1. Community, individual rights accorded to tribal settlements in Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
Tags: State News
Community, individual rights accorded to tribal settlements in Anamalai Tiger Reserve.
Why in the news?
- Coimbatore District Collector Kranthi Kumar Pati on Friday accorded community forest rights under theForest Rights Act, 2006, tothree tribal settlements in the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR).
About Anamalai Tiger Reserve:
- It is a protected area located at an altitude of 1400 m in theAnamalai Hills of Pollachi and Coimbatore District of Tamil Nadu.
- It lies south of the Palakkad gap in the Southern Western Ghats.
- It is surrounded by the Parambikulum Tiger Reserve on the east, Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary, and Eravikulum National Park on the southwestern side.
- The reserve is also surrounded by the Nenmara, Vazhachal, Malayattur, and Marayur reserved forests of Kerala.
- It was declared atiger reserve in the year 2007.
2. HUDCO has launched the "Uphaar milk program" Scheme in Chhattisgarh.
Tags: State News
HUDCO has launched the "Uphaar milk program" Scheme in Chhattisgarh.
Why in the news?
- Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited (HUDCO), a Navratna CPSE, has taken a pivotal step toward addressing child malnutrition by launching a Milk Scheme inChhattisgarh’s Rajnandgaon, Bilaspur, and Mungeli districts.
Key points:
- The scheme was officially inaugurated on November 30, 2024, by Shri Tokhan Sahu, Honorable Minister of State, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, at Government School Sendiri, where nutritious milk was distributed to students.
- The initiative will benefit approximately 8,000 students from 28 schools in Rajnandgaon, 43 schools in Bilaspur, and 27 schools in Mungeli for one year.
- Special focus has been given to tribal areas and girls’ schools to ensure maximum impact.
- As part of itsCorporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative, the scheme aims to enhance children’s nutrition and health.
3. Uttar Pradesh declares Maha Kumbh area new district
Tags: State News
Uttar Pradesh declares Maha Kumbh area new district
Why in the news?
- The Uttar Pradesh government on Sunday declared the Maha Kumbh area a new district ahead of the 2025 Maha Kumbh Mela.
About new district:
- The new district will be known as Maha Kumbh Mela district. This will be 76th district of Uttar Pradesh.
- According to a notification, 66 villages of four tehsils – Sadar, Soraon, Phulpur and Karchana – and the entire parade area have been included in the new district which will remain till March 31, 2025.
About Maha Kumbh Mela:
- The Maha Kumbh Mela (festival of sacred pitcher) is anchored in Hindu mythology. It is the world's largest public gathering and collective act of faith.
- Kumbh Mela or Kumbha Mela is a major pilgrimage and festival in Hinduism On 4 February 2019, Kumbh Mela witnessed the largest peaceful public gathering of humans ever recorded.
- It is celebrated in a cycle of approximately 12 years, to celebrate every revolution Brihaspati ( Jupiter) completes, at four river-bank pilgrimage sites: Prayagraj(Ganges-Yamuna-Saraswati rivers confluence), Haridwar(Ganges), Nashik( Godavari), and Ujjain (Shipra).
- The festival is marked by a ritual dip in the waters, but it is also a celebration of community commerce with numerous fairs, education, religious discourses by saints, mass gatherings of monks, and entertainment.
- The seekers believe that bathing in these rivers is a means to prayascitta (atonement, penance, restorative action) for past mistakes, and that it cleanses them of their sins.
- The festival is traditionally credited to the 8th-century Hindu philosopher and saint Adi Shankara, as a part of his efforts to start major Hindu gatherings for philosophical discussions and debates along with Hindu monasteries across the Indian subcontinent.
Objective of creating new district:
- The U.P. government’s decision aims to facilitate better organisation and governance during the significant religious events.
4. Handigodu disease
Tags: State News
Handigodu disease
Why in the news?
- Health and family welfare minister of Karnataka,Dinesh Gundu Rao directed the health department officials to undertake a scientific study of Handigodu disease and present a detailed report on its control measures.
