Godavari-Banakacherla Project

Context: Andhra Pradesh Water Resources Minister dismissed the accusations over the Godavari-Banakacherla project. 

About Godavari-Banakacherla Project

• It is a river linking project in Andhra Pradesh, aimed at diverting water from the Godavari River to the drought-prone Rayalaseema region through the Banakacherla reservoir. 
• Three-Phase Structure: The project consists of three segments:
• • Polavaram to Prakasam Barrage
  • Prakasam Barrage to Bollapalli Reservoir
  • Bollapalli to Banakacherl

India-French Joint Exercise: ‘Shakti’

Context: Eighth Edition of biennial  India-France Joint Military Exercise ‘Shakti’ is to be Held at Camp Larzac, La Cavalerie  France.

About India-French Joint Military Exercise

• Purpose:
  • To train for joint operations in situations involving low-intensity conflict.
• Focus of Training
  • Drills under Chapter VII of the UN Charter:  The focus is on peacekeeping and security measures, preparing forces for crisis response and conflict resolution.
• Participation:  
  • India: Battalion of the Jammu and Kashmir Rifles.
  • France: 13th Foreign Legion Half- Brigade (13th DBLE).
• Other Joint Exercises between France and India: Exercise Varuna, Exercise Garuda, and Exercise Desert Knight.

International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

Context: Recently, the first Assembly of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) was held in New Delhi, presided over by the Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change.

About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)

• Launched by:  Launched by the Prime Minister of India in 2023 at an event commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger in India.
• Objective: To reach out to 97 range countries covering the natural habitats of the seven big cats.
  • Seven cats include tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma
  • Among the seven big cats, five Big Cats; tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard and cheetah are found in India, excluding puma and jaguar.
• Membership: As of Feb 2025, 27 countries including India have consented to join IBCA.
  • Members: 9 countries, Bhutan, Cambodia, Eswatini, Guinea, India, Liberia, Nicaragua, Somalia, Suriname
  • All UN member countries are eligible for becoming a member of IBCA.
• IBCA governance: Governed by a General Assembly made up of all member nations, an elected member nations Council, and a Secretariat.
• Funding of IBCA: IBCA has secured Government of India’s initial support of Rs. 150 crore for five years (2023-24 to 2027-28)
• Headquarters:  India

UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

Context: Lucknow has officially submitted its nominations for inclusion in the UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN) to be titled “City of Gastronomy”.

About Lucknow’s Nomination

• The dossier was prepared by heritage conservationist Abha Narain Lambah.
• The Lucknow Culinary Heritage includes dishes like nihari, biryani, kulfi, khasta, jalebi, reflecting a blend of royal and commoner traditions.
• Emphasises the living culinary traditions from royal kitchens to street food across all communities.

About UNESCO Creative Cities Network (UCCN)

• Established in 2004
• Objective: To promote international cooperation among cities that prioritize creativity (e.g., gastronomy, music, crafts) as a driver for sustainable urban development (SDG-11).
• Sectors Covered: Gastronomy, Music, Literature, Crafts and Folk Arts, Design, Film, and Media Arts.

Indian Cities in UCCN (as of 2023)

• Hyderabad (Gastronomy)
• Chennai & Varanasi (Music)
• Mumbai (Film)
• Jaipur & Srinagar (Crafts and Folk Arts)
• Kozhikode (Literature)
• Gwalior (Music)

What is Gastronomy?

• The practice or art of choosing, cooking, and eating good food.

Mount Lewotobi

Context: Mount Lewotobi Laki-laki, a stratovolcano located in Indonesia’s East Nusa Tenggara province, on Flores Island erupted.

About Mount Lewotobi

• It lies along the tectonically active Pacific Ring of Fire, known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity.
• Mount Lewotobi consists of two stratovolcanoes:
  • Lewotobi Laki-laki (“Male”)
  • Lewotobi Perempuan (“Female”)
  • The name “Lewotobi” means “husband and wife” in local parlance due to the twin-peak configuration.
• Lewotobi Laki-laki has been frequently active in the 19th and 20th centuries. While Lewotobi Perempuan has erupted only twice in recorded history.

What is Stratovolcano?

• It is composed of  alternating  layers of lava, ash, and pyroclastic materials.

Kali Tiger Reserve

Context: Conservationists have raised objections to wildlife safari promotion inside Kali Tiger Reserve (KTR), Karnataka.

• Location: Situated in Uttara Kannada (North Canara) district, Karnataka.
  • Lies in the Western Ghats, a UNESCO World Heritage biodiversity hotspot.
• Formerly called Dandeli–Anshi Tiger Reserve, renamed Kali Tiger Reserve in 2015.
• Formed by two contiguous protected areas –  Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park
• Named after the Kali River, the lifeline of the region, which flows through the reserve.
• Part of Project Tiger, under NTCA.
• Vegetation: Primarily Moist deciduous and Semi-evergreen
• Flora : Teak, Silver oak, Malabar tamarind, Jamba
• Fauna: Tiger, Leopard, Black Panther, Elephant, Gaur (Bison), Wild dog, Sambar, Spotted deer, Sloth bear, Wild boar, Hanuman langur, Bonnet macaqua
• Hosts all four hornbill species found in India. Notably high population of Great Indian Hornbill.

DOWNLOAD PDF