BIHAR

The red brick , which is accused of polluting the Environment, has appealed to policy-makers to weigh the pros and cons before making norms that are tough to follow. The brick manufacturers, who are ready to opt for cleaner technology, are sceptical that stringent laws may push the small and medium business owners out of the trade.

The manufacturers are also sceptical about their future in the wake of the carbon phase down policy of the Centre.

There are around 2,000 plus brick kilns in the state that provide direct and indirect EMPLOYMENT to over three lakh people. According to estimates, the industry gives employment for 120-150 days in a year at an Average wage of Rs 500 per head.

Despite opting for environment-friendly technology, the brick kilns are still considered as a polluting industry and they are often under the lens of environmental activists.

The zig-zag kilns are fitted with boosters to burn the coal efficiently, thereby reducing its consumption to 60% than what was required in the FCBT model.

Heavy siltation of major canal systems, including the EasternKosiCanal System (EKCS), the largest major Irrigation project of Bihar, is now proving to be a bane for the state since it has resulted in low water discharge and ultimately affecting the crop production, the (CAG) report on the outcomes of surface irrigation projects inBiharrevealed.
As per the report, a total of 85.41 lakh hectares were to be irrigated during the period of 2015-2021 against which irrigation was provided to 59.87 lakh hectares (70%) only. However, the audit observed that the report of theWater Resources Departmentwas not correct.

The report states that due to heavy siltation in Kosi river, canal flow capacity of the head reaches of the main canal and branch canal have gradually reduced. The Kosi project is an international project between India and Nepal in accordance with the Indo-Nepal Agreement of 1954, subsequently revised in 1966. The barrage, canal head works and head reaches of the canal fall in Nepal and lower reaches of canal in Indian territory. The project was finally closed in March 1985 after an expenditure of Rs187.16 crore, the report states.

The audit also found that though the post-project yield increased in the areas covered by this project, yet this was not mainly attributable to the surface irrigation.

In a surprising sighting on 15 December, forest personnel rescued a barn owl in the Supaul area of Bihar.

Highlights:

Barn owls are typically found in the United States, the United Kingdom, and other parts of Europe and are rare in the Indian subcontinent.

Barn Owl

Tyto alba, the scientific name for the Barn Owl, is the world’s most widely spread owl species. Except for the arctic and desert regions, Indonesia, the Pacific Islands, and Asia north of the Himalayas, the species can be found practically wherever.

For the most part, the Barn owl is nocturnal. However, the owl hunts throughout the day in parts of the United Kingdom and the Pacific Islands.

They specialize in hunting animals on the ground. Small mammals are their only source of food, which they track down via Sound.

Children studying in government-run schools inBiharwill now have to carry school bags only five days a week, as the introduced ‘Bagless Safe Saturday’ scheme on the occasion of ‘Shiksha Diwas’, which is observed since 2007 on the birth anniversary of the country’s first Education minister Maulana Abul Kalam Azad.

CM Nitish Kumar formally launched the ‘Bagless Safe Saturday’ scheme and also unveiled a book of its guidelines at an event on the occasion. He also launched a ‘Best Plus App’ which will be used by education department officials for real-time monitoring and tracking of activities and presence of teachers in over 80,000 primary and upper primary schools across the state. The CM also transferred the amount of incentives in the bank account of students through DBT under different schemes of the education department for FY 2022-23.

An authoritative biography of tribal leader Birsa Munda (Nov15, 1875-June 9, 1900), who, in the words of Prime Minister Narendra Modi “shook the British empire” with his traditional bow and arrow, will be published in December, the publisher said on his birth anniversary on Monday while releasing the trailer of the book.

Modi declared that henceforth, Birsa Munda’s birth anniversary would be celebrated in line with that of Mahatma Gandhi and other freedom fighters who had sacrificed their lives for the nation.

In 19th century India, deep in the heart of what is now the state of Jharkhand, the Adivasis have been leading a life of absolute misery and darkness. The colonial state, with the help of its scheming local collaborators, has cast a net of abuse and exploitation that is tightening around these Adivasis, much like a hangman’s noose does. Everything they hold dear their land, homes, HISTORY, traditions, religion, families has fallen victim to the grand colonial plan of building a magnificent but merciless empire for the Queen.

The government is making all efforts to establish a Sports university in Bihar by April next year in order to promote all types of sports. Steps will also be taken for more facilities at Patliputra Sports Complex in Patna and other stadiums elsewhere in the state.

The BIA acts as a bridge between the government and youth and this scheme covers training in tally, computer and basics of accounting.

The second edition ofBihar Museum Biennale, starting here from August 7, aims to sensitise people about the importance and significance of museum culture in India.

Organised by theBihargovernments department of art, culture and youth affairs, the biennale will host museums from Thailand, , Nepal and Costa Rica, among other nations.

It will feature exhibitions, virtual tours, art shows and immersive experiences based on the theme of ‘Connecting People, Connecting Cultures, Interrogating Museums’.
Bihar Museum has also announced two exhibitions, starting on June 21 and 22, as curtain-raiser to the biennale.