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Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary: India’s New Cheetah Habitat

Why in the News?

Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary will become the second home for cheetahs in India, after Kuno National Park. The final decision on importing cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa will be made after the monsoon season to avoid infection risks.

Cheetah Reintroduction in India:

In India, cheetahs disappeared in the early 1950s due to hunting and the loss of their habitat.
The ‘Action Plan for Reintroduction of Cheetah in India /Project Cheetah (2022)’ aims to bring cheetahs from African countries to various national parks.
It is spearheaded by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
Recently, cheetahs from Namibia were reintroduced in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.

About Cheetah:

The cheetah is a fast-running big cat native to Africa and central Iran, capable of speeds up to 80 to 128 km/h.
They live in various habitats like savannahs, arid mountains, and hilly deserts.
Cheetahs live in three main groups: females with cubs, male coalitions, and solitary males.
They hunt during the day, preferring dawn and dusk.
The global cheetah population was 6,500 mature individuals, according to the most recent IUCN assessment in 2021.
They are listed as VULNERABLE by the IUCN.
The Asiatic Cheetah is one of the five subspecies of cheetah, critically endangered and found only in Iran.

About Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in western Madhya Pradesh, Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary covers an area of 368.62 sq km.
It spans the Mandsaur (187.12 sq km) and Neemuch (181.5 sq km) districts, bordering Rajasthan.
Situated on a flat rocky plateau characterized by shallow topsoil and exposed sheetrock.
It is divided by the Chambal River, with the Gandhi Sagar dam and reservoir within its boundaries.
Flora and Fauna:
- Flora: The sanctuary features a savannah ecosystem with open grasslands interspersed with dry deciduous trees. Riverine valleys within the sanctuary support evergreen vegetation.
- Fauna: The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including species like leopards, sloth bears, striped hyenas, grey wolves, golden jackals, jungle cats, Indian foxes, and marsh crocodiles.

Habitat Suitability for Cheetahs

Officials cite Gandhi Sagar as having an ideal habitat parallel to Maasai Mara (a National Park) in Kenya, suitable for cheetahs.
Plans include expanding the cheetah habitat to around 2,000 sq km, contingent upon cooperation with Rajasthan’s Bhainsrodgarh sanctuary.

PYQ:

[2024] Consider the following statements:

1. Lions do not have a particular breeding season.

2. Unlike most other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.

3. Unlike male lions, male leopards do not proclaim their territory by scent marking.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2 only

(b) 2 and 3 only

(d) 1, 2 and 3

[2012] Consider the following: (2012)

Black-necked crane
Cheetah
Flying squirrel
Snow leopard

Which of the above are naturally found in India?

(a) 1, 2 and 3 only
(b) 1, 3 and 4 only
(c) 2 and 4 only
(d) 1, 2, 3 and 4

June 18, 2024

Formula for Flapping Frequency across Flying and Swimming Animals
Why in the news?
- Researchers at Roskilde University in Denmark discovered a formula that correlates the flapping frequency of winged and swimming animals to their mass and wing/fins size.
  - The formula applies universally across a diverse range of species, from insects to birds, bats, penguins, whales, and even robotic ornithopters.
Formula for Flapping Frequency
- The formula was derived from Newton’s second law (F= mass x acceleration) applied to animals flapping wings to stay airborne.
- Factors considered in the derivation included air density, wing size, and the forces generated by wing movements.
Research Methodology
- The researchers derived the formula theoretically from Newton’s second law, relating the force needed to stay airborne or submerged to the wing/fins’ motion, air/water dynamics, and animal mass.
- They incorporated empirical observations into a constant C to account for specific shape and flight kinematics variations.
Application and Validity
- The formula’s validity was tested across various animals:
  - 176 insect data points (e.g., bees, moths, dragonflies)
  - 212 bird data points (from hummingbirds to swans)
  - 25 bat data points
Formula Extension to Swimming Animals
- The formula also predicts the frequency of fin/fluke movements in swimming animals.
- Adjustments are made for water density and buoyancy effects, excluding fish with swim bladders.
Limitations and Modifications
- The formula applies well in conditions with high Reynolds numbers (Re), where fluid flow is streamlined.
- At low Re values, where viscosity dominates, modifications are needed.
- The equation holds as long as animal density variations do not exceed a factor of ten.
Insights and Future Research
- Insights from the formula include understanding flight efficiency and potential evolutionary pathways for winged animals.
- Future research aims to explore further insights hidden within the C constant, potentially revealing deeper principles governing animal flight and swimming dynamics.
PYQ:

