Atomic Energy Mission

In the Union Budget 2025-26, the 'Atomic Energy Mission' was launched to increase India's nuclear energy capacity.

Goal: To promote nuclear energy capacity by promoting research and development of small modular reactors (SMRs).

Under this mission, at least five indigenously developed small modular reactors will be commissioned by the year 2033.

Budget allocation: ₹20,000 crore

Under the mission, the Atomic Energy Act, 1962 and the Civil Liability for Nuclear Damage Act will be amended to promote private sector participation in the construction and operation of nuclear power plants.

Significance:

In line with the target of achieving 100 GW of nuclear power capacity by the year 2047 and net zero carbon emissions by the year 2070.

At present, India is dependent on conventional sources like coal for about 75% of its energy needs. Therefore, this mission will be important to establish nuclear energy as an important source.

Currently, nuclear power plants are owned and operated by Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited and its wholly owned subsidiary Nuclear Power Corporation of India.

India's current nuclear power capacity

India's current nuclear power capacity is less than 8 gigawatts (7,480 MW), comprising 23 nuclear reactors.

The government aims to triple the current capacity to 22,800 MW by 2031-32.

India's nuclear power capacity is much lower than other major countries such as the US, China and France.

This is mainly due to the extremely high cost of setting up a nuclear power plant, which is further increased due to land acquisition complexities, environmental lobbying and other hurdles.

China has emerged as a leader in this field, with the world's first onshore small modular reactor facility 'Linglong One' to be unveiled in 2026.

There are currently about 80 commercial SMRs worldwide. Designs are underway, including India's own Bharat Small Modular Reactor.

The current