‘BICYCLE TOURS – Exploring India, Van Dhan for Jaan and Jahaan, Quadricycle, PMVDY
1. Emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS VI notified
- The Ministry of Road Transport and Highways has issued notification GSR 308(E ) dated 22nd May 2020 regarding the emission norms for L7 (Quadricycle) category for BS VI.
- These norms are applicable from the date of notification.
- This notification completes the process of BS VI for all L, M and N category vehicles in India. The emission norms are in line with EU with WMTC cycle.
- The procedure for testing is laid down in AIS 137-Part 9.
Quadricycles means limitations in terms of weight, engine power and speed.
Quadricycle is a European Union vehicle category for four-wheeled microcars, that allows Quadricycle type vehicles to be designed to less stringent requirements when compared to regular cars.
It is of two categories quadricycles:
i) light quadricycles (L6e) and
ii) heavy quadricycles (L7e)
- The MoRTH had issued an advisory dated 30th March, 2020 to all regarding extension of validity of the documents related to Motor Vehicles Act, 1988 and Central Motor Vehicle Rules, 1989.
- In order to facilitate citizens during COVID –19, MORTH has issued a statutory order prescribing that the fees paid on or after 1st February 2020 for the activity(s) including renewal and in case such activity(s) is not completed due to conditions for prevention of COVID-19 pandemic, the fees paid shall continue to remain valid. And If there is delay in paying the fees from 1st of Feb, 2020 till the period of lockdown there would not be any additional or late fee yo be charged for such delays till 31st July 2020.
2. 'BICYCLE TOURS - Exploring India at the pace of a pedal' under "Dekho Apna Desh" series
- ‘BICYCLE TOURS – Exploring India at the pace of a pedal’ offered an immersive 360 degree view of India through bicycle tours and showcased how slow pace of a pedal is the best way to soak in every aspect of this diverse region and connect with the people, its culture and way of life.
Why Bicycle travel?
Bicycle 101 highlighting the core important things about the bicycle travel like how to get started with the fascinating interest of cycling and tips for beginners, planning a bicycle tour including women travellers in bicycle tours and the 5 major popular bicycle tours itineraries in India namely Manali to Leh Bike expedition,Eastern Himalayas: Sikkim & Arunachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, South India, Hampi & Badami.
- Wellbeing cannot be attributed to cycling alone, the bicycle as a means for exploration and travel connects the riders to nature, people and diverse experiences they take on while reaching their destination.
- The slow pace and constant pedaling to keep the bicycle moving is a mental and physical reminder to be present and engaged at every moment.
- The cycle becomes a catalyst to soak in new perspectives and be truly engaged with the region.
- These experiences combined together are meditative.
- After all meditation is a consistent practice to use techniques like mindfulness and awareness to achieve mental clarity, and emotional stability.
- Gears on a bicycle are very akin to the gears in an automobile and they help us reduce the stress on the human engine (our two legs) as we pedal about exploring places.
- With varying terrain, using gears on the bicycle can help the cyclist reduce the stress on her/his legs and makes it easier when climbing up hills or steep inclines and also generate speed while going downhill or even when cycling in flat terrain.
Note: The Deko Apna Desh Webinar series is presented by Ministry of Tourism with active technical support from National e-Governance Division (NeGD) created by the Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY) for effective citizen engagement and communication with all stakeholders using the digital experience platform.
3. Van Dhan for Jaan and Jahaan: The Story of Shahapur's Katkari Tribe
- This has been proved yet again, by “Adivasi Ekatmik Samajik Sanstha” of Shahapur in Thane, which markets Giloy and other products.
- Giloy is a medicinal plant with huge demand from pharmaceutical companies.
- There are certain tribal communities who use a pre-agricultural level of technology, face stagnant or declining population growth, and are equipped with only an extremely low level of literacy and a subsistence level of economy.
- 75 such groups of tribals in 18 States and one Union Territory have been identified and categorized as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs).
- Sunil Pawar, a young lad and his friends started this enterprise of selling giloy in local markets.
- Called गुडूची in Ayurveda, giloy is used in medicines which treat various kinds of fever (viral fever, malaria, etc.) as well as diabetes. It is used in extract form, powder form or cream.
- Katkari is one of the 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups, as per the classification by Ministry of Home Affairs.
- They have started collecting and selling the 7 types of Samidha (sacrificial offerings made mostly of wood) which are offered in the holy fire during the performance of Puja.
- Shabri Adivasi Vitta Vikas Mahamandal plans to train these SHGs in establishing backward and forward linkages for their produce.
- In backward linkages, we will train tribals about how to pick giloy without affecting its long-term availability, this way it will be available for a longer period and they will also be taught about plantation of the same. In forward linkages, we will train them to process the giloy into making different products which will fetch better price for them.
- Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana provides working capital for these SHGs.
Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) : Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) is a retail marketing led value addition plan for Minor Forest Produce (MFP), meant for forest-based tribes to optimize the tribal income, locally. Under the program, MFP-based tribal groups / enterprises of around 300 members are formed for collection, value addition, packaging & marketing of Minor Forest Produces (MFPs).
These tribal enterprises will be in the form of Van Dhan SHGs which will be a group of 15-20 members and such 15 SHG groups will further be federated into a larger group of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKS) of around 300 members.
TRIFED will support the VDVKs through providing them with model business plans, processing plans & tentative list of equipment for carrying out the value addition work of MFPs.
