11th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

11th June, 2025 - Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs

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GS - I

Job Creation through “Uthpadana Manthana”

Uthpadana Manthana has already been explained in THIS post.

State identifies six key areas to create 20 lakh jobs in five years

Areas identified -

• aerospace and defence (including space tech and drones);

• electronics and semiconductors;

• capital goods and robotics;

• auto and electric vehicles;

• technical and MMF-based textiles, and

• consumer products such as FMCG, footwear, and toys.

• Aim is to create 20 lakh new jobs and mobilise ₹7.5 lakh crore investments in the next five years (Till 2030).

• To make Karnataka a Manufacturing hub in high end products.

• Focus will be to leverage free trade warehousing zones, export-oriented industrial parks, and faster port access.

Suggestions by experts to Increase Manufacturing in these 6 Key Areas:

• Integrating elective courses in electronics and semiconductor manufacturing into academic curricula with a focus on hands-on learning;

• Improving port connectivity in Mangalore and Chennai from industrial clusters to ease exports; and

• streamlining customs clearance procedures to enhance ease of doing business.

• Development of integrated industrial townships with plug-and-play infrastructure, last-mile connectivity, and social amenities.

Hakki Pikki Tribe

• Semi-nomadic Scheduled Tribe primarily found in Karnataka—especially in the Shivamogga, Davanagere, and Mysuru regions—with some presence in Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.

• In Kannada, hakki means “bird” and pikki means “catcher,” reflecting their traditional bird-hunting role.

• They speak Vaagri Boli (or Vaagri), an Indo-Aryan language similar to Gujarati and recognized by UNESCO as endangered.

• They follow a matriarchal social structure, practice cross-cousin marriages, and typically remain monogamous.

• In early 2023, around 31–181 Hakki-Pikki members from Karnataka who had traveled to Sudan to trade herbal medicines got stranded amidst conflict between rival armies.

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GS - II

Karnataka Government forms an Expert panel to revive Arkavati river

• Tributary of the Cauvery River

• Nandi Hills, Chikkaballapur district. Passes through Chikkaballapur, Bengaluru Rural, Ramanagara districts.

• Length - ~190 km. Joins Cauvery River at Sangama, near Kanakapura in Ramanagara district. Major Tributaries - Kumudvathi and Vrishabhavati (major urban stream carrying Bengaluru’s sewage).

Importance:

• Urban Water Supply: Key source of drinking water to Bengaluru from 1936 to 2000 via the Thippagondanahalli reservoir before the city shifted dependence to the Cauvery.

Issues:

• Pollution:

  
  

  • Urban sewage, especially from Vrishabhavati, heavily contaminates the river.

  • A January 2025 report by Paani.Earth highlighted severe pollution in the Arkavati, revealing high levels of physicochemical pollutants, pesticides, heavy metals, and hazardous organic compounds exceeding Indian and international standards.

• Encroachment:

  
  

  • Urban sprawl and illegal constructions have blocked and narrowed river paths.

    
    

• Over-extraction:

  
  

  • Excessive sand mining and groundwater withdrawal have reduced water flow.

    
    

• Drying of Streams:

  
  

  • Many stretches of Arkavati have become seasonal or dry, especially during summer.

    
    

Rejuvenation Plan:

• Karnataka Government has formed an Expert panel to rejuvenate the river through a public-private partnership (PPP) model.

• Agency - Bangalore Water Supply and Sewage Board (BWSSB).

• It will incorporate insights from voluntary organizations, academic institutions, and civic stakeholders.

• There is also a plan to supply water to the river under the Yettinahole Project.

• The initiative draws inspiration from grassroots efforts like Paani.Earth’s “Rivers for Life” project and the Kham River restoration in Aurangabad.

Tunnel Radio Communication System by South Western Railways in the Castle Rock–Kulem stretch

• Advanced Tunnel Radio Communication System in the Castle Rock–Kulem stretch of the Braganza Ghat, located on the Karnataka-Goa border within the Western Ghats.

• This is one of the most challenging railway sections in India. The 26-km section cuts through the Western Ghats and is known for its steep one-in-37 ruling gradient, dense forest cover, and iconic monsoon-fed Dudhsagar Falls.

• The lack of road access and a persistent “radio black-out” inside the 16 tunnels on this route have long posed safety and communication challenges.

• The new cutting edge radio communication system will boost safety and operational efficiency.

• The system would ensure continuous communication between train drivers, guards, station masters, and control rooms, even inside the tunnels.

The special task force to deal with communal violence in Karnataka

• This initiative was formalized through a government order issued on May 28, 2025. Also called Special Action Force (SAF).

• The formation of the SAF was prompted by a resurgence of communal violence in Karnataka’s coastal belt, particularly in Dakshina Kannada and Udupi, and parts of Shivamogga.

