News Context

• At CoP17 of the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, India called for community-led restoration of rangelands. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav emphasised treating pastoralists as custodians, not just beneficiaries.

UNCCD — Key Facts for Prelims

• One of the three Rio Conventions (post-1992 Earth Summit); established 1994; the only legally binding pact linking environment, development and sustainable land management. HQ: Bonn, Germany.
• Focuses on arid, semi-arid and dry sub-humid areas (drylands). India hosted CoP14 in New Delhi (2019).

Orans — Sacred Groves of Rajasthan

• India has ~25,000 community-protected sacred groves covering ~0.6 million hectares, serving as habitat for the Great Indian Bustard (GIB). The Supreme Court has directed they be classified as forests/deemed forests.

News Context

• The Ancient Buddhist Site of Sarnath (Varanasi, UP) was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List on 25 July 2026 at the 48th Session (Busan, South Korea) — taking India’s tally to 45 sites, 6th globally and 2nd in Asia-Pacific.

Sarnath — Key Facts for Prelims

• Site of Buddha’s first sermon (6th century BCE) — Dharmachakra Pravartana (“Turning of the Wheel of Dharma”); marked the founding of the Sangha and the Noble Eightfold Path. Buddha met his first five disciples (Panchavargiya monks) here — reflecting the Triratna (Buddha, Dharma, Sangha).
• Ancient names: Rishipatana, Ishipatana, Mrigadava (Deer Park).

Key Monuments

• Dhamek Stupa — marks the first sermon spot; Dharmarajika Stupa — built by Ashoka; Chaukhandi Stupa — marks the meeting with first disciples; Ashokan Pillar — its Lion Capital is India’s National Emblem.

Four Principal Buddhist Pilgrimage Sites

India’s World Heritage Status — Key Facts

• India: 45 sites (37 cultural, 7 natural, 1 mixed). Only mixed site: Khangchendzonga National Park. First sites (1983): Agra Fort, Taj Mahal, Ajanta Caves, Ellora Caves.
• Countries with most sites: Italy (62) > China (61) > France (56) > Germany (55) > Spain (50) > India (45).

News Context

• PIB released a note on India’s sugar industry after prices rose ~15.6% in one month (₹48.18/kg to ₹55.70/kg, July–August 2026), clarifying ethanol-blending myths and outlining anti-hoarding steps.

Sugar Industry & FRP — Key Facts

• India is the world’s 2nd-largest sugarcane producer (after Brazil); supports ~5 crore farmers; production reached 500 MMT in 2025-26; top states: UP and Maharashtra.
• FRP (Fair and Remunerative Price): fixed by the Centre on CACP’s recommendation — ₹365/quintal for 2026-27 at 10.25% recovery. States may set a higher State Advised Price (SAP).
• Ethanol Blending: India achieved the E20 target ahead of schedule; sugar diverted to ethanol fell from ~12% (2022-23) to ~9% (2025-26) as grain-based ethanol rises.

News Context

• MoFPI hosted the PMFME Bazaar (24–25 August 2026) at India Habitat Centre, New Delhi, showcasing micro food enterprises from 25 States and UTs.

PMFME — Key Facts for Prelims

• Full form: Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises; launched 29 June 2020 by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries (MoFPI); a Centrally Sponsored Scheme under Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan.
• Funding: 60:40 Centre-State (90:10 for NE/Himalayan states).