Prelims Focus 13th March 2025

Parvatmala Pariyojana

In News: The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA), chaired by the Prime Minister has accredited two major ropeway projects in Uttarakhand below the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.

• • Parvatmala was introduced within the 2022 Budget under the Public-Private Partnership (PPP) mode.
  • Implemented via National Highway Logistics Management Limited (NHLML) under the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways (MoRTH).
  • Aims to increase 250+ ropeway initiatives protecting 1,200 km in 5 years.

• Significance of Ropeways 

• • Addresses connectivity demanding situations in remote & hilly regions.
  • Boosts tourism & economic system
  • Provides an instantaneous aerial direction, bypassing difficult terrains.
  • Minimal deforestation and land degradation.

Soil Fertility Mapping

In News: Soil fertility maps were generated for 351 villages across 34 districts in Maharashtra.

• • Soil fertility maps offer place-specific data, permitting farmers to apply fertilizers more efficiently, avoiding overuse or underuse.
  • Soil & Land Use Survey of India (SLUSI) generates digital soil fertility maps, the use of geo-spatial methods and Soil Health Card (SHC) information.
  • These maps guide farmers in using fertilizers and soil amendments efficiently, reducing wastage and enhancing economic effects.

• Challenges

• • • Logistical, technical, and infrastructure boundaries exist in remote and hilly areas.
    • Village Level Soil Testing labs and mini-labs are addressing those challenges.

• Importance  

• • Mapping identifies soil degradation and nutrient deficiencies, supporting farmers to address those issues through balanced fertilizer use.

Gulf of Oman

In News: Iran, Russia, and China have initiated their fifth consecutive year of joint naval exercises in the Gulf of Oman, known as the Maritime Security Belt 2025. 

• These drills aim to enhance collaboration among the participating nations’ naval forces by conducting operations such as striking maritime targets, damage control, and coordinated search and rescue missions.

Key Aspects of the Exercises

• Location and Timing: The exercises are taking place near the strategic Strait of Hormuz, a crucial global shipping route, and began on Monday, March 11, 2025.
• Participating Forces: Iran deployed 10 ships from its Navy and Revolutionary Guard, while Russia sent two corvettes and a support vessel. China participated with a destroyer and a support vessel.
• Observers: Military observers from several countries, including Azerbaijan, South Africa, Oman, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Qatar, Iraq, the UAE, and Sri Lanka, were present.
• Objectives: The drills focus on improving counter-piracy and terrorism operations, ensuring maritime security, and strengthening trust among the armed forces.

Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary

In News: A severe wildfire has been raging in the Sajjangarh Wildlife Sanctuary in Udaipur, Rajasthan, for several days. The fire, which started on March 4, 2025, initially concentrated in the Bhairu Bagh area but spread towards the hills of Sajjangarh Monsoon Palace due to strong winds and dry conditions.

Key Points About the Fire:

• Spread and Impact: The fire has affected a significant area of the sanctuary, spreading across about 40 kilometers in different pockets. It reached the boundary wall of the adjacent Sajjangarh Biological Park, which houses over 60 species of wildlife, including lions, tigers, and leopards.
• Response Efforts: Over 60 firefighters with 14 fire tenders from multiple stations have been deployed to combat the blaze. Additional support was brought in from Chittorgarh and Nathdwara.
• Evacuations and Safety Measures: Residential areas near the sanctuary were evacuated as a precautionary measure. Residents were advised to remove gas cylinders and evacuate livestock. Tourist access to the Monsoon Palace and Biological Park was suspended.
• Possible Cause: Experts suspect the fire may have originated from an electrical circuit issue at Gorella Point inside the sanctuary, though the exact cause will be confirmed after full containment.

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