[2024] The organisms “Cicada, Froghopper and Pond skater are:

(a) Birds

(b) Fish

(c) Insects

(d) Reptiles
June 18, 2024

Foreign Travellers in Ancient and Medieval India

17th June 2024

Travellers Visited India	Contemporary Rulers	Contribution.
Deimachos Period: (320-273 BC) Who: Greek Ambassador	Came India in the reign of Bindusara.	–
Megasthenes Period: (302-298 B.C.) Who: Greek ethnographer & ambassador.	Ambassador of Seleucus Nicator, who visited in the court of Chandragupta Maurya.	Wrote an interesting book Indica.
Ptolemy Period: 130 A.D. Who: From Greece and Geographer.	–	Wrote “Geography of India” which gives the description of Ancient India.
Fa-Hien Period: (405-411 A.D.) Who: Chinese Buddhist Monk	Came to India in the reign of Chandragupta II Vikramaditya.	– Visited the birth place of Buddha, Lumbini. – His Travelogue “Records of Buddhist Kingdoms”. – Wrote Fo-Kyo-Ki.
Hiuen-Tsang Period: (630-645 A.D.) Who: Chinese Buddhist Monk	Visited India during the reign of Harshavardhana.	– Came through Tashkent and Swat Valley. – Book is “Si-Yu-Ki or the records of western world”.
I-tsing Period: ( 671- 695 A.D.) Who: Chinese traveller	Visited India in connection with Buddhism.	– His works are Biographies of Eminent Monks. – Gives useful information about the social, religious and cultural life of the people of this country.
Al-Masudi Period: (957 A.D.) Who: Arab Traveller	–	Gives an extensive account of India in his work “Muruj-ul-Zahab”.
Al- Beruni or Abu Rehan Mahamud Period: (1024-1030 A.D.) Who: Muslim Scholar and Polymath	Came along with Mahmud Ghazni during one of his Indian raids.	– First Muslim Scholar to study India also known as founder of Indology. – Wrote “ Tahqiq-i-Hind/Kitab-ul-Hind.
Marco Polo Period: (1292-1294 AD) Who: Venetian Traveller	Visited South India in 1294 A.D during the reign of Pandyan ruler of Madurai, Madverman, Kulshekhara (1272-1311)	His work “The Book of Sir Marco Polo” which gives an invaluable account of the economic history of India.
Ibn Batuta Period: (1333-1347 A.D.) Who: Morrish traveller	Visited India during the reign of Muhammad-Bin-Tughlaq.	His book “ Rehla” (the travelogue)
Shihabuddin al-Umari Period: (1348 A.D.) Who: Came from Damascus	–	He gives a vivid account of India in his book “ Masalik albsar fi-mamalik al-amsar”
Nicolo Conti Period: (1420-1421 A.D.) Who: Venetian traveller	Came during the rule of Devraya I of Sangam Dynasty of Vijayanagar empire.	Given a graphic account of Vijayanagaras capital.
Abdur Razzaq Period: (1443-1444 A.D.) Who: Persian traveller, Ambassador of Shahrukh of Timurid dynasty.	– Came during the rule of Devraya II of Sangam dynasty of Vijaynagar Empire. – Came in India at Zamorin’s Calicut.	Given a brief account of this countryside, in his Matla us Saddin wa Majuma ul Baharain.
