“Trekking in the Himalayas- Magical Experiences”, Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), India joins GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence), Multiple uses of Agroforestry
1. Multiple uses of Agroforestry
- India became the first country in the world to formulate a National Agroforestry Policy in 2014.
- As a follow up, the Sub Mission for Agroforestry was launched in 2015 to assist the States in encouraging farmers to adopt tree planting along with crops.
- Agro climatic zone wise agroforestry models have been developed by research institutions, including ICAR and ICFRE.
- The scheme is currently being implemented in 21 States of the country.
- However, a webinar was organised on 13th June 2020 to discuss ways and means to connect agroforestry farmers to industry and sensitise implementing States to assist farmers in making the correct choice of species.
- So that the various reforms brought in the agriculture sector to ensure optimum remuneration to farmers to ensure their welfare, including Rs 1.63 lakh crore outlay and the Farming Produce Trade and Commerce (Promotion and Facilitation) Ordinance 2020 to establish a truly national market and give farmers the option to choose the market where they want to sell their produce by removing inter-state trade barriers and providing e-trading of agriculture produce.
- Hence, the multiple uses of agroforestry ranging from additional income to farmers, nurseries as a means of livelihoods especially for women SHGs, green fodder, reduction in requirement of fertilisers by planting leguminous species, carbon sequestration for combating climate change, etc.
- Agroforestry could contribute to stepping up supply of raw material to industry to reduce import dependency in some crucial commodities.
- The earlier notion of agroforestry meaning only timber species needs to have a relook from farmers and industry point of view. Timber trees have long maturity period and hence delays returns to the farmers.
- Whereas there are number of rising sectors which would ensure quick returns to farmers as well as fulfil industry requirements, including medicinal and aromatic plants, silk, lac, paper and pulp, tree borne oil seeds for production of bio-fuels, etc.
- Promotion of medicinal plants is a major component of AtmaNirbhar Bharat and there is tremendous scope for convergence for tree based and organic medicinal produce.
- Quality planting material is the basis for improving productivity and hence returns to farmers.
- Also it is important to plant clonal planting material of the correct varieties which would also comply with industry requirement.
- Central Silk Board assured to assist farmers who plant the range of silk host species, which on an average would start giving returns in 3-4 years and hence were ideal for agroforestry systems.
- In conclusion States were advised to encourage contract farming on similar lines as crops right from pre planting, planting and harvest.
- Industry, both existing and potential, should be taken as the hub and activities planned around that.
- Multipurpose species should be encouraged so that returns start flowing at the earliest.
- This would enable fulfillment of the vision of an ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat’.
2. India joins GPAI (Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence) as a founding member
- India joined the league of leading economies including USA, UK, EU, Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Republic of Korea, Singapore to launch the Global Partnership on Artificial Intelligence (GPAI or Gee-Pay).
- GPAI is an international and multi-stakeholder initiative to guide the responsible development and use of AI, grounded in human rights, inclusion, diversity, innovation, and economic growth.
- This is also a first initiative of its type for evolving better understanding of the challenges and opportunities around AI using the experience and diversity of participating countries.
- In order to achieve this goal, the initiative will look to bridge the gap between theory and practice on AI by supporting cutting-edge research and applied activities on AI-related priorities.
- GPAI will bring together leading experts from industry, civil society, governments, and academia to collaborate to promote responsible evolution of AI and will also evolve methodologies to show how AI can be leveraged to better respond to the present global crisis around COVID-19.
- India has recently launched National AI Strategy and National AI Portal and have also started leveraging AI across various sectors such as education, agriculture, healthcare, e-commerce, finance, telecommunications, etc. with inclusion and empowerment of human being approach by supplementing growth and development. By joining GPAI as a founding member, India will actively participate in the global development of Artificial Intelligence, leveraging upon its experience around use of digital technologies for inclusive growth.
- GPAI will be supported by a Secretariat, to be hosted by Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) in Paris, as well as by two Centers of Expertise- one each in Montreal and Paris.
