·       It is the most authoritative global source of energy analysis and projections.

·       It identifies and explores the biggest trends in energy demand and supply, as well as what they mean for energy security, emissions, and economic development.

·       India is poised to face a higher increase in energy demand than any other country over the next decade, mainly because of its size and the scale of rising demand from all sectors.

·       According to the Stated Policies Scenario (STEPS), India is on track to add over 12,000 cars daily to its roads over the period to 2035.

·       Built-up space is set to increase by over 1 billion square metres annually. This is larger than the total built space in South Africa.

·       By 2035, iron and steel production are on track to grow by 70%. The cement output is set to rise by nearly 55%.

·       The stock of air conditioners is projected to grow by over 4.5 times, resulting in electricity demand from air conditioners in 2035 more than Mexico’s total expected consumption that year.

·       The total energy demand in India is set to increase by nearly 35% by 2035, and electricity generation capacity nearly triple to 1400 GW.

·       Coal is set to retain a strong position in the energy mix in India over the next decades, with the country projected to add about 60 gigawatts of new coal-fired power capacity by 2030.

·       Coal-based electricity generation is projected to increase by over 15 per cent.

·       Coal provided 40 percent of the energy used in industries like steel, cement, and manufacturing in 2023. By 2035, coal use in industry is expected to grow by 50 percent.

·       It prioritizes countries and territories where poverty and hunger are highest, national capacities are limited, or operational difficulties are greatest due to natural or man-made crises.

·       Approach: It uses geospatial, biophysical and socio-economic data, as well as advanced analytics to identify territories where agricultural transformation and sustainable management of forest and fisheries have the greatest potential for alleviating poverty and hunger.

·       Its area of intervention includes developing value chains for priority commodities, building agro-industries and efficient water management systems, introducing digital services and precision agriculture

·       Member countries: 72 countries have joined this Initiative.

·       It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.

·       The sanctuary was notified in 1974 and is spread over an area of 368 sq.km.

·       Topography: The sanctuary is characterized by its diverse topography, which includes hills, plateaus, and the catchment area of the Gandhi Sagar Dam on the Chambal River.

·       Vegetation: Northern tropical dry deciduous forest, Northern tropical dry mixed deciduous forest and Dry deciduous scrub.

·       Flora: The principal tree species found here are Khair, Salai, Kardhai, Dhawda, Tendu and Palash.

Fauna:

·       Herbivores like Chinkara, Nilgai, and Spotted Deer, and carnivores like the Indian Leopard, Striped Hyena, and Jackal are found in good numbers in the region.

·       It also has a good population of crocodiles, fish, otters, and turtles.

·       The objective is to reduce post-harvest losses in transporting perishable foods.

·       SARTHI containers have dual compartments to store fruits and vegetables, accommodating different temperature and humidity needs.

·       It integrates Internet of Things (IoT) technology for real-time monitoring. Sensors track temperature, humidity, ethylene, and CO2 levels, sending data to a mobile app for quality assessment.

·       This helps transporters make informed decisions, like rerouting produce to closer markets if spoilage is detected.

·       It is a historic and archaeological city located in southern Jordan.

·       It was the center of an Arab kingdom in Hellenistic and Roman times.

·       Petra was established in 312 AC, which makes it around 2000 years old.

·       It became the capital of the Nabateans people, an Arab tribe, who were referred to in the Bible.

·       Under Nabataean rule, Petra prospered as a centre of the spice trade that involved such disparate realms as China, Egypt, Greece, and India.

·       The Romans conquered Petra in 106 A.C, and they turned the territory into a Roman province of Arabia.

·       During the second and third centuries, Petra continued to grow, and in the seventh century, the Romans lost the power of Petra to Islam.

·       In the 12th century, Petra was once again taken by different leaders, and for a while, Petra was hidden until it was found by Swiss explorer Johann Ludwig Burckhardt in 1812.

Features:

·       Many of Petra’s buildings were carved directly into rocky sandstone cliffs.

·       The name Petra comes from the Greek word for “rock.”

·       The city of Petra was built on a terrace with the Wadi Musa (the Valley of Moses) running through it east to west.

·       The valley is enclosed by sandstone cliffs veined with shades of red and purple varying to pale yellow.

·       Petra is home to roughly 800 tombs, therefore known as the “Royal Tombs”, with the most renowned being ‘The Treasury’.

·       To support the ancient city’s large population, its inhabitants maintained an extensive hydrological system, including dams, cisterns, rock-carved water channels, and ceramic pipes.

·       Petra has also been referred to as the “Rose City” because of the color of the stones used in its buildings.

·       Petra has been a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985.