29th July—Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains

To read it in Kannada, Please click here

11th July, 2025

Karnataka Government’s Plan to Introduce NCERT Textbooks from Class 1

• Currently, NCERT textbooks are used only for high school students (Classes 9 and 10) in Karnataka.

• The government has given approval to teach the NCERT syllabus in all state board schools, including government, aided, and private schools, to use NCERT textbooks from Class 1 onwards.

• The government is also considering scrapping/stopping the Nali Kali program. Many consider it to be a failure and it has led to a drop in the standard of education.

What is the Nali Kali Programme?

• Nali-Kali is an activity-based, child-centered teaching method used in Karnataka for students in Classes 1 to 3, mainly in government and aided schools.

How Nali-Kali Works:

• Multi-Grade Teaching: Students from Classes 1, 2, and 3 are taught together in one classroom by a single teacher.

• Activity-Based Learning: Instead of traditional textbooks, Nali-Kali uses learning cards, workbooks, and activities like games, stories, and rhymes to teach subjects like Kannada, English, math, and environmental studies (EVS).

• Self-Paced Learning: Children learn at their own speed, moving through “milestones” (learning stages) as they master skills. For example, in English, the focus is on listening, speaking, reading, and writing through interactive methods.

• Focus on Engagement: The program uses colorful materials and hands-on activities to keep children interested and make learning less stressful.

Why is Nali-Kali Considered a Failure?

The Karnataka government and teachers’ association believe Nali-Kali is not working effectively, and they have raised several concerns:

Poor Learning Outcomes:

• Teachers and officials say that students under Nali-Kali are not learning as well as expected. The multi-grade system, where one teacher handles three classes, makes it hard to focus on each student’s needs.

• The quality of education is declining, and students are not gaining the skills needed for higher classes. For example, in English, many schools don’t even use the Nali-Kali English kit, and teachers lack proper training to teach the language effectively.

Decreasing Enrollment:

• Government schools using Nali-Kali are seeing fewer students enrolling each year. Parents may prefer private schools or schools with NCERT textbooks, believing they offer better education.

Implementation Issues:

• Many schools face practical problems, such as missing Nali-Kali kits or materials. For instance, in Kalaburagi, the English Nali-Kali kit was unavailable in most schools, making it impossible to teach effectively.

• Teachers often lack proper training to use the activity-based method, especially for subjects like English, where they may not be proficient themselves.

Teacher Overload:

• The multi-grade system puts a heavy burden on teachers, who must manage students of different ages and learning levels at the same time. This makes it difficult to ensure quality teaching for all students.

12th July, 2025:

Sharavathi Pumped Hydro power project receives NBWL permission

• The board has approved the diversion of 42.51 hectares, or 105.05 acres, of forestland and 60.53 hectares, or 149.57 acres, of non-forestland from the Sharavati Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary.

• To read about the Sharavathi Pumped Hydro Power Project in detail and to learn how two pumped hydropower projects work, please click here.

What is the National Board for Wildlife?

A statutory body in India, established under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

Constitution and Composition

• Chaired by: The Prime Minister of India.

• Members: Include key government officials (e.g., ministers of environment, forests, and climate change), members of parliament, wildlife experts, representatives from non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders.

• Structure: The NBWL has a Standing Committee that handles most of its functions, including decision-making on projects impacting protected areas. The Standing Committee is chaired by the Union Minister of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change.

Functions and Responsibilities

• Policy Guidance: Provides policy-level guidance for wildlife conservation and management in India.

• Approval of Projects: Reviews and approves or rejects developmental projects (e.g., infrastructure, mining, or industrial activities) proposed within or near protected areas like national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tiger reserves to ensure minimal ecological damage.

• Conservation Initiatives: Advises on measures to protect endangered species, manage habitats, and mitigate human-wildlife conflict.

• Protected Area Management: Recommends the establishment or alteration of boundaries for national parks, sanctuaries, and other protected areas.

• Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Oversees the declaration and management of ESZs around protected areas to regulate activities that could harm wildlife.

• Coordination: Facilitates coordination between central and state governments for wildlife conservation programs.

Key Roles

• Ensures compliance with the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.

• Balances developmental needs with ecological conservation.

• Promotes research and monitoring of wildlife populations and habitats.

Sharavati Valley Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary:

• Sagar taluk, Shivamogga District

• Initially established in 1972 with an area of 431.23 km², it was expanded by incorporating the Aghanashini Lion-tailed Macaque Conservation Reserve (299.52 km²) and additional reserve forest blocks (200 km²) from Uttara Kannada and Shivamogga districts.

• It was renamed the Sharavathi Lion-tailed Macaque Sanctuary in 2019

• It features tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen, and moist deciduous forests, grasslands, and savanna.

