International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
- Context: The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) has welcomed Saudi Arabia as its newest Member Country.
- IBCA said Saudi Arabia’s joining is a significant collective step towards advancing global cooperation for Big Cat conservation and a sustainable planet.
About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA)
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- India will host the inaugural International Big Cat Alliance Summit 2026, in New Delhi.
- The event represents an important milestone in promoting international collaboration for the protection of big cats and their natural habitats.
- The theme of the summit is “Big Cats, Save Humanity, Save Ecosystem.”
- The conference aims to provide a global forum for deliberations on the challenges, opportunities, and joint efforts required for big cat conservation across countries.
- The summit will also showcase India’s success in wildlife conservation, particularly its efforts related to: Tigers, Asiatic lions, Leopards, Snow leopards, and Cheetahs.
- A proposed Delhi Declaration is expected to outline common international priorities, strengthen cross-border cooperation, and support a landscape-based strategy for conserving big cats and their ecosystems.
Smart Border Project and Border Security Measures
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- Context: Home Minister announced that the government will soon launch the Smart Border Project to strengthen security along the borders with Bangladesh and Pakistan.
- The objective is to make the borders highly secure and difficult to infiltrate.
Use of Advanced Technology
- The Smart Border initiative will integrate modern technologies such as: drones, radars, advanced surveillance cameras, and other high-tech security systems.
- These technologies will help create a comprehensive and technologically advanced border security network.
Strengthening Border Security Grid
- The Home Minister stated that work is underway to establish an impregnable border security grid within the next year under the Smart Border concept.
Easier Operations for BSF
- The new technological systems will make the functioning of the Border Security Force (BSF) more efficient, effective, and stronger.
Focus on Emerging Security Threats
- The government emphasized the need to develop new strategies to tackle: cyber threats, hybrid warfare, and drone-based security challenges.
Government’s Stand on Infiltration
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- The government is committed not only to stopping infiltration but also to identifying and deporting illegal infiltrators from the country.
- He said the government would not allow unnatural demographic changes due to illegal migration.
Role of Border States
- The Home Minister noted that governments in: Tripura, Assam, and West Bengal have adopted policies opposing illegal infiltration.
Growth of BSF
- The Border Security Force, established in 1965 with 25 battalions and limited resources, has grown into the world’s largest border guarding force with nearly 2.7 lakh personnel.
Expansion of BSF Jurisdiction
- The government has extended BSF jurisdiction from 15 km to 50 km from the international border in certain areas to improve border management and security operations.
Coldwater Fisheries Sector in India
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- Context: India’s coldwater fisheries sector is emerging as a vital component of the Blue Economy. It contributes significantly to livelihoods, nutritional security, eco-tourism, and sustainable development in mountainous regions.
- Coldwater aquaculture is practiced in high-altitude, snow-fed rivers, streams, lakes, and reservoirs characterized by temperatures ranging from 5°C to 25°C, dissolved oxygen levels exceeding 6 mg/L, and pH levels between 6.5 and 8.0.
- This sector is concentrated in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Meghalaya, and Nagaland, as well as in the hilly regions of West Bengal, Kerala, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- More than 278 coldwater fish species have been identified in India. Among these, the Rainbow Trout, Golden Mahseer, and Snow Trout are the most prominent species.
- In the year 2024–25, India’s total fish production stood at approximately 197.75 lakh tonnes. Of this, the coldwater fisheries sector contributed about 3% to the country’s inland fish production.
- The national-level production of coldwater fish stands at approximately 7,000 metric tonnes. Meanwhile, Trout production has witnessed a substantial increase growing by about 1.8 times over the past decade to reach approximately 6,000 metric tonnes in 2024–25.
- Jammu and Kashmir is the leading region for trout production, followed by the states of Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand.
Government Schemes and Initiatives
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (2020–26)
- Under this scheme, projects worth ₹5,638.76 crore have been sanctioned for states engaged in cold-water aquaculture.
- This provides support for hatcheries, raceways, RAS units, ponds, cold storage facilities, and transportation infrastructure.
Infrastructure Development Fund (FIDF)
- The Fisheries and Aquaculture Infrastructure Development Fund has approved projects worth ₹7,761.78 crore for infrastructure development (2018–26).
Blue Revolution Scheme (2015–20):
- This scheme laid the foundation for scientific trout farming through the establishment of hatcheries, raceways, and fish stocking in reservoirs.
Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samriddhi Sah-Yojana:
- Valued at ₹6,000 crore, this scheme supports aquaculture insurance, fisheries sector startups, micro-enterprises, and value chain capabilities.
Model Guidelines (2026):
- The government has released the ‘Model Guidelines for Cold-Water Fisheries Development, 2026,’ covering aspects such as site selection, hatchery standards, disease management, biosecurity, branding, certification, e-commerce, and skill development.
- India is strengthening international cooperation with Norway and Iceland for technology transfer, sustainable aquaculture practices, disease control, and export promotion.
