India’s Sacred Forests: Where Faith Fuels Conservation

• The The world unites on Friday to celebrate the International Day of Forests, a day dedicated to recognizing the vital role forests play in sustaining life on Earth. Forests are among the planet’s richest ecosystems, intricately linked to human civilization for millennia.
•  Globally, over five billion people depend on forests and non-timber forest products for essentials like food, medicine, and livelihoods. Moreover, forested watersheds supply freshwater to more than 85% of the world’s major cities, underscoring their ecological significance. In India, however, forests transcend their role as mere ecosystems or habitats –they are woven into the cultural, spiritual, and historical fabric of the nation.

Sacred Forests of India and its Cultural Tapestry 

• Imagine a forest where cutting a tree is forbidden not by law, but by faith! In India, forests are more than natural landscapes; they are living repositories of the country’s heritage. With over one million sacred forests dotting the landscape, these groves are steeped in the traditions, stories, and identities of countless communities. The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) aptly describes them as “secret wizards of conservation,” highlighting their dual role as ecological sanctuaries and cultural strongholds.
• These sacred forests are not managed through formal laws or written decrees but are preserved through the unwritten customs, beliefs, and taboos of the communities that revere them.
• In Meghalaya, the Mawphlang Sacred Grove, guarded by the Khasi tribe, forbids even the removal of a leaf, preserving both biodiversity and ancestral spirits.
• The cultural significance of forests in India dates back to ancient times, as evidenced in the Vedas and Samhitas. The Aranyakas, or “forest works” (derived from the Sanskrit word Aranya, meaning forest), emphasize the deep connection between spirituality and nature.
• Epic tales like the Ramayana, which traces Lord Rama’s journey through the forest trails of Chitrakoot, and the Mahabharata, with its references to the Kamyakavana, further illustrate how forests have long been central to India’s narrative traditions.
• Beyond these texts, indigenous knowledge about forests has been passed down through generations via songs, folk-lores, and oral histories, keeping the bond between people and nature alive.
• India’s tribal communities, such as the Gonds, Bhils, Santhals, Munda, Khasi, and Garasia, share an especially profound relationship with forests. For these groups, forests are not just sources of sustenance, providing food, shelter, and medicine but also sacred spaces integral to their cultural practices and spiritual beliefs.
• The Gond tribe, for instance, venerates the tribal deity Pashupati, while the story of Lord Jagannatha visiting the Sora tribe reflects the intertwining of mythology and forest life. These tales are more than folklore; they are part of India’s forest heritage, extending beyond the utilitarian gifts of timber and produce to embody a deeper, existential connection. The Santhals of Jharkhand perform annual rituals in their sacred Jaherthan groves, ensuring no hunting or logging occurs, a practice that has kept local wildlife thriving.
• In sacred forests, conservation is not a modern imposition but an organic extension of community life.
• The essence of preservation is rooted in ethnic identity, where the forest is seen as a living entity deserving respect and protection. Customary laws, though rarely documented, are strictly enforced through cultural norms. It is taboo to pluck flowers, uproot plants, harm animals, or disturb religious objects within these groves.
• This unspoken code has ensured that sacred forests remain untouched, allowing communities to evolve alongside them for centuries.

Forests in Modern India: A Biodiversity Haven 

• Today, forests cover more than 25% of India’s land area, totaling approximately 827,357 square kilometers as per the 2023 India State of Forest Report. Maharashtra leads with 14,524.88 square kilometers of tree cover, while 40% of the country’s hilly districts and 67% of the northeastern states are forested. These forests are biodiversity hotspots, with four of the world’s 36 recognized hotspots located in India.
•  The Western Ghats alone Harbour over 5,000 flowering plant species, around 130 mammals, more than 500 birds, and close to 180 amphibians, with at least 325 globally threatened species. The Himalayas support unique species like the snow leopard and red panda, alongside 15,000–25,000 vascular plants, 50% of which are endemic.
• The Indo-Burma region, spanning North-Eastern India, boasts over 5,000 flowering plants and iconic fauna like the Bengal tiger and Indian rhinoceros. Sundaland’s Nicobar Islands are home to 3,500 plant species, including 648 endemic ones, and rare reptiles like the saltwater crocodile.