• The Linganamakki Reservoir (124 km²) is within the sanctuary. The sanctuary shares its southwestern boundary with the Mookambika Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Apart from conserving the lion-tailed macaque, it also tries to save Myristica swamps.

Myristica Swamps:

• Myristica swamps are ancient, freshwater swamp forests found in very limited regions of the Western Ghats. They derive their name from the genus Myristica, which includes trees like wild nutmeg.

• These swamps are considered relic ecosystems, meaning they are remnants of a once widespread forest type that has now mostly disappeared.

• In Karnataka, they are found in the Uttara Kannada district—especially in the Aghanashini River basin, Yana, Siddapura, and Sirsi regions, and Shivamogga district—particularly in parts of the Sharavathi Valley.

Ecological Features

• The swamps are typically located along slow-flowing first-order streams in the evergreen forest zone.

• They remain waterlogged for most of the year due to perennial groundwater seepage.

• The soil is black, sticky, and rich in organic matter.

• The area is densely vegetated, and trees often have stilt roots and knee roots to adapt to the swampy conditions.

• They are carbon sinks due to high organic content in the waterlogged soils.

• Serve as biodiversity hotspots and breeding grounds for several rare species.

• Help in maintaining hydrological balance by storing and slowly releasing water.

• Act as natural filters for stream water.

Lion-Tailed Macaques

• One of the most endangered and distinctive primates found in India. It is endemic to the Western Ghats, including parts of Karnataka, Kerala, and Tamil Nadu.

• Medium-sized primate with a black body and a silver-white mane (like a lion’s) surrounding its face. Its tail resembles that of a lion—it has a long, slender tail with a tuft of hair at the end—hence the name “lion-tailed.”

• They mostly live in trees. Rarely come on the ground.

• In Karnataka, seen in Pushpagiri, Sharavathi Valley, Bhadra, Kudremukh, Agumbe, and Sirsi-Yellapur forests.

• The primate is omnivorous, consuming fruits, leaves, seeds, flowers, insects, and small vertebrates, but it primarily eats fruits.

• Plays a key role in seed dispersal in the forest ecosystem.

• Lives in small troops of 15–20 individuals.

• Highly territorial (protect their territory) and social, with complex grooming and vocal communication behaviors.

• Male-dominated hierarchy with strong maternal bonding.

• IUCN Red List: Endangered. Fewer than 4,000 individuals in the wild.

24th July, 2025:

Bengaluru Smart Infrastructure Limited (B-SMILE)

• Special Purpose Vehicle (SPV) established by the Government of Karnataka to spearhead large-scale infrastructure projects in Bengaluru

• Launched in 2025, B-SMILE is designed to address the city’s chronic urban challenges, such as traffic congestion, uncoordinated infrastructure development, and slow project implementation, by centralizing the planning, funding, and execution of major urban projects.

Objectives

• Centralized Execution: B-SMILE serves as a dedicated entity to streamline the implementation of large-scale infrastructure projects, reducing bureaucratic delays and ensuring professional oversight.

• Public-Private Collaboration: While fully owned by the state, B-SMILE is empowered to attract private investment, enabling innovative financing models for ambitious projects.

• Urban Transformation: The SPV focuses on projects that address Bengaluru’s pressing issues, such as traffic congestion, inadequate road networks, and the need for iconic urban landmarks, to position the city as a model for smart, sustainable urban development.

• Separation of Responsibilities: B-SMILE handles major infrastructure initiatives, allowing BBMP to focus on routine civic tasks like pothole repairs and minor roadworks, thus improving efficiency in urban governance.

Funding

B-SMILE has been launched with a significant financial commitment from the Karnataka government, supplemented by its ability to mobilize private capital:

• Initial Investment: The state government has pledged ₹7,000 crore as seed funding for B-SMILE, allocated in the state budget.

• Private Investment: B-SMILE is authorized to attract private sector funding, allowing it to pursue public-private partnership (PPP) models, such as the build-own-operate-transfer (BOOT) model used for its tunnel road project.

• Financial Autonomy: The SPV’s ability to collaborate with or financially support other entities may allow it to bypass certain provisions of the Karnataka Transparency in Public Procurements Act, facilitating faster project execution.

Key Projects

B-SMILE is tasked with implementing several high-profile infrastructure projects aimed at decongesting Bengaluru and enhancing its urban landscape. Notable projects include:

40 km Tunnel Road:

• B-SMILE has floated a global tender for a 40 km underground twin tunnel road project to decongest Bengaluru’s north-south corridor, connecting Hebbal Esteem Mall Junction to Silk Board KSRP Junction.

• The project is being developed on a BOOT model, with an estimated construction timeline of 4 years and 2 months per package.

