Madhya Pradesh

• 11 Mar 2025

Madhav National Park

Why in News? 

 On 9th March 2025, the Union Environment Minister declared Madhya Pradesh's Madhav National Park as the country's 58th tiger reserve . It is also the 9th national park in the state to get the recognition. 

Key Points  

• Madhav National Park:  
  • Located in Shivpuri district, this national park is part of the upper Vindhya Hills and has historically been a hunting ground for the Mughal emperors and the Maharajas of Gwalior . 
  • It was declared a national park in 1959 . 
  • The park has a rich ecosystem including lakes, dry deciduous and thorn forests , where tiger, leopard, nilgai, chinkara, four-horned antelope and various kinds of deer are found. 
  • It is one of the 32 major tiger corridors in India , managed through the Tiger Conservation Plan under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 . 
• Importance: 
  • This decision will further strengthen tiger conservation efforts under Project Tiger and help India play a leading role in biodiversity conservation efforts. 
  • This will help in ensuring an increase in the number of tigers and protecting their natural habitat. 
• In December last year, Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh was declared the country's 57th tiger reserve after receiving in-principle approval from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change . 

 Project Tiger 

• Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation initiative in India that was launched in the year 1973. 
• The primary objective of Project Tiger is to ensure the survival and maintenance of tiger populations in their natural habitats by creating dedicated tiger reserves . 
• Increase in the number of tigers:  
  • The first tiger census in 1972 used the unreliable pug-mark method to count 1,827 tigers. 
  • As of 2022 , the tiger population is estimated at 3,167–3,925 , representing a growth rate of 6.1% per year . 
  • India is now home to three-quarters of the world's tigers . 

National Awards for Thermal Power Plants

Why in News? 

Three thermal power plants in Madhya Pradesh have been honored with the National Award for their efficient and effective management of fly ash. 

Key Points  

• About the Award:  
  • This award was given to Shri Singaji Thermal Power Station Dongalia, Satpura Thermal Power Station Sarni and Amarkantak Thermal Power Station Chachai of Madhya Pradesh Power Generating Company (MPPGCL) . 
  • This honour was given during the 14th International Housing Conference held in Goa on the theme of Fly Ash Utilisation-2025. 
    • The conference was organised by Mission Energy Foundation , a non-profit organisation . 
• Award Category: 
  • Satpura Thermal Power Station and Amarkantak Thermal Power Station were given this award in the category of less than 500 MW installed capacity . 
  • Whereas this award was given  to Shri Sinhaji Thermal Power Station in the category of more than 500 MW installed capacity . 
  • Shri Singaji Thermal Power Station has made sustainable and effective use of more than 100 percent fly ash. 

Fly Ash 

• About: 
  • Fly ash is a pollutant typically produced by coal-fired power plants , carried by gases expelled from the combustion chamber. 
  • It is collected from the expelled gases by electrostatic precipitators or bag filters. 
  • Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP) is defined as a filter device used to remove fine particles such as smoke and dust from a flowing gas. 
  • This device is often used for air pollution control activities. 
• Combination: 
  • Fly ash contains significant amounts of silicon dioxide (SiO2), aluminium oxide (Al2O3), ferric oxide (Fe2O3) and calcium oxide (CaO) . 
• Application:  
  • It is used in concrete and cement products, road base, metal recovery and mineral filler etc. 
• Harmful effects:  
  • Fly ash particles are toxic air pollutants . They can cause heart disease, cancer, respiratory disease, and stroke .