A Legacy Worth Protecting 

• India’s forests are a global treasure, teeming with life and lessons in sustainable coexistence. The 2023 Forest Survey of India report notes a growing stock of 6,430 million cubic metres and a carbon stock of 7,285.5 million tons, emphasizing their role in climate regulation.
• As the world sees its industrial developments and climate change looms, these biodiverse havens face threats from deforestation and habitat loss. The traditional stewardship of tribal communities that is rooted in reverence rather than regulation offers a powerful counterpoint to modern conservation challenges.
• As the world celebrates the International Day of Forests in 2025, India’s sacred forests stand as a testament to the synergy of culture and ecology.
• They are not relics but thriving ecosystems where biodiversity flourishes alongside human heritage.
• Protecting them preserves not just species like the 33% of India’s endemic plants or the 17% of the world’s tiger population they shelter but a timeless ethos of living in harmony with nature.

Nature’s groceries and safety net: How forests help feed the world better

• Our forests play a vital role in feeding the world. From wild foods to fresh water, from shelter to energy, forests sustain billions of people and biodiversity.
• Yet we continue to lose them at an alarming rate through deforestation and land degradation. Between 2015 and 2020, more than 10 million hectares of forest were lost each year—an area roughly the size of the Republic of Korea. Meanwhile, intensifying wildfires and pest outbreaks are further threatening these valuable ecosystems.
• Studies have shown that a major underlying driver of deforestation is the need to meet the demands of a growing global population.
• As we mark International Day of Forests with the theme ‘Forests and Foods’, we must urgently address the question of how we can ensure food security for all, while protecting the forests that are so fundamental to our agrifood systems.
• The answer lies in embracing solutions that combine both agriculture and forests.
• We can make landscapes more productive through sustainable intensification, integrated production systems and circular economies. By building on both innovation and traditional knowledge, we can limit the expansion of arable land, while producing the foods we need.
• FAO’s Action Against Desertification programme has been working in Africa’s Sahel region to ensure that the traditional knowledge and interests of rural communities are at the heart of efforts to restore degraded lands. This has encouraged the selection and planting of many wild food species rich in micronutrients. As a result, not only have regreening and growth rates of plants improved, but food insecurity has also declined.
• In Colombia, where Indigenous Peoples and local communities manage 53 percent of land and forests, a new community forest management model is being deployed to help halt deforestation and improve coordination between agriculture and forestry.
• By establishing nurseries, agroforestry systems and restoration actions, and promoting financial incentives and the use of timber and non-timber forest products, the new model has revitalized community forest enterprises and increased market access, improving the quality of life for many people in rural areas.
• In Vanuatu, an innovative project is improving harvests in traditional water gardens by incorporating new technologies, practices and plant varieties for sustainable water and forest management in an area where the deterioration of forests had reduced water capacity.
• This has helped curb water waste and increase overall water availability, contributing to recharging water sources for taro, an important staple crop for local diets and food security for the country.
• In Tunisia, a project jointly implemented by FAO together with partners has focused on reseeding degraded land with a native legume that livestock can graze on, while regenerating local shrubs and trees such as saltbush, carob, medic tree and cactus pear, which support livelihoods, while providing shade for crops and additional fodder. As a result, the cost of feeding livestock on the restored site has halved.
• These examples show how forests, bushes and grasslands integration with new crops can enhance food production.
• Forests provide habitat for pollinators and are home to most of the world’s terrestrial biodiversity, necessary both to increasing food production and improving sustainability.
• Forests nourish soils, regulate temperature and offer sustenance and shade for livestock. They can act as natural barriers against wind for crops and deliver fresh water to more than 85 percent of the world’s major cities.
• Forests are nature’s groceries, providing a direct source of vegetables, fruits, seeds, roots, tubers, mushrooms, honey, natural herbs and protein-rich wild meat for rural communities and functional foods in the urban areas. This is even more so during times of crisis, when forests serve as an emergency food security net.
• Agroforestry—incorporating trees into farming—can improve ecosystem, increase crop resilience, restore degraded land and enhance food production and food diversity, as well as increasing farmer incomes.
• Silvopastoral systems, which combine tree cultivation and restoration with livestock grazing and fodder cropping, are also important.
• At the same time, more efforts must be made to restore more than two billion hectares of land estimated to be degraded worldwide. The good news is that some 1.5 billion hectares of degraded land are suitable for mosaic restoration, that is combining forests and trees with agriculture.
• A further 1 billion hectares of croplands on previous forestlands would benefit from strategic additions of trees and bushes to enrich both agricultural productivity and ecosystem services.
• The path forward requires policy changes that reflect the interdependence of agriculture and forests. While many countries have begun integrating agroforestry into their national land use plans, we need a broader commitment to policies that view forests as essential to food security and food diversity.
• This extends to private sector commitments to zero deforestation in agricultural value chains and ensuring that those commitments translate to measurable actions.
• Finally, educating consumers on healthier diets and healthy life from sustainable agrifood systems and reducing food loss and waste are also key.
• Forests are key to the transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.
• When forests themselves as a big part of agrifood systems are deemed indispensable to human well-being, then incentives to care for them will grow.
• We need to stress forests as a big bridge to integrate implementation under the guidance of the Four Betters: Better Production, Better Nutrition, a Better Environment and a Better Life – leaving no one behind.
• Conserving and sustainably managing and using forests is not just an environmental imperative—it’s a crucial strategy for food security and food diversity. Without this, meeting the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals(SDGs) – ending hunger and poverty and restoring ecosystems – becomes more elusive

