Asian Waterbird Census

Why in News: According to the Asian Waterbird Census-2025, a record 39,725 birds from 106 species have been observed in the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary and its surrounding wetlands.

About Asian Waterbird Census:

• Purpose: The Asian Waterbird Census is a citizen-science initiative aimed at supporting the conservation and management of wetlands and waterbirds worldwide.
• Frequency and Coordination: Conducted annually, it monitors waterbird populations across Asia and is part of the global International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetland International.
• Initiation: Launched in 1987, it has expanded to cover significant regions of Asia, stretching from Afghanistan to Japan, Southeast Asia, and Australasia.
• Flyway Coverage: It spans the entire East Asian-Australasian Flyway and a large portion of the Central Asian Flyway.
• In India: In India, the census is carried out by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in early January.

About Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS):

• Overview: BNHS is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) in India, focused on conservation and biodiversity research.
• Designation: It has been recognized as a ‘Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation’ by the Department of Science and Technology.
• International Partnership: BNHS is the Indian partner of BirdLife International.

Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)

Why in News: The Union government has announced an expansion of the PM Fasal Bima Yojana to cover crop damage caused by animals, addressing a long-standing request from farmers, according to an official statement.

About Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY):

Launch and Purpose:

• Launched on 18th February 2016 by the Ministry of Agriculture, PMFBY is a crop insurance scheme aimed at providing financial protection to farmers against crop losses caused by natural disasters, pests, and diseases.

Key Features:

• Offers cost-effective crop insurance to all Indian farmers.
• Implemented through insurance companies and banks.

Objectives:

• Provide financial support to farmers experiencing crop damage due to unforeseen events.
• Stabilize farmers’ income and promote continuous farming.
• Encourage the adoption of modern agricultural practices.
• Support crop diversification and enhance the agriculture sector’s growth.

Eligibility:

• All farmers, including sharecroppers and tenant farmers, are eligible for coverage if they are growing notified crops in notified areas.
• Compulsory: Farmers availing Seasonal Agricultural Operations (SAO) loans from financial institutions for notified crops.
• Voluntary: Non-loanee farmers can opt into the scheme.
• Farmers must have a valid land ownership certificate or land tenure agreement and must not have received compensation from other sources for the same crop loss.
• Special focus is given to SC/ST/Women farmers, ensuring equitable coverage.

Benefits of the Scheme:

Affordable Premiums:

• Maximum premiums: 2% for Kharif food and oilseed crops, 1.5% for Rabi food and oilseed crops, and 5% for commercial or horticultural crops.
• Remaining premium subsidized by the government.
• In certain regions like North-Eastern States and Jammu & Kashmir, the government covers the entire premium.

Comprehensive Coverage:

• Covers natural disasters (e.g., drought, floods), pests, diseases, and post-harvest losses due to local risks like hailstorms.
• Excludes losses due to war, nuclear risks, and preventable damage.

Timely Compensation:

• Aims to process claims within two months of harvest, ensuring farmers receive prompt compensation to avoid financial strain.

Technology-Driven Implementation:

• Uses satellite imaging, drones, and mobile apps for accurate crop loss estimation and claim settlement.
• The National Crop Insurance Portal (NCIP) enables smooth interaction between farmers, insurers, and banks.
• YES-TECH (Yield Estimation System Based on Technology) uses remote sensing for precise yield estimation.
• CROPIC (Collection of Real-time Photos and Observations of Crops) helps verify crops using geotagged photos for accurate damage assessment.

Liquid Propulsion Systems

Why in News:  ISRO has recently appointed M. Mohan as the director of the Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre in Thiruvananthapuram.

About Liquid Propulsion Systems

• Working Principle: Liquid propulsion systems use liquid propellants like liquid oxygen (LOX) and liquid hydrogen (LH2) to generate thrust.
• Advantages: These systems are preferred over solid propulsion systems due to their higher efficiency, controllability, and ability to be restarted multiple times.

ISRO’s Liquid Propulsion Systems Centre (LPSC)

• Key Role: LPSC is a vital ISRO facility responsible for designing, developing, and realizing liquid propulsion stages for the organization’s launch vehicles.
• Locations: It has two units in Thiruvananthapuram (Valiamala) and Bengaluru, each specializing in different aspects of liquid propulsion systems.

Recent Developments

• Gaganyaan Mission: Advanced liquid propulsion systems have been integrated into the Crew Module for the uncrewed mission of the Gaganyaan project. The Crew Module Propulsion System (CMPS) is a bi-propellant based Reaction Control System (RCS), designed for precise three-axis control during descent and re-entry.
• Cryogenic Upper Stage: ISRO has developed an indigenous cryogenic upper stage for the Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV), significantly boosting India’s ability to launch heavier payloads into space.
• Satellite Propulsion Systems: LPSC is also responsible for developing propulsion systems for satellites, including monopropellant thrusters and components for satellite control and maneuvering.

Enhanced Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 System

Why in News: The Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT) launched the Enhanced Certificate of Origin (eCoO) 2.0 System, a digital platform designed to streamline export certification and improve trade efficiency.

What is eCoO 2.0?

• The eCoO 2.0 system is a digital platform for issuing Certificates of Origin (CoO), which confirm the origin of exported goods.
• It simplifies access to both preferential and non-preferential CoOs, ensuring compliance with global trade regulations.
• Managed by the Directorate General of Foreign Trade (DGFT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India.

Aims of eCoO 2.0:

• Streamlining Export Processes: Makes the CoO certification process easier for exporters.
• Enhancing Trade Efficiency: Reduces processing times and improves accuracy in trade documentation.
• Supporting Global Supply Chains: Ensures transparency for intermediary and re-export trades.

Key Features of eCoO 2.0:

• Multi-User Access: Allows exporters to grant access to multiple users under a single Importer Exporter Code (IEC).
• Aadhaar-Based e-Signing: Provides flexible document authentication options along with digital signature tokens.
• Back-to-Back Certificates of Origin: Enables certification for re-export and transshipment of non-Indian-origin goods based on verified documentation.
• Mandatory Electronic Filing: Non-preferential CoOs must be processed online starting January 1, 2025.
• In-Lieu Certificate of Origin: Allows correction of previously issued CoOs through a simple online application.