Athanasius Nikitin Period: (1470- 1474 A.D.) Who: Russian merchant	Visited South India in 1470.	-He describes the condition of the Bahmani kingdom under Muhammad III (1463-82). – His narrative “ The journey beyond 3 seas”
Duarte Barbosa Period: (1500-1516 A.D.) Who: Portuguese traveller	–	He has given a brief description of the government and the people of Vijayanagar Empire.
Domingo Paes Period: (1520-1522 A.D.) Who: Portuguese traveller	Visited the court of Krishnadeva Raya of Vijayanagar Empire.	–
Fernao Nuniz Period: (1535-1537 A.D.) Who: Portuguese merchant	Came during the rule of Achyutdeva Raya of Tuluv dynasty of vijayanagar Empire.	Wrote history of the empire from its earliest times of the closing years of Achyutdeva Raya’s reign.
John Hughen Von Linschotten Period: (1583 A.D.) Who: Dutch traveller	–	Given a valuable account of the social and economic life of South India.
William Hawkins Period: (1608-1611 A.D.) Who: Ambassador of James I, king of England.	Came in India at the reign of Jahangir,the great Mughal Emperor. William finch came with him.	–
Sir Thomas Roe Period: (1615-1619 A.D.) Who: Ambassador of James I, king of England.	Came in India at the reign of Jahangir,the great Mughal Emperor.	–
Edward Terry Period: (1616 A.D.) Who: Ambassador of Thomas Roe.	–	Describe about Indian social (Gujarat) behaviour.
Franciso Palsaert Period: (1620-1627 A.D.) Who: Dutch traveller stayed at Agra.	–	Gave a vivid account of the flourishing trade at Surat, Ahmadabad, Broach, Cambay, Lahore, Multan etc.
Peter Mundy Period: (1630-34 A.D.) Who: Italian traveller	Came in the reign of the Mughal Emperor, Shahjahan.	Gives valuable information about the living standard of the common people in the Mughal Empire.
John Albert de Mandesto Period: (1638 A.D.) Who: German traveller	Reached Surat in 1638 A.D.	–
Jeen Baptiste Tavernier Period: (1638-1663 A.D.) Who: French traveller	Visited India 6 times in the reign of Shahjahan and Aurangzeb.	–
Nicolao Manucci Period: (1653-1708 A.D.) Who: Italian traveller	He got service at the court of Dara Shikoh.	–
Francois Bernier Period: (1656- 1717 A.D.) Who: French physician and Philosopher.	Danishamand Khan, a noble of Aurangzeb was his patron.	–
Jean de Thevenot Period: (1666 A.D.) Who: French traveller	–	Given an account of cities like Ahmadabad, Cambay, Aurangabad and Golconda.
John Fryer Period: (1672-1681 A.D.) Who: English traveller		Given a vivid account of Surat and Bombay.
Gemelli Careri Period: (1695 A.D.) Who: Italian traveller who landed at Daman.	–	His remarks on the Mughal emperor’s military organisation and administration are important.

