Rajasthan

• 16 Mar 2023

Protected Forest Area Increased to 3.92 Percent in the State

Why In News?

• On 15 March 2023, Rajasthan Forest and Environment Minister Hemaram Chaudhary informed that in the year 2018 of the geographical area of the state, 2.91 percent was under protected forest area, which has increased to 3.92 percent at present.

Key points

• Forest and Environment Minister Hemaram Chowdhary said that the Vidhan Sabha has passed the demand for a grant of Rs 16 billion 78 crore 24 lakh 36 thousands of Forest and Environment Department by voice vote.
• He said that 9.7 percent of the total area of Rajasthan is forest area. After approving the new forest policy by the government, a target has been set to convert 20 percent of the land into forests.
• The Forest Minister informed that in the year 2022-23, tree plantation has been done in 56 thousand 410-hectare areas and in the year 2023-24, tree plantation will be done in the 80-thousand-hectare area under various departmental schemes.
• Hemaram Chaudhary said that 9 new conservation reserves have been declared during the tenure of the present government. Ramgarh Vishdhari Sanctuary is being developed as the fourth Tiger Reserve after Ranthambore, Sariska and Mukundara Tiger Hills. Further, the process of notifying a Tiger Reserve at Dholpur is under process.
• With the help of Gram Panchayats and Urban Bodies and public cooperation to encourage tree plantation outside forest areas. He said that a massive tree plantation program named 'Tree Outside Forest in Rajasthan' will be launched.
• Under this scheme, 5 crore saplings will be prepared and distributed in the financial year 2023-24.
• The Forest Minister informed that one Luv Kush Vatika is being developed in every district of the state and in the year 2023-24, one more Love Kush Vatika will be developed in every district. Apart from this, green lungs areas will be developed in urban areas by doing works worth Rs 32 crore in the coming year.
• He informed that voluntary displacement of villages from tiger reserves of the state has also been accelerated. Three villages each from Sariska Tiger Reserve and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve and one village from Ranthambore Tiger Reserve have been completely displaced.
• Hemaram Chaudhary said that captive animal sponsor scheme has been started by wildlife lovers, institutions and cooperative organizations in the state for adoption of wild animals living in biological parks.
• He informed that out of 24 places for protected areas of the state, 15 areas have been notified as Eco Sensitive Zones.
• In the year 2023-24, Rajasthan Humanities and Biodiversity Development Project worth Rs 1,693 crore will be started in 13 districts of the state and with the help of JICA, a project worth Rs 1,803.42 crore is being prepared for 19 districts of the state.

Animal Husbandry Honor Ceremony

Why In News?

• On March 15, 2023, Director of Rajasthan Animal Husbandry Department, Dr. Bhawani Singh Rathore told that in order to honor the progressive cattle rearer’s selected by the department every year, the Animal Husbandry Samman ceremony will be held on March 22 at the State Institute of Agricultural Management, Durgapura.

Key points

• Director Dr. Bhavani Singh Rathore said that a total of 415 selected cattle rearers of the state will be honored by Chief Minister Ashok Gehlot. Cattle breeders from all over the state will participate on this occasion.
• In the meeting, Organizing Secretary Dr. P.C Bhati while giving detailed information about the program said that the cattle herders present in the program will be given information about the departmental schemes by the subject experts.
• Along with this, cattle rearing dialogue program will also be organized, under which the problems faced by cattle rearers in animal husbandry will be discussed.

India-Singapore Joint Military Exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra' Concluded in Jodhpur

Why In News?

• The 13th edition of the bilateral exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra' between the Indian Army and the Singapore Army was held at Jodhpur Military Station from March 06-13, 2023.

Key points

• For the first time in the series of exercises, both armies participated in a command post exercise, involving battalion and brigade level planning units and computer wargaming. The exercise, conducted by the Indian Army, involved soldiers from the 42nd Battalion, Singapore Armed Regiment and an Armed Brigade of the Indian Army.
• This joint training fostered a common understanding of mechanized warfare in an environment of emerging threats and emerging technologies, as well as Developed-Interoperability through a computer simulation-based wargame, using joint operations and tactical procedures controlled through a joint command post.
• Both the contingents not only learned about each other's military exercises and procedures but also exchanged ideas and best practices being followed on the modern battlefield.
• It is noteworthy that the exercise 'Bold Kurukshetra' is organized within the scope of bilateral arrangements for joint military training and exercise between the Singapore Army and the Indian Army. First conducted in 2005, the exercise underlines the strong and long-standing bilateral defence ties between the two countries and enhances cooperation between the two armies.