NEWS:Summer set to be warmer, but El Nino unlikely during next monsoon: IMD

GS-1: Geography – Climatic Patterns, El Nino & Monsoon

Key Highlights
Forecast on El Nino & Monsoon Outlook

• IMD has ruled out El Nino conditions for the 2024 monsoon season.
• Neutral El Nino conditions expected, reducing the likelihood of monsoon disruption.
• In contrast, 2023 witnessed a 6% monsoon deficit due to El Nino.

Heatwave Projections & Regional Climate Concerns

• Above-normal summer temperatures expected before the monsoon.
• April to June may see 4–7 heatwave days, with temperatures exceeding 45°C or rising >5°C above normal.
• Eastern India may face up to 10 heatwave days.

Climatic Patterns & Previous Data

• 2023: Monsoon shortfall of 6% due to El Nino.
• 2022: 8% surplus rainfall under neutral ENSO conditions.

IMD’s Forecasting Approach

• Combines international models with regional oceanic trends, including Indian Ocean conditions.
• First detailed monsoon forecast expected in April.
• El Nino and La Nina are complex weather patterns resulting from variations in ocean temperatures in the Equatorial Pacific Region. They are opposite phases of what is known as the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO) cycle.
  
  
  • The ENSO cycle describes the fluctuations in temperature between the ocean and atmosphere in the east-central Equatorial Pacific.
  • El Nino and La Nina episodes typically last nine to 12 months, but some prolonged events may last for years.
• El Nino is a climate pattern that describes the unusual warming of surface waters in the eastern tropical Pacific Ocean.
  
  
  • It is the “warm phase” of a larger phenomenon called the El Nino-Southern Oscillation (ENSO).
  • It occurs more frequently than La Nina.
• La Nina, the “cool phase” of ENSO, is a pattern that describes the unusual cooling of the tropical eastern Pacific.
  
  
  • La Nina events may last between one and three years, unlike El Nino, which usually lasts no more than a year.
  • Both phenomena tend to peak during the Northern Hemisphere winter.

NEWS-2 :Significant increase in monsoon rainfall in Western Ghats over past 800 years

GS-1: Geography – Monsoon Patterns, Western Ghats, Climate Variability

Key Highlights
Historical Rainfall Trend in Western Ghats

• Study by Central University of Kerala finds a significant rise in monsoon rainfall over 800 years.
• Analysis based on lake sediments from Cheppandikere Lake (Madikeri, Karnataka).
• Data reconstruction covered the past 1,600 years to track long-term monsoon intensity trends.

Climatic Impact & Risk Factors

• Intensifying monsoon linked to more frequent and extreme rainfall events.
• Recent floods in Wayanad and Kodagu (2018, 2019) cited as evidence of climatic shifts.

Environmental & Policy Imperatives

• Highlights urgent need for:
  • Disaster preparedness
  • Sustainable land-use planning
  • Conservation efforts in Western Ghats
• Emphasis on long-term environmental policies to mitigate increasing monsoon-related risks.

Research Approach

• Study published in Quaternary International.
• Followed a multidisciplinary methodology combining geology, climate science, and environmental analysis.

NEWS-3 :NEP 2020 in the classroom, from policy to practice

GS-2: Education & Governance – NEP 2020 Implementation, Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN), NIPUN Bharat Mission

Key Highlights
Ground-Level Implementation of NEP 2020

• NEP 2020 emphasizes Foundational Literacy and Numeracy (FLN) by Class 2 as a national mission.
• ASER 2024 survey: Over 80% of 15,728 rural schools had received government directives to implement FLN.
• In over 75% of these schools, at least one teacher had received in-person FLN training.

Teacher Awareness & Classroom Change

• Observations in 24 classrooms across 8 States show growing teacher awareness and attitudinal shifts.
• Teachers articulated the new FLN focus and integrated revised pedagogical practices.

Challenges in Translation to Practice

• Classroom variability (e.g., multigrade setups, lack of space) makes uniform application difficult.
• Teachers faced limited training on practical classroom adaptations.

Post-Training Support for Teachers

• Post-training support varies by State:
  • Some lacked any follow-up mechanisms.
  • Others had monitoring visits or trainers available for consultation.
  • Rare cases had officials demonstrate FLN practices in classrooms.

Use of Teaching-Learning Materials (TLM)

• Though TLMs were available, many teachers used them in demonstration mode, not student-led.
• Issues included storage, material damage, and lack of clarity on usage.

Syllabus Completion vs. FLN Goals

• Syllabus completion pressure dominates over use of FLN-specific assessments.
• CCE (Continuous and Comprehensive Evaluation) often executed in traditional formats without impacting pedagogy.

NEWS-3:Tourism Ministry not utilising funds: panel

GS-2: Governance – Accountability in Public Administration, Centre-State Coordination

Key Highlights
Underutilisation of Funds

• Ministry of Tourism used only ₹396 crore of ₹2,479 crore allocated in 2024-25.
• Continues the chronic trend of low utilisation, with only 33.4% funds used in 2023-24.
• Committee calls explanations “inadequate” and symptoms of entrenched administrative inefficiency.

Panel Recommendations

• Urges structural reform and stronger coordination with implementing agencies.
• Recommends creation of Tourism Implementation Rating System (TIRS) to rank States by efficiency.
• Suggests a Digital Project Management System for real-time data, automated alerts, and smoother fund flow.

Performance-Based Incentives

• High-performing States to get priority funding, recognition, and relaxed procedures.
• Encourages data-backed governance using models like Tamil Nadu’s tourism footfall analytics

Different Initiatives Related to Tourism in India?

• Boosting Tourist Place Attractiveness:
  • Swadesh Darshan Scheme: The Swadesh Darshan Scheme was launched to develop theme-based tourist circuits across India, leveraging cultural, historical, and natural heritage.
    • Improved infrastructure and tourist experiences in circuits like the Buddhist Circuit, Coastal Circuit, Desert Circuit, and Eco Circuit.
  • PRASAD Scheme: Focuses on the development and beautification of pilgrimage sites.
  • HRIDAY (Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana): Aims to preserve and revitalize heritage cities.
  • Paryatan Parv: A nationwide campaign to encourage domestic tourism, involving cultural events and activities
  • Dekho Apna Desh Initiative: Dekho Apna Desh Initiative encourages domestic tourism by promoting the exploration of India’s diverse landscapes and cultural heritage.
  • Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat: Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat promotes cultural integration through state pairings, encouraging exchange and collaboration and fostering unity and diversity, enhancing domestic tourism and cultural appreciation.