Current affairs 13 March 2023

World off-track to cut 30 per cent sodium intake by 2025: WHO.

• According to the WHO Global Report on Sodium Intake Reduction, two million deaths can be prevented by 2025 and seven million by 2030 if policies recommended by WHO to reduce sodium intake are implemented.
• The world is off-track to achieve its global target of reducing sodium intake by 30% by 2025.
• The global average salt intake is estimated to be 10.8 grams per day (more than double the WHO recommendation of fewer than 5 grams of salt per day (one teaspoon)).

Uttarakhand’s Rudraprayag, Tehri top landslide index: ISRO report.

• According to the Landslide Atlas report, prepared by the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO, the Rudraprayag district of Uttarakhand has the maximum exposure to landslide risk in the country.
• Tehri district (Uttarakhand) ranked second on the list of landslide-prone districts.
• As per the State Emergency Operation Centre data, Uttarakhand reported 253 landslides between 2018 and 2021.
• Kerala's Thrissur and Palakkad districts ranked 3rd and 5th respectively.

Uttarakhand becomes 1st state to start insurance scheme for sericulturists.

• Uttarakhand has become India's first state to launch the Resham Keet Bima scheme for sericulturists.
• In the first phase of this pilot project, 200 sericulturists from five blocks of four districts -- Dehradun, Haridwar, Udham Singh Nagar, and Nainital -- have been insured from the ill effects of climate change, scarcity of water, and other hazards.
• This scheme will be run under Saral Krishi Beema.
• Uttarakhand CM: Pushkar Singh Dhami; Governor: Gurmit Singh

NITI Aayog releases Task Force report to make Gaushalas economically viable.

• The Task Force report titled Production and Promotion of Organic and Bio-fertilizers with Special Focus on Improving Economic Viability of Gaushalas was released by NITI Aayog.
• It suggested measures to make Gaushalas economically viable, address the problem of stray and abandoned cattle, and utilization of cow dung and cow urine in the agriculture and energy sector.
• It provides factual estimate of operating and fixed costs and other Gaushalas issues.

Government to provide financial support to eligible agencies to promote GI.

• The Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT) has issued operational guidelines, that the government will provide financial assistance to eligible agencies for undertaking initiatives for the promotion of Geographical Indications (GIs) products.
• It can be extended to eligible agencies as 100% grants in aid for the promotion of GIs.
• DPIIT is an arm of the commerce and industry ministry.
• It deals with investments and intellectual property rights.