Karnataka Current Affairs of 6th June, 2025

GS II: Governance Issues - Recent Stampede in Bengaluru and Issues Involved

I. Governance and Administrative Failures

1. Violation of Permission Protocol

   
   

   Keyword: Unauthorised Event

   
   

   The RCB management and KSCA proceeded with the event at Chinnaswamy Stadium despite explicit denial of police permission. The announcement was made on social media without official clearance, triggering mass mobilisation. This violated standard procedures for public event regulation.

2. Inadequate Crowd Risk Assessment

   
   

   Keyword: Crowd Mismanagement

   
   

   Despite deploying 1,318 police personnel (a 67% increase over usual match days), the force was insufficient for a crowd estimated at 2.5 lakh. Stadium capacity is only 32,000. This massive gap in expectation versus reality indicated failure in crowd forecasting and contingency planning.

3. Absence of Senior Officials

   
   

   Keyword: Leadership Vacuum

   
   

   The senior police officer responsible for stadium security was not present at the venue during the crisis. This led to a delay in crisis decision-making such as crowd dispersal or lathi-charge to control the mob.

4. Lack of Inter-agency Coordination

   
   

   Keyword: Institutional Disconnect

   
   

   The State government authorised an event at Vidhana Soudha, while KSCA hosted another at the stadium. No integrated planning between departments (Police, KSCA, State Secretariat) caused confusion and delayed response.

5. Ineffective Barricading and Zoning

   
   

   Keyword: Failure of Physical Infrastructure

   
   

   Crowds from Vidhana Soudha merged with those at the stadium. Lack of barricades and zonal separation facilitated overcrowding and made movement uncontrollable.

6. No Accountability for Commercial Organisers

   
   

   Keyword: Corporate Impunity

   
   

   RCB, a commercial IPL franchise, triggered a mass gathering through unilateral announcements without coordinating with authorities. No pre-emptive or punitive framework exists to hold such entities accountable for public disorder.

   
   

II. Recommendations for the Future

A. Legal and Policy Measures

• Mandatory Police Clearance before Mass Announcements

  
  

  Keyword: Pre-event Regulation

  
  

  No sporting body or private organisation should announce any large-scale public event (crowd >10,000) without official police clearance.

• Penal Provisions for Violations

  
  

  Keyword: Criminal Accountability

  
  

  IPC Sections (e.g., 304A – causing death by negligence, 336 – endangering life or personal safety) should be invoked where public safety norms are breached. Also invoke Disaster Management Act, 2005, for accountability in large-scale crowd incidents.

• Event Safety Certification

  
  

  Inspired by the UK’s Safety of Sports Grounds Act (1975). State authorities must issue clearance after checking crowd management plans, infrastructure readiness, and inter-agency preparedness.

  
  

B. Administrative and Operational Reforms

• Unified Command and Control

  
  

  Keyword: Single-Point Authority

  
  

  Appoint an Event Incident Commander for major gatherings, coordinating police, disaster response, and health departments.

• Dynamic Crowd Estimation Using Technology

  
  

  Keyword: Smart Surveillance

  
  

  Use AI-enabled surveillance, mobile signal analysis, and drones to monitor crowd density in real-time.

• Zoning and Barricading Protocol

  
  

  Keyword: Movement Control

  
  

  Clearly mark entry/exit points, create overflow holding zones, and prevent crowd merging with barricades and route diversions.

• Clear communication, effective policing and proper advance notice

  
  

C. Structural and Cultural Changes

• Public Awareness Campaigns

  
  

  Keyword: Crowd Discipline

  
  

  Mass awareness drives to educate citizens on crowd behaviour, safety protocols, and avoiding overcrowded areas.

• Code of Conduct for Franchises and Celebrities

  
  

  Keyword: Responsible Messaging

  
  

  Establish a regulatory framework where sports franchises must adhere to public safety laws and be penalised for unsanctioned mass mobilisation.

