Prelims Current Affairs includes World’s Safest City, Punjab Inaugurates First Dog Sanctuary Parbati Giri , Kamchatka Peninsula, Indian Skimmer Conservation Project, Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary and One Station One Product (OSOP)

REPORT

1. WORLD’S SAFEST CITY

Current Context: Abu Dhabi has been named the world’s safest city for the 10th consecutive year in an international ranking released by Numbeo.

ABOUT THE GLOBAL SAFETY RANKING

• Released By:
• Nature: International city safety and quality of life ranking.
• Parameters: Crime rates, public safety perception, law enforcement efficiency, quality of life.
• Data Source: User-contributed surveys and crime statistics.

ABU DHABI’S PERFORMANCE

• Top Rank: Since 2017 continuously.
• Achievement: Maintained first position for a decade.

WHY ABU DHABI IS THE SAFEST

• Crime Rate: Very low.
• Governance: Strict law enforcement and strong institutions.
• Technology: Advanced surveillance and smart city systems.
• Social Factors: Political stability and high public trust.

STATE IN NEWS

2. PUNJAB INAUGURATES FIRST DOG SANCTUARY

Current Context: The Government of Punjab has inaugurated its first Dog Sanctuary in Ludhiana as a pilot project.

ABOUT DOG SANCTUARY

• State:
• Location:
• Nature: Dedicated facility for stray dog management.

OBJECTIVES

• Reduce stray dog population humanely.
• Minimise dog-bite incidents.
• Balance public safety with animal welfare.

HISTORY

3. PARBATI GIRI

Current Context: The Prime Minister paid homage to freedom fighter Parbati Giri on her birth centenary.

ABOUT PARBATI GIRI

• Born: 19 January 1926.
• Birthplace: Samleipadar village near Bijepur, Bargarh district, Odisha.
• Also Known As: Mother Teresa of Western Odisha; Banhi-kanya.

ROLE IN FREEDOM STRUGGLE

• Participated in Quit India Movement at age 16.
• Led agitation at Bargarh Court urging boycott of British institutions.
• Inspired by Gandhian philosophy and interacted with Mahatma Gandhi.

POST-INDEPENDENCE WORK

• Dedicated life to social service.
• Worked for poor and downtrodden communities.
• Known as Badamaa (Big Mother).

GEOGRAPHY

4. KAMCHATKA PENINSULA

Current Context: Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula is experiencing record-breaking snowfall due to severe winter storms.

ABOUT KAMCHATKA PENINSULA

• Location: Far Eastern Russia.
• Boundaries: Sea of Okhotsk (west), Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea (east).
• Administrative Unit: Kamchatka Krai.

GEOGRAPHICAL SIGNIFICANCE

• Lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire.
• Home to over 150 volcanoes, including 29 active ones.
• Known as the “Land of Fire and Ice”.

OTHER KEY FEATURES

• UNESCO Site: Volcanoes of Kamchatka.
• Climate: Long, cold, snowy winters; cool, wet summers.
• Highest Peak: Klyuchevskaya Sopka.
• Island Chain: Kuril Islands extend southwards towards Japan.

ENVIRONMENT

5. INDIAN SKIMMER CONSERVATION PROJECT

Current Context: Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS)  has launched a conservation project under the National Mission for Clean Ganga to protect the Indian Skimmer.

ABOUT INDIAN SKIMMER

• Scientific Name: Rynchops albicollis.
• Family:
• Feeding Style: Skims water surface to catch fish.

HABITAT AND DISTRIBUTION

• Large sandy rivers and wetlands.
• Found in India, Bangladesh and Pakistan.
• Chambal River is a key habitat in India.

CONSERVATION STATUS

• IUCN:

ENVIRONMENT

6. KAZIRANGA ELEVATED CORRIDOR PROJECT

Current Context: The Prime Minister inaugurated the Kaziranga Elevated Corridor Project to ensure safe wildlife movement.

ABOUT KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

• Location: Between Brahmaputra River and Karbi Hills, Assam.
• Status: National Park, Tiger Reserve, UNESCO World Heritage Site.
• Flyway: Junction of Australasia and Indo-Asian flyways.

BIODIVERSITY

• Tigers, elephants, swamp deer, wild buffalo.
• World’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceros.

SIGNIFICANCE OF CORRIDOR

• Facilitates safe animal movement.
• Reduces human–wildlife conflict.

ENVIRONMENT

7. KUMBHALGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

Current Context: Recently, Kumbhalgarh Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone.

ABOUT ECO-SENSITIVE ZONE

• Legal Basis: Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
• Purpose: Transition zone around protected areas.
• Extent: Generally up to 10 kilometres.

ABOUT KUMBHALGARH WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

• Location:
• Area:5 square kilometres.
• Nearby Landmark: Kumbhalgarh Fort (UNESCO site).

HIMACHAL NEWS

8. HIFLO-APP PROJECT

Current Context: The HIFLO-App project is being implemented in Kullu district to address flood risks in the Himalayan region.

ABOUT HIFLO-APP

• The HIFLO-App is a digital platform designed to integrate historical flood records, river discharge data, rainfall patterns and flood risk maps specific to Kullu district.

IMPLEMENTING AGENCIES

• University of Cumbria, United Kingdom, University of Delhi.
• GB Pant National Institute of Himalayan Environment.
• University of Gloucestershire, Caritas India and Climate B Venture.

OBJECTIVES

• Integrate flood data and historical records.
• Support climate-resilient decision-making.
• Improve disaster preparedness and response.

KEY FEATURES

• Combines scientific data with local knowledge.
• Community training and participatory research.
• Supports climate adaptation planning.

MISCELLANEOUS

9. ONE STATION ONE PRODUCT (OSOP)

Current Context: Indian Railways’ One Station One Product (OSOP) has expanded to over 2,000 railway stations, benefiting 1.32 lakh artisans.

ABOUT OSOP

• Launched:
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Railways.
• Aim: to encourage indigenous and specialised products and crafts of India through providing display and sale outlets on railway stations across the country.

PRODUCTS COVERED

• Handlooms and handicrafts.
• Tribal artefacts.
• Chikankari, zari-zardozi and wood carving.
• Local food products.

SIGNIFICANCE

• Supports Vocal for Local.
• Strengthens Atmanirbhar Bharat vision.

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