Prelims Current Affairs includes Scintillometer, Global Forest Fund (Tropical Forests Forever Facility), Mumbai Tops Asia’s Happiest Cities 2025, ISSF World Championships 2025, Assam Passes Bill to Ban Polygamy, Dumpsite Remediation Accelerator Programme (DRAP) & Urban Investment Window (UiWIN), Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB).

SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. SCINTILLOMETER

Current Context: A Scintillometer, an advanced climate-monitoring device, was recently installed at the Tamil Nadu Rice Research Institute (TRRI), Aduthurai, to enhance research on heat and moisture exchange between land and atmosphere.

ABOUT SCINTILLOMETER

Type: Optical instrument
Function: Measures heat and moisture fluxes between land and atmosphere.

Working Principle:

• Transmits a light beam between two fixed points.
• Analyses scintillations (minute fluctuations in light intensity caused by air turbulence).
• Estimates sensible heat flux — crucial for understanding evapotranspiration and irrigation needs.

ABOUT TRRI CRITICAL ZONE OBSERVATORY(CZO)

Established Under: Tamil Nadu Agricultural University (TNAU) with support from the National Centre for Earth Science Studies (NCESS).
Operational Since: 2022
Significance: One of only three such observatories in India; the only one in Tamil Nadu.

Instruments Installed:

• Automatic Weather Station
• COSMOS Soil-Moisture Sensor
• Pan Evaporimeter
• Eddy-Covariance Tower
• Scintillometer (new addition)

Purpose: Generates long-term datasets on weather, soil moisture, and hydrology for the Cauvery delta region.

Impact:

• Improves irrigation planning and microclimate prediction.
• Strengthens climate-resilient agriculture decision-making in the delta region.

ORGANISATION

2. GLOBAL FOREST FUND (TROPICAL FORESTS FOREVER FACILITY)

Current Context: At the COP30 Leaders’ Summit in Belém, Brazil, India joined the Tropical Forests Forever Facility (TFFF) as an observer, strengthening its climate diplomacy and global forest conservation role.

ABOUT THE TFFF

Launched By: Brazil
Goal: Mobilize $125 billion in public and private funds to reward nations conserving tropical forests.
Approach: Performance-based — countries receive funds based on measurable forest conservation outcomes.

India’s Stand at COP30:

• Highlighted insufficient global climate action since the Paris Agreement (2015).
• Urged developed nations to:
  1. Cut emissions faster.
  2. Fulfil climate finance commitments.
• Reaffirmed principles of Equity and Common But Differentiated Responsibilities (CBDR).

India’s Achievements:

• Reduced emission intensity of GDP by 36% (2005–2020).
• 50% power capacity now from non-fossil sources.
• Achieved NDC targets 5 years early.
• Forest cover: 25.17%; carbon sink: 2.29 billion tonnes CO₂ (2005–2021).
• Installed 200 GW renewable energy — 3rd largest in the world.

Significance:

• Promotes climate justice and sustainable finance.
• Helps tropical countries access results-based funding.
• Shifts global climate action from promises to performance.

RANKINGS

3. MUMBAI TOPS ASIA’S HAPPIEST CITIES 2025

Current Context: According to a Time Out survey (2025), Mumbai ranked 1st among Asia’s Happiest Cities, surpassing Beijing and Shanghai.

SURVEY OVERVIEW

Participants: 18,000 residents across Asia.
Criteria: Culture, community, food, nightlife, lifestyle, and joy index.

Key Factors Behind Mumbai’s Top Rank:

• High Joy Quotient: 94% residents report happiness living in Mumbai.
• Community Bonding: 89% feel connected to neighbours.
• Lifestyle Diversity: Bollywood, social nightlife, optimism, and ambition.
• Street Food Culture: Vada Pav, Bhel Puri, and Marine Drive evenings add charm.
• Growth in Happiness: 87% rise in happiness sentiment in recent years.

Top 10 Happiest Cities in Asia (2025)