NavIC-Based IST Traceable Primary Reference Time Clock (PRTC)
The Centre for Development of Telematics (C-DOT) and the CSIR-National Physical Laboratory (NPL) have joined forces to develop a ‘Primary Reference Time Clock’ that utilizes NavIC and synchronises with Indian Standard Time (IST). This collaboration aims to enhance the precision, reliability, and accuracy of timekeeping in India.
This project receives funding from the Telecom Technology Development Fund (TTDF) scheme, an initiative of the Department of Telecommunications (DoT).
The scheme’s goal is to support domestic firms and institutions that are creating telecommunication products and solutions. These products are aimed at providing affordable broadband and mobile services to remote regions and rural areas.
Key points of the project:
- The new device will offer direct IST traceability to all Telecom Service Providers (TSPs) and Internet Service Providers (ISPs) within ± 20 ns.
- This initiative helps India in multiple ways:
- Reducing the reliance on GPS by transitioning to IRNSS/NavIC
- Facilitating digital forensic analysis of transactions
- Enhancing network security
- Decreasing call drop incidents
- Synchronising all telecom services with one reference time source, IST, developed by CSIR-NPL.
- The synchronisation of telecom networks is a step towards enhancing national cyber security.
- Every bank transaction, stock market transaction, and information exchange is routed via TSPs and ISPs.
- The project epitomises the goal of “One nation One time”.
Source: PIB
Wildlife Conservation Challenges in Gujarat
Gujarat is home to a diverse array of wildlife spread across six state sanctuaries. However, serious lapses have been identified in conservation efforts by the Comptroller Auditor General of India (CAG).
Sanctuary Details
- Six sanctuaries exist in Gujarat – Balaram Ambaji, Jessore, Jambughoda, Ratanmahal, Shoolpaneshwar, and Purna.
- These sanctuaries provide safe habitats for species like sloth bears, leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, wolves, and various birds, among others.
- Ratanmahal sanctuary notably hosts sloth bears, making it an important bear conservation site.
Also Read | Inclusive Conservation Initiatives
Identified Issues
- The Gujarat Bear Conservation and Welfare Action Plan lacks provisions for monitoring bear populations.
- Ecotourism plans have not been created and regulation transparency for pilgrimage areas like Kedarnatha is lacking.
- No corridor management plan existed for the Chhota Udepur Forest Division between 2017-18 and 2026-27, despite approval in January 2018.
- The National Forest Commission Report, 2006 mandated each state to devise a sustainable forest management policy.
- However, as of November 2022, Gujarat still hadn’t prepared such a policy, despite a negative state civil audit report from March 2009.
Source: Down To Earth
Global Biodiversity Fund Ready for Action
During the 78th session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, a high-level event called “Nature and People: From Ambition to Action” took place. At this event, the government of Germany made a significant commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) by pledging 40 million euros. This generous contribution demonstrates Germany’s dedication to supporting global biodiversity initiatives.
- The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) is now ready to start operations.
- The fund is essential for executing the objectives of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- The GBFF received official approval in August at the Global Environment Facility Assembly.
- To be operational, the fund needed $200 million from at least three donors by December 2023.
- Canada and the UK had already pledged, leaving a gap of $40 million.
- Germany filled this gap with a contribution of 40 million euros via its International Climate Initiative.
- This fund will play a pivotal role in advancing the overarching objective of the Kumming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework: to effectively halt and reverse the alarming decline of biodiversity by 2030.
- An estimated $200 billion per year is required to achieve this goal.
Also Read | Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021
- The Small Island Developing States (SIDS) Ecosystem Restoration Flagship project, announced at a high-level event, aims to restore an additional 114,900 hectares of marine ecosystems in Comoros, St Lucia, and Vanuatu.
- The Community Land Rights and Conservation Finance Initiative (CLARIFI), a finance mechanism led by indigenous communities, has secured a substantial funding of 5 million euros from the German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
Source: Down To Earth