Bodoland Territorial Council
Why in news?
The 2025 elections saw the Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) return to power, supported by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP).
About Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC)
- The Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) is an autonomous administrative body governing the Bodoland Territorial Region in Assam,
- It was established under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
- Aims to promote development and protect the ethnic, linguistic, and cultural rights of the Bodo people and other communities in the region.
- The BTC comprises 40 elected members and 6 appointed by the Governor of Assam, totaling 46 representatives known as Members of Council Legislative Assembly (MCLA).
History and Formation
- The BTC was formed in 2003 following a Memorandum of Settlement between the Bodoland Liberation Tiger Force (BLTF), the Government of India, and the Government of Assam.
- The BTC replaced the Bodoland Autonomous Council and began functioning in December 2003.
- The Bodoland Territorial Region was further formalized in 2020 after a major peace agreement involving the National Democratic Front of Bodoland (NDFB) and other stakeholders.
Structure and Membership
- The BTC comprises 40 elected members and 6 appointed by the Governor of Assam, totaling 46 representatives known as Members of Council Legislative Assembly (MCLA).
- Reserved seat breakdown: 30 for Scheduled Tribes, 5 for non-Scheduled Tribes, 5 open seats, and 6 nominated seats for unrepresented communities.
Powers and Competencies
- Agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, health, education, handlooms, sports and youth welfare, museums, urban development, tribal and minority welfare, tourism, industry.
- The council also has authority to levy taxes, fees, and tolls related to property, vehicles, goods entry, sanitation, employment, income, schools, and roads.
The BTC is designed to accelerate socio-economic progress in a previously marginalized region, address specific Bodo aspirations, and provide self-governance. It plays a key role in rural development, infrastructure enhancement, skill development, and cultural preservation.
Namchik-Namphuk Coal Mine
Why in news?
The Namchik-Namphuk Coal Mine is Arunachal Pradesh's first commercial coal mining project, located in the Changlang district of the state.
It marks a historic milestone for both the state and India's Northeast region.
Key highlights
- The coal mine holds reserves of approximately 1.5 crore tonnes (15 million tonnes), primarily of subbituminous and lignite grade coal, suitable for thermal power generation.
- The mine is operated by Coal Projects Private Limited (CPPL), with Coal Pulz Private Limited as the parent company.
- It is expected to generate annual revenue of over ?100 crore for the state and create significant employment opportunities for local youth.
- The launch aims to eliminate illegal mining, establish transparency in resource management, and set a precedent for responsible mining practices in the Northeast.
The Namchik-Namphuk coal mine is a landmark project for Arunachal Pradesh, promising economic transformation, job creation, and a model for sustainable development in India's resource-rich Northeast.
Exercise Konkan
Why in news?
Exercise Konkan 2025 is a significant bilateral naval exercise between the Indian Navy and the UK Royal Navy, commenced on October 5, 2025, off India's western coast.
Key points of Exercise Konkan 2025:
- Bilateral naval exercise between Indian Navy and UK Royal Navy, initiated in 2004, biennial since then.
- First-ever to involve aircraft carriers from both nations (INS Vikrant and HMS Prince of Wales).
- Two phases: Harbour phase (professional, cultural, and sports exchanges) and Sea phase (multi-domain maritime drills).
- The drills focus on anti-air, anti-surface, anti-submarine warfare, flying operations, and advanced seamanship.
- Reinforces India-UK strategic defense ties and maritime security under Vision 2035.
- Part of UK's Operation Highmast multinational deployment.
- Enhances regional security and stability with multinational participation (including Norway and Japan).
- Exercises enhance operational readiness, interoperability, and mutual understanding between navies.
This exercise signifies growing defense collaboration and a shared vision for rules-based maritime order in the Indo-Pacific.
INS Sahyadri
Why in news?
NS Sahyadri, recently made a port call at Kemaman Port in Malaysia on October 2, 2025, as part of the Eastern Fleet's operational deployment to the South China Sea and the Indo-Pacific region.
Key points
- INS Sahyadri is a stealth multi-role third frigate ship belonging to the Shivalik-class of the Indian Navy.
- The ship has a displacement capacity of around 6,800 tons and can reach a top surface speed of 32 knots.
- It is capable of detecting and neutralizing threats from air, surface, and subsurface.
- Weapons include Barak-1 and Shtil-1 3S90M missiles, BrahMos supersonic anti-ship missiles, and anti-submarine rocket launchers.
- It can carry multi-role helicopters.
- The ship features improved stealth and land-attack capabilities.
- INS Sahyadri is part of the Eastern Fleet of the Indian Navy, headquartered at Visakhapatnam.
- The ship has been awarded the 'Best Ship Trophy' multiple times and received a Unit Citation for excellence.
These features make INS Sahyadri a formidable and versatile warship exemplifying advanced indigenous naval technology.
Namo Biodiversity Park (Namo Van)
Why in news?
Namo Biodiversity Park (Namo Van) is Rajasthan's first biodiversity park, inaugurated at Pratap Bandh, Alwar on 5 October 2025 by Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change.
Key Features and Objectives:
- Green Infrastructure: Designed as a "green lung" for Alwar, the park increases local greenery and acts as a natural carbon sink, helping mitigate urban pollution and heat island effects.
- Preservation of Ecosystem: Focuses on planting native tree species from the Aravalli range to preserve local flora and fauna and ensure ecological balance.
- Environmental Awareness: Offers educational programmes and awareness centres to inform visitors about biodiversity, climate change, and sustainable living.
- Community Participation: Encourages active public engagement in conservation, fostering eco-friendly lifestyles and stewardship among citizens and students.
- Water Conservation: Incorporates rainwater harvesting and sustainable landscaping methods.
- Model for Urban Development: Serves as a pilot for similar urban ecological projects across Rajasthan and other Indian cities, supporting initiatives against desertification and afforestation.
Supports India’s National Biodiversity Action Plan and Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) initiative, contributing to climate adaptation and environmental sustainability.Represents an integrated approach where urban planning and conservation go hand-in-hand.
