• 18 Jul 2025

Rajasthan Deforestation

Why in News?

The Rajasthan High Court has taken suo motu cognizance and temporarily halted the state government's action to cut thousands of trees in Jaipur’s Dol Ka Badh forest and Baran’s Shahabad Conservation Reserve for commercial projects. 

• The government action directly contradicts the state’s green commitments and the ongoing ‘Hariyalo Rajasthan’ tree-planting campaign.

Key Points 

• Dol Ka Badh Forest: 
  • About: It is a rare 100-acre green patch in south Jaipur with ~2,500 trees, including sacred Khejri trees. 
  • Habitat for over 80 bird species, helps in temperature regulation and groundwater recharge. 
  • It acts as Jaipur’s vital “Green Lung” amid rising pollution and urban sprawl. 
  • Reason for Deforestation: Proposed construction of Prime Minister’s Unity Mall and commercial blocks on this forest land. 
  • Public Response: Demand for declaring the area a biodiversity park. 
• Shahabad Conservation Reserve: 
  • About: The area is one of Rajasthan’s densest forests located in Baran, forming a crucial wildlife corridor linking Kuno National Park (MP) and Mukundra Hills and Ranthambore (Rajasthan) 
  • Concern: The corridor is vital for the movement and genetic diversity of tigers and cheetahs, and any disruption could threaten the success of the Cheetah Reintroduction Project. 
  • Reason for Deforestation: Over 1.19 lakh trees marked for felling for a private power plant.

Kuno National Park

• Location: Madhya Pradesh and is a part of the larger Kuno Wildlife Division. 
• Ecological Significance: Kuno hosts distinctive Kardhai, Khair, and Salai forests with expansive grasslands, and the humidity-sensitive Kardhai tree reflects the park’s resilience. 
  • The Kuno River ensures year-round water supply, sustaining the forest ecosystem. 
• Wildlife Importance: It is a major site for cheetah and lion reintroduction efforts. 
• Conservation Implication: Plays a critical role in the African Cheetah reintroduction project launched by PM Modi.

Mukundra Tiger Reserve 

• Location: Southeastern Rajasthan, about 50 km from Kota, situated on the eastern bank of the Chambal River. 
• Historical Significance: Formerly known as Darrah Wildlife Sanctuary, it served as the royal hunting ground of the Maharaja of Kota. 
• Protected Status: Declared Mukundra Hills National Park in 2004, covering around 200 sq. km. It includes Darrah, Chambal, and Jaswant Sagar Wildlife Sanctuaries. 
• Tiger Reserve Status: Notified as Rajasthan’s third tiger reserve in 2013 after approval from the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). 
• Ecological Role: The presence of the Chambal River and its tributaries supports habitat diversity and water security in the reserve. 
• Wildlife Importance: Currently home to four tigers relocated from Ranthambore, supporting tiger population expansion and landscape-level conservation. 

Ranthambore National Park 

• Location: Located in the Sawai Madhopur district of southeastern Rajasthan, approximately 130 km from Jaipur. 
• Ecological Significance: One of the largest and most renowned national parks in Northern India, known for its rich biodiversity and scenic landscapes. 
• Historical Background: Formerly a royal hunting ground of the Maharajas of Jaipur, it now stands as a prominent wildlife conservation area. 
• Wildlife Attraction: A key destination for spotting the Royal Bengal Tiger, attracting wildlife photographers and nature enthusiasts from across the world. 
• Tourism Value: Ranthambore's blend of heritage, forest terrain, and wildlife makes it a major draw for eco-tourism and heritage tourism alike.

Uttar Pradesh Revives 50 Rivers

The Uttar Pradesh government has successfully rejuvenated 50 rivers spanning 3,363 km through a collaborative effort involving state initiatives and local participation.

Key Points 

• About the Project: The initiative was implemented across 1,011 gram panchayats in rural areas. 
  • The efforts were driven by the Namami Gange programme and sustained through the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA). 
• Impact: 
  • Environmental and Agricultural: The restoration of rivers and construction of 3,388 ponds in rural areas enhanced groundwater levels and water storage capacity,  
    • It will reduce water scarcity and support agriculture and livestock needs for local farmers. 
  • Sustainability and Soil Conservation: The government planted along riverbank sites to prevent erosion and reinforce embankments, and identified new projects for river restoration and watershed development. 
  • Socio-Cultural and Employment Benefits: River revival efforts have restored cultural sites, boosted water conservation awareness, encouraged community participation, and generated rural jobs through MNREGA, aiding local development. 

