• 29 Mar 2025

Mitigation of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods in J&K

Why in News? 

The Jammu and Kashmir government is implementing measures to mitigate the risks of Glacial Lake Outburst Floods (GLOFs). 

 Key Points 

• Geographical Vulnerability to GLOFs: 
  • The region's high-altitude glaciers and lakes make it particularly vulnerable to GLOFs. 
  • Rising global temperatures are accelerating glacier melting, leading to the formation of glacial lakes that risk sudden breaches. 
  • These breaches can release millions of cubic meters of water and debris, posing severe threats to downstream communities. 
• Comprehensive Mitigation Strategy: 
  • The J&K government has adopted a proactive and technologically advanced approach to address this threat. 
  • Key measures include: 
    • Expeditions and data collection to study glacial lake dynamics. 
    • Bathymetric surveys, water sampling, and meteorological data collection for risk assessment. 
    • Categorization of glacial lakes based on 17 critical parameters, including size, location, and potential mass movement zones. 
• Formation of Focused Monitoring Committee: 
  • The Focused Glacial Lake Outburst Flood Monitoring Committee (FGMC) oversees the implementation of mitigation strategies. 
  • The committee has identified: 
    • 14 high-risk glacial lakes 
    • 3 moderate-risk lakes 
    • 7 low-risk lakes 
  • Expeditions to high-risk lakes like Sheeshnag and Sonsar have enhanced preparedness and understanding. 
• Future Plans and Preparedness: 
  • The government plans to expand mitigation efforts, improve predictive abilities for heavy rainfall, and train key stakeholders like National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF), and Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP). 
  • Aapda Mitras (local disaster response volunteers) are being trained and sensitized for vigilance in vulnerable areas. 
• Scientific Expeditions for Risk Assessment: 
  • The government has conducted specialized expeditions led by Central University of Jammu to study critical glacial lakes. 
  • Three high-risk lakes in Kishtwar district were analyzed: 
    • Mundiksar Lake 
    • Hangu Lake 
    • An unnamed glacial lake 
  • These expeditions provided valuable data on lake conditions, environmental factors, and potential GLOF risks. 

Chinese Scholars to Visit Visva Bharati

Why in News? 

The Chinese Consul General in Kolkata announced that around 20 scholars and experts from China will visit Visva-Bharati University on 1st April 2025 to participate in an international seminar on Rabindranath Tagore, marking the 75th anniversary of India-China diplomatic ties. 

 Key Points 

• Tagore’s Legacy and China-India Relations: 
  • Rabindranath Tagore, who visited China in 1924, symbolizes China-India friendship. 
  • The international seminar at Cheena Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University, marks 100 years since Tagore’s visit to China and 75 years of diplomatic relations between the two nations. 
• International Seminar and Chinese Delegation: 
  • The Chinese Consulate is organizing the seminar in collaboration with Cheena Bhavana, Visva-Bharati University. 
  • In 2024, Indian scholars and artists visited China to "Retrace the Footsteps of Tagore." 
  • The Chinese Consulate also held a photo exhibition at Visva-Bharati in 2024 to commemorate the centenary of Tagore’s visit to China. 
• Cheena Bhavana: The Center for China-India Cultural Exchange: 
  • Cheena Bhavana (Department of Chinese Language and Culture) at Visva-Bharati is the oldest Chinese studies department in South Asia. 
  • Established by Tagore and Professor Tan Yun-Shan in April 1937, the department promotes historical and cultural ties between India and China. 
• Strengthening People-to-People Ties: 
  • The Chinese Consul emphasized the need to strengthen cultural and academic exchanges between the two countries. 
  • He recalled the Indian Medical Mission to China in 1938, led by Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis. 
  • The Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis Memorial Committee in West Bengal continues to promote initiatives fostering India-China relations. 

 

All India Police Shooting Competition

Why in News? 

The 18th All India Police Shooting (Sports) Competition was held in Indore , Madhya Pradesh from 24 to 29 March 2025 . 

 Key Points 

• About the competition: 
  • This competition was organized in Revati Range of Indore . 
  • The competition was overseen by the All India Police Sports Control Board (AIPSCB) . 
  • The competition was organized by Central School of Armament & Warfare Skills (CSWT), Sisubal, Indore from 24 to 29 March 2025 . 
  • This competition was last organised in Pune (Maharashtra) in the year 2019 . 
  • This competition includes participation of 600 male and female shooters from all over the country . 
  • 17 competitions were organized in which competitions were held for 204 medals . 
• Participating teams: 
  • The competition also saw the participation of teams from the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and various State Police Forces , which mainly included: 
    • Assam, Haryana, Kerala, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab, Telangana Police. 
    • Central Forces: Railway Protection Force ( RPF ), Indo-Tibetan Border Police Force ( ITBP ), Central Reserve Police Force ( CRPF ), Border Security Force ( BSF ), Assam Rifles ( AR ), Central Industrial Security Force ( CISF ), Sashastra Seema Bal ( SSB ). 

National Deaf Shooting Championship

Why in News? 

In the 2nd National Deaf Shooting, Table Tennis and Tennis Championship, Madhya Pradesh player Kushagra Singh Rajawat won two medals. 

