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2023 05 29

Table of Contents:

GS Paper 1:

  1. How prosperity fuels dowry demand in India

GS Paper 2:

  1. India’s New Parliament: Need and Significance

GS Paper 3:

  1. NavIC satellite: Why a regional navigation system matters to India

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

  1. Shift to Cash Transfer
  2. Giant Artificial Intelligence

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

  1. Mohenjodaro’s Dancing Girl
  2. Snowball effect
  3. Manufactured sand (M-Sand)
  4. Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)
  5. Global Greenhouse Gas Watch
  6. Cheetah Project Steering Committee
  7. Tarini

How prosperity fuels dowry demand in India

GS1/GS2/GS4

Syllabus: Indian Society/ Social Justice/Ethics

Source: BBC

Context: A recent study has revealed that as prosperity and opportunities for men in India have improved, the demand for dowry has increased.

  • The researchers examined more than 74,000 marriages in India between 1930 and 1999 to examine the evolution of dowry over time.

Key findings of the study about Dowry in India:

  • Economic growth perpetuates and boosts the practice of dowry payments in India
  • As men gain better education and higher-quality jobs, dowry amounts increase.
  • Dowry payments decrease as more women receive education in an area.
  • Promoting women’s education and increasing their participation in the workforce can potentially help reduce the prevalence of dowry.
  • Families refusing to pay dowry may end up with lower-quality grooms for their daughters, creating a strong economic incentive for grooms to accept dowry.
  • No correlation with caste-based factors: The practice of dowry began around the same time for both high and low-caste groups, indicating that caste-based factors do not solely explain its rise.

Status of Marriages in India:

  • Most Indian marriages are still arranged, and nearly all women marry by their late twenties.
  • Some 90% of the marriages studied until 1999 involved dowry
  • Nearly all marriages in India are monogamous
  • Less than 1% end in divorce
  • Parents play an important role in choosing the bride/groom
  • Over 90% of couples live with the husband’s family after marriage
  • More than 85% of women marry someone from outside their own village
  • Over 78% of marriages are within the same district

(Source: India Human Development Survey, 2005; National Family Health Survey 2006; REDS, 1999)

What is the Dowry system in India? 

The dowry system in India refers to the bride’s family giving to the bridegroom, his parents, or his relatives as a condition of the marriage.

Causes of the prevalence of the dowry system in India:

Causes Description
Patriarchal Society Women are considered as economic burdens and need to be financially supported.
Economic Factors Dowry is seen as a way to provide financial security to the bride after marriage.
Social Pressure and Status Expectations from the bride’s family to display their social and economic status.
Gender Inequality Unequal distribution of property and inheritance rights favouring male heirs.
Cultural and Traditional Beliefs Deep-rooted customs and traditions have perpetuated the practice of dowry.
Fear of Social Stigma Concerns about societal judgment and reputation if dowry is not provided.
Lack of Legal Enforcement Inadequate implementation and enforcement of laws against dowry.
Lack of Education and Awareness Limited awareness about gender equality and the negative impacts of dowry.
Desire for Material Gain Greed for wealth and material possessions led to demands for dowry.
Peer and Family Pressure Pressure from extended family, relatives, and societal expectations.

Consequences of the prevalence of the dowry system in India:

  • Financial Burden on the Bride’s Family
  • Abuse: Women are subjected to physical, emotional, and mental abuse if dowry demands are not met.
  • Norms: Reinforcement of patriarchal norms, treating women as inferior and perpetuating gender-based discrimination.
  • Breakdown of Marriages: Dowry-related disputes and conflicts often lead to marital discord, separation, and even divorce.
  • Deaths: Cases of dowry deaths, suicides, and bride burning due to dowry disputes and harassment.
  • Financial dependence: Women’s lack of financial independence and control over their own resources, leads to dependency on their husbands.
  • Inequality: Preference for investing in dowry over girls’ education, limiting their opportunities for personal and professional growth.
  • Reinforcement of Harmful Stereotypes: Dowry perpetuates the notion that women are commodities to be bought, reinforcing harmful stereotypes in society.

