CURRENT AFFAIRS

1. OVER TIME, THE TIGER CONSERVATION INITIATIVE HAS EVOLVED, ESTABLISHING TIGER RESERVES (55) AND IMPLEMENTING CRUCIAL WILDLIFE PROTECTION LAWS –

• Project Tiger is a wildlife conservation initiative in India tha t was launched in 1973.
• The primary objective of Project Tiger is to ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in their natural habitats by creating dedicated Tiger Reserves.
• Starting with only nine reserves covering 9,115 sq. km, the project marked a paradigm shift in wildlife conservation efforts.
• The unreliable pug-mark method of the first tiger census in 1972 gave way to more accurate techniques like the camera-trap method.
• The first tiger census, in 1972, used the unreliable pug-mark method to count 1,827 tigers.
• As of 2022, the tiger population is estimated at 3,167-3,925, showcasing a growth rate of 6.1% per year.India is now home to three-quarters of the world’s tigers.
• In 1973, Project Tiger began with nine reserves covering 9,115 sq. km.
• By 2018, it had grown to 55 reserves in different states, totalling 78,135.956 sq. km or 2.38% of India’s land area.

 

2. SELECTION OF TABLEAUX ON THE REPUBLIC DAY –

• Recently, the Ministry of Defence has proposed a rollover plan for the States and Union Territories (UTs) to showcase their tableaux in the Republic Day Parade.
• It comes after a few states’ governments have criticized the central government for not allowing it to be a part of the 2024 Republic Day Parade Tableaux.
• 16 States and UTs have been selected for the

2024 Republic Day Parade, Andhra Pradesh, Arunachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Jharkhand, Ladakh, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Manipur, Meghalaya, Odisha, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Telangana and Uttar Pradesh.

• The Government of India organizes the six-day mega event “Bharat Parv” from January 26-31, as part of the Republic Day celebrations. This alternative event takes place at the historic Red Fort.
• The Government has finalized a rotational plan to ensure that every State and Union Territory gets an opportunity to present their tableaux at the Republic Day parade within a three-year cycle (2024-2026).
• The rotational system, agreed upon by 28 States, intends to provide fair opportunities to all regions, mitigating accusations of political bias and fostering a more inclusive celebration.
• The Ministry of Defence (MoD) is responsible for conducting the parade and coordinating arrangements with States and other agencies.
• The Ministry of Culture collaborates with the MoD in the selection process, given the cultural and artistic nature of the tableaux, supporting in the evaluation and promotion of cultural displays.

 

3. INDIAN OF THE YEAR AWARD 2023 –

• Recently, the Union Minister of State for Science & Technology presented the “Indian of the Year Award” for 2023 to Team Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in the category of ‘Outstanding Achievement.’
• The award recognized ISRO’s contribution to space exploration, particularly highlighting the historic soft landing of Chandrayaan-3 on the Moon’s uncharted South Polar region.
• The remarkable growth of the private space sector was also highlighted in the event, with 190 startups and over Rs. 1,000 crore invested in the current financial year 2023-24.