Weekly Current Affairs (1st to 7th March 2024) | Current Affairs: Daily, Weekly & Monthly - CLAT PDF Download

Supreme Court Bans Tiger Safari in Core Areas of Jim Corbett National Park

On March 6, 2024, the Supreme Court of India reprimanded the Uttarakhand government for its involvement in the felling of trees and unauthorized construction activities within the Jim Corbett National Park. The apex court imposed a ban on tiger safaris in the core areas of the park, allowing them only in the peripheral and buffer zones.

Committee to Evaluate Tiger Safaris in National Parks

• The Supreme Court directed the formation of a committee to investigate whether tiger safaris can be permitted in buffer or fringe areas of national parks across the country. The committee will also propose measures to alleviate the environmental damage caused and seek reimbursement from those responsible.

Petition and Court’s Stance

• The bench, comprising Justice BR Gavai, Justice PK Mishra, and Justice Sandeep Mehta, was presiding over a petition filed by environmental activist and lawyer Gaurav Bansal. Bansal contested the Uttarakhand government’s plans to establish a tiger safari and a zoo with captive animals within the boundaries of the national park. The court highlighted the detrimental impact of establishing a tiger safari in the core area and emphasized the necessity of adhering to established guidelines for wildlife conservation.
• The Supreme Court strongly criticized former Uttarakhand Forest Minister Harak Singh Rawat and former divisional forest officer Kishan Chand for engaging in illegal construction activities and unauthorized tree felling within the Corbett Tiger Reserve. The bench stated that the officials had thrown public trust doctrine in the waste bin and indulged in mass felling of trees for commercial purposes under the pretext of promoting tourism.

Status Report and CBI Investigation

• The apex court has asked for a status report on illegal construction and felling of trees in the Corbett Tiger Reserve within three months. The Enforcement Directorate had previously raided the residences of Rawat and Chand in connection with the illegal construction activities.

Earlier Stance on Tiger Safaris

• In January 2024, the Supreme Court had dismissed the National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) proposal to establish tiger safaris within national parks, emphasizing the need for an “animal-centric” approach over a “tourism-centric” one. 
• The bench expressed concerns over the NTCA’s 2019 guidelines advocating for the creation of tiger safaris in buffer and fringe areas of tiger reserves to alleviate tourism pressure from core tiger habitats.

Prioritizing Wildlife Conservation

• The Supreme Court’s stance underscores the importance of prioritizing the welfare and conservation of wildlife within national parks. The bench questioned the rationale behind establishing zoos within wildlife sanctuaries, suggesting that such facilities could obstruct the natural movement of animals and potentially spread diseases among them.

Indelible Ink for Lok Sabha 2024 Polls

As India prepares for the upcoming general elections in 2024, Mysore Paints and Varnish Ltd (MPVL), the sole manufacturer of indelible ink, is working diligently to meet the unprecedented demand for this essential product. The company has received its largest order to date from the Election Commission, totaling 26.55 lakh vials worth ₹55 crore.

Production Progress and Capacity

MPVL has reported that at least 70% of the production has been completed, with the remaining vials expected to be ready by March 15, 2024. Each 10 mg vial of indelible ink can mark approximately 700 voters, ensuring the integrity of the electoral process by preventing duplicate voting.

Export Orders and Global Demand

In addition to meeting domestic demand, MPVL is also fulfilling export orders from several countries that rely on the company’s indelible ink for their voting processes. In recent months, MPVL has supplied orders to Cambodia, Fiji Islands, Sierra Leone, and Guinea-Bissau. The company is currently processing orders and repeat requirements from Mongolia, Fiji Islands, Malaysia, and Cambodia.

Cost Revision and Alternative Products

The cost of each vial has been revised upward to ₹174 from ₹160 in the previous election due to the fluctuating price of silver nitrate, a key ingredient in the indelible ink formulation. MPVL is also exploring the development of marker pens as an alternative to the traditional glass vials, with the product currently in the development stage.

