News In Short-07-03-2025

SC on Misuse of CAMPA Funds

Syllabus: GS 3/Environment 

In News

• Recently, the Supreme Court of India sought a response from the Uttarakhand Chief Secretary regarding allegations of misuse of Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) funds. 

CAMPA

• The Compensatory Afforestation Fund (CAF) Act, 2016, and its accompanying rules, notified in 2018.
• It aims to compensate for the loss of forest ecosystems due to forest land diversion for non-forest use. 
• The Act establishes two special interest-bearing funds:
  • the National Compensatory Afforestation Fund (National Fund) managed by the Central Government through the National CAMPA, and 
  • the State Compensatory Afforestation Fund (State Fund) managed by the respective State Governments/UT Administrations through State CAMPA. 

Purpose 

• The funds are used for compensatory afforestation, restoring degraded forests, improving wildlife habitats, and enriching biodiversity. 
• The funds are non-lapsable and earn interest at a rate declared by the Central Government annually.

Source: TH

Festival of Letters 2025

Syllabus :GS 1/Culture 

In News

• Sahitya Akademi is organizing its annual Festival of Letters at Rabindra Bhavan in New Delhi.

Festival of Letters 

• It is Asia’s Largest Literature Festival with about 700 writers from different parts of the country representing more than 50 languages participating in the festival that spans over 100 sessions. 
• The theme of the festival will be Indian Literary Traditions and a National Seminar on the topic featuring eminent thinkers and writers will be organized during the last three days of the festival.
• It has representation from Young Writers, Women Writers, Dalit Writers, North-East Writers, Tribal Writers, LGBTQ Writers & Poets.

Sahitya Akademi

• Established: 12 March 1954 by the Government of India.
• Registered as: A society under the Societies Registration Act, 1860.
• Ministry: Autonomous organization under the Ministry of Culture.
• Headquarters: New Delhi.
• Functions & Role:
  • Central institution for literary dialogue, publication, and promotion in India.
  • Only institution conducting literary activities in 24 Indian languages, including English.
  • Encourages translation, preservation, and dissemination of literature across languages.

Source: PIB

Vitiligo

Syllabus: GS2/Health

Context

• A study from Northwestern University discovered that a natural compound derived from gut-friendly bacteria may slow vitiligo progression.

Vitiligo

• Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disorder where the body’s immune system attacks pigment-producing cells (melanocytes), causing white patches on the skin.
  • It can occur anywhere on the body, including the face, hands, and other exposed areas.
• There are 2 main types of vitiligo:
  • Non-segmental vitiligo – Often appear on both sides of your body as symmetrical white patches.
  • Segmental vitiligo – Only affects one area of your body.
  • In rare cases, it’s possible for vitiligo to affect the whole body. This is known as universal vitiligo.
• The prevalence of vitiligo in India has been invariably reported between 0.25% and 4%, and up to 8.8% in Gujarat and Rajasthan, as per a paper in the Indian Dermatology Online Journal.
• Treatment options include creams, light therapy, and sometimes surgery to help manage symptoms.

Source: TH

Golden Dome

Syllabus: GS3/ Defence

In Context

• The “Golden Dome” is an advanced missile defense system announced by U.S. President Donald Trump during his recent address to Congress.

About

• Inspired by: Israel’s Iron Dome, which is effective against short-range rocket threats.
• Objective: To provide nationwide missile defense against:
  • Ballistic Missiles
  • Hypersonic Missiles
  • Cruise Missiles
• Components: Space-based sensors for early threat detection.
  • Advanced interceptors to neutralize missiles mid-flight.
  • Multi-layered defense system integrating ground, naval, and space-based assets.

Source: FE

Central Industrial Security Force

Syllabus: GS3/Security agencies in India

Context

• The Central Industrial Security Force is set to recruit between 15,000 and 20,000 personnel annually over the next few years, to increase its capacity.

About CISF

• It is a paramilitary force established in 1969, under the Central Industrial Security Force Act, 1968. 
  • Every year, CISF Raising Day is observed on March 10.
• The force is led by a Director General (DG) and operates under the Ministry of Home Affairs of India.
• Roles:
  • Providing security to the strategic establishment, including the Department of Space, the Department of Atomic Energy, the Airports, the Delhi Metro, the ports.
  • Also, the historical monuments and the basic areas of the Indian economy such as petroleum and natural gas, electricity, coal, steel and mining.
  • It also provides counter-terrorism security to various sensitive facilities, as well as private sector operations.
  • CISF also provides consultancy services to private industries as well as other organisations within the Indian government.
  • It is also providing security to the protected persons classified as Z Plus, Z, X, Y.

Paramilitary Forces

• They are semi-militarized forces with structures, tactics, and training similar to the military, but not part of formal armed forces.
  • The Assam Rifles is the oldest paramilitary force of India. It was raised in 1835.

Differences between Paramilitary Forces and Military in India:

• Role and Function:
  • Military: Primarily responsible for national defense, protecting the country from external threats, and engaging in warfare.
  • Paramilitary Forces: Primarily responsible for maintaining internal security, law enforcement, border security, and assisting in disaster management.
• Command and Control:
  • Military: Led by the Ministry of Defence, under the command of the Indian Armed Forces (Army, Navy, Air Force).
  • Paramilitary Forces: Operate under different ministries, depending on the force.
• Legal Framework:
  • Military: Governed by the Indian Army Act, Navy Act, and Air Force Act.
  • Paramilitary Forces: Governed by various individual acts, such as the Border Security Force Act or Central Reserve Police Force Act.

Source: TH

Bangu Valley

Syllabus: GS3/ Economy

In News

• J&K govt. to promote Bangus Valley near LoC as an ecotourism destination.

About

• Situated in Kupwara district, Jammu and Kashmir, India.
• Lies in the Pir Panjal Range of the Himalayas.
• Encompasses Lashadthura and Boud-Bangus meadows, forming a twin valley system.
• Holds cultural importance for Gujjar and Bakarwal nomadic tribes.

Source: TH