Prelims Focus 11th April 2025

Biomass Mission 

In News: The European Space Agency (ESA) is set to launch its Biomass mission on April 29, 2025, with the primary objective of mapping the world’s forests and enhancing our understanding of their role in the carbon cycle. This mission is part of ESA’s Earth Explorer program, which aims to observe different aspects of the Earth’s system.

• The European Space Agency’s (ESA) upcoming Biomass mission is set to revolutionize our understanding of the world’s forests and their role in the carbon cycle. 
• Scheduled for launch on April 29, 2025, this mission will utilize a P-band synthetic aperture radar (SAR) to map forest biomass and height, providing crucial insights into the amount of carbon stored in forests and how it changes over time. 
• By addressing significant uncertainties in forest biomass quantification, the Biomass mission will support international initiatives like the UN’s REDD+ program, aimed at reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation. 
• The mission’s data will be instrumental in enhancing our knowledge of the carbon cycle, predicting landscape-scale carbon dynamics, and informing strategies for biodiversity conservation and climate change mitigation. 
• As forests absorb substantial amounts of CO2 annually, accurate monitoring and management are vital for global environmental health, making the Biomass mission a pivotal step in addressing these pressing challenges.

M-CADWM Scheme

In News: The Union Cabinet has approved the Modernization of Command Area Development and Water Management (M-CADWM) scheme as a sub-scheme of the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) for the period 2025-2026. 

• This initiative aims to modernize the irrigation water supply network by utilizing existing canals or other sources to supply water to designated farming clusters. 
• The scheme involves creating robust backend infrastructure for micro-irrigation, using underground pressurized piped irrigation systems up to 1 hectare per farm.
• It also incorporates advanced technologies like Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition (SCADA) and Internet of Things (IoT) for efficient water accounting and management, thereby enhancing water use efficiency (WUE) and increasing agricultural productivity and farmers’ income.
• The M-CADWM scheme will initially focus on pilot projects across various agro climatic zones, with an initial outlay of ₹1,600 crore. 
• These projects will be made sustainable through Irrigation Management Transfer (IMT) to Water User Societies (WUS), which will receive handholding support for five years to link with economic entities like Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs). 
• This approach is expected to attract youth to farming by promoting modern irrigation methods. 
• Based on the learnings from these pilot projects, a National Plan for Command Area Development and Water Management will be launched starting from April 2026.

World Homoeopathy Day

In News: In 2025, India is site hosting its largest Homoeopathic symposium on the event of World Homoeopathy Day in Gandhinagar, Gujarat.

• • World Homoeopathy Day is observed on April 10 each year, to commemorate the birth anniversary of Dr. Samuel Hahnemann, the founding father of homeopathy.
  • In India, Since 2016, the Central Council for Research in Homoeopathy (CCRH) has been celebrating World Homoeopathy Day.

• What is Homoeopathy?

• • • Homoeopathy is the world’s second-largest medical device, evolved in the 18th century in Germany.
    • Core Principle: “Similia Similibus Curentur” or “like healing procedures like.”
    • A substance inflicting signs and symptoms of a disorder in a wholesome person might therapy comparable symptoms in an ill individual.

• Legal Framework in India

• • Homoeopathy in India was governed by the Homoeopathy Central Council Act, 1973.
  • To reform and modernize the system, the National Commission for Homoeopathy Act, 2020 was enacted and came into force in 2021.

Niveshak Didi Initiative

In News: Investor Education and Protection Fund Authority (IEPFA) and India Post Payments Bank (IPPB) have signed a MoA to at the same time launch Phase 2 of the “Niveshak Didi” initiative.

• Under the initiative, women postal workers and community leaders are skilled to act as financial educators in neighborhood regions.
• Phase 1: It was launched in 2018, over 55,000 beneficiaries participated in IPPB Financial Literacy Camps across India, with 60% women individuals, specially from rural areas.
• Phase 2: Over 4,000 new economic literacy camps can be installed, led by nearly 40,000 women postal employees (Niveshak Didis).
• Topics covered: Responsible investing, fraud focus, financial savings conduct, and digital banking tool.

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