Key Facts and Usage

• Developed by the Council of Industrial Research-National Physical Laboratory in Delhi to counter fraudulent voting.
• Applied on the left forefinger of a voter as proof of having cast their vote.
• Contains silver nitrate, which reacts with the nail and exposure to light, resulting in a darker mark.
• The ink mark is expected to last for three days on the skin and a few weeks on the fingernail until it grows out.
• A 10 ml vial of ink can mark the fingers of approximately 700 people.
• During the COVID-19 pandemic, some states used the ink to identify people under home quarantine.

About Mysore Paints & Varnish Ltd

• MPVL was was established during 1937 by Nalwadi Krishnaraja Wodeyar, then the Maharaja of Mysore province under the nomenclature “Mysore Lac & Paint Works Ltd”.
• The rationale behind the establishment of the factory was to provide employment opportunities locally and for effective utilization of the natural resources of the forest. The item called “Lac” was used for the manufacture of sealing waxes.
• The unit was converted into public Limited company during 1947 as one of the public sector Undertakings, now it is one among the prominent undertakings from Govt. of Karnataka.

RBI Pushes for Rupee Payments in Oil Imports

The Reserve Bank of India (RBI) has instructed India’s major state-owned refiners to press Persian Gulf oil suppliers to accept at least 10% of oil payments in rupees in the upcoming financial year. This move is aimed at promoting the Indian currency in international trade and reducing the country’s dependence on the US dollar.

India’s Growing Energy Demand and Currency Concerns

• India is the world’s third-largest crude importer and is expected to be the leading driver of global oil consumption growth this decade. The government is concerned that India’s booming demand for energy will put downward pressure on the rupee. By leveraging the growth in consumption, the RBI seeks to promote the use of the Indian currency in international trade.

State-Owned Refiners Approach Oil Exporters

• Three major state-owned refiners – Indian Oil Corp., Bharat Petroleum Corp., and Hindustan Petroleum Corp. – have already approached oil exporters regarding the rupee payment proposal. However, the suppliers are pushing back due to concerns over currency risk and conversion charges.
• The oil exporters’ resistance to accepting rupee payments stems from the potential currency risk and the associated conversion charges. To address this issue, the RBI has asked the Indian refiners to bear a portion of the currency transaction charges. However, the refiners are also resisting this idea, as it would erode their profit margins.

Dominance of the US Dollar in Global Oil Transactions

• The vast majority of global oil transactions are conducted in US dollars. China has had some success in using the yuan to pay for its oil imports, but the dollar remains the dominant currency in the global oil trade.

Previous Instances of Non-Dollar Payments

• In August last year, Indian Oil partly paid Abu Dhabi National Oil Co for a shipment of 1 million barrels of crude in rupees. However, there haven’t been any transactions in the Indian currency since then. India’s refiners have also used other currencies, including UAE dirhams, to pay for Russian crude oil imports.

Challenges in Implementing Rupee Payments

The implementation of rupee payments for oil imports faces several challenges:

• Currency Risk: Oil exporters are concerned about the potential fluctuations in the value of the rupee, which could impact their revenues.
• Conversion Charges: The conversion of rupees to other currencies may incur additional charges, which oil exporters are reluctant to bear.
• Resistance from Refiners: Indian state-owned refiners are hesitant to bear the currency transaction charges, as it would impact their profit margins.
• Limited Precedence: While there have been instances of non-dollar payments for oil imports, such as the use of rupees and UAE dirhams, these occurrences have been limited and sporadic.

Potential Benefits of Rupee Payments

Despite the challenges, the RBI’s push for rupee payments in oil imports could yield several benefits:

• Reduced Dependence on the US Dollar: By promoting the use of the rupee in international trade, India can reduce its reliance on the US dollar and minimize the impact of dollar fluctuations on its economy.
• Strengthening the Indian Currency: Increased use of the rupee in global trade could help strengthen the currency and enhance its international standing.
• Leveraging India’s Growing Energy Demand: As India’s energy consumption continues to grow, the country can use its market power to negotiate favorable terms, including the use of its own currency for payments.

