PRELIMS
Drone-Mounted Radar Systems
Why in News: BSF, with support from ISRO, has developed drone-mounted radar systems to strengthen border surveillance on India’s western and eastern frontiers.
Key Features
- Small radars fitted on drones for continuous monitoring of intrusions.
- Developed at BSF Tekanpur Academy, Madhya Pradesh.
- Originated from lessons of Operation Sindoor.
Operational Advantages
- 24/7 surveillance in all weather (fog, rain, darkness).
- Covers difficult terrains where fixed radars/outposts not feasible.
- Detects moving targets (intruders, small vehicles) and gives real-time alerts.
Strategic Impact
- Enhances vigilance on India–Pakistan and India–Bangladesh borders.
- Helps curb smuggling, illegal weapon supplies, infiltration.
- Reduces response time of BSF troops.
Future Integration
- Data fusion with infrared cameras, ground sensors for accuracy.
- Mobility allows deployment over wide or critical areas.
- School of Drone Warfare (Tekanpur) will train BSF personnel in operations.
Significance
- Marks shift to technology-driven border management beyond traditional patrolling.
- Improves situational awareness and enables proactive security measures.
Swachh Shehar Jodi (SSJ) Initiative
Why in News: Launched by Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in 2025 to boost urban sanitation and waste management through city-to-city mentorship.
Key Features
- 72 mentor cities paired with ~200 mentee cities.
- Based on Swachh Survekshan rankings – top cities guide low-ranked ones.
- 100-day intensive phase with joint action plans and milestones.
- Nearly 300 MoUs signed between city leaderships.
Focus Areas
- Sanitation infrastructure, solid waste management.
- Best practice sharing via training, workshops, field visits.
- Innovation in segregation, collection, disposal.
- Promote community participation & behavioural change.
Monitoring & Evaluation
- Progress measured through milestones in 100-day phase.
- Impact assessed in Swachh Survekshan 2026 rankings.
- Continuous feedback for adaptive learning.
Significance
- Strengthens peer learning and collaboration in urban governance.
- Aligns with Swachh Bharat Mission and SDGs.
- Contributes to sustainable cleanliness, healthier cities, and replicable models.
Yellow-tailed Ashy Skimmer
Why in News: Recently recorded at the Yamuna Biodiversity Park, Delhi during a dragonfly survey.
Key Facts
- Common Names: Blue Percher, Blue Pursuer, Blue Chaser, Yellow-tailed Ashy Skimmer.
- Scientific Name: Potamarcha congener.
- IUCN Status: Least Concern.
Appearance
- Yellow tail → abdomen predominantly yellow with black markings.
- Ashy thorax → frosted/pruinosed look.
- Male: bluish powder-like thorax & abdomen, reddish-brown eyes (top), bluish-gray (below).
- Female: yellow-black striped thorax, black abdomen with dull orange, flaps on 8th segment (egg-laying).
Habitat & Distribution
- Found near ponds, marshes, rice fields.
- Distribution: South Asia, Southeast Asia, Oceania – incl. India, China, Australia, Indonesia.
- In India → northern & northwestern plains.
Behavior & Ecology
- Predator: acute vision; detects prey up to 15 m away.
- Naiads (larvae): feed on aquatic organisms.
- Adults: feed on flying insects, esp. mosquitoes.
- Bioindicator: indicates wetland health; larvae need clean, oxygenated water.
Delhi Odonata Survey
- Delhi hosts ~51 species of dragonflies/damselflies.
- Kalindi & Kamla Nehru Ridge accounted for >50% of species count.
Gokul Jalashay & Udaipur Jheel added to Ramsar List
Why in News: Bihar’s Gokul Jalashay and Udaipur Jheel declared as Ramsar sites (2025).
India’s Ramsar sites: 93 (Rank: 1st in Asia, 3rd globally after UK – 176, Mexico – 144).
About Gokul Jalashay
- Type: Oxbow lake on southern edge of Ganga.
- Functions: Natural buffer during floods; protects nearby villages.
- Biodiversity: Habitat for 50+ bird species.
- Water Bird Census 2025: 3,500 birds, 65 species (with adjacent Buxar stretch of Ganga).
- Livelihoods: Fishing, farming, irrigation.
- Tradition: Maintained annually during a festival (villagers clean catchment, remove weeds).
About Udaipur Jheel
- Location: West Champaran district, Bihar.
- Protected Area: Within Udaipur Wildlife Sanctuary.
- Type: Oxbow lake, encircling a village.
- Biodiversity: 280+ plant species (incl. Alysicarpus roxburghianus, endemic herb).
- Birdlife: Key wintering ground for ~35 migratory bird species, incl. vulnerable common pochard.
Significance
- Strengthens India’s wetland conservation.
- Supports biodiversity, livelihoods, and disaster resilience.
- Enhances India’s profile under the Ramsar Convention, 1971.
Indian Ocean Mineral Exploration Push
Why in News: India signed a contract with the International Seabed Authority (ISA) for exclusive rights to explore Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS) in the Carlsberg Ridge, Indian Ocean.
- India is the first country in the world to have two contracts with ISA for PMS exploration.
What are Polymetallic Sulphides (PMS)?
- Deposits on the ocean floor, rich in strategic and critical metals: copper, zinc, lead, gold, silver.
- Formed near hydrothermal vents at mid-ocean ridges, where hot magma meets seawater.
India’s PMS Exploration Plan (by NCPOR):
- Phase I: Reconnaissance surveys using ship-mounted tools.
- Phase II: Near-seabed surveys using advanced tools like AUVs and ROVs.
- Phase III: Resource evaluation of identified PMS deposits.
Significance of Carlsberg Ridge:
- Major segment of mid-ocean ridge between Indian Plate and Somali Plate.
- Closer to India (around 2°N latitude).
- Active spreading ridge with hydrothermal systems.
- Promising source of minerals, strategically vital.
How PMS Exploration Differs from Other Mineral Explorations:
- More technically challenging – deposits are in rugged, uneven terrain at depths of 2,000–5,000 m.
- Requires advanced tools (deep-sea vessels, AUVs, ROVs).
- Involves multidisciplinary teams for geology, engineering, navigation, and sampling.
ISA’s Role in Mineral Exploration:
- ISA is an international body under UNCLOS.
- Allocates sites in international waters after environmental, legal, and technical scrutiny.
- Applications are made by governments, public sector, or supported private entities.
Static Info:
- International Seabed Authority (ISA): Established 1994, HQ – Kingston, Jamaica.
- UNCLOS: United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, 1982.
- India is also exploring Polymetallic Nodules in Central Indian Ocean Basin.
- NCPOR (Goa): Nodal agency for India’s deep-sea missions.
