05 March 2025: Daily Current Affairs Updates

La Reunion ; GS-1(Geography) ▪️Why in the News:

At least four people died after cyclone Garance struck the French overseas territory of La Reunion recently.

• Reunion Island:

• Reunion Island is a French overseas territory located in the western Indian Ocean.

• It is situated approximately 680 km east of Madagascar and around 180 km southwest of Mauritius.

• The island spans an area of 2,511 square kilometers.

• Along with Mauritius and Rodrigues, it forms part of the Mascarene Archipelago.

• Geographical Features:

• The island is entirely volcanic in origin, rising from the ocean floor at a depth of about 4,000 meters (13,000 feet).

• It is characterized by rugged mountain terrain, with deep valleys carved by fast-flowing rivers.

MISHTI' Scheme; GS-2(Governance) ▪️Why in the news:

Gujarat has emerged as the national leader in mangrove afforestation, covering 19,020 hectares in just two years under the Centre's 'MISHTI' scheme.

• About the scheme:

• The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) is a government initiative aimed at expanding mangrove forests along coastal areas and salt pan lands.

• This initiative follows India's participation in the 'Mangrove Alliance for Climate,' introduced during the 27th Conference of Parties (COP27) to the UNFCCC in Egypt in November 2022.

The scheme was officially launched by the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change on World Environment Day, 5th June 2023.

> Objectives and Implementation:

• The MISHTI scheme aims to restore and reforest approximately 540 sq. km. of mangroves across 9 states and 3 union territories over five years, starting from 2023-24.

• While the primary focus is on the Sundarbans delta and the Hooghly Estuary in West Bengal, it also extends to other coastal and wetland areas across the country.

• The initiative provides financial support to local communities for mangrove plantation efforts.

• It incorporates public awareness campaigns to highlight the ecological significance of mangroves and their role in coastal protection and climate resilience.

> Funding and Support: The scheme utilizes financial resources from various government programs, including:

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS)

• Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) Fund.

EPIC Numbers; GS-2(Polity) ▪️Why in the news:

The Election Commission clarified recently that duplication in EPIC numbers on voter ID cards does not imply fake voters.

> Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC):

• The Electors Photo Identity Card (EPIC) is issued to all registered voters to prevent impersonation during elections.

• While it serves as an identity document, it does not grant voting rights unless the voter's name appears in the electoral roll.

• The issuance of EPICs is governed by the Registration of Electors Rules, 1960.

• Introduced in 1993, EPICs are issued by the state governments.

> Details Contained in an EPIC: Each EPIC includes the following information:

• Voter's name, age, and residential details

• Photograph of the voter

Facsimile signature of the Registration Officer

• Additional details as specified by the Election Commission (EC)

> EPIC Number Format: Each EPIC has a unique alphanumeric code, which consists of:

• Three alphabetical characters

• A seven-digit numerical sequence

The EPIC number includes a Functional Unique Serial Number (FUSN) corresponding to the specific Assembly constituency.

Geological Survey of India; GS-3(Env and Ecology) ▪️Why in the news:

The Geological Survey of India celebrated its 175th Foundation Day in Kolkata.

> Geological Survey of India (GSI):

• Established in 1851 by Sir Thomas Oldham, the Geological Survey of India was initially founded to identify coal reserves for the development of the railway network.

• Over time, it has expanded into a comprehensive repository of geoscientific data, supporting various fields across the country.

> Role of the Geological Survey of India:

• It is responsible for offering unbiased, precise, and up-to-date geological expertise and geoscientific information, catering to policy formulation, commercial needs, and socio-economic planning.

• A key aspect of its work involves the systematic documentation of geological phenomena, both on the surface and below, across India and its offshore regions.

The GSI conducts geological, geophysical, and geochemical surveys, utilizing advanced and cost-effective methodologies to enhance its research and exploration activities:

• Headquarters and Regional Offices:

• The Geological Survey of India is headquartered in Kolkata.

• It operates through six regional offices located in Lucknow, Jaipur, Nagpur, Hyderabad, Shillong, and Kolkata, with state units established in every state.

> Nodal Ministry:

• The GSI currently functions as an attached office under the Ministry of Mines.