• 23 May 2025

Operation Black Forest

Why in News?

Under Operation Black Forest, security forces  scored a major success in their anti-Maoist campaign by killing 27 Naxals, including the top Maoist leader Nambala Keshav Rao, during an encounter in the Abujhmad region on the Chhattisgarh border between Narayanpur and Bijapur districts. 

Key Points

Black Forest Operation 

• About: 
  • Operation Black Forest marked the longest continuous anti-Naxal campaign, executed jointly by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and Chhattisgarh Police over a span of 21 days.  
  • The operation was launched in the vicinity of Karreguttalu Hill (KGH), a known Naxal stronghold situated along the Chhattisgarh–Telangana border, making it a strategically sensitive zone. 
  • The Ghalgam Forward Operating Base set up in 2022, functioned as the central command hub for the mission, enabling effective coordination and sustained operational momentum in the challenging terrain. 
  • The operation led to 54 arrests and 84 surrenders across Chhattisgarh, Telangana, and Maharashtra. 
• Strategic Significance of the Operation: 
  • For the first time in three decades, a general secretary-level leader of the CPI-Maoist has been neutralised, marking a critical milestone in anti-Naxal operations. 
    • The removal of top leadership is likely to disrupt the Maoist organisational hierarchy, weakening their strategic coordination and communication channels. 
  • The success of the operation demonstrates enhanced collaboration between central and state forces, supported by actionable intelligence and logistical coordination across state boundaries. 
  • The rising number of Maoist surrenders and arrests indicates that support for their ideology and organisation is weakening, which could lead to lasting peace in areas affected by Left Wing Extremism. 

Maoist Leader- Nambala Keshav Rao 

• He served as the General Secretary of CPI-Maoist, holding the highest position in the insurgent leadership. 
• He was widely known for his expertise in guerrilla warfare, including jungle combat tactics and Improvised Explosive Device (IED) making. 
• He was the mastermind behind the 2010 Dantewada massacre, which resulted in the killing of 76 CRPF personnel.  

Read more: Anti-Maoist Operation at Kareguttalu Hill 

Government Measures to Counter Naxalism 

• Security and Counterinsurgency Operations: 
  • Major Operations: Key campaigns such as Operation Steeplechase (1971) and Operation Green Hunt (2009) involved joint action by central and state forces, including elite CoBRA (Commando Battalion for Resolute Action) commandos, to dismantle Naxalite networks. 
  • Specialised Forces: Units like the Greyhounds in Andhra Pradesh and the Bastariya Battalion in Chhattisgarh were raised with active participation from tribal youth to ensure region-specific counterinsurgency effectiveness. 
  • Unified Command Mechanism (2010): This framework was established to promote inter-state coordination, ensuring unified response among LWE-affected states. 
• SAMADHAN Strategy: 
  • A holistic framework adopted by the Ministry of Home Affairs to counter Naxalism with the following components: 
    • Smart leadership 
    • Aggressive strategy 
    • Motivation and training 
    • Actionable intelligence 
    • Dashboard-based KPIs 
    • Harnessing technology 
    • Action plans for specific zones 
    • No financial access to insurgents 
• Infrastructure Development: 
  • Road Requirement Plan-I (RRP-I): Launched in 2016, the Road Connectivity Project for LWE Affected Areas (RCPLWE) aims to improve road connectivity in areas impacted by LWE.  
  • Construction of Fortified Police Stations: As part of strengthening local law enforcement, several fortified police stations have been constructed in sensitive districts of the state under the Special Infrastructure Scheme (SIS). 
• Skill Development and Employment Generation: 
  • ROSHNI Scheme: Focuses on skill development and employment-linked training for youth in LWE-affected districts. 
  • Establishment of ITIs: Industrial Training Institutes have been set up to enhance vocational skills and boost local employment. 
• Socio-Economic and Developmental Initiatives: 
  • Forest Rights Act (2006): Recognizes the land and forest rights of tribal communities, addressing longstanding grievances and empowering local governance. 
  • Civic Action Programme (CAP): Aims to build trust between security forces and local populations through welfare activities and outreach. 
  • Aspirational Districts Programme (ADP): Launched in 2018, aims to transform LWE affected districts across health, education, infrastructure, and governance metrics. 
• Data-Driven Governance via GIS Mapping: 
  • GIS-Based Planning: The government is leveraging GIS technology to map essential services—schools, banks, post offices, health centres, roads, and police stations—in LWE-affected regions, enabling targeted developmental and security interventions.

