BPSC Bihar Special • Current Affairs22 September 2026
Bihar Current Affairs: Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve, Defence Modernization & Bilateral Security Accords
Source: Information & Public Relations Department (IPRD Bihar) / Official Gazettes•Exam Target: BPSC 71st & 72nd CCE Prelims
BPSC 72nd Special Dossier — Track A, Day 13
1. Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve: India's 13th UNESCO WNBR Site
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Geographic Extent: Located primarily in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh, covering an area of 7,770 sq. km in the high-altitude Trans-Himalayan region (altitudes ranging from 3,300 to 6,600 metres).
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Rain Shadow Ecology: Positioned on the leeward side of the Great Himalayas, preventing monsoon clouds from penetrating, creating an arid, cold, high-altitude desert with temperatures dropping below -30^\circ\text{C} in winter.
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Component Protected Areas:
1.
Pin Valley National Park (Core Area)
2.
Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary
3.
Chandratal Wildlife Sanctuary & Ramsar Wetland
4.
Sarchu High-Altitude Plains
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Biodiversity Profiles:
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Fauna: Apex flagship predator is the Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia), supported by prey species including Himalayan Ibex, Blue Sheep (Bharal), Tibetan Wolf, and Himalayan Brown Bear.
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Flora: Dominated by alpine steppe grasslands and Sea Buckthorn (Hippophae rhamnoides), an indigenous nitrogen-fixing, drought-tolerant shrub rich in Vitamin C, flavonoids, and soil-binding roots.
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Global Recognition: Officially inducted into UNESCO's World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR), becoming India's 13th UNESCO-inscribed Biosphere Reserve (out of 18 national reserves).
2. Strategic Defense & Environmental Coexistence: DRDO Wheeler Island
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Conservation Precedent: In a historic display of ecological sensitivity, the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) voluntarily suspends all missile flight tests from Wheeler Island (Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Island, Odisha) between January and March every year.
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Ecological Rationale: High-intensity lighting, sound detonations, and thermal flares from missile launches disorient hatchlings and nesting female Olive Ridley sea turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea).
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Mass Nesting (Arribada) Habitats:
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Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: The world's largest rookery for Olive Ridley turtles.
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Rushikulya River Mouth (Ganjam district): Over 5 lakh sea turtles arrive annually for mass nesting.
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Devi River Mouth & Chandrabhaga Beach.
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Legal & Protective Status: Classified under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, and listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. Mechanized trawler fishing is strictly banned within 20 km of the Odisha coast during nesting season.
3. Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC) & Bilateral Security Architecture
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Integrated Theatre Commands (ITC):
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Apex defense reform led by the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) to integrate individual operational doctrines of the Army, Navy, and Air Force under single geographical commanders.
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Planned operational theaters:
1.
Western Theatre Command (Jaipur) — focused on western borders.
2.
Northern Theatre Command (Lucknow) — dedicated to northern and eastern borders.
3.
Maritime Theatre Command (Karwar) — securing the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
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Bilateral Logistics & Security Accords:
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LEMOA (Logistics Exchange Memorandum of Agreement): Foundational defense agreement between India and the United States enabling mutual logistical access to military bases, port facilities, and refueling services.
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Complemented by COMCASA (secure communications) and BECA (geospatial intelligence).
4. Viksit Bharat @ 2047: The 'GYAN' Framework & Budgetary Initiatives
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The GYAN Pillars: The comprehensive vision for a developed India by 2047 is anchored on four societal pillars:
1.
G — Garib (Poor): Multidimensional poverty alleviation, targeted Direct Benefit Transfers (DBT), housing, and sanitation.
2.
Y — Yuva (Youth): Skill enhancement, entrepreneurial credit, startup incubators, and modern educational infrastructure.
3.
A — Annadata (Farmers): Doubling farmer incomes, agricultural value chains, solarization of irrigation pumps, and climate-resilient seeds.
4.
N — Nari Shakti (Women): Women-led development, self-help groups (Lakhpati Didis), and workforce participation.
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Biopharma SHAKTI: Announced in Union Budget 2026 to transform India into an international biomanufacturing powerhouse by setting up 3 new NIPERs (National Institute of Pharmaceutical Education and Research) and upgrading clinical trial ecosystems.
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Bharat-VISTAAR AI Tool: Voice-first multilingual AI tool for farmers integrating AgriStack, ICAR research packages, and meteorological forecasts accessible via phone (155261) and mobile apps.
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4-Stream Waste Segregation Protocol:
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Green Bin: Wet / Biodegradable organic waste.
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Blue Bin: Dry / Recyclable waste (paper, plastic, metal).
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Red Bin: Domestic Hazardous Waste (batteries, paints, chemicals).
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Yellow / Black Bin: Sanitary and E-waste.
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