State PCS - Rajasthan (RAS)

• 23 May 2025

Development Projects in Rajasthan

Why in News? 

The Prime Minister of India inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth over Rs 26,000 crore in Rajasthan.

Key Points 

Highlights of the Development Projects 

• Focus on Rail Infrastructure: 
  • The PM inaugurated the redeveloped Deshnoke Railway Station under the Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and flagged off the Bikaner–Mumbai express train. 
    • It is part of the 103 Amrit Stations planned for redevelopment across 86 districts in 18 states and Union Territories, with a total expenditure of over Rs 1,100 crore under the ABSS. 
  • These stations integrate modern passenger amenities, improved accessibility, including Divyangjan-friendly facilities, and  regionally inspired architecture. 
  • He also dedicated six newly electrified rail lines in Rajasthan and laid the foundation stone for the Churu–Sadulpur rail line, part of a nearly 1,000 km electrification drive to support 100% railway electrification, enhance efficiency, and cut emissions. 
  • The modernised railway stations reflect local art, culture, and historical heritage, turning them into vibrant symbols of regional identity. 
    • Rajasthan’s Mandalgarh station captures the grandeur of Rajput traditions, showcasing regional pride through architectural design.

Redeveloped Stations of Other States: 

• Bihar’s Thawe station celebrates the spiritual legacy of Maa Thawewali and features traditional Madhubani artwork, blending devotion with folk artistry. 
• Orchha railway station in Madhya Pradesh radiates the divine essence of Lord Ram, reinforcing the region’s spiritual heritage. 
• The design of a Tiruvannamalai station in Tamil Nadu draws inspiration from Dravidian architecture, reflecting South India’s classical temple styles. 
• Gujarat’s Dakor station pays tribute to Ranchhodrai ji, embodying the deep religious devotion of the area. 
• In Telangana, the Begumpet station preserves the architectural legacy of the Kakatiya dynasty, highlighting the state’s royal past.

• Expansion of Road Infrastructure: 
  • The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone for three vehicle underpasses and several national highway upgrades. 
  • He dedicated seven key road projects worth over Rs 4,850 crore aimed at improving connectivity to the Indo-Pak border,  enhancing civilian mobility, and strengthening national security. 
• Push for Renewable Energy and Power Transmission: 
  • PM inaugurated and launched multiple renewable energy projects, including large-scale solar initiatives in Bikaner and Didwana Kuchaman. 
  • Projects under PowerGrid Mewar and Sirohi Transmission Ltd will expand transmission capacity and support clean energy evacuation. 
  • These initiatives will contribute significantly to India’s climate goals by promoting sustainable energy infrastructure. 
• Medical Infrastructure & Water Supply: 
  • Nursing colleges in Rajsamand, Pratapgarh, Bhilwara, and Dholpur were inaugurated to strengthen medical education and local healthcare capacity. 
  • The Rural Water Supply and Fluorosis Mitigation Project in Jhunjhunu, along with the urban water supply upgrades in seven towns of Pali district under AMRUT 2.0, aim to enhance access to safe and sustainable drinking water in both rural and urban areas. 

Amrit Bharat Stations Scheme (ABSS) 

• About: 
  • The Amrit Bharat Station Scheme aims to redevelop 1309 stations nationwide. 
  • The redevelopment will provide modern passenger amenities along with ensuring well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal integration, and signage for the guidance of passengers. 
  • The Scheme was launched in February 2023 by the Ministry of Railways. 
• Integrated Approach to Urban Development: 
  • The redevelopment is planned with a holistic approach to urban development, treating the stations as "City Centres." 
  • This approach aims to integrate both sides of the city and create well-designed traffic circulation, inter-modal connectivity, and clear signage for passengers' guidance.

AMRUT 2.0 Scheme 

• The scheme was launched on 1st October 2021, subsuming AMRUT 1.0 for the period of 5 years i.e. from the financial year (FY) 2021-22 to the FY 2025-26. 
• Its objectives are universal coverage of water supply from 500 cities to about 4,900 statutory towns in the country and coverage of sewerage/septage management in 500 cities covered in the first phase of the AMRUT scheme. 
• AMRUT 2.0 aims to promote the circular economy of water through the development of a City Water Balance Plan (CWBP) by recycling/reuse of treated sewage, rejuvenation of water bodies and water conservation. 
• The mission also includes a reform agenda to improve the ease of living for citizens through the reduction of non-revenue water, better urban planning, strengthening urban finance, and more. 
• Other components of AMRUT 2.0: 
  • Pey Jal Survekshan to ascertain equitable distribution of water, reuse of wastewater, mapping of water bodies and promote healthy competition among the cities /towns. 
  • Technology Sub-Mission for Water to leverage the latest global technologies in the field of water. 
  • Information, Education and Communication (IEC) campaign to spread awareness among the masses about the conservation of water.

