Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Simlipal Tiger Reserve
Why in the News?
Tigress Zeenat, originally from Maharashtra’s Tadoba, was relocated to Odisha’s Similipal Tiger Reserve after straying through Jharkhand into West Bengal, complicating tracking efforts.
About Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)
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Details |
| Geographical Features |
- Situated in the Mayurbhanj District, Northern Odisha, surrounded by high plateaus and hills.
- Twin peaks Khairiburu and Meghashini, rising to 1515 meters above mean sea level.
- Undulating and hilly terrain, interspersed with open grasslands and wooded areas.
- Inhabited by tribes like Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
- Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956; brought under Project Tiger in 1973.
- Included in the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
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| Flora and Fauna |
- Flora: Home to 1078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids, with Sal as the dominant tree species.
- Fauna: Rich wildlife, including Leopards, Gaurs, Elephants, Langurs, Barking Deer, Spotted Deer, Sloth Bears, Mongoose, Flying Squirrels, Porcupines, Pythons, Sambar, Pangolins, and more.
- It is critical habitat for birds, including migratory species like Bar-Headed Geese and Brahmini Ducks, and home to freshwater snails (Radix genus) in its water bodies.
- Melanistic Tigers:
- Similipal hosts 27 of Odisha’s 30 tigers (AOTE-2023-24), including 13 pseudo-melanistic tigers with unique black-striped patterns due to a mutation in the Taqpep gene.
- It is the only wild habitat in the world with pseudo-melanistic tigers.
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PYQ:
[2011] Two important rivers – one with its source in Jharkhand (and known by a different name in Odisha), and another, with its source in Odisha – merge at a place only a short distance from the coast of Bay of Bengal before flowing into the sea. This is an important site of wildlife and biodiversity and a protected area.
Which one of the following could be this?
(a) Bhitarkanika
(b) Chandipur-on-sea
(c) Gopalpur-on-sea
(d) Simlipal |
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Coastal Security Scheme
Why in the News?
Non-operational patrolling boats, insufficient funds for training, and manpower shortages are among the challenges highlighted by 13 coastal states and Union Territories during a review of the Coastal Security Scheme (CSS) phases I and II.
What is the Coastal Security Scheme?
- CSS was launched to strengthen security across India’s 7,516.6 km coastline, including 1,382 offshore islands, in order to prevent unauthorized entry, smuggling, and infiltration.
- It is overseen by the Department of Border Management, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in collaboration with coastal States/UTs and the Indian Coast Guard (ICG).
- Core Objective: Bolster coastal security by enhancing infrastructure, resources, and coordination among central and state agencies, ensuring effective maritime surveillance and prompt emergency response.
Implementation Phases
- Phase I (2005–2011)
- Budget: ₹646 crore
- Established 73 coastal police stations, 97 check-posts, 58 outposts, 30 barracks, 204 interceptor boats, 153 jeeps, and 312 motorcycles.
- Phase II (2011–2020)
- Budget: ₹1,579.91 crore
- Added 131 coastal police stations, 60 jetties, 10 marine operational centers, 225 boats, 131 four-wheelers, and 242 motorcycles.
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Key Features
- Infrastructure Development: Construction of coastal police stations, jetties, outposts, barracks, and marine operation centers.
- Marine Patrolling: Deployment of interceptor boats for rapid response and improved surveillance.
- Manpower & Training: Specialized marine police personnel trained at the National Academy of Coastal Policing (Gujarat).
- Technological Integration: Collaboration with the Coastal Surveillance Network (CSN) for real-time monitoring and swift threat detection.
Current Status
- Phase III Plans:
- Upgraded Boats & Equipment: Introducing larger, more stable vessels and better maintenance.
- More Manpower: Focused recruitment and specialized training for marine police.
- Infrastructure Expansion: Building new jetties and operational centers, backed by adequate funding.
- Insurance Coverage: Proposals to protect marine police personnel operating in high-risk conditions.
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Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: CPGRAMS
Why in the News?
According to the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG), the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) resolved over 70 lakh grievances from 2022 to 2024.
About Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS)
- CPGRAMS is an online platform that allows citizens to register grievances related to government service delivery, functioning 24×7.
- It was established in June 2007 by the Department of Administrative Reforms & Public Grievances (DARPG); the National Informatics Centre (NIC) developed the technical framework.
- The Prime Minister serves as the supreme head of CPGRAMS.
Key Functions
- Grievance Lodging & Tracking: Each complaint gets a unique registration number for monitoring.
- Role-Based Access: Ministries and states can access and resolve relevant grievances.
- Appeal Facility: Citizens can appeal if they are not satisfied with the resolution.
- Feedback Mechanism: Complainants can rate the resolution; a “Poor” rating reopens the case for further appeals.
Exclusions: Subjudice cases, personal/family disputes, RTI queries, matters affecting national/international integrity, and government employees’ service issues.
Key Reforms to Improve CPGRAMS
- Reduced Timelines: Grievance resolution deadlines shortened from 30 days to 21 days, with mandatory interim updates.
- Integrated Platform: A unified portal for all ministries, departments, and states; accessible via web, mobile apps, and UMANG.
- Feedback & Appeals: Citizens can provide feedback through SMS/email; a “Poor” rating escalates unresolved issues.
- AI-Driven Process Improvements: Tools like the Tree Dashboard help identify problems and streamline grievance handling.
- Training & Monitoring: Under SEVOTTAM (Service Excellence through Total Quality Management), Grievance Officers get specialized training, with regular performance reviews to enhance service delivery.
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