KARNATAKA

• The Kannada Development Authority (KDA) is drafting a comprehensive ‘Bhasha Neeti’ (language policy) to promote and preserve Karnataka’s 230 spoken languages, not just Kannada. Led by Chairperson Purushottama Bilimale, the initiative supports NEP 2020’s emphasis on mother-tongue education, addressing its limited implementation in the state. The policy focuses on language preservation, curriculum reform, and cultural integration. It also aims to reduce linguistic marginalization, encourage community involvement, and balance Kannada promotion with inclusivity of minor languages.
• The Karnataka government plans to install floating solar panels on 40 lakes across Kolar, Chickballapur, and Bengaluru to generate 2,000 MW of renewable energy. Jointly implemented by the Minor Irrigation and Renewable Energy departments, the project promises benefits like reduced lake maintenance, encroachment protection, and support for inland fisheries. However, experts warn of ecological risks, including harm to aquatic life, disruption of food chains, and weed overgrowth, recommending pilot studies and use of non-sensitive zones for implementation.
• The Karnataka government is drafting a new Devadasi (Prevention, Prohibition, Relief and Rehabilitation) Bill to replace the 1982 law. It aims to abolish outdated practices, ensure dignity and inheritance rights for Devadasis and their children, and remove the requirement of a father’s name from official documents. The bill proposes DNA-based paternity recognition, stricter punishments for dedication, and comprehensive rehabilitation. Developed with expert support and community input, it awaits Cabinet approval after final departmental review.
• The State government has decided to conduct a digital survey of the spread of the black-headed caterpillar disease in coconut plantations in several districts. An app has been developed for conducting the survey from a private agency under the guidance of the Horticulture Department. A sum of ₹25 lakh has been released for the purpose.

POLITY

• Vice-President Jagdeep Dhankhar resigned mid-term, becoming the third VP after V.V. Giri and R. Venkataraman to do so. In his absence, Rajya Sabha’s Deputy Chairman Harivansh Narayan Singh will preside. There’s no fixed timeline for VP elections; the EC will notify polls as per the 1952 Act. The new VP will serve a full five-year term. Elected by MPs through proportional representation, VP candidates must be Indian citizens, 35+, Rajya Sabha-eligible, and free from office of profit.

SCHEME

• LIC’s Bima Sakhi Yojana, a performance-oriented scheme, aims to empower rural women (18-70, Class X pass) to promote financial literacy and insurance awareness. Participants receive specialized training and monthly stipends for three years (₹7,000, ₹6,000, ₹5,000), plus commissions. Post-training, they can become LIC agents, with graduates potentially qualifying for Development Officer roles. The scheme plans to appoint two lakh Bima Sakhis, excluded are relatives of LIC staff/agents and ex-employees

ENVIRONMENT

• A Bengaluru-based study highlights a sharp decline in India’s avian population, analysing data from ~30,000 birdwatchers covering 942 diurnal species. It found 204 species in long-term decline and 142 facing annual declines. Winter migrants like the black-capped kingfisher show major losses (up to 86%). Birds in grasslands, wetlands, and scrublands, especially raptors and shorebirds, are worst hit. The study, part of the 2023 “State of India’s Birds” report, urges urgent habitat conservation, particularly for migratory birds.
• Kerala’s rubber plantations face an alarming threat from the ambrosia beetle (Euplatypus parallelus) teamed with Fusarium fungi, including F. solani. This alliance causes severe leaf fall, rapid drying, and affects latex production, potentially spreading to other broadleaf trees. The fungi’s deep-seated nature and long healing times exacerbate the issue. Experts emphasize an urgent need for collaborative action plans, including sustainable treatments, to mitigate this significant threat to India’s rubber capital.

MISCELLANEOUS

• The World Bank, along with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, released a report titled ‘Towards Resilient and Prosperous Cities in India’ highlighting climate risks to Indian cities. It warns of severe economic losses due to extreme weather events like heatwaves and urban floods. Urban heat island effects, flood risks from unplanned growth, and a doubling urban population by 2050 demand urgent investment in climate-resilient infrastructure, green solutions, and early warning systems to safeguard livelihoods and economic development.
• In a step to make grievance redressal platforms like RailMadad more accessible and easier to use, the Ministry of Railways is working on an AI-enabled WhatsApp chatbot which will allow the passengers to register their complaints without hassles.
• The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has warned the J&K administration about a serious threat to the Guryul Ravine fossil site in Kashmir. This unique site holds evidence of the Permian–Triassic extinction event, or ‘Great Dying’ (260 million years ago), which wiped out most life on Earth. It also shows the imprint of the world’s first recorded tsunami. Despite its scientific importance, the site faces damage from unchecked quarrying, construction, and human interventions, necessitating urgent conservation efforts.