- TAMILNADU’S MANGROVE COVER DOUBLES
SUBJECT: ENVIRONMENT
- Mangrove cover increased from 4,500 ha (2021) to 9,039 ha (2024).
- Key districts: Tiruvarur (2,142 ha), Thanjavur (2,063 ha), with significant contributions from Cuddalore and Nagapattinam.
- Ecological & Climate Benefits: Mangroves act as natural carbon sinks, protecting against coastal erosion and supporting marine biodiversity.
- High carbon stocks in certain districts aid in climate change mitigation.
- Challenges & Policy Recommendations: Invasive species(e.g., Prosopis juliflora) pose a threat.
- Need for district-specific conservation strategies, eco-tourism, and carbon credit programs.
2. 2014 SUPREME COURT JUDGEMENT ON LINGUISTIC SECULARISM
SUBJECT: POLITY
- Tamil Nadu CM M.K. Stalin criticized the Centre for allegedly imposing Hindi via the National Education Policy (NEP).
- The 2014 judgment in U.P. Hindi Sahitya Sammelan vs. State of U.P.clarified that Hindi is the official language, NOT the “national language.”
- Key Judgement Points
- Linguistic Secularism:Emphasizes accommodating multiple linguistic identities rather than imposing a single language.
- Constitutional Provisions:
- Article 29(1): Protection for cultural and linguistic rights.
- Articles 19 & 30: Safeguard freedom of speech and the rights of minority educational institutions.
- Judicial Precedents:Cited cases (e.g., Allahabad High Court ruling in the IIT Kanpur case) reaffirm that language policies should be flexible and inclusive
3. TACKLING PROBLEM OF NUTRITION IN INDIA
SUBJECT: SOCIAL ISSUES
- High rates of malnutrition: 36% of children under five are stunted; 57% of women are anaemic (NFHS-5 data).
- Rising non-communicable diseases (NCDs)like diabetes and hypertension due to unhealthy diets.
- Gaps in Policy
- Existing schemes (e.g., Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0) focus mainly on maternal and child health.
- Limited attention to adult nutrition, elderly care, and NCD prevention.
- Uneven distribution of Health & Wellness Centres (HWCs)leading to inconsistent service quality.
- Strategic Approach Needed
- Develop a holistic nutrition agenda considering cultural and local food systems.
- Expand community-based nutrition services beyond the maternal-child focus.
- Integrate nutrition programs in schools, workplaces, and community settings for lifelong well-being
4. TAMILNADU TO FRAME TRIBAL LIVELIHOOD POLICY
SUBJECT: STATES
- Develop a Tribal Livelihood Policy for 37 tribal communities in the Western and Eastern Ghats.
- Aim to ensure access to welfare measures and preserve traditional knowledge in biodiversity conservation.
- Financial & Developmental Initiatives: ₹10 crore allocated for the policy initiative.
- Complementary schemes like the Annal Ambedkar Business Champions Scheme support SC/ST entrepreneurs
5. CHANDRAYAAN – 5 : NEW MILESTONE IN LUNAR EXPLORATION
SUBJECT: SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
- Centre’s approval for Chandrayaan-5, which will carry a 250-kg rover—significantly heavier than Chandrayaan-3’s 25-kg rover.
- Mission aims to enhance the study of the Moon’s surface with advanced scientific payloads.
- Collaborative Aspect: Planned collaboration with Japan, reflecting international cooperation in space research.
- Historical Context: Builds on the successes and learnings of Chandrayaan-1, 2, and 3.