Provisions to combat the prevalence of the dowry system in India:

Provisions Examples
Legal provisions: Dowry Prohibition Act, 1961 (Prohibits the giving or taking of dowry); Section 498A of the Indian Penal Code (IPC) (Criminalizes cruelty against married women); Mandatory requirement to report dowry-related offences to the police or concerned authorities.
Institutional provisions Family Welfare Committees (Constitution of committees at district levels to review dowry complaints and provide assistance); Women Helpline Numbers; Sensitization of Law Enforcement Agencies
SC observations In Vishaka vs State of Rajasthan (1997): SC requested the Law Commission of India to take a “fresh look” to bring “more teeth” to the law against dowry. Recently, the Supreme Court has held that Dowry’s death can be presumed if the wife was harassed, mentally and physically close before her death in the marital home.
Government schemes Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao; Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana; Ujjawala Scheme; One Stop Centres (Sakhi); and National Service Scheme (NSS) Special Camping Programmes
NGOs/ CSOs initiative ·        Shakti Vahini is a non-governmental organization working towards the prevention of dowry-related violence and trafficking of women.

·        Breakthrough is an organization that focuses on promoting gender equality and challenging social norms, including the dowry system.

·        Maitri is an NGO that works to empower women and prevent violence against them, including dowry-related issues.

·        Women’s Legal Initiative (WLI) is an NGO that focuses on legal empowerment and access to justice for women.

Ethical aspects of dowry in India:

  • Violation of human rights, gender inequality, and commodification of women.
  • Dowry is considered unethical as it treats women as commodities, subjecting them to financial transactions and devaluing their worth.
  • Dowry perpetuates gender discrimination, where women are seen as burdens and objects of transaction.
  • Dowry infringes upon the principles of equality, dignity, and autonomy.
  • The practice goes against the fundamental values of respect, fairness, and justic
  • Ethically, dowry is condemned as it promotes inequality, perpetuates harmful stereotypes, and undermines the inherent rights and dignity of women.

Conclusion:

Educating daughters is a valuable gift that empowers them. Society needs to be aware of the seriousness of crimes related to dowry. Local communities should be engaged through women’s rights education programs. Misuse of dowry provisions should be addressed through laws and safeguards.

Mains Links:

  1. Although dowry was made illegal decades ago, harassment and deaths over dowry cut across class, financial, educational and religious barriers. Analyse the causative factors and suggest reforms to end this menace. (250 Words)
  2. Why is dowry so deeply entrenched in our society? Analyse ethically. (250 Words)

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023Dowry System in IndiaToday's Article

India’s New Parliament: Need and Significance

GS Paper 2

Syllabus: Parliament – Structure, Functioning, Conduct of Business, Powers & Privileges and Issues Arising out of these

Source: IE

Context:

  • In the 75th year of Independence, India’s new Parliament building, embodying the culture, pride and spirit of the entire nation, was recently inaugurated by the PM of India.
  • 19 opposition parties boycotted the inauguration event, accusing the central government of sidelining President Droupadi Murmu – the country’s first tribal head of state.

The old Parliament:

  • At the coronation of George V as Emperor of India in 1911, the announcement of the transfer of the seat of GoI from Calcutta to the ancient Capital of Delhi was made.
  • The GoI Act 1919 provided for a bicameral legislature for India and the need for the new was felt.
  • The parliament building’s construction took six years (and Rs 83 lakhs) – from 1921 to 1927, and its circular shape is believed to be inspired by the Chausath Yogini temple at Mitawli village in MP’s Morena district.

Need for a new Parliament building:

  • Existing Parliament is old: The existing Parliament house (which will be converted into a ‘Museum of Democracy’ after the new Parliament becomes operational) is almost a century-old Heritage Grade-I building, showing signs of distress and over-utilization.
  • Narrow seating space for MPs:
    • The present building was never designed to accommodate a bicameral legislature for a full-fledged democracy.
    • The Central Hall has seating capacity only for 440 persons and when the Joint Sessions are held, the problem of limited seats amplifies.
    • The number of Lok Sabha seats is likely to increase significantly from the current 545 after 2026.
  • Distressed infrastructure: The addition of services like water supply, sewer lines, etc., has led to seepage of water at several places and impacted the aesthetics of the building.
  • Safety concerns: For example, fire safety, structural safety (Delhi is currently in Seismic Zone-IV), etc.
  • Obsolete communication structures: Communications infrastructure and technology is antiquated in the existing Parliament, and the acoustics of all the halls need improvement.
  • Inadequate workspace for employees.