Naval Commanders’ Conference 2024

• The first edition of the Naval Commanders’ Conference of 2024 commenced on March 5, 2024, with a powerful demonstration of the Indian Navy’s maritime capabilities. The three-day event began with Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh embarking at sea to witness the Navy’s ability to conduct ‘twin-carrier operations’, showcasing the growing strength of India’s sea-based air power in maintaining maritime superiority. The ceremony witnessed the combat prowess of aircraft carriers INS Vikrant and INS Vikramaditya.
• During the inaugural session, Shri Rajnath Singh addressed the Naval Commanders and commended the Indian Navy for its increasing multi-dimensional capabilities in the Indian Ocean region. He appreciated the Navy’s efforts in working towards peace and prosperity across the Indo-Pacific region, in line with the vision of Security And Growth for All in the Region (SAGAR).

Hybrid Format of Conference

• The Naval Commanders’ Conference, held in a hybrid format this year, serves as a platform for Naval Commanders to deliberate on strategic, operational, and administrative matters concerning maritime security. The conference plays a pivotal role in shaping the future course of the Indian Navy, particularly against the backdrop of evolving geopolitical dynamics, regional challenges, and the current volatile maritime security situation in the region.
• During the event, Naval commanders are likely to deliberate on a host of crucial issues, including China’s growing military forays into the Indian Ocean, as well as the situation arising out of Houthi militants targeting various cargo vessels in the Red Sea and adjoining areas.

Collaboration with Other Services

• The Chief of Defence Staff, along with the Chiefs of the Indian Army and Indian Air Force, will engage with the Naval Commanders during the conference to discuss the convergence of the three Services in light of the common national security environment. They will explore avenues to enhance tri-service synergy and readiness in defence of the nation.

Anti-Piracy Operations

• Indian Navy’s anti-piracy operations in the Indo-Pacific region, has garnered appreciation not only in India but across the globe. These efforts have significantly contributed to maintaining maritime security and upholding India’s sovereignty.
• Indian Navy has been making vital contribution in maritime security and maintaining India’s sovereignty, in addition to the crucial role it plays in fulfilling global commitments. Indian Navy’s credibility and promptness have made it synonymous with reliability in the Indo-Pacific region, reflecting India’s growing stature on the global canvas.

Tiger Woods Receives Top USGA Honor

• Legendary golfer Tiger Woods has been named the winner of the prestigious Bob Jones Award, the highest honor bestowed by the United States Golf Association (USGA). He was recognized for tremendous on-course achievements alongside an exemplary commitment to the game’s traditions and integrity.
• Woods, a 15-time major champion and nine-time USGA champion, has redefined the game of golf in the modern era, overcoming physical and personal challenges by displaying the characteristics of tenacity, mental strength and perseverance.

Overview of Coveted Bob Jones Award 

• The Bob Jones Award represents the USGA’s utmost accolade granted since 1955 for sportsmanship in golf combined with distinguished character beyond championships.
• It memorializes the spirit of amateur great Bobby Jones – winner of 13 majors including a solitary Grand Slam in 1930 – who helped establish Augusta National Golf Club and co-founded the Masters Tournament.
• Past recipients of the Bob Jones Award include Arnold Palmer, Jack Nicklaus, Ben Hogan, Mickey Wright, Francis Ouimet, Byron Nelson, Nancy Lopez, President George H.W. Bush, Patty Berg and Annika Sorenstam.

Prestigious Recognition Ceremony

• The 2024 Bob Jones Award will be formally presented to Woods on June 12th during the U.S. Open Tournament week at Pinehurst Resort’s famed Course No. 2 in North Carolina.

Woods’ Dominant Championship Pedigree

• With 15 career major triumphs, Woods owns the second-most men’s golf majors behind Nicklaus (18). He impressively captured the ‘Tiger Slam’ by holding all four major titles simultaneously across 2000-01.
• His catalogue of USGA victories specifically comprises a record-tying three consecutive U.S. Junior Amateurs and U.S. Amateurs each from 1991-93. He added U.S. Open wins in 2000, 2002 and 2008 defining his legendary dominance.
• Beyond a PGA Tour record-tying 82 titles, Woods also spent the most career weeks as world number one in the Official World Golf Ranking.

