In News:

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, located in Assam, is renowned for its high density of the Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros and diverse biodiversity. The sanctuary, covering 38.85 km², is facing a growing concern as one of its major wetlands, TamulidobaBeel, is drying up. This situation underscores the urgent need for habitat management to protect the sanctuary's wildlife.

About Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Location: Located within 30 km of Guwahati, Assam, it was established in 1998 and spans 48.81 km².
• Fauna: Famous for its rhino population, the sanctuary also houses leopards, wild boars, barking deer, wild buffaloes, and over 2,000 migratory birds.
• Flora: The sanctuary is dominated by wet savannah and marshland, though the invasive water hyacinth is a significant problem, especially for waterfowl.

TamulidobaBeel: A Crucial Wetland

• Role: A key water body within the sanctuary, TamulidobaBeel is vital for rhinos, water buffaloes, and migratory birds.
• Drying Concern: Experts and locals have observed the early drying up of the Beel, a trend that has worsened over the past few years. Migratory birds have already abandoned the wetland earlier than expected, signaling a broader ecological imbalance.

Factors Contributing to Drying of the Wetland:

• Siltation: The deposition of silt has significantly reduced water retention in the Beel.
• Climate Change: Predictions of a hotter weather season (March-May 2025) by the India Meteorological Department suggest further strain on the sanctuary's water resources, affecting biodiversity.

Ecological Implications:

• Rhino Habitat Impact: About 20-25 rhinos are regularly found near TamulidobaBeel. The drying of this wetland increases water scarcity in their core habitat, risking human-animal conflicts as rhinos may stray outside the sanctuary.
• Bird Migration: The Beel also serves as a migratory bird hub, particularly in winter. Early drying may disrupt migration patterns, affecting bird populations.

Government Response and Measures:

• Desilting Efforts: The Forest Department has taken proactive measures, including desilting the Beel to restore water levels and maintain its ecological functions.
• Expert Consultations: Collaborations with institutions like IIT Guwahati are underway to assess and manage the wetland restoration scientifically.
• Long-term Plans: Restoration efforts are focused on improving water retention and managing silt deposition, alongside broader habitat management initiatives.

Expert Recommendations:

• Experts emphasized the critical need for scientific habitat management and stressed the importance of restoring wetlands to ensure the sanctuary's long-term ecological balance.
• The government must focus on sustainable habitat conservation and water management strategies to protect species, especially the rhinos.

In News:

Recently, the Ministry of Education, Department of Higher Education, launched the third edition of the Prime Minister’s Scheme for Mentoring Young Authors (PM-YUVA 3.0). The scheme is a part of India’s broader efforts to cultivate literary talent among youth and promote a vibrant reading and writing culture.

About PM-YUVA Scheme:

• Launched by: Ministry of Education, Government of India
• Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT), India
• Target Group: Young authors below 30 years of age
• Launch Date: March 11, 2025
• Application Window: March 11 to April 10, 2025, via MyGov portal
• Number of Authors Selected: 50
• Eligibility: Applicants of PM-YUVA 1.0 and 2.0 are not eligible

Objectives:

• To mentor young writers and encourage storytelling in Indian languages and English
• To promote a book culture, literacy, and intellectual engagement among youth
• To reflect Indian heritage, knowledge systems, and contemporary progress through literature

Themes for PM-YUVA 3.0:

1. Contribution of Indian Diaspora in Nation Building
2. Indian Knowledge System (IKS)
3. Makers of Modern India (1950–2025)

Mentorship and Publishing:

• Selected authors will undergo training from June 30 to December 30, 2025, under the guidance of eminent mentors
• Books authored during the programme will be published by NBT and translated into Indian languages to promote Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat
• Authors will participate in literary festivals and gain exposure to the publishing world

Financial Support and Recognition:

• Scholarship: ?50,000 per month for 6 months (Total ?3 lakh per author)
• Royalty: 10% on successful publication of books
• Platform: Authors will receive national-level exposure for promoting their books and themes

Background:

• PM-YUVA 1.0 (2021): Focused on India’s freedom struggle and unsung heroes
• PM-YUVA 2.0 (2022): Highlighted democracy and constitutional values
• PM-YUVA 3.0 (2025): Explores diaspora, knowledge systems, and nation-building post-independence

Significanc:

• Aligns with NEP 2020 goals of holistic development and youth empowerment
• Encourages intellectual and cultural contributions by the youth
• Promotes awareness of India’s diaspora and indigenous knowledge systems

In News:

The 10th edition of the Raisina Dialogue, India’s premier conference on geopolitics and geo-economics, is scheduled to be held in New Delhi from March 17–19, 2025.