The new Parliament:

  • It is part of the Central Vista Project – the ongoing redevelopment project to revamp India’s central administrative area (designed by Sir Edwin Lutyens and Sir Herbert Baker during British colonial rule) located near Raisina Hill, New Delhi.
  • It is designed by Ahmedabad-based HCP Design, Planning and Management under architect Bimal Patel and has been built by Tata Projects Ltd.

Main features of the new Parliament building:

  • A “Platinum-rated Green Building” with about 65,000 sq m built-up area, which will be divyang friendly.
  • The triangular shape ensures the optimum utilisation of space.
  • A larger Lok Sabha hall (888 seats) based on the peacock theme (India’s national bird) and a larger Rajya Sabha hall (384 seats) based on the lotus theme (India’s national flower).
  • The Lok Sabha may accommodate up to 1,272 seats for joint sessions of Parliament.
  • A state-of-the-art Constitutional Hall symbolically and physically puts the Indian citizens at the heart of our democracy.
  • A Central Lounge that will complement the open courtyard (with a banyan – the national tree) will be a place for members to interact with each other.
  • Ultra-modern state-of-the-art features like a digitised voting system, well-engineered acoustics and audiovisual systems in the two chambers.

Interior decorations:

  • Murals depicting maps of ancient India-protected monuments of ASI and UNESCO, etc.
  • 3 ceremonial entrance halls with huge brass images of Mahatma Gandhi, Chanakya, Gargi, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, B.R. Ambedkar, and the Chariot Wheel from the Sun Temple at Konark are on display.
  • Reflecting the cultural diversity of India in line with the “Made in India” initiative Tripura’s epitome bamboo wood flooring and carpets from UP’s Mirzapur embellished the new Parliament.
Some other magnificent Parliament buildings
Name Location Image
Binnenhof The Hague, Netherlands
National Parliament House Dhaka, Bangladesh
The Capitol Washington DC, US
The Great Hall of the People Beijing, China
The National Assembly Complex Abuja, Nigeria
The Palace of Parliament Bucharest, Romania
The Reichstag Berlin, Germany

Significance of the new Parliament: Symbol of the vision and aspirations of India, the spirit of change and continuity and will witness the making of India as ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’.

Expectations from the new Parliament:

  • The trend of increasing disruptions and long periods of deadlock is antithetical to the spirit of Parliament – law-making through debate, discussion, and consensus.
  • Hence, the new Parliament offers an opportunity to seriously introspect on Parliamentary conduct and make Parliament more efficient and productive.

Conclusion: The new Parliament should not only be the fountainhead/epitome of architectural excellence but should also work as a lighthouse to guide India in its ambitious journey of ‘new India@100’; ‘Ek Bharat, Shrestha Bharat’, etc.

Insta Links:

New Parliament building

May 29, 2023 /29 May 202329 May CAGS 2New Parliament of IndiaToday's ArticleToday’s article

GS Paper 3

Syllabus: Science and Technology/ Geography

Source: IE

Context:  ISRO will launch a new NavIC satellite ( NVS-01), belonging to the second generation of the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), known as NavIC, to overcome some of the previous issues faced by NavIC.

Issues faced by NavIC (Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System):

  • Atomic clock failure: Several of the existing satellites stopped providing location data after their onboard atomic clocks failed
  • Satellite Replacement: Some of the satellites in the NAVIC constellation have reached the end of their mission life or become partially defunct.
  • Limited Coverage: While NAVIC provides coverage over the Indian landmass and a radius of 1,500 km around it, there is a need for further expansion and ground stations outside India to improve coverage and accuracy in hard-to-reach areas.
  • User Segment Development: There has been a delay in the development of user receivers for the NAVIC system, resulting in limited utilization of the navigation services.
  • Mobile Compatibility: Mobile phones in India currently lack compatibility to process NAVIC signals, limiting the widespread use of the system.
  • Security and Encryption: Ensuring the security of NAVIC signals and preventing breaches or spoofing is a significant challenge.

