Indigenous Territories and Protected Areas

Context: A global study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) underscores the critical role of Indigenous Territories and Protected Areas (ITPAs) in conserving the Amazon rainforest and maintaining ecosystem connectivity.

Key Highlights from the Study

• Over 25% of the Amazon already degraded
• Major threats include deforestation, fires, mining, roads, oil and gas extraction, and dam construction.
• Ecosystems at risk: forests, wetlands, and rivers—essential for biodiversity and climate regulation.
• Role of ITPAs:
• • Indigenous Territories and Protected Areas cover more than half of the Amazon.
  • These areas show much lower degradation (14–16%) compared to unprotected lands (38%).
  • ITPAs help maintain connectivity of forest ecosystems, allowing natural processes like animal migration, nutrient cycling, and water flow.

Indigenous Territories 

• These are lands traditionally owned, used, or occupied by Indigenous peoples. 
• They are legally or customarily recognized spaces that aim to Secure ancestral land rights, Support Indigenous livelihoods, Conserve biodiversity.
• Indigenous territories in the Amazon Biome make up about 35% of the region

Protected Areas

• Protected areas are geographically defined zones set aside for the conservation of nature, biodiversity, and cultural heritage. 
• They are established by governments or communities under national or international law.

Key Difference

• Indigenous Territories prioritize cultural and land rights of Indigenous peoples, with conservation often as a natural outcome.
• Protected Areas are primarily created for environmental conservation, but can include or overlap with Indigenous lands.

Operation Akhal

Context: Security forces have killed two terrorists during ‘Operation Akhal’ in Kulgam district of Jammu and Kashmir. 

Key Highlights

• Location: Akhal forest area, Kulgam district, Jammu & Kashmir.
• Security Forces Involved: Indian Army, CRPF (Central Reserve Police Force) and Jammu and Kashmir Police.

Recent Major Encounters in J&K

• Operation Shivshakti: Kalsian-Gulpur area, Poonch district near LoC.
• Operation Mahadev: Forested Lidwas area near Harwan, Srinagar outskirts.

71st National Film Awards

Context: The winners of the 71st National Film Awards were announced in New Delhi.

More on News: The awards recognise the best in Indian cinema for films certified between January 1 and December 31, 2023.

About the National Film Awards (NFA)

• The NFA was established in 1954 to promote cinematic excellence in India.
• The first edition awarded films released in 1953. Initially, the awards were known as ‘State Awards’.
• Originally known as ‘State Awards’, the early recognitions included two President’s Gold Medals, two certificates of merit, and 12 silver medals for regional films.
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Information & Broadcasting.
• Administered by the Directorate of Film Festivals since 1973.
• In 1968, the first Best Actor and Best Actress awards were given to Uttam Kumar and Nargis, respectively (for films of 1967).
• Initially, the Best Actress award was named Urvashi while the Best Actor award was named Bharat.
• Each year, after inviting entries, the Ministry forms separate juries for Feature Films, Non-Feature Films, Best Writing on Cinema.
• From the 57th edition onwards, the Feature Film section follows a two-tier selection:
  • Five regional panels shortlist entries
  • A national panel selects the winners
• Separate juries handle Non-Feature Films and Best Writing on Cinema
• Eligibility: Films must be produced in India, with the director and makers being Indian nationals. 
  • Co-productions with foreign entities are eligible only if they meet prescribed conditions.

Awards and Recognition

• Winners are honored with a medallion, cash prize, and a certificate of merit.
• The Swarna Kamal (Golden Lotus Award) is presented in:
  • Six categories from the Feature Film section
  • Two categories from the Non-Feature Film section
  • The Best Writing on Cinema category
• All other categories receive the Rajat Kamal (Silver Lotus Award).

Top Award Winners of 2023

• Best Feature Film: 12th Fail (Dir. Vidhu Vinod Chopra)
• Best Actor : Shah Rukh Khan for Jawan and Vikrant Massey for 12th Fail
• Best Actress: Rani Mukerji for Mrs. Chatterjee vs Norway
• Best Director: Sudipto Sen for The Kerala Story
• Best Supporting Actor: Vijayaraghavan (Pookkaalam), MS Bhaskar (Parking)
• Best Supporting Actress: Urvashi (Ullozhukku)
• Best Hindi Film: Kathal
• Best Malayalam Film: Ullazhukku
• Best Tamil Film: Parking
• Best Telugu Film: Bhagavanth Kesari

ICRISAT Launches AI-Driven Climate Advisory for Farmers

Context: ICRISAT, in collaboration with ICAR and other partners, has launched a new AI-based advisory system to support smallholder farmers with real-time, personalised climate and weather guidance.

