12 March 2025 Current Affairs

 India’s 58th Tiger Reserve: Madhav National Park 

The Centre declared Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh (Shivpuri) as India’s 58th Tiger Reserve.

Tiger Reserve

• Specially designated Protected Area under Project Tiger.
• Currently, there are 58 Tiger Reserves in India.

• This Constitutes over 2.3% of India’s Total Land.

• 1st Tiger Reserve was set up in 1973 as Palamau Tiger Reserve (Jharkhand).
• Madhya Pradesh leads with 9 Reserves, followed by Maharashtra and Karnataka.
• Nagarjunsagar Srisailam (Andhra Pradesh and Talengana) is Largest Tiger Reserve in India followed by Manas (Assam) and Guru Ghasidas – Tamor Pingla (Chhattisgarh).
• Smallest Tiger Reserve: Bor (Maharashtra)
• Notified By: State Government
• Governed By: National Tiger Conservation Authority (Wildlife Protection Act 1972)

• No Alteration in Boundaries or De – Notification of TRs shall be made except on recommendation of National Tiger Conservation Authority and approval of National Board for Wild Life.

Key Initiatives

• National Board for Wild Life

• Type: Statutory Board (Wild Life Protection Act, 1972)
• Responsible for Promotion of Conservation & Development of Wildlife & Forests.

• Project Tiger

• Established in 1973 to support Preservation of Tigers in India.
• Overseen by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).

• Tiger Census

• Conducted by National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India (WII).
• Aim: To estimate Tiger Population in India through a 4-year Census Cycle.
• India’s Tiger Population increased to 3682 in 2022 up from 2967 in 2018.

• Top State with Tiger Population: Madhya Pradesh (785), Karnataka (563).
• Tiger Reserves with Highest Tiger Abundance: Corbett (260), Bandipur (150).

• M – STrIPES

• Introduced in 2010.
• M – STrIPES stand for Monitoring System for Tigers – Intensive Protection and Ecological Status.
• Software-based Monitoring System for Tiger Reserves in India.
• Focuses on Conservation of Critically Endangered Bengal Tigers.

• St. Petersburg Declaration on Tiger Conservation

• Declared during St. Petersburg Tiger Summit in 2010.
• Committed by 13 Nations, including India, to protect tigers worldwide and double their population in the wild.

US – Iran Nuclear Deal Renegotiation

Donald Trump Withdraws U.S. from JCPOA, Calls It Flawed, Seeks Renegotiation of the Agreement.

Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (2015)

• Objective: To prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons and ensure regional stability.
• Participants: Iran, P5+1 (United States, United Kingdom, France, China, Russia, Germany), European Union.
• Iran's Commitments:

• Limit Uranium Enrichment to a Maximum of 3.67%.
• Maintain Controlled Stockpiles of Enriched Uranium.
• Allow monitoring by International Atomic Energy Agency.

• Commitments of Other Signatories:

• Provide Sanctions Relief.
• Gradually Lift Bans on Arms and Missile Exports.
• Implement a "Snapback" Mechanism to Reimpose Sanctions if Iran violates the terms.

Why Trump Withdrew from Deal in 2018?

• Flawed Agreement: JCPOA was criticized as being "one-sided" and ineffective.
• Iran's Ballistic Missile Program: Agreement did not place restrictions on Iran’s missile development, raising security concerns.
• Iran's Regional Influence: Iran-backed militias, such as Hezbollah and the Houthis, continued to remain active.
• Sunset Clauses: Some of Restrictions were Temporary, allowing Iran possibility of expanding its nuclear program in the future.
• ‘Maximum Pressure’ Policy: U.S. imposed over 1500 sanctions on Iran, targeting Energy, Finance and Military Sectors.

Impact of US Withdrawal (2018 – 2023)

• Global Response: IAEA and European allies confirmed Iran’s compliance with JCPOA, but they were unable to prevent U.S. withdrawal from the agreement.
• Iran’s Retaliation: In response, Iran began rolling back its commitments under JCPOA, Enriching Uranium to 61% (Exceeding JCPOA Limits) and escalating tensions following Assassination of Scientist Fakhrizadeh.
• Biden’s Failed Restoration Attempt: Vienna Talks (2021-2022) made some progress but eventually stalled, particularly after Iran’s support for Russia in 2023.
• Economic Consequences for Iran: Iran faced a severe economic crisis, with a currency collapse and widespread public protests, such as the Mahsa Amini Movement.

Reasons for Trump Now Wanting to Renegotiate (2025)

• Iran’s Economic Crisis: President Pezeshkian acknowledged the financial and resource imbalances in Iran, making the country more open to negotiations.
• Changing Middle Eastern Landscape: The Iran-Israel conflicts (2023-2024) escalated, while Gulf States improved ties with Iran. Additionally, Houthi attacks disrupted trade routes.
• U.S. Strategic Shifts: Donald Trump initiated direct talks with Hamas, balancing Israel’s security concerns with broader stability in the Middle East.

Challenges to a New Deal

• Deep US – Iran Trust Deficit: Both Iranian Conservatives and Reformists hold Donald Trump responsible for Collapse of JCPOA.
• Iran’s Negotiation Stance: Iran prefers to engage in talks with Europe, Russia and China, while refusing Direct Engagement with U.S.
• Risk of Military Escalation: Failure of Diplomatic Efforts could lead to increased Nuclear Activities and Potential for Conflict.

