Category: State Current Affairs

K.C. Valley project

News –

• The groundwater level in parts of Kolar has risen significantly under the K.C. Valley project.

Koramangala-Challaghatta (KC) Valley project,

• Launched by – Karnataka government in 2018,
• Objective – It treats 440 million litres of sewage daily from Bengaluru and transports it through pipelines to refill 122+ dried lakes in the drought-prone Kolar and Chikkaballapur districts.
• Significance – By 2026, it increased groundwater levels by 50-100 ft in Kolar.

Key Details of the KC Valley Project:

• Goal: To mitigate water scarcity in rural districts while addressing sewage treatment for Bengaluru.
• Process: Secondary-treated wastewater is piped to local tanks, where natural soil filtration acts as a tertiary treatment to replenish groundwater.
• Project Cost: Estimated at over ₹6,000 crore, funded partially by a World Bank loan and a matching central government contribution.
• Recharged Regions: Primarily benefits rural areas in Kolar and Chikkaballapur.

Benefits and Impact:

• Groundwater Recharge: Significant rise in water tables within the targeted districts.
• Agricultural Support: Farmers are accessing the replenished water for irrigation.
• Environmental Rehabilitation: Aims to revive ecosystems in previously dried-out tanks.

Four South African cheetahs to Bengaluru

News –

• Four South African cheetahs—two males and two females—arrived at Kempegowda International Airport in Bengaluru.
• This arrival marks the return of cheetahs to Karnataka after roughly 70 years.

Key Details of the Arrival

• Source & Exchange: The animals were sourced from South Africa’s Induna Primate and Parrot Park as part of a formal exchange programme.
• Quarantine: The cheetahs are undergoing a 30-day quarantine at the Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP).

About

• India declared the cheetah extinct in 1952, after decades of over-hunting, habitat fragmentation, and depletion of prey species.
• The launch of Project Cheetah in 2022 and the arrival of cheetahs from Namibia and South Africa created the world’s first intercontinental relocation programme for a large carnivore.
• Botswana – It’s a landlocked country with nearly 70% of its landmass covered by the Kalahari Desert, and holds one of the world’s largest wild cheetah populations.

Project Cheetah

• Overview: Project Cheetah is India’s ambitious attempt to reintroduce the cheetah in suitable open forest and grassland ecosystems.
• Launched By: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), a statutory body under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (amended 2006).
• Uniqueness – It is the world’s first intercontinental translocation of a large wild carnivore.

Translocations So Far:

• 8 cheetahs from Namibia in 2022
• 12 cheetahs from South Africa in 2023
• 8 cheetahs from Botswana (2025 announcement)

Cheetah(Acinonyx jubatus)

• It is the world’s fastest mammal and the only large carnivore to have gone extinct in India (1952).
• Unlike other big cats, cheetahs do not roar.
• There are two main species: the African cheetah (Vulnerable) and the Asiatic cheetah (Critically Endangered), found only in eastern Iran and parts of Africa.​

Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-26

News –

• Karnataka’s tourism industry experienced a massive post-pandemic boom, with total visitor numbers exceeding 30.21 crore in 2025.

Karnataka Tourism Policy 2020-26

• Objective – It aims to position Karnataka as a top global tourism destination by focusing on safety, high-quality experiences, and sustainable socio-economic development.

Core Vision & Strategic Focus

• The policy adopts a 360-degree marketing strategy under the brand “One State, Many Worlds”.
• Safety & Hygiene: Emphasizing “new normal” standards to restore tourist confidence post-pandemic.
• Infrastructure: Developing “World-Class” infrastructure at key destinations and creating standardized Wayside Amenities along major tourism routes.
• Digital Initiatives: Leveraging a user-friendly mobile app, website, and analytics-driven decision-making to improve visitor experience.

The policy identifies 18 distinct themes to diversify offerings:

• Adventure & Coastal: Focus on land, water, and air-based activities and achieving “Blue Flag” certification for beaches.
• Culture & Heritage: Positioning Mysuru as a global cultural hub and establishing heritage tourism zones around UNESCO sites like Hampi.
• Nature & Wellness: Using Jungle Lodges and Resorts (JLR) as the nodal agency for Eco-Tourism.
• Specialty Themes: Including Agri-Tourism, Caravan Tourism, Film Tourism, and MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions)

Building Small Town Water Resilience in Chikkaballapur District

News –

• The “Building Small Town Water Resilience in Chikkaballapur District” project, was launched in April 2026

About –

• It aims to improve water security for 300,000 residents across six drought-prone towns (Chikkaballapura, Bagepalli, Gowribidanur, Shidlaghatta, Gudibande, and Chintamani) in Karnataka.
• Supported by the CDRI and implemented by IIHS,
• Significance – This initiative focuses on risk-informed planning, water audits, and treated wastewater reuse to combat water shortages.

2025-26 Karnataka state literary and cultural awards

News –

• The Karnataka Kannada and Culture Department, led by Minister Shivaraj Tangadagi, has announced the 2025-26 state literary and cultural awards, highlighting eminent achievers

Key Award Highlights (2025-26):

• Pampa Award: Noted writer Devanuru Mahadeva has been selected for this prestigious award.
• Basava National Award: Awarded to religious personality Siddarama Sharana of Beldale.
• Bhagwan Mahaveer National Peace Award: Awarded to BhanuKeerthi Bhattaraka Swami of the Jain Mutt in Kambadahalli.

Literary & Theatre Awards:

1. K.G. Kundanagara Gadinada Sahitya Award: Allabhaksh Meerasaheb Mirji
2. Danachintamani Attimabbe Award: Sukanya Maruthi
3. Dr. Gubbi Veeranna Award: G.V. Sharada
4. B.V. Karanth Award: Prasanna
5. Dr. Siddalingaiah Literary Award: Gangarama Chandala
6. Kumaravyasa Award: Kallinatha Shastry

Art & Dance Awards:

1. Varna Shilpi Venkatappa Award: V. Hari Ram
2. Jakanachari Award: Ashok Gudigar
3. Natyarani Shantala Award: Prathibha Prahlad

Folklore & Social Awards:

1. Janapadasri Award: M. Mahadevaiah and B. Lakshmana
2. Sangolli Rayanna Award: Siddanagouda Patil
3. Akka Mahadevi Award: K. Neela
4. Kayakayogi Siddarameshwara Award: S.G. Siddaramaiah

Additional Information – Pampa Award (Pampa Prashasti)

• It is the highest literary honour in Karnataka.
• Established in 1987. It is named after Adikavi Pampa, the first great Kannada poet.
• Focus: Exceptional lifetime contribution to Kannada literature.
• Prize: ₹5 lakh cash, a citation, a memento, and a shawl.
• Latest Winner (2025-26): Devanur Mahadeva has been selected for the upcoming cycle.
• Historical Fact: The first recipient was Kuvempu in 1987 for his epic Sri Ramayana Darshanam.

Yana Caves

News –

• The Yana Caves, located in Karnataka’s Uttara Kannada district, were officially declared a Geo-Heritage Site of National Importance by the Geological Survey of India (GSI) in April 2026.

Key Geographical & Geological Features:

• Location: Situated in the Western Ghats near Gokarna, within the Kumta forest range of the Sahyadri mountains.
• Composition: Composed of solid, black dolomitic limestone that has been shaped by karstification (dissolution of rock by water).
• Geo-Heritage Status: Recognized by the GSI for their scientific and cultural value, featuring 61 distinct karst formations in the surrounding 3 km radius.
• Geological Age: The rock formations are estimated to be around 2,700 million years old.

Mythological & Cultural Significance:

• Bhasmasura Legend: Local lore associates the blackened appearance of the rocks with the fire from the episode where Lord Vishnu (as Mohini) tricked the demon Bhasmasura into burning himself.
• Temple Site: A cave temple dedicated to Lord Shiva (Bhairaveshwara) exists at the base of the larger peak, attracting many pilgrims.
• A small stream called Chandihore, believed to be sacred, originates from the roof of the caves and flows into the Aghanashini river.

Significance

• Environment & Biodiversity: The site is nestled in the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats (a UNESCO World Heritage Site).
• Geography: Excellent example of karst topography (fissures, caves, sinkholes) in a tropical region.
• Culture: Represents the intersection of geology and mythology.

Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) 2.0

News –

• The Karnataka government will launch Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) 2.0 on April 17, 2026, in New Delhi during the ‘Bridge to Bengaluru 2026’ event.

Global Innovation Alliance (GIA) 2.0

• Objective – This initiative aims to strengthen international technology partnerships, support startups with global market access, and deepen sector-specific collaborations in areas like AI and deep tech.
• The event will feature over 80 countries, aiming to position Karnataka as a global innovation gateway.

e-Swathu 2.0

News –

• Minister Priyank Kharge announced crucial upgrades to the e-Swathu 2.0 platform to resolve technical glitches and improve user experience

E-Swathu 2.0

• It is an upgraded digital platform launched by the Karnataka government in late 2025 to manage rural property records.
• Mandate – It aims to eliminate land fraud by mandating geo-tagging (GPS mapping) for every property before issuing essential documents like Form 9 and Form 11.

Key Features of E-Swathu 2.0

• Mandatory Geo-Tagging: Properties must be physically mapped with GPS coordinates to link digital records to their exact spatial location.
• Unique PID Number: Every verified property receives a unique Property Identification (PID) number, creating a “digital fortress” against fake claims.
• Simplified Applications: Supports Aadhaar-based verification and online tracking for property ownership and tax data.

Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL)

News –

• Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL) achieved its highest-ever hydropower generation, producing 15,509 million units (MU) in the 2025–26 financial year.

Karnataka Power Corporation Limited (KPCL)

• It is a premier power generation company owned by the Government of Karnataka.
• Established in July 1970, it is responsible for the investigation, design, construction, and operation of major power projects across the state.

Power Generation Portfolio

• KPCL operates a diversified fleet with a total installed capacity of approximately 8,846.305 MW

Major Ongoing & Proposed Projects

• Sharavathy Pumped Storage: A massive 2,000 MW project aimed at grid stabilization and energy storage.
• Yelahanka Combined Cycle Plant: A 370 MW gas-based project in its final stages of commissioning.
• Bidadi Waste-to-Energy: An 11.5 MW project converting municipal waste into power.

Karnataka second-largest hub in India for public charging infrastructure

News –

• Karnataka has emerged as the second-largest hub in India for public charging infrastructure, often surpassing Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu in deployment.

Karnataka Clean Mobility Policy 2025–2030

• Launched in – February 2025
• Objective – to position Karnataka as Asia’s premier hub for clean mobility innovation and manufacturing.
• It targets ₹50,000 crore in investments and the creation of 1,00,000 new jobs by 2030.

Key Objectives and Targets

• Infrastructure Expansion: Aims to install 2,600 additional charging stations through public-private partnerships (PPP), bringing the state’s total to over 8,000.
• Sectoral Transition: Encourages 100% conversion of e-commerce delivery fleets to electric or hydrogen-powered vehicles by 2030.
• Manufacturing Clusters: Development of world-class mobility clusters in Gauribidanur, Dharwad, and Harohalli to integrate OEMs, suppliers, and R&D centers.
• Sustainable Public Transport: Promotion of e-rickshaws for last-mile connectivity and expansion of shared bus services outside major urban centers.