SDG India Index 2023-24

The SDG India Index 2023-24 was recently released by the Niti Aayog.

• SDG India Index 2023-24 is the 4th edition of the country’s principal tool for measuring national and subnational progress on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG).
• It is released today by NITI Aayog.
• It measures and tracks national progress of all States and UTs on 113 indicators aligned to the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation’s (MoSPI) National Indicator Framework (NIF).
• The SDG India Index computes goal-wise scores on the 16 SDGs for each State and UT.
• Overall State and UT scores or Composite Scores are generated from goal-wise scores to measure the aggregate performance of the sub-national unit based on its performance across the 16 SDGs.
• These scores range between 0–100, and if a State/UT achieves a score of 100, it signifies it has achieved the targets.
• The higher the score of a State/UT, the greater the distance covered to the target.
• NITI Aayog has the twin mandate to oversee the adoption and monitoring of the SDGs in the country and promote competitive and cooperative federalism among States and UTs.
• The Index represents the articulation of the comprehensive nature of the Global Goals under the 2030 Agenda while being attuned to the national priorities.
• The SDG India Index 2023-24 demonstrates the increase in composite scores across all States, with improvements ranging from 1 to 8 points.
• The composite score for India has improved from 2018 to 2020-21 to 2023-24.
• The score on the Income and gender inequality decreased and score on poverty has improved.
• Not all the 17 Sustainable Development Goals are included in the composite score and Goal 14 has been excluded in the calculation of the Composite Score for the Index as it solely pertains to the nine coastal States.
• The composite score for India improved from 57 in 2018 to 66 in 2020-21 to further to 71 in 2023-24.
• The score on the Income and gender inequality decreased and score on poverty has improved.

Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises’ (AgriSURE)

AgriSURE was recently launched by the NABARD to provide financial support to agricultural start-ups and rural enterprises.

• Agri Fund for Start-Ups & Rural Enterprises' (AgriSURE) aids to support start-ups and agripreneurs through investments in:
  • Sector-specific, sector-agnostic, and debt Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs) and
  • Direct equity support to start-ups working in Agriculture and allied sectors.
• It aims to foster innovation and sustainability in India's agricultural sector through the establishment of an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).
• The fund will offer both equity and debt support, specifically targeting high-risk, high- impact activities in the agriculture value chain.
• The fund will focus on innovation in agriculture, enhancing the farm produce value chain, creating rural infrastructure, generating employment, and supporting Farmers Producer Organizations (FPOs).
• The fund will also encourage IT-based solutions and machinery rental services for farmers.
• NABVENTURES, a wholly-owned subsidiary of NABARD, will be the Fund manager of AgriSURE.
• The fund is designed to operate for 10 years, extendable by two or more years.

State Maritime & Waterways Transport Committee

The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) is all set to convene the State Maritime & Waterways Transport Committees (SMWTC).

• The committee aims to ensure comprehensive development of maritime and waterways transport across India, expanding its reach to include the remaining states.
• To recognize the need for a unified approach to manage and integrate the waterways transportation sector, the Ministry has established SMWTCs to coordinate various initiatives and schemes within each state.
• These committees will be pivotal in consolidating efforts and providing focused leadership in the maritime and waterways sector.
• The Chief Secretary or Additional Chief Secretary of the concerned state will act as the chairman of the committee.
• The members include representatives from major ports, maritime boards, state PWD, Inland Waterways, Department of Tourism, Department of Fisheries, Railways, NHAI and Customs and so on.
• Currently, SMWTCs have been constituted in 13 states including Andhra Pradesh, Mizoram, Himachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Puducherry, Rajasthan, Bihar, Assam, Goa, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Lakshadweep.
• The Ministry of Ports, Shipping, and Waterways (MoPSW) plans to establish them in all 30 coastal and waterways states and UTs of India.

Squalus Hima

It was recently discovered at the Sakthikulangara fishing harbour in Kerala, along the Arabian Sea.

• Squalus Hima is a new species of dogfish shark that belong to Squalus genus and Squalidae family.
• Distinctive Features – Smooth dorsal fin spines and angular short snout.
• Small mouth almost as wide as the snout and body without spots.
• Significance – Differs in morphological, meristic, and morphometric characteristics.
• Economic Importance – Liver oil contains high levels of squalene/squalene.
• Used in pharmaceutical and cosmetic industries and fins and meat also have commercial value.
• Conservation Concerns – Exploited for liver oil, particularly in southern India and Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

Camel (genus Camelus)

Year ‘2024’ has been declared as the ‘Year of the Camelids’ by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the population of camel is on the decline in India.

• Camel, (genus Camelus) is any of three species of large ruminating hoofed mammals of arid Africa and Asia known for their ability to go for long periods without drinking.
• The three species of camel are:
  1. Arabian camel, or dromedary (Camelus dromedarius)
  2. Domesticated Bactrian camel (C. bactrianus)
  3. Wild Bactrian camel (C. ferus)
• Arabian camel, or dromedary (Camelus dromedarius) – It is a single humped camel that is confined to the arid and semi-arid regions of Rajasthan, Gujarat and Haryana in India.
• It is a swift domestic species not found in the wild.
• It has longer legged and slimmer than the Bactrian (two-humped) camel.
• The population of camel has declined in India whereas it has increased in other parts of the world (Pakistan, Middle East, and Africa).
• Reasons for Decline – Prohibition on exporting camels across state borders and out of India.
• Disappearance of grazing areas and lack of value chains for camel products.
• Mechanization and industrialization of livestock
• Conservation Efforts – Rajasthan government's subsidy of Rs 10,000 for newborn camels.
• Rajasthan government has announced has announced Camel Conservation Mission as part of the 2024-25 state budget.
• Natives camel species in India – Bikaneri Camel, Jaisalmeri Camel, Kachchhi Camel, Mewari Camel and Jalori Camel.