• 19 Nov 2025

Tribal Tourism Project

Why in News?

The flagship tribal tourism project of the Madhya Pradesh Tourism Board has received central approval under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan.

Key Points

• About the Project:
  • The project will establish 86 tribal homestays across 14 villages situated along the Narmada Parikrama route in the districts of Anuppur, Mandla and Dindori.
  • Total estimated cost is ₹10.5 crore, jointly funded by the Ministry of Tourism and the state tourism board.
  • More than 400 tribal families are expected to gain direct income, with additional livelihood opportunities in handicrafts, transport and local food products.
  • The homestays aim to promote responsible tribal tourism, preserve local culture, and integrate remote villages into mainstream tourism circuits.
    
• About Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan:
  • It is an initiative by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs focused on improving development outcomes in tribal-majority villages.
  • The scheme works through multiple ministries and interventions covering livelihood enhancement, infrastructure, social services and rural enterprise promotion.
  • Tourism-based income generation, such as community-run homestays, forms one of the key components under the livelihood and economic empowerment segment.

Mission Shakti

Why in News?

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh gifted scooters to 25 women police personnel in Sonbhadra district under the state’s Mission Shakti initiative to strengthen women’s safety and empowerment.

Key Points

• Mission Shakti was launched on 17th October, 2020, aligning closely with the broader national Mission Shakti scheme
• It is steered by the Department of Women and Child Development (DWCD), which serves as the Nodal Department. It is implemented through inter-departmental convergence, involving key agencies such as the Home Department and the Uttar Pradesh Police, particularly the Mahila Samman Prakoshth.
• The mission focuses on a three-pronged approach:
  • Safety and Security (e.g., controlling crime against women).
  • Respect and Dignity (e.g., behavior change communication and awareness).
  • Self-Reliance/Empowerment (e.g., linking women to government welfare schemes and economic opportunities).

Mission Shakti (Central Government)

• Mission Shakti is a scheme of Ministry of Women and Child Development aimed at strengthening interventions for women safety, security and empowerment.
• It promotes the vision of women-led development through convergence of services across a woman’s life cycle and operates through two sub-schemes:
  • Sambal (Safety & Security): Includes One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) and Nari Adalats for community-based dispute resolution.
  • Samarthya (Empowerment): Includes modified  Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh and  Working Women Hostel schemes, along with the National Creche Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana  under the ICDS umbrella.

Ana Sagar Lake

Why in News?

The wetland boundary marking near Ana Sagar Lake in Ajmer has led to protests, with locals alleging that the demarcation was biased and carried out without scientific assessment.

Key Points

• Ana Sagar is a 12th century artificial lake in Ajmer, constructed by Anaji Chauhan, grandfather of Prithviraj Chauhan.
• Later, the Mughal ruler Jahangir built Daulat Bagh , also known as  Subhash Udyan , in the courtyard of the lake . 
• Shah Jahan constructed a marble Baradari (pavilion) around it in 1637 AD , which further enhances the beauty of the lake. 
• It is a major urban wetland, contributing to groundwater recharge, flood control, and local microclimate regulation.

Pani Boao–Pani Uggao Campaign

Why in News?

Mohan Chandra Kandpal, a chemistry teacher from Almora district in Uttarakhand, has become the first person from the state to receive a National Water Award, at the 6th edition of the awards.

He won the prize in the “Best Individual in the Water Sector (North Zone)” category.

Key Points

• The “Pani Boao–Pani Uggao” (“Sow Water–Grow Water”) mobilised community involvement, especially women and children, across the regions of Bageshwar and Almora districts.
• It addresses serious problems of spring-drying, water shortage and distress migration in Himalayan districts, which are vulnerable to climate change and deforestation.
• More than 5,000 traditional water-harvesting structures (khals and chaals) have been built, and 27 previously dried water sources were revived.
  

