About Mombasa Declaration:

• It was adopted by 15 countries from Africa, Asia, Europe, the Caribbean, and the Pacific to step up efforts to combat illegal fishing.
• It calls on governments to improve access to information on fishing vessels, ownership, and licensing, and to strengthen data sharing to better track fishing activities and enforce regulations.
• It is named after the Kenyan city hosting the 11th Our Ocean Conference (OOC).
• Out of the more than 30 countries represented in the summit, Belgium, Cameroon, Chile, the Dominican Republic, France, Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Liberia, Panama, Papua New Guinea, Peru, the Republic of the Congo, Somalia, and South Korea signed the agreement.
• It is intended to curb illegal, unreported, and unregulated fishing, also known as IUU fishing, which threatens marine ecosystems and the livelihoods of millions of people who depend on fisheries.
• The declaration builds support for the Global Charter for Fisheries Transparency, a set of 10 policy principles aimed at improving governance through low-cost reforms, including modernizing vessel registries and publishing fishing authorizations.

Key Facts about Our Ocean Conference (OOC):

• Launched in 2014 by the U.S. Department of State and former Secretary of State John Kerry, the OOC is a major international platform that unites governments, businesses, NGOs, and academic institutions to drive ocean-related action and ambition.
• The conference focuses on six critical areas:
  • Marine protected areas.
  • Sustainable blue economy
  • Climate change
  • Maritime security
  • Sustainable fisheries
  • Marine pollution.
• 2026 OCC: Mombasa (Kenya) - Marking the first time the global summit was held on African soil, themed "Our Ocean, Our Heritage, Our Future"

About World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought:

• It is observed annually on June 17 to spread awareness about international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects of drought.
• History:
  • Desertification was identified as one of the greatest challenges to sustainable development during the Rio Earth Summit in 1992.
  • In 1994, the UN General Assembly established the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).
  • This legally binding international agreement linked the environment and development to sustainable land management.
  • In addition to the UNCCD, the UN proclaimed June 17 as World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought.
• In 2026, the theme “Rangelands: Recognize. Respect. Restore.” highlights the importance of rangelands—ecosystems that have long been undervalued despite their critical role.
• This year’s observance also aligns with the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.

What are Rangelands?

• Rangelands are expansive natural areas primarily characterized by native vegetation like grasses, shrubs, and forbs.
• Covering about 50% of the Earth's land surface, they play a vital role in supporting livestock, wildlife, and diverse ecosystems.
• These lands are not typically suitable for intensive agriculture due to limitations such as low precipitation and poor soil quality.
• Rangelands provide essential resources, including recreational opportunities and habitats for various animal species, while also serving as watersheds and mining locations.
• The dynamic nature of rangelands is influenced by numerous factors, including climate changes, grazing practices, and human encroachment.
• Rangelands store vast amounts of carbon and either originate or serve as freshwater catchment areas for most of the world’s largest rivers and wetlands.
• They support the lives of around two billion people worldwide, including many pastoralists and Indigenous Peoples whose knowledge and stewardship have sustained these landscapes for generations.
• Rangelands provide almost 70 per cent of livestock feed globally, making them critical to food systems.
• Indian rangelands occupy about 121 million hectares, from the Thar Desert to the alpine meadows in the Himalayas.
• According to the UNCCD ‘Global Land Outlook Thematic Report’, the area used for grazing is estimated at around 40 per cent of the total land surface of India, including grasslands (17 per cent), and forests (23 per cent).
• Around 70 per cent of rangelands are in the temperate region, however, a large share is considered underutilised, including degraded forest lands, land unsuitable for crop production, ravines, and wastelands.

International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists:

• The United Nations has declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists.
• Led by Mongolia and supported by a broad coalition of organisations, this initiative aims to raise awareness, encourage responsible investments and shape policies that safeguard rangelands and pastoralist livelihoods.
• Present in more than 75 percent of countries and managing at least one quarter of the world’s land, pastoralists herd about one billion animals worldwide.

The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD):

• It is the only legally binding international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management.
• It was set up to address desertification and the effects of drought.
• Adopted on June 17, 1994, it entered into force on December 26, 1996 after the 50th ratification was received.
• The UNCCD is one of the three Rio Conventions—along with the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)—and was called for in Agenda 21, the programme of action adopted at the 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development (UNCED, or Earth Summit).
• There are 197 Parties to the Convention, including 196 country Parties and the European Union.
• It works together to improve the living conditions for people in drylands, to maintain and restore land and soil productivity, and to mitigate the effects of drought.
• Parties to the Convention meet in Conferences of the Parties (COP) every two years, as well as in technical meetings throughout the year.
• The UNCCD permanent secretariat is located in Bonn, Germany.

National reporting:

• The UNCCD’s success relies on reliable, up-to-date information on drought, desertification and land degradation.
• Every 4 years, parties must report on the actions they have undertaken to implement the convention.

About India International Institute of Democracy and Election Management (IIIDEM):

• It was established in 2011 by the Election Commission of India (ECI) to serve as a premier global centre for electoral training, research, and capacity building.
• It functions under the direct supervision of the ECI and operates from its independent campus in Dwarka, New Delhi.
• In pursuance of its vision and mission, the key functions of IIIDEM are:
  • To promote and lay down standards for professional competence in election management
  • To innovate electoral processes to promote electoral integrity and ease of voting
  • To encourage and promote research and knowledge development
  • To develop training, academic, and capacity-building programs
  • To enrich democratic systems, values, and practices
  • To promote international cooperation and global engagements
• IIIDEM aims to achieve its vision and mission by following a strategy based on four key strategic pillars:
  • Strengthen National Programs
  • Expand Global Programs and Engagements
  • Encourage Research and Knowledge Development
  • Promote Sustainable Democracy and Election Management
• It holds domestic and international courses and training programmes that are residential and non-residential.
• IIIDEM collaborates and partners with various national and international organizations like the International Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance (International IDEA) on various aspects of democracy and election management.
• Through MoUs, bilateral engagements, international conferences, exposure visits, and customized capacity-building programs, IIIDEM fosters global cooperation.
• Flagship initiatives include the International Election Visitors’ Programme (IEVP) and the Master’s Programme in International Electoral Management and Practices (MIEMP) in collaboration with the Tata Institute of Social Sciences, Mumbai.

About Kishau Dam Project:

• It is a multipurpose dam project proposed to be built on the Tons river (a major tributary of river Yamuna) along the Uttarakhand-Himachal Pradesh border.
• Beneficiary States: Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan, Haryana, Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh.
• The project envisages construction of a concrete dam, thus creating an installed capacity of 4 x 165 MW (660 MW) of hydroelectric power, create an irrigation potential of 97,000 hectares, and supply 517 million cubic metres (MCM) water annually to Delhi, Rajasthan and Haryana.
• It will play a crucial role in enhancing the flow of fresh water into the Yamuna, particularly during lean seasons.
• For the construction of this project, a joint venture of Uttarakhand and Himachal Pradesh Government, Kishau Corporation Limited has been formed in the year 2017.
• Recent Consensus:
  • As part of the project, 90 percent of the water component will be funded by the Centre as central assistance and the remaining 10 percent will be borne by the six beneficiary states.
  • Himachal Pradesh’s share of water will be allocated to Delhi and Rajasthan in return for sharing the cost of Himachal Pradesh’s portion of the power component.

About Mishmi Takin:

• It is a species of goat-antelope belonging to the family Bovidae (order Artiodactyla).
• It is one of 4 subspecies of Takin, which vary in coat color.
• Scientific Name: Budorcas taxicolor
• Habitat and Distribution:
  • It is a native of the eastern Himalayas, including the mountainous regions of northeastern India, northern Myanmar, southeastern Tibet and parts of China.
  • The Mishmi Hills in Arunachal Pradesh is the region that gave the Mishmi Takin its name.
  • They inhabit a wide range of environments, from forested valleys to rocky alpine zones.
  • They can live at altitudes of up to 4,500 m and are well-equipped for mountain life.
• Features:
  • Horns are present in both sexes and run parallel to the skull before turning upwards to a short point.
  • It has a golden-yellow to dark brown coat. The coat is long and shaggy.
  • They also have oily skin secretions that coat their fur and protect them from the cold, damp climate.
  • They live in small family groups of around 20 individuals.
  • They are herbivorous (folivorous) animals.
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List: Vulnerable 

About REWARD Program:

• REWARD (Rejuvenating Watersheds for Agricultural Resilience through Innovative Development) program is a watershed development program which is being implemented in the States of Karnataka and Odisha.
• Time Period: 2021 to 2026
• Aim: The program aims to introduce modern watershed practices in the Department of Land Resources and in the States of Karnataka and Odisha.
• It is assisted by the World Bank.
• The REWARD program works on a financial instrument called “PforR” (Program for Results) which means World Bank will reimburse the loan amount against the achievement of Disbursement Linked Indicators (DLIs).
• Objective of REWARD: To strengthen capacities of national and state institutions to adopt improved watershed management for increasing farmers resilience and support value chains in selected watersheds of participating States”.
• The program focuses on two important result areas:
  • Strengthened institutions and supportive policy for watershed development:
  • Science based watershed development for climate resilience and enhanced livelihoods:

About United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD):

• It is a permanent intergovernmental body established by the United Nations General Assembly in 1964.
• It supports developing countries to access the benefits of a globalized economy more fairly and effectively.
• It provides economic and trade analysis, facilitates consensus-building and offers technical assistance to help developing countries use trade, investment, finance and technology for inclusive and sustainable development.
• It is part of the UN Secretariat.
• It reports to the UN General Assembly and the Economic and Social Council but has its own membership, leadership, and budget.
• It is also part of the United Nations Development Group.
• Members:195 nations (including India)
• Headquarter: Geneva, Switzerland
• It helps countries to:
  • Comprehend options to address macro-level development challenges
  • Achieve beneficial integration into the international trading system
  • Diversify economies to make them less dependent on commodities
  • Limit their exposure to financial volatility and debt
• Reports published by UNCTAD: Trade and Development Report, World Investment Report and The Least Developed Countries Report

About Kashmir Saffron:

• It is often called “red gold” for its distinctive aroma, flavour, and natural colouring properties.
• It is primarily cultivated in Pampore and nearby regions of South Kashmir.
• It has secured Geographical Indication (GI) tagin 2020.
• Characteristics: The saffron plant produces purple flowers with bright orange to red stigmas, which are carefully dried to obtain the highly valued spice.
• The saffron available in Kashmir is of three types: Lachha Saffron, Mongra Saffron and Guchhi Saffron
• Required Climatic conditions:
  • It grows at an elevation of 1,500-2,000 m above mean sea level.
  • Climate: Saffron cultivation requires explicit climatic conditions with temperatures ranging from not more than 35 degree Celsius or 40 degree Celsius in the summer to about -15 degree Celsius or -20 degree Celsius in the winter.
  • It can be grown in dry, moderate and continental climate types.
  • Soil: It thrives on loamy, sandy, and calcareous soils.
  • Saffron grows best on acidic soil. It thrives well when the soil pH is 5.5 to 8.5.
• In India around 90% of saffron production comes from Kashmir, where it has been grown for centuries.