• 19 Mar 2025

Advance Homoeopathy Research

Why in News? 

Adamas University, Kolkata, and the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH), New Delhi, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to strengthen academic and research collaboration in Homoeopathy. 

 Key Points 

• Significance of the Partnership: 
  • This agreement represents a key step in interdisciplinary research, promoting scientific advancements in Homoeopathy through collaborative initiatives. 
  • Both institutions have reaffirmed their commitment to innovation and evidence-based research in alternative medicine. 
• Expected Outcomes: 
  • The partnership aims to strengthen academic ties and facilitate joint research projects. 
  • It is expected to contribute to the broader acceptance and integration of Homoeopathy in mainstream healthcare. 
• About CCRH: 
  • The Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) operates under the Ministry of Ayush, Government of India as an apex research organisation. 
  • It conducts core research in Homoeopathy and collaborates with national and international institutes of excellence for various research activities. 

 Homeopathy 

• It is a system of medicine which is based on the concept that the body has an inherent ability to heal itself, and the role of the homoeopathic remedy is to stimulate this self-healing process. 
  • Practitioners of homoeopathy believe that diluting the substance to extremely small amounts enhances its healing properties while reducing any potential side effects. 
• The World Homoeopathy Day is observed every year on 10th April to commemorate the Birth Anniversary of Dr. Hahnemann, the Founder of Homoeopathy. 

Human Coronavirus- HKU1

Why in News? 

According to reports a woman in Kolkata is suffering from human coronavirus HKU1, a species of coronavirus. HKU1 typically causes milder respiratory illnesses and does not pose a pandemic threat. 

 Key Points 

• Identification and Evolution: 
  • Coronaviruses exist in multiple types, but HKU1 is not a novel virus like Covid-19. 
  • Scientists first identified HKU1 in 2005 as a rare isolate. 
  • Evidence suggests HKU1 has been evolving steadily in humans, who are likely its only known reservoir. 
• Symptoms and Severity: 
  • HKU1 generally affects the upper respiratory tract, causing symptoms similar to the common cold and flu, including: 
    • Malaise, Persistent cough, Runny nose or nasal congestion, Blocked sinuses, Sore throat, Fatigue, Headaches, Low-grade fever. 
    • In severe cases, the virus may descend to the lungs, leading to pneumonia or bronchitis. 
• Mode of Transmission: 
  • It spreads through common respiratory transmission methods, such as: 
    • Direct contact with an infected person, Respiratory droplets from coughing or sneezing. 
    • Touching contaminated surfaces and then touching the face, mouth, or nose 
• Vulnerability:  
  • The disease is self-limiting and resolves on its own. But vulnerable groups like the elderly, children, pregnant women, those with immuno-compromised conditions or with co-morbidities need to be vigilant for severe manifestation of the disease. 
• Treatment:  
  • There is no vaccine or specific treatment for human coronaviruses. Most infected individuals get better on their own. 

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. 

Kuno National Park

Why in News?  

On 17^th March, 2025 a female cheetah and her four cubs were released in the wild forest of Kuno National Park (KNP), Madhya Pradesh . 

• This takes the total number of cheetahs in KNP to 26, including 14 cubs born in India. 

Key Points 

• Kuno National Park: 
  • Kuno National Park is a protected area in Madhya Pradesh , which was given the status of a  national park in 2018 . 
  • It was established in 1981 as  a wildlife sanctuary. 
  • It is spread across Sheopur and Morena districts of the state . 
  • Kuno National Park is the habitat for cheetahs relocated from Namibia and South Africa. 
• Cheetah relocation project:  
  • The Cheetah Reintroduction Project in India was formally launched on  17^th September 2022, with the aim of restoring the population of cheetahs in the country, which were declared extinct in 1952. 
  • The project is implemented by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) in collaboration with the Madhya Pradesh Forest Department , Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and cheetah experts from Namibia and South Africa. 
•  Importance 
  •  The reintroduction of cheetahs will strengthen the ecosystem and revive the grassland ecosystem, which will also be beneficial for other species. 
  • This will help in conserving biodiversity and establishing balance in the food chain . 
  • The number of tourists will increase and employment opportunities will be created, thereby boosting the local economy. 

Low-Level Transportable Radar

Why in News?  

The Ministry of Defence signed a ₹ 2,906 crore contract with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL), based in for the procurement of the transportable radar 'Ashwini' for the Indian Air Force. 

Key Points  

• About:  
  • Low-Level Transportable Radar (LLTR) ‘Ashwini’ is an active electronically scanned phased array radar. 
  • It is used to monitor slow-moving targets such as high-speed fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and helicopters . 
  • This radar is based on state of the art solid state technology. 
  • It has been indigenously designed and developed by Electronics and Radar Development Establishment (LRDE) and Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). 
•  Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL):  
  • It is a Navaratna Public Sector Undertaking (PSU) operating under the Ministry of Defence, Government of India . 
  • It was established in 1954 to meet the defence needs of the nation. 
  • The organization is engaged in various fields of defence electronics and professional electronics, providing modern technical support to the Indian Defence Forces. 
  • Production Units:  
    • BEL has several manufacturing units located in Bengaluru (Head Office), Ghaziabad (Uttar Pradesh) , Panchkula (Haryana) , Kotdwar (Uttarakhand) , Hyderabad and Machilipatnam (Andhra Pradesh) , Navi Mumbai and Pune (Maharashtra) , and Chennai (Tamil Nadu). 

 Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO)  

• Introduction: 
  • DRDO is the research and development arm of the Ministry of Defence aimed at empowering India in cutting-edge defence technologies. 
  • Efforts towards self-reliance and successful indigenous development and production of strategic systems and platforms like Agni and Prithvi missile series , light combat aircraft Tejas , multi-barrel rocket launcher Pinaka , air defence system Akash , a wide range of radars and electronic warfare systems etc.  
• Establishment: 
  • It was established in 1958 by the integration of the Technical Development Establishments (TDEs) and Directorate of Technical Development & Production (DTDP) of the Indian Army and the Defence Science Organisation (DSO) . 
  • DRDO is a network of more than 50 laboratories intensively engaged in development of defence technologies covering various disciplines such as aeronautics, armament, electronics, combat vehicles, engineering systems etc. 

Loudspeakers at religious places

Why in News? 

The Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh stressed the need for permanent noise pollution control measures for loudspeakers at religious places . 

Key Points  

• Important Instructions: 
  • The Chief Minister directed the officials to keep the noise level in religious and public events as per the prescribed standards.  
  • He also gave instructions to ensure a permanent solution regarding the use of loudspeakers at religious places. 
• High Court Decision:  
  • Earlier, the Allahabad High Court has also given an important decision regarding  the use of loudspeakers at religious places . 
    • The court clarified that using loudspeakers for prayers is not a legal right, because it may cause inconvenience to other people. Therefore, using loudspeakers does not fall under the category of rights. 
• Noise Pollution: 
  • Any kind of uncomfortable or excessively loud sound is called noise pollution.  
  • Sound intensity is measured in decibels (dB) and a decibel scale is used to determine its levels.  
  • Sound intensity up to 20 dB is considered equivalent to a whisper.  
  • According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) , sound intensity less than 70 dB is not harmful to living beings, no matter how long it persists.  
    • However, if a person is exposed to noise above 85 dB for more than 8 hours continuously, it may pose a health hazard. 
  • The main sources of noise pollution include loud music, transportation, construction work, etc., which have a negative impact on human life.  
    • Its side effects include high blood pressure, hearing impairment, sleep disorders and heart disease. 

Pilibhit Tiger Reserve

Why in News? 

The Pilibhit Tiger Reserve (PTR) is set to become a new sanctuary for rhinos coming from Nepal, where efforts are in full swing to establish a permanent habitat for them. 

Key Points  

• The Lagga-Bhagga area of Pilibhit Tiger Reserve is adjacent to the Shukla Phanta Sanctuary of Nepal, due to which Nepalese rhinoceroses often visit here.  
• The area has rich grasslands, adequate water sources and uninterrupted wildlife corridors, making it an ideal environment for a stable population of rhinos. Currently, there is no recorded population of rhinos in the reserve. 
  • Under 'Project Rhino', rhinoceroses will be translocated from Assam and Nepal. 
• Importance and Benefits 
  • The project will preserve the dwindling rhino population as well as strengthen the wildlife ecosystem . 
  • Tourism will be promoted , which will improve the economic condition of local communities . 
  • Having protected and demarcated areas will reduce the problem of rhinos straying into agricultural lands , thereby preventing conflict between farmers and wildlife. 
•  Pilibhit Tiger Reserve:  
  • It is located in Pilibhit and Shahjahanpur districts of Uttar Pradesh. It was notified as a Tiger Reserve in the year 2014. 
    • In the year 2020, it won the international award TX2 for doubling the number of tigers in the last four years . 
  • It is part of the Terai Arc landscape in the Upper Gangetic Plain . 
  • The Gomti River originates from this reserve, which is also the catchment area of several other rivers like Sharda, Chuka and Mala Khannot . 
  • It is home to myriad wild animals, including the endangered tiger, swamp deer, Bengal florican, hog deer, leopard , etc. 

 Project Rhino  

• Project Rhino is an important conservation initiative in India aimed at saving  the dwindling population of one-horned rhinoceros . 
• It began in the 1980s, when the threat of extinction to rhinos was seriously recognised.  
• It evolved into a multi-faceted program , with key strategies including habitat conservation, community engagement, law enforcement, and scientific research. 

Cooperative Societies in Rajasthan

Why in News? 

The four-member Zambian delegation, during its visit to the Jaipur Central Cooperative Bank and other institutions, observed efforts to make various cooperative schemes accessible to the general public. 

Key Points  

• Under the International Cooperative Year, 2025 , delegations from various countries are visiting other countries and studying their cooperative systems. 
• The delegation visited Jaipur Central Cooperative Bank, Apex Bank, Bilwa Gram Seva Cooperative Society and Bad Ka Balaji Primary Milk Producers Cooperative Society and understood the efforts made to make the cooperative schemes 
• The delegation was informed about  the effectiveness of cooperative movement and the role of cooperative institutions in the state. 
• The recovery campaign of outstanding loans of the non-agricultural sector being run by the Primary Cooperative Land Development Bank of Rajasthan was also discussed. 
• On this occasion, representatives from Zambia also shared information on their country's cooperative policies and programmes , which made possible the exchange of experiences in the cooperative sector between the two countries. 

Co-operative Societies: 

• Introduction: 
  • Co-operatives are people-centred enterprises owned, controlled and operated by their members to meet their common economic, social and cultural needs and aspirations. 
  • Co-operatives unite people in a democratic and equal manner. Whether members are customers, employees, users, or residents, they operate under the principle of democratic management, following the 'one member, one vote' rule. 
    • Members have equal voting rights regardless of the capital investment made in the enterprise. 
• Indian Perspective: 
  • At present, with a network of over 8.5 lakh co-operative societies covering 90% of the villages in India, these are important institutions for socio-economic development with the aim of inclusive growth in both rural and urban areas. 
• Constitutional Provisions:  
  • Cooperative societies were given constitutional status by the 97th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2011.