Current Affairs - Places

The national-level celebration of the International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2025 was held in Udaipur, Rajasthan. This event was organized by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with the National Biodiversity Authority, the Rajasthan Forest Department, and the Rajasthan State Biodiversity Board. The event marked the formal launch of India’s updated National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for 2024–2030, reaffirming the country’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. Udaipur was chosen as the venue due to its rich ecological and cultural heritage, making it an apt location for such an environmental initiative.

The Polar Bhavan and Sagar Bhavan were inaugurated at the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research located in Goa. These newly established centres are significant scientific infrastructure investments, amounting to 55 crore rupees. They feature cutting-edge facilities, including world-class ice core laboratories, placing them among the first of their kind globally. These centres aim to enhance India’s research capabilities in polar and ocean sciences, facilitating advanced studies related to climate change, marine biodiversity, and glaciology. Goa was chosen for its strategic coastal location and existing research infrastructure, making it an ideal site for such an important scientific milestone.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah inaugurated and laid the foundation stone for development projects worth ₹708 crore in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. These projects aim to enhance the region’s infrastructure and reflect the government's focus on urban development and modernization. During the event, Shah also lauded India's defence capabilities and highlighted Prime Minister Narendra Modi's leadership in strengthening national security. He referenced the success of India’s air defence systems and mentioned Operation Sindoor, a counter-terrorism strike in Pakistan, underscoring the government’s firm stance on national security. The inauguration in Gandhinagar represents both strategic and developmental priorities.

The PMAY-U Coffee Table Book was officially released in Kohima, the capital city of Nagaland, on May 16, 2025. The event, held at Hotel Vivor, was led by Zhaleo Rio, Advisor for Municipal Affairs and Urban Development. The book, titled “Transforming Lives: A Glance of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Urban) Mission in Nagaland,” documents the progress and success stories of the PMAY-U scheme in the state. It emphasises the initiative’s role in providing affordable and dignified housing to the urban poor, fostering inclusive urban growth, and highlighting the socio-economic improvements brought about by the scheme in various communities across Nagaland.

The ₹3,706 crore semiconductor plant, a joint venture between HCL and Foxconn, is being set up in Jewar, Uttar Pradesh, under the India Semiconductor Mission. This is a strategic location near the upcoming Jewar Airport and within the Yamuna Expressway Industrial Development Authority area. Scheduled to begin operations in 2027, the facility will focus on chip assembly and packaging, producing 36 million units monthly. It aims to meet 40% of India’s chip demand, reduce reliance on imports, and create 2,000 direct jobs. The government’s approval reinforces its commitment to bolstering domestic semiconductor capabilities and promoting industrial growth in Uttar Pradesh.