Current Affairs - State

Tamil Nadu notified three new elephant corridors in the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary on August 28, 2026, to facilitate elephant movement between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The corridors are located in the Hosur Forest Division and support trans-Cauvery migration. The three corridors are Jawalagiri-Ulibanda-Thaggatti, Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty, and Bilikkal-Jawalagiri. All three are situated entirely within Reserved Forest boundaries, meaning no revenue villages or private lands are affected. Elephant corridors are important for connecting habitats, maintaining genetic diversity, and reducing human-wildlife conflict. The Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary also serves as a vital link between Karnataka’s Bannerghatta National Park and the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Himachal Pradesh unveiled its first ozone-based drinking water treatment project in Dehra, located in Kangra district. Chief Minister Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu announced ₹46 crore for the project, which uses ozone gas to disinfect water and improve its taste. The initiative aims to strengthen drinking water infrastructure and is expected to be extended to other parts of the state after its implementation in Dehra. The project is part of the government’s broader efforts to improve public services and local development. Other announcements included welfare schemes, forest conservation initiatives, new CBSE schools, and a veterinary hospital in Baddal Thor.

Tamil Nadu notified three elephant corridors in the Hosur Forest Division, covering more than 10,300 hectares, to safeguard critical elephant movement routes between Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. The designated corridors are Jawalagiri-Ulibanda-Thaggatti, Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty, and Billikkal Jawalagiri. The longest is the Jawalagiri-Panai-Anchetty corridor, covering 6,881.47 hectares and extending for 20.90 km. These corridors are located within the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary and adjoining reserved forests. The notification aims to maintain forest connectivity, support elephant migration, and reduce habitat fragmentation and human-elephant conflict. It followed directions from the Madras High Court and recommendations from expert committees.

Odisha launched the Bidesh Sikhyabruti scholarship scheme on August 23, 2026, to provide financial assistance to meritorious students from Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe communities who pursue higher education abroad. Each year, 50 students will be selected, provided they secure admission to international institutions ranked among the Top 200 in the QS World University Rankings. Each beneficiary can receive up to ₹25 lakh per annum, covering tuition, accommodation, living expenses, international travel, medical insurance, and incidental costs. Odisha also became the first Indian state to implement a universal free education policy from Kindergarten to Post-Graduation in July 2026.

Goa was the location where Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated the newly re-developed Hutatma Smruti Smarak at Patradevi on August 26, 2026. The memorial honours the satyagrahis who participated in the Goa liberation struggle, particularly those involved in the peaceful August 15, 1955 satyagraha against Portuguese rule. The ₹9.50 crore project was developed by the Goa State Infrastructure Development Corporation and features a redesigned central monument, sculptures, information hubs, and murals. Goa was liberated from Portuguese rule through Operation Vijay in December 1961 and later became India’s 25th state on May 30, 1987.