International Day of Forests 2025: India’s holistic strategy integrates forests, food, and livelihoods

• International Day of Forests, observed annually on March 21, highlights the vital role forests play in sustaining our ecosystem. This year’s theme, “Forests and Food,” emphasizes the crucial link between forests, food security, biodiversity, and climatE resilience.

Schemes for Forest Protection in India

• In India, forests are deeply intertwined with the nation’s culture, economy, and biodiversity. Their protection is not just an environmental necessity but a fundamental responsibility.
• The Government of India has launched several initiatives that link forests to food security, nutrition, and livelihoods. Key government initiatives include the National Agroforestry Policy, Green India Mission (GIM), Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM), and Van Dhan Yojana.

National Agroforestry Policy

• Agroforestry is a sustainable land-use system that integrates trees and crops to boost agricultural productivity, improve soil fertility, and offer additional income for farmers. Recognizing its potential, the National Agroforestry Policy was introduced in 2014 to promote tree plantation on farmland.

Objectives of the Scheme:

• The scheme aims to expand forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares and improve the quality of an additional 5 million hectares of forest and non-forest land. It seeks to enhance ecosystem services, including carbon storage, water management, and biodiversity. Additionally, it focuses on improving livelihoods for 3 million households by increasing income from forest-based activities.

Funding and Support:

• By July 2024, Rs. 909.82 crore had been allocated to 17 states and one Union Territory for plantation and ecological restoration over 155,130 hectares. In Maharashtra’s Palghar district, 464.20 hectares in Dahanu Division were covered under GIM for plantation and restoration.

Green India Mission (GIM)

• The Green India Mission (GIM), a part of India’s National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC), aims to protect, restore, and enhance India’s forest cover while addressing climate change.
•  Launched in FY 2015-16, GIM focuses on improving biodiversity, water resources, and ecosystems like mangroves and wetlands.

Mission Goals:

• The scheme aims to expand forest and tree cover by 5 million hectares and improve the quality of another 5 million hectares of forest and non-forest land. It promotes ecosystem services such as carbon storage, water management, and biodiversity. Additionally, the scheme seeks to improve livelihoods for 3 million households by increasing income from forest-based activities.

Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme (FFPM)

• The Forest Fire Prevention & Management Scheme is a centrally sponsored initiative that assists states and Union Territories in controlling and preventing forest fires. Forest Survey of India (FSI), based in Dehradun, manages a forest fire detection system using remote sensing technology to monitor forest fires in near real-time.
• The scheme aims to reduce fire incidents and involves local communities in forest protection while employing modern technologies like Remote Sensing, GPS, and GIS for better fire prevention.

Van Dhan Yojana

• Launched in 2018 by the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and TRIFED, the Pradhan Mantri Van Dhan Yojana (PMVDY) seeks to improve the livelihoods of tribal communities by enhancing the value of forest produce. The scheme empowers tribal gatherers to become entrepreneurs through skill training, infrastructure support, and market linkages.

Formation of Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs):

• Under this initiative, tribal communities create Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs), each consisting of 300 members from 15 Self-Help Groups (SHGs). These centers act as hubs for processing, value addition, and marketing of Minor Forest Produce (MFPs).