About Handigodu disease:
- Handigodu disease, a rare genetic condition affecting the nervous system, leads to muscle weakness, joint deformities, and skeletal abnormalities.
- The condition was initially discovered in 1978 in Handigodu village, Sagar taluk, Shivamogga district.
- Statistical data indicates that between 1978 and 1985, approximately 205 cases were documented, with nearly 100 fatalities reported.
- The minister issued strict directives against unauthorised practitioners offering allopathic treatments, ordering the immediate closure of their clinics.
- He additionally mandated free treatment and ambulance services at govt healthcare facilities.
- New ambulances have been provided to340 health centres in the state. Special physiotherapy centres will be opened in all district hospitals in the state.
5. Gwalior houses India's first modern, self-sufficient gaushala
Tags: State News
Gwalior houses India's first modern, self-sufficient gaushala
Why in news?
- Gwalior houses India's first modern, self-sufficient gaushala with a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant.
About the The CBG plant:
- The CBG plant is Gwalior's largest cowshed, Adarsh Gaushala, located in Laltipara, Gwalior.
- The Gaushala has achieved a landmark feat with the establishment of India's first modern, self-sufficient gaushala that houses a state-of-the-art Compressed Biogas (CBG) plant.
- According to the district authority, this ambitious project spread over 5 acres, has been developed in collaboration with the Indian Oil Corporation worth Rs 31 crores.
- The plant will generate two tons of compressed Biogas daily from 100 tons of cattle dung.
- Additionally, it produces 10-15 tons of dry bio-manure daily, a valuable by-product for organic farming. The plant is not only technologically advanced but also designed for long-term sustainability.
- The CBG plant at Laltipara Gaushala stands as a model of successful collaboration between society and government, setting a world-class benchmark in sustainable development.
- The plant produces 2-3 tons of Bio-CNG daily, providing a cleaner, eco-friendly alternative to fossil fuels and helping reduce carbon emissions.
Significance:
- By utilizing cow dung for energy, it helps curb carbon emissions, a potent greenhouse gas, making a valuable contribution to climate change mitigation.
- This initiative also creates employment opportunities for locals, boosting the economy while promoting skills in green energy and sustainable practices.
- Furthermore, local farmers will benefit directly from this project. With bio-manure readily available at affordable prices, farmers in nearby districts are encouraged to adopt organic farming practices.
6. Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launched e-khata
Tags: State News
Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launched e-khata
Why in the news?
- The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) launched e-khata, a digitally-processed khata issuance system for the citizens of the State capital.
What is e-khata?
- E-khata simply means electronically approved khata.
- Under this, the property owners have to first download the draft of e-khata from www.bbmpeAasthi.karnataka.gov.in.
- The draft of e-khata can be searched using the name of the property owner. After downloading the draft, the applicants should submit the required document.
- The system then electronically gives approval for the property owners to secure final e-khata. So far, more than 6 lakh drafts have been downloaded by the property owners.
Significance:
- Transition to Digital Format: e-Khata replaces the outdated paper-based Khata system, allowing for easier tracking and management of property records for over 21 lakh Khatas under BBMP. The switch to digital significantly simplifies the maintenance of property documentation.
- Enhancing Service Delivery: By digitizing records, the e-Khata system ensures faster, more efficient access to property-related services for residents, improving overall service delivery.
- Fraud Prevention: A major benefit of the e-Khata system is its ability to reduce the risk of fraudulent activities, such as illegal registrations or fake Khatas, by maintaining transparent and secure digital records.
- Eliminating Duplicate Registrations: e-Khata prevents multiple registrations for the same property, protecting the rights of legitimate property owners and reducing the risk of disputes.
- Mitigating Disputes: By providing clear, accessible records of property ownership, e-Khata helps minimize property disputes and fosters a more secure environment for property transactions.
7. NHRC takes suo-motu cognizance of the reported fire in the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh .
Tags: State News
Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh
Why in news?
