NATIONAL – DAIRY OF EVENTS

Kala-II Hydroelectric Project and the White-bellied Heron

• Context: The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC), operating under the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change, has granted in-principle forest clearance for the ‘Kala-II Hydroelectric Project’.
• This has sparked concerns regarding the potential impacts that the project could have on the habitat of the White-bellied Heron.

Kala-II Hydroelectric Project

• The ‘Kala-II Hydroelectric Project’, with a capacity of 1,200 MW, is a run-of-river scheme proposed by THDC India Limited.
• The project is situated in the Anjaw district of Arunachal Pradesh, located in close proximity to the India-China border
•  The project involves the construction of a 128.5-meter-high concrete gravity dam, along with an associated underground powerhouse.

White-bellied Heron

• Scientific Name: Ardea insignis

• Ecological Significance: It is considered a key indicator species reflecting the health and integrity of riverine ecosystems.

• IUCN Red List Status: Critically Endangered.

• Globally, the distribution of this species is extremely limited; it is primarily found in Bhutan, India, and Myanmar.

• Within India, it is predominantly found only in specific pockets of Arunachal Pradesh and Assam.

Threats Posed by the Project

• The Lohit River basin serves as one of the most critical habitats for the ‘White-bellied Heron’.

• Reports indicate that these herons have been sighted in areas such as Walong, Sengkhung, and the Kamlang Tiger Reserve area, which is situated in the lower reaches of the river. 
• Since forests and riverbank areas are liable to become submerged, there is a risk that the sites essential for the breeding, foraging, and nesting of storks could be destroyed; this poses a grave threat to the very survival of the species.

 

Babesiosis Infection

• Context: The deaths of eight lion cubs in Gujarat—suspected to be caused by a Babesiosis infection—have raised concerns regarding the health and safety of Asiatic lions.
• Babesiosis is a parasitic infection primarily transmitted through the bites of infected ticks.
• Infected animals may exhibit symptoms such as fever, weakness, coughing, and a runny nose.
• It is a zoonotic disease, meaning it can be transmitted from animals to humans.
• Mild to moderate infections are typically treated with a combination of atovaquone and azithromycin administered over a period of 7 to 10 days.

 

The Future of India’s Semiconductor Sector: A 10-Year Action Plan (2026–2035)

• Context: NITI Aayog’s ‘Frontier Technologies Hub’ has released India’s first comprehensive 10-year action plan titled “The Future of India’s Semiconductor Sector.”

Importance of Semiconductors

• Semiconductors are critical for: National Security, Economic Stability, Digital Sovereignty, and Future Technological Competitiveness.
• They power sectors such as: Defense Systems, Telecommunications, Artificial Intelligence (AI), Automotive, Healthcare Devices, Digital Public Infrastructure (DPI), and Advanced Manufacturing.

Vision and Goal

• Aims to build a semiconductor value chain worth US$ 120–150 billion by the year 2035.

• Seeks to transform India from being merely a major consumer of semiconductors into a key partner within the global semiconductor value chain.

Five Strategic Pillars

• Frontier Research & Design IP: Fostering cutting-edge research and innovation in semiconductor design.

• Policy & Investment: Mobilizing long-term capital and incentivizing investments.

• Manufacturing: Focusing on advanced packaging and compound semiconductor manufacturing.

• Talent: Cultivating skilled talent across the entire workforce ecosystem of the semiconductor sector.

• Partnerships: Strengthening collaboration with trusted nations and global industry leaders. 

Key Objectives

• Positioning India as a world-leading hub for advanced packaging and OSAT (Outsourced Semiconductor Assembly and Test).

• • Emerging as a key supplier of wide-bandgap semiconductors.
  • Fostering leadership in compound semiconductor manufacturing.
  • Strengthening advanced semiconductor design capabilities.

• Generating over 100 advanced semiconductor design-related Intellectual Property (IP) assets.

Alignment with National Initiatives

• It supports the objectives of the ‘India Semiconductor Mission,’ as announced in the Union Budget of 2026.

• It signifies India’s evolutionary transition from: Ecosystem Creation → Ecosystem Deepening

• It focuses on strengthening the following areas: Design, Materials, Manufacturing, Packaging, Skill Development, Research & Development, and Trusted Global Partnerships.

 

Launch of Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) and Maritime Digital Initiatives

• Context: Union Minister launched the Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI) FY 2024-25 and four major digital initiatives during the 37th Foundation Day celebrations of Jawaharlal Nehru Port Authority in Mumbai. 

Logistics Port Performance Index (LPPI)

• • Serves as a national benchmarking tool to evaluate and improve port performance. 
  • Aligned with:

• PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan 

• Maritime India Vision 2030 

• Maritime Amrit Kaal Vision 2047 

• • Aims to enhance efficiency, transparency, and global competitiveness of Indian ports. 

• Four Digital Initiatives Launched by Directorate General of Shipping

• 24×7 Grievance Redressal Module under the e-Navik Platform. 

• • Ship Registration Module on the e-Samudra Platform. 
  • Medical Practitioner Module. 
  • Unified Ship Recycling Credit Note Module. 

• Significance of Digital Initiatives

• • • Improves transparency, accountability, and service delivery. 
    • Simplifies vessel registration procedures.
    • Strengthens monitoring of authorized medical practitioners for seafarers.
    • Reduces fraudulent medical certifications. 

• Major Port Rankings under LPPI

• • Dry Bulk Cargo: Paradip Port Authority ranked first. 
  • Liquid Bulk Cargo: Sikka Port and Terminals ranked first. 
  • Container Cargo: Mundra Port ranked first. 
  • JNPA secured second position among major container ports. 

• Other Key Initiatives Highlighted

• • • Launch of indigenous Vessel Traffic Service (VTS). 

• Introduction of AI-powered tender evaluation platform – NIVIDA.

• • • Signing of multiple strategic MoUs. 

• India’s Logistics Achievement

• • • India’s ranking in the World Bank Logistics Performance Index improved from 44th to 22nd in the International Shipments category.

• Seven Indian ports featured among the world’s top 100 ports in the World Bank Container Port Performance Index 2024.

 

SkyCast System: India’s First Advanced Aviation Weather Intelligence System

• Context: Union Minister inaugurated India’s first SkyCast System at Indira Gandhi International Airport. 

• India has become the 19th country in the world to deploy this advanced integrated atmospheric remote sensing system. 
• The next SkyCast facility will be established at Noida International Airport. 

About SkyCast System

• • Developed under Mission Mausam. 
  • An advanced aviation weather monitoring and forecasting system. 
  • Provides real-time atmospheric information for safer aviation operations.

• Helps reduce flight disruptions caused by: Fog, Turbulence, Adverse weather conditions 

Key Features

• Provides advance weather alerts to pilots and aircrew up to three hours in advance. 
• Supports safer take-offs and landings. 
• Reduces flight diversions, delays, and cancellations. 
• Offers accurate nowcasting and early warning services.

Technologies Integrated in SkyCast

• Radar Wind Profiler 
• SODAR (Sonic Detection and Ranging) 
• Microwave Radiometer 
• Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS) 
• CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer 

Core Component: Radar Wind Profiler

• The Radar Wind Profiler continuously measures atmospheric conditions up to 3 km above the airport, including wind speed, wind direction, turbulence, vertical velocity, and boundary-layer dynamics, providing critical information for safe aircraft descent and landing operations.

Fog Monitoring Capabilities

• Ground-based Fog Aerosol Spectrometer (GFAS)

• • Measures: Fog droplets, Aerosols, Aerosol–fog interactions 
  • Particularly useful in urban areas like Delhi where pollution affects visibility. 

• CL61 Lidar-based Ceilometer

• • Monitors the vertical structure of fog.
  • Helps assess: Fog formation, Visibility reduction, Atmospheric conditions impacting aviation. 

• Origin of the Project

• • • Based on findings from the Winter Fog Experiment (WiFEX). 

• WiFEX was launched jointly by: Indian Institute of Tropical Meteorology and India Meteorological Department 

Benefits Beyond Aviation

• Enhances weather forecasting accuracy. 

• Supports: Artificial Intelligence-enabled decision support systems, Urban weather forecasting, Pollution management, Transport advisories, Disaster preparedness and risk reduction.