Current Affairs - State

India’s first Vulture Conservation Portal was launched in Assam through a joint initiative by We Foundation India and the Zoology Department of Gauhati University. This digital platform is designed to create a nationwide network focused on safeguarding vultures, which play a crucial role in maintaining ecological balance by preventing the spread of diseases through carrion disposal. The initiative emphasises grassroots-level awareness, particularly using local languages, to ensure wider community participation. With India hosting nine vulture species, five of which are listed as Critically Endangered by the IUCN, the portal aims to address threats like poisoning, habitat loss, and human disturbances.

Chhattisgarh, formed in 2000, has transformed into one of India’s major power hubs by expanding its electricity capacity from 1,400 MW to 30,000 MW in just 25 years. With ₹3 lakh crore of new investment commitments, the state is poised to double this capacity to nearly 60,000 MW in the coming years, supported by both thermal and renewable energy projects. The inauguration of a new 1,320 MW power plant, the construction of a joint headquarters in Nava Raipur for power companies, and outreach to global investors underline its growth trajectory. Solar power initiatives under schemes like PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana are furthering the state’s commitment to sustainability while ensuring energy security and economic development.

Maharashtra has approved significant amendments to its labour laws, increasing the maximum daily working hours for private sector employees. Under the Factories Act, the limit has been extended from 9 to 12 hours with mandatory rest breaks after 6 hours, while the overtime cap has been raised from 115 to 144 hours per quarter. Similarly, under the Maharashtra Shops and Establishments Act, daily working hours have been raised from 9 to 10, with an overtime cap of 144 hours per quarter. These changes are designed to attract investment, create jobs, and strengthen worker rights, with safeguards such as double overtime pay and written consent for extended hours. The reforms align Maharashtra with other states that have already modernised their labour frameworks.

Kerala has become the first state to carry out a large scale eradication of the invasive plant species Senna spectabilis, clearing 383 acres in Wayanad. Originally introduced in the 1980s for its bright yellow flowers, this species from South America rapidly turned invasive, forming dense thickets that damage soil quality, block the growth of native plants, and reduce food availability for wildlife. While its spread has been reported in states such as Andhra Pradesh, Goa, and Maharashtra, Kerala’s proactive step sets an example for biodiversity conservation. Experts emphasise that early action is essential to protect the fragile ecosystems of the Western Ghats.

The 16th-century Vrindavani Vastra, a silk tapestry crafted under the guidance of Srimanta Sankardeva, will be loaned to Assam by the British Museum in 2027. This masterpiece, originally commissioned by Koch king Nara Narayan, portrays episodes from the life of Lord Krishna and reflects the rich Vaishnavite heritage of Assam. The textile represents a unique blend of spirituality and artistic excellence, deeply rooted in the cultural identity of the region. Acquired by the British in 1904, its return, even as a loan, underscores growing global discussions on the repatriation of cultural artefacts to their places of origin.