- NHRC takes suo-motu cognizance of the reported fire in the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh resulting in the death of 10 babies.
What is matter?
- At least 10 newborn babies have died after a fire broke out in the Neo-natal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) of the Maharani Laxmibai Medical College in Jhansi district of Uttar Pradesh on 15.11.2024.
- Apart from these deaths, a total 16 babies sustained injuries while 37 were rescued.
- Reportedly, the police authorities have confirmed that the fire was caused by an electrical short circuit and the babies, who died, were in incubators at the time of the incident.
What is the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) ?
- The National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) of India is a statutory body that promotes and protects human rights in India:
- The NHRC was established on October 12, 1993, under the Protection of Human Rights Ordinance of 1993. The Protection of Human Rights Act (PHRA) of 1993 gave the NHRC a statutory basis.
- The NHRC's purpose is to promote human rights awareness and protect human rights, which include the rights to life, liberty, equality, and dignity.
- The NHRC also helps victims secure their human rights, including those granted by the constitution and international treaties.
Role of NHRC :
- The NHRC coordinates with other National Human Rights Institutes (NHRIs) around the world to promote human rights awareness.
- The NHRC also hosts delegations from UN bodies, other NHRIs, civil society, lawyers, and political and social activists.
8. In Assam, ‘comics commandos’ join fight against child labour
Tags: State News
Comics Commandos
Why in news?
- InAssam, ‘comics commandos’ join fight against child labour.
Role of comics commandos:
- Thirty youthslearn to campaign against social evils and rights violations through doodle storytelling infused with humour.
- The fight against child labour and child marriage,a new breed of warriors in Assam are named as comics commandos.
- An organization conducting an educational programme to reduce school dropout has prepared a team of 30 local youths in the Balijan block of western Assam’s Goalpara district.
9. Madhya Pradesh ups women quota in state services to 35%
Tags: State News
Madhya Pradesh ups women quota in state services to 35%
Why in news?
- The state cabinet has cleared a proposal to increase the reservation for women in all state government services from the current 33 per cent to 35 per cent.
Key features:
Other states having women reservation in government jobs 30%or more than 30%:
- In 2016, the government extended the 35% reservation for women to all government jobs in Bihar for which direct recruitment is made.
- At the stage of direct recruitment, 30 percent posts shall be reserved for women candidates in accordance with the provision of Chhattisgarh Civil Service (Special Provision for Appointment of Women) Rules, 1997.
10. Tripura's CM Manik Saha Launches CM-SATH Scheme
Tags: State News
Chief Minister Prof. (Dr.) Manik Saha officially launched the CM-SATH scheme at Agartala Town Hall to support meritorious students.
An Overview of the News
The scheme aims to provide financial assistance for higher education to students excelling in the Madhyamik and HS+2 exams.
200 students will benefit, with top 100 students from Madhyamik receiving assistance for two years, and another 100 higher secondary students for three years.
Beneficiaries will receive a monthly stipend of ₹25,000, with selections made by District Education Officers from various administrative regions.
Financial commitment: ₹1.2 crore in the first year, ₹22.4 crore in the second year, and ₹3 crore annually from the third year onwards.
Additional Educational Initiatives:
Super-30 Scheme: Provides financial aid to the top 30 Class X students for coaching in NEET and JEE, with an annual allocation of ₹25.3 lakh.
Centralised Question Paper System: Introduced for students in Classes III to VIII to standardize education.
Talent Search Programs: Implementation of the 'Tripura Science Talent Search Examination' and 'Math Talent Search Examination' to encourage scientific and mathematical aptitude in Class IX students.
Nipun Tripura Project: Focused on improving basic skills among Class III students.
Infrastructural Improvements:
Vidyajyoti Scheme: Launched in 2022 to improve educational standards, with 125 schools already benefiting.
Bicycle Distribution: Around 1 lakh girl students who passed Class IX have been provided with bicycles to aid their education.