India – Mauritius Relations

Prime Minister of India to Visit Mauritius as Guest of Honour for Independence Day Celebrations on 11 – 12 March 2025.

Mauritius (Capital: Port Louis)

• Island located in Indian Ocean, to East of Madagascar and off South – East Coast of Africa.
• Mauritius is located in the Southern Hemisphere, just north of the Tropic of Capricorn.

India – Mauritius Relations

Mauritius is acting as a Gateway for India's Economic Engagement with Africa, supported by Mauritius' Membership in African Union and its Preferential Trade Agreements with African Countries.

• Historical and Cultural Ties

• Mauritius was formerly a British and French colony and gained independence from British rule in 1968.
• Sir Seewosagur Ramgoolam, the father of the current Prime Minister Navinchandra Ramgoolam, worked closely with Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose in Britain between 1919 – 21.
• Mauritius is home to the World Hindi Secretariat, which is supported by India.

• Economic and Trade Relations

• Bilateral Trade (FY 2023 – 24): USD 851.13 Million
• Comprehensive Economic Cooperation and Partnership Agreement: 1st such agreement between India and an African Nation.
• Foreign Direct Investment: Mauritius was 2nd Largest Source of FDI into India for FY 2023 – 24, following Singapore.

• Strategic and Maritime Security Cooperation

• As a key member of the Colombo Security Conclave, Mauritius plays an active role in promoting regional maritime security.
• Redeveloping the Mauritian island of Agaléga into a Joint Surveillance Facility to enhance security cooperation
• Granting Mauritius access to India's Information Fusion Centre for the Indian Ocean Region (IFC-IOR) located in Gurugram.
• Conducting oceanographic surveys with the help of Indian naval assets, such as INS Sarvekshak.

‘Misleading’ Advertisement

District Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission (Jaipur II) Issues Notices to Shah Rukh Khan, Ajay Devgn, Tiger Shroff, and JB Industries.

The Issue

• The Complaint concerns misleading publicity regarding the mixing of saffron in Vimal Pan Masala.

• Allegation: The tagline "Daane Daane Mein Hai Kesar Ka Dum" (Every Grain Has Strength of Saffron) is claimed to be misleading.

• The Complaint argues that the product is harmful to health, potentially causing serious diseases such as cancer.

• The Company is accused of being aware of these harmful effects but continuing to promote misleading advertisements.

• The complainant seeks legal action against the involved actors and calls for an immediate ban on the misleading advertisements.

National Consumer Disputes Redressal Commission

• Established: 1988
• Type: Statutory Body (Consumer Protection Act 1986)
• Mandate: To Provides Inexpensive, Speedy and Summary Redressal of Consumer Disputes.
• Headed By: Sitting or Retired Supreme Court Judge or a Retired Chief Justice of a High Court.
• Jurisdiction: Handles Complaints where Dispute Value exceeds ₹2 Crore.

• Has Appellate and Revisional Jurisdiction over Orders from State Commissions and District Forums.

• Appeal Process: An Aggrieved Party can appeal to Supreme Court of India within 30 Days of NCDRC Order.
• Head Office: New Delhi

Canada’s PM: Selection Process

Mark Carney to Become Next Prime Minister After Winning Leadership Vote.

Leadership Vote

• Unlike in Australia and Britain, where Prime Minister is chosen by Legislators, Canada's Party Leaders are selected through a leadership vote by registered party members.
• Election follows a ranked ballot system across all 343 parliamentary constituencies (Ridings).
• Each Riding is assigned 100 points, which are distributed based on the percentage of votes a candidate receives.

Ranked Ballot

• Voting Process: Voters rank candidates in order of preference.
• Winning Requirement: A candidate must secure more than 50% of the total points to win.

• If no candidate achieves 50% or more in the first round, the lowest-ranked candidate is eliminated.

• Redistribution: Votes of the eliminated candidate are redistributed to the second-choice candidates.
• This process continues until one candidate achieves a majority

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

IPCC Begins Work on 7th Cycle of Assessment Report, Focusing on Global Warming Challenges and Scientific Knowledge.

Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

• Established: 1988 by World Meteorological Organization and United Nations Environment Programme.
• Objective: To assess scientific, technical, and socio-economic information related to understanding human-induced climate change, its potential impacts, and options for mitigation and adaptation.
• IPCC provides governments with scientific information to support the development of climate policies.
• 1st Assessment Report was released in 1990.

• 6th Assessment Report cycle concluded in 2023.

• Members: 195 countries
• HQ: Geneva (Switzerland)

UNESCO’s TWAS Award

Suman Chakraborty Wins TWAS (The World Academy of Sciences) 2026 Award in Engineering and Computer Sciences, Presented by UNESCO, for Innovations in Affordable Diagnostic Solutions for Medical Challenges.

UNESCO’s TWAS Award

• Established: 1985
• Type: Biennial Award (awarded every two years)
• Aim: To recognize excellence in scientific research in the Global South
• Eligibility: Open to individual scientists from developing countries who have been working and living there for at least 10 years
• Awarded By: UNESCO

ICC Champions Trophy 2025

India Ends 12-Year Wait, Secures Record-Extending Third Champions Trophy Title with 4-Wicket Win Over New Zealand.

ICC Champions Trophy

• A premier One Day International (ODI) cricket tournament featuring the world's top 8 teams.
• Originally called the ICC Knockout, it began in 1998 in Dhaka, Bangladesh.
• Renamed to ICC Champions Trophy in 2002.
• Held every 2 years until 2009, after which the event transitioned to a 4-year cycle.