New features of the Satellite are (to overcome some of the issues):

  • L1 Frequency: The inclusion of the L1 frequency (besides L5 and S frequency) enhances compatibility with wearable devices and personal trackers. The inclusion of L1 frequency also increases interoperability with other satellite-based navigation systems.
  • Longer mission life: The second-generation satellites will also have a longer mission life of more than 12 years. The existing satellites have a mission life of 10 years.
  • Rubidium atomic clock: The atomic clock ensures accurate positioning, addressing a previous issue faced by satellites in the constellation
  • The heaviest in the constellation of NAVIC satellites ( will be launched by a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle (GSLV) rocket): Previous satellites were much lighter and launched on PSLV. The higher weight allowance allows for more instruments and fuel to be loaded.

NavIC’s advantages over other systems:

Advantages Explanation
Regional Coverage India is the only country that has a regional satellite-based navigation system (there are four global satellite-based navigation systems — the American GPS, the Russian GLONASS, the European Galileo, and the Chinese Beidou
Higher Accuracy Once fully operational, NavIC open signals are expected to provide accuracy up to 5 meters, surpassing GPS accuracy (20 meters).
Geo-stationary Satellites Unlike GPS, NavIC uses satellites in high geo-stationery orbit, ensuring constant coverage over the designated region.
Improved Signal Reception NavIC signals arrive in India at a 90-degree angle, making them easier to receive even in congested or obstructed areas (unlike GPS).
Indigenous Development NavIC is developed by ISRO, showcasing India’s technological capabilities and reducing dependence on foreign systems.

Why a regional navigation system matters to India:

Examples
Strategic Independence India’s NavIC system operates independently without relying on GPS or other global systems.
National Security NavIC enables precise tracking and navigation for defence operations and military applications.
Disaster Management NavIC helps in tracking and responding to natural disasters, such as cyclones and floods.
Transportation and Navigation NavIC enables precise tracking of commercial vehicles, enhancing road safety and efficiency.
Precision Agriculture and Farming NavIC aids farmers in optimizing crop management, irrigation, and soil nutrient application.
Personal and Public Safety NavIC enables real-time tracking of fishermen and sends alerts in case of potential dangers at sea.
Scientific and Technological Advancements NavIC aids in scientific experiments, geological surveys, and geodetic network development.

To know about NavIC: Click Here

Conclusion:

Currently, NavIC’s reach extends only 1,500 km beyond Indian territory. However, for applications involving ships and aeroplanes travelling beyond this range, satellites in Medium Earth Orbit (MEO) would be required. By adding MEO satellites in the future, NavIC can extend its global reach and aim to provide navigation services on a global scale, similar to the capabilities of the GPS system.

Mains Links:

  1. Why is the Indian Regional Navigational Satellite System (IRNSS) needed? How does it help in navigation? ( UPSC 2018)

Prelims Links:

With reference to the Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS), consider the following statements: ( UPSC 2018)

  1. IRNSS has three satellites in geostationary and four satellites in geosynchronous orbits.
  2. IRNSS covers the entire India and about 5500 sq. Km beyond its borders.
  3. India will have its own satellite navigation system with full global coverage by the middle of 2019.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 only

(b) 1 and 2 only

(c) 2 and 3 only

(d) None

Ans: A

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023Indian Regional Navigation Satellite System (IRNSS)NavicToday's Article

Shift to Cash Transfer

Content for Mains Enrichment (CME)

Source: TH

The Odisha government has decided to shift from direct bank transfers to cash payments at the Panchayat level for its Madhu Babu Pension Yojana (MBPY) due to challenges faced by pensioners in accessing their funds and technical issues with the MBPY portal.

The move has been criticized by Union Minister Dharmendra Pradhan, who believes it is a step backwards in the fight against corruption. Odisha has poor banking infrastructure in rural areas, making it difficult for pensioners to withdraw their funds.

Usage: The example can be used to highlight the difficulties in the use of direct cash transfers for social security payments in India.

