State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 18 Aug 2025

Asian Canoe Slalom Championship

Why in News? 

At the prestigious Asian Canoe Slalom Championship in Guizhou, China, the women athletes from the Madhya Pradesh Water Sports Academy earned the silver medal in the women’s canoe slalom team event, with China securing the gold. 

Key Points 

• About: Canoe slalom involves competitors navigating a whitewater course, typically up to 300 meters long, while passing through a maximum of 25 upstream and downstream gates to achieve the fastest time. 
• Championship Details: The Asian Canoe Confederation organized the championship from  14th- 17th August 2025, which featured around 100 athletes and coaches from 10 countries and regions, including India, China, Japan, and South Korea. 
• Indian Team: The Indian team included three talented athletes from Madhya Pradesh: Shikha Chauhan, Pallavi Jagtap, and Reena Sen. 
• Significance: The silver medal is a significant achievement, showcasing one of the best performances by an Indian women's team in recent years and reflecting the growth of water sports in India, driven by enhanced athlete training and international exposure. 

International Canoe Federation (ICF) 

• The International Canoe Federation (ICF) serves as the global authority for canoe and kayak paddling sports, overseeing 10 disciplines worldwide, recognised by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).  
  • The five continents (Africa, America, Asia, Europe, and Oceania) are represented on the ICF Executive Committee and Board of Directors, with each electing Continental Representatives and a President during their respective Continental Congress. 

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Why in News? 

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) Central Zone Bench in Bhopal has reprimanded state authorities for granting permission for the annual Darshan Yatra (to Bandhavgarh Fort) in the core area of Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve,  a critical tiger habitat under Project Tiger. 

• The core area is the most critical part of a protected area where human activity is typically restricted to protect biodiversity and wildlife. 

Key Points 

• About: A green activist filed a plea highlighting the negative impact of large-scale pilgrimages on Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve's biodiversity, citing issues like bamboo cutting, unsanitary camping, river pollution, and wildlife disturbance, all violating the Wildlife Protection Act (1972), Forest Conservation Act (1980), and Environment Protection Act (1986). 
• Recommendations: The Madhya Pradesh government has been directed to finalize a Standard Operating Procedure (SoP) for regulating yatras within three months, while ensuring minimal disruption to wildlife and adherence to the 2012 Project Tiger guidelines in the interim. 
  • Citing a carrying capacity study by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Dehradun, the NGT recorded that while the terrain could theoretically handle 7,000-8,000 pilgrims, the presence of tigers, elephants and other large animals restricted safe capacity to only 4,000-5,000 visitors.  
  • The WII recommended entry through vehicles only, online registration a month in advance, and better crowd regulation.

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve 

• Distinct Areas: It is located between the Vindhyan and Satpura ranges of Madhya Pradesh. 
  • The park includes Bandhavgarh National Park, Panpatha Wildlife Sanctuary (Core Area), and the adjoining Buffer Area, spread across the districts of Umaria, Shahdol, and Katni. 
• Majestic Wildlife: It is famous for housing the Royal Bengal Tiger along with other wildlife like Leopards, Wild Dogs, and Gaur. 
• Diverse Habitat: The reserve features dense forests, bamboo vegetation, vast grasslands, and perennial streams, offering a rich environment for various species, especially the solitary tiger. 

Death Anniversary of Atal Bihari Vajpayee

Why in News? 

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, along with President Droupadi Murmu and other dignitaries, paid floral tributes to former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on his seventh death anniversary (16th Aug) at his memorial, ‘Sadaiv Atal’, in New Delhi. 

Key Points About Atal Bihari Vajpayee 

• Atal Bihari Vajpayee: Born on 25th December, 1924 in the erstwhile princely state of Gwalior (now a part of Madhya Pradesh). 
  • He entered in national politics during the Quit India Movement (1942) which hastened the end of British colonial rule. 
• Professional Career: In 1947, Vajpayee started working as a journalist for newspapers of Deendayal Upadhyaya — Rashtradharma (a Hindi monthly), Panchjanya (a Hindi weekly) and the dailies Swadesh and Veer Arjun.  
  • Later, influenced by Syama Prasad Mookerjee, Vajpayee joined the Bharatiya Jana Sangh in 1951. 
• Political Journey: He served as India’s Prime Minister three times (1996; 1998–2004): first term (16th May – 1st June 1996, about 13 days), second term (19th March 1998 – 13th October 1999), and third term (13th October 1999 – 22nd May 2004). 
  • He was elected nine times to the Lok Sabha and twice to the Rajya Sabha. 
• Awards and Recognition: He was conferred with the country's highest civilian honour, the Bharat Ratna in 2015 and second-highest civilian honour, the Padma Vibhushan in 1994. 
  • As a parliamentarian, Vajpayee was awarded with the Pandit Govind Ballabh Pant Award for Best Parliamentarian in 1994, which defines him as "a role model par excellence for all legislators." 
  • His birthday is observed as Good Governance Day. 
• Demise: A revered former Prime Minister, he passed away on 16th August 2018. 
• Key Achievements: 
  • He launched the Golden Quadrilateral Project, creating a network of four national highways connecting Delhi, Mumbai, Chennai, and Kolkata. 
  • Through second-generation economic reforms, he liberalized India’s economy, fostering industrial growth and attracting foreign investment. 
  • He led the nation during the Pokhran Nuclear Tests (1998), which established India as a nuclear power while emphasizing peace and non-aggression. 
  • He inaugurated Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) in 2000 for better connectivity and transportation in rural India.