Bhitarkanika National Park    
India Sends Notice to Pakistan to Amend the Indus Water Treaty (IWT)    
Pulikkali: A Folk Art Form from Kerala    
Union Budget 2024: Tribal Development Highlights                                           Swadesh Darshan Scheme    

1. Bhitarkanika National Park
Context:
•    Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park will soon be connected by rail, as the proposed Jajpur Road-Dhamra railway line will pass through the park.
Key Details:
•    Location: Kendrapara district, Odisha.
•    Area: Spanning 672 km² of mangrove swamp.
•    Rivers: Formed by the delta of rivers
Brahmani, Baitarani, and Dhamra.
•    Proximity to Bay of Bengal: Rich in salts, supporting tropical and subtropical species.
•    Ramsar Site: Designated in 2002 for its ecological significance.
Flora:
•    Mangrove species and other varieties like Thespia, casuarinas, sundari, and indigo bush grasses.
Fauna:
•    Saltwater Crocodiles: One of the largest populations in India.
•    Olive Ridley Sea Turtles: Gahirmatha Beach forms the largest colony.
•    Other Wildlife: Monkeys, jackals, langurs, otters, sambar deer, jungle cats, fishing cats, hyenas, and more.

Prelims Question:
With reference to Bhitarkanika National Park, consider the following statements:
1.    It is located at the confluence of the Ganga, Yamuna, and Dhamra rivers.
2.    The park is home to one of India's largest populations of saltwater crocodiles.
3.    Gahirmatha Beach, located within the park, is a significant nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

Mains Question:
Discuss the ecological significance of Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha. How do its unique geographical features and biodiversity contribute to India's environmental conservation efforts? (250 words)

2. India Sends Notice to Pakistan to Amend the Indus Water Treaty (IWT)
Context:
•    India has issued a notice to Pakistan to modify the 1960 Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) after Pakistan sought to change the established process of resolving disputes.
About the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT):
•    Signed: September 19, 1960, in Karachi, between Indian PM Jawaharlal Nehru and Pakistani President Ayub Khan, brokered by the World Bank.
•    Water Distribution: 
o    India: Ravi, Beas, Sutlej (Eastern Rivers)
o    Pakistan: Indus, Jhelum, Chenab
(Western Rivers)

•    Key Obligations:
o    India must let the waters of the western rivers flow to Pakistan with limited use for consumptive purposes.
o    India can store up to 3.6 million- acre feet of water from the western rivers.
o    Run-of-the-river projects are allowed, but India must notify Pakistan about new projects with design information.

Dispute Resolution Mechanism:
1.    First Level (Permanent Indus Commission
- PIC):

o Both sides share project plans and resolve questions.
2.    Second Level (Neutral Expert):
o    If PIC cannot resolve the matter, a Neutral Expert is appointed by the World Bank.
3.    Third Level (Court of Arbitration - CoA):
o    If the Neutral Expert fails, the issue is referred to the CoA, also under the World Bank's authority.
Reason for India's Notice:
•    Background: A long-standing dispute over the Kishanganga (Jhelum tributary) and Ratle (Chenab) hydroelectric projects.
o    In 2015, Pakistan requested a Neutral Expert to examine technical objections but later unilaterally sought a Court of Arbitration.
o    India opposed the Court of Arbitration process and requested a Neutral Expert. The World Bank paused the process due to conflicting requests.
o    In 2022, Pakistan insisted on both processes concurrently, leading India to seek modifications in the IWT.
India's Notice to Pakistan:
•    Article XII (3) of IWT allows for modifications through intergovernmental negotiations.
•    The notice gives Pakistan 90 days to rectify the treaty breach and update the IWT.
Key Issues:
1.    Parallel Processes: Pakistan pushed for the Court of Arbitration while India wanted a Neutral Expert, which caused a stalemate. 
2.    Boycott of CoA by India: India boycotted the CoA hearing at The Hague in January 2023, maintaining that two parallel processes are not feasible under the treaty.
Prelims Question:
Q. With reference to the Indus Waters Treaty (IWT), consider the following statements:
1.    India is allowed to use up to 50% of the water from the Western Rivers for agricultural and domestic purposes.
2.    The Permanent Indus Commission is the first level of dispute resolution under the IWT.
3.    India can build storage facilities on the western rivers under the treaty.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 2 and 3 only Mains Question:
Q. The Indus Waters Treaty (IWT) has survived conflicts and wars between India and Pakistan. Discuss the challenges faced by the treaty in recent times and suggest ways to update it to resolve future disputes. (250 words)

3. Pulikkali: A Folk Art Form from Kerala
Key Highlights:
•    Cultural Significance: Pulikkali, or Tiger Dance, is a prominent folk art of Kerala celebrated during the fourth day of Onam, a major harvest festival in Kerala.
•    Performance: Artists paint their bodies like tigers with stripes of yellow, red, and black, and dance to traditional percussion

instruments like thakil, udukku, and chenda.
•    Location: The grand celebration takes place at the Swaraj Ground in Thrissur district.
•    Theme: The performance reenacts a symbolic tiger hunting scene, with participants playing the roles of tigers and hunters.
•    Historical Origin: Pulikkali was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran, the erstwhile ruler of Cochin.