Lasting Contributions Beyond the Course

• While renowned for transcendent performances inside the ropes, Woods’ Bob Jones Award also recognizes extensive contributions to expanding golf’s reach globally.  His TGR Foundation and TGR Learning Lab provide educational access and STEM skills for underserved youth to unlock career opportunities.
• As a pioneering non-white star, Woods diversified perceptions of golf athletes also activating interest amongst people of color. Younger professionals credit him for sparking their entry into the sport.

Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre

The Union Minister of State for Skill Development and Entrepreneurship Electronics and Information Technology, and Jal Shakti, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, recently announced that a ‘Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre’ will be established in the near future. It is expected to be established in Indian Institute of Technology – Madras. The announcement was made during his virtual address at the All India Research Scholars Summit – 2024, organized by IIT Madras.

Global Standard Institution

• The Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre is set to be a global standard institution, partnering with academia, government, private sector, and start-ups. It will initially be co-located with Semiconductor Complex Ltd and has the potential to be spun off into an independent semiconductor research organization in the future. 
• The research centre aims to compete and cooperate with renowned international institutions. The goal is to establish the Bharat Semiconductor Research Centre as one of the principal poles of semiconductor research in the coming decade.

Ecosystem of Research Collaboration

• The new research centre will foster a vibrant ecosystem of top-notch universities and colleges in India, collaborating on research in various areas related to semiconductors. These areas include materials, physics, science, transistors, devices, packaging, and system innovation.

Semiconductors in the Global Spotlight

• Semiconductors have become a topic of discussion in foreign capitals. This increased focus is due to the accelerated pace of digitization in lives, economies, enterprises, consumers, and governments, which has experienced a significant jump post-Covid.

India’s Progress in the Semiconductor Ecosystem

• Since 2022, India has made substantial progress in developing a vibrant and rapidly growing semiconductor ecosystem. Several global semiconductor companies, including Tower Semiconductor, Powerchip Semiconductor Manufacturing Corporation of Taiwan, and Micron, have submitted proposals to set up characterization, testing, and manufacturing units in India. This development is a testament to the country’s progress in the semiconductor industry.

Research and Innovation Fund in the Budget 2024-25

• In the Budget for 2024-25, the Government of India allocated ₹1-lakh crore as the ‘Research and Innovation Fund’. This fund is a 50-year interest-free grant aimed at catalyzing innovation and research through an industry-academia partnership model.

Indian Navy to Commission Advanced MH-60R Seahawk Helicopters

The Indian Navy is in the process of commissioning its first squadron of newly-acquired MH-60R Seahawk multirole helicopters at the naval base in Kochi, Kerala. Hailed as a force multiplier, the induction of these advanced US-built naval choppers aims to significantly bolster India’s maritime military capabilities.

MH-60R Capabilities to Enhance Indian Defence

• The MH-60R Seahawk is the maritime variant of the battle-proven UH-60 Blackhawk helicopter used by multiple countries. Equipped for anti-submarine and anti-surface naval warfare, the MH-60Rs will extend the operational reach of Indian naval battle groups across the Indian Ocean region.
• With a service ceiling of 20,000 feet, the choppers carry lightweight torpedoes, air-to-surface missiles and advanced sensors for long-range homing, hunting and destroying threats posed by enemy submarines and warships. Their versatile performance facilitates sustained, multi-mission naval deployments.

Squadron Commissioning Ceremony in Kochi

• The Seahawks will be commissioned at the Indian Navy’s INAS 334 squadron at the naval air station in Kochi under the Western Naval Command. This frontline formation has been revived after 23 years following the decommissioning of the INAS 330 squadron.
• The occasion also celebrates the fighters operating these platforms by assigning the squadron moniker “Condors”. The commissioning event will showcase the preparedness of personnel and infrastructure for sustaining MH-60R operations.

