THE NILGIRIS AS A SHARED WILDERNESS TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU The Nilgiri Biosphere, India’s first UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve, spans over 5,500 square kilometres across Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. It is home to rare and endemic flora and fauna, including the Nilgiri tahr, the star-eyed bush frog, and medicinal plants used by indigenous communities.
ISRO AND DBT COLLABORATION FOR SPACE EXPERIMENTS The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) recently signed an agreement to develop and conduct scientific experiments for the upcoming Bharatiya Antariksh Station (BAS). Planned for completion between 2028 and 2035, BAS will be India's own space station, fostering advancements in space technology
MANGROVES Cyclone Dana’s recent landfall near Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha highlighted the critical importance of mangrove forests in mitigating cyclone damage. Thanks to the extensive mangrove coverage in Bhitarkanika, the cyclone caused less destruction than expected. This resilience is a testament to the protective role mangroves play against natural disasters. What
INDIA'S PATH TO ECONOMIC TRANSFORMATION TOPIC: (GS3) INDIAN ECONOMY: THE HINDU China, an autocracy, has seen notable wage growth despite limited returns for shareholders. Conversely, India, a democracy, has enjoyed high shareholder returns alongside weaker wage growth. This divergence underlines the distinct paths these countries have taken toward economic growth, underscoring India's struggle with “employed
WMO’S GREENHOUSE GAS (GHG) BULLETIN 2023 The World Meteorological Organization (WMO) recently released its annual Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Bulletin for 2023, detailing the latest analysis on GHG levels from its Global Atmosphere Watch (GAW) program. This report highlights the ongoing rise in GHG concentrations, underlining the urgent need for effective climate action. Greenhouse Gases (GHGs)
WHAT ARE THE KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM COP-16? The 16th Conference of Parties (COP 16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) took place in Cali, Colombia, and brought forward essential steps in global biodiversity conservation. At this conference, India launched its updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
NCST CHALLENGES NTCA’S ADVISORY ON VILLAGE RELOCATION IN TIGER RESERVES TOPIC: (GS3) ENVIRONMENT: THE HINDU The National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) has expressed serious concerns regarding a recent directive issued by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). This advisory advises state forest departments to begin the process of relocating villages from tiger reserves. NCST’s
ASIA-PACIFIC CLIMATE REPORT 2024 The Asian Development Bank (ADB) has published its Asia–Pacific Climate Report 2024, focusing on the economic effects of climate change in the Asia-Pacific region. The report highlights severe risks to regional GDP, labor productivity, and ecosystems if greenhouse gas emissions remain high. It also emphasizes the urgent need for climate action,
CLIMATE ADAPTATION AND MITIGATION With climate change intensifying and temperatures rising, it’s essential to focus on both climate adaptation and mitigation. Adaptation involves adjusting to climate impacts, while mitigation aims to reduce emissions. Both are crucial for protecting ecosystems, economies, and communities worldwide. What is Climate Adaptation and Mitigation? Climate Adaptation: Refers to making adjustments
SUPREME COURT RULING ON PRIVATE PROPERTY AND REDISTRIBUTION TOPIC: (GS2) POLITY: INDIAN EXPRESS The Supreme Court of India, in a landmark decision by a nine-judge bench, clarified the scope of Article 39(b) of the Constitution, which deals with the distribution of resources for the common good. The bench disagreed with earlier judgments that allowed the
COAL INDIA LIMITED (CIL) Coal India Limited (CIL) is a central government-owned company that plays a critical role in India's coal mining and production sector. Established to manage and produce coal, CIL has grown to be the world's largest coal producer, fulfilling a vital need in the country's energy infrastructure. Key Facts about Coal India
UNPAID WORK AND ITS ECONOMIC SIGNIFICANCE Unpaid work, especially performed by women, is a crucial yet often overlooked contributor to the economy. It involves essential tasks that support households and communities but are not compensated financially. This type of labor, though vital to societal functioning, often remains invisible in economic assessments and policy discussions. Recently,