International Day for Biological Diversity 2025

Why in News? 

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), along with the National Biodiversity Authority, Rajasthan Forest Department, and Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board, hosted a national-level event to mark the International Day for Biological Diversity 2025 (22nd May) in Udaipur, Rajasthan. 

Note: India ranks among the 17 mega-diverse countries, covering a land area of 329 million hectares and hosting over 100,000 animal species and 55,000 plant species. 

Key Points 

International Day for Biodiversity (IDB) 

• It is observed annually on 22nd May to raise awareness about the importance of conserving biological diversity worldwide. 
  • The Convention on Biological Diversity was adopted on this date in 1992 by the United Nations. 
• The theme for 2025 is ‘Harmony with Nature and Sustainable Development’. 
• In 2000, the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) officially proclaimed 22nd May as IDB. 
  • UNCBD is a legally binding treaty to conserve biodiversity. 
  • India is a party to the convention and enacted the Biological Diversity Act, 2002. 
• The UNGA designated the years 2011-2020 as the United Nations Decade on Biodiversity, aiming to advance the implementation of a strategic plan for biodiversity. 

Highlights of the Event 

• Launch of National Campaign:  
  • A fortnight-long campaign on ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, as part of the lead-up to the World Environment Day 2025 (5th June) was inaugurated. 
  • The campaign aims to intensify public engagement and policy discourse on plastic waste elimination. 
  • An exhibition on Biodiversity and Bioresources, showcasing India’s indigenous biodiversity, medicinal plants, traditional crop varieties, and conservation innovations was also inaugurated. 
• India’s Global Commitment to Biodiversity Conservation: 
  • India’s proactive role in advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), highlighted during the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2024. 
  • India demonstrated its leadership in Biodiversity Conservation by: 
    • Submitting Updated National Biodiversity Targets (September 2024) 
    • Releasing a revised National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) on 30th October, 2024. 
    • India’s conservation achievements include: 
      • Expansion of protected wetlands with 89 Ramsar sites covering 1.35 million hectares. 
      • 49 Biodiversity Heritage Sites notified under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002 
  • The success of the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign, launched on World Environment Day 2024, which led to 142 crore trees planted globally, involving citizens in environmental stewardship was highlighted during the event. 
• Resources and Publications Released during the Event: 
  • Updated NBSAP 2024–2030 
  • India’s Seventh National Report (NR7) to the CBD 
  • Compendium on India’s Biodiversity Heritage Sites 
  • Brochure on the 2025 Access and Benefit Sharing Regulations under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002

Ramsar Sites in Rajasthan 

• Keoladeo National Park (Bharatpur), a globally recognised wetland and bird sanctuary, also known as the Bharatpur Bird Sanctuary.  
• Sambhar Lake, located across the Jaipur, Ajmer, and Nagaur districts, is India’s largest inland saline lake and an internationally recognised Ramsar site. 
  • Designated in 1990, the lake holds ecological significance for its unique biodiversity, serving as a vital wintering habitat for migratory birds—including flamingos, pelicans, and several other species. 

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) 

• The Kunming-Montreal GBF was adopted during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity in December 2022. 
  • It aims to support the achievement of sustainable development goals and build on previous strategic plans. 
  • The framework sets four goals for 2050 and 23 targets for 2030, covering planning, monitoring, reporting, finance, and capacity development. 
    • Target 3 of the GBF aims to increase protected areas to at least 30% of the world’s terrestrial area by 2030, compared to the current 16%. 
• It ensures that by 2030 at least 30% of areas of degraded terrestrial, inland water, and marine and coastal ecosystems are under effective restoration. 

India’s Initiatives Related to Biodiversity Conservation 

• India Business & Biodiversity Initiative (IBBI) 
• Wetland (Conservation and Management) Rules 2010 
• National Plan for Conservation of Aquatic Ecosystem 
• Wildlife Crime Control Bureau 
• Biological Diversity Act, 2002