• Project Name: AI-powered Context-Specific Agromet Advisory Services for Climate-Resilient Agriculture at Scale
• Launched by:
• • ICRISAT (International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics)
  • ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research)
  • Supported under Monsoon Mission III by the Government of India

Features of the Advisory Service

• Core Platform: iSAT (Intelligent Systems Advisory Tool)
  • Evolved from Monsoon Mission II
  • Integrates real-time weather data, crop models, and ML analytics
  • Offers tailored advice on sowing, irrigation, pest/disease management
• Delivery Mechanism: AI-powered WhatsApp bot and Other Farmer friendly digital tools
• Target Users: Smallholder farmers, especially in remote rural areas
• Type of Information Provided: 
  • Hyper-local weather data
  • Real-time agricultural advisories
  • Climate-resilient decision support

Implementation

• Pilot Phase: In Maharashtra through ICAR’s Agro-Meteorological Field Units (AMFUs).
• Future Prospect: National rollout and serve as a model for adaptation across the Global South

Significance

• Fills the last-mile gap in agrometeorological services
• Empowers farmers to adapt to climate risks
• Improves yields, resource efficiency, and climate resilience
• Promotes AI and ML applications in rural agriculture

About ICRISAT

• ICRISAT is an internationally recognized organization dedicated to improving dryland farming and agri-food systems
• Establishment: Founded in 1972 through a Memorandum of Agreement between the Government of India and the CGIAR(Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research)
• Operates as a non-profit, non-political, public international organization
• Headquarters: Hyderabad, India
• Regional hubs:
• • Nairobi, Kenya – for Eastern and Southern Africa
  • Bamako, Mali – for Western and Central Africa
• Focus Regions: Semi-arid tropics of Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa

El Salvador (Places in News)

Context: El Salvador’s legislature has approved constitutional changes allowing indefinite presidential re-election and extending presidential terms to six years, consolidating President Nayib Bukele’s hold on power.

About El Salvador

• Location: Situated in Central America on the isthmus connecting North and South America
  • Bordered by Guatemala (northwest), Honduras (northeast), and the Pacific Ocean (south)
  • The only Central American country without a Caribbean coastline
  • It is positioned in the Northern and Western hemispheres of the Earth
  • Capital and Largest City: San Salvador

Geographical features

• Volcanic Terrain: Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire; notable volcano – Volcán Chaparrastique
• Highest Peak: Cerro El Pital – 2,730 metres (8,957 ft), on the border with Honduras
• Major Lakes: Formed in volcanic craters; Lake Ilopango, Lake Coatepeque , Lake Güija – the largest natural lake
• Climate: Tropical climate with distinct wet and dry seasons
  • Lowlands: hot and humid
  • Central plateau and mountain areas: moderate temperatures
• Flora and Fauna: El Salvador’s coast is home to four species of nesting sea turtles:
  • Leatherback
  • Hawksbill
  • Green sea turtle
  • Olive ridley

Tulsidas

Context: UP CM Yogi Adityanath Paid Tribute to Tulsidas on his 500th Birth Anniversary celebration  in Chitrakoot, Uttar Pradesh (U.P).

About Tulsidas

• Tulsidas (1532–1623), born in Rajapur (Uttar Pradesh), is revered as a Vaishnav saint and poet known for his unwavering devotion to Lord Ram.
  • His real name was Rambola Dubey.
  • He was a contemporary of the Mughal emperor Akbar.
• Contribution to Indian Spiritual Thought
  • He revived Bhakti traditions, making devotion to Ram accessible through vernacular literature.
  • His works offered moral, spiritual, and cultural guidance, strengthening faith during turbulent political times.
• Notable Works
• • Ramcharitmanas: A retelling of the Ramayana in Awadhi, democratizing spiritual knowledge.
  • Vinay Patrika : Hymns of devotion and surrender to Lord Ram.
  • Hanuman Chalisa : Celebrated hymn praising Lord Hanuman’s virtues and strength.
  • Kavitavali and Gitavali : Explored philosophical and devotional themes.
  • Dohavali: Collection of 573 dohas (couplets) and 85 sorathas offering moral, spiritual, and philosophical teachings.
• Legacy: Tulsidas remains a symbol of spiritual resilience and cultural unity, influencing Bhakti literature and continuing to inspire devotion across India and the global diaspora.

Human Outer Planet Exploration (HOPE) Research Station

Context: Recently, a Bengaluru-based company, Protoplanet, has launched the HOPE research station in Tso Kar, Ladakh.

About HOPE Research Station

• HOPE is a research initiative aimed at simulating Moon and Mars conditions to study human adaptability and resilience for future manned space missions.
  • Involves physiological and psychological studies of selected crew members.
• Objective:
  • Research focused on developing robust protocols and technologies for sustained human presence beyond Earth.
  • Extensive studies on the impact of isolation in space-like conditions, including experiments on psychology, physiology, and epigenetics.
• Collaboration with ISRO: ISRO provided funding for the station’s development and helped in the selection criteria for crew candidates.
• Similar International Projects simulate conditions of life on Mars and the Moon
  • Mars Desert Station (USA), 
  • Flashline Mars Arctic Research Station (Canada)
  • BIOS-3 (Russia)

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