Japan’s space debris firm Astroscale to tie up with India’s Digantara, Bellatrix Aerospace

• Japan’s Astroscale, a company specialised in removing orbital junk, has agreed with Bengaluru-based space companies Digantara and Bellatrix Aerospace to collaborate on technology and services.
• The tie-ups will “hopefully” result in an orbital services bid for Indian clients “in one to two years”, which would mark Astroscale’s first operations in Asia-Pacific outside its home, its Japan unit president Eddie Kato said.
• “India has been on our top list of possible markets” with established space capabilities, where Astroscale’s on-orbit servicing technology would meet demand. Astroscale is also interested in South Korea, Taiwan, Indonesia and Australia, he added.
• India has opened the country’s space sector beyond the state-owned Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) to private players and created a 10 billion rupee ($116 million) fund to support startups.
• At home, Astroscale is working with the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) to demonstrate a commercial debris removal mission in 2027. It has also won orders from the U.S. Space Force and space agencies of Britain and France, which include experimental services to extend a satellite’s lifespan.
• As the number of orbiting satellites increases, potential collisions could create more than $500 million in risk over the next five years, according to an industry estimate.
• Digantara provides space situational awareness services to monitor orbital objects and has contracts with multiple U.S. defence agencies. Bellatrix Aerospace manufactures satellite propulsion systems.
• With the partners, Astroscale would first provide on-orbit services for Indian government clients.
• The partnership would “help unlock new market opportunities across both established and emerging space economies,” Digantara’s Vice President Shreyas Mirji said in a statement.
• The move was the latest of budding tie-ups between Japanese and Indian space companies, such as between moon explorer ispace and rocket maker Skyroot, as well as SKY Perfect JSAT-affiliated Orbital Lasers and robotics firm InspeCity.
• The Indian and Japanese governments will hold their third round of “space dialogue” policy talks in Tokyo in coming days, officials say.

BIS set to launch annual programme for standardisation 2025-26

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) is set to release the Annual Programme for Standardisation (APS) for the year 2025-26, which will include the development of new standards and the revision of existing ones in the coming year, according to a statement issued on Friday.
• This effort aligns with ongoing efforts to increase the adoption of over 23,000 standards developed by BIS, ensuring adherence to globally accepted quality standards across various sectors.
• The BIS, the National Standards Body of India, has also introduced a digital interface that allows stakeholders to upload proposals and track their progress.
• Addressing the stakeholder meeting recently, the Director General of BIS, Pramod Kumar Tiwari, urged representatives from ministries and industry associations to contribute actively to the development of the proposed standards and to nominate relevant experts whenever needed.
• “The Annual Programme for Standardisation 2025-26 will not only facilitate need-based standardisation with a focused strategic approach, ensuring that priority is given to subjects of special concern, but will also promote widespread adoption and seamless implementation of these standards.”
• BIS works closely with ministries and industry associations through standardisation cells, aiming to identify gaps and participate in the formulation of national standards. Before the consultative meetings to prepare the APS for 2025-26, BIS conducted a comprehensive mapping exercise of Indian standards against various Government of India schemes and missions, along with a series of focus group meetings from August 24 to January 25.
• The APS 2025-26 is expected to significantly enhance the formulation of priority standards, promoting wider adoption and seamless implementation across the manufacturing and service sectors, the official statement added.
• BIS also carries out search and seizure operations to ensure that its certified standards are met by manufacturing companies. It carried out raids on multiple e-commerce companies this month and seized goods that did not meet these standards.
• Under Section 17 of the BIS Act, 2016, defaulters face a minimum penalty of Rs 2 lakh, which may increase to ten times the value of the goods sold or offered for sale. Furthermore, depending on the severity of the violation, offenders may also face imprisonment of up to two years.

IAEA Visits India to Strengthen Cooperation in Energy and Cancer Treatment

•  IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi has been in India to attend the prestigious Raisina Dialogue and strengthen cooperation on nuclear energy and cancer care.  
• During his four day-visit, Mr Grossi attended Raisina Dialogue, India’s flagship conference on geopolitics and economics and met with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, India’s Minister of External Affairs. They discussed the role of nuclear science and technology for peace and development.
• The Director General also discussed the return to realism in nuclear energy, its future, non-proliferation, small modular reactors (SMRs) and the IAEA’s role in advancing safe and peaceful nuclear technology. 

Domestic Nuclear Power

• According to the IAEA’s PRIS database, India has 20 nuclear reactors in operation producing about 3 per cent of its electricity. With an additional six reactors under construction and more planned, India is currently one of the world’s leading domestic builders of nuclear power plants. During his trip, Mr Grossi visited Kakrapar Atomic Power Station.

