• Recently, scientists detected unusually high methane emissions from Mount Fentale, a volcano in northern Ethiopia.
• Mount Fentale is a stratovolcano located in Awash National Park, Oromia Region, Ethiopia.
• Phenomenon: Unusual methane emissions peaked at 58 metric tonnes per hour starting January 31, far exceeding typical volcanic gases like carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide.
• Impact: Methane is 28 times more effective than carbon dioxide at trapping heat, raising concerns for climate change.
• Historical Context: Mount Fentale last erupted in 1820 and has a history of sporadic eruptions. Recent magma intrusion was observed in September 2024

• World Civil Defence Day 2025, observed annually on March 1, was established by the International Civil Defence Organization (ICDO) and was first observed in 1990.

Objective:

• Raise awareness on civil protection, disaster preparedness, and emergency response.
• Highlight the role of civil defense in protecting communities from natural and man-made disasters.
• Key Activities: Training programs, awareness campaigns, and emergency drills to educate the public on crisis response.
• Theme for 2025:“Civil Defence, Guarantee of Security for the Population”.

• Zero Discrimination Day, observed annually on March 1, was initiated by UNAIDS (United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS) and was first celebrated on March 1, 2014.
• Theme for 2025: “We Stand Together” – Emphasizing unity and collective action against discrimination.
• Significance:
  • Promotes Equality: Supports a world where individuals live with respect and dignity.
  • Human Rights: Aligns with broader human rights goals, ensuring protection for all.
  • Mental & Physical Well-being: Highlights the importance of combating discrimination to improve overall well-being.

• Recently, the Indian Navy transferred Ex INS Guldar, a decommissioned Landing Ship Tank (Medium), to the Maharashtra Tourism Development Corporation Limited (MTDC), Marking India’s pioneering effort to convert a retired naval vessel into an underwater museum.”
• About Ex INS Guldar

• Built in Poland, commissioned into the Indian Navy on December 30, 1985.
• Served in the Eastern Naval Command (until 1995) and later in the Andaman & Nicobar Command until decommissioning on January 12, 2024.
• Participated in several operations like:
• Operation Aman (1990s): A mission to evacuate Indian and foreign nationals during the Kuwait crisis after Iraq’s invasion.
• Operation Pawan (1987-1990): The Indian Peacekeeping Force (IPKF) mission in Sri Lanka to disarm the LTTE and restore peace.
• Economic Impact : Expected to boost underwater tourism, generating employment opportunities for coastal communities.
• Other Marine Museums in India
• INS Kursura (Visakhapatnam) – A submarine museum.
• INS Cuddalore – Another decommissioned vessel converted into an underwater museum.

• Recently, the 21st African-Asian Rural Development Organization (AARDO) conference concluded in New Delhi, reaffirming commitment to community-driven rural development and South-South cooperation.
• Background of AARDO
  • Established in March 31, 1962, with the adoption of its Constitution in Cairo, Egypt.
  • Originated from East Asian Rural Reconstruction Conference (1955)in Tokyo.
  • Permanent headquarters established in New Delhi, India, in 1966.
• Objectives of AARDO
  • Improve food security, climate resilience, and digital empowerment.
  • Enhance South-South cooperation for sustainable rural development.
  • Strengthen local economies and rural livelihoods.

• Membership & Structure
  • Currently includes 33 member countriesfrom Asia and Africa.
  • Inter-governmental, non-political body with observer status in FAO & UNESCO.
  • Collaborates with international agencies for policy and programme implementation.
• Significance & Recent Developments
  • Promotes sustainable agriculture and digital transformation.
  • India emphasized collective vision and cooperation at a recent AARDO meeting.

Stressed community-driven initiatives for inclusive rural development.