Namami Gange Programme 

• Launched: It was launched in  2014–15 as a flagship integrated conservation mission by the Government of India. 
• Objective: Twin goals of pollution abatement and rejuvenation of River Ganga and its tributaries. Focus on restoring "Nirmal Dhara" (unpolluted flow) and "Aviral Dhara" (continuous flow). 
• Coverage: The Ganga Basin spans 11 states, covering 27% of India's land area and supporting 47% of the population. 
• Key Components: 
  • Nirmal Ganga: Pollution control via sewage treatment and waste management. 
  • Aviral Ganga: Ecological flow restoration and afforestation. 
  • Jan Ganga: Community awareness and engagement. 
  • Gyan Ganga: Research, policy support, and river basin planning. 
• Recent Initiatives: 
  • New STPs and drain interception in Varanasi and Bhadohi (over ₹400 crore investment). 
  • Development of biodiversity parks in 7 districts and priority wetlands in 3 states including UP. 
  • Launch of a national framework for safe reuse of treated water.

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MNREGA) 

• It was passed in 2005 and is a rights-based employment guarantee scheme aimed at rural livelihood security. 
• Core Objective: To provide 100 days of guaranteed wage employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members are willing to do unskilled manual work. 
• Key Features: 
  • Eligibility: Indian citizen, 18 years or older, part of a rural household, and willing to engage in unskilled manual work. 
  • Decentralized Planning: Planning and implementation are entrusted to Gram Sabhas and Panchayati Raj Institutions, ensuring grassroots participation. 
  • Unemployment Allowance: If work is not provided within 15 days of application, a compensation (¼ wage for first 30 days, ½ thereafter) must be paid. 
  • Worksite Norms: Employment must be within a 5 km radius; basic facilities such as drinking water, shade, and first aid must be ensured. 
  • Time-bound Payments: Wages must be paid weekly and within 15 days, else compensation is applicable. 

Kaushal Mela 2025

Why in News? 

The city of Lucknow hosted the Kaushal Mela 2025 on the occasion of World Youth Skills Day at Indira Gandhi Pratishthan. 

• It focuses on promoting vocational training, skill development, and self-reliance among the youth of Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points 

• Uttar Pradesh Government’s Skilling Initiative: 
  • Uttar Pradesh Skill Development Mission (UPSDM):  
    • Target Group: The mission provides free, employment-oriented training for youths aged 14 to 35. 
    • Objective: The state government aims to create employment opportunities based on skills. 
    • Annual Training: Every year, 3 lakh youths are trained across more than 2,800 training centers. 
    • Total Training: As of March 2025, 14,13,716 youths have been trained since the mission's inception in FY 2017-18. 
    • Employment Facilitation: The mission has successfully facilitated employment for 5,66,483 youths. 
    • Partnerships: The mission has partnered with 24 major industrial establishments as training providers and 8 placement agencies to boost job opportunities. 
    • It is India’s first integrated model that runs five Central Government and one State Government skill development schemes in a standardized and coordinated manner. 
      • Skill Development Initiative (SDI): A GoI-funded scheme by the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship, offering MES courses to youth aged 14–35 from all categories with a focus on 30% women and 75% placement. 
      • Special Central Assistance to Scheduled-Caste Sub-Plan: A Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment scheme targeting SC youth (14–35 years), offering MES and QP-NOS courses with 30% women participation, fully funded by GoI. 
      • Multi-Sectoral Development Programme (MSDP): Run by the Ministry of Minority Affairs, this GoI-funded scheme provides MES training to minority youth in selected districts of UP, ensuring 33% women participation and 75% placement. 
      • Border Area Development Programme (BADP): A Home Ministry scheme for youth in border areas (19 blocks) of UP, offering MES and QP-NOS training with 50% women participation, fully funded by GoI. 
      • Building & Other Construction Workers’ Scheme (BOCW): A GoUP-funded scheme offering MES and QP-NOS training to registered construction workers and their families aged 14–50 years. 
      • State Skill Development Fund (SSDF): A UP state top-up fund providing MES and QP-NOS training to youth aged 14–35, targeting 20% minorities and 30% women, with a 60% placement goal. 
• A State Skill Development Fund (SSDF) has been instituted to provide top-up funding and ensure effective scheme integration. 
  • According to common minimum norms, 70% placement of certified candidates is mandatory, with wage employment forming at least 50%.‘ 

