Uttar Pradesh

• 28 Mar 2025

Nation’s First Textile Machine Park

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME) Minister has announced that the country's first textile machine park will be set up on 875 acres of land near Kanpur. 

Key Points 

• About the Park: 
  • This park will be developed in Chaparghata village of Bhongaon area near Kanpur. 
  • This park will be developed on the PPP (Public-Private Partnership) model , which will reduce dependence on imports and give a boost to the Make in India initiative .  
  • The park aims to indigenously manufacture machines used in the textile industry , which are currently imported from countries like  China, Vietnam, South Korea, Taiwan and Europe . 
  • More than 200 large and medium units will be set up under this project , which will provide  employment to about 1.5 lakh people . 
  • Apart from this, exports worth up to Rs 30,000 crore are expected from this park . 
  • Till now India used to import circular knitting machines, flat knitting machines, diving machines, printing machines, sewing machines, patient gown machines and technical textile machines, but now these will be manufactured in Uttar Pradesh itself . 
  • This will not only reduce the cost of machines by 40% but technical experts will also be trained locally for their repair and maintenance . 
• Textile Sector in Uttar Pradesh:  
  • The Uttar Pradesh government is making rapid progress in the textile sector . Banarasi silk, chikankari, handloom and powerloom industries are quite famous here . 
  • The government has taken several initiatives under the Textile and Apparel Policy-2022 to strengthen the textile industry and develop the state as  a textile hub . 
  • Under this, 10 new textile parks are being established in 10 districts of the state including PM Mitra Park near Lucknow . 
  • India's textile market is expected to reach USD 350 billion by the year 2030. 
    

Make in India Initiative 

• Introduction:  
  • This campaign was launched in the year 2014 to facilitate investments, promote innovation and skill development, protect intellectual property and build the best manufacturing infrastructure. 
  • 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. 
  • Target to increase manufacturing sector growth to 12-14% annually in the medium term . 
  • To increase the share of the manufacturing sector in the country's GDP from 16% to 25% by the year 2022. 
  • To create 100 million additional jobs by the year 2022. 
  • Promoting export-led growth.

Dolphin Safari in Varanasi

Why in News? 

Uttar Pradesh government announced to set up a dolphin safari in Varanasi. 

Key Points 

• About Safari: 
  • This safari will be established between Kaithi and Dhakhwa village of Varanasi district.  
  • The highest number of dolphins is seen in this area. 
  • The Uttar Pradesh government has appointed 'Dolphin Mitras' for  dolphin conservation in the Ganga River in Varanasi district . 
• Objective: 
  • The objective of this safari is to promote the increase in the number of Gangetic dolphins in the Ganga river and to ensure the protection of their natural habitat. Apart from this, eco-tourism is also encouraged. 
  • To educate people about the importance of dolphin conservation with the help of 'Dolphin Mitra' and the Forest Department. 

 Ganges River Dolphin 

• Introduction: 
  • The Ganges river dolphin (Platanista gangetica), also known as the " Tiger of the Ganges ", was officially discovered in the year 1801 . 
  • The Ganges river dolphin is found mainly in the major river systems ( Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu ) of India, Nepal and Bangladesh. 
  • According to recent studies, various species have been recorded in the Ganga river basin from the main stream of Ganga river and subsequently from its tributaries - Ghaghra, Kosi, Gandak, Chambal, Rupnarayan and Yamuna . 
• Features: 
  • Ganges river dolphins can only live in freshwater sources and are essentially blind. They scare fish and other prey by emitting ultrasonic sounds , which helps them "see" an image in their mind and thus hunt.  
  • They are often found alone or in small groups, and usually a female dolphin and a baby dolphin travel together. 
  • Females are larger in size than males and give birth only once every two to three years. 
  • Being a mammal, the Ganges river dolphin cannot breathe underwater and must surface every 30–120 seconds. 
  • This creature is popularly called 'Sons' or Susuk because of the sound it makes while breathing . 
• Importance: 
  • These are of immense importance as they are a reliable indicator of the health of the entire river ecosystem. 
  • The Government of India declared it as the National Aquatic Animal in the year 2009. 
  • It is also the state aquatic animal of Assam . 
• Protection status: 
  • International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN): Endangered 
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972: Schedule I 
  • Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES): Appendix I 
  • Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix 1 
• Related Government Initiatives: 
  • Project Dolphin 
  • Vikramshila Ganga Dolphin Sanctuary has been established in Bihar. 
  • National Ganges River Dolphin Day (October 5)