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023difficulties in direct cash transferShift to Cash TransferToday's Article

Giant Artificial Intelligence

Source: TH

The limitations and potential drawbacks of using “giant artificial intelligence” (gAIs) like ChatGPT, Bard, Chinchilla, PaLM, LaMDA, et al.:

  • Lack of democratic input: gAIs are designed from the top down, limiting the involvement and input of the people who are meant to use them.
  • Reduction in diversity: gAIs tend to abstract away local knowledge and diverse perspectives, favouring a more standardized and globalized view of information.
  • Language and cultural biases: Models trained primarily on internet data, which is largely in English, can perpetuate biases and overlook the nuances of other languages and cultures.
  • Incomplete understanding: gAIs may provide intelligible responses but can fail to fully grasp the context and intricacies of certain questions, leading to incomplete or inaccurate answers.
  • Stochastic behaviour: gAIs can exhibit randomness in their responses, making their behaviour unpredictable and potentially unreliable.
  • Potential risks of artificial general intelligence (AGI): Researchers warn that advancements in AGI, a field of study related to gAIs, could pose significant risks, including catastrophic consequences.
  • Reduction in human involvement: The reliance on gAIs for knowledge work may lead to a decreased role for human expertise and decision-making, potentially eroding important skills and experiences.
  • Ethical concerns: The deployment and use of gAIs raise ethical considerations, including privacy, transparency, and accountability in decision-making processes.

Usage: The points can be used to show the limitations of AI in Science and Technology/ Society paper

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023giant artificial intelligence (gAIs)Limitations of AIToday's Article

Snowball effect

Source: Indian Express

Context: According to the World Economic Forum president India witnessing a ‘snowball effect’; set to see exponential growth in coming years.

About the Snowball effect:

When the snowball starts to roll, it gets bigger and bigger, and that is what is happening with the Indian economy – the growth will lead to more investments, and more jobs leading to exponential growth in the coming years.

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023economyGS3the Snowball effectToday's Article

Mohenjodaro’s Dancing Girl

Facts for Prelims (FFP)

Source: IE

Context: The mascot of International Museum Expo 2023 was inspired by Dancing Girl Sculpture.

About Mohenjodaro’s Dancing Girl:

Description
Discovery Discovered in 1926 (by British archaeologist Ernest McKay) during excavations at Mohenjodaro, a major site of the Indus Civilization.
Age Over 4,500 years old, belonging to the Harappan period (3300-1300 BC).
Material Made of bronze, a metal alloy consisting primarily of copper.
Dimensions Stands at a height of 10.5 cm (original figurine).
Appearance Depicts a nude female figure with multiple bangles and a necklace.
Pose Strikes a pose with a hand on her hip, legs slightly forward, and a lively and spirited stance.
Artistic Sophistication Represents the high level of artistry and metallurgy in the Harappan civilization, showcasing the knowledge of metal blending and lost-wax casting techniques.
Historical Interpretation Historians differ in interpreting the figurine’s purpose: some consider her a dancer, while others suggest she could represent a woman carrying an offering.
Symbolic Value The figurine is an object of symbolic and aesthetic value, highlighting the presence of high art in Harappan society.
Cultural Significance The Dancing Girl is a significant artefact of the Indus Civilization, offering insights into the artistic and cultural practices of the time.
Current Location Currently housed in the National Museum of India, serving as a prominent exhibit in the Indus Civilization gallery.

Tags: Mohenjodaro’s Dancing Girl

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023Today's Article

Manufactured sand (M-Sand)

Source: BS

Context: The Rajasthan government has announced its support for the use of manufactured sand (M-Sand) as a cost-effective and convenient alternative to river sand

  • As per the M-Sand Rajasthan policy introduced in 2021, it is mandatory to use at least 25% M-Sand in government construction projects.
  • M-Sand units have been granted industrial status, allowing them to benefit from the Rajasthan Industrial Promotion Scheme (RIPS) 2019, which includes subsidies and concessions on taxes and fees.

What is M sand?

M-Sand, or Manufactured Sand, is an alternative to natural river sand used in construction. It is produced by crushing rocks or quarry stones to obtain sand particles of consistent size and shape.

Advantages:

It has similar properties to natural sand, making it suitable for various construction purposes. It is cost-effective, readily available, and reduces the need for mining natural sand.

It also requires less water for construction projects as it does not need to be washed before use.

Differences between M-Sand and natural sand:

Aspect M-Sand Natural Sand
Particle Shape Cubic form, enhancing bonding Flaky, sharp, and angular grains
Silt Content Zero silt content Silt content ranging from 3-20%
Quality Control Manufactured in a controlled environment No strict control, and variations in silt content
Concrete Strength High concrete strength Lower concrete strength
Availability Requires production and availability may vary Naturally occurring, availability depends on the riverbed
Environmental Impact Reduces the need for natural sand mining, repurposes waste materials This can lead to environmental degradation, habitat destruction, and water scarcity
Cost-effectiveness Can be more cost-effective as it can be produced in large quantities at a lower cost Cost may vary based on availability and location

Sand is classified as a ‘minor mineral’ under Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulations) Act, 1957, and administrative control vests with State Governments. Sustainable Sand Mining Management Guidelines 2016, issued by MoEFCC, encourages scientific sand mining and environmentally friendly management method.

