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- Why in News?
- Himalayan Outpost for Planetary Exploration (HOPE) is an innovative research facility established by ISRO to replicate extraterrestrial environments like those on the Moon and Mars. It consists of a Habitat Module for crew accommodation and a Utility Module for mission operations, both designed for seamless integration.
- Key Provisions:-
- Developed by ISRO’s Human Space Flight Centre (HSFC) in collaboration with Indian institutions and industry partners, HOPE aims to test human endurance, equipment functionality, and scientific protocols in space-like conditions.
- Located in Tso Kar Valley, Ladakh—chosen for its Mars-like terrain with low pressure, high UV radiation, extreme cold, and saline permafrost—the station supports studies in epigenetics, genomics, physiology, psychology, microbial life, and planetary health systems. It aligns with global analog missions such as the Mars Desert Research Station (USA) and BIOS-3 (Russia).
- This initiative complements India's Gaganyaan Mission, which targets sending a 3-member crew into low-Earth orbit for 3 days using the LVM3 launch vehicle.
- Why in News?
- India is set to combat micronutrient deficiencies and promote sustainable farming by introducing bio-fortified potatoes enriched with higher iron content.
- Key Provisions:-
- Developed by the International Potato Center (CIP), Peru, these potatoes aim to address iron deficiency and hidden hunger without compromising taste or yield, using conventional breeding and biotechnology.
- CIP, a global leader in tuber crop research, has already released an iron-rich potato variety in Peru and is now adapting it for Indian agro-climatic conditions in collaboration with ICAR-Central Potato Research Institute (CPRI), Shimla. A South Asia regional centre is also being set up in Agra, recognizing the Indo-Gangetic plains as a key potato-producing hub.
- Biofortified Vitamin A-rich sweet potatoes are already cultivated in Karnataka, Assam, West Bengal, and Odisha. India has also released biofortified seeds for 61 crops, including nutrient-rich rice and zinc-iron-rich durum wheat. Biofortification enhances vitamins and minerals in staple crops through breeding, agronomy, or biotechnology.
- Why in News?
- Odisha and Chhattisgarh have shown readiness to settle the long-standing Mahanadi river water dispute through mutual dialogue.
- Key Provisions:-
- The conflict began in 2016 when Odisha, a downstream state, accused Chhattisgarh of constructing several barrages in the upper catchment area without consultation. Odisha claimed this significantly reduced water flow during dry seasons. In response, the Centre established the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) in 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, to examine the issue. The tribunal's verdict is still awaited.
- Constitutional and Legal Framework:
- Article 262 of the Constitution allows Parliament to resolve inter-state river disputes. The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956 authorizes the Central Government to form tribunals for adjudication. Additionally, the River Boards Act, 1956 provides for the creation of boards to advise states on the regulation and development of interstate rivers, promoting cooperative water management.