National Water Awards

• The National Water Awards were first introduced in 2018 by the Department of Water Resources, River Development & Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.
• The National Water Awards aim to promote exemplary work in water conservation, efficient water management, and sustainable water resource practices across India.
• In the 6th edition of awards, Maharashtra received first prize in the Best State category, followed by Gujarat in second, and Haryana in third.
• In the Best Urban Local Body (ULB) category, the Navi Mumbai Municipal Corporation (Maharashtra) secured first place for its exemplary work in water-management.

Ram Kal Path Project

Why in News?

The Ramkund area in Nashik is set to undergo major redevelopment under the Ram Kal Path Project, initiated ahead of the 2027 Simhastha Kumbh Mela.

Key Points

• The Ram Kal Path Project is a large-scale urban redevelopment initiative aimed at improving heritage zones, riverfront areas and pilgrimage routes in Panchavati, Nashik.
• It focuses on enhancing pedestrian pathways, river ghats, cultural structures and key religious landmarks associated with the Godavari river and Ramayana-era sites.
• The project involves creating a continuous, redesigned corridor connecting important religious locations such as Ramkund, Kalaram Temple, and surrounding heritage spots.

Kalaram Temple, Nashik

• The Kalaram Temple in Nashik's Panchavati area is a revered Hindu shrine dedicated to Lord Rama, housing a distinct black (Kala) stone idol of the deity.
• Built in the 18th century (1792) by Sardar Rangarao Odhekar, it stands at a site believed to be where Lord Rama stayed during his exile, and its architecture is a striking example of black basalt stone construction.
• Historically, it is significant as the location of the Kalaram Mandir Satyagraha (Nashik Satyagraha)  in 1930, led by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, demanding equal temple entry rights for Dalits.

Asian Caracal

Why in News?

A rare Asian caracal was recently photographed in Jaisalmer district, Rajasthan, marking one of the very few confirmed sightings in recent years and raising hope for the survival of the species in India.

Key Points

• About:
  • The Asian caracal is a nocturnal and highly elusive wild cat that depends on bush-covered dryland ecosystems for movement, shelter, and hunting.
• Prey:
  • It primarily hunts rodents, small mammals, and birds, relying on its agility and preference for low-disturbance arid and semi-arid landscapes.
• Habitat:
  • It is globally distributed across Africa, the Middle East, and Central Asia, inhabiting open, dry ecosystems with sparse vegetation.
  • In India, it survives in Rajasthan, Gujarat, and parts of Madhya Pradesh, especially in semi-arid scrublands, ravine systems, open grasslands, and dry deciduous forest fringes. Its presence in the Thar Desert region is particularly significant, as sightings are extremely rare and populations are very thinly spread.
• Conservation Status:
  • It is classified as Least Concern under the IUCN Red List, based on its wider global distribution.
  • The entire Asian population of the Caracal, including the one found in India, is listed under CITES Appendix I. This classification indicates that the species is threatened with extinction, and commercial international trade in specimens is generally prohibited.
  • It receives the highest level of legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 – Schedule I.

Dhurwa Dam

Why in News?

Residents living near Dhurwa Dam in Ranchi have urged the police to increase patrolling and curb nuisance activities caused by unruly drivers and groups frequenting the area.

Key Points

• About Dhurwa Dam:
  • Dhurwa Dam (also known as Hatia Dam) was constructed in the early 1960s across the Subarnarekha River.
  • It serves as a major drinking water source for Ranchi city and surrounding regions.
• About Subarnarekha River:
  • It originates near Nagri village in Ranchi district, Jharkhand and covers about 395 km before emptying into the Bay of Bengal.
  • It spreads across Jharkhand, Odisha, and West Bengal, bounded by the Chota Nagpur Plateau (north & west), Baitarani basin (south), Bay of Bengal (south-east), and Kasai Valley (east). 
  • Its tributaries include Kharkai (joins at Sonari/Domuhani near Jamshedpur), Kanchi, Karkari, Roro, Harmu Nadi, Damra, Singaduba, Dulunga, and others. It also forms Hundru Falls along its course.