June 17, 2024

[17th June 2024] The Hindu Op-ed: High Court’s take on Marriage Act, an erosion of rights

PYQ Relevance:

Q Discuss the possible factors that inhibit India from enacting for its citizen a uniform civil code as provided for in the Directive Principles of State Policy. (UPSC IAS/2015)

Q Customs and traditions suppress reason leading to obscurantism. Do you agree? (UPSC IAS/2020)

Mentor comment: Interfaith marriages in India face legal and societal challenges despite protections under the Special Marriage Act, 1954. Recent judicial interventions have raised concerns about misinterpretations, impacting couples’ rights to choose partners freely. Such marriages often encounter opposition from families and communities, leading to social tensions. Efforts to protect couples through legal frameworks are crucial amid ongoing debates on religious and cultural sensitivities.

Let’s learn!

Why in the News?

A recent order from the Madhya Pradesh High Court has raised concerns about the interpretation of the law regarding inter-faith marriages and the scope of the Special Marriage Act, 1954.

About Special Marriage Act, 1954:

•The SMA was passed by the Parliament on October 9, 1954.
•It governs a civil marriage where the state sanctions the marriage rather than the religion.
•The minimum age to get married under the SMA is 21 years for males and 18 years for females.
Need for SMA:
•Issues of personal law such as marriage, divorce, and adoption are governed by religious laws that are codified.
•These laws, such as the Muslim Marriage Act,1954, and the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955, require either spouse to convert to the religion of the other before marriage.
•However, the SMA enables marriage between inter-faith or inter-caste couples without them giving up their religious identity or resorting to conversion.

Erroneous Considerations

Typical Assessment Under Article 226: When a petition for police protection is filed under Article 226 of the Constitution, the High Court usually assesses the violation of the petitioners’ rights and the threat they face.
Extended Protection Examples:
The Madras High Court granted protection to a lesbian couple, recognizing the dangers they faced.
The Punjab and Haryana High Court provided protection to a live-in couple, emphasizing the protection of their fundamental rights under Article 21 of the Constitution.
Contrasting Focus of Madhya Pradesh HC: Instead of focusing on the threats faced by the couple, the HC focused on the validity of the couple’s impending marriage, disregarding their right to life and liberty.

What is Article 226 of the Constitution?:
Article 226 grants the High Courts of Indian states the power to issue writs. These writs are primarily meant for the enforcement of fundamental rights guaranteed under Part III of the Constitution or for any other legal purpose. The High Courts have the authority to issue writs such as habeas corpus, mandamus, prohibition, quo warranto, and certiorari.

Dilution of the Special Marriage Act

Contradictory Order: The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order contradicts the core principles of the Special Marriage Act.
Irrelevant Supreme Court Precedent: The court erroneously relied on a Supreme Court precedent related to property succession under Mohammedan Laws, which is irrelevant to the validity of inter-faith marriages under the Special Marriage Act.
Misinterpretation of Section 4: The court misinterpreted Section 4 of the Act, which excludes marriages between close relatives, not inter-faith marriages.
Act’s Purpose: The Act is designed to facilitate marriage between any two Indian nationals, regardless of their faith.

Present status of Special Marriages:

Significance of the Order: The Madhya Pradesh High Court order is significant given the current social and political climate, where inter-faith and inter-caste marriages face vigilantism and right-wing propaganda.
Ongoing Petitions: There are ongoing petitions challenging unconstitutional provisions within the Special Marriage Act, such as the prior notice requirement, pending before the Supreme Court.
Supreme Court’s Ruling in Shafin Jahan Case:
Emphasized the protection of personal liberty and the right to choose a life partner, regardless of faith or caste.
Justice D.Y. Chandrachud’s judgment highlighted that intimate personal decisions do not require social approval and are protected by the Constitution.

Way forward

Disregard of Shafin Jahan Judgment: The Madhya Pradesh High Court’s order disregards the spirit of the Shafin Jahan judgment, which prioritizes individual autonomy, privacy, and liberty.
Courts’ Responsibility: Constitutional courts must remember that jurisprudence favours autonomy and personal liberty.

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/high-courts-take-on-marriage-act-an-erosion-of-rights/article68297655.ece

June 17, 2024

[UPSC’25 Beginner’s Webinar]: On PYQs, Current Affairs & Time management | 19th June, 2:00 PM
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June 17, 2024
India refuses to endorse Ukraine meet statement
Why in the news?

India emphasized that only proposals acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine can lead to peace as it decided to disassociate from the final document issued on June 16 at the conclusion of the Peace Summit in Switzerland.

