4th India-EU Urban Forum on Smart & Sustainable Urbanisation

Context: The 4th India-EU Urban Forum was held in New Delhi, focusing on sustainable urban development.

About 4th India-EU Urban Forum

• It is Based on the 2017 Joint Declaration on Partnership for Smart and Sustainable Urbanization between India and the European Union (EU).
• Main Goal: To strengthen India-EU collaboration for sustainable urban growth.
• Key Themes Discussed:
  • Urban Alliance and Integrated Approaches: Promoting coordinated urban development in Indian cities.
  • Innovation and Circularity: Encouraging sustainable practices at the city level.
  • Inclusive Urban Mobility: Enhancing public transportation as a tool for social inclusion.
• Importance of India-EU Collaboration
  • Urban Impact: Urban areas account for two-thirds of global energy use, emissions, and pollution. 
    • The collaboration targets these critical issues, promoting sustainable urban development.
  • Achievements Since 2017:
    • Promoted sustainable city models and climate action.
    • Involved over 40 Indian municipalities in climate-smart development.
    • Supported urban mobility, waste management, and disaster risk reduction.
  • Support for Government Programs: The collaboration aligns with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs'( MoHUA’s) initiatives for smart, sustainable, and inclusive urban growth.

Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0

Context: Governor of Tamil Nadu flagged off the first batch of delegates at Dr. MGR Central Railway Station, Chennai.

About Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0

• Kashi Tamil Sangamam 3.0 is a 10-day event from 15th to 24th February 2025.
• It is part of the government’s ‘Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat Yuva Sangam programme.’
• Objective: Aimed at celebrating the historical and cultural links between Tamil Nadu and Kashi.
  • Facilitate knowledge exchange among scholars, students, philosophers, traders, artisans, artists, and other participants.
  • Promote cultural unity and enhance the understanding of Indian Knowledge Systems in line with New Education policy 2020.
• Organized by: The Ministry of Education, Govt. of India, with support from other ministries and the Government of Uttar Pradesh.
• IIT Madras is the sender institution and Banaras Hindu University (BHU) is the receiving institution.
• Historical Background
• Kashi Tamil Sangamam has been organized twice before: 2022 and 2023. 
  • Around 4000 delegates from Tamil Nadu participated in the earlier editions.
• Central Theme
  • The theme for this edition is Maharishi Agasthyar and Mahakumbh, with Shri Ayodhya Dham as the backdrop.
  • Aims to bring Tamil Nadu and Kashi closer, highlighting their cultural and civilizational bonds.

India’s Palm Oil Imports Plunge

Context: India’s palm oil imports dropped 65% year-on-year in January 2025, reaching a 13-year low.

About Palm Oil

• Palm Oil is extracted from the fruit of the African oil palm tree (Elaeis guineensis).
• One of the most widely used vegetable oils globally.
• Types of Palm Oil
  • Crude Palm Oil (CPO): Extracted from the fruit pulp; Used mainly for cooking and food processing.
  • Palm Kernel Oil: Extracted from the seed; Used in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and industrial applications.
  • Both are colorless, odorless, and relatively tasteless.
• Global Production
  • Indonesia & Malaysia account for 85% of global production.
  • Other producers: Thailand, Colombia, Nigeria, Papua New Guinea.
• Palm Oil Production in India
• • Major Producing States: Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Kerala (98% of total production).
  • India relies heavily on imports to meet domestic demand.

National Mission on Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

• Launched in: 2021
• Goal: Promote domestic oil palm cultivation and reduce dependence on imports.
• Target: Increase oil palm cultivation area from 3.70 to 10.00 lakh hectares by 2025-26.

Indian-Origin cow sets Guinness World Record

Context: Viatina-19, an Ongole breed cow, recently set a world record by selling for $4.82 million (~₹41 crore) in Brazil, surpassing Japan’s Wagyu and India’s Brahman breeds.

About Ongole Cattle Breed

• Native Breed: Ongole cattle are a Bos Indicus breed native to India, known for their strength, disease resistance, and heat tolerance.
• Historical Use: Traditionally used for agriculture, dairy, and breeding purposes, contributing significantly to livestock economies.
• Alternative Name: Also known as the Nellore breed due to its historical association with the Nellore district.

Geographical Distribution

• Native Region: Originates from the Prakasam district (formerly part of Nellore district)of Andhra Pradesh, India.
• Regions: Villages around Guntur, Vinukonda, Narasaraopet, Ongole, and Kandukur.
  • Areas along the Gundlakamma and Alluru rivers.

Physical Traits

• Hump: Distinct and well-developed hump in males.

Special Features

• Heat Resistance: Can withstand harsh tropical climates, making it ideal for drought-prone areas.
• Disease Resistance: Strong immune system with resistance to foot and mouth disease and mad cow disease.
• Genetic Purity: Known for maintaining genetic purity and adaptability.
• A2 Milk Production: Produces A2 milk, which is rich in the A2 allele of Beta-Casein and considered healthier than A1 milk.

Cultural and Economic Significance

• Mascot of 2002 National Games: Veera, an Ongole bull, was the mascot of the 2002 National Games of India.
• Global Demand: Used extensively for crossbreeding in countries like Brazil, USA, and Australia to improve local cattle breeds.
  • Example: Viatina-19, a Brazilian Ongole cow, set a record as the world’s most expensive cow in 2025.

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Context: The state government’s move to build a village for tribals in the buffer zone of Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary raised objections.

Buffer zone

• Buffer Zone is a designated area around a wildlife sanctuary that helps protect the sanctuary’s biodiversity and ecosystem.

About Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: It lies in the core of Western Ghats in Kodagu district (Karnataka).
• The sanctuary gets its name from its Highest point (Brahmagiri Peak) which is 1607 m in height.
• Rivers: Lakshmana Tirtha River originates in the sanctuary and is a tributary of the Cauvery River.
• Flora: Primary vegetation of the sanctuary includes evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, shoal forest patches in grasslands, and bamboos.
  • Surrounded by: Coffee and cardamom plantations.
• Fauna: Home of the lion-tailed macaque (endangered on the IUCN Red List).

BRAHMOS-NG

Context: The next-generation BrahMos missile, known as BrahMos NG, is approaching its first flight test, slated for 2026, with production set to commence in 2027-28.

About Next Generation BrahMos Missile (BrahMos NG)

• Development: The BrahMos NG (Next Generation) missile system is in advanced stages of development.
• Collaboration: Developed under the India-Russia Joint Venture.

Key Features of BrahMos NG

• Design:
  • Compact: Designed to be compatible with smaller delivery systems.
• Performance:
  • Range: 290 km (same as the older version).
  • Speed: Up to Mach 3.5 (supersonic speed).
  • Radar Cross-Section: Reduced compared to the older version.
  • Seeker: Equipped with a homemade Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) radar.
• Compatibility: Can be fitted on Sukhoi-30MKI fighter aircraft and Tejas Light Combat Aircraft (LCA).

Strategic Importance

• Defense Modernization: Enhances India’s supersonic cruise missile capabilities.
  • Strengthens air defense and precision strike capabilities.
• Export Potential:
  • Philippines: Already supplied three BrahMos missile batteries under a $375 million deal (2022).
    • First foreign buyer of BrahMos missiles
  • Indonesia: In advanced talks for a $450 million deal.
  • Interest from African and West Asian countries.
• Indigenous Development: Reflects India’s growing defense manufacturing and export capabilities.

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