  
  

III. Relevant Committee Recommendations

Committee/Report	Key Recommendation Relevant to This Incident
Justice Usha Mehra Committee (2013)	Recommended centralised authority and inter-agency coordination for large public events.
NDMA Guidelines on Crowd Management (2014)	Emphasised risk analysis, mock drills, clear evacuation plans, and proper barricading.
Mukherjee Committee (2006)	Recommended accountability for officials, use of zoning techniques, and deployment based on crowd forecasts in religious gatherings.

BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) Model – Basic Features

The BOOT model is a type of Public-Private Partnership (PPP) where a private entity builds, owns, and operates a project for a defined period before transferring it to the government.

Key Features:

• Build: The private party constructs the infrastructure project using its own capital or borrowed funds.

• Own: The private party has ownership rights over the asset during the concession period.

• Operate: The private entity manages and maintains the project, recovers investment through user charges, toll, or annuity payments.

• Transfer: After the concession period (say 20–30 years), the asset is transferred back to the government, usually free of cost and in good condition.

  
  

Example: Recently Karnataka Cabinet cleared a proposal to implement a ₹17,780-crore tunnel road project from Hebbal to Silk Board in Bengaluru under the BOOT (Build-Own-Operate-Transfer) model.

II. Other Infrastructure Development Models

Model	Full Form	Key Features	Ownership & Transfer
BOT	Build-Operate-Transfer	Private builds and operates; ownership lies with govt	No ownership by private player; transfer is built-in
BOO	Build-Own-Operate	Private builds, owns and operates indefinitely	No transfer; ownership stays with private entity
DBFOT	Design-Build-Finance-Operate-Transfer	Comprehensive version of BOT; private designs, builds, finances, operates and transfers	Ownership during concession; asset handed over later
EPC	Engineering-Procurement-Construction	Govt funds the project; private does design and construction only	Govt retains full ownership; no operations by private
HAM	Hybrid Annuity Model	Govt pays 40% during construction; 60% paid as annuity during operation	Ownership with govt; O&M done by private party
OMT	Operate-Maintain-Transfer	Govt builds; private only operates and maintains	No construction risk; transfer after O&M period
BOOT (again)	Build-Own-Operate-Transfer	Private builds, owns, operates, and later transfers to govt	Ownership for fixed time; transferred after recovery

III. Summary of Key Distinctions

Aspect	BOT	BOOT	BOO	HAM	EPC
Private funds project	Yes	Yes	Yes	Partly	No
Owns the asset	No	Yes (temporarily)	Yes	No	No
Transfer to govt	Yes	Yes	No	Yes	Not applicable
Govt bears financial risk	No	No	No	Partly	Yes
Best suited for	Roads, Ports	Power Plants	Telecom	Roads	Govt-funded infra

GS II - Geography and GS III - Agriculture and Climate Change

Issue - How changing monsoon patterns altering farming timelines and yields in Malnad Region (Source - The Hindu)

A. Rain Data

• Southwest Monsoon arrived in Kerala on May 24, 2024, a week earlier than normal — earliest in 16 years (since 2009).

• Karnataka's Pre-Monsoon Rainfall (March 1 – May 31, 2024):

  
  

  Actual rainfall: 286 mm

  
  

  Normal rainfall: 115 mm

  
  

  Excess: +148% (highest since 1901)

  
  

• Rainfall in May alone:

  
  

  Actual: 219 mm

  
  

  Normal: 74 mm

  
  

  Departure: +197%

  
  

• Malnad region (Shivamogga, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Kodagu):

  
  

  Actual: 443 mm

  
  

  Normal: 163 mm

  
  

  Excess: +172%

  
  

B. Issues Faced by Different Crops and Reasons

1. Maize

   
   

   Problem: Mechanised harvesting failed due to early rain; crops had high moisture.

   
   

   Impact: Lower market price (~₹2,300 per quintal) and yield loss of up to 5 quintals per farmer.

   
   

   Reason: High moisture content and inability to dry or store crops under cloudy weather.

2. Paddy

   
   

   Problem: Fields waterlogged before harvest.

   
   

   Impact: Grains rotted in the field, resulting in complete yield loss in some cases.

   
   

   Reason: Sudden, intense rainfall at the harvesting stage.