City-Wide Network of Flyovers and Underpasses:

• B-SMILE is responsible for developing a network of flyovers and underpasses across Bengaluru to improve traffic flow and reduce congestion on major roads.

Roads Along Stormwater Drain Buffer Zones:

• The SPV will oversee the construction of new roads along the buffer zones of stormwater drains (rajakaluves), aiming to enhance urban mobility and utilize available land efficiently.

Outer Ring Road (ORR) Upgrade:

• B-SMILE has initiated a project to upgrade a 22-km stretch of Bengaluru’s Outer Ring Road, including both the main carriageway and service roads, to improve connectivity and ease congestion in key commercial areas.

25th July, 2025:

Forest dwellers, tribals in Karnataka will be allowed to graze livestock in forest areas

• This is allowed under the Forest Rights Act, 2006

What is the Forest Rights Act, 2006?

Key Objectives

• Rectify historical injustices by recognizing unrecorded rights and occupations.

• Ensure land tenure, food security, and livelihoods for forest dwellers.

• Strengthen forest conservation by assigning responsibilities to rights holders for biodiversity protection, ecological balance, and sustainable resource management.

• Prevent unlawful evictions and provide rehabilitation where necessary.

• Facilitate access to basic developmental facilities like education, health, and infrastructure, subject to conservation safeguards.

Rights Recognized Under the Act (Section 3)

The FRA categorizes rights into individual, community, and other forms, limited to pre-existing occupations as of December 13, 2005 (the cutoff date). It is not a land distribution scheme but a recognition of existing uses. Below is a table summarizing the main rights:

• Individual Forest Rights: The right to hold, live on, and self-cultivate forest land (up to 4 hectares per family) for habitation or livelihood, including the conversion of leases or grants into titles.

• Community Forest Rights: Collective rights over minor forest produce (such as non-timber products like bamboo and honey), grazing areas, water bodies, fishing, pastoral routes, and seasonal resource access for nomadic communities.

• Habitat and Cultural Rights: Rights for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) and pre-agricultural communities to access traditional habitats, biodiversity, and intellectual property over traditional knowledge and cultural diversity, excluding hunting opportunities or trapping wildlife.

• Management and Conservation Rights: Authority to protect, regenerate, conserve, and manage community forest resources for sustainable use and to stop destructive practices that affect forests, wildlife, or cultural heritage.

• Relief and Development Rights: Rehabilitation for illegal evictions or forced displacements, and allocation of forest land for community infrastructure such as schools, roads, and health centers, subject to restrictions for forest protection.

• Other Rights: Conversion of forest villages to revenue villages, rights over disputed lands, and nistar (customary) rights in reserved or protected forests.

These rights are inalienable but heritable, and they do not confer ownership for commercial exploitation.

Eligibility Criteria (Section 2)

• Forest Dwelling STs (FDSTs): Members of Scheduled Tribes who primarily resided in forests or forest lands before December 13, 2005, and depend on forests for bona fide livelihood needs.

• Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (OTFDs): Non-tribal forest dwellers who have resided in forests for at least three generations (75 years) prior to December 13, 2005, and depend on forests for livelihood. Eligibility can be proven at the community level.

Evidence includes oral testimonies, elder statements, or government records; no written proof is mandatory.

Claim Recognition Process (Section 6)

The process is decentralized and community-driven:

• Gram Sabha: Initiates by receiving claims, verifies them through a Forest Rights Committee (elected body with at least one-third women), and passes resolutions recommending rights.

• Sub-Divisional Level Committee (SDLC): Screens claims, verifies with evidence, and forwards to the next level; handles appeals against Gram Sabha rejections.

• District Level Committee (DLC): Final approval or rejection; comprises officials from the Forest, Revenue, and Tribal Welfare departments, plus three elected local body members.

• State Level Monitoring Committee: Oversees implementation, resolves inter-departmental issues, and monitors progress. Appeals can escalate to higher committees or courts. Monthly progress reports are submitted to the Ministry of Tribal Affairs.

Authorities and Responsibilities (Sections 4-6)

• Gram Sabha: Core authority for initiating claims, conserving resources, and consenting to diversions or resettlements.

• Government Bodies: SDLC, DLC, and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (nodal agency) for monitoring and guidelines.

• Rights holders must protect forests from destructive practices and report violations.

Provisions for Conservation and Resettlement (Section 4)

Relocation from critical wildlife habitats (e.g., tiger reserves) is permitted only if irreversible damage is proven, no coexistence is possible, and free informed consent is obtained from the Gram Sabha. Affected families receive compensation, secure livelihoods, and rehabilitation packages.

The Act integrates with the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation, and Resettlement Act, 2013, to prevent evictions without settlement.

For more Notes on Daily Karnataka Current Affairs for KAS Prelims and Mains, click here.