Country's First Drone-Based Cloud Seeding Experiment | Rajasthan | 13 Aug 2025
Why in News?
The state agriculture department of Rajasthan launched the first-ever drone-based cloud seeding experiment to address the water crisis in the region and revive the Ramgarh Lake.
Key Points
- Objective: The experiment aims to trigger rainfall by dispersing specialized chemicals into rain clouds, potentially benefiting agricultural activities in the region.
- This 60-day pilot project aims to promote water droplet formation in clouds to tackle the area's water shortage, as part of a larger, ongoing effort to address regional water scarcity.
- Technology Used: The cloud seeding process is powered by an AI-driven platform called Hydro Trace, which uses real-time data, satellite imaging, and sensor networks to target the right clouds at the right time accurately.
- Approvals: The technology received approvals from multiple bodies, including the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), the India Meteorological Department, district authorities, and the agriculture department.
Cloud Seeding
- It is a weather modification technique that enhances precipitation by dispersing chemicals like silver iodide, potassium iodide, or dry ice into clouds, serving as nuclei for water droplet formation, leading to rainfall.
- It can help combat air pollution, especially during periods of high Air Quality Index (AQI) readings.
- Cloud seeding may increase water availability and result in economic, environmental, and human health benefits.
Lesser Florican Conservation Crisis | Rajasthan | 13 Aug 2025
Why in News?
The unchecked release of stray dogs from Nasirabad and Ajmer into the forested expanse of Arwar Conservation Reserve has emerged as a grave threat to the Lesser Florican.
Key Points
- Decline in Population: The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus), once common in Rajasthan’s monsoon grasslands, has experienced a catastrophic 97% decline.
- In the year 2025, only one male was spotted in the breeding grounds of Ajmer, Kekri, and Shahpura, a sharp decrease from 39 in 2020.
- A landscape survey by the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) highlighted the species' dwindling numbers, with the lone male observed near Bandanwara.
Lesser Florican (Sypheotides Indicus)
- It is one of three bustard species endemic to India, the others being the Bengal florican (Critically Endangered) and the Great Indian Bustard (Critically Endangered).
- It is the smallest of the bustard family and is renowned for its spectacular leaping breeding display.
- In the local language, the bird is known as ‘tanmor’ or ‘kharmor’, derived from the root word ‘mor’ for peacock.
- It is mainly observed in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Gujarat.
- Conservation status:
HIV-AIDS Awareness on International Youth Day | Rajasthan | 13 Aug 2025
Why in News?
On International Youth Day (12th Aug 2025), the Rajasthan State AIDS Control Society organized a state-level program in Jaipur, launching an intensified Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) campaign to promote HIV-AIDS awareness among youth across the state.
International Youth Day (IYD)
- Established by: UN General Assembly in 1999
- Initial Proposal: 1991 by young participants at World Youth Forum, Vienna
- Official Resolution: World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth, Lisbon (1998)
- First Celebrated: 12th August 2000
- 2025 Theme: "Local Youth Actions for the SDGs and Beyond"
- With over 65% of SDG targets linked to local governance, youth engagement is a necessity.
- Objectives:
- Draw attention to youth issues worldwide
- Promote youth engagement in sustainable development
- Celebrate youth contributions to society.
AIDS
- AIDS is a chronic, life-threatening condition caused by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV), which attacks the immune system, targeting CD4 cells (white blood cells, vital for the immune system).
- It spreads through unprotected sex, infected blood, and sharing needles.
- While there is no cure, antiretroviral therapy (ART) can suppress the virus and help restore CD4 cells.
- The Global AIDS Update 2023 highlights a decline in new infections, aiming to eliminate AIDS by 2030.
- In India, over 2.5 million people live with HIV, with a 44% reduction in new infections since 2010.
National Youth Day
- India celebrates the National Youth Day, on 12th January every year on the occasion of Swami Vivekananda’s birth anniversary.
- Since 1984, the nation has marked the day by urging the youth to live up to the values, principles and beliefs that Vivekananda embraced.
- Swami Vivekananda's born on 12th January 1863, Kolkata.
- Swami Vivekananda is considered one of the great Indian monks who enlightened the Western world about Hinduism.
- As a disciple of Sri Ramakrishna Paramahamsa, he pushed for national integration in colonial India and is credited with reviving Hinduism in the nation.