ITI Chalo Abhiyan 

• It was launched on 12th May 2025, to increase admissions in ITIs across Uttar Pradesh. 
• It aims to strengthen technical education and enhance employability among youth, aligned with Make in India and Digital India. 
• Implemented through coordinated efforts of District Magistrates, school authorities, and village heads. 
• 149 Government ITIs have partnered with Tata Technologies to offer 11 industry-aligned long-term courses. 
• The mission raises awareness in schools and rural areas, bridging the education-employment gap to make UP a skill development hub.

Indore Tops Swachh Rankings 2024-25 Again

Why in News? 

Madhya Pradesh has excelled in the Swachh Survekshan 2024–25, with Indore being declared the cleanest city in India for the eighth consecutive year.  

Key Points 

• Top Performers from Madhya Pradesh: 
  • Indore: It has been upgraded to the ‘Super Swachh League Cities’ category for outstanding performance. 
    • Ranked top among cities in this new elite category, which will be ranked separately from next year. 
  • Bhopal: Ranked 2nd cleanest city among million-plus population cities. 
    • Improved from previous years and now only trails Ahmedabad in this category. 
  • Jabalpur: Achieved 5th position nationally, its first time in the top five. 
    • Received a seven-star rating and was recognized as a water surplus city. 
  • Ujjain: It is recognized in medium-sized cities and entered the Super Swachh League Cities category in the 3–10 lakh population group. 
  • Katni: Ranked 8th in the country in the overall Swachh Survekshan 2024–25. 
  • Statewide Coverage in Urban Cleanliness: 
    • Assessment covered 383 Urban Local Bodies, an increase from 378 previously. 
  • Awards and Recognition: 
    • Madhya Pradesh won eight national awards in 2025, up from six in 2023–24. 
    • Cities like Shahganj, Nagri, and Nayagaon also earned high rankings, indicating state-wide impact. 
• Super Swachh League Cities: 
  • A new category introduced to rank top-tier performers separately. 

Swachh Survekshan Survey 

• Launched: It was launched in 2016 with 73 cities, the survey has grown exponentially, covering 4,589 cities in the 2024–25 edition. 
• Objective: Aims to promote citizen participation and generate awareness about cleanliness. 
  • Encourages cities to compete in improving urban sanitation, solid waste management, and public hygiene. 
• Conducting Authority: Implemented under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Urban) by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).

Bhopal Lakes' Water Unfit for Drinking

Why in News? 

The Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) has reported that water in several lakes of Bhopal, famously known as the City of Lakes, is contaminated. 

Key Points 

• Water Quality Assessment by MPPCB: 
  • The MPPCB conducted a water quality analysis of major lakes in Bhopal over a four-month period from January to April. 
  • The lakes were categorized into different water quality classes ranging from A to C, based on pollution levels and potential usage. 
    • Class A: Fit for drinking without conventional treatment (only disinfection). 
    • Class B: Fit for outdoor bathing. 
    • Class C: Drinking water source only after conventional treatment and disinfection. 
• Status of Major Lakes in Bhopal: 
  • Upper Lake: It is a major source of drinking water for Bhopal, was found to be consistently in Class B category. 
    • The Class B rating indicates that water is suitable only for outdoor bathing, not direct consumption. 
  • Lower Lake: The Lower Lake was found to be more polluted than the Upper Lake and was consistently rated as Class C. 
    • Water requires full treatment and disinfection before it can be used for drinking 
  • Shahpura Lake: Shahpura Lake remained in Class C throughout the January to April assessment period. 
    • The consistent pollution levels make the lake water unfit for direct use and require full treatment before consumption. 
  • Hataikheda Dam: The water quality of Hataikheda Dam was also classified under Class C during all four months. 
    • The water here is not fit for drinking without proper treatment. 
    • It is constructed on the Kolar River. 
  • Kaliyasoat Dam: It is constructed on the Kaliasot River in Bhopal. It was rated in Class A for the months of March and April, and Class B for January and February. 
    • The water was clean enough for drinking with minimal treatment during part of the assessment period. 
  • Kerwa Dam: It showed similar trends, being rated as Class A in March and April and Class B in January and February. 
    • It was constructed on Kerwa river near Bhopal city. 
• Key Pollution Indicators: 
  • Presence of Total Coliform Bacteria: Found to be above designated limits in multiple lakes. It indicates contamination from human excreta. 
  • Sewage Inflow: Untreated sewage entering lakes is a major contributor to the contamination. 

