Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA):
-
- Supreme Court established CAMPA in 2002 as National Advisory Council for monitoring, technical assistance and evaluation of compensatory afforestation activities and administering Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF).
- CAMPA promotes afforestation & regeneration activities to compensate for forest land diverted to non-forest uses.
- Parliament passed CAF Act in 2016, and rules were notified in 2018.
- Act provides statutory status for two ad-hoc institutions:
- National Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (NCAFMPA) for management and utilisation of NCAF.
- State Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority for utilisation of State Compensatory Afforestation Fund.
- National CAF under Public Account of India and State CAF under Public Account of each state were created.
- 90% of CAF money will be given to states, while Centre will retain 10%.
National Ropeways Development Programme (Parvatmala Pariyojana):
-
- Cabinet approved two ropeway projects in Uttarakhand, one connecting Sonprayag & Kedarnath and other Govindghat & Hemkund Sahib Gurudwara, under National Ropeways Development Programme.
- Parvatmala Pariyojana was announced in 2022-23 Union Budget, to decongest mountainous areas where road and train connectivity cannot be upgraded beyond a limit.
- Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
- Implementing Agency: The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) has been mandated by the ministry to implement the project. It is a 100% owned SPV of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI).
- Hemkund Sahib Ji is a highly revered pilgrimage site situated in Chamoli district of the State of Uttarakhand. Trek to Hemkund Sahib Ji also serves as gateway to famous Valley of Flowers, UNESCO World Heritage site, located in pristine Garhwal Himalayas.
Convention for International Liability for Damage Caused by Space Objects of 1972:
-
- Elaborating on Article 7 of Outer Space Treaty, Liability Convention provides that a launching State shall be absolutely liable to pay compensation for damage caused by its space objects on surface of Earth or to aircraft, and liable for damage due to its faults in space.
- India has signed and ratified
Committee on the Peaceful Uses of Outer Space (COPUOS):
-
- It was set up by the General Assembly in 1959 to govern exploration and use of space for benefit of all humanity: for peace, security and development.
- Committee was tasked with reviewing international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space, studying space-related activities that could be undertaken by United Nations, encouraging space research programmes, and studying legal problems arising from exploration of outer space.
- Committee was instrumental in the creation of the five treaties and five principles of outer space.
United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs (UNOOSA):
-
- It is responsible for promoting international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space.
- Members: 102 (including India)
- It forms part of United Nations Office at Vienna and serves as Secretariat for Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
- On behalf of UN Secretary-General, UNOOSA maintains Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space and disseminates via its website that information recorded in Register.
The Outer Space Treaty 1967:
-
- Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in Exploration and Use of Outer Space, including Moon and Other Celestial Bodies.
- India has signed and ratified it.
- It prohibits countries from placing into orbit around Earth “any objects carrying nuclear weapons or any other kinds of weapons of mass destruction”.
- Article VI of the Outer Space Treaty 1967 says that states bear responsibility for all national space activities, whether conducted by governmental or private entities.
Zealandia:
-
- It is a long, narrow microcontinent that is mostly submerged in the South Pacific Ocean.
- It is called Te Riu-a-Māui in the Māori language.
- It was formally one of constituent continents of ancient supercontinent called Gondwanaland.
- Part of Zealandia which is above water forms foundation of New Zealand’s north and south islands as well as island of New Caledonia.
Chevening:
-
- It is UK Government’s international scholarships programme, to study in the UK for one year on a fully funded master’s degree course.
Van Dhan Yojana:
-
- Launched on 14th April 2018, the Van Dhan Yojana is a flagship initiative under ‘Mechanism for Marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFP) through Minimum Support Price (MSP) & Development of Value Chain for MFP.’
- Implemented by TRIFED, scheme aims to generate livelihood opportunities for tribal gatherers by transforming them into entrepreneurs.
- Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKCs) have been established in tribal-dominated districts, where tribal Self-Help Groups (SHGs) engage in the collection, value addition, and marketing of MFPs.
- Each VDVK cluster comprises 15 tribal SHGs with about 300 beneficiaries.
