Prelims Focus 11th February 2025
Cook Islands
In News: New Zealand has raised significant subject concerning the Cook Islands’ practise to signal a cooperation cope with China.
- Political Status: The Cook Islands is a self-governing country in free affiliation with New Zealand. It was formerly a New Zealand colony from 1901 to 1965.
- Geography: The Cook Islands are positioned in Polynesia, Oceania, within the South Pacific Ocean.
- They are located northeast of New Zealand, between American Samoa and French Polynesia.
- The nation includes 15 islands, with a total land area of about 236.7 square kilometers. These islands had been formed by volcanic interest.
- The administrative seat is Avarua, located on the island of Rarotonga.
Mithuns
In News: In Arunachal Pradesh, mithuns will wear fluorescent collars to enhance visibility on highways and prevent fatal accidents.
- Mithun is regularly called ‘cattle of the mountains’.
- It is an extraordinary cattle species reared in the subtropical rain forests of Northeastern hilly areas of India.
- It is the State animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland.
- It is likewise located within the hills of Manipur and Mizoram.
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Importance: Mithuns are prized for their meat, milk, and draught strength.
- They play a critical function within the socio-economic and cultural lives of many tribal groups in the northeast.
- Its possession is considered as a sign of prosperity.
Bhil Tribal Group
In News: The Bhil tribal group receives growing media attention because this one of India’s oldest and largest indigenous communities faces both traditional cultural interest and developmental obstacles. Bhils primarily inhabit four states of Madhya Pradesh together with Rajasthan along with Gujarat and Maharashtra.
- Thematic Pithora painting alongside archery skills characterizes the Bhils making them well known for their vivid traditional lifestyles.
- The speakers of Bhili use various dialects which align with animist beliefs together with Hinduism along with other religious practices.
- The Bhils maintain their existence through farming as well as traditional forest practices together with manual labor activities.
- The Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana represents a government tribal welfare program that targets improving their social and economic welfare standards.
- The Bhils encounter various challenges including poverty together with illiteracy which is worsened by displacement caused by deforestation and development project development activities.
Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha (BGBO) Scheme
In News: Chief Minister Mohan Charan Majhi launched the ‘Bikashita Gaon, Bikashita Odisha’ (BGBO) scheme in Jankia within Khurda district using ₹5,000 crore of funding across five years. The initiative works to eliminate development discrepancies between cities and rural areas in Odisha to benefit its 80% rural populace.
Financial Allocation:
- Over five years the program will receive ₹5,000 crore from the government budget.
- ₹1,000 crore reserved for FY 2024-25.
- Minimum project cost: ₹3 lakh.
Key Focus Areas:
- Road Connectivity: Strengthening rural road networks.
- The construction of both community centers and public facilities belongs to the category of civic amenities.
- Education: Enhancing classrooms and facilities.
- Micro Tourism: Encouraging small-scale tourism projects.
Implementation:
- Project plans and execution fall under the responsibility of local villagers as per the program guidelines.
- Tribal communities receive 40% of their allocated budget through the Itinerant Tribals Development Agencies.
- The district collectors will perform oversight duties while conducting periodic reviews together with social audit procedures.
- Past strategies serve as a foundation for this program which uses upgraded planning to overcome funding and operational shortcomings.
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