking their response on a PIL for putting in place a proper mechanism to regulate functioning of chit funds in the country.

Army gets final nod for raising corps along China border

GOI has given its final go ahead to the Army for raising a corps along the China border which will include the deployment of 50,000 additional troops. The cost of raising a new corps will be around Rs 65,000 crore.

PM launches India’s first state-owned bank for women

Prime minister Manmohan Singh on Tuesday inaugurated the country’s first state-owned bank i.e Bharatiya Mahila Bank in Mumbai. One of the key objectives of the bank is to focus on the banking needs of women and promote economic empowerment through women’s growth and development. The bank has appointed an all-women board of 8 members.

Angela Merkel to get 2013 Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace

Indira Gandhi Memorial Trust said German Chancellor Angela Merkel will be awarded the coveted Indira Gandhi Prize for Peace, Disarmament and Development for 2013.

Concept of the Day

REDD AND REDD+

REDD: It’s a UN initiative on Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation (REDD) which is a global endeavour to create an incentive for developing countries to protect, better manage and save their forest resources, thus contributing to the global fight against climate change. REDD strategies aim to make forests more valuable standing than they would be cut down, by creating a financial value for the carbon stored in trees.

REDD+: REDD+ goes beyond merely checking deforestation and forest degradation which is part of REDD, and includes incentives for positive elements of conservation, sustainable management of forests and enhancement of forest carbon stocks. REDD+ conceptualizes flow of positive incentives for demonstrated reduction in deforestation or for enhancing quality and expanse of forest cover.

What is India’s Position on REDD and REDD+ in the ongoing global negotiations?

What is India currently doing as part of its REDD+ strategy?

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