  
  

Personnel:

• The force comprises 248 officers and staff, including a Deputy Inspector General of Police (DIGP)-rank officer to lead the unit. These personnel are reassigned from the existing Anti-Naxal Force (ANF), which previously had 656 personnel. The remaining 376 ANF personnel will continue anti-Naxal operations for another three years, following intelligence about Maoist movements from Chhattisgarh and Jharkhand to Karnataka’s borders.

  
  

Organization:

• The SAF is structured into three companies, each stationed in one of the target districts: Dakshina Kannada (Mangaluru), Udupi, and Shivamogga. This allows for localized and rapid deployment in response to communal incidents.

  
  

Objectives and Responsibilities:

• Intelligence Gathering, Preventive Actions, Response to Incidents, etc.

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GS - III

Yoga-based Extension Services (YES) for Mental Health

• By NIMHANS. Initially at Tirthahalli and Turuvekere in Shivamogga and Tumakuru districts, respectively.

• Using Yoga sessions to cure Mental health Issues. YES will be a six-session, once a month face-to-face programme whenever a patient comes to the primary health centre/hospital for a follow-up, for a 30-45 minute duration.

• Brochures/videos depicting yoga practice with instructions in local language will be provided to encourage daily practice at home.

Honnavar Port Project: NGT dismisses appeals against the project

• Situated at the mouth of the Sharavathi River in Uttara Kannada district.

• The plan is to build a 4.9 mtpa (Million Tonnes Per Year) capacity port on Kasarakod in Honnavar. State environment authorities issued environment clearance (EC) in 2012.

• The project is facing opposition from fishermen and environmental activists who fear it will damage their livelihoods and the coastal ecosystem.

• They had filed the case in the NGT saying that the EC given in 2012 is not valid in 2025. 2012 EC was given by undertaking proper public hearing. However, 2025 EC was given without having public hearing.

• However, Karnataka govt argued that, there is no change in project details since 2012, so new public hearing is not required.

• NGT Agreed with this point and gave a green signal.

• Now Karnataka Government can go ahead with the project.

• The project is managed by the Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB).

Karnataka Maritime Board (KMB)

• Statutory body

• Set up in 2017.

• For the rapid development and management of Ports, Inland Waterways, Islands and the coastal region in the state of Karnataka.

• KMB has its offices at Karwar and at Bangalore. KMB provides and manages 13 non-major ports in the coastal districts of Karnataka.

• KMB is in the process of developing mega ports through PPP-route.

• KMB is also entrusted with the development of Inland Waterways, coastal tourism and related aspects.

Non-Major Ports under the Purview of Government of Karnataka

The state of Karnataka has a coastline of approximately 150 nautical miles (~320 km). It has a total of 13 non-major ports, stretching from Karwar Port in the north to Old Mangalore Port in the south.

The three coastal districts are:

• Uttara Kannada

• Udupi

• Dakshina Kannada

List of Non-Major Ports

• Karwar

• Keni

• Belekeri

• Tadadi

• Pavinakurve

• Manki

• Honnavar

• Bhatkal

• Kundapura

• Hangarakatta

• Malpe

• Padubidri

• Old Mangalore

Among these, Karwar and Old Mangalore are all-weather green-field ports. The remaining ports function as anchorage and lighterage ports.

What is Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA)?

Governed by the EIA Notification, 2006 under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Aims to assess environmental, social, and economic impacts of developmental projects.

Projects are categorized based on Environmental impacts:

• Category A (High impact): Cleared at the national level (MoEFCC).

• Category B (Low Impact): Cleared at the state level (SEIAA).

Appraisal Committees - To Clear the Projects under the EIA

National Level

• Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC):

  
  

  • Appraises Category A projects.

  • Sector-specific committees are there (e.g., Mining, Power, Infrastructure).

  • 15 members including environmentalists, engineers, and scientists.

  • Chair - an experienced ecologist, environmentalist, or technical professional.

  • Functions: Scrutiny of EIA reports, EMP, public hearing inputs, site visits, approvals and rejections.

    
    

State Level

• State Expert Appraisal Committee (SEAC):

  • Screens and appraises Category B projects.

  • Classifies into B1 (EIA required) and B2 (EIA not required).

  • Prepares recommendations for SEIAA.

• State Environment Impact Assessment Authority (SEIAA):

  • Grants final EC for Category B projects based on SEAC’s advice.

    
    

Stages in Environmental Appraisal

• Screening

  • Classifies projects:

  • Category A → Full EIA required.

  • Category B → Screened by SEAC into B1 or B2.

• Scoping

  • Defines Terms of Reference (ToR) for EIA study.

