Maharashtra

• 19 Mar 2025

Project ‘Sustainable Phansad’

Why in News? 

The first honey harvest took place near the Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary in Raigad district of Maharashtra, marking a significant success and source of encouragement for conservation experts, naturalists, and tribal communities. 

 Key Points 

• Madhukosh:  
  • Under the ‘Sustainable Phansad’ project, the Madhukosh initiative was introduced to support tribal livelihoods through honey production. 
    • Green Works Trust, in partnership with SBI Foundation, launched this initiative. 
  • By providing a stable income, the initiative reduces dependence on activities that may harm the sanctuary’s ecosystem. 
  • The presence of bees enhances pollination, improving biodiversity in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary and surrounding areas. 
• Sustainable Honey Harvesting: 
  • The harvested honey represents a fusion of traditional knowledge and modern bee-keeping practices. 
  • This initiative demonstrates that human activity and nature can coexist harmoniously, fostering a sustainable future for the region. 
• Expanding Conservation and Livelihood Efforts: 
  • Project ‘Sustainable Phansad’ aims to expand the bee-keeping initiative and further strengthen community participation in conservation. 
  • In addition to Madhukosh, Green Works Trust and SBI Foundation run other initiatives: 
    • EcoBEES – Provides nature education in schools and manages dry waste collection in villages. 
    • Training the Tribes – Offers supplementary education for tribal children. 
    • Conserving Jatayu – Works on reviving the vulture population in Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary. 
    • Biodiversity Counts – Focuses on monitoring birds and herpetofauna (reptiles and amphibians) in collaboration with the Maharashtra Forest Department. 

 Phansad Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location and Significance: 
  • It is situated in the Murud region of Raigad district, Maharashtra. 
  • It was established to preserve the coastal woodland ecosystem of the Western Ghats. 
  • It covers 17,250 acres of forests, grasslands, and wetlands. 
• Historical Background: 
  • The area was once part of the hunting reserves of the princely state of Murud-Janjira. 
  • Features open grassland pockets known as "mals", scattered throughout the sanctuary. 
• Flora: 
  • The sanctuary hosts diverse plant species, including Ain, Kinjal, Teak, Hirda, Jamba, Mango, Ficus, and many more. 
• Fauna: 
  • Major mammal species found in the sanctuary include Leopard, Hyena, Sambar, and Mouse Deer. 
  • Rich in avian biodiversity, with notable bird species such as: 
    • Malabar Pied Hornbill, Black Eagle, Yellow-Footed Green Pigeon, Pompadour Green Pigeon, and Forest Wagtail, White-rumped Vulture. 

Finance Commission Grants for Maharashtra

Why in News? 

The Union Government has released the Fifteenth Finance Commission (XV FC) Grants for Rural Local Bodies in Maharashtra during the Financial Year 2024–25. 

 Key Points 

• Grant Allocation: 
  • Second installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs 611.6913 crores. 
  • Withheld portion of the first installment of Untied Grants amounting to Rs 8.4282 crores. 
  • These funds have been allocated to various District, Block, and Gram Panchayats in the state. 
• Utilization of Untied and Tied Grants: 
  • Untied Grants: 
    • Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) can utilize these funds for location-specific felt needs under the 29 Subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution. 
    • The funds cannot be used for salaries or establishment costs. 
  • Tied Grants: 
    • These grants support basic services, including: 
      • Sanitation and maintenance of ODF status, covering household waste management, human excreta treatment, and fecal sludge management.  
      • Drinking water supply, rainwater harvesting, and water recycling to ensure water security in rural areas. 
• Grant Disbursement Process: 
  • The Government of India, through the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and the Ministry of Jal Shakti (Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation), recommends the release of XV FC Grants. 
  • The Ministry of Finance then disburses these grants to states in two installments per Financial Year. 

 15th Finance Commission  

• The Finance Commission (FC) is a constitutional body that determines the method and formula for distributing the tax proceeds between the Centre and states, and among the states as per the constitutional arrangement and present requirements.  
• Under Article 280 of the Constitution, the President of India is required to constitute a Finance Commission at an interval of five years or earlier.  
• The 15th Finance Commission was constituted by the President of India in November 2017, under the chairmanship of NK Singh. Its recommendations will cover a period of five years from the year 2021-22 to 2025-26.