1 . Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project (PDHEP)
Syllabus Mapping: GS III: Infrastructure • Hydropower • Energy Security • Indus Waters Treaty
- The Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project was recently in news following the resolution of a labour dispute, restoring normal work at one of India’s strategically important hydropower projects in Jammu & Kashmir.
- Pakal Dul Hydroelectric Project (PDHEP) is a 1,000 MW Run-of-the-River (RoR) hydropower project.
- Located on the Marusudar River, the largest tributary of the Chenab River, in Kishtwar district, Jammu & Kashmir.
- Developed by Chenab Valley Power Projects Pvt. Ltd. (CVPPPL), a joint venture of NHPC Ltd., JKSPDC and Power Grid Corporation of India Ltd. (PGCIL).
- It is among the largest hydroelectric projects under construction in the Chenab Basin.
- The project will enhance renewable energy generation, energy security, and optimise India’s utilisation of the Western Rivers under the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT).
- Marusudar River is the largest tributary of the Chenab River.
- Important Hydroelectric Projects in the Chenab Basin
- Kiru Hydroelectric Project – 624 MW – Chenab River
- Kwar Hydroelectric Project – 540 MW – Chenab River
- Ratle Hydroelectric Project – 850 MW – Chenab River
- Baglihar Hydroelectric Project – 900 MW – Chenab River
- Salal Hydroelectric Project – 690 MW – Chenab River
- Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Project – 390 MW – Chenab River
2. Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP)
Syllabus Mapping: GS III: Biodiversity • Wildlife Conservation • Protected Areas • Species Recovery • Environment
- On the occasion of International Clouded Leopard Day, India launched the Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) to strengthen long-term conservation of one of Asia’s most elusive wild cats through landscape-level conservation, scientific monitoring and community participation.
- The Clouded Leopard Conservation Action Plan (CAP) was released during the 91st Meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL).
- Prepared under the Government of India–GEF–UNDP
- It identifies 14 priority conservation landscapes across Northeast India for focused conservation.
- The Clouded Leopard has also been included under the Species Recovery Programme of the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)
- The plan also promotes transboundary cooperation with neighbouring range countries for coordinated conservation.
- Distribution in India: Northeast India, including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura, Manipur and parts of Sikkim.
- It possesses the longest canine teeth relative to skull size among all living wild cats, often called the “modern-day sabre-toothed cat.”
- Solitary and territorial; adults meet mainly during the breeding season.
- Primarily nocturnal and crepuscular.
- Excellent climber, jumper and swimmer.
- Hunts by stalking and ambushing prey rather than long-distance pursuit.
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable + CITES: Appendix I + Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I
3. Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF)
Syllabus Mapping: GS III: Space Technology • Start-ups • Innovation • Science & Technology • Space Economy
- The Government informed Parliament that the Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF) is operational and has begun investing in Indian space-tech start-ups to accelerate innovation, commercialisation and private sector participation in the space sector.
- Antariksh Venture Capital Fund (AVCF) is a SEBI-registered Category II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
- Established with the objective of providing equity capital to space-tech start-ups for:
- Technology development.
- Commercialisation of innovations.
- Scaling up operations.
- The Fund is supported by IN-SPACe (Indian National Space Promotion and Authorization Centre).
- Investments are made in accordance with the SEBI (Alternative Investment Funds) Regulations and the Fund’s approved investment strategy.
4. Irula Tribal Community
Syllabus Mapping: GS I: Indian Society • Tribes • Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) + GS II: Vulnerable Sections
- The Irula tribe was recently in news after the Government informed Parliament about livelihood promotion initiatives under PM-JANMAN through Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs) in Tamil Nadu.
- Irula is a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG).
- Predominantly found in Tamil Nadu, with smaller populations in Kerala and Karnataka.
- Belongs to the Dravidian ethnolinguistic group and speaks the Irula language (Dravidian language family).
- Traditionally inhabit the Eastern and Western Ghats, particularly forested and hilly regions.
- Major traditional occupations include:
- Collection of Minor Forest Produce (MFP).
- Snake and rat catching.
- Traditional herbal medicine.
- Small-scale agriculture and wage labour.
- The community is renowned for its traditional ecological knowledge, especially in snake tracking, venom extraction and medicinal plants.
- Through PM-JANMAN and TRIFED’s Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, Irula communities are being supported in value addition and marketing of forest produce such as wild honey, tamarind, herbs, soap nut and spices.
5. SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) Scheme
Syllabus Mapping: GS II: Governance • Panchayati Raj • Rural Development • Digital Governance • Land Reforms
- The Government informed Parliament that the SVAMITVA Scheme is providing Record of Rights (RoR) to rural property owners through drone-based mapping, reducing land disputes and improving access to institutional credit.
- SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) is a Central Sector Scheme launched in 2020 by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR).
- Implemented in collaboration with the Survey of India and State Governments.
- The scheme uses Drone Survey and Continuously Operating Reference Stations (CORS) technology to prepare high-accuracy GIS maps of rural abadi (inhabited) areas.
- It provides Record of Rights (Property Cards) to rural households, enabling:
- Clear property ownership.
- Reduction in land disputes.
- Easier access to bank credit using property as collateral.
- Better property taxation and village planning.
- The spatial data generated under SVAMITVA is integrated with Gram Manchitra to support Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) through GIS-based planning.
- As of now, drone surveys have been completed in over 3.3 lakh villages.
- Gram Manchitra
- A GIS-based planning application developed by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj.
- Integrates: SVAMITVA maps + Village infrastructure + Natural resources + Government assets.
- Supports preparation of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
