Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH)

• About:
  • The HKH mountain range spans over 3500 kilometers across eight countries: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Nepal, Myanmar, and Pakistan.
  • The region contains one of the largest volumes of ice and snow outside of the Arctic and Antarctica.
  • 4 of the world’s 36 global biodiversity hotspots are found in this region. These are
    • Himalaya
    • Indo-Burma
    • Mountains of Southwest China and
    • Mountains of Central Asia
• Water Tower of Asia: The HKH is called the ‘Water Tower of Asia’. At least 12 rivers fan out in every direction across the Asian continent from HKH. The rivers are
  • The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra towards the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
  • Syr Darya and Amu Darya towards the now-dead Aral Sea
  • The Tarim toward the Taklamakan
  • The Yellow River towards the Gulf of Bohai
  • The Yangtze towards the East China Sea
  • The Mekong towards the South China Sea
  • The Chindwin, Salween and Irrawaddy towards the Andaman Sea

International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD)

• ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental organisation established in 1983.
• It works towards a greener, more inclusive and climate resilient Hindu Kush Himalaya.

Why in the New?

• International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) reported that the Ganga River basin, India's largest, reached a record low in snow persistence in 2024.
• The Brahmaputra and Indus basins are experiencing similar issues, jeopardizing water supply for millions.

What is Snow Persistence?

• Snow persistence is the fraction of time snow is on the ground. When this snow melts, it provides water to people and ecosystems.

Nalanda University

• About
  • Kumargupta, also known as Shakraditya founded the Nalanda University in the 5^th century A.D.
  • In the 1190s, Bakhtiyar Khilji, a Turko-Afghan military general, destroyed the university.
  • The ruins of Nalanda University was declared as a UNESO Heritage Site in 1980.
• Why in the News?
  • On 19^th June 2024 the Prime Minister of India inaugurated the new renovated campus of the Nalanda University at Rajgir, Bihar.
  • The University is conceived as a collaboration between India and East Asia Summit (EAS) countries.
  • The Campus is a ‘Net Zero’ Green Campus. It is self-sustainable with a solar plant, domestic and drinking water treatment plant, water recycling plant for reusing wastewater, 100 acres of water bodies and many other environment friendly facilities.
• East Asia Summit (EAS)
  • The EAS was established in 2005 as an Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-led initiative.
  • The EAS is the only leader-led forum in the Indo-Pacific that brings together all key partners to discuss political, security and economic issues of strategic importance.
  • The EAS operates on the principles of openness, inclusiveness, respect for international law, ASEAN centrality and ASEAN’s role as the driving force.

National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES)

• Why in the News?
  • The Union Cabinet has sanctioned the National Forensic Infrastructure Enhancement Scheme (NFIES).
  • It aims to bolster India’s forensic capabilities through strategic investments in infrastructure and manpower.
• About
  • The scheme is to be operated by the Union Home Ministry.
  • This is a central sector scheme (100% financed by the Central Government) with a total outlay of Rs 2254.3 crores.
  • The scheme will run from 2024-25 to 2028-29.
• Components under the scheme
  • Establishment of campuses of National Forensic Sciences University (NFSU) in India.
  • Establishment of Central Forensic Science Laboratories in India.
  • Enhancement of existing infrastructure of Delhi Campus of NFSU.