3. Arecanut

   
   

   Problem: Increased incidence of Yellow Leaf Disease (YLD), leaf spot, and fruit rot.

   
   

   Impact: Severe loss in yield, especially in high-rainfall areas like Shivamogga.

   
   

   Reason: Excess moisture creates conditions conducive to fungal and bacterial diseases. Less impact in drier districts like Davangere and Chitradurga.

4. Coffee

   
   

   Problems:

   
   

   - Pruning and fertilisation delayed.

   
   

   - "Wet feet" condition: roots unable to absorb nutrients due to waterlogging.

   
   

   - Pinhead drop — early-stage coffee berries fall off.

   
   

   - Labour shortage as workers migrated when operations paused due to rain.

   
   

   Impact: Disruption of crop cycle; reduced yield and delayed berry development.

   
   

   Reason: Heavy rains during key operations; loss of timing and workforce.

   
   

C. Causes

• Climate change and variability:

  
  

  - Unpredictable monsoon patterns.

  
  

  - Shifting rainfall timelines (early onset, excess rain).

  
  

  - Droughts and floods occurring within short time frames.

• Global emissions and inaction:

  
  

  - Developed nations continue to emit CO₂.

  
  

  - Vulnerable farming communities in poorer countries bear the brunt.

• Misaligned agricultural calendars:

  
  

  Farmers forced to abandon traditional sowing, fertilising, and harvesting schedules.

• Labour disruptions:

  
  

  Safety concerns and delays pushed workers to leave, disrupting crop operations.

  
  

D. Way Forward

• Localized climate advisories:

  
  

  Provide real-time, region-specific weather alerts to guide farm activities.

• Drainage and disease management:

  
  

  Improve field drainage in plantations to reduce fungal infections. Develop and promote disease-resistant varieties (e.g., for YLD in arecanut).

• Adjust farming calendars:

  
  

  Revise crop calendars based on emerging climate patterns. Start adaptive planning at the community level.

• Labour and input security:

  
  

  Ensure continuous availability of farm labour during weather interruptions. Enhance crop insurance to cover climate-related risks.

• Global climate responsibility:

  
  

  Developed nations must support mitigation and adaptation in vulnerable regions.

• Promote Karnataka’s environmentally responsible practices:

  
  

  - Growing coffee under natural forest canopy.

  
  

  - High organic matter in soil.

  
  

  - Rainwater harvesting.

  
  

PlantWise: A Tool for Ecological Restoration in the Western Ghats

Interactive web tool developed to assist ecologists, restoration practitioners, and forest managers in choosing native evergreen tree species best suited for ecological restoration in the Western Ghats.

Suggests site-specific evergreen species based on:

• Climatic profile

• Elevational data

Aids in scientifically guided recovery of degraded evergreen forests. Help in selecting native and ecologically appropriate species.

Developed by: Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), BITS Pilani – Hyderabad campus, Thackeray Wildlife Foundation, In partnership with Ecological Restoration Alliance.

Which of the following best reflects the underlying philosophy of the PlantWise tool with regard to species selection for ecological restoration in the Western Ghats?

• A) Promotion of fast-growing, climate-resilient exotic species to accelerate canopy recovery.

• B) Introduction of globally distributed species with proven economic benefits for local livelihoods.

• C) Recommendation of tree species based on aesthetic appeal and ease of transplantation across varied regions.

• D) Prioritization of native evergreen species specifically suited to local ecological conditions and biogeographic zones.

  
  

Answer: D) Prioritization of native evergreen species specifically suited to local ecological conditions and biogeographic zones.

Explanation: PlantWise is designed to recommend native species that naturally occur in a given site, rather than exotic or alien species that may harm ecological balance. It emphasizes scientifically guided, biogeographically appropriate restoration.

Which of the following institutions was not directly involved in the development of the PlantWise tool?

• A) Nature Conservation Foundation

• B) BITS Pilani – Hyderabad Campus

• C) Wildlife Institute of India

• D) Thackeray Wildlife Foundation

  
  

Answer: C) Wildlife Institute of India

Explanation: The PlantWise tool was developed by Nature Conservation Foundation, BITS Pilani – Hyderabad campus, and Thackeray Wildlife Foundation. Wildlife Institute of India was not mentioned as a partner.