  • Involves public inputs and environmental concerns.

• Baseline Data Collection

  • Collects air, water, soil, biodiversity, and socio-economic data.

• EIA & EMP Report Preparation

  • Includes project description, impact prediction, risk assessment, and mitigation plan.

  • Submitted to SPCB and relevant authorities.

• Public Hearing

  • Conducted by SPCB, chaired by the District Collector.

  • Stakeholders express concerns, which must be recorded in the EIA.

• Appraisal

  • EAC/SEAC evaluates the proposal and recommends:

    • Approval with conditions

    • Rejection

    • Additional studies

• Decision-Making

  • MoEFCC/SEIAA issues clearance based on recommendations.

  • Forest clearance (if needed) is processed parallelly.

• Monitoring & Compliance

  • Six-monthly compliance reports submitted.

  • Regional MoEFCC offices monitor implementation.

    
    

Key Features of EIA Process

• Decentralized: Two-tier (national and state).

• Mandatory: For 39 major project types above ₹50 crore.

• Public Participation: Through hearings (limited in effectiveness).

• Transparency: Documents uploaded to govt. portals.

• Flexibility: Provisions for additional data, expert consultations.

  
  

Facial recognition attendance and Moral Science Lessons at govt schools

At government primary and high schools in two months’ time. Moral science lessons would be introduced at government schools.

Wildlife Protection (Amendment) Act, 2022 has made the scientific study of animals difficult

Earlier, the State Wildlife Board and Research Advisory Committee used to approve the applications after conducting interviews and viewing researchers’ presentations. However, after the amendment, approvals for all Schedule I and II species are being issued by the Union government. This is causing extreme delays in getting permission for doing wildlife research.

The Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022

• Improve protection and align Indian law with CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). Introduces a new Schedule IV for species listed in CITES Appendices, requiring permits for trade to ensure compliance. Schedules have been reduced from 6 to 4. Removes the vermin species schedule (previously Schedule V, e.g., crows, rats) to streamline classifications.

  
  

Schedules:

• Schedule I: Animals with the highest protection level (e.g., tigers, elephants), with strict penalties for violations.

• Schedule II: Animals with lesser protection than Schedule I (e.g., certain mammals, birds, reptiles).

• Schedule III: Protected plants, with cultivation requiring a license.

• Schedule IV: CITES-listed specimens for regulated trade.

  
  

Invasive Alien Species Regulation:

• Empowers the central government to regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation of non-native species that threaten wildlife or habitats (e.g., certain plants or animals).

  
  

Management and Scientific Authorities:

• Establishes a Management Authority to issue export/import permits for CITES-listed species.

• Creates a Scientific Authority to advise on the impact of trade on species survival, ensuring science-based decisions.

  
  

Conservation Reserves:

• Allows the central government, in addition to state governments, to notify areas adjacent to national parks and sanctuaries as conservation reserves to protect flora, fauna, and habitats.

  
  

Control of Sanctuaries:

• Entrusts the Chief Wildlife Warden (appointed by the state government) to manage sanctuaries per central government guidelines and approved management plans.

• Mandates consultation with Gram Sabhas for sanctuaries in Scheduled Areas or under the Forest Rights Act, 2006.

  
  

Surrender of Captive Animals:

• Permits voluntary surrender of captive animals or animal products to the Chief Wildlife Warden without compensation.

• Surrendered animals, if unfit for release, are sent to rescue centers; items become state property.

  
  

Captive Elephant Provisions:

• Allows transfer or transport of captive elephants for “religious or any other purpose” with a valid ownership certificate, subject to central government conditions.

• This clause has drawn criticism from animal protection groups for potentially enabling illegal trade or exploitation.

  
  

Increased Penalties:

• Raises fines for general violations from ₹25,000 to ₹1 lakh.

• Increases minimum fines for violations involving specially protected animals (Schedule I) from ₹10,000 to ₹25,000.

• Enhances penalties to deter poaching and illegal trade.

  
  

Prohibition on Firearm License Renewal:

• Prohibits renewal of firearm licenses under the Arms Act, 1959, for individuals residing within 10 km of a sanctuary, unless approved by the Chief Wildlife Warden.

  
  

Standing Committee for State Board for Wildlife:

• Mandates a Standing Committee under the State Board for Wildlife, including at least one-third non-official members and the Director of the Wildlife Institute of India or a nominee, to enhance decision-making.

  
  

Challenges for Scientific Research:

• The amendment’s complex permission process for studying scheduled species has led to delays and denials, hindering research critical for conservation.

  
  

Farmers want Almatti dam height to be raised from 519.6 metres to 524.25 metres

For complete understanding of Upper Krishna Project and Issues related to that, Read this - Click Here.