• Introduced on February 18, 2025, by Union Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan under the Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP).
• Objective: Aims to modernize urban land records using GIS technology, aerial surveys, and field mapping to enhance governance and land management.
• Scope: Focuses on towns covering less than 35 sq. km with populations below 200,000; initially piloted in 152 urban local bodies across 26 states.
• Need: Addresses challenges of outdated urban land records, inefficient taxation, and governance gaps, aligning with urban sector reforms.
• Funding: The ₹194 crore pilot project is fully funded by the central government, with survey costs depending on the technology used.
• Methodology: Utilizes drone-based aerial surveys with Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors to capture high-resolution images, followed by ground verification.
• Impact: Seeks to digitize land records, reduce property disputes, streamline transactions, and strengthen urban planning and financial systems.
• Expansion: Upon successful implementation, the project will scale up to 4,912 urban local bodies, ensuring a comprehensive urban land management framework.

• Celebrated by Kashmiri Pandits, Herath marks their unique observance of Mahashivratri, symbolizing the union of Shiva and Parvati.It begins on the 13th day of Phalgun (February/March) and continues until the new moon.
• Rituals: Families perform Vatuk Pooja, where a kalash with water and walnuts is placed in a sacred space, followed by prayers.
• Community Aspect: The day after Shiva Chaturdashi, “Salam,” signifies harmony between Kashmiri Pandits and Muslims, reflecting the region’s cultural diversity.
• Historical & Cultural Roots: The festival preserves Kashmir’s spiritual heritage, with the Shankaracharya Temple in Srinagar being a key pilgrimage site.

• Recently, the Government e Marketplace (GeM) celebrated six years of its SWAYATT (Startups, Women, and Youth Advantage Through eTransactions) initiative.
• Launched in 2019 under Government e Marketplace (GeM), SWAYATT promotes women, youth, and startups in public procurement.
• Objective: Increase market access, provide training, and enhance participation of Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) in government transactions.
• Recent Partnership: GeM signed an MoU (Memorandum of Understanding) with FICCI-FLO (Federation of Indian Chambers of Commerce & Industry – Ladies Organisation) to directly connect women entrepreneurs with government buyers.
• Growth & Impact: Women-led Micro & Small Enterprises (MSEs) on GeM grew from 6,300 to 1,77,786 Udyam-verified sellers, with ₹46,615 Crore in orders fulfilled.
• Future Goals: Onboard 1 lakh startups and double the number of women entrepreneurs in procurement. Women currently make up 8% of GeM sellers.
• Dedicated Storefronts: Startup Runway and Womaniya enhance visibility for startups and women-led enterprises.
• Economic Empowerment: By improving market access and financial inclusion, SWAYATT strengthens India’s startup ecosystem and job creation.

• Recently,China’s Zhurong rover has uncovered evidence of an ancient Martian ocean, Deuteronilus, that existed 3.5 to 4 billion years ago.
• Findings : Ground-penetrating radar detected sandy deposits at depths of 10–35 meters, resembling Earth’s coastal formations.
• Mission Insights
• Operated from May 2021 to May 2022, covering 1.9 km in Utopia Planitia.
• Used ground-penetrating radar to scan up to 80 meters deep below the Martian surface.
• Detected layered structures at depths of 10 to 35 meters, resembling terrestrial beaches.
• Significance of the Discovery
• The findings strengthen the ocean hypothesis, suggesting Mars had a long-standing body of water shaped by waves and tides.
• Suggests Mars had a warmer climate and thicker atmosphere, potentially supporting life.

Opens avenues for future missions to explore these formations for biosignatures

• Recent reports highlight severe environmental challenges in the Caspian Sea, as declining water levels threaten regional biodiversity and human activities.
• Geography:
• World’s largest enclosed water body (370,000 sq. km), bordered by Kazakhstan, Azerbaijan, Russia, Turkmenistan, and Iran.
• Northern part: Less salty, shallow; Southern part: Saltier, 1,025m deep.
• Biodiversity & Threats :
• Habitat for 130+ fish species, including sturgeon (key for caviar production).
• Pollution, overfishing, and habitat destruction endanger species and livelihoods.
• Conservation Efforts: Caspian Environment Programme (1998) and Tehran Convention (2003), ratified in 2006) focus on pollution control, marine restoration, and sustainable development.