About Raisina Dialogue:

• Launched: 2016
• Organisers: Observer Research Foundation (ORF) in collaboration with the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India
• Format: Multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral conference bringing together global leaders in politics, business, media, academia, and civil society
• Modelled On: Munich Security Conference (Germany) and Shangri-La Dialogue (Singapore)
• Annual Venue: New Delhi
• 2025 Theme: Kalachakra: People. Peace. Planet.

Significance for India and the World:

• Provides a platform for dialogue on global strategic and security issues
• Enhances India’s image as a thought leader in international diplomacy
• Fosters multilateral cooperation on contemporary global challenges such as conflict resolution, climate change, technological disruption, and global governance
• Reflects India’s growing role as a bridge between the Global North and Global South

In News:

India remains among the world’s most polluted countries despite slight improvements in air quality.

Published by: IQAir (Swiss Air Quality Technology Firm)

Key Findings:

• India’s Global Rank: 5th most polluted country in 2024 (improved from 3rd in 2023).
• Average PM2.5 Level (India): 50.6 µg/m³ in 2024 — 10 times higher than the WHO guideline of 5 µg/m³.
• Top Polluted Cities:
  • Byrnihat (Assam-Meghalaya border) — most polluted city globally with PM2.5 at 128.2 µg/m³.
  • Delhi — most polluted capital city globally with PM2.5 at 91.6 µg/m³.
  • 13 of the world’s 20 most polluted cities are in India, including Mullanpur, Faridabad, Gurugram, Bhiwadi, Noida, and Ganganagar.
• Northern India: Faces severe pollution due to crop stubble burning (contributes ~60% of PM2.5 levels).
• Global Air Quality: 91% of countries exceeded WHO PM2.5 safe limits; only 12 countries met the recommended levels.

Major Sources of PM2.5 Pollution:

• Vehicular emissions
• Industrial discharges
• Biomass burning (e.g., firewood, crop residue)

Health & Environmental Impact:

• Health: Linked to respiratory and cardiovascular diseases, cancers; reduces life expectancy by ~5.2 years in India.
• Annual Death Toll: ~1.5 million deaths in India linked to PM2.5 exposure (2009–2019, Lancet Study).
• WHO: 99% of the world’s population breathes polluted air.

India’s Measures to Combat Air Pollution:

Initiative                                                                                     Description

NCAP (2019)        -        Aims to reduce PM levels by 20–30% in non-attainment cities by

                                       2026. Focuses on monitoring, emissions control, public awareness.

BS-VI Emission Standards    -     Implemented in 2020 for vehicles to reduce vehicular pollution.

FAME Scheme      -      Promotes electric and hybrid vehicles to cut down transport-related emissions.

PM Ujjwala Yojana        -           Provides LPG connections to reduce indoor air pollution from biomass.

GRIHA         -       Encourages eco-friendly construction practices.

GRAP            -       Emergency action plan in Delhi-NCR during high pollution episodes.

Commission for Air Quality Management   -   Coordinates air quality actions across NCR and

                                                                                      nearby areas.

Public Transport & Regulation    -     Expanding metro/bus networks, penalising high-emission vehicles.

Way Forward:

• Strengthen enforcement of emission norms for vehicles and industries.
• Promote LPG usage over biomass for cooking, especially among rural poor.
• Increase public transport options and incentivise clean technologies.
• Raise awareness and improve inter-state coordination on stubble burning.

In News:

Researchers have confirmed the discovery of a new flowering plant species named Uniyalakeralensis (family: Asteraceae) in the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR), located in the southern Western Ghats of Kerala. Endemic to southwest India, the species is named in honour of the state of Kerala.

Key Features:

• Plant Type: Dense shrub with light purple flowers, growing 1–3 metres tall.
• Distinctive Traits: Larger leaves, longer petioles (leaf stalks), and fewer lateral veins compared to related species like U. comorinensis and U. salviifolia.
• Flowering & Fruiting Period: August to April.
• Habitat: Open areas on western mountain slopes of ABR, at elevations between 700–1,400 metres.
• Distribution: Around 5,000 individuals across four subpopulations, covering an estimated area of 250 km².
• IUCN Status (2024): Data Deficient (DD) due to limited information on long-term population trends.

The plant was first collected in 1998 and initially misidentified as Vernonia multibracteata. Later taxonomic revisions led to the recognition of Uniyala as a separate genus, named after botanist B.P. Uniyal, with this species formally described as new.

About Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR):

• Location: Spans parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu in the southern Western Ghats.
• UNESCO Status: Recognized under the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme in 2016.
• Biodiversity Highlights: Home to over 2,254 higher plant species, including 405 endemics; key fauna includesNilgiriTahr, Lion-tailed Macaque, Bengal Tiger, and Indian Elephant.
• Indigenous Communities: Inhabited by the Kani tribes in both states.