Nauru
- Nauru, a small island nation in the Pacific, is selling citizenships to raise funds for climate adaptation.
- The initiative aims to relocate 10,000 residents from vulnerable coastal areas.
- Citizenship costs at least $140,500, offering visa-free travel to countries like the UK, Singapore, and Hong Kong.
- Nauru’s plan involves developing a new township, farms, and workplaces on reclaimed land in the island’s interior.
- Proceeds will help fund the “Higher Ground Initiative,” a project to combat rising sea levels and extreme weather events.
- The initiative follows similar efforts by Dominica.
- Nauru’s phosphate mining has left much of the island uninhabitable.
- Previous citizenship programs faced criticism for potential misuse by criminals.
- Nauru is taking precautions to avoid past vulnerabilities.
- The country forecasts raising about $68 million annually from the program.
- The initiative faces funding challenges due to the significant adaptation financing gap globally.
- Nauru’s extreme flooding is predicted to worsen due to rising sea levels.
NDSA: Dam Safety First
- The Supreme Court directed a supervisory committee, chaired by the NDSA head, to address Tamil Nadu’s concerns about Mullaperiyar dam maintenance against Kerala.
- The committee must find a solution acceptable to both states and report back to the court within four weeks.
- The committee needs to meet all stakeholders within a week and address the issues raised.
- Tamil Nadu accuses Kerala of obstructing dam maintenance, citing delays in permissions for materials and machinery, and even routine maintenance like painting and repairs.
- Kerala is denying permission for essential strengthening works, citing forest and wildlife clearances, according to Tamil Nadu.
- Tamil Nadu wants the committee to direct Kerala to allow strengthening works, grouting, and tree removal.
- A previous Kerala proposal to decommission and rebuild the dam was rejected.
- The NDSA, a statutory body under the National Dam Safety Act, 2021, oversees and regulates dam safety.
- The body formulates policies and guidelines for dam construction, maintenance, and operation.
- NDSA has the power to resolve disputes between state dam safety organizations or between organizations and dam owners.
- The NDSA promotes dam safety awareness programs and ensures emergency response plans are in place.
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