Current Affair 1:

Forest Cover of India

 

India’s forest cover increased by 1,540 sq km and its tree cover rose by 721 sq km, according to the report.

The total forest area in the country is 713,789, which is 21.27 per cent of the country’s land area. This figure was 712,249 sq km in the 2019 report. So, it increased.

Forest cover in India’s mountainous states

There has been an increase in forest loss in India’s mountainous states along its Himalayan frontier, according to the latest report by the Forest Survey of India (FSI).

Also,

Foret cover in North Eastern States:

 

Forest cover in mega major cities:

Current Affair 2:

Biomass co-firing

 

What is biomass?

"Biomass” includes any natural (biological), renewable fuels, such as wood (or wood wastes), agricultural residues, food wastes, and industrial wastes. Biomass is derived from living or recently living organisms. Although fossil fuels are also derived from plant or living organisms, the primary difference in makeup (as it relates to GHG emissions) is one of time scale. Fossil fuels removed carbon from the atmosphere many years ago, while biomass has the potential to remove carbon from the atmosphere as it grows today or in the very near future.

What is Co-firing with biomass?

There are three types of co-firing in use around the globe

Direct Co-firing – is the simplest of the three and the most common option chosen. In this version of co-firing, more than one type of fuel in a furnace/boiler at the same time. The same, or separate feed systems, mills, and burners can be used depending on the fuel characteristics

Indirect co-firing – biomass is converted from a solid fuel to a gaseous form before firing. The gas is then burned in the same furnace/boiler as the coal

Separate biomass boiler – a separate biomass boiler is added to the overall system to bolster the steam capacity of an existing coal boiler.

Biomass co-firing has the potential to reduce emissions from coal-fueled generation, without substantially increasing costs or infrastructure investments.

Why use biomass co-firing?

The primary reason for co-firing coal with biomass is as a means of reducing the potential environmental impacts associated with the combustion of fossil fuels.

Challenges

• As with other renewable energy sources, biomass cannot compete on an economic footing with coal (or other fossil energies) due to low thermal efficiency, high cost, variable impacts on boiler and milling equipment, and high technical risk
• biomass typically has low bulk energy density, is wet and is strongly hydrophilic and therefore, requires a great deal of fuel handling technology compared to its heating contribution
• While fuel costs may be low, transportation, preparation, and handling costs for biomass can rapidly exceed total fuel costs for other fossil options.
• Potential for increased corrosion rates in boilers due to higher alkali levels in biomass fuel
• Biomass fuels can have as much as 50% moisture – moisture in a boiler will reduce efficiencies

In India,

The Union Ministry of Power recently mandated 5-10 per cent co-firing (combustion of two fuels together) at every thermal power plant in the country.

The main purpose of the ministry’s mission is to address rampant air pollution caused by the burning of farm stubble and reduce the carbon footprint in thermal power generation. Biomass is carbon neutral and decomposes by itself.

Why this decision was important?

India has shown rapid growth in installed renewable energy capacity. The country still relies heavily on coal-based power generation to meet most of its electricity demand.

The power sector contributes nearly 50 per cent of the sector-wise carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Coal and coal-based power is the single-largest contributor of CO2 emissions in India, according to the International Energy Agency (IEA).

Current Affair 3:

Something important about 2022 Republic Day Celebration

 

What does data tell us about the tableaux selection from states?

This year’s Republic Day Tableau selection process has been mired in controversy after the centre rejected the tableaux of West Bengal, Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Selection of Tableaux involves a lengthy process

Every year, the Ministry of Defence begins the selection process by writing letters to all the Chief Secretaries/Administrators of state governments & union territories, central government departments, and a few constitutional authorities to participate in the parade through tableaux.

Due to time constraints arising out of the overall duration of the parade, only a limited number of tableaux are shortlisted for participation in the parade. The military parade is followed by a cultural parade that involves tableaux and cultural performances from various states.

As per Ministry of Defence guidelines, the suggestive theme for the preparation of Tableaux is:

• Any important event from the history of the State/Union Territory.
• Festivals
• Cultural/architectural heritage aspect of the life of the people
• Social and economic development scheme, project, or an achievement
• Environment
• Vision for the future

Culture & Heritage is the most common theme among all the Republic Day Tableaux from states since 2005. 30% of all the tableaux are based on Culture & Heritage followed by State Speciality at 22%.

Except in 2021, Jammu & Kashmir is the only state whose Tableau was part of every Republic Day parade since 2005.

Defence Ministry is responsible for the Republic Day Celebrations

The Ministry of Defence is primarily responsible for the conduct of national functions like the Republic Day Parade (RDP), Beating Retreat Ceremony, etc. in coordination with various executing agencies. Like in 2021, there will be no Chief Guest this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. This is the 12th such occasion without a chief guest.

The Republic Day ceremony starts with wreath-laying by the Prime Minister at Amar Jawan Jyoti at India Gate followed by a 21-gun salute. On 21 January 2022, the flame at Amar Jawan Jyoti was merged with the eternal flame at National War Memorial.

Then, the President unfurls the National Flag, and the National Anthem is played. The Republic Day Parade starts after this. On 29th January, the Beating Retreat ceremony, held at Vijay Chowk officially denotes the end of Republic Day festivities.

 

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