- The initiative, 100% funded by Central Government, provides ₹15 lakhs per cluster to support tribal entrepreneurship, ensuring a sustainable source of income for forest-dwelling communities.
Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF):
-
- Central Sector Scheme which was launched in 2020.
- Objective: To provide a medium- to long-term debt financing facility for investment in projects for post-harvest management infrastructure through interest subvention & financial support.
- Duration of Scheme – from FY2020 to FY2032 (10 years).
- All scheduled commercial banks, scheduled cooperative banks, Regional Rural Banks (RRBs), Small Finance Banks, Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs), and National Cooperative Development Corporation (NCDC) may participate to provide this financing facility.
- If required, need-based refinance support will be made available by NABARD to all eligible lending entities
- All loans up to a limit of ₹ 2 crores under this financing facility will have interest subvention of 3% per annum. This subvention will be available for a maximum period of 7 years.
- It is mandatory for borrowers to contribute at least 10% of total project cost.
- 24% of total grants-in-aid under scheme should be utilized for SC/ST entrepreneurs (16% for SC & 8% for ST).
Revision of Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP):
-
- Approved by Union Cabinet in March 2025.
- Scheme has three components namely National Animal Disease Control Programme (NADCP), LH&DC and Pashu Aushadhi.
- LH&DC has three sub-components i.e. Critical Animal Disease Control Programme (CADCP), Establishment and Strengthening of existing Veterinary Hospitals and Dispensaries – Mobile Veterinary Unit (ESVHD-MVU) and Assistance to States for Control of Animal Diseases (ASCAD).
- Pashu Aushadhi is new component added.
Pashu Aushadhi initiative:
-
- Conceptualised on lines of existing Pradhan Mantri Bharatiya Janaushadhi Kendras (PMBJK).
- Government will open “Pashu Aushadhi” stores across country to provide affordable generic veterinary medicines to people engaged in animal husbandry and dairying.
- It is part of revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP), which was approved by Union Cabinet in March 2025.
- Pashu Aushadhi stores will be run by cooperative societies & Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras.
‘Vividhta ka Amrit Mahotsav’:
-
- ‘Vividhta ka Amrit Mahotsav’ is being organized at Rashtrapati Bhavan to celebrate and showcase the rich diversity of India.
- It has been structured in seven distinct editions dedicated to – North-East, South, North, East, West, Central region and Union Territories.
- The second edition of this celebration focuses on the Southern states.
- It presents before visitors rich heritage and vibrant cultures of Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Lakshadweep and Puducherry.
PRACTICE MCQs
Q1. Consider the following statements about Pashu Aushadhi initiative:
1. It is part of revised Livestock Health and Disease Control Programme (LHDCP).
2. Pashu Aushadhi stores will be run by cooperative societies & Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samriddhi Kendras.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: C
Q2. Consider the following statements about Van Dhan Yojana:
1. It was launched in 2018.
2. It is Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
3. It is implemented by the TRIFED.
4. Van Dhan Vikas Kendras cluster comprises 15 tribal SHGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: C
Q3. Consider the following statements regarding United Nations Office for Outer Space Affairs:
1. It is responsible for promoting international cooperation in peaceful uses of outer space.
2. It forms part of United Nations Office at Vienna.
3. It serves as Secretariat for Committee on Peaceful Uses of Outer Space.
4. On behalf of UN Secretary-General, UNOOSA maintains Register of Objects Launched into Outer Space.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
a) 1 and 3 only
b) 1, 2 and 3 only
c) 1, 3 and 4 only
d) 1, 2, 3 and 4
Answer: D
Q4. Consider the following statements:
1. Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act 2016 created National CAF under Public Account of India.
2. 80% of Compensatory Afforestation Fund money goes to states while Centre retains 20%.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
a) 1 only
b) 2 only
c) Both 1 and 2
d) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: A
Q5. Consider the following statements about Parvatmala Pariyojana:
1. Parvatmala Pariyojana was announced in 2022-23 Union Budget to boost ropeway connectivity.
2. Nodal Ministry for the scheme is the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways
3. Implementing Agency is the National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML).
How many statements given above are correct?
a) Only one
b) Only two
c) All three
d) None
Answer: C
Download pdfSpread the Word