About Artificial intelligence:
- Artificial intelligence (AI) is a wide-ranging branch of computer science concerned with building smart machines capable of performing tasks that typically require human intelligence.
- AI is an interdisciplinary science with multiple approaches, but advancements in machine learning and deep learning are creating a paradigm shift in virtually every sector of the tech industry.
- Artificial intelligence refers to the simulation of human intelligence in machines.
- The goals of artificial intelligence include learning, reasoning, and perception.
- AI is being used across different industries including finance and healthcare.
- Weak AI tends to be simple and single-task oriented, while strong AI carries on tasks that are more complex and human-like.
3. The first nationwide online delivery-based gas trading platform and launches Indian Gas Exchange (IGX)
- Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas & Steel Shri Dharmendra Pradhan launched the Indian Gas Exchange (IGX), first nationwide online delivery-based gas trading platform, in an e-ceremony.
- IGX will be a delivery-based trading platform for delivery of natural Gas.
- Incorporated as a wholly owned subsidiary of the IEX – India’s energy market platform.
- The platform is fully automated with web-based interface to provide seamless trading experience to the customers. with this landmark, India is joining the club of progressive economies.
- Also the India Gas Exchange (IGX) will play a bigger role towards realising a free market for gas.
- However, Petroleum and Natural Gas Regulatory Board (PNGRB) minister said, working on rationalisation of tariff to make natural gas affordable in every part of the country.
- India’s vision on mega investments on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminals, gas pipelines, CGD infrastructure and permission for market driven price mechanism will be materialised.
- The various initiatives taken to make India a gas-based economy, the Minister said that Indian gas market has multiple price bands for assets including pre-NELP, NELP, High Temperature and High pressure (HTHP) and Deepwater and Ultra Deep Water blocks.
- The country will soon have 50 MMT LNG terminal capacity.
- Moreover, the country has long-term gas contracts with many countries like Qatar, Australia, Russia and the US, and has made investments abroad in strategic assets in Mozamibque, Russia and other countries.
- Further, the various ongoing projects to strengthen the gas infrastructure in the country like Urja Ganga, Eastern India grid, Indradhanush project in the North-east, Dhamra-Dahej pipeline, coal gasification and CBM policy.
- Hence, the country will have more than 30,000km of pipeline in next few years
4. “Trekking in the Himalayas- Magical Experiences” under Dekho Apna Desh Webinar Series
- The famous quote by Bill Aitken –“The inescapable logic of desire leaves the mountain traveller no choice but to plan his next expedition to the very peak that may have just rejected vociferously the most singleminded of advances”
- “Trekking in the Himalayas- Magical Experiences” highlighted the potential of tourism in the Indian Himalayan mountain range that offers experiences that are unique and magical.
- In the Indian Himalayas, one can see the pristine nature, snow covered thick pine forests and hidden secrets that can enthral and captivate trekkers from all over the World and across age groups and fitness levels.
- Exploring the myriad trails, engaging with the friendly local villagers and taking in the wonder of the lakes, rivers, meadows are guaranteed to leave one with experiences of a life time to cherish and plan a trip again.
Below are the famous treks which they called as “Experiences of a lifetime”:
a) Kuari Pass (Uttrakhand) – (3800 m/12500 ft) is classified as an easy- moderate trek.
- Best time for this trek is from April to mid June and in Spring from mid September to Early November.
- The trek starts at 6,900 feet at Dhak and reaches a maximum altitude of 12,516 ft above Mean Sea Level on the pass crossing day.
- On the Kuari Pass trek, you will be trekking for an average of 4-5 hours every day, except the pass crossing day which will be 8 hours long.
- The majestic and magical experience of HathiGhori Parbat, Dronagiri and Nanda devi peaks can be enjoyed.
- One get to see lovely alpine lake on the way, snow covered mountains, golden meadows and an heavenly experience.
b) The Brahma Taal (3,855m/12,650 ft) takes one to a frozen alpine lake with a mythology to match.
