Prelims Current Affairs includes Mahendragiri Hills, Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP), National Green Tribunal (southern bench), UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Young Champions of the Earth Prize, National Geoscience Awards 2024, New visa category called the K Visa and 4th issue of Children in India 2025 Report.

IMPORTANT DAY

1. WORLD TOURISM DAY

• Observed every year on 27th September.

• Aim: To highlight the importance of tourism in generating employment and building a sustainable future for millions worldwide.

• Theme: Tourism and Sustainable Transformation.

GEOGRAPHY

2. MAHENDRAGIRI HILLS

Current Context: Environmentalists have raised concerns over unregulated tourism and construction in Odisha’s Mahendragiri Hills, threatening its biodiversity despite its Biodiversity Heritage Site status since 2022.

About Mahendragiri Hills

• Location: Gajapati district, Odisha; part of the Eastern Ghats.

• Declared as: Biodiversity Heritage Site in 2022.

• Elevation: 1,501 metres above sea level.

• Tribal Communities: Home to Saora (Saura) and Kondh tribes.

• Biodiversity: 1,348 plant species, 388 animal species (many endemic and threatened).

• Rivers: Mahendra Tanaya originates here.

• Vegetation: Tropical dry and wet deciduous forests.

• Pilgrimage: Famous for Panchpandava temples.

• Geology: Granite, charnockite, and khondalite rocks with quartz intrusions.

3. MAHI BANSWARA RAJASTHAN ATOMIC POWER PROJECT (MBRAPP)

Current Context: The Prime Minister laid the foundation stone of the Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP) near Mahi Dam, Banswara, Rajasthan.

About MBRAPP Project

• Location: Banswara, Rajasthan (near River Mahi).

• Capacity: 4 × 700 MWe PHWRs (Indigenous Pressurized Heavy Water Reactors).

• Developer: Anushakti Vidhyut Nigam (ASHVINI), a joint venture of NPCIL and NTPC.

• Fleet Mode Initiative: Part of India’s programme to construct ten 700 MW reactors with uniform design and procurement.

Nuclear Power in India

• Current Capacity: 24 reactors across 7 plants with 8,180 MW capacity (as of January 2025).

• Target: Increase to 22,480 MW by 2031–32.

• Contribution: Nuclear power generated 3.61% of India’s electricity (2022–23).

• Stages of India’s Nuclear Programme:

  • Stage 1: Uranium-fuelled PHWRs.

  • Stage 2: Fast Breeder Reactors (plutonium-based fuel).

  • Stage 3: Thorium-based reactors.

4. PALLIKARANAI MARSHLAND

Current Context: The National Green Tribunal (southern bench) has ordered a halt on construction within one kilometre of the Pallikaranai Marshland in Tamil Nadu until a scientific study is conducted.

About Pallikaranai Marshland

• Location: 20 km south of Chennai, Tamil Nadu.

• Type: Freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland.

• Significance: Acts as a flood buffer for Chennai and Chengalpattu.

• Extent: 65 wetlands; drains into Bay of Bengal via Okkiyam Madavu and Kovalam Creek.

• Ramsar Site: Recognised for its ecological importance.

• Fauna:

  • 115 bird species, 10 mammals, 21 reptiles, 10 amphibians, 46 fish, 9 molluscs, 5 crustaceans, and 7 butterflies.

  • Key Species: Russell’s viper, glossy ibis, grey-headed lapwing, pheasant-tailed jacana.

• Threats: Encroachments, sewage discharge, and urbanisation pressure.

AWARD

5. UNEP YOUNG CHAMPIONS OF THE EARTH PRIZE

Current Context: The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) awarded the 2025 Young Champions of the Earth Prize to three entrepreneurs from India, Kenya, and the United States for innovative environmental solutions.

About the Prize

• Established: 2017; relaunched in 2025 with Planet A.

• Eligibility: Individuals under 30 years.

• Award: $20,000 seed funding, mentoring, and global platform support.

• Winners 2025:

  • India – Jinali Mody: Banofi Leather (eco-friendly leather from banana waste).

  • Kenya – Joseph Nguthiru: HyaPak (converts invasive water hyacinth into packaging).

  • USA – Noemi Florea: Cycleau (compact greywater-to-drinking water reuse system).

About UNEP

• Founded: 1972.

• Role: Leading global voice on environment; works with states, civil society, private sector, and UN agencies.

6. NATIONAL GEOSCIENCE AWARDS 2024

Current Context: The President of India will confer the prestigious National Geoscience Awards 2024 at a ceremony at Rashtrapati Bhavan Cultural Centre, New Delhi.

About National Geoscience Awards

• Established: 1966 by the Ministry of Mines.

• Former Name: National Mineral Awards until 2009.

• Objective: To honour individuals and teams for extraordinary achievements in geosciences such as mineral discovery, mining technology, and applied geosciences.

• Eligibility: Any Indian citizen with significant contribution in geosciences.

• Award Categories:

  • National Geoscience Award for Lifetime Achievement.

  • National Geoscience Award.

  • National Young Geoscientist Award.

• 2024 Awards: Total 12 awards (09 individual + 03 team).

MISC

7. K VISA

Current Context: China has introduced a new visa category called the K Visa, effective from October 1, 2025, to attract foreign science and technology talent.

About K Visa

• Purpose: To bring in youth and professionals in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics).

• Eligibility: Graduates with bachelor’s degree or higher from reputed universities/research institutions; professionals in STEM teaching and research.

• Features:

  • Greater flexibility in entry and validity period.

  • Broader scope (education, science, technology, culture, entrepreneurship, business).

  • No requirement of local enterprise sponsorship.

REPORT

8. CHILDREN IN INDIA 2025 REPORT

Current Context: The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 4th issue of Children in India 2025 Report covering education, health, nutrition, and child protection.

Key Highlights

• Infant Mortality Rate (IMR): Reduced from 44 (2011) to 25 (2023).

• Under-Five Mortality Rate (U5MR): Reduced from 30 (2022) to 29 (2023).

• Birth Rate (2023): 18.4 per 1,000 population (Rural – 20.3, Urban – 14.9).

• Dropout Rates (2022–23 to 2024–25):

  • Preparatory: 8.7% → 2.3%.

  • Middle: 8.1% → 3.5%.

  • Secondary: 13.8% → 8.2%.

• Child Marriage (Women 20–24 married before 18): 26.8% (2015–16) → 23.3% (2019–21).

• Adoptions: Increased from 3,927 (2017–18) to 4,515 (2024–25).

  • In-country: 4,155.

  • Inter-country: 360–653 annually.

• Gender Parity Index: Achieved parity across all stages of education in 2024–25.

ENVIRONMENT

9. 2G ETHANOL

Current Context: India has allowed export of Second Generation (2G) ethanol with mandatory licence and feedstock certification.

About 2G Ethanol

• Also Known As: Cellulosic ethanol or advanced biofuel.

• Produced From: Plant fibre (cellulose) – e.g., rice and wheat straw, cane trash, corn cobs, and stover.

Other Generations of Ethanol

• 1G Ethanol: Made from food crops like rice, wheat, barley, corn.

• 3G Ethanol: Derived from aquatic biomass like algae.

• 4G Ethanol: From engineered plants and microorganisms.

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