In News:

Recently, Ukraine conducted a major drone strike on Russia, reportedly destroying over 40 aircraft using First-Person View (FPV) drones—marking one of the deepest strikes into Russian territory since the start of the conflict in 2022. This highlights the growing role of FPV drones in modern asymmetric warfare.

What are FPV Drones?

First-Person View (FPV) drones are unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) that allow remote pilots to view the drone’s surroundings through a camera mounted on the drone. The live feed can be transmitted to:

• Specialized goggles
• Smartphones
• Other display screens

This immersive view enables highly precise navigation and control.

Key Features and Technologies

• GPS-Independent Navigation: Operates effectively even when GPS signals are jammed or unavailable.
• SmartPilot System: Uses visual-inertial navigation by interpreting camera data to assess the drone's position and orientation.
• LiDAR Integration: Enhances terrain mapping and obstacle detection in complex environments.
• Low Cost: A functional FPV drone can cost as little as $500, making them highly affordable compared to traditional weapon systems.

Operational Use in Combat

• Reconnaissance First: Typically, a long-range reconnaissance drone is used to identify the target area before deploying FPV drones for strikes.
• Deep Strike Capability: Despite having a short range (a few kilometres), FPV drones offer stealth and precision to strike deeply into enemy territory.
• Combat Strategy: Their agility and affordability make FPV drones a key component of attrition warfare, especially for resource-constrained nations.

Advantages in Warfare

• Cost-effectiveness: Offers high-impact capability at a fraction of the cost of conventional weapons.
• Reduced Human Risk: Limits the need for manned missions in hostile territory.
• Stealth: Smaller size and low acoustic footprint make them harder to detect and intercept.
• High Destructiveness: Able to carry payloads such as explosives, effectively targeting tanks, aircraft, and installations.

Challenges and Limitations

• Limited Range: Operates within a few kilometres, requiring deployment close to target zones.
• Reduced Situational Awareness: Pilots rely solely on camera feed, which may not provide full spatial context.
• Need for Visual Observers: In complex environments, an additional observer may be needed to guide the operator safely.

Ukraine’s Use of FPV Drones

Ukraine has effectively integrated FPV drones into its military strategy:

• In November 2023, FPVs were credited as a low-cost, high-impact method of resisting Russian advances.
• NATO sources indicated that over two-thirds of Russian tanks destroyed recently were hit by FPV drones.
• Ukrainian drone manufacturer Vyriy Drone delivered 1,000 indigenous FPVs in March 2025.
• Ukraine is projected to produce over 4 million drones in 2025, reflecting a significant scaling of domestic capabilities.

Geopolitical and Strategic Implications

• Technological Self-Reliance: Domestic production protects nations from geopolitical supply chain disruptions (e.g., China’s chip exports).
• Global Proliferation: Countries like Israel and Iran have also developed drone systems, including HAROP and Shahed drones respectively.

In News:

The Jharkhand government has proposed setting up its first-ever tiger safari in the fringe area of the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR), located in Latehar district. This initiative aims to promote wildlife education, conservation awareness, and eco-tourism, while also creating employment opportunities.

What is a Tiger Safari?

A tiger safari refers to a tourism model where rescued, conflict-prone, or orphaned tigers are housed in naturalistic enclosures, ensuring sightings for visitors. It differs from traditional wild safaris, where sightings are not guaranteed. The concept was first proposed in the NTCA's 2012 tourism guidelines, refined in 2016, and later aligned with the Supreme Court’s 2024 directive, which mandates that such safaris be located outside core and buffer zones of tiger reserves.

Legal and Regulatory Framework

• Governed by:
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
  • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Guidelines (2012, 2016)
  • Central Zoo Authority (CZA) for animal welfare, enclosure design, and project compliance
• Supreme Court Ruling (March 2024):
  • Tiger safaris must not be located inside core or buffer zones.
  • Intended to protect natural habitats and uphold conservation goals.

About Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR)

• Established: 1974 under Project Tiger
• Location: Chhotanagpur Plateau, Jharkhand
• Rivers: North Koel, Burha (perennial), Auranga
• Vegetation: Northern Tropical Dry Deciduous forest (Sal-dominated)
• Key Fauna: Bengal Tiger, Asiatic Elephant, Sloth Bear, Leopard, Indian Pangolin, Otter
• Historical Note: Site of the world’s first pugmark-based tiger census (1932)

Project Details

• Location: Barwadih Western Forest Range (fringe of PTR, outside core/buffer zones)
• Size: Approx. 150 hectares
• Animals Housed: Only rescued, conflict-prone, or orphaned tigers from reserves/zoos (not wild or zoo-bred tigers unless approved)
• Objectives:
  • Promote tourism and conservation education
  • Create an experiential learning space for visitors
  • Generate employment (~200 local jobs)

The Central Zoo Authority (CZA) will assess the site and species selection. Post Forest Department clearance, the Detailed Project Report (DPR) will be submitted to NTCA and CZA. Approvals may take 5–6 months, followed by a construction period of ~18 months.

Concerns and Challenges

• Tribal and Community Rights:Activists caution that such projects may marginalize forest-dwelling communities and restrict access to traditional forest-based livelihoods (grazing, NTFP collection).
• Consent of Local Communities:As per the Forest Rights Act, projects on forest land must involve Gram Sabha consultation. Activists argue this has yet to be fully addressed.
• State's Clarification:Officials maintain that the site lies on forest land under state management, with no expected displacement.

Why is the RBI proposing changes to gold loan regulations?

In April 2024, the Reserve Bank of India (RBI) released draft guidelines on loans against gold to harmonise regulations across banks and NBFCs and to address irregularities. The move follows an extraordinary surge in gold-backed loans during FY24:

• Gold loan portfolios grew over 50% across banks and NBFCs.
• For banks, the portfolio more than doubled (104% growth).

This rapid growth, amid rising gold prices and lax lending standards, raised regulatory concerns.

What are the key proposals in the draft guidelines?

• LTV Norms:
  • The Loan-to-Value (LTV) ratio remains capped at 75%.
  • For bullet repayment loans for consumption, accrued interest must be included in the LTV calculation, effectively lowering the loan amount disbursed.
• Ownership Proof:Borrowers must furnish proof of ownership for the gold pledged.
• Valuation Standards:
  • Gold should be valued based on 22-carat price.
  • Uniform procedures must be followed to assess the purity and weight.
• Loan Renewal & Fresh Sanctions:
  • Renewals or top-ups are permitted only if:
    • The existing loan is standard, and
    • It complies with the LTV limit.
  • Concurrent loans for both consumption and income-generation are disallowed.
  • A fresh loan can only be granted after full repayment (principal + interest) of the previous loan.
• Collateral Return Timeline:If the gold is not returned within 7 working days after repayment, the lender must compensate the borrower at ?5,000/day for each day of delay.

Likely Impact on Borrowers and Lenders

Borrowers:

• May face reduced loan amounts and higher documentation requirements.
• Small and rural borrowers, dependent on gold loans for agriculture and allied sectors, may experience reduced accessibility.

NBFCs and Banks:

• NBFCs that frequently renew or top-up gold loans could lose flexibility.
• Compliance costs will rise due to stringent documentation, valuation, and reporting norms.
• Smaller NBFCs relying on re-pledging of gold may face liquidity issues.
• Interest rates may rise to offset higher operational expenses.

Is a uniform policy suitable?

A one-size-fits-all policy may not be practical. Gold loans are a lifeline for rural households with limited access to formal credit. Experts suggest:

• Differentiated norms for micro gold loans (small-ticket loans) and high-value loans.
• Consideration for the informal nature of ownership in many rural households.

In News:

In an effort to streamline and accelerate investments in India’s agriculture and allied sectors, the Government of India has launched the Krishi Nivesh Portal, developed by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare.

The initiative aligns with the government’s broader goal of promoting the ease of doing business in agriculture by integrating schemes from multiple Central ministries and State governments into a single digital platform.

