Yaya Tso to be Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site

Yaya Tso to be Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site

• Yaya Tso, known as birds’ paradise for its beautiful lake located at an altitude of 4,820 metres, has been proposed as Ladakh’s first biodiversity heritage site (BHS). 
• The Biodiversity Management Committee, the panchayat of Chumathang village, along with SECURE Himalaya Project recently resolved to declare Yaya Tso as Ladakh’s first BHS under the Biological Diversity Act.
• The proposed Yaya Tso site will have an approximate area of 60 square kilometers, which will also include the lake’s watershed, they said, adding Yaya Tso is among the most beautiful lakes in Ladakh.
• The lake could be reached from Mahe monastery on the way to Tsomoriri lake after driving up to the nunnery and then crossing a small mountain pass.

Government Extends PM-KUSUM Scheme till March 2026 

• The government has extended PM-KUSUM scheme till March 2026 as its implementation was significantly affected due to the pandemic. 
• Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) has launched in 2019, the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evem Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM) Scheme for farmers for installation of solar pumps and grid connected solar and other renewable power plants in the country.
• The scheme aims to add solar and other renewable capacity of 30,800 MW by 2022 with total central financial support of Rs. 34,422 Crore including service charges to the implementing agencies.
• The pace of implementation of PM-KUSUM was significantly affected due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE) has also conducted a third party evaluation of the scheme and based on the recommendations, the scheme has been extended till 31.3.2026.

Indore becomes first civic body to launch green bonds 

• Indore Municipal Corporation has ranked top in cleanliness survey for six consecutive years, has become the country’s first civic body to launch green bonds, seeking to raise Rs 244 crore for a 60-mw solar plant at its water pumping station. 
• The public issues of the green bonds will be open for subscription from February 10-14. The issue will be listed on the National Stock Exchange.
• A green bond is a debt security issued by an organization for the purpose of financing or refinancing projects that contribute positively to the environment and/or climate. A green bond is alternatively known as a climate bond.

PM Modi Dedicates HAL Helicopter Factory to the Nation in Tumakuru

• Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the HAL Helicopter Factory to the nation in Tumakuru. The Prime Minister took a walkthrough of the Helicopter Facility and Structure Hangar and unveiled the Light Utility Helicopter.
• He also laid the foundation stone of the Tumakuru Industrial Township and two Jal Jeevan Mission projects at Tiptur and Chikkanayakanahalli in Tumakuru. 
• The Prime Minister asserted and illustrated the point through the HAL project dedicated for which the Prime Minister laid the foundation stone in 2016 with a pledge for reducing foreign dependence on defense needs.