CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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  • The Union Cabinet has recently given approval for two significant ropeway projects in Uttarakhand: the Govindghat to Hemkund Sahib Ji (12.4 km) and Sonprayag to Kedarnath (12.9 km) routes. These will be developed as part of the National Ropeways Development Programme – Parvatmala Pariyojana.
  • About Parvatmala Pariyojana:
    • The National Ropeways Development Programme, also known as ‘Parvatmala Pariyojana,’ was introduced in the 2022-23 Union Budget.
    • Through this initiative, the Ministry of Road Transport and Highways aims to establish a safe, cost-effective, convenient, efficient, self-sustaining, and world-class ropeway infrastructure that provides essential first- and last-mile connectivity, enhancing logistics operations across the country.
    • The programme is designed to ease the movement of commuters in hilly areas and decongest overcrowded urban spaces where traditional transport systems are either overwhelmed or not feasible.
    • It focuses on improving connectivity, convenience for passengers, and boosting tourism in these regions.
    • To support the development of ropeway infrastructure in challenging terrains, urban locales, and dense forests, the ministry is working alongside various state governments and union territories.
    • Over 200 projects, valued at Rs 1.25 lakh crore, have been identified under the programme.
    • These projects will be carried out through a Public-Private Partnership model, with the Government of India contributing around 60% of the funding.
  • Implementing Agency:
    • The National Highways Logistics Management Limited (NHLML), a fully owned subsidiary of the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), has been entrusted with the execution of these projects.

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  • Recent studies suggest that gut-friendly bacteria could help slow the progression of vitiligo, offering new hope for the millions living with this autoimmune disease.
  • About Vitiligo:
    • Vitiligo is a condition that leads to the loss of skin pigmentation, causing white patches to form on various areas of the skin.
    • It can affect any part of the body but commonly begins on the hands, forearms, feet, and face.
    • Over time, the discolored patches may expand, and the condition can also impact hair and the mucous membranes inside the mouth.
  • Causes:
    • Vitiligo occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys melanocytes, the skin cells responsible for producing melanin, the pigment that gives skin its color.
    • Though the exact causes remain unclear, research shows that roughly 30% of vitiligo cases are hereditary.
    • The condition can affect individuals of all races and genders but is more noticeable in people with darker skin tones.
    • Approximately 1% of the global population is affected by vitiligo.
  • Treatment:
    • While vitiligo is neither life-threatening nor contagious, it can significantly affect a person's appearance.
    • Treatments can help restore pigmentation to the affected areas, but they don't prevent further loss of color or future flare-ups.

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  • A recent meeting of the Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) monitoring committee has decided that no new commercial construction will be allowed within 1 km of the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve boundary or up to the ESZ limit, whichever is closer.
  • About Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Tiger Reserve:
    • Located in the Chamarajanagar district of Karnataka, the BRT Tiger Reserve is positioned in the strategic transition zone between the Western and Eastern Ghats in South India.
    • It was designated as a Tiger Reserve in 2011, covering a total area of 574.82 sq.km.
    • The reserve derives its name from Biligiri, which translates to "white rocky cliff," due to the presence of the ancient Rangaswamy Temple dedicated to Lord Vishnu.
    • The name is also believed to reflect the white mist and silvery clouds that envelop the hills for much of the year.
    • The region is home to the Soliga tribe, an indigenous community, who live in harmony with the wildlife.
  • Vegetation:
    • The reserve's varied climate and elevation give rise to a diverse range of habitats, including scrub, deciduous, riparian, evergreen, sholas, and grasslands. These varied ecosystems support an abundance of plant life.
  • Flora:
    • The flora of the reserve includes species such as Anogeissus latifolia, Dalbergia paniculata, Grewia teliaefolia, Terminalia alata, Terminalia bellirica, and Terminalia paniculata, among others.
  • Fauna:
    • The reserve is home to a rich array of wildlife, including tigers, elephants, leopards, wild dogs, bison, sambar, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelopes, sloth bears, wild boars, common langurs, bonnet macaques, and numerous species of reptiles and birds.