Onam Festival Overview:
•    Significance: Onam is the biggest and most important festival of Kerala, celebrated to mark the harvest season.
•    Dates: It begins in the month of Chingam, the first month of the Malayalam calendar.
•    Duration: The festival lasts from four to ten days, with Atham and Thiruonam being the most crucial days.
•    Legend: Onam celebrates the annual return of the legendary King Mahabali, who is believed to visit Kerala during this time.
•    Notable Events: The Vallamkali (Snake Boat Race) on the Pampa River, and graceful dance forms like Kaikottikali and Thumbi Thullal, performed by women, are key attractions. 
Prelims Question:
With reference to Pulikkali, consider the following statements:
1.    Pulikkali is traditionally performed on the tenth day of the Onam festival.
2.    It was introduced by Maharaja Rama Varma Sakthan Thampuran.
3.    The theme of Pulikkali revolves around a symbolic tiger hunting scene.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A)    1 and 2 only
B)    2 and 3 only
C)    1 and 3 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: B) 2 and 3 only

Mains Question:
Discuss the cultural significance of Pulikkali in the context of Kerala’s Onam festival. How does this folk art contribute to the preservation of Kerala’s traditional heritage? (150 words)

4.    Union Budget 2024: Tribal Development Highlights
1.    Launch of Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM JUGA)
•    Objective: Enhance living standards in
63,000 tribal-majority villages.
•    Focus: Achieve saturation coverage in villages and aspirational districts.
•    Beneficiaries: Estimated 5 crore tribal individuals to benefit from improved access to essential services and socio- economic opportunities.
2.    Budget Allocation for Key Tribal Schemes
•    Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

o    Allocation: ₹6,399 crore (an
increase of ₹456 crore from FY 2023-24).
o    Objective: Provide quality education to Scheduled Tribe (ST) students.
o    Key Features: Focus on local art, culture, sports, and skill development.
•    Post-Matric Scholarship for ST Students
o    Allocation: ₹2,432.68 crore (up from ₹1,970.77 crore).
o    Objective: Support higher education for ST students.
•    Prime Minister's Janjati Vikas Mission (PMJVM)
o    Budget Cut: Reduced by ₹136.17 crore.
o    Objective: Strengthen tribal entrepreneurship and create livelihood opportunities.
•    PM DAKSH Scheme
o    Allocation: ₹130 crore (up from
₹92.47 crore).
o    Objective: Provide skills training to
SC and ST individuals.
•    National Overseas Scholarship Scheme for Scheduled Castes
o    Allocation: ₹95 crore (up from ₹50 crore).
o    Objective: Financial assistance for SC students pursuing higher education abroad.
3.    Continuation of Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN)
•    Allocation: ₹25 crore.
•    Objective: Provide essential amenities such as housing, drinking water, sanitation, education, health, road and telecom connectivity to Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). 
Prelims Question:
With reference to the Union Budget 2024, consider the following statements regarding tribal development:
1.    The Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PM JUGA) focuses on improving socio-economic conditions in 63,000 tribal-majority villages.
2.    The budget for Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) was reduced in 2024 compared to the previous year.

Swadesh Darshan 2.0
•    Revamp: Aimed at creating an integrated framework for sustainable and responsible tourism development in collaboration with States/UTs and local governments.
•    Status:
o    57 destinations identified from 32 States/UTs.
o    29 tourist experiences sanctioned in 17 States/UTs, with a total funding of ₹644.44 crore.

3.    The Post-Matric Scholarship for ST         

Students saw an increased allocation in FY 2024.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A)    1 and 3 only
B)    2 only
C)    1 and 2 only
D)    1, 2, and 3
Answer: A) 1 and 3 only

Mains Question:
Discuss the significance of the Union Budget 2024 in promoting tribal development in India. How do schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan and Eklavya Model Residential Schools contribute to the empowerment of tribal communities?

PRASAD Scheme (Pilgrimage Rejuvenation and Spiritual, Heritage Augmentation Drive)
•    Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Tourism.
•    Objective: To integrate pilgrimage destinations in a prioritized, planned, and sustainable manner to enhance religious tourism experiences.
•    Significance: Focuses on the development and promotion of religious tourism as a major driver of domestic tourism in India.
5. Swadesh Darshan Scheme
•    Objective: To position tourism as a significant engine of economic growth and job creation using a community- based development and pro-poor tourism approach.
•    Status:
o    76 projects sanctioned across 31 States/Union Territories.
o    Total capital outlay: ₹5294.1 crore.