The PlantWise tool primarily supports restoration of which type of forest ecosystem in the Western Ghats?

• A) Deciduous forests

• B) Evergreen forests

• C) Mangrove forests

• D) Dry thorn forests

  
  

Answer: B) Evergreen forests

Explanation: PlantWise focuses on identifying native evergreen tree species, which are crucial for restoring evergreen forest ecosystems in the Western Ghats.

Which data science technique is used by PlantWise to predict suitable tree species for a given site?

• A) Time series analysis

• B) Regression trees

• C) Species Distribution Models (SDMs)

• D) Neural networks

  
  

Answer: C) Species Distribution Models (SDMs)

Explanation: PlantWise uses species distribution models, which incorporate environmental variables and occurrence data to suggest appropriate native tree species.

Which of the following statements about PlantWise is correct?

• A) It recommends tree species based on visual appearance.

• B) It uses artificial intelligence trained on satellite imagery.

• C) It is designed to minimise commission errors in species recommendation.

• D) It is meant only for academic research, not field use.

  
  

Answer: C) It is designed to minimise commission errors in species recommendation.

Explanation: PlantWise aims to reduce commission errors, ensuring that species are not wrongly suggested for areas where they do not naturally occur.

Over what percentage of evergreen tree species in the Western Ghats are endemic to the region, making localised restoration essential?

• A) 30%

• B) 45%

• C) 60%

• D) 75%

  
  

Answer: C) 60%

Explanation: More than 60% of evergreen tree species in the Western Ghats are endemic, which is why the PlantWise tool focuses on site-specific and native restoration.

Inter-District Water Issues - Hemavathi Branch Canal Project

What is Hemavathi Branch Canal Project?

• The project aims to supply Hemavathi water to Kunigal Taluk in Tumakuru district.

• 240-km-long

• Runs from Channarayapatna in Hasan to Kunigal in Tumakuru

• To supply drinking water to drought affected Kunigal Taluk in Tumakuru.

What is Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project or Kunigal Express Link Canal or Sriranga Drinking Water Project?

• Aims to address drinking water shortages in Magadi (Bengaluru South, formerly Ramanagara district) by channeling water from the Hemavathi River to Sriranga Lake in Magadi.

• ₹1,000-crore project entails taking water from the nearly 240-km-long Tumakuru branch canal (that runs from Channarayapatna to Kunigal) at the 70-km mark and bringing it to the same canal at the 165-km mark through a 34.5 km underground pipeline.

• Currently, Kunigal gets water from the Tumakuru branch canal after it meanders through Gubbi, Turuvekere, Tumakuru Rural, and Tumakuru. The express canal project cuts the distance by about 60 km.

• 83 lakes in Magadi taluk will be filled using this water (0.67 tmcft of water) for drinking water and rejuvenation of ground water

Controversy - .

• Farmers in Tumakuru are protesting as they believe that due to diversion of water from Tumakuru branch canal to Magadi Taluk in Ramanagara, Kunigal and other villages in Tumakuru will get less water.

Actual Facts:

• As per The Hindu, 25.3 tmcft of Hemavathi is supposed to be distributed among 14 taluks across Tumakuru, Mandya, Hassan, Chikkamagaluru, Chitradurga, and the erstwhile Ramanagara districts through the Tumakuru branch canal.

• Magadi is one of the beneficiary taluks proposed to receive 0.67 tmcft or about 2.64% of the total allocation in the Tumakuru branch canal for drinking water purposes. Of the total, 6.8 tmcft has been earmarked for drinking water schemes.

Committee: The committee that recommended the supply of water to Kunigal through the Hemavathi Express Link Canal Project was a technical committee formed on July 3, 2024, and led by retired engineer Arvind D. Kanagile.

Karnataka State Launches District Officers’ Upskilling Initiative with Infosys

For: district-level officers

Why? To improve problem solving skills of grassroots workers. How to effectively implement state and central plans in the district. How to formulate district plans.