- It is an easy to moderate level of trek.
- The trek requires 6-7 days from Kathgodam to be completed.
- Best time for this trek is from December to February.
- The place is easily accessible from Delhi where one has to reach Kathgodam and then a drive from Kathgodam to Lohajung.
- The climb starts from BekalTaal, a frozen alpine lake and camp on the snow.
- The trails go through a forest and when you reach Telindi top, behold the enchanting views of the mighty Himalayas.
- Next day climb to Brahma Taal, the mystical lake where it is believed that Lord Brahma meditated.
- After a night on the snow, climb to Brahma Taal top, for enjoying the magnificent views. Next day, descend down directly to Lohajung and conclude the trek and depart to Kathgodam.
c) The HarkiDoon Valley (3,566m/11,700 ft) located at the Valley of Gods, in Garhwal region of Uttarakhand.
- It is a moderate level of trek and requires about 6 days from Dehradun.
- Best time for this trek is from April to June and September to December.
- From Dehradun, drive to Sankri, then onwards to Taluka, via Mussoorie.
- From Taluka the real trek begins uptoSeema village and then from Seema climb up to HarkiDoon with an overnight stay at HarkiDoon.
- En-route one will witness the Swargrohini-I (6,525 m/20,512 ft) regarded as the Gateway to Heaven and is associated with the mythological tales of Mahabharata.
- The next day, one can directly descend to Seema, via the hanging village of Osla.
- The village has historical temple wherein Duryodhana is being worshipped.
d) The Fotoksar (4,100 m/16,000 ft) is a picturesque village in Ladakh.
- It is the part of the Lingshed- Padum trek (also known as The Great Zanskar trek)- not accessible for about 6 months every year due to heavy snows and avalanches.
- It is a moderate level of trek and requires 9-10 days from Delhi. The best time to visit is from June to October.
- There are options for home stays which would help in gaining local experience and supporting the local economy.
- From Delhi one can take flight to fly in at Leh (3,500 m/11,500 ft).
- It is advisable to acclimatize in Leh to prevent Acute Mountain Sickness (AMS).
- From Leh, drive to Lamayuru-Kargil road and reach the Wanla Village.
- After an overnight stay at the village, next day proceed towards Yapola river and stay at Hanupatta village before climbing upto the SiSir La Pass at 4,890 m/ 16,000. Next day descending to the Fotoksar village, hanging off the edge of the cliff.
e) The Roopkhund (4,785m/15,700 ft) is another popular trek of Garhwal region, Uttarakhand.
- The level of difficulty lies from moderate to difficult and requires about 6 days from Kathgodam to Roopkhund trek.
- Best time to do this trek is from December to February.
- A drive from Kathgodam to Lohajung. Trekking through Lohajung pass, crossing the Bedniriver and overnight stay at Didana village.
- The next day a steep climb to Ali Bugyal (12,500ft), the largest meadow in Asia. With an overnight stay at BedniBugyal, next day proceed to an amazing camp site next to glacier Bhaguwasa (14,100ft).
- Next day start an early morning trek upto Roopkund Lake.
- Visit to the lake side and return to the camp by lunch time.
- The next day descent to Lohajung.
- The mystery of skeletons lying in the Roopkund trek is that about these are the skeletons of about 500 people who were crossing Roopkund caught in a lethal hailstorm around the 820 AD.
- This fact has also been confirmed by the scientists after inspecting the bones and dating the carbon within them.
DekhoApnaDesh Webinar Series is an effort of Ministry of Tourism to showcase India’s rich diversity under Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat programme.
ADG Tourism stated that the trekking and experiencing the Himalayas are on the Bucket List of many people, across all age groups and fitness level and therefore as soon as COVID-19 is subdued one could plan to experience and explore them thus peeking into the thrill of adventure, wonderful flora & fauna and the awe of the mysteries that the “Abode of Snow” hides.
