Haryana

• 11 Dec 2024

Bima Sakhi Yojana

Why in News? 

Recently, the Prime Minister launched the ‘Bima Sakhi Yojana’ of Life Insurance Corporation in Panipat, Haryana. During the occasion, he also laid the foundation stone of the Main campus of Maharana Pratap Horticultural University, Karnal.

Key Points

• Bima Sakhi Yojana: 
  • It is designed for women aged 18-70 years, focusing on financial literacy and insurance awareness. 
  • It includes training and a stipend for three years, with opportunities to become LIC agents or Development Officers and create employment for 2 lakh women. 
  • It will strengthen the mission of "Insurance for All," promoting social security and eradicating poverty. 
• Maharana Pratap Horticulture University: 
  • It is spread over 495 acres, featuring research stations, a College of Horticulture, and five schools. 
  • It aims to diversify crops and promote world-class horticulture technologies. 
• During the event the PM also highlighted: 
  • Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign launched from Panipat, contributed to saving the lives of thousands of daughters in the last decade. 
  • Highlighted various initiatives for women, including: 
    • Training women as Bank Sakhis, Insurance Sakhis, and Krishi Sakhis. 
    • Increasing maternity leave to 26 weeks. 
    • Introducing programs like Jan Dhan Yojana for financial inclusion, with 30 crore women benefitting. 
  • He emphasized Self Help Groups (SHGs) as a cornerstone of rural economic transformation, with over 10 crore women associated. 
  • Highlighted achievements like the Lakhpati Didi Campaign which has enabled 1.15 crore women to earn over Rs 1 lakh annually. 
  • He highlighted the transformation brought by Jan Dhan Yojana, ensuring direct transfer of benefits from schemes like: 
    • Kisan Kalyan Nidhi. 
    • Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana. 
    • Funds for housing and small businesses.

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Scheme

• About: 
  • The Scheme was launched by the Prime Minister on January 22, 2015 to address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR) and related issues of women’s empowerment over a life-cycle continuum. 
  • It is a Tri-ministerial effort of the Ministries of Women and Child Development (MW&CD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare (MH&FW), and Ministry of Education. 
• Main Objectives: 
  • Prevention of gender-biased sex-selective elimination. 
  • Ensuring survival & protection of the girl child. 
  • Ensuring education and participation of the girl child. 
  • Protecting rights of Girl children.

Marbled Duck

Why in News? 

Recently, bird enthusiasts were thrilled to spot a marbled duck, a rare winter migrant, at Sultanpur National Park. Last recorded sighting of this species in Sultanpur was in 1990. 

Key Points 

• Physical Characteristics: 
  • Medium-sized duck with grey-white plumage. 
  • Distinguished by a large head and light eye patches. 
  • Feeds on fish and aquatic plants. 
• Global Conservation Status: 
  • Classified as "vulnerable" globally by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). 
  • Population decline attributed to habitat destruction and hunting. 
• Geographic Range and Habits: 
  • Native to Europe, where it breeds during the summer months. 
  • Known to breed in three distinct regions: the eastern Mediterranean, western Mediterranean, and Iran. 
  • Prefers lowland, shallow freshwater habitats for breeding. 
• Occurrence in India: 
  • Rarely spotted in Delhi-NCR; last recorded at Bhindawas wetland in 2022. 
  • Limited sightings in Haryana, with records in Gurgaon during the 2000s. 
  • Previous observations include Gujarat and Rajasthan.

Sultanpur National Park 

• About: 
  • Sultanpur National Park is a bird paradise for bird watchers. It is famous for its migratory as well as resident birds. 
    • Migratory birds start arriving in the park in September. Birds use the park as a resting place till the following March-April. 
    • During summer and monsoon months the park is inhabited by many local bird species. 
  • In April 1971, the Sultanpur Jheel inside the park (an area of 1.21 sq. Km.) was accorded Sanctuary status under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act, 1959. 
  • The status of the park was upgraded to National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in July 1991. 
• Location: 
  • It is situated in Gurgaon district of Haryana. The distance of the park is around 50 Km from Delhi and 15km from Gurgaon. 
• Important Fauna at the Park: 
  • Mammals: Blackbuck, Nilgai, Hog deer, Sambar, Leopard etc. 
  • Birds: Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Demoiselle Crane etc.