Prelims-Pinpointer-for-31 August-2025

PRELIMS

Kerala Seaplane Project

Why in News: The Centre has asked Kerala to submit a Detailed Project Report (DPR) for launching seaplane services across five major water bodies including Idukki, Malampuzha, Banasura Sagar, Mattupetty/Chenkulam, and Bekal. )  

Significance under UDAN: 

• The project falls under the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) regional connectivity scheme, aiming to enhance last-mile and water-based air connectivity. 
• The scheme provides financial support, viability gap funding, and incentives for operations.  

Kerala’s Seaplane History: 

• Kerala had previously launched a tourist seaplane service in 2013, connecting Ashtamudi backwaters, Bekal, and other spots.
• However, it faced opposition from fishing communities and was eventually stalled.  

Upcoming Launch: A Kochi–Lakshadweep seaplane service, operated by SpiceJet’s subsidiary (Spice Shuttle), is scheduled for launch next month. Fares are projected between ₹2,000–₹4,000 (subsidised under UDAN), while market fare could be around ₹12,000. Service will use 18–20 seater De Havilland aircraft. More destinations within Kerala will follow this launch.  

UDAN Scheme Overview

• Launched in 2016, UDAN aims to democratise air travel by enabling affordable regional connectivity through Viability Gap Funding (VGF), fare caps, and subsidies.  
• The scheme includes small aircraft, helicopters, and seaplanes, expanding access to remote and water-based destinations.
• Incentives include waived landing/parking charges, discounted navigation fees, and infrastructure support from central and state governments.  

Seaplane Potential

• India has over 500,000 waterbodies suitable for seaplane operations—far more than traditional airports. The UDAN framework targets leveraging them for remote connectivity.  
• Over the next five years, the UDAN scheme plans to introduce 50+ new seaplane routes and establish 20–25 related water aerodromes.  

State Initiatives

• Andhra Pradesh is actively working on seaplane services at eight locations, including Amaravati, Tirupati, and Gandikota. DPRs and environmental studies are underway.  

Operational Guidelines

• As of August 2024, the Ministry of Civil Aviation released simplified guidelines for seaplane operations. The National Seaplane Operations Policy (NSOP) mandates operation only from licensed water aerodromes.  

Lavender Honey & Purple Revolution

Why in News: CSIR-IIIM Pulwama (J&K) has produced India’s first mono-floral lavender honey, validated scientifically.

Context:

• CSIR-Indian Institute of Integrative Medicine (IIIM), Pulwama (J&K), has successfully produced India’s first mono-floral lavender honey, validated scientifically with advanced technologies.
• This makes India join select countries like France, Spain, Italy, Bulgaria, England, and Turkey in the global premium lavender honey market.
• Lavender honey sells at ₹5,000–₹6,000 per kg globally (6 times costlier than regular organic honey).
• Plans underway to seek Geographical Indication (GI) tag for Kashmir lavender honey and upscale production.

Production Facts:

• Lab tests confirmed 61% pollen concentration from lavender, qualifying as mono-floral honey.
• A farmer can harvest 220 kg of lavender honey per hectare annually.
• Takes 12–15 bees’ lifetime and 30,000 flower visits / 750 miles of flight to produce just 1 teaspoon of lavender honey.

Purple Revolution:

• Part of CSIR Floriculture / Aroma Mission, encouraging lavender cultivation for essential oil, flowers, and honey.
• Featured in Republic Day Parade 2024.
• Cultivation has expanded to 750 hectares in J&K, involving 3,000+ farming families.
• Women Self Help Groups (15,000 women) are actively joining cultivation with support (saplings, bee boxes, training).

Ecological Benefits:

• Lavender acts as a natural pest repellent (antifungal, antibacterial, antimicrobial).
• Protects apple & plum orchards from rodents and harmful insects.
• Supports bee health and pollination, boosting fruit yield in apple/plum orchards.

Future Plans:

• 100 hectares of apple orchards in J&K to be intercropped with lavender without affecting apple production.
• Mission eyes 30,000 hectares of lavender cultivation in J&K.

Lavender Cultivation in India:

• Introduced in Kashmir in the 1970s (from Bulgaria) by CSIR-CIMAP (Lucknow) scientists.
• Picked up post-2014 under CSIR Aroma Mission.

CSIR-Aroma Mission:

• A flagship program of Council of Scientific & Industrial Research (CSIR).
• Objective: Promote aromatic crops like lavender, rosemary, lemongrass, geranium for essential oils, perfumes, functional foods.
• Provides end-to-end support: cultivation → processing → value addition → marketing.

India’s Honey Production:

• India ranks 10th in honey production globally.
• J&K produced 17,701.57 quintals of honey in 2023-24.
• Other major honey-producing states: Punjab, Haryana, West Bengal, Maharashtra, Uttar Pradesh.

Economic Potential:

• Premium mono-floral honey (lavender, acacia, eucalyptus, mustard) is a growing functional food market.
• Lavender honey is valued for therapeutic properties: immunity booster, mood enhancer, sleep inducer.

WHO–India Draft Global Benchmarks for Yoga

Why in News: WHO, in collaboration with India’s Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (Ministry of Ayush), is drafting global benchmarks for yoga practice to standardise training, ensure quality, and prevent misuse or misinterpretation of yoga.

Context:

• WHO, in collaboration with India, is drafting global benchmarks for yoga practice for the first time.
• Nodal Agency: Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY), under the Ministry of Ayush.
• Aim: Standardise training practices, competency, and knowledge → ensure yoga as a preventive, promotive, and rehabilitative health intervention.
• Expected outcome: Technical report usable worldwide to eliminate misuse/misinterpretation of yoga.