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023M-SandManufactured sandNatural SandToday's Article

Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABY)

Source: PIB

Context: The National Level Steering Committee of the Atal Bhujal Yojana, chaired by the Secretary of the Department of Water Resources, has decided to continue the ABY for another two years beyond 2025, till 2027.

Key features of the Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY):

Description
About Atal Bhujal Yojana (ABHY) is a central sector scheme, for sustainable management of groundwater with community participation.
Objective It envisages people’s participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc.

It aims to bring behavioural changes in communities and promotes demand-side interventions for water conservation and smart water management. It emphasizes reducing water demand in irrigation and implementing efficient water techniques.
Launched in 2020
Ministry Ministry of Jal Shakti
Funding Government of India and World Bank on a 50:50 basis
Participating States Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan, and Uttar Pradesh
Selection Criteria for States Groundwater exploitation, degradation, legal and regulatory instruments, institutional readiness, and experience in groundwater management initiatives
Focus Areas Over-exploited and water-stressed areas
Water Conservation Interventions Demand-side interventions, reducing water demand in irrigation, promoting efficient water techniques (drip/sprinkler, irrigation through the pipeline, mulching, crop diversification, etc.)
Performance-based Incentives States performing well can receive additional incentive funds
Monitoring and Evaluation Pre-defined targets called Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs)

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023Atal Bhujal YojanaToday's Article

Global Greenhouse Gas Watch

Source: WMO

Context: The World Meteorological Congress – the supreme decision-making body of WMO, approved (in its 19th session) a new greenhouse gas (GHG) monitoring initiative – Global Greenhouse Gas Watch.

Background: In 2022, the WMO Executive Council decided to develop an architecture for a global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure to build on and expand WMO’s long-standing activities in GHG monitoring.

The Global Greenhouse Gas Watch (G3W): It aims to establish internationally coordinated monitoring of GHG fluxes (top-down) to support the provision of actionable information to the UNFCCC Parties and other stakeholders

Need:

  • Currently, most GHG monitoring undertaken globally relies heavily on research capabilities and research funding.
  • The intermittent nature of research funding and the competitive processes used for its allocation makes sustained global monitoring difficult to achieve.

May 29, 2023 /29 May 202329 May CAGlobal Greenhouse Gas WatchToday's ArticleToday’s articleWMO

Cheetah Project Steering Committee

Source: BS

Context: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) formed a Cheetah Project Steering Committee.

About NTCA:

  • It is a statutory body established in 2005 under the MoEF&CC under the enabling provisions of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • It was constituted following a recommendation of the Tiger Task Force, constituted by the PM of India for reorganised management of Project Tiger and the Tiger Reserves in India, enabling tiger conservation.
  • The authority consists of the Minister in charge of the MoEF&CC (as Chairperson), the Minister of State in the MoEF&CC (as Vice-Chairperson) and other members.

About the Cheetah Project Steering Committee:

  • It will be chaired by Dr Rajesh Gopal, Secretary General of Global Tiger Forum.
  • The terms of reference of the Steering Committee include –
    • Reviewing progress, monitoring and advice on the Cheetah introduction to the MP Forest Department and NTCA.
    • Opening the Cheetah habitat for eco-tourism and suggesting regulations in this regard.
    • Suggestions on community interface and for their involvement in the project activities.

May 29, 2023 /29 May 202329 May CACheetah Project Steering CommitteeNTCA.Project CheetahToday's ArticleToday’s article

Tarini

Source: The Print

Context: Indian naval ship Vessel Tarini returns after a historic 188-day voyage.

About INS Tarini:

  • INSV Tarini is a cruising sloopbuilt at the Aquarius Shipyard Goa.
  • The vessel was christened INSV Tarini, after the Tara Tarini temple.

May 29, 2023 /29 May 2023DefenseGS3INS TariniToday's ArticleWOMEN EMPOWERMENT