Initiative / Scheme Chief Minister’s Integrated Urban Transformation Mission (CMIUTM) Context: The Municipal Administration and Water Supply (MAWS) Department has formulated the 'Chief Minister's Integrated Urban Transformation Scheme' (CMIUTM) for the period 2026–2031, aimed at upgrading infrastructure in the state's urban local bodies. Financial Allocation & Timeline: ₹1.5 lakh crore; 2026–2031 (5 years) Objective: To enhance urban infrastructure in cities and town panchayats. Key Focus Areas Water & Sanitation: 24-hour drinking water supply; improved sewage disposal and treatment facilities Environment: Restoration of rivers and water bodies (e.g., Cooum River, Buckingham Canal) Urban Greening: Additional public spaces and planting of 50 million saplings Safety & Services: Enhancing healthcare, e-governance, and safety for women and children Roads: Improvement of roads and urban aesthetics Funding Sources State Government Central Government schemes (AMRUT, Swachh Bharat) Municipal bonds International agencies Lead Department: Municipal Administration and Water Supply Department (MAWS) Initiatives/ Scheme Tamil Nadu’s First Raptor Census Context: Tamil Nadu conducted its first-ever State-wide Raptor Census to document birds of prey and create baseline conservation data. The census confirmed the presence of 68 raptor species across the State. Conducting Agencies Conducted by the Tamil Nadu Forest Department. Supported by the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC) and the TN Raptors Research Foundation. Objectives Identify raptor hotspots. Map the distribution of raptor species. Support long-term monitoring and conservation planning. Important Species Recorded Steppe Eagle Tawny Eagle Greater Spotted Eagle High Diversity Regions Highest species diversity recorded in: Coimbatore, Erode, Tiruppur, Hosur Diversity attributed to proximity to the Western Ghats and greater forest cover. Vulture Habitat Significance The Nilgiri–Eastern Ghats interface remains one of the last viable vulture habitats in Southern India. The landscape is crucial for the conservation of vulture populations in the region. Wetland-Associated Raptors Presence of species such as: Greater Spotted Eagle Eastern Marsh…
