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…
