Current Affairs - State

Uttarakhand inaugurated its first bird gallery at the Nature Education Centre in Dehradun. The gallery features high-resolution photographs of over 710 bird species found in the state, representing more than 50% of the bird species in India. This initiative aims to promote bird conservation and raise awareness about the state's rich avian biodiversity. The Monal, declared the state bird when Uttarakhand became a state in 2000, underscores the region's commitment to preserving its natural heritage.

Kerala achieved the milestone of preparing Peoples Biodiversity Registers (PBR) across its local self-government bodies with the assistance of local communities. These registers document information on various biodiversity aspects, including wild, aquatic, urban, and agro biodiversity, along with traditional knowledge and current usage patterns. This initiative aimed at the conservation and sustainable management of biodiversity within the state.

The IT Saksham Yuva Scheme is set to be launched in Haryana, focusing on providing employment opportunities to 5,000 youths in its initial phase. This initiative, aligned with the state's 'Mission 60,000' from the 2024-25 budget, targets graduates and postgraduates from IT backgrounds. Participants will undergo specialized short-term courses and receive financial support during the training and employment phases. The scheme aims to boost economic empowerment and skill development among the youth, contributing to overall socio-economic growth in the region.

The construction of the world's largest Ramayan Temple is taking place in Bihar's East Champaran district. Inspired by Angkor Wat, this monumental temple project includes a three-storey structure with distinctive features such as the world's largest Shivling and 22-sanctum sanctorum. Anticipated to be completed by the end of 2025 at a cost of ₹500 crores, the temple will surpass Ayodhya's Ram Mandir in scale, boasting 12 shikars, with the tallest shikhar towering at 270 feet.

Uttar Pradesh has been reported to have the largest population of Sarus Cranes in India, with the latest summer census showing a total of 19,918 individuals. This marks an increase of 396 cranes from the previous year, highlighting the success of conservation efforts in the state. The census, conducted with the help of 10,000 citizens, reflects the collaborative approach to wildlife monitoring in the region. The consistent growth of the Sarus Crane population in Uttar Pradesh over the years underscores the state's pivotal role in the conservation of this majestic species.