04 June 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

GS 2 (Governance / Land Reforms & Urban Development)

Land Pooling & RFCTLARR Act, 2013

News:

Rajasthan has announced its first-ever Land Pooling Scheme to facilitate land assembly

for roads, public infrastructure, and planned urban development.

What is Land Pooling?

• Land Pooling (also known as Land Readjustment) is a mechanism where

landowners voluntarily contribute their land to a development authority.

• After infrastructure development, a smaller but more valuable and serviced

plot is returned to the original owners.

• Typically, 25–45% of the pooled land is retained for roads, public amenities,

and open spaces, while 55–75% is returned to landowners as reconstituted

plots.

RFCTLARR Act, 2013

• Compulsory land acquisition in India is governed by the Right to Fair

Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and

Resettlement (RFCTLARR) Act, 2013.

• The Act seeks to ensure fair compensation, transparency, and proper

rehabilitation of affected families.

Key Provisions of the Act

• Consent Requirement:

• 70% consent of affected families for PPP projects.

• 80% consent for private projects.

• Social Impact Assessment (SIA):

• Mandatory before acquisition to assess social and economic consequences.

GS 3 (Environment & Ecology)

Agasthyamalai Ecological Landscape

News:

The Supreme Court has directed a time-bound removal of encroachments across the Agasthya alam Ecological Landscape.

About Agasthyamalai Ecological Landscape

• The landscape is centred around the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve,

established in 2001.

• It was included in UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2016.

• Located at the southernmost tip of the Western Ghats, it spans parts of

Kerala and Tamil Nadu.

Geographical Significance

• The region is dominated by Agastya Mala Peak (about 1,868 metres), situated

within the Neyyar landscape.

• It forms an important ecological corridor supporting rich biodiversity and

endemic species.

Rivers and Biodiversity

• The landscape serves as the origin of the Tambraparni and Karamana rivers.

• It is home to the indigenous Kani (Kanikaran) tribe.

• More than 2,000 medicinal plant species are found in the region, making it a

significant centre of traditional medicinal knowledge.

Ecological Importance

• Recognised as one of India’s biodiversity hotspots.

• Supports tropical evergreen forests, wildlife habitats, and crucial watershed

systems for southern India.

GS 1 (Geography – Mapping)

Kshipra (Shipra) River

News:

The Kshipra River system in Madhya Pradesh is

facing a severe water crisis as several of its tributaries are drying up.

About the Kshipra River

• Kshipra is a sacred river of Madhya Pradesh and is often referred to as the

“Ganga of Malwa.”

• It originates from Kakri-Tekdi Hill in the Vindhya Range, near Ujjain.

Course of the River

• The river flows northward across the Malwa Plateau.

• It passes through the historic city of Ujjain before joining the Chambal River.

• Its major tributaries include the Khan River and Gambhir River.

Religious and Cultural Importance

• The river is closely associated with the Ujjain Kumbh Mela (Simhastha), held

every 12 years on its banks.

• It is considered one of the most sacred rivers in central India.

Narmada–Kshipra Link Project

• Under the Narmada–Kshipra Link Project, water from the Narmada River is

pumped into the Kshipra to maintain river flow and meet regional water

requirements.