In News:

World Wildlife Day is observed on March 3 every year, and in 2025, it will be observed under the theme of “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.”

Key Details:

• Declared by: United Nations General Assembly (UNGA)

• First Observed: 2014
• Occasion: Commemorates the signing of CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) in 1973.
• Theme 2025:“Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet”

Purpose and Significance

World Wildlife Day is an annual UN-recognized global event aimed at:

• Raising awareness about wild fauna and flora.
• Highlighting threats such as climate change, poaching, habitat destruction, and illegal wildlife trade.
• Encouraging global cooperation for wildlife protection.
• Promoting innovative financing models to bridge the estimated $824 billion global biodiversity funding gap.

2025 Theme Focus: Conservation Finance

The 2025 theme calls for sustainable financial strategies, emphasizing:

• Wildlife Conservation Bonds
• Debt-for-Nature Swaps
• Green Bonds and Carbon Credits
• Payments for Ecosystem Services (PES)
• Public-Private Partnerships

These mechanisms aim to support conservation while fostering economic opportunities for local communities.

Timeline of Key Events

• 1973: CITES adopted.
• 2013: UNGA designates March 3 as World Wildlife Day.
• 2014: First official celebration.
• 2021: Theme – Forests and Livelihoods.
• 2025: Theme – Finance for Conservation.

Wildlife Status in India

• Protected Areas: 1,014 total (as of 2024), including:
  • 106 National Parks
  • 573 Wildlife Sanctuaries
  • 115 Conservation Reserves
  • 220 Community Reserves
    (Covers ~5.32% of India’s total area)
• Tiger Population (2022): 3,682 – ~75% of global wild tigers
• Asiatic Lion Population (2020): ~674 (only in Gujarat's Gir Forest)
• India's Biodiversity Share:
  • 7.6% of global mammal species
  • 14.7% of amphibians
  • 6% of birds and reptiles
  • 6% of flowering plants

Major Causes of Wildlife Decline

• Habitat loss & fragmentation
• Illegal wildlife trade and poaching
• Climate change and pollution
• Invasive species
• Industrialization & urban expansion

Conservation Measures in India

• Project Tiger (1973): Boosted tiger numbers significantly.
• Project Elephant (1992): Focuses on elephant corridors and human-wildlife conflict mitigation.
• Wildlife Protection Act (1972): Key legal framework to safeguard endangered species.
• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Buffer areas around protected habitats.
• Community Initiatives: Ecotourism, local participation in conservation.

In News:

Firefly Aerospace’s Blue Ghost lunar lander successfully achieved a stable, upright landing on the Moon's Mare Crisium region on March 2, 2025, marking it as the second private spacecraft to land on the Moon and the first to do so upright. This mission is a part of NASA’s Commercial Lunar Payload Services (CLPS) initiative.

Key Details of the Blue Ghost Mission

• Developer: Firefly Aerospace, Texas-based private aerospace firm
• Launch Date: January 15, 2025
• Launch Vehicle: SpaceX Falcon 9
• Landing Site: Near Mons Latreille, a volcanic formation in the Mare Crisium
• Descent & Duration: 16-day lunar orbit followed by powered descent; operates for one lunar day (14 Earth days)

Mission Objectives

• Scientific Research:
  • Study heat flow from the Moon’s interior to understand its thermal history
  • Analyze plume-surface interactions to refine lunar landing techniques
  • Collect data on magnetic and electric fields to infer geological evolution
  • Conduct X-ray imaging of Earth's magnetosphere
  • Examine lunar dust dynamics, particularly its levitation due to solar radiation
  • Investigate soil adhesion for improved lunar hardware design
• Technology Demonstration:
  • Test radiation-hardened systems
  • Evaluate the use of Global Navigation Satellite System (GNSS) signals on the Moon

Payload and Instruments

• Number of Payloads: 10 NASA scientific payloads
• Notable Tools:
  • Vacuum device for soil collection
  • Subsurface drill measuring temperature up to 3 meters deep

Significant Observations

• Eclipse Imaging: Scheduled to capture a total lunar eclipse (March 14)
• Lunar Sunset: Will image lunar horizon glow during sunset (March 16), a phenomenon first noted during Apollo 17
• Firsts Achieved:
  • First commercial lander to land upright on the Moon
  • First of three major private lunar missions scheduled in 2025

Relevance for India and the World

• Demonstrates the viability of public-private partnerships in deep space missions
• Advances NASA’s Artemis program by developing cost-effective lunar logistics
• Paves the way for international lunar commerce and exploration

In News:

Obesity has emerged as a critical public health issue in India, with rising prevalence across age groups and socio-economic strata. It is a key risk factor for non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and hypertension. Recognizing its growing burden, the Government of India has adopted a multi-ministerial, community-driven, and policy-integrated strategy to promote healthier lifestyles.