What is a Joint Communique on a Peace Framework?
- The Joint Communique on a Peace Framework is a formal document issued at the conclusion of the Peace Summit in Switzerland, held on June 16, 2024. This communique outlines the collective stance and proposed guidelines for achieving peace in the ongoing Russia-Ukraine conflict.
Key Highlights of the Ukraine Peace Summit in Switzerland
- Attendance and Endorsement: More than 80 countries attended the summit and endorsed the “Joint Communique on a Peace Framework.” The communique emphasized the protection of Ukraine’s territorial integrity, based on Ukraine’s peace formula and the UN charter.
- Non-Endorsing Countries: India, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Thailand, Indonesia, Mexico, and the United Arab Emirates did not sign the communique. Brazil maintained an observer status, and China declined the invitation altogether.
- India’s Participation and Stance: India attended the summit but chose not to endorse the final document. India’s stance is rooted in the belief that any peace proposal must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine for it to be sustainable. The Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) emphasized India’s commitment to understanding different perspectives to find a lasting resolution through dialogue and diplomacy.
Why did India Refuse?
- Neutrality and Balanced Approach: India maintains a policy of neutrality and balanced diplomacy, avoiding taking sides in the Russia-Ukraine conflict to preserve its diplomatic relations with both nations.
- Mutually Acceptable Solutions: India believes that any peace proposal must be acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine to be sustainable, emphasizing dialogue and practical engagement between the conflicting parties.
- Strategic and Diplomatic Considerations: By not endorsing the communique, India retains its potential role as a trusted mediator, protecting its strategic ties with Russia and considering broader geopolitical concerns such as food and energy security.
Conclusion: India’s decision reflects its stance on neutrality, advocating for peace proposals acceptable to both Russia and Ukraine while preserving diplomatic relations and strategic interests amid global geopolitical dynamics.

Mains PYQ:

Q What is the significance of Indo-US defence deals over Indo-Russian defence deals? Discuss with reference to stability in the Indo-Pacific region.(UPSC IAS/2020)
June 17, 2024
India needs to close the gender gap in education and politics
Why in the news?

While global gender parity has improved to 68.5% in 2024 from 68.4% in 2023, progress remains slow. The World Economic Forum’s report indicates it will take 134 years to achieve full parity at this rate.

The Global Gender Gap Report 2024
- It is released by the World Economic Forum (WEF), and highlights significant disparities in gender parity across various sectors.
Present Scenario:

Global Gender Gap Report 2024:
- The global gender gap stands at 68.5% closed, indicating slow progress towards gender parity.
- Iceland leads with over 90% closure, while India has slipped to 129th position out of 146 countries, with 64.1% closure.
- India’s slight regression is attributed to declines in education and political empowerment indices.
Challenges in India:
- Despite improvements in economic participation, India needs to bridge gaps in education and political representation.
- The labour force participation rate for women is 45.9%, indicating significant untapped potential.
- Gender disparity in literacy rates persists, with women lagging 17.2 percentage points behind men, impacting India’s global ranking.
Significance of Low Gender Gap in the Education Sector:
- Bridging the gender gap in education is crucial for enhancing women’s economic opportunities.
- Measures such as preventing dropout rates among girls, imparting job skills, and ensuring workplace safety are essential.
- Improving literacy rates and educational attainment levels for women can lead to higher economic productivity and empowerment.
Significance of Low Gender Gap in Political Representation:
- India shows low representation of women in political bodies despite some progress. Women constitute only 13.6% of the Lok Sabha members, reflecting inadequate political empowerment.
- Implementation of the Women’s Reservation Bill, aimed at reserving one-third of seats in legislative bodies, remains crucial for enhancing women’s political participation and influence.
Way forward:
- Enhancing Education Access and Quality: Implement targeted policies to reduce the gender gap in education, focusing on increasing girls’ enrollment and retention rates.
- Promoting Women’s Political Empowerment: Implement initiatives to encourage women’s active participation in politics, such as leadership training programs, awareness campaigns, and support networks.
Mains PYQ:

Q Can the vicious cycle of gender inequality, poverty and malnutrition be broken through microfinancing of women SHGs? Explain with examples. (UPSC IAS/2021)
June 17, 2024
Under Kafala, workers are dispensable
Why in the news?

