CURRENT AFFAIRS : TULSI AND ASHVAGANDHA TO PURIFY HYDERABAD LAKE: Floating treatment wetland’ uses hydroponics for clean-up

THE NEW BIO -TECH: Plants on ‘floating treatment wetland’ clean the lake by absorbing nitrates in the water.

‘WHICH LAKE ? Neknampur Lake in Hyderabad city. WHEN THIS PLAN WAS INAUGURATED ? Inaugurated on February 2, World Wetlands Day.

HOW FTW IS BUILT ? Based on the soil-less hydroponics technique, the FTW comprises four layers. • Floatable bamboo forms its base, over which styrofoam cubicles are placed. • The third layer consists of gunny bags. • The final layer is of gravel. “Hydroponics permits plants to grow only on sunlight and water. • There is no need of soil.

WHAT ARE THE PLANS USED ? Cleaning agents planted on the FTW include vetivers, canna, cattalis, bulrush, citronella, hibiscus, fountain grass, flowering herbs, tulsi and ashvagandha.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : DUST MITIGATION PLAN MUST FOR FIRMS

IDEA TO CURB DELHI POLLUTION : The Environment Ministry has made it mandatory for companies seeking environment clearance to ensure that they put in place a dust mitigation plan.

OTHER RULES :

• The roads leading to or at construction sites must be paved and black-topped. • No loose soil, sand, construction waste could be left uncovered. • A water sprinkling system was mandatory, and the measures taken should be prominently displayed at the construction site.

WHO DEVELOPED THIS PLAN ? Central Pollution Control Board as part of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) developed it.

CURRENT AFFAIRS : THE NATIONAL MEDICAL COMMISSION BILL, 2017: SOURSE : PRS INDIA The Bill seeks to repeal the Indian Medical Council Act, 1956 and provide for various issues among which contentious are

ENTRANCE EXAMINATIONS: There will be a uniform National Eligibility-cum-Entrance Test for admission .

THE NEW EXIT EXAM : There will be a National Licentiate Examination for the students graduating from medical institutions to obtain the license for practice