Red Corridor 

• The Red Corridor is the region in the central, eastern and southern parts of India that experience severe Naxalism–Maoist insurgency. 
• It includes the states of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Kerala. 

 

Shaadi Anudan Yojana

Why in News? 

The Uttar Pradesh government, under the Shaadi Anudan Yojana, provided marriage grants to 1 lakh Other Backward Classes (OBCs) families in the financial year 2024–25 — twice the number of beneficiaries recorded in 2024. 

• Despite the achievement, social audit findings and field reports suggest that while access has improved, systemic inefficiencies persist. 

Key Points 

Shaadi Anudan Yojana (Marriage Grant Scheme) 

• About & Objective:  
  • It provides financial assistance for the marriage of daughters from poor, helpless, and Below Poverty Line (BPL) families belonging to the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category. 
• Eligibility Criteria: 
  • The applicants must be from the OBCs as recognized by the state government. 
    • However, individuals from minority communities who also fall under the OBC category are not eligible under this scheme. 
  • The age of the girl and boy must be 18 years and 21 years or more respectively. 
  • Top priority is given in granting subsidies for the marriage of destitute widows, disabled, landless and suffered by natural disaster. 
• Grant Amount: ₹20,000 per marriage. 
  • Grants will be allowed up to a maximum of 2 daughters from a family. 
• Reason for the Increase in the Number of Beneficiaries: The significant increase is primarily due to the revision of the income eligibility criteria. Previously restricted to urban and rural families BPL, the income limit has now been raised to Rs 1 lakh, enabling more families to avail of the scheme.  
  • Furthermore, income eligibility has been standardised for both urban and rural beneficiaries. 

Challenges Related to the Scheme  

• Delay in Disbursement: Beneficiaries in rural districts face a 4–6 month wait for disbursement, forcing many families to borrow money to cover wedding expenses. 
• Last-Mile Delivery Gaps: According to a 2024 social audit, only 68% of recipients received their funds before the wedding, affecting the timeliness of financial support. 
• High Application Rejection Rate: Around 23% of applications were rejected due to issues with documentation, causing further delays and complications. 
• Verification Bottlenecks: Manual processes and bureaucratic delays in verification hinder the timely delivery of support to beneficiaries. 

Measures that Can be Taken 

• The department plans awareness campaigns to improve last-mile delivery, acknowledging the need for streamlined processes to achieve its inclusive development goals. 
• Regularly collect beneficiary feedback to identify needs and challenges, using insights to improve and tailor the program for greater impact. 
• Establish regular monitoring and evaluation to assess effectiveness and areas for improvement. 

Schemes Related to the Empowerment of OBCs 

• SHREYAS (Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers) Scheme: The SHREYAS scheme is an umbrella program consisting of four sub-schemes aimed at providing educational opportunities and financial support to economically disadvantaged Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Other Backward Classes (OBCs) students. 
• PM-YASASVI (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India for OBCs and Others): The PM-YASASVI scheme provides full financial support to students from OBC, EBC, and Denotified, Nomadic Tribes (DNTs) categories for higher education beyond Class XII.  
  • Funded 100% by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, it covers students in institutions notified by the Ministry starting from the 2021-22 financial year.  
• OBC Pre Matric Scholarship- Uttar Pradesh: The OBC Pre Matric Scholarship is designed to support students who are financially disadvantaged and pursuing secondary education in Class 9 or 10 . 

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