Current Affairs - National

Indore and Udaipur have been recognized as part of the Global Wetland Cities list, an exclusive group of 31 cities worldwide that integrate wetland conservation into their urban planning. Indore, known for its cleanliness, is home to Sirpur Lake, which is designated as a Ramsar site. Udaipur, famous as the "City of Lakes," has several significant wetlands, including Pichola, Fateh Sagar, Rang Sagar, Swaroop Sagar, and Doodh Talai. Their inclusion highlights efforts toward sustainable urban development and wetland preservation.

The theme for Republic Day 2025 was ‘Swarnim Bharat: Virasat aur Vikas’, which translates to ‘Golden India: Heritage and Progress’. This theme highlighted India’s rich cultural heritage while emphasizing its strides in development and progress. The celebration also featured Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto as the Chief Guest, symbolizing India’s commitment to fostering international relations.

The Bankapur Wolf Sanctuary is located in Karnataka and is the state’s first wolf sanctuary. Spanning 332 hectares, it provides a protected habitat for the Indian grey wolf, an endangered species under the IUCN and Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act, of 1972. The sanctuary features scrub forests, hills, and caves suitable for wolves, and it also supports diverse wildlife, including leopards and blackbucks. As India’s second dedicated wolf sanctuary, it plays a crucial role in conserving these apex predators in semi-arid and grassland ecosystems, addressing their declining population of 2,000–3,000 individuals.

Odisha secured the top position in the Fiscal Health Index (FHI) 2025, launched by NITI Aayog to evaluate the fiscal health of 18 major Indian states. The index assesses states on five sub-indices: Quality of Expenditure, Revenue Mobilisation, Fiscal Prudence, Debt Index, and Debt Sustainability. Odisha achieved a composite score of 67.8, outperforming other states like Chhattisgarh (55.2) and Goa (53.6). This ranking underscores Odisha's strong fiscal management and prudent financial policies.

Telangana’s first 24-hour drinking water supply project was launched in Karimnagar Smart City. Inaugurated by Union Minister Manohar Lal, the project cost ₹18 crore and included 6,000 water connections across 5 divisions. Karimnagar also saw the inauguration of a ₹12.35 crore multipurpose building and a ₹22 crore sports school complex, showcasing significant investments in urban infrastructure and development.