Timely Induction to bolster Regional Presence

• The $2.6 billion deal for 24 MH-60Rs was signed in 2020 as part of defense agreements during President Donald Trump’s visit. Since then, the first batch of these naval choppers built by Lockheed Martin’s Sikorsky division has been delivered after customization to Indian requirements.
• Their timely induction comes as Chinese research, fishing and naval vessels increase activities across the Indian Ocean over recent years. With long legs, the MH-60Rs will enable monitoring far beyond India’s coastal waters. Equipped ships can also operate more effectively with aerial reconnaissance and anti-submarine support.

Boosts Strategic Island Capabilities

• The MH-60R base in Kochi under Southern Naval Command allows rapid deployments around India’s island territories including Lakshadweep archipelago and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This strengthens readiness to respond to threats by Chinese warships and submarines transiting the region.
• Equipped with submarine hunting sonars, radars and torpedoes, MH-60Rs also enable effective sea denial during crisis, safeguarding India’s territorial waters and assets.

Tested To Operate In All Weather Conditions

• The induction follows rigorous hot and high-altitude trials of MH-60Rs in varied conditions to validate integration with frontline warships. Technical and operational flight evaluations certified performance across diverse environments like those over the Arabian Sea and the Himalayas.
• This ensures optimal proficiency for missions irrespective of harsh marine conditions or remote mountainous islands. Weapon firing tests also validated combat readiness to engage hostile threats. Such realistic testing proves MH-60R readiness for Indian carriers from Kochi to Kamorta.

Boosts Aerospace Ecosystem

• Besides strengthening security capabilities, the MH-60R program grows India’s aerospace ecosystem via the ‘Buy and Make’ model requiring domestic production. Over $900 million worth components will be sourced locally by defense manufacturers like BEL, Larsen & Toubro, Data Patterns India etc.
• This enables technical expertise in advanced avionics, mission computers, composites and sensors over the long run through technology absorption. Additional naval utility choppers may also emerge from indigenous capabilities nurtured.

India’s Second Spaceport to come up in Tamil Nadu

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi laid the foundation stone for India’s second spaceport located in Kulasekarapattinam, Tamil Nadu. The ambitious Rs 950 crore facility will complement the existing spaceport in Andhra Pradesh and advance India’s space program.

Strategic Location for Efficient Launches

• The new site spanning 2,233 acres in the coastal district of Tuticorin, Tamil Nadu was chosen for geographical advantages promising more efficient launches. Its location along the coast allows greater fuel savings compared to inland sites. The near-equatorial position also utilizes Earth’s rotation to boost launch speeds. 
• The spaceport’s position adds flexibility for satellites to be placed in different orbits, complementing the tight launch trajectories possible from Sriharikota spaceport. This dual capability strengthens India’s existing launch dominance in the global small satellite market.

Timeline and Partners for the Project

• The Tamil Nadu government has completed land acquisition for the smooth execution of this project led by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO). 
• Construction is expected to finish in two years for the spaceport to be operational by 2026. ISRO is collaborating with international partners including France and the US for technical support and supply of payload fairings to launch larger satellites from the new site. Discussions are also ongoing with Japan about providing assistance with the spaceport’s mobile servicing tower and assembly areas.

Enhancing Launch Capabilities

• A key objective of the new spaceport is enhancing India’s satellite launch capabilities. Currently, ISRO relies on a single operational spaceport at Sriharikota in Andhra Pradesh established in the 1960s.
• The nation has seen a surge in small satellite launches over the past decade. Kulasekarapattinam’s location and design will enable more frequent rocket launches while Sriharikota focuses on larger satellites. This balancing of roles will boost India’s domestic and commercial launch services.

Strengthening Presence in Global Market

• The space sector has opened up significantly over recent years. The decreasing size and cost of satellites has expanded applications and enabled private sector growth.
• India already captures over 50% of the small satellite launch market which is mainly due to ISRO’s reliable and cost-effective PSLV rocket. With the new spaceport boosting launch capacity, India can cater to growing global demand for dedicated small satellite missions and rideshare options.