Madhya Pradesh Pollution Control Board (MPPCB) 

• It is responsible for preventing pollution and protecting the environment in the state. 
• It implements key environmental legislations including: 
  • The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974 
  • The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981 
  • Selected provisions of the Environment Protection Act, 1986 
  • The Public Liability Insurance Act, 1991 
  • The Madhya Pradesh Jaiv Anaashya Apashista (Niyantran) Act and Rules 
• The main objective of the Board is to maintain clean and usable air, water, and soil for various purposes. 
  • To achieve this, the Board operates 14 Regional Offices and 3 District Offices across the state.

Poshan App Glitches Disrupt Registrations in Haryana

Why in News? 

Glitches in the Centre's Poshan Tracker app are obstructing beneficiary registrations in Haryana, particularly in rural areas such as Rohtak. 

• This has disrupted the delivery of dietary and nutritional benefits under the Poshan Abhiyaan scheme. 

Key Points 

• About the Poshan Tracker App: It is an initiative of the Union Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at monitoring the implementation of Poshan Abhiyaan. 
  • Since 1st July 2025, the Ministry has mandated that all beneficiaries be registered on the app using facial recognition and Aadhaar-based e-KYC.  
  • Additionally, children must be registered through the Aadhaar details of their parents or guardians. 
• About the Poshan Abhiyaan: It was launched in 2018 at Jhunjhunu district of Rajasthan. 
  • It is the flagship programme of the Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at improving nutritional outcomes. 
  • Implementation in Haryana: 
    • Poshan Abhiyaan is being implemented in all districts of Haryana. 
    • Phase I: The districts of Nuh and Panipat were selected. 
    • Phase II: Included 10 districts such as Gurugram, Rohtak, Sonipat, Sirsa, and Karnal. 
    • Phase III: The remaining districts were covered under   
  • Objectives: The mission aims to prevent and reduce stunting and underweight prevalence among children aged 0–6 years. 
    • It is while targeting a reduction in anemia among children (6–59 months), women, and adolescent girls aged 15–49 years, along with lowering the incidence of low birth weight. 
  • Key Components: 
    • Growth Monitoring Devices have been supplied to all Anganwadi Centres to track child development. 
    • Smartphones and power banks have been distributed to Anganwadi workers and supervisors for field-level data entry and reporting. 
  • Community Behavioural Activities: 
    • Community-Based Events (CBEs) are organized on the 8th and 22nd of every month at Anganwadi Centres with themes such as Annaprashan Diwas and Suposhan Diwas. 
    • Village Health, Sanitation and Nutrition Days (VHSNDs) are held on the 15th of each month in convergence with the Health Department, focusing on immunization and health checkups. 
    • Poshan Pakhwada is celebrated annually in March, and Poshan Maah is celebrated in September to raise awareness on nutrition through campaigns, rallies, and community events. 

State-Level Schemes under Mission Poshan 2.0 (Haryana) 

• Under the Mukhya Mantri Dudh Uphaar Yojana, children are provided 200 ml of fortified skimmed milk (with Vitamins A and D3) for six days a week at Anganwadi Centres. 
• A millet-based recipe book has been launched to promote nutritious traditional foods, with Anganwadi workers conducting cooking demonstrations. 
• The Women and Child Development Department has partnered with the UN World Food Programme to promote food fortification and strengthen the Supplementary Nutrition Programme. 
• Haryana celebrates Poshan Jagriti Maah and Pakhwada, during which over 20 lakh nutrition awareness activities are conducted. 
• These activities include Annaprashan ceremonies, growth monitoring drives, yoga sessions, and identification and referral of SAM (Severely Acute Malnourished) children.