State PCS - Uttar Pradesh (UP PCS)

• 02 May 2025

Night Landing Airstrip in UP

Why in News?  

The 3.5 kilometre stretch of the Ganga Expressway in Shahjahanpur, Uttar Pradesh will be the first expressway in the country where Indian Air Force fighter planes will be able to land at night. 

Key Points 

• About Ganga Expressway : 
  • Ganga Expressway is the second longest expressway in the country after Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway. 
  • It is an ambitious initiative with an estimated length of 594 kilometres. 
  • Connecting the state from east to west, this expressway will pass through 518 villages in 12 districts, significantly reducing the travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj. 
• Strategic Approach: 
  • Uttar Pradesh now has three such expressways where landing facility for fighter jets is available - Lucknow-Agra Expressway , Purvanchal Expressway and Ganga Expressway. 
  • This is the first time that state-of-the-art fighter aircraft like Rafale, Mirage and Jaguar will land at night on an expressway in India . 
  • This airstrip will serve as  an alternate runway for the Indian Air Force in case of war or disaster. 

 Rafale 

• Rafale is a French twin-engine and multirole fighter aircraft, designed by Dassault Aviation of France. 
• State-of-the-art technology has been used in this fighter plane and it is a 4.5 Generation fighter plane. 
• The Meteor Missile, SCALP Cruise Missile and MICA Missile System present in the Rafale fighter aircraft make it very important from the security point of view. 
• Rafale can fly at a speed of 2,222.6 kilometres per hour and an altitude of 50,000 feet. 
• This fighter aircraft is approximately 15.27 metres long and can carry 9,500 kilograms of bombs and ammunition at a time. 

 Jaguar 

• The Jaguar is a versatile aircraft used for ground attack, air defense, and reconnaissance missions.   
• It is a Fifth-generation (5G) fighter aircraft capable of operating in heavily contested combat zones, characterised by the presence of the most advanced air and ground threats, both current and anticipated.  
• 5G fighter jets have stealth capabilities and can cruise at supersonic speeds without engaging afterburners.  
• It stands out from fourth-generation (4G) peers due to its multi-spectral low-observable design, self-protection, radar jamming capabilities, and integrated avionics.  
• The squadrons of MiG-21s, MiG-29s, Jaguars, and Mirage 2000s are scheduled to be phased out by the middle of the next decade. 

Red Crowned Roofed Turtle

Why in News? 

The Red Crowned Roofed Turtle has returned to the Ganga River after an absence of three decades . 

• This success is a historic biodiversity conservation achievement under the Namami Gange Mission and the Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAFI) project.

 

Key Points 

•  About the Red Crowned Roofed Turtle: 
  • Scientific name: Batagur kachuga. 
  • Common Names: Bengal Roof Turtle, Red Crowned Roofed Turtle. 
• About: 
  • The Red Crown Roofed Turtle is one of the 24 species endemic to India , the males of which are characterized by bright colours like red, yellow, white and blue on the face and neck. 
• Distribution: 
  • It is a freshwater turtle species found in deep-flowing rivers with nesting sites. 
  • Historically the species was widespread in the Ganges River in both India and Bangladesh. It is also found in the Brahmaputra basin. 
  • Currently the National Chambal River Gharial Sanctuary in India is the only area that has a significant population of the species, but this protected area and habitat are also now under threat. 
  • Large coastal and riverine projects disrupt river flow and increase water pollution. 
  • Subpopulations suffer due to entanglement in fishing nets and disturbances from human activity. 
  • Pollution, irrigation-related water extraction, and unregulated dam flows degrade natural habitats. 
  • Sand bar habitats used for hunting are shrinking due to increased mining and seasonal agriculture along the Ganga River. 
  • Overharvesting for illegal consumption and international wildlife trade poses a serious threat. 
• Protection Status: 
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List : Critically Endangered 
  • Wildlife Protection Act (WPA), 1972: Schedule I 
  • CITES : Appendix II 
• Rehabilitation 
  • The turtles were released in the Haiderpur wetland in Uttar Pradesh . This area is located along the river Ganga and its ecosystem was considered suitable for the rehabilitation of turtles. 
    • The turtles were divided into two groups – one was released in the upper part of the Ganga Barrage and the other in the lower part. 
  • Each turtle is fitted with a tracking device to monitor their movements and adaptation to the environment. 

Turtle Survival Alliance India (TSAFI) 

• TSAFI represents the Indian chapter of the global Turtle Survival Alliance, which is committed to protecting freshwater turtles and tortoises worldwide. 
• It works to safeguard turtles and tortoises from major threats such as habitat destruction, illegal wildlife trade, and the impacts of climate change. 
• The organisation undertakes diverse initiatives, including: 
  • Scientific research on turtle species and habitats 
  • On-ground conservation projects 
  • Public education and awareness campaigns 
• TSAFI aims to ensure the long-term survival of turtle species in India by combining community involvement with scientific expertise. 

National Chambal Sanctuary 

• The National Chambal Sanctuary, located at the trijunction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. 
  • It is a fragile lotic ecosystem, which is a critically important breeding ground for gharials - fish-eating crocodiles. 
• The sanctuary is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and is listed as an ‘Important Bird and Biodiversity Area’. 
• The sanctuary is also a proposed Ramsar site, and over 320 species of resident and migratory birds inhabit the area. 

 Namami Gange Programme 

• Namami Gange Programme is an integrated conservation mission, approved by the Central Government in June 2014 as a 'Flagship Programme' to achieve the twin objectives of effective abatement of pollution and conservation and rejuvenation of the National River Ganga. 
• It is being operated under the Ministry of Water Resources, Department of River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation and Ministry of Jal Shakti . 
• In the second phase of Namami Gange Programme (2021-26), the states will focus on speedy completion of projects and preparation of credible Detailed Project Reports (DPRs) for projects in Ganga tributary towns. 
• Attention is also being paid to the revival of small rivers and wetlands.