Opportunities for Local Development

• Besides the direct jobs and contracts from facility construction, spaceport operations will create extensive local opportunities. The quickening pace of launches opens prospects for private space industry clusters beside the spaceport.
• For people in the region, ISRO projects typically spur skill development in manufacturing, engineering services and research institutes. Students also benefit from new academic programs tailored to space industry needs. Moreover, the high-tech presence seeds innovation through local startups.

Paytm cuts Ties with Payments Bank Arm

• On March 1, fintech leader Paytm announced steps to sever certain operating agreements between its parent entity One97 Communications and the group’s payments bank arm Paytm Payments Bank (PPBL). As part of governance changes, the two firms will function with greater independence going forward.
• One 97 Communications Limited (OCL) and its services that include the Paytm app, Paytm QR, Paytm soundbox, and Paytm Card machines will continue to work uninterrupted.

Agreements Getting Terminated

• Paytm shares informed stock exchanges that after mutual evaluation, the company boards decided to terminate previous arrangements between One97 and PPBL across technology services, software licensing and brand sharing.
• Earlier, One97 provided managed services and infrastructure support to PPBL besides licensing its payment processing platform and the Paytm brand for usage by the payments bank.
• These agreements had attracted some regulatory concerns about conflict of interest between the promoter group entities. Hence, both companies agreed to advance an arm’s length relationship by stopping the inter-company arrangements.

Revised Shareholder Terms

• Additionally, Paytm said PPBL shareholders including One97 have agreed to modify existing terms between them. The revised shareholding agreement aims to enable greater autonomy in the payments bank’s decision making.

Industry Impact

• Experts view this move as pre-emptive compliance by Paytm group ahead of RBI’s likely rollout of tighter supervision norms for fintech operations.
• Paytm’s actions promise to set template for improved transparency standards among payment services and digital banking providers amid greater data security and consumer protection responsibilities.

India Replaces Maldives Troops with Technical Teams

On March 2nd, India’s Ministry of External Affairs confirmed that the first batch of Indian technical personnel has arrived in Maldives to take over operating duties of some military staff deployed in the island nation. The move follows recent discussions between both governments to replace soldiers with technical teams.

Deployment Background

• India has maintained a small military presence in Maldives for years under cooperation agreements to handle air and coastal surveillance using helicopters and maritime patrol aircraft.
• However, the then opposition party – now under newly elected President Ibrahim Muizzu – campaigned to remove Indian troops under its “India Out” plank alleging sovereignty violations. This had complicated bilateral ties recently.

Compromise Outcome

• To resolve the dispute, both countries have struck a compromise with New Delhi agreeing to replace fully trained military teams with civilian personnel capable of technologically handling aviation assets.
• As the first contingent replaces some of the 88 Indian soldiers previously stationed to operate India-gifted helicopters and planes, MEA spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal described this as fulfilling commitments to Maldives. He declined to specify numbers swapped in the initial batch.

Technical Teams Skillsets

• The replacement technical groups comprise personnel skilled in light helicopter operations, maintenance procedures and related aspects drawn from India’s Coast Guard and civil aviation divisions.
• Besides operating the platforms, they can train local crew over time for smooth eventual transfer to full Maldivian management in line with strategic self-reliance goals.

Broader Defense Ties

• Strategic analysts assert that beyond the immediate row, New Delhi remains committed to deepening comprehensive defense partnerships with Maldives considering wider Indian Ocean stability.
• This is reflected in both countries coordinating maritime security initiatives, India supporting infrastructure development of Maldives National Defense Force facilities, besides boosting trade/investment linkages for mutual prosperity.

Jal Shakti Ministry Partners With Colleges for River Conservation

On February 29th 2024, the Ministry of Jal Shakti signed agreements with 12 technical institutions to further basin-level management and research on 6 key Indian rivers. The collaboration aligns with objectives of the National River Conservation Plan initiated in 1985.

Rivers Identified

• The rivers covered under the academic partnership program include the Narmada, Godavari, Mahanadi, Krishna, Cauvery and Periyar. These 6 rivers have been prioritized based on factors like pollution loads, population pressures and irrigation significance.

