Current context: The Punjab government will develop the Jhajjar-Bachauli Wildlife Sanctuary in Sri Anandpur Sahib as a leopard safari to promote eco-tourism.

Key Highlights:

• First wildlife sanctuary in Punjab where tourists can view wildlife in its natural habitat.
• Budget Allocation: ₹10 crore under the 2025-26 budget for tourism infrastructure development in Nangal.
• Declared a protected sanctuary in 1998 under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Current context: The Second Global Conference on Air Pollution and Health, co-hosted by WHO and Colombia, aimed to halve air pollution-related deaths by 2040.

• Nearly 7 million premature deaths occur annually due to air pollution, with developing nations most affected.

Key Findings

• Air Pollution Statistics:
  • 9 out of 10 people breathe air exceeding WHO safety limits.
  • 7 billion children under 15 are exposed to unsafe air.
  • Global air pollution costs $8.1 trillion (6.1% of GDP).
• Health Impacts: Causes oxidative stress, neurodevelopmental disorders, dementia, and respiratory diseases.
• Energy Transition: Reduction in fossil fuel burning (2016-2021) led to a 6.9% decline in pollution-related deaths.
• Investment Gaps: Only 1% of international aid supports air quality improvement.

Current Context: A 7.1 magnitude earthquake recently hit near Tonga, triggering a tsunami warning for the Pacific island nation.

About Tonga:

• Location: South Pacific Ocean, south of Samoa, east of Fiji.
• Geography: 169 islands (only 36 inhabited); western islands volcanic, eastern islands coral.
• Capital: Nuku‘alofa (on Tongatapu island).
• Political System: Constitutional monarchy; independent since 1970.
• Economy: Agriculture, fishing, and remittances are key contributors.
• Currency: Tongan Paʻanga (TOP).

Global Ties: Member of Commonwealth and United Nations.

• Observed annually on April 2 to promote acceptance, support, and inclusion of autistic individuals.
• Theme 2025: “Advancing Neurodiversity and the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)”—highlighting the importance of neurodiversity in global development.
• History: Established by the United Nations in 2007, first observed in 2008.
• Organizers 2025: UN Departments & Institute of Neurodiversity (ION)—a global organization advocating for neurodiverse communities.

Current Context: Netumbo Nandi-Ndaitwah, 72, has become Namibia’s first woman president, succeeding Nangolo Mbumba, marking a historic milestone for the nation.

About Namibia

• Capital: Windhoek
• Currency: Namibian Dollar, South African Rand

Current Context: Haryana Chief Minister Nayab Singh Saini has launched ‘Sarathi,’ an AI-powered chatbot for the Chief Secretary’s office website, to enhance citizen engagement and accessibility to government information.

Key Features

• Developer: HARTRON (Haryana State Electronics Development Corporation Limited).
• Purpose: Provides easy access to government directives, notifications, circulars, and other official documents.

Database:

• Processes over 17,820 official documents,Covers 73,622 scanned PDF pages.
• Includes directives, agendas, circulars, acts, policies, notifications, and government orders.

Current Context: The Khelo India Para Games 2025 wrapped up in New Delhi, serving as a crucial platform for para-athletes with remarkable achievements, including 18 national records.

Key Highlights

• Medal Tally:

1. Haryana: 34 Gold, 39 Silver, 31 Bronze
2. Tamil Nadu: 28 Gold, 19 Silver, 27 Bronze
3. Uttar Pradesh: 23 Gold, 21 Silver, 20 Bronze

• Participation: Over 1,300 para-athletes competed in six sports: Para Archery, Para Athletics, Para Badminton, Para Powerlifting, Para Shooting, and Para Table Tennis.

Current Context: At France’s ‘Nutrition for Growth’ event (March 27-28, 2025), UNESCO’s report “Education and Nutrition: Learn to Eat Well” urged better school meal standards.

Key Findings

• 47% of primary pupils receive meals, but quality is lacking.
• 27% of meals lack nutritionist input; only 93/187 countries have food laws.
• Childhood obesity doubled since 1990, while food insecurity persists.

Successful Initiatives

• Brazil: Bans ultra-processed foods.
• China: Added dairy & vegetables.
• Nigeria: School feeding raised enrolment by 20%.
• India: Fortified millet improved adolescent cognition.

Recommendations

• Prioritize fresh, local food; cut processed & sugary items.
• Integrate food education in schools.
• Develop nutrition-focused policies & training.

Current Context: The Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded Strengthening Multimodal and Integrated Logistics Ecosystem (SMILE) Programme aims to enhance India’s logistics infrastructure, aligning with the National Logistics Policy and PM Gati Shakti.

About SMILE

• Objective: Reduce logistics costs, improve efficiency, and promote multimodal connectivity.
• Trade & Digitalization: Focus on smart logistics, digital trade facilitation, and low-emission transport.
• Gender Inclusion: Conducts gender audits at land ports under the National Trade Facilitation Action Plan.
• Economic Impact: Supports Atmanirbhar Bharat, boosts private sector investment, and enhances India’s Logistics Performance Index.

Current Context: The Indian Army has successfully developed and tested an indigenous FPV drone with an anti-tank kamikaze payload, enhancing its combat capabilities.

About

• Definition: Remotely piloted drones transmitting real-time video to an operator’s screen or goggles for precise control.
• Uses: Tactical combat, surveillance, reconnaissance, and racing.

Significance

• Cost-effective in neutralizing high-value enemy assets like tanks.
• Combat proven, with successful deployment in recent conflicts (e.g., Ukraine) demonstrating their battlefield impact.