State PCS - Madhya Pradesh (MP PCS)

• 01 May 2025

Forest Alert System

Why in News? 

Madhya Pradesh has become the first state to implement an Artificial Intelligence (AI) based real-time forest alert system as a pilot project. 

Key Points 

• About Forest Alert System: 
  • It is a system based on Google Earth Engine, AI models and multi-temporal satellite data . 
  • Madhya Pradesh has implemented this technology on a pilot basis in sensitive forest divisions such as Shivpuri, Guna, Vidisha, Burhanpur and Khandwa districts. There are plans to expand it at the state level in the future. 
  • This system will enable proactive forest management by timely detection of forest encroachment, land use change and forest degradation. 
• Features: 
  • Satellite images from three different dates obtained from Google Earth Engine will be analyzed. 
  • Indexes like Normalized Difference Vegetation Index ( NDVI), Soil Adjusted Vegetation Index (SAVI), Enhanced Vegetation Index (EVI), Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) will be used to identify the changes . 
  • Significant changes to the land (e.g., cropping, construction, harvesting) will be flagged by the AI model and recorded as polygon alerts . 
  • The app will have features like GPS tagged photos, voice notes, comments, geofencing, distance measurement . 
  • Filters such as date, density and area will also be available on the dashboard, making it possible to get specific information. 
  • Field workers can upload photos, GPS locations, and voice recordings through the app. 

 

Initiatives Taken by India for Sustainable Forest Management 

• Government-Led Programs:  
  • Green India Mission (GIM): Increased forest cover by 0.56% between 2017 and 2021.  
  • National Agroforestry Policy (2014): Encourages tree planting on private farmland to reduce pressure on natural forests.  
  • Trees Outside Forests in India Program: Encourages tree planting on non-forest lands by involving private stakeholders to boost green cover.  
  • Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAMPA): Funds reforestation where forests are diverted for industrial use.  
• Corporate & Community Efforts:  
  • CSR-Driven Plantations: Companies in automobile, cement, and energy sectors undertake afforestation to offset emissions.  
  • Agroforestry for Livelihoods: Farmers integrate timber, fruit, and medicinal plants with crops for additional income.  
• Carbon Credit Strategies: Industries invest in afforestation to earn carbon credits. 

28th National Federation Senior Athletics Championship

Why in News? 

Madhya Pradesh performed won three gold medals in the 28th National Federation Senior Athletics Championship. 

Key Points 

• National Federation Senior Athletics Championships:   
  • It is one of the major domestic athletics competitions in India, organised annually by  the Athletics Federation of India (AFI) . 
  • The competition provides a common platform for the country's top athletes in track and field events and also forms  the basis for selection for international competitions. 
  • Its 28th edition was held from 21 to 24 April 2025 in Kochi, Kerala . 
  • 38 medal events were held in this event . 
• Importance: 
  • This performance will prove helpful in establishing Madhya Pradesh on the national athletics map . 
  • This achievement of the players will become an inspiration for the younger generation . 

Event	Athlete	Achievement
Shot Put	Samarjit Singh	Gold Medal
Pole Vault	Dev Meena	Gold Medal
3000m Steeplechase (Women)	Manju Yadav	Gold Medal

Athletics Federation of India (AFI)  

• About: AFI was established in 1946 as a non-governmental, non-profit, autonomous apex body for athletics in India.  
  • It is affiliated with World Athletics, the Asian Athletics Association (AAA), and the Indian Olympic Association.  
• Objective: To popularize athletics, improve athlete performance, and make the sport commercially viable.  
• Structure: AFI consists of 32 affiliated state and institutional units.  
• Functions: It organizes National Championships, selects teams for international events, and promotes athletics through competitions. It also focuses on grassroots development, coaching programs, and special camps to nurture talent.