Institutions Onboarded

• 12 technology and engineering colleges with specializations around environmental science or water resources have been onboarded currently across various states.
• They include the College of Technology Pantnagar, MANIT Bhopal, SVNIT Surat, VJTI Mumbai, NIT Trichy, College of Fisheries Mangalore, IIT Kharagpur and IIT Roorkee among others.

Areas of Collaboration

Key focus domains that the academic institutions will assist on through research and guidance include:

• River zoning and maintaining ecological flows
• Floodplain zoning for risk mitigation
• Soil conservation and landslide control
• Watershed planning and groundwater management
• Water quality monitoring mechanisms
• Modelling climate change impact on rivers
• Policy study on river interlinking projects

The tie-ups also aim to encourage student projects on river revitalization besides building faculty capabilities, organizing seminars and boosting technology development.

Existing River Conservation Efforts

• Addressing the signing ceremony, Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat highlighted considerable strides made under the Namami Gange program launched in 2015 to rejuvenate the Ganga river.
• The program’s conservation initiatives have led to UNESCO recognizing it among the top 10 river regeneration campaigns globally. Concepts like ‘Arth Ganga’ have also been promoted to better integrate livelihoods with river renewal.

Need for Holistic Planning

• However, the Minister noted that more inter-state coordination is imperative for sustainable basin-level planning around flood control, hydropower needs, biodiversity and community dependence.
• Academic partnerships can spur research on optimizing development across riparian states that share river systems while preserving ecological health.
• India’s river conservation efforts stand to gain substantial momentum under the Jal Shakti Ministry’s collaborative approach to harness academic expertise on basin studies.

Telangana Unveils Life Sciences Collaborative

The Telangana government recently announced key strategic plans to boost growth and innovation across the state’s thriving life sciences ecosystem clustered in Hyderabad.

Formation of Life Sciences GCC Consortium

• Industries Minister D Sridhar Babu announced that the state will facilitate formation of a Life Sciences GCC (Genome Valley Cluster Companies) Consortium. This collective platform will enable collaboration, knowledge transfer and coordinated advancement among the over 800 life sciences firms operating within Hyderabad’s Genome Valley cluster.
• As a leading life sciences hub in Asia, Genome Valley houses global majors like Novartis, GlaxoSmithKline, DuPont, Thermo Fisher alongside Indian pharma leaders and cutting-edge startups. However, interlinkages and partnerships have largely progressed in silos so far.
• The Consortium aims to nurture a cooperative network that drives higher efficiencies, innovation and global competitiveness across the value chain encompassing biotech R&D, devices manufacturing, vaccine production, clinical trials and biopharma.

Centre for Fourth Industrial Revolution

• In line with Chief Minister K Chandrashekhar Rao’s vision of spurring next-generation industrial growth, a Centre of Fourth Industrial Revolution (C4IR) focused on healthcare and life sciences was launched in Hyderabad.
• Established in collaboration with the World Economic Forum, it is Telangana’s second C4IR nodal center after the one on Mobility and Smart Cities launched in 2021.

Aligning Technologies and Goals

The life sciences C4IR aims to harness technologies like AI, machine learning, big data analytics and IoT to accelerate solutions for three priority areas:

• Skilling programs to expand jobs and entrepreneurship
• Health profiling for preventive care through data analytics
• Clinical registries with real world evidence to support therapeutic innovation from lab to market

Emerging Partnerships

• Sweden’s wearables firm Garmin Health has partnered with C4IR on organizing a hackathon to co-develop digital health monitoring tools.
• C4IR also inked an MoU with the National University of Singapore around boosting clinical trials and skill development initiatives in Telangana.

Industry Response

• Industry leaders have lauded the government’s facilitative focus on boosting integration and next-gen capacity building across Hyderabad’s massive life sciences ecosystem. Enhanced coordination is expected to nurture higher IP generation and startup activity in the state.
• Building on inherent advantages of talent pool, infrastructure and favorable policy incentives from the state government, the latest plans provide fresh momentum for Telangana to continue attracting global lifesciences investors even as it nurtures a vibrant indigenous innovation climate.