PRELIMS
Disaster Resilience Projects
Why in News: The Union Home Minister–led High-Level Committee (HLC) has approved a series of major projects to strengthen India’s disaster mitigation and recovery capacity across multiple states..
About the Initiative
- The projects are funded through the National Disaster Mitigation Fund (NDMF) and coordinated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA).
- They focus on flood control, ecosystem restoration, and climate-adaptive urban planning.
- The approach integrates nature-based solutions (like wetland restoration in the Brahmaputra basin) with engineering interventions (such as stormwater systems and floodwalls).
- Urban Flood Risk Management Programme (Phase-II) expands resilience planning to several high-risk cities.
Key Objectives
- Reduce vulnerability to floods, landslides, and other natural hazards.
- Promote sustainable reconstruction and climate-smart infrastructure.
- Strengthen community-based early warning and preparedness mechanisms.
- Mainstream disaster risk reduction (DRR) into urban and environmental policy.
Significance
- Marks a shift from reactive relief to proactive mitigation and recovery planning.
- Supports India’s commitments under the Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk Reduction (2015–2030).
- Reinforces cooperative federalism, with shared responsibility between the Centre and states for disaster resilience.
Nilgiri Tahr
Why in News: A proposed Upper Bhavani Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project in the Nilgiris could fragment the core habitat of the Nilgiri Tahr, an endangered mountain ungulate endemic to the Western Ghats.
About Nilgiri Tahr
- Scientific Name: Nilgiritragus hylocrius
- Status: Endangered – IUCN Red List; Schedule I – Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- State Animal: Tamil Nadu (locally known as Varaiaadu)
- Habitat: High-altitude grasslands and rocky cliffs (1,200–2,600 m) of the Western Ghats in Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Largest Population: Eravikulam National Park, Kerala
- Cultural Significance: Mentioned in Tamil Sangam texts such as Silappathigaaram and Seevaagasindhamani
- Nilgiri Tahr Day: October 7 (Tamil Nadu)
Conservation Highlights
- Synchronized Nilgiri Tahr Survey 2025: Estimated 2,668 Tahrs across Tamil Nadu and Kerala.
- Emphasis on habitat protection and eco-sensitive development to prevent further fragmentation.
Related Project
- Upper Bhavani Pumped Storage Hydroelectricity Project – Proposed by NTECL (NTPC–TANGEDCO JV) between the Upper Bhavani and Avalanche reservoirs to augment Tamil Nadu’s power supply; raises ecological concerns due to its location in Tahr habitat.
International Social Security Association (ISSA) Award 2025
Why in News: India has been conferred the ISSA Award 2025 for ‘Outstanding Achievement in Social Security’, recognizing its remarkable progress in expanding social protection coverage.
About the Award
- Presented by: International Social Security Association (ISSA)
- Nature: Highest global recognition in the field of social security.
- Introduced in: 2013; presented triennially at the World Social Security Forum (WSSF).
- Venue (2025): Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
- Significance: India is the fifth country to receive this honour, following Brazil, China, Rwanda, and Iceland.
India’s Achievement
- Social security coverage expanded from 19% (2015) to over 64% (2025).
- Over 940 million beneficiaries brought under formal social protection systems.
- Recognized for building inclusive and resilient social security architecture.
About ISSA
- Established: 1927 under the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
- Membership: 320+ institutions from over 160 countries.
- Role: Promotes international cooperation and innovation in social security management.
Other ISSA Awards
- ISSA Good Practice Awards: For innovative social security practices.
- ISSA Video Festival: Highlights member initiatives promoting social protection awareness.
Cebu Earthquake, Philippines
Why in News: A magnitude 6.9 earthquake struck Cebu province in the central Philippines, causing significant loss of life and prompting the government to declare a state of calamity.
About the Philippines
- Location: An archipelagic country in Southeast Asia, situated in the western Pacific Ocean.
- Water Bodies: Bordered by the Philippine Sea (east), South China Sea (west), Sulu Sea (southwest), and Celebes Sea (south).
- Maritime Boundaries: Shares boundaries with Taiwan (north), Malaysia & Indonesia (south), and Palau (east).
Geographical & Geological Features
- Part of the Pacific Ring of Fire → Highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
- Highest peak: Mount Apo (Mindanao).
- Longest river: Cagayan River (Luzon).
- Climate: Tropical maritime – hot and humid.
- Major Straits: Luzon Strait connects the Philippine Sea (east) with the South China Sea (west).
- Natural Resources: World’s 3rd-largest geothermal energy producer (after the USA and Indonesia).
Significance:
- The event underscores the high seismic vulnerability of the Philippines due to its tectonic position along multiple fault lines within the Pacific Ring of Fire.