 International Atomic Energy Agency

• Widely known as the ‘Atoms for Peace and Development’ organisation within the United Nations family, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is the world’s central inter-governmental forum for scientific and technical cooperation in the nuclear field.
• The agency works with its Member States and multiple partners worldwide to promote the safe, secure and peaceful use of nuclear technologies, contributing to international peace and security and the United Nations'' Sustainable Development Goals.
• The IAEA was created in 1957 in response to the deep fears and expectations generated by the discoveries and diverse uses of nuclear technology. The agency’s genesis was US President Eisenhower’s “Atoms for Peace” address to the General Assembly of the United Nations on December 8, 1953.
•  The US Ratification of the Statute by President Eisenhower on July 29, 1957, marks the official birth of the IAEA.
• In October 1957, the delegates to the First General Conference decided to establish the IAEA’s headquarters in Vienna, Austria.
• The IAEA has 180 Member States.
• India is a founding member of IAEA.
• The IAEA has also two regional offices located in Toronto and Tokyo, as well as two liaison offices in New York City and Geneva. The agency runs laboratories specialised in nuclear technology in Vienna, Seibersdorf and Monaco.
• The IAEA’s policy-making bodies decide on the agency’s programmes and budgets. They comprise the General Conference of all Member States and the 35-member Board of Governors. The General Conference convenes annually at the IAEA headquarters in Vienna, typically in September. The Board meets five times per year, also in Vienna.

Director General of IAEA

•  IAEA Director General Rafael Mariano Grossi assumed office on December 3, 2019. In September 2023 the IAEA’s 67th General Conference approved by acclamation his re-appointment to serve a second four-year term of office starting December 3, 2023.
• Grossi is a diplomat with almost 40 years of experience in the fields of non-proliferation and disarmament. In 2013, he was appointed ambassador of Argentina to Austria and Argentine Representative to the IAEA and other Vienna-based international organisations.

 Carbon Emissions in Mining Operations

• In line with India’s Panchamrit & Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitments, Ministry of Coal is promoting sustainable coal mining and reduction in carbon footprint by encouraging the following:
• Greening Initiatives—Bio-Reclamation/Plantation: The Coal/Lignite PSUs have been constantly making efforts to minimize the footprints of coal mining through sustained reclamation and afforestation of areas in and around their operating mines.
• Energy Efficiency Measures: Coal/Lignite PSUs have been taking various energy conservation and efficiency measures over the years to reduce carbon intensity such as replacement of conventional lights with LED lights, installation of energy-efficient air conditioners, super fans, deployment of EVs and installation of efficient water heaters, energy-efficient motors for pumps, auto timers in street lights etc.
• Green Credit Programme: Coal PSUs are also participating in extensive plantation under Green Credit Program launched by MoEF&CC.
• First Mile Connectivity (FMC) projects: The Coal PSUs have taken steps to upgrade the mechanized coal transportation and loading system under ''First Mile Connectivity'' projects. Commissioning of FMC projects in coal mining areas reduces consumption of diesel significantly and therefore reduces carbon emissions.
• Deployment of Blast free technology in coal mining: Coal companies are deploying modern equipment having environment friendly features, like Surface Miner, Continuous Miner in coal mining, which eliminates the drilling, blasting and crushing operations in coal and hence, in turn, obviates pollution caused due to these operations. Rippers are also being deployed for blast-less removal of overburden in some mines.
• Renewable Energy and clean coal initiatives: Coal PSUs have also started commissioning Renewable Energy power projects. Additionally, they are venturing into various clean coal technologies like Coal gasification, Coal Bed methane (CBM) etc.
• Sustainable coal production is being promoted by ensuring compliance with applicable environmental laws like prior Environmental Clearance (EC), Forest Clearance (FC), Consent to Operate (CTO), Consent to Establish (CTE) etc. In addition, the steps adopted to reduce carbon emissions and environmental impact due to coal mining includes:
• Use of surface miners, continuous miners, highwall / longwall mining, etc.
• Increasing installation & usage of First Mile Connectivity (FMC) initiatives to reduce coal transport via roads.
• Improving energy efficiency across coal mining projects.
• Reclamation and eco-restoration of mined-out areas including development of eco-parks, mine tourism sites, etc.
• Conceptualizing re-purposing of de-coaled areas for sustainable uses like installation of renewable energy generation plants, development of agricultural avenues for surrounding communities, development of mine sumps, etc.
• At present, there is no specific directive / guideline stipulating the number of times mining companies are required to review their Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA), particularly with reference to carbon emissions

 Digitization of Cultural Heritage in India

•  India is one of the largest repositories of tangible heritage, with monuments, sites, and antiquities spanning from prehistoric times to the colonial era.
• While various organizations like the ASI, State Archaeology Departments, and INTACH have documented parts of this heritage, much remains scattered or undocumented. The absence of a unified database makes research, conservation, and management challenging. To address this, the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) was launched to systematically document and digitize built heritage, sites, and antiquities.
• Through standardized documentation, training programs, and public awareness, NMMA aims to create a comprehensive national database, ensuring the preservation of India''s rich cultural legacy.

