.png)
.jpg)
.png)
.jpg)
PCS ParikshanRajasthan Switch to Hindi
Rajasthan’s Bamanwas Kankar Becomes First Fully Organic Panchayat
Why in News?
The Bamanwas Kankar Panchayat in Kotputli‑Behror district, Rajasthan has become the first fully organic-certified panchayat in the State and also in North-West India.
Key Points
- Certified by: The certification was facilitated by COFED (Cofarmin Federation of Organic Societies and Producer Companies).
- COFED provided technical and market support to ensure compliance with organic norms.
- Panchayat was certified as fully organic under the National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP) standards.
- Community-Driven Initiative: The transition to chemical-free farming was driven by local residents, especially women farmers, due to soil degradation, groundwater issues, and health concerns from chemicals.
- Pledge for Chemical-Free Farming: Farmers took an oath to avoid synthetic fertilisers and chemical pesticides.
- Model for Sustainable Development: The panchayat integrates organic agriculture, livestock management, and environmental protection, serving as a replicable rural development model.
| Read More: National Programme for Organic Production (NPOP), organic agriculture, environmental protection. |
National Current Affairs Switch to Hindi
Kerala Renames Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary as Butterfly Sanctuary
Why in News?
The Kerala government has officially renamed the Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kannur district as the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary.
Key Points
- Notification: The renaming was officially notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- Reason: Due to the presence of rich abundance and diversity of butterfly species in the region and the need to protect and propagate their natural habitat.
- Butterfly Diversity: Aralam hosts about 266 butterfly species, representing over 80% of Kerala’s total butterfly diversity.
- Endemic Species: 27 species in Aralam are endemic to the Western Ghats.
- WP Act Protection: Six butterfly species recorded at Aralam are listed in Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Historical Status: The Aralam area was originally declared as a wildlife sanctuary in 1984.
- Global Significance: The sanctuary holds global ecological importance, as part of the Western Ghats, which is recognised as a World Natural Heritage site by UNESCO.
- Social and Environmental Impact: The renamed sanctuary is expected to strengthen biodiversity conservation, promote environmental education, ecotourism, and generate community engagement in protecting butterfly populations.
| Read More: Wildlife (Protection) Act, IUCN Red List, UNESCO |