Bengaluru is Now the Leopard Capital of India 🐆

Survey Overview

• Conducted by: Holématthi Nature Foundation (HNF)

• Lead Researcher: Sanjay Gubbi

• Duration: One-year camera trap survey

• Area covered: 282 sq km

• Method: Over 250 camera traps deployed in: Bannerghatta National Park (BNP), Turahalli, Turahalli Gudda, B.M. Kaval, U.M. Kaval, Roerich Estate, Gollahalli Gudda, Sulikere, Hesaraghatta, Marasandra, Manduru, etc. around Bengaluru.

  
  

Findings

• Estimated 80–85 wild leopards in Bengaluru's fringes.

• 54 leopards inside BNP

• ~30 leopards outside BNP in reserved, deemed, and private forests

• Bengaluru has now surpassed Mumbai’s 54 leopards, becoming the metro with the highest number of free-ranging big cats

• Total 34 mammal species photo-captured:

  
  

  - 4 Endangered, 4 Near Threatened (IUCN Red List)

  
  

  - 22 species under Schedule I, 5 under Schedule II of Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

  
  

As per the 2025 HNF survey, which metro city in India has the highest population of free-ranging big cats?

• A) Mumbai

• B) Bengaluru

• C) Pune

• D) Hyderabad

  
  

Answer: B) Bengaluru

Explanation: Bengaluru has 80–85 wild leopards, surpassing Mumbai’s 54.

How many leopards were documented in Bannerghatta National Park (BNP) during the 2025 survey?

• A) 47

• B) 40

• C) 30

• D) 54

  
  

Answer: D) 54

Explanation: 54 leopards were photographed inside BNP.

What is the primary conservation concern regarding the translocation of leopards into BNP as per HNF’s recommendations?

• A) It disrupts tourism

• B) It causes deforestation

• C) It increases conflict within BNP and avoids addressing source problems

• D) It reduces prey species inside BNP

  
  

Answer: C) It increases conflict within BNP and avoids addressing source problems

Explanation: HNF recommends halting leopard translocation into BNP and addressing human-leopard conflict at source sites.

Basics of Caste Census 📜

History of Caste Census in India

🏛️ 1. Under British Rule

Year	Key Points
1871	The first census of British India attempted to classify people based on caste, tribe, religion, and occupation.
1881 to 1931	Each decennial census from 1881 to 1931 systematically enumerated caste and sub-caste data. These censuses were used to develop colonial ethnographic theories (like the concept of “Martial Races”).
1931	Last census to include full caste enumeration (including OBCs and all other castes). Headed by J.H. Hutton, it collected detailed caste-wise population data. This data still influences policy today.
1941	Due to World War II, caste data was not collected properly and was never fully published.

🇮🇳 2. Post-Independence (1951 Onwards)

Year	Status of Caste Enumeration
1951 onwards	Caste enumeration discontinued in the regular census (except for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes).
SC/ST data	Collected in every census from 1951 onwards, as per Articles 341 & 342 of the Constitution.
OBCs and others	Not counted in any regular census since 1951.
Rationale	The government believed caste enumeration would reinforce caste identities and complicate data processing in a newly independent, secular republic.

3. Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC), 2011

Aspect	Details
Conducted by	Jointly by the Ministry of Rural Development and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation (not Registrar General of India)
Components	3 parts: Rural (by MoRD), Urban (by MoHUPA), Caste data (by Ministry of Home Affairs)
Objective	Identify socio-economic status of households, especially for welfare schemes
Result	Data on socio-economic conditions released, but caste data not released due to inconsistencies and classification issues.
Controversy	The caste data had over 40 lakh castes/sub-castes, with major classification anomalies, making it unfit for policy use.

4. Current Status and Future Plans

Year	Update
2021 Census	Scheduled to include caste data, but delayed due to COVID-19.
2023–2024	Several states (e.g., Karnataka, Bihar, Odisha, Jharkhand) began conducting their own caste surveys.
April 2026–March 2027	The next national Census will include caste enumeration for the first time since 1931, as per recent announcements.