What is Obesity?

• Definition (WHO): Abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.
• Measurement: Body Mass Index (BMI = kg/m²)
  • Body Mass Index (BMI), previously known as the Quetelet index, is a simple way to check if an adult has a healthy weight. It is calculated by dividing a person's weight in kilograms by their height in meters squared (kg/m²). To find BMI, take a person’s weight (kg) and divide it by their height (m) squared.
  • WHO Standard:
    • Overweight: BMI ≥ 25
    • Obese: BMI ≥ 30
  • Indian Criteria (lower threshold):
    • Overweight: BMI 23–24.9 kg/m²
    • Obese: BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²
    • Morbid Obesity: BMI ≥ 35

Prevalence of Obesity

Global Trends (1990–2022):

• Children (5–19 yrs) with obesity: ↑ from 2% to 8%
• Adults with obesity: ↑ from 7% to 16%

India-Specific Data (NFHS-5, 2019–21):

• Overweight/obese: 24% women, 23% men
• Obese (15–49 yrs): 6.4% women, 4.0% men
• Children under 5 (overweight): ↑ from 2.1% (NFHS-4) to 3.4%

Causes of Obesity

• Increased consumption of processed, calorie-dense foods
• Sedentary lifestyle and urbanization
• Reduced physical activity
• Environmental and socio-economic factors
• Excessive use of edible oil, salt, and sugar in Indian diets

Key Government Initiatives to Combat Obesity

1. Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• NP-NCD (National Programme for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases):
  • Integrated under Ayushman Bharat Health & Wellness Centres
  • Focus: Screening, early diagnosis, IEC/BCC awareness, and NCD clinics
  • Facilities: 682 District NCD Clinics, 191 Cardiac Units, 5408 CHC Clinics

2. Ministry of AYUSH

• All India Institute of Ayurveda (AIIA): Specialized treatments (Panchakarma, diet, yoga)
• Ayurswasthya Yojana (2021–22): Funds projects tackling obesity, diabetes, and NCDs
• Research by CCRAS: Validating Ayurvedic lifestyle interventions (Dincharya, Ahara, Yoga)
• Collaboration with CSIR for integrating Ayurveda with modern science

3. Ministry of Women and Child Development

• POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018):
  • Focus: Nutrition for children, adolescent girls, pregnant/lactating women
  • Mission Saksham Anganwadi &Poshan 2.0 (2021): Combines nutrition, health, wellness
  • Use of PoshanVatikas, millet promotion, and fortified food
  • Jan Andolan for community-level awareness

4. Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports

• Fit India Movement (2019):
  • Fitness pledges, Fit India School certification, community fitness programs
• Khelo India Programme (2016–17):
  • Sports infrastructure and talent development
  • Promotes sports culture and active lifestyles in youth

5. Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

• Eat Right India Movement:
  • Supply-Side Reforms:FoSTaC, hygiene ratings, food fortification
  • Demand-Side Awareness: Eat Right Schools/Campus, DART Book, Magic Box
• Aaj Se Thoda Kam Campaign: Reduce fat, salt, and sugar intake
• RUCO Initiative: Repurposing Used Cooking Oil into biodiesel
• HFSS Food Labelling: Front-of-pack labels for High Fat, Salt, Sugar foods

Innovative Tools

Tool                                                           Description

DART Book                                          Simple home tests for food adulteration

Magic Box                                           102 school-level food safety experiments

Food Safety on Wheels              Mobile food testing & awareness vans

Fit India App                                       Daily fitness tracking and motivation

India’s Way Forward: Towards Amrit Kaal

• Whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach
• Emphasis on lifestyle change, preventive healthcare, and regulation
• Stronger public health infrastructure and education
• Leveraging traditional wellness systems (Ayurveda & Yoga)
• Community empowerment via awareness drives and behavior change

In News:

Prime Minister Narendra Modi, at the NXT Conclave, highlighted the Dramatic Performances Act, 1876, as an example of outdated colonial legislation that continued in India long after independence. Though declared unconstitutional in 1956, the Act was formally repealed in 2017 as part of the government's initiative to eliminate obsolete laws and improve ease of doing business.