National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA)

• Established in 2007, the NMMA is responsible for the digitization and documentation of India''s built heritage and antiquities. It has made significant progress in compiling national registers for monuments and antiquities.

Achievements of NMMA:

• Digitization of Antiquities: 12,34,937 antiquities have been digitized, including 4,46,068 from ASI Museums/Circles/Branches and 7,88,869 from other institutions.
• Built Heritage & Sites: 11,406 sites and monuments have been documented.
• Budget Allocation: Rs. 20 lakh were allocated for NMMA in the FY 2024-25.

Objectives of NMMA:

• Documenting and creating a national database of built heritage, monuments, and antiquities for better management and research.
• Ensuring uniform documentation of antiquities across central, state, private institutions, and universities.
• Raising awareness about cultural heritage preservation.
• Providing training and capacity building for state departments, local bodies, museums, NGOs, and universities.
• Enhancing collaboration between the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), state departments, and other stakeholders.
• Publication and Research

Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958

• The Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act 1958 (AMASR Act 1958) was enacted by the Parliament with an aim "to provide for the preservation of ancient and historical monuments and archaeological sites and remains of national importance, for the regulation of archaeological excavations and for the protection of sculptures, carvings, and other like objects.
• As per the AMASR Act 1958, the following are the definitions of ancient monuments:
• "Ancient monument" means any structure, erection, or monument, or any tumulus or place of internment, or any cave, rock sculpture, inscription, or monolith, which is of historical, archaeological, or artistic interest and which has been in existence for not less than one hundred years, and includes:
• · The remains of an ancient monument
• · The site of an ancient monument
• · Such portion of land adjoining the site of an ancient monument as may be required for fencing, covering, or otherwise preserving such monument
• · The means of access to, and convenient inspection of, an ancient monument
• The scope of documentation of Built Heritage by the National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) has been enhanced by defining any structure that belongs to the pre-independence period, and the year 1950 has been considered as the cut-off date keeping in view of historical importance.

Antiquity & Art treasure

• As per the Antiquities and Art Treasures Act, 1972, the following are the definitions of antiquity and art treasure:
• (a) “antiquity” includes
  i) Any coin, sculpture, painting, epigraph, or artistic/craftsmanship work.
  (ii) Any object detached from a building or cave.
  (iii) Any item reflecting science, art, literature, religion, customs, or politics of bygone eras.
  (iv) Any historically significant object.
  (v) Any item declared an antiquity by the Central Government, existing for at least 100 years.
  (b) any manuscript, record, or other document which is of scientific, historical, literary, or aesthetic value and which has been in existence for not less than seventy-five years;
• (c) “art treasure” means any human work of art, not being an antiquity, declared by the Central Government by notification in the Official Gazette, to be an art treasure for the purposes of this Act having regard to its artistic or aesthetic value.

Digitization Guidelines

• To create a national digital database, NMMA has set standards for uniform documentation:
• Photographs of built heritage/sites (from secondary sources) should be in uncompressed TIFF format (300 dpi resolution).
• Antiquities should be photographed in uncompressed TIFF (300 dpi). If taken in NEF/RAW format, they must be converted to TIFF without alterations.
• Miniature paintings can be either photographed or scanned in TIFF (300 dpi) with a suitable background.
• All documentation should be stored in MS Excel format with separate sheets for each antiquity, heritage site, or built structure.
• Photographs should be included in the documentation sheet and also stored separately as master images.
• Indian Heritage in Digital Space (IHDS) Research
• The IHDS initiative focuses on utilizing modern digital technologies to preserve and share India''s heritage beyond mere documentation. It aims to create immersive experiences and analytical tools for scholars and the general public.

Objectives of IHDS:

• Promoting research in digital heritage technologies with an emphasis on Indian cultural assets.
• Developing a crowdsourcing framework to engage the public in building digital heritage collections.
• Establishing a storage, curation, and distribution mechanism for multimedia heritage resources to support interdisciplinary research.

The Role of Digital Technologies in Heritage Preservation

• Digital tools such as 3D scanning, virtual reality, computer vision, and artificial intelligence have transformed heritage preservation. These technologies allow for:
• The creation of high-resolution digital archives of manuscripts, monuments, and artifacts.
• Virtual reconstructions of lost or damaged heritage structures.
• Interactive experiences for education and tourism.
• Enhanced research capabilities for historians, architects, and scientists.

Conclusion

• The digitization and documentation of India''s cultural heritage are crucial for its preservation and accessibility. The National Mission on Monuments and Antiquities (NMMA) plays a vital role in this effort by standardizing records, training stakeholders, and promoting public awareness.
• By leveraging technology and collaboration, NMMA ensures that India’s vast heritage is systematically documented, protected, and made available for research and education. A unified and comprehensive database will not only aid in conservation but also strengthen cultural identity for future generations.

PRESENT STATUS OF PEST RESISTANT SEEDS

• Development of location specific high yielding varieties/ seeds is a continuous process and regularly carried out by the crop based All India Co-ordinated Research Projects (AICRPs) as per the norms and guidelines across the National Agricultural Research System (NARES) under the aegis of India Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR).
• The varieties/ seeds thus developed are notified in the Gazette of India after thorough examination by the Central Sub-Committee on Crop Standards, Notification and Release of Varieties for Agricultural Crops.
•  During the last 10 years (2014 - 2024) a total of 2900 location specific high yielding field crop varieties have been developed and out of these notified varieties / seeds, crop-wise varieties / seeds developed along with the pest /disease resistant/tolerant varieties / seeds (in parenthesis) are as follows: rice 668 (588); wheat 178 (168); barley 21 (13); maize 239 (229); sorghum 78 (68); pearl millet 81 (75); other millets 115 (95); pulses 437 (402); oilseeds 412 (342); fiber crops 376 (345); forage crops 178 (147); sugarcane 88 (83) and other crops 29 (19).
• These seeds are included in the seed chain for further supply of quality seed to the farmers.
• Further, to minimize the losses due to insect-pests infestation, various package of practices for control of insect-pests have been recommended, through which farmers are controlling the insect-pests.
• Government of India supports the efforts of States through appropriate policy measures, budgetary allocation and various schemes/ programmes like awareness campaign at village level through crop demonstration and training programmes.
• The various schemes/ programmes of the Government of India like PM Fasal Bima Yojana, NAMO Kisan Yojana and adoption of integrated crop management practices are meant for the welfare of farmers by increasing production, remunerative returns and income support to farmers.
• The Government of India has substantially enhanced the budget allocation of Department of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare from Rs. 21933.50 crore (BE) during 2013-14 to Rs. 1,22,528.77 crore (BE) during 2024-25. The data/details related to suicides Committee by farmers is maintained by respective State Government
• Out of these 2900 developed field crop varieties, 2661 varieties (cereals 1258; oilseeds 368; pulses 410; fibre crops 358; forage crops 157, sugarcane 88 and other crops 22) are tolerant to one or more biotic and/or abiotic stresses.  Of these 537 varieties have been developed specially for extreme climate using the precision phenotyping tools.
• Systematic efforts have been undertaken to produce breeder and quality seeds of these varieties as per the indents received from different agencies.  Breeder seed production in sufficient quality has been planned from Rabi 2024-25 and processing for Kharif 2025 for expediting delivery of seed to the farmers.
•  Since 2014, total 11.85 lakh quintals of breeder seed have been produced and supplied to the various public and private sector seed agencies for its donwstream multiplication to foundation and certified seeds. The share of less than 10 years old varieties in total seed supply is more than 70%.
• All possible efforts are made for creating awareness about these varieties among the seed production agencies and farmers through Doordarshan channels, All India Radio, print, electronic and social media.
•  Frontline demonstrations of these improved crop cultivars are regularly conducted throughout the country by ICAR institutions and SAUs. Krishi Vigyan Kendras (KVKs) demonstrates these improved crop cultivars to farmers.
• Varieties developed are disseminated among farmers for large scale adoption though KVKs, State Department of Agriculture, Doordarshan, ICT tools like mobile apps, etc.
• The Government of India is implementing Seed Village Programme component of the Sub-Mission on Seed & Planting Material (SMSP) under National Food Security & Nutrition Mission.
•  The objective of this scheme is to make available the seeds of climate resilient, biofortified and high-yielding varieties to the farmers at the village. Under this programme, the financial assistance for distribution of foundation/ certified seeds is 50% of seed cost in cereals and 60% in oilseeds, fodder and green manure crops for production of quality seeds for one acre per farmer.
• National Mission on Edible Oils - Oilseeds (NMEO-OS) has been approved for boosting domestic oilseed production and achieving self-reliance (Atmanirbhar Bharat) in edible oils during 2024-25 to 2030-31.

IMPORT OF CRITICAL MINERALS FOR EVs

• The country is greatly dependent on other Asian countries for raw materials, mineral processing, battery and other basic requirements for production and promotion of e-vehicles in the country, since the basic raw material for production of electric vehicles is lithium and other critical materials.
• At present, investments in manufacturing and overall value addition for Advanced Chemistry Cells (ACCs) are negligible in India and almost entire domestic demand of ACCs is still being met through imports.
•  In order to reduce dependency of imported ACC battery for electric vehicles, the Government on 12^th May, 2021 approved a Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for manufacturing of Advance Chemistry Cell (ACC) in the country. The total outlay of the scheme is Rs.18,100 Crore for a period of 5 years.
• The scheme envisages to establish a competitive ACC battery manufacturing set up in the country (50 GWh).
• As per the information received from Ministry of Mines, the Union Cabinet has approved the launch of the National Critical Mineral Mission (NCMM) on 29^th January, 2025, for a period of seven years from 2024-25 to 2030-31, with a proposed expenditure of Rs.16,300 crore and an expected investment of Rs.18,000 crore by Public Sector Undertakings (PSUs) and other stakeholders.
•  The NCMM aims to secure a long-term sustainable supply of critical minerals and strengthen India’s critical mineral value chains encompassing all stages from mineral exploration and mining to beneficiation, processing, and recovery from end-of-life products.
• In order to boost domestic production and reduce India’s dependence on imported lithium, cobalt and other key materials required for EV batteries, the Government of India has taken significant steps, which are as under:
• The Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957 (MMDR) has been amended through the MMDR Amendment Act, 2023 w.e.f. 17.08.2023. The Amendment Act, 2023 provides for:
• A list of 24 critical and strategic minerals in Part D of Schedule-I.
• Omission of six minerals from the list of 12 atomic minerals in Part B of Schedule-I namely Lithium, Titanium, Beryl and beryllium bearing minerals, Niobium, Tantalum and Zirconium bearing minerals and their inclusion in the list of aforesaid 24 critical and strategic minerals.
• Section 11D of the Act, which empowers Central Government to exclusively auction mining lease and composite license for critical & strategic minerals specified in Part D of the Schedule-I.
• Exploration license for 29 minerals included in Schedule-VII of the Act.
• In addition, Ministry of Mines has been empowered to auction blocks for grant of Exploration License through an order dated 21^st October, 2024 under Section 20A of MMDR Act 1957.
• Central Government has successfully auctioned 24 blocks of critical and strategic minerals in 04 tranches in 2024.
• The exploration of critical minerals has been significantly increased. Over the past three years, the Geological Survey of India (GSI) has undertaken 368 exploration projects focused on critical and strategic minerals.
• In the FY 2024-25, 195 projects are being executed, and 227 projects have been approved for the upcoming financial year.
• 100% FDI is allowed under “Automatic” route for mining and exploration of metal and non-metal ores. A foreign company may incorporate an Indian subsidiary company or invest in an existing Indian Company to become eligible for grant of mining and exploration rights.
• To support the critical minerals sector, Government has eliminated customs duties on 25 minerals and reduced Basic Customs Duties (BCD) on 2 minerals in the Union Budget for 2024-25.
• In the Union Budget 2025-26, the Government proposed to fully exempt cobalt powder and waste, the scrap of lithium-ion battery, Lead, Zinc and 12 more critical minerals to secure their availability for manufacturing in India and promote more jobs for India’s youth.
• Ministry of Mines is engaged in various multilateral and bilateral platforms for strengthening the critical minerals value chain, focussing on multiple objectives, including the processing and recycling of critical minerals such as Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) and the Indo-Pacific Economic Framework (IPEF), initiative on Critical and Emerging Technologies (iCET), the UK-India Technology Security Initiative (TSI) and others.
• The Ministry of Mines has taken a significant step to acquire overseas mineral assets through the establishment of a joint venture company, KhanijBidesh India Ltd. (KABIL).  Its overarching mission is to identify and acquire overseas mineral assets that hold critical and strategic significance, specifically targeting minerals like Lithium, Cobalt and others.
• KABIL has signed an Exploration and Development Agreement with CAMYEN, a state-owned enterprise of Catamarca province of Argentina, for Exploration and mining of Five Lithium Brine Block in Argentina with an area of around 15,703 Ha.