#environment
NBWL defers sanction of forest land for Kalasa-Nala water diversion scheme
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has deferred the decision on diverting forest land for the Kalasa-Nala water diversion scheme in Karnataka.
More on the topic:
- The request involved the diversion of 68 hectares of forest land from the tiger corridor between the Kali and Sahyadri tiger reserves.
- The proposed construction includes a diversion weir, jack well-cum-pump house, electrical substation, pipeline, and power line in Khanapur Taluk of Belagavi district.
- The chief wildlife warden of Karnataka, the State Board for Wildlife, and the state government recommended the
- The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) refrained from commenting, citing the matter’s sub-judice
National Board for Wildlife
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) serves as the apex body overseeing wildlife conservation in India, established under the Wildlife Protection Act,
- Chaired by the Prime Minister of India, the NBWL comprises members such as Union Ministers of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Tribal Affairs, and
- Additionally, Chief Ministers from all states and union territories are part of the board, making it a comprehensive
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) is the governing ministry for NBWL.
- The primary purpose of NBWL is to meet at least once a year to assess the progress of wildlife conservation nationwide and make crucial decisions on pertinent wildlife conservation matters.
- The board’s responsibilities include the comprehensive review of wildlife conservation efforts and addressing significant issues within the
#infrastructure
Namma Metro : Third phase approved under PM Gati Shakti
The Pradhan Mantri Gatishakti Yojana has recommended approval for five infrastructure projects in India, including the third phase of ‘Namma Metro’ in Bengaluru.
More on the topic:
- The recommended projects include highway projects in Goa, Meghalaya, and Assam, the construction of a rail-over-rail belt line in Bihar, and urban metro transport projects in Bangalore and Delhi/NCR.
- The projects were reviewed based on the PM Gati shakti National Master Plan mapping during the 65th Network Planning Group (NPG)
- Projects with investments exceeding Rs 500 crore are required to obtain NPG approval before being sanctioned by the Public Investment Board or the Department of Expenditure under the Finance
- The third phase of ‘Namma Metro’ in Bengaluru includes three corridors covering a total of 81.15 km, with construction expected to commence by the end of 2024.
PM Gati Shakti
PM Gati Shakti (launched in 2021) is a Natonal Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity that will incorporate the infrastructure schemes of various Ministries and State Governments like Bharatmala, Sagarmala, inland waterways, dry/land ports, UDAN etc.
Objectives of PM Gati Shakti Master Plan
- Integrated planning and coordinated implementation of infrastructure connectivity
For example: Centralized portal to include all the updates regarding existing and planned initiatives of various Ministries and Departments.
- Multi-modal seamless connectivity for movement of people, goods and services, facilitating the last mile connectivity.
- For example: 400 Vande Bharat trains are to be manufactured and 100 PM Gati Shakti Cargo Terminals are to be built.
- Reducing logistics costs by filling critical infrastructure gaps, thus improving supply
- For example: the Indian government has a vision of bringing down logistics costs from 13% to 5% of GDP.
- Making India the Business capital of the world by enhanced multimodal connectivity, reduced logistics cost and providing proper linkages between local industry & and
For example: Economic Zones like pharmaceutical clusters, defence corridors, electronic parks, industrial corridors, and agri-zones will be covered to improve connectivity.
#infrastructure
Bengaluru Sub-urban Rail Project
The Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project was sanctioned through the Ministry of Railways and the project would cost Rs 15,767 crore. The project is aimed at developing a suburban railway network of 148 km with 58 stations along four corridors.
More on the topic:
- Rail Infrastructure Development Company-Karnataka (K-RIDE) and Germany’s KFW Development Bank have signed an MoU in Bengaluru for the funding of the Bengaluru Suburban Rail
- The MoU outlines a funding agreement of Rs 4,561 crore (500 million euros), with KFW providing a loan at a 4 percent interest rate for a duration of 20
- The Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project aims to establish a suburban railway network covering 148 km with 58 stations across four corridors.
- Funding for the project is structured with equity contributions from the Government of Karnataka and the Ministry of Railways, along with external borrowings in a 20:20:60
K-RIDE serves as the nodal agency responsible for implementing the Bengaluru Suburban Rail Project.
#governance
Inclusion of Parivara and Talawara in ST list
Chief Minister Siddaramaiah announced the inclusion of the Parivars and Talwar communities in the state’s Scheduled Tribes during the Jana Jaatra Mahotsav in Maharshi Valmiki Gurupeetam, Rajanahalli.
More on the topic:
- The decision aligns with the central government’s move to include these castes in the Scheduled Tribes category.
- The inclusion applies specifically to Mysore, Chamarajanagar, Mandya, Kodagu, and Hassan districts within the
This decision was part of the discussions held during the meeting at the Jana Jaatra Mahotsav.
#agriculture
Issues of Brokerage in APMC
Agriculture Marketing Minister Sivananda S. Patil has directed department officials to address complaints of brokers in Agricultural Produce Markets (APMCs) receiving additional commissions from farmers.
More on the topic:
- Brokers with government privileges and business licenses engaging in such activities should be identified, and their licenses should be canceled, according to the minister’s instructions.
- The review of the department’s progress highlighted increasing complaints of market fee fraud and a decline in the income of APMSs
- To prevent fraud, intelligence units will be re-activated, ensuring APMCs remain farmer-friendly and free from financial crimes.
Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC)
- Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) are state-established marketing boards aimed at preventing farmers’ exploitation by intermediaries who often compel them to sell their produce at unreasonably low prices.
- The Model APMC Act of 2003, initiated by the Government of India, represents an initial effort to reform agricultural
- Key provisions of the act include the introduction of alternative market channels beyond APMC
- The act facilitates the establishment of private wholesale markets, providing farmers with additional avenues for selling their
- It encourages direct purchase arrangements, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers without intermediary
The act also supports the implementation of contractual agreements between buyers and farmers, providing a structured framework for transactions in agricultural markets.
#agriculture
Issues of Brokerage in APMC
Agriculture Marketing Minister Sivananda S. Patil has directed department officials to address complaints of brokers in Agricultural Produce Markets (APMCs) receiving additional commissions from farmers.
More on the topic:
- Brokers with government privileges and business licenses engaging in such activities should be identified, and their licenses should be canceled, according to the minister’s instructions.
- The review of the department’s progress highlighted increasing complaints of market fee fraud and a decline in the income of APMSs
- To prevent fraud, intelligence units will be re-activated, ensuring APMCs remain farmer-friendly and free from financial crimes.
Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC)
- Agricultural Produce Market Committees (APMC) are state-established marketing boards aimed at preventing farmers’ exploitation by intermediaries who often compel them to sell their produce at unreasonably low prices.
- The Model APMC Act of 2003, initiated by the Government of India, represents an initial effort to reform agricultural
- Key provisions of the act include the introduction of alternative market channels beyond APMC
- The act facilitates the establishment of private wholesale markets, providing farmers with additional avenues for selling their
- It encourages direct purchase arrangements, allowing farmers to sell their produce directly to buyers without intermediary
The act also supports the implementation of contractual agreements between buyers and farmers, providing a structured framework for transactions in agricultural markets.