Shortly after a fatal fire claimed the lives of 49 migrant workers, predominantly Indians, in the Mangaf area of Al Ahmadi municipality, Kuwait

About the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
- It is a regional intergovernmental organization that aims to promote economic, political, and cultural cooperation among its member states.
- The GCC was established in 1981 and currently consists of six Arab countries: Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The council’s main headquarters is located in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
What is the Kafala system?
- The Kafala system is a sponsorship system used in several Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates. It governs the legal status of migrant workers, particularly those from other countries in Asia and Africa, who come to work in these countries. It binds migrant workers to a specific employer, known as the “kafeel,” who is responsible for the worker’s visa and legal status.
- Note: sponsorship by local sponsor or employer in West Asian countries
Migrants’ Rights in GCC countries:
- Vulnerabilities of Migrant Workers: Migrant workers in GCC countries face systemic vulnerabilities due to the Kafala system, tying their legal status to employers who control their accommodation, wages, and freedom of movement. Lack of independent legal status and dependency on employers make them susceptible to exploitation, poor living conditions, and arbitrary deportations.
- Living Conditions and Safety: Many migrants live in crowded and substandard accommodations, which exacerbate risks during emergencies such as fires, as seen in the Mangaf tragedy. Safety standards in workplaces and living spaces often fall short, posing significant risks to migrants’ health and well-being.
- Legal Protections and Access to Justice: Legal protections for migrant workers vary, with some categories like domestic workers often excluded from labor laws and protections. Limited access to justice and the ability to organize or unionize further restrict their ability to advocate for improved rights and conditions.
India’s Relationship with GCC Countries:
- Economic Dependence and Migrant Workforce: India has a significant economic relationship with GCC countries, with millions of Indian migrants working across sectors such as construction, healthcare, and services. Remittances from GCC countries contribute significantly to India’s economy, highlighting the mutual economic interdependence.
- Diplomatic and Policy Engagements: India engages diplomatically with GCC countries to safeguard the interests and welfare of its migrant workers, advocating for better working conditions, legal protections, and safety measures. Bilateral agreements and negotiations focus on labour rights, remittance flows, and crisis management during emergencies affecting Indian migrants.
What India can do? (Way forward)
- Diplomatic Engagement and Advocacy: Strengthen diplomatic ties with GCC countries to advocate for better working conditions, legal protections, and safety measures for Indian migrants.
- Consular Services and Support: Enhance consular services and support networks in GCC countries to provide timely assistance, legal aid, and emergency relief to Indian migrant workers.
- Skill Development and Empowerment: Collaborate with GCC governments and employers to ensure skill development programs for Indian migrants, enhancing their employability and negotiating power.
Mains PYQ:

Q Indian Diaspora has an important role to play in South-East Asian countries’ economy and society. Appraise the role of the Indian Diaspora in South-East Asia in this context. (UPSC IAS/2017)
June 17, 2024
What is SWM Cess and Why is It Levied on Waste Generators?
Why in the News?

The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) has proposed a Solid Waste Management (SWM) Cess of ₹100 per month for each household.

What is Cess?
- A cess is a form of tax or levy imposed by governments to fund specific services or purposes, such as waste management or infrastructure development.
How has the SWM cess fared so far?
- Purpose of SWM Cess: SWM Cess is intended to cover a portion of the costs incurred by Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) in providing SWM services, which are resource-intensive and crucial for maintaining cleanliness and health standards in urban areas.
- Legal Provisions: According to the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2016, ULBs are mandated to collect user fees/cess for SWM services. The proposed increase reflects the rising costs and challenges faced by ULBs in managing solid waste effectively.
Why has it hit the headlines suddenly?
- Significant Increase in User Fee: The proposed SWM Cess represents a substantial increase from the previous user fees typically charged by ULBs (Urban Local Bodies) across India, which are generally in the range of ₹30-50 per month. Such a significant rise in fees has garnered attention and sparked debate among residents and stakeholders in Bengaluru.
- Impact on Residents: The SWM Cess directly affects every household in Bengaluru, potentially adding financial burden on residents. This has led to widespread discussions and concerns among citizens about the affordability and justification of the proposed increase.
Present Status in Bengaluru:
- Bengaluru faces significant challenges in solid waste management (SWM) due to its large population and high daily waste generation of approximately 5,000 tonnes. Managing such volumes requires extensive resources and infrastructure.
- The Bruhat Bengaluru Mahangara Palike (BBMP) primarily focuses its SWM efforts on the collection and transportation of waste. These activities are labor-intensive and consume a major portion of BBMP’s budget allocated for SWM services.
- SWM services constitute a substantial portion of BBMP’s budget, with limited revenue generated from these services. This financial strain necessitates the proposal of initiatives like the SWM Cess to bridge the funding gap and ensure sustainable service delivery.
What is about to change?
- Proposed Changes: Going forward, Bengaluru plans to implement several changes in its SWM strategy.
  - These include revising user fees and potentially increasing charges on bulk waste generators to better cover operational costs and enhance service efficiency.
- Strategies for Improvement: BBMP aims to enhance waste management practices through initiatives such as waste segregation at source, promoting decentralized composting centres, and launching public awareness campaigns. These efforts are aimed at optimizing resource utilization and improving overall SWM effectiveness in the city.
Mains PYQ:

Q What are the impediments in disposing of the huge quantities of discarded solid wastes which are continuously being generated? How do we remove safely the toxic wastes that have been accumulating in our habitable environment? (UPSC IAS/2018)
June 17, 2024

PM-Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister will release the 17th installment of the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), amounting to over ₹20,000 crore, for 92.6 million beneficiary farmers across the country.

About the PM-KISAN Scheme

The PM-KISAN is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
Launched: In February 2019.
Aim: To help procure various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
Objective: To provide eligible farmers with an annual financial assistance of ₹6,000.
- This assistance is distributed in three equal instalments of ₹2,000 each every 4 months, via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
Beneficiaries:
- Farmer families that hold cultivable land can apply for the benefits of this plan.
- Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) (a farmer who owns cultivable land up to 2 hectare as per land records of the concerned State/UT.).
- The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT Governments.

Do you know?

The PM-KISAN scheme was first conceived and implemented by the government of Telangana as the Rythu Bandhu scheme.

Rythu Bandhu Scheme

It is also known as the Farmer’s Investment Support Scheme (FISS).
It is a welfare programme for farmers started in 2018 by the Telangana government.
Under the scheme, the state government provided the 58 lakh farmers in Telangana with ₹5,000 per acre of their land as a farm investment for two crops.
There is no ceiling on the number of acres held by a farmer.
So, a farmer who owns two acres of land would receive Rs 20,000 a year, whereas a farmer who owns 10 acres would receive Rs 1 lakh a year from the government.
This investment is made twice a year, once for the kharif harvest and once for the Rabi harvest.
It is the country’s first direct farmer investment support scheme where cash is paid directly to the beneficiary.

Impact of the Scheme

Beneficiaries outreach: Over 11 crore farmers (with more than 3 crore women farmers) across the country have availed of the PM-Kisan scheme, indicating its widespread reach and impact.
Financial Support: This financial aid helps farmers meet their agricultural expenses, purchase seeds, fertilizers, and other inputs, and support their families’ livelihoods.
Improved Agricultural Practices: This contributes to food security and boosts the agricultural sector’s growth.
Poverty Alleviation: The scheme plays a crucial role in alleviating poverty among small and marginal farmers by providing them with a steady source of income just like Universal Basic Income (UBI).
Enhanced Livelihoods: PM-Kisan supports farmers’ livelihoods, by providing a safety net during times of agricultural distress or economic uncertainties, ensuring a better quality of life for rural communities.

PYQ:

[2020] Under the Kisan Credit Card scheme, short-term credit support is given to farmers for which of the following purposes?

Working capital for maintenance of farm assets.
Purchase of combine harvesters, tractors and mini trucks.
Consumption requirements of farm households.
Post-harvest expenses.
Construction of family house and setting up of village cold storage facility.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

(a) 1, 2 and 5 only

(b) 1, 3 and 4 only

(d) 1, 2, 4 and 5

June 17, 2024

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