Initiatives/Schemes
World Bank Praises MTC
- The World Bank has lauded Chennai’s Metropolitan Transport Corporation (MTC) for a major turnaround in operations and service delivery.
- Chennai City Partnership (CCP) aims to bring the bus network to financial sustainability, backed by better performance and improvements in efficiency, supported by predictable viability gap funding from the State government.
- MTC has taken big strides on various fronts, including the integration of the ticketing systems of various public transports through the “Chennai One” app.
Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom scheme
- Context: The State Planning Commission has recommended to the Tamil Nadu government to promote the decentralised production of green manure seeds to improve the implementation of long term effectiveness of Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom scheme
SPC recommended
- Integrating green manuring with regular soil testing and soil health cards.
- Establishment of village level soil testing units to help farmers track improvements in soil organic carbon nutrient availability and water holding capacity is must.
Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaapom scheme
- The Tamil Nadu government launched the “Chief Minister’s Mannuyir Kaathu Mannuyir Kaappom” on 12th June 2024.
- It is aimed at improving soil quality and moving towards the sustainable and chemical free agriculture practices for the wellbeing of the society.
- It also announced steps to reduce chemical fertilizers in paddy crops.
- Distribution of green manure seeds to farmers, which helps replenish nutrients in the soil.
Environment
Forest Department Rejects Further Tests for Upper Bhavani Hydroelectric Project
- Context: The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has refused permission to NTPC Tamilnadu Energy Company Limited (NTECL) to conduct further exploratory tests at the proposed Upper Bhavani Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project site.
- The project site lies between Mukurthi National Park and Avalanche Reserve Forest, both ecologically fragile and protected habitats in the Nilgiris.
Mukurthi National Park
- The Mukurthi National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site, as a part of the Western Ghats.
- The park was created with an intent to protect the Nilgiri Tahr and previously known as the Nilgiri Tahr National Park.
- Nilgiri Tahr is the state animal of Tamil Nadu.
- The park preserves endangered species such as the Royal Bengal Tiger and the Asian Elephant, apart from the Nilgiri Tahr.
