Definition of Forest
Supreme Court restrained the Centre and the states from taking any step that would reduce forest areas, until further orders.
- 2024 – SC directed the government to follow the definition of forest as laid down in the 1996 judgment in T.N. Godavarman Thirumalpad v. Union of India.
- It defines forests as all areas recorded as “forest” in any government (Union and State) record, irrespective of ownership, recognition, and classification.
Mount Taranaki
Recently New Zealand recognized Mount Taranaki as a legal person.
- Also known as Mount Egmont
- A stratovolcano
- Tall, steep, cone-shaped volcano with explosive eruptions due to its viscous magma and trapped gases.
- Located in Egmont National Park, New Zealand
- Considered sacred by the local Māori people.
Parvati Arga Bird Sanctuary
MoEFCC organised the World Wetlands Day 2025 celebrations at the Parvati Arga Ramsar Site.
- Location – Uttar Pradesh.
- Consists of 2 oxbow lakes, and a permanent freshwater wetland.
- Oxbow lake – Crescent-shaped lake formed when a meander of a river is cut off from the main flow, creating a standalone body of water.
- Protects the endangered Egyptian vulture.
- Threat – Invasive water hyacinth.
Tonnage Tax Scheme
Budget 2025-26 has expanded the tonnage tax scheme.
- Presumptive tax regime for shipping companies, allowing them to compute income based on the net tonnage of ships and operational days.
- Introduced in 2004 under the Indian Finance Act, 2004.
- Earlier available to sea going ships.
- Now it is available to inland vessels registered under the Indian Vessels Act, 2021
- Ministry – Ministry of Shipping (now part of the Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways)
Extra-Long Staple Cotton
Union Budget 2025 announced ‘Mission for Cotton Productivity’, with emphahsis on extra-long staple (ELS) cotton
- Premium cotton variety with a fiber length of 34.925 mm or more.
- Major producers – USA, Egypt, Sudan, India, Peru, Israel, China etc.
- Examples – Pima (USA), Peru (Israel), Giza (Egypt), Suvin & DCH32 (India), Barakat (Sudan).
- Major Producers in India: Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Madhya Pradesh etc.