PRELIMS
Non-Veg Milk
Why in News: Issue raised amid India–US trade negotiations.
Definition: Milk sourced from cows fed animal-based products (meat, blood meal, bone meal).
India’s Stand:
- Cultural: Milk considered sacred; used in daily Hindu rituals.
- Vegetarian Sentiment: ~38% of Indians are vegetarians; oppose animal-product-fed milk.
- Legal Requirement: Certification needed that cattle were not fed meat/blood-based feed (except milk products).
Economic Concerns:
- Livelihood Threat: Indian dairy sector employs ~8 crore people.
- GVA Contribution: ~3% of India’s Gross Value Added (GVA).
- Loss Estimate: Farmers may lose ₹1.8 lakh crore/year if milk prices drop by 15%.
US Position:
- Trade Dispute: Calls India’s certification demand a “non-tariff barrier” at WTO.
- Compliance Claim: Argues its dairy feed practices meet international safety standards.
Gujarat’s Banni Grasslands – New Site for Cheetah Translocation
Why in News: Gujarat’s Banni grasslands are ready to host cheetahs by the end of 2025, as per forest officials.
Steps Taken:
- Enclosure setup completed
- Prey base increased
Earlier Translocation: Cheetahs moved from Kuno National Park to Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary, MP.
About Banni Grasslands
- Location: Kutch, Gujarat
- Asia’s largest tropical grassland
- Salt-tolerant, emerged due to tectonic uplift from the sea
- Inhabited by: Maldharis, Rabaris, Mutwas, Meghwals (pastoral communities)
Project Cheetah
- Launched: 2022
- Aim: Reintroduce African cheetahs in India
- First intercontinental large carnivore reintroduction
- Implemented by: NTCA (under MoEFCC)
- NTCA: Statutory body under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972
- Cheetah Project Steering Committee: Formed in 2023 for monitoring
Other Proposed Sites (as per Action Plan)
- Chhattisgarh: Guru Ghasidas NP
- Madhya Pradesh: Dubri WLS, Sanjay NP, Bagdara WLS, Veerangana Durgavati TR
- Rajasthan: Desert NP, Shahgarh grasslands
- Uttar Pradesh: Kaimur WLS
About Cheetah
- Fastest Mammal: World’s fastest land animal.
- Extinct in India: Declared extinct in 1952; only large carnivore to go extinct in India.
- Vocalization: Cannot roar (unlike lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars).
Cheetah Species:
1. African Cheetah
- IUCN Status: Vulnerable
- Distribution: Various parts of Africa
2. Asiatic Cheetah
- IUCN Status: Critically Endangered
- Distribution: Arid regions of eastern Iran (only a few individuals left)
UK’s First Clinical Trial Reports Babies Born via Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT)
Why in News: UK becomes the first country to report the birth of babies using Mitochondrial Replacement Therapy (MRT). Eight babies born as part of a regulated clinical trial aimed at preventing inherited mitochondrial diseases
What is Mitochondrial Disease?
- Caused by defective mitochondria (cell’s energy producers)
- Mitochondria generate over 90% of cell energy
- Have separate DNA (mtDNA) from nuclear DNA
- Inherited only from the mother
- Affects energy-dependent organs (brain, heart, muscles); may be life-threatening
What is MRT (Mitochondrial Donation)?
- A type of in vitro fertilization (IVF)
- Replaces mother’s faulty mtDNA with donor’s healthy mtDNA
Resulting embryo has:
- Nuclear DNA: from mother and father
- Mitochondrial DNA: from donor
- Leads to birth of a “Three-Parent Baby”
ADEETIE Scheme: Boosting Energy Efficiency in MSMEs
Why in News: Ministry of Power to roll out the first-of-its-kind ADEETIE Scheme to align industry growth with energy and climate objectives.
What?
- ADEETIE – Assistance in Deploying Energy Efficient Technologies in Industries & Establishments
- A new scheme launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) under the Ministry of Power.
Why?
- To enhance energy efficiency in MSMEs, reduce emissions, boost competitiveness, and support India’s climate and energy goals.
Who is Eligible?
- Udyam-registered MSMEs – Must adopt technologies with at least 10% energy savings potential.
Key Features:
Financial Assistance:
- Interest subvention on loans: 5% for Micro & Small Enterprises and 3% for Medium Enterprises
Technical Support:
- Investment Grade Energy Audits (IGEA)
- Detailed Project Reports (DPRs)
- Monitoring & Verification (M&V) post-implementation
Capacity Building:
- Through the ADEETIE Online Platform
- Facilitates financing & promotes awareness in the MSME sector
