Prelims Current Affairs includes Universal Health Coverage Day, Sultanpur National Park, Interpol Blue Notice, Buxa Tiger Reserve, International Organization for Marine Aids to Navigation (IALA), India–Brunei Defence Cooperation, CITES – COP-20 Samarkand.

IMPORTANT DAYS

1. UNIVERSAL HEALTH COVERAGE DAY

Observed every year on 12 December.

Aim: To promote equal access to quality healthcare for all without financial hardship.
Origin: Commemorates the UNGA resolution of 12 December 2012 calling for Universal Health Coverage.
Official Recognition: Declared as International Universal Health Coverage Day in 2017 (UN Resolution 72/138).

ENVIRONMENT

2. SULTANPUR NATIONAL PARK

Current Context: Migratory birds have begun arriving in larger numbers at Sultanpur National Park as winter temperatures fall.

ABOUT SULTANPUR NATIONAL PARK

Location: Gurgaon district, Haryana (46 km from Delhi).
Area: 1.42 sq km (core 1.21 sq km with Sultanpur Jheel).
Habitat: Marshy lakes, floodplains; seasonal freshwater wetland fed by Yamuna’s Gurgaon canal.
Recognition:
1. Ramsar Site — 2021
2. Important Bird Area (BirdLife International)
Conservation Legacy: Highlighted by Peter Michel Jackson and Dr. Salim Ali in the late 1960s.

3. BUXA TIGER RESERVE

Current Context: A mega four-month wildlife survey has been launched across Buxa Tiger Reserve.

ABOUT BUXA TIGER RESERVE

Location: Jalpaiguri district, West Bengal.
Northern Boundary: International border with Bhutan.
Ecosystem: Sensitive Terai landscape.
Key Role: International corridor for elephant migration.

CONNECTIVITY

Links with:
1. Forests of Bhutan (North)
2. Kochugaon forests & Manas Tiger Reserve (East)
3. Jaldapara National Park (West)

NATURAL FEATURES

Rivers: Raidak and Jayanti.
Vegetation: Moist Tropical Forests.
Major Flora: Sal, Champa, Gamar, Simul, Chikrasi.
Major Fauna: Tiger, elephant, leopard cat, gaur, wild boar, sambar, hog deer, Chinese pangolin.

INTERNATIONAL / ORGANISATION

4. INTERPOL BLUE NOTICE

Current Context: The Central Bureau of Investigation is coordinating with INTERPOL to issue Blue Notices for the missing owners of Goa’s nightclub, where a devastating fire took place.

ABOUT BLUE NOTICE

Purpose: To obtain more information about a person’s identity, location, or activities.

OTHER INTERPOL NOTICES

Red Notice: Locate and arrest wanted persons.
Yellow Notice: Locate missing persons (especially minors).
Orange Notice: Warn about imminent threats (dangerous persons, weapons, explosives).
Green Notice: Warn about repeat criminal offenders who may pose a threat to public safety.

5. INTERNATIONAL ORGANIZATION FOR MARINE AIDS TO NAVIGATION (IALA)

Current Context: The Union Minister inaugurated the 3rd Session of the IALA Council held in Mumbai.

ABOUT IALA

Established: 1957 as a Non-Governmental Organisation.
New Status: Became an Intergovernmental Organisation in 2024 (ratified by 34 states).
Headquarters: Saint-Germain-en-Laye, France.
Motto: Successful Voyages, Sustainable Planet.
India: Member since 1957.

MANDATE & FUNCTIONS

• Harmonise maritime navigation systems.
• Improve aids to navigation worldwide.
• Support maritime safety and environmental protection.
• Promote global cooperation and exchange of knowledge.

GOVERNANCE & MEMBERSHIP

Decision Body: IALA Council.
Members: ~200(80 national authorities & 60 commercial firms )

DEFENCE / INTERNATIONAL

6. INDIA–BRUNEI DEFENCE COOPERATION

Current Context: The first meeting of the India–Brunei Joint Working Group on Defence Cooperation was held in New Delhi.

ABOUT BRUNEI

Location: Northern coast of Borneo Island, Southeast Asia.
Borders: Surrounded by Malaysia except northern coast (South China Sea).
Capital: Bandar Seri Begawan.
Membership: Commonwealth & ASEAN.
Highest Point: Bukit Pagon (6,069 ft).
Rivers: Belait, Pandaruan, Tutong.
Resource: Major oil producer in Southeast Asia.

INTERNATIONAL

7. CITES — COP-20, SAMARKAND (UZBEKISTAN)

Current Context: The 20th Conference of Parties (CoP-20) to CITES concluded in Samarkand, Uzbekistan.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS

• 77 species added to Appendices.
• Oceanic whitetip shark & whale shark added to Appendix I.
• India opposed EU proposal to list Guggul in Appendix II citing need for proper assessment.

ABOUT CITES

Nature: International agreement regulating wildlife trade.
Aim: Ensure trade does not threaten species survival.
Legal Status: Binding treaty, does not replace national laws.
Appendices:
Appendix I : Most endangered species
Appendix II : Controlled trade
Appendix III : Protected by one nation
Enforced Since: 1 July 1975.
Parties: 185 countries (including India).

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