Objectives:

• Develop guidelines for practice, training, and application.
• Define global benchmarks for professional competency.
• Build scientific research evidence base (Scopus, PubMed, UGC CARE publications).
• Promote sustainable recognition of yoga worldwide.

Essence Quote:

“Yoga is about the blending of the body and mind through systematic, sustained practice.” – Prof. Kashinath Samagandi, Director, MDNIY.

International Recognition:

• UN International Day of Yoga – 21st June, declared in 2014 UNGA resolution (India’s initiative, co-sponsored by 177 countries).
• Yoga inscribed in UNESCO’s Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity list in 2016.

Ministry of Ayush Initiatives:

• Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga (MDNIY) – apex institution for yoga training & research.
• Central Council for Research in Yoga & Naturopathy (CCRYN) – promotes evidence-based research.
• Yoga Certification Board (YCB) – sets national-level standards for yoga professionals.
• WHO Global Centre for Traditional Medicine (GCTM) set up in Jamnagar, Gujarat (2022).

Yoga in Health Policy:

• Integrated in National Health Policy 2017 under AYUSH systems.
• Used in school curriculum, workplace wellness, and preventive health programmes.

Aadi Vaani – AI-based Adivasi Languages Translation App

Why in News: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is launching the beta version of “Aadi Vaani”, an AI-based app to translate six major Adivasi languages (Bhili, Santali, Gondi, Mundari, Kui, and Garo) into Hindi and English, as part of the Adi Karmayogi initiative for capacity building in tribal districts.

Languages Covered (Phase-1):

• Bhili (Bhilodi) – 1.04 crore speakers (Rajasthan, MP, Maharashtra, Gujarat)
• Santhali – 73.68 lakh (Jharkhand, WB, Odisha, Bihar, Assam)
• Gondi – 29.84 lakh (Chhattisgarh, MP, AP, Maharashtra)
• Mundari – 11.28 lakh (Jharkhand, Odisha)
• Kui – 9.41 lakh (Odisha)
• Garo – 11.45 lakh (Meghalaya, Assam)

Key Features:

• Translates speech & text between Hindi/English and Adivasi languages.
• Database of 1 lakh+ sentences per language built with folklore, songs, community contributions.
• Developed with IIT Delhi, BITS Pilani, IIIT Hyderabad & IIIT Naya Raipur.
• Community-driven: tribal teachers, researchers, professors, community leaders involved.

Testing & Deployment:

• Pilot use in Adi Karmayogi training programmes → 1 lakh tribal villages, 20 lakh volunteers & leaders.
• Available on Google Play Store & Apple App Store (beta version).
• Feedback mechanism integrated with Adi Karmayogi portals.
• Accuracy validated under international standards.

Significance:

• Promotes linguistic inclusion in governance and training.
• Helps preserve & document tribal languages, many of which face decline.
• Strengthens digital empowerment and capacity-building of tribal communities.

Linguistic Diversity of India:

• As per Census 2011, India has 121 major languages and 270+ mother tongues.
• 22 languages are recognised in the Eighth Schedule of the Constitution.
• None of the six tribal languages in Aadi Vaani’s first phase (except Santali) are in the Eighth Schedule.

Santhali Language:

• Added to the Eighth Schedule by 92nd Amendment (2003).
• Uses Ol Chiki script.

Tribal Languages Challenge:

• Many Adivasi languages are oral traditions, with no standardised written form.
• Several tribal dialects are classified as vulnerable or endangered by UNESCO.

Adi Karmayogi Initiative:

• Launched by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (2024).
• Objective: Build a cadre of 20 lakh trained “change leaders” across 1 lakh tribal villages.
• Focus on capacity building, participatory governance, and last-mile delivery of schemes.

Ministry of Tribal Affairs (1999):

• Nodal ministry for tribal welfare, education, livelihoods, and empowerment.
• Runs schemes like Eklavya Model Residential Schools, Van Dhan Yojana, TRIFED initiatives.

UNDP Report on Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2025

Why in News: UNDP released a 2025 report assessing progress of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA).Report suggests a sunset clause (end date) for recognising/vesting forest rights and stronger governance after rights are granted.

Background:

• FRA (2006) recognises rights of Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs) over forest land & resources.
• Titles distributed: 2.32 crore acres (incl. 1.88 crore acres under community rights).
• Coverage only ~18% of 9.88 crore acres eligible → highlights slow implementation.

State-Level Findings:

• Study conducted in Chhattisgarh, Maharashtra, Odisha.
• Issues: wrongly recognised individual titles, missing titles, poor record-keeping (esp. Chhattisgarh).
• States expressed need for a clear end date for recognition process.

Governance Challenges:

• Conflicts between Tribal Welfare Depts. vs. Forest Depts.
• Calls for high-level inter-departmental committees.
• Need clarity on integration of Gram Sabha-approved forest management plans with forest dept. working plans.

Gender Equity:

• Put gender at the core of FRA implementation.
• Collect gender-disaggregated data.
• Promote women’s leadership in community forest management.
• Link FRA with National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) for gender-sensitive livelihoods.
• Recognise FRA right-holders as a distinct category in social protection schemes.

Policy Recommendations:

• Draft a National Tribal Policy (next 5 years).
• Use Article 275(1) funds to integrate FRA with PESA for better governance.
• Strengthen Tribal Affairs Ministry schemes: PM-JANMAN, DAJGUA with long-term support.

Intellectual Property & Minor Forest Produce (MFP):

• FRA Section 3(1)(k) grants rights over biodiversity & traditional knowledge.
• Lack of data on IP-related claims; potential for monetisation unexplored.
• Ambiguity on ownership, harvesting, transit, sale of MFP.
• States reluctant to deregulate key products (e.g., bamboo, tendu).
• Clarification needed: Can individual rights holders sell MFP directly to private buyers?