•  The Championship was held in Ahmedabad (Gujarat) from 20 to 24 March 2025. 

Key Points 

• Kushagra Singh Rajawat's performance: 
  • Kushagra Singh Rajawat,won the gold medal in the 50m rifle 3-position event and the silver medal in the 50m rifle prone event in this championship . 
  • His achievement was due to the significant contribution of Shooting Academy's chief coach Joydeep Karmakar and assistant coach Vaibhav Sharma , who provided guidance in his training. 
• Medals in badminton too: 
  • In this championship, badminton player Miss Gauranshi Sharma won bronze medal in badminton singles . 

Spread of Karra Disease

Why in News? 

The Animal Husbandry Minister of Rajasthan held a meeting with departmental officials to prevent the spread of Karra disease in Jaisalmer district. 

Key Points 

• About the issue: 
  • The spread of Karra disease (botulism) has been observed in the western districts of Rajasthan – Jaisalmer, Barmer, Balotra and Phalodi . These districts are dry and semi-arid climate areas, where animal husbandry is the main basis of livelihood. 
  • Recently 36 animals died in Jaisalmer and 2 animals died in Phalodi due to this disease. 
  • The objective of this meeting was to focus on prevention of the disease, creating awareness among livestock farmers and ensuring availability of essential medicines . 
• Karra disease: 
  • This disease is mainly caused by deficiency of green fodder and calcium and phosphorus . 
  • Due to this, animals start eating the bones of dead animals , due to which the germs of Bochulism disease enter the body and the infection spreads. 
  • The main symptoms of this disease include drooling from the mouth of the infected animal , stiffness in the front legs and paralysis of the tongue hanging out of the mouth. 
  • To prevent this, livestock owners are advised to provide food rich in nutrients . 

Rajasthan Democracy Fighters Honor Bill 2024

Why in News? 

On 21st March 2025, the Rajasthan Legislative Assembly passed the "Rajasthan Loktantra Senani Samman Bill, 2024" by voice vote.  

  Key Points 

• About the Bill: 
  • The Bill aims to honour the fighters who fought to protect democracy during the Emergency (June 25, 1975 – March 21, 1977) and their families.  
  • This Bill recognises the sacrifice and martyrdom of those who fought to protect democratic values. 
• Main provisions: 
  • Monthly Pension: All eligible Loktantra Senani will be given Rs 20,000 monthly pension. 
  • Medical Aid: Each beneficiary will be provided with Rs 4,000 monthly medical aid. 
  • Free Transport Facility: Loktantra Senani will get free travel facility in government transport services. 
  • Benefits to dependents : After the death of a democracy fighter, his/her husband/wife will be given honorarium and medical assistance for life . 
  • Special Invitation on National Festivals: Loktantra Senanis and their families will be invited as special guests on national events like Independence Day and Republic Day. 
• Importance: 
  • This bill reflects the government's commitment to those who safeguard democracy. 
  • This will provide economic and social support to those families who were most affected during the Emergency. 
  • This initiative will also serve to inspire future generations to protect democracy. 

  Emergency 

• Introduction:  
  • It refers to legal measures and provisions under the constitution or law of a country that enable the government to respond quickly and effectively to extraordinary situations, such as war, insurrection or other crises that threaten the stability, security or sovereignty of the country and India's democracy . 
• Constitutional Provisions: 
  • These provisions are mentioned in Articles 352 to 360 under Part XVIII of the Constitution . 
  • The emergency provisions in the Indian Constitution are inspired by the Weimar Constitution of Germany . 
• Types of Emergencies: 
  • National Emergency (Article 352) 
  • State Emergency (Article 356) 
  • Financial Emergency (Article 360) 

SEZ in Buxar and West Champaran

Why in News? 

Bihar's Industry Minister announced setting up of  Special Economic Zones (SEZ) in Buxar and West Champaran . 

Key Points 

• About the issue: 
  • The central government had approved their formation till November 2024. These zones will be established in  Navanagar of Buxar and Kumarbagh of West Champaran . 
• Special Economic Zone: 
  • Introduction: 
  • SEZs are zones within a country that are often duty-free (fiscal concessions) and have different trade and commercial laws primarily to encourage investment and create employment. 
    • These are also created to better administer these areas, making it easier to do business. 
  • SEZs in India: 
    • Asia's first Export Processing Zones ( EPZ) was established in Kandla, Gujarat in 1965 . 
    • These EPZs were structured similar to SEZs, with the government establishing EPZs in the year 2000 to address the infrastructural and bureaucratic challenges of EPZs . 
    • The Special Economic Zone Act was passed in the year 2005 and came into force along with the SEZ Rules in the year 2006. 
    • There are currently 379 SEZs notified , of which 265 are operational. About 64% of the SEZs are located in five states - Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. 
    • The Board of Approval is the apex body and is headed by the Secretary, Department of Commerce ( Ministry of Commerce and Industry ). 
    • The Baba Kalyani-led committee was constituted by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to study India's existing SEZ policy and submitted its recommendations in November 2018. 
    • It was set up with the broad objective of evaluating the SEZ policy towards making it World Trade Organisation (WTO) compatible and bringing in global best practices to optimally utilise the capacity and maximise the potential output of SEZs.