About the Dramatic Performances Act, 1876

Purpose and Background:

• Enacted by the British colonial government to suppress nationalist sentiments expressed through theatre and performance arts.
• Followed the 1875–76 visit of Prince of Wales (Albert Edward) to India, a period that saw increased resistance against colonial rule.
• Part of a broader strategy alongside other repressive laws such as the Vernacular Press Act (1878) and the Sedition Law (1870).

Key Provisions:

• Wide Banning Powers: Authorities could prohibit any play, pantomime, or public performance deemed seditious, defamatory, scandalous, or obscene.
• Search and Seizure: Magistrates had the authority to raid venues, seize performance materials, and cancel licenses.
• Punishment: Violations could lead to up to 3 months' imprisonment, fines, or both.
• Covered theatre groups, performers, and venues hosting dramatic works.

Post-Independence Status:

Continued Operation:

• Article 372 of the Indian Constitution allowed pre-existing colonial laws to remain valid until repealed or declared unconstitutional.
• The Act was adopted in some states like Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Delhi, and Tamil Nadu.

Judicial Rejection:

• In 1956, the Allahabad High Court, in State vs. Baboo Lal &Ors., ruled the Act unconstitutional, citing violation of Article 19(1)(a) (Freedom of Speech and Expression).
• The Court found the Act’s procedural provisions ultra vires and beyond the permissible limits under Article 19(2).

Notable Case:

• In 1953, the Indian People’s Theatre Association (IPTA) attempted to stage ‘Idgah’, based on Munshi Premchand's story.
• The performance was abruptly banned mid-show by the local magistrate. The theatre group defied the order, leading to the court case that triggered the judicial review.

Final Repeal:

• Although unused since 1956, the law remained on the statute books until its formal repeal through the Repealing and Amending (Second) Act, 2017.
• This repeal was part of a larger reform initiative launched by the Modi government in 2014, which has repealed over 2,000 obsolete laws to streamline the legal system and boost administrative efficiency.

In News:

President DroupadiMurmu recently visited Dholavira, a UNESCO World Heritage Site located in Gujarat, India. She expressed appreciation for the Archaeological Survey of India’s (ASI) meticulous conservation efforts to preserve this ancient site, despite its remote location.

Location and Significance:

Dholavira is situated on Khadir Bet Island in the Great Rann of Kutch, Gujarat, within the Kutch Desert Wildlife Sanctuary and along the Tropic of Cancer. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2021 due to its remarkable contributions to understanding the Harappan (Indus Valley) Civilization, one of the world's earliest urban cultures.

Key Features:

• City Layout and Construction:Dholavira is distinct from other Harappan sites in its layout, divided into three main sections: the Citadel, the Middle Town, and the Lower Town. The city is unique for its extensive use of stone in construction, unlike the brick-built cities of Harappa and Mohenjo-Daro. It also featured multi-purpose grounds, including a marketplace and a festive area.
• Water Conservation System:The site is renowned for its sophisticated water management techniques, which included 16 massive reservoirs, stepwells, check dams, and underground water storage systems. This advanced water conservation system earned it the name "Jal Durga" or "Water Fort." The engineering skills of the Harappans, especially in water harvesting, were far ahead of their time and continue to be admired today.
• Trade and Cultural Exchange:Dholavira was a significant trade hub, connected to regions such as Magan (modern Oman) and Mesopotamia. It is believed to have been involved in the trade of copper, jewelry, and timber. The site yielded a variety of artifacts, including terracotta pottery, seals, ornaments, and evidence of metallurgy, along with inscriptions in the Indus Valley script.
• Archaeological Discoveries:The site was first discovered by Jagat Pati Joshi in 1967 and excavated systematically between 1990 and 2005 under Dr. Ravindra Singh Bisht of ASI. It is the fifth-largest site of the Indus Valley Civilization and provides evidence of habitation over seven cultural phases from 3000 to 1500 BCE. Notably, no human remains have been found, but the presence of architectural structures, artifacts, and inscriptions gives a rich understanding of the ancient civilization's culture and economy.
• Technological Advancements:The President, during her visit, highlighted the technological advancements of the Harappans, particularly in urban planning and water management, which were superior in many respects to the technology of modern times.

Historical Context:

The Harappan Civilization, flourishing from around 3300 to 1300 BCE along the Indus River, was an urban society known for its advanced city planning, sanitation systems, and trade networks. Dholavira stands out as a crucial link in understanding the broader scope of this civilization. Other key Harappan sites include Harappa, Mohenjo-Daro, Banawali, Lothal, and Ropar.