Uttar Pradesh

• 24 Feb 2025

Nation's First Biopolymer Plant

Why in News?  

On 22 February 2025, the Chief Minister of Uttar Pradesh laid the foundation stone of the nation's first biopolymer plant at Kumbhi in Lakhimpur Kheri district. 

Key Points  

• About the plant: 
  • This biopolymer plant will be set up by Balrampur Sugar Mills Limited at a cost of Rs 2,850 crore. 
  • It will produce polymers in a biological way which will promote an environmentally friendly industrial revolution. 
• Objective: 
  • Its main objective is to promote environmental protection by using biopolymers instead of plastic. 
  • This plant will realize the resolve of self-reliant India and environmental protection 
• Benefit: 
  • The bottles, plates, cups, bags etc. produced by the plant will be completely 'disposable' and will be destroyed in just three months after use. 
  • Using biopolymers instead of plastic will reduce pressure on the environment. 
  • This plant will promote biopolymer production in the country under Make in India. 
  • This will give impetus to trade and investment in the state . 

Make in India Initiative 

• Introduction:  
  • Launched in 2014, Make in India aims to transform the country into a leading global manufacturing and investment destination. 
  • It is led by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT), Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 
  • This initiative is an open invitation to potential investors and partners from across the world to participate in the growth story of 'New India'. 
  • Make in India has achieved significant success in 27 sectors, including strategic areas of manufacturing and services. 
• Objective: 
  • Attracting foreign investment for new industrialisation and developing the existing industrial base in India to overtake China. 
    • To increase the growth rate of the manufacturing sector to 12-14% per annum. 
    • To create 100 million additional manufacturing jobs by 2022 (revised date 2025) 
    • To increase the contribution of the manufacturing sector to Gross Domestic Product (GDP) to 25% by the year 2025. 

Ganga Expressway will be connected to Jewar Airport

Why in News?  

The Uttar Pradesh government announced plans to connect the Noida International Airport (NIA) , also known as Jewar Airport , under construction in Noida, with the Ganga Expressway. 

Key Points   

• About the issue: 
  • To connect Ganga Expressway to Jewar Airport, a new 76 km long link expressway will be built via Bulandshahr . 
  • The government has made a provision of Rs 1000 crore for this project in the budget. 
  • This link expressway will be connected 24 kilometres earlier through Yamuna Expressway. 
  • The estimated cost of this entire project is Rs 4415 crore. 
• Benefit: 
  • With the construction of this expressway, people of Meerut, Bulandshahr will be able to reach Jewar Airport directly in less time.  
  • This will accelerate business and industrial development. 
  • Better connectivity will also boost the tourism sector, thereby improving the local economy. 

Jewar International Airport 

• This airport will be the fourth largest international airport in the world and the fifth international airport in Uttar Pradesh . It will be the second international airport in Delhi NCR after Indira Gandhi International Airport (IGI). 
• Noida Airport is being developed by Zurich Airport International AG . 
• State of the art MRO (Maintenance, Repair & Overhauling) services will also be available at this airport . The airport has been designed in such a way that operating costs can be kept low and the passenger transfer process can be done quickly.   

Ganga Expressway 

• Ganga Expressway is the second longest expressway in the country after Mumbai-Nagpur Expressway. 
• It is an ambitious initiative with an estimated length of 594 kilometres. 
• Connecting the state from east to west, this expressway will pass through 518 villages in 12 districts, significantly reducing the travel time between Meerut and Prayagraj . 
• The Ganga Expressway is not just a transport link but a testimony to Uttar Pradesh's expansion to modernise its adventure landscape. 

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Why in News?  

Recently, the carcass of a male elephant aged around 45-50 years was found in the dense forests of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary near the India-Nepal border in Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh. 

Key Points  

• Cause of death:  
  • According to the officials the elephant may have died due to a fight between two adult elephants, as footprints and broken trees were found at the spot.  
• Recent wildlife deaths:  
  • Before this incident, a 12-year-old male tiger and a 7-year-old male leopard had died in the sanctuary.  
  • These incidents are causing serious concerns about the safety of wildlife . 

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary 

• Location: 
  • It is located in the Upper Ganga Plain in the Bahraich district of Uttar Pradesh , which naturally sustains a rich and diverse ecosystem . 
  • It is spread over an area of 400.6 square km.  
• Protection : 
  • In 1987, it was brought under the ambit of 'Project Tiger' and together with Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary and Dudhwa National Park, it forms the Dudhwa Tiger Reserve . It was established in 1975. 
  • Species like Chital, deer, wild boar, tiger, elephant and leopard are also found in the sanctuary . 
  • It is home to many endangered species including the gharial, tiger, rhinoceros, Gangetic dolphin, swamp deer, hispid hare, Bengal florican, white-backed and long-billed vultures. 
• Ecological structure : 
  • The area is covered with mixed deciduous forests , comprising sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, numerous swamps and wetlands. 
  • The Girwa River flows through this area , which balances the ecosystem.