Current Affairs - State

India marked a significant achievement in wildlife conservation with the first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam. This effort, conducted by the MoEFCC, Wildlife Institute of India, Assam Forest Department, and Aaranyak, aims to study the dolphin's habitat and migration patterns. Recognized as India’s National Aquatic Animal, the Ganges River Dolphin is a key apex predator, playing a vital role in maintaining the health of river ecosystems. This initiative highlights Assam's contribution to the conservation of this endangered species and the broader riverine biodiversity.

Andhra Pradesh's Tourism Policy 2024-29 introduces initiatives like ecotourism, temple tourism, Buddhism, beach, river, and cruise circuits. Supported by seven anchor hubs and 25 thematic approaches, the policy aims to transform tourism into an economic driver by granting it industry status. It targets ₹25,000 crore in investments and seeks to elevate domestic tourist spending to ₹25,000 per year, positioning the state as a leading tourism destination within five years.

Uttar Pradesh presented its second supplementary budget of ₹17,865.72 crore for FY 2024-25, which constitutes 2.42% of the original budget of ₹7,36,437.71 crore. The allocation includes ₹790.49 crore for new proposals, ₹422.56 crore from central schemes, and ₹30.48 crore for contingencies. This brings the total budget size for the fiscal year to ₹7,66,513.36 crore, emphasizing the state's fiscal planning and resource allocation.

Zeenat, a tiger translocated from Maharashtra’s Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve, was moved to Similipal in Odisha to enhance genetic diversity. This effort underscores the importance of maintaining healthy tiger populations through interstate cooperation. The tiger’s subsequent movement into Jharkhand and towards West Bengal highlights challenges in wildlife conservation, including the need for continuous monitoring and effective coordination between states to ensure the safety of both wildlife and human populations.

Andhra Pradesh is pioneering India’s first statewide skill census, aiming to map skill gaps and strengths among its workforce. Building on the success of a pilot project in Mangalagiri, this initiative will cover 3.5 crore working-age individuals across 1.8 crore households. By aligning existing skills with industry demands and addressing youth unemployment, the census seeks to boost job creation and economic development. Innovative measures like linking Skill IDs to Aadhaar will enhance accessibility to skilling opportunities, showcasing Andhra Pradesh’s commitment to addressing employment challenges through targeted interventions.