Key Features of the Portal

• One-Stop Solution: The portal acts as a centralized hub providing real-time access to information on agricultural schemes from various government departments and ministries.
• Multi-Stakeholder Access: It is designed to cater to farmers, entrepreneurs, Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), industries, and agri-startups.
• Scheme Integration: As of now, the portal integrates 17 flagship schemes spanning seven Union Ministries, including:
  • Agriculture Infrastructure Fund
  • Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund
  • PM KisanSampada Yojana
  • PM-KUSUM
• Technological Features: It offers a user-friendly interface, chatbot support, and interactive dashboards for data-driven insights and monitoring.
• Investment Tracking: Users can track application status, explore investment opportunities based on geographical spread, and gain assistance with loan disbursal.

Institutional Integration

• Currently, 14 Union ministries/departments and 9 state government departments are involved in implementing schemes related to agriculture and allied sectors.
• Ministries already integrated include:
  • Ministry of Agriculture
  • Ministry of Food Processing Industries
  • Ministry of Rural Development
  • Ministry of Jal Shakti
  • Ministry of New and Renewable Energy
  • Ministry of Fertilisers

Efforts are underway to onboard over 300 schemes from various ministries and states, including those related to credit-linked initiatives, PPP models, venture capital projects, and startups.

Significance for Agricultural Sector

• The portal addresses key challenges such as fragmented scheme information, siloed departmental operations, and delays in loan processing.
• It aims to unlock the investment potential of India’s agri-sector, especially for private investors, by offering a consolidated, transparent, and accessible interface.
• According to official estimates:
  • The revised budget allocation for FY 2024–25 for agricultural investment schemes stands at ?1.31 lakh crore.
  • In FY 2021–22, private sector investment in agriculture amounted to ?2.79 lakh crore.

In News:

In a remarkable ornithological event, the Sabine’s Gull — a rare Arctic seabird — has been observed at Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary in Gujarat. This marks the species’ first recorded appearance in India since 2013, when it was last sighted in Kerala, underlining the dynamic migratory patterns affecting India’s wetland ecosystems.

About Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary

• Located nearly 64 km west of Ahmedabad, Nalsarovar Bird Sanctuary is one of Gujarat’s most prominent wetland ecosystems. Encompassing an area of 120.82 sq km, it comprises a shallow, seasonal lake interspersed with around 360 islets, creating a rich mosaic of aquatic habitats.
• This natural lake traces its origin to the 15th century, following the construction of a check dam on the Sabarmati River. Initially designed to serve irrigation and drinking water needs of nearby villages, the lake gradually evolved into a crucial habitat for avifauna. Recognition of its ecological significance grew over time, prompting colonial authorities in the early 20th century to take protective measures.
• Eventually, in 1969, the Government of Gujarat declared Nalsarovar a bird sanctuary, and it was further accorded the status of a Ramsar wetland site in 2012, signifying its global importance under the Ramsar Convention.
• Flora: The sanctuary supports a wide variety of aquatic and wetland plant life, with 48 algae species and 72 flowering plant species recorded. Common plant species include Cyperus, Scirpus, Typha ungustata, Eleocharis palustris, Ruppia, Potamogeton, Vallisneria, Naias, and Chara.
• Fauna:Nalsarovar is home to nearly 250 bird species, making it a haven for bird watchers. Regular sightings include both greater and lesser flamingos, pelicans, ducks, geese, coots, rails, cranes, and a variety of wading and aquatic birds like herons, egrets, storks, spoonbills, and sarus cranes.
  • Beyond birds, the sanctuary also supports mammalian fauna. On its southern and southwestern peripheries, species such as the Indian wild ass, mongoose, jungle cat, Indian fox, jackal, wolf, and striped hyena are found.

Sabine’s Gull: Profile

• The Sabine’s Gull (Xemasabini), also known as the fork-tailed gull or xeme, is a small gull species notable for its elegant flight and distinctive wing markings. Adults can be recognized by their pale grey backs, black wingtips, white secondary feathers, and forked white tails.
• This gull breeds in high Arctic and subarctic zones across North America, Russia, Greenland, and Svalbard, and is a rare migrant in South Asia.
• According to the IUCN Red List, it is currently categorized as a species of Least Concern, although sightings in India are extremely uncommon.