GK Express of 06/02/2026
🚆 GK Express 2.0
Discipline • Clarity • Competitive Preparation
- Franz Edelman Award 2026: The Department of Food and Public
Distribution (DFPD) is among the six finalists for the
prestigious 2026 Franz Edelman Award for its Anna
Chakra initiative.
Franz Edelman is widely known as the “Nobel Prize of Operations Research and Analytics.” - Robot Supervison in Vishakapatnam Railway Station: Indian Railways has deployed a humanoid
robot named ‘ASC ARJUN’ at Visakhapatnam
Railway Station.It works with the Railway Protection Force (RPF) for security, surveillance and assistance at the station.
Project Elephant
Launched: Similar to Project Tiger (1972), Project Elephant was launched in 1992 by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
Aim: It's core objective is to Protect Asian elephants, habitats, corridors; mitigate human-elephant conflicts; combat poaching. (illegally hunt or catch)
Objectives
- To increase and protect the strength of Elephants in India
- Long-term survival of elephant populations.
- Habitat restoration and corridor development.
- Research, monitoring, and community eco-development.
Key Achievements
- India's elephant population: ~30,000 (largest in the world)
- 33 Reserves across 14 states, covering 65,000+ sq km.
- Conflict mitigation via fences, apps, audits and portals.
Famous Elephant Reserves in India
| State | Reserves |
|---|---|
| Andhra Pradesh | Rayala or Kaundinya Elphant Reserve (smallest population along with Intanki ER of Nagaland) |
| Assam | Sonitpur, Dihing-Patkai, Kaziranga-Karbi Anglong, Dhansiri-Lungding, Chirang-Ripu |
| Jharkhand | Singhbhum Elephant Reserve (India's first elephant reserve established in 2001 and also has large coverage of 13440 km²) |
| Karnataka | Mysore Elephant Reserve (highest population of elephants of approximately 6013 elephants) and Dandeli ER |
| Kerala | Wayanad, Anamudi, Periyar, Nilambur Elephant Reserves |
| Nagaland | Singphan Elephant Reserve (The smallest reserve which covers only 23.5 km²) |
| Tamil Nadu | Nilgiri, Anamalai, Coimbatore, Mudumalai, Srivilliputhur Elephant Reserves |
| Uttar Pradesh | Terai Elephant Reserve (Recently established in the Dhudwa landscape) |
Challenges
- Habitat loss, poaching, conflicts (~500 human/elephant deaths/year).
- Climate change, infrastructure.
💧 What is Oil Spill?
Oil from ships leaks into sea water. It spreads like thin blanket and kills sea animals.
📍 Major Spills in India
MSC Chitra
Mumbai • 3,000 tons
Chennai Spill
Ennore • 250 tons
🐟 What Happens?
- 🐦 Birds feathers stick - can't fly
- 🐠 Fish eggs die - no new fish
- 🐢 Turtles eat oil - stomach pain
- 👨🌾 Fishermen lose jobs
- 🏖️ Beaches turn black
🧹 How to Clean?
Super Suckers
Vacuum machines suck oil
Chemicals
Break oil into tiny drops
Workers
Buckets + shovels
Bacteria
Microbes eat oil
🏙️ Mumbai 2010
- 2,000 workers cleaned islands
- Hot water washed beaches
- 20 tons oily waste collected
- Cost: $10 million
🏖️ Chennai 2017
- 2,000 Coast Guard + fishermen
- Super Suckers: 65 tons
- Marina Beach volunteers
- 90% clean in 1 week
📊 Quick Facts
Perfect for UPSC/Teaching • Simple words only 🛠️
🌍 Ecological Benefits
Healthy Soil
No chemicals → More earthworms, microbes → Rich fertile land forever
More Wildlife
Bees, butterflies, birds return → Natural pollination → Better crops
Clean Water
No fertilizer runoff → Pure rivers, streams → Safe drinking water
💰 Economic Benefits
Higher Prices
Organic = 20-50% more money → Farmers earn ₹2 lakh/year extra
Big Markets
Sell to Delhi, Mumbai, Export → Cardamom yield ↑ 23% since 2014
Tourism Boom
Organic farms attract tourists → Agri-tourism → New jobs
📊 Sikkim Organic Facts
❌ Before Organic
- Dead soil, sick bees
- Chemical water pollution
- Poor farmers
- No tourists
✅ After Organic
- Rich soil, healthy bees
- Clean rivers
- Rich farmers
- Tourism boom
Sikkim proves: Organic = Healthy Planet + Rich Farmers 🌍💰
Q.1 (UPSC PYQ)
Which one of the following is not a site for 'in-situ' method of conservation of flora?
• In-situ (On-site): Conservation within the natural habitat (e.g., National Parks, Sanctuaries, Biosphere Reserves).
• Ex-situ (Off-site): Conservation outside the natural habitat (e.g., Botanical Gardens, Zoos, Seed Banks, Cryopreservation).
Q.2 (UPSC PYQ)
In which of the following States is 'Lion-tailed Macaque' found in its natural habitat?
• The Lion-tailed Macaque is an endangered primate endemic to the Western Ghats of South India.
• Its range is restricted to the evergreen forests of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu (Nilgiri hills).
1. What is the full form of NGT?
2. In which year Elephant is declared as National Heritage Animal?
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