India Launches Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)
▪ A multi-nation alliance for city-to-city collaboration, knowledge-sharing, and private sector partnerships on sustainable urban development.
▪ Focuses on waste management and resource efficiency in the Asia-Pacific region.
▪ Prime Minister Advocated the Pro-Planet People (P-3) approach and Emphasized 3R principles – Reduce, Reuse, Recycle for circular economy.
CITIIS 2.0 MoU Signed:
▪ Aims to create model urban projects for sustainability.
▪ Agreements worth ₹1,800 crore to benefit 18 cities across 14 States.
International Agreements
▪ Hanoi 3R Declaration (2013-2023): Framework for waste reduction and circular economy.
▪ Paris Agreement (2015): India committed to sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Government Initiatives Related to Sustainability
▪ Swachh Bharat Mission: Focuses on waste management and sanitation.
▪ Smart Cities Mission: Aims for sustainable urban development.
▪ Extended Producer Responssibility (EPR): Ensures industries manage post-consumer waste.
▪ Plastic Waste Management Rules: Regulates single-use plastics.
IRCTC Granted ‘Navratna’ Status
▪ The central government has approved granting ‘Navratna’ status to Indian Railway Catering and Tourism Corporation (IRCTC) and Indian Railway Finance Corporation (IRFC), both public sector undertakings of Indian Railways.
▪ The Railway Ministry stated that out of the 12 total public sector undertakings operating under Indian Railways, 7 listed public sector companies have now received Navratna status.
▪ Navratna status is awarded to central public sector enterprises that perform exceptionally well in financial and commercial markets.
7th Meeting of the National Wildlife Board
▪ Prime Minister Modi laid the foundation stone for the National Wildlife Recommendation Center in Junagadh district of Gujarat. He also released a book about river dolphins.
▪ The 16th Asiatic Lion Census is scheduled to begin in May.
▪ The central government recently allocated Rs. 2,900 crore for the ‘Lion Project’ aimed at protecting Asiatic lions.
▪ Currently, Asiatic lions in India are found only in the Gir Wildlife Sanctuary.
