SC on Misuse of CAMPA Funds
Syllabus: GS 3/Environment
In News
- Recently, the Supreme Court of India sought a response from the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary regarding allegations of misuse of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds.
CAMPA
- The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, and its accompanying rules, notified in 2018.
- It aims to compensate for the loss of forest ecosystems due to forest land diversion for non-forest use.
- The Act establishes two special interest-bearing funds:
- the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (National Fund) managed by the Central Government through the National CAMPA, and
- the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund (State Fund) managed by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations through State CAMPA.
Purpose
- The funds are used for compensatory afforestation, restoring degraded forests, improving wildlife habitats, and enriching biodiversity.
- The funds are non-lapsable and earn interest at a rate declared by the Central Government annually.
Source: TH
Festival of Letters 2025
Syllabus :GS 1/Culture
In News
- Sahitya Akademi is organizing its annual Festival of Letters at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi.
Festival of Letters
- It is Asia’s Largest Literature Festival with about 700 writers from different parts of the country representing more than 50 languages participating in the festival that spans over 100 sessions.
- The theme of the festival will be Indian Literary Traditions and a National Seminar on the topic featuring eminent thinkers and writers will be organized during the last three days of the festival.
- It has representation from Young Writers, Women Writers, Dalit Writers, North-East Writers, Tribal Writers, LGBTQ Writers & Poets.
Sahitya Akademi
- Established: 12 March 1954 by the Government of India.
- Registered as: A society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
- Ministry: Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture.
- Headquarters: New Delhi.
- Functions & Role:
- Central institution for literary dialogue, publication, and promotion in India.
- Only institution conducting literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
- Encourages translation, preservation, and dissemination of literature across languages.
Source: PIB
Vitiligo
Syllabus: GS2/Health
Context
- A study from Northwestern University discovered that a natural compound derived from gut-friendly bacteria may slow vitiligo progression.
Vitiligo
- Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks pigment-producing cells (melanocytes), causing white patches on the skin.
- It can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, and other exposed areas.
- There are 2 main types of vitiligo:
- Non-segmental vitiligo – Often appear on both sides of your body as symmetrical white patches.
- Segmental vitiligo – Only affects one area of your body.
- In rare cases, it’s possible for vitiligo to affect the whole body. This is known as universal vitiligo.
- The prevalence of vitiligo in India has been invariably reported between 0.25% and 4%, and up to 8.8% in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as per a paper in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
- Treatment options include creams, light therapy, and sometimes surgery to help manage symptoms.
Source: TH
Golden Dome
Syllabus: GS3/ Defence
In Context
- The “Golden Dome” is an advanced missile defense system announced by U.S. President Donald Trump during his recent address to Congress.
About
- Inspired by: Israel’s Iron Dome, which is effective against short-range rocket threats.
- Objective: To provide nationwide missile defense against:
- Ballistic Missiles
- Hypersonic Missiles
- Cruise Missiles
- Components: Space-based sensors for early threat detection.
- Advanced interceptors to neutralize missiles mid-flight.
- Multi-layered defense system integrating ground, naval, and space-based assets.
Source: FE
Central Industrial Security Force
Syllabus: GS3/Security agencies in India
Context
- The Central Industrial Security Force is set to recruit between 15,000 and 20,000 personnel annually over the next few years, to increase its capacity.
About CISF
- It is a paramilitary force established in 1969, under the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968.
- Every year, CISF Raising Day is observed on March 10.
- The force is led by a Director General (DG) and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs of India.
- Roles:
- Providing security to the strategic establishment, including the Department of Space, the Department of Atomic Energy, the Airports, the Delhi Metro, the ports.
- Also, the historical monuments and the basic areas of the Indian economy such as petroleum and natural gas, electricity, coal, steel and mining.
- It also provides counter-terrorism security to various sensitive facilities, as well as private sector operations.
- CISF also provides consultancy services to private industries as well as other organisations within the Indian government.
- It is also providing security to the protected persons classified as Z Plus, Z, X, Y.
Paramilitary Forces
- They are semi-militarized forces with structures, tactics, and training similar to the military, but not part of formal armed forces.
- The Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India. It was raised in 1835.
Differences between Paramilitary Forces and Military in India:
- Role and Function:
- Military: Primarily responsible for national defense, protecting the country from external threats, and engaging in warfare.
- Paramilitary Forces: Primarily responsible for maintaining internal security, law enforcement, border security, and assisting in disaster management.
- Command and Control:
- Military: Led by the Ministry of Defence, under the command of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force).
- Paramilitary Forces: Operate under different ministries, depending on the force.
- Legal Framework:
- Military: Governed by the Indian Army Act, Navy Act, and Air Force Act.
- Paramilitary Forces: Governed by various individual acts, such as the Border Security Force Act or Central Reserve Police Force Act.
Source: TH
Bangu Valley
Syllabus: GS3/ Economy
In News
- J&K govt. to promote Bangus Valley near LoC as an ecotourism destination.
About
- Situated in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
- Lies in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas.
- Encompasses Lashadthura and Boud-Bangus meadows, forming a twin valley system.
- Holds cultural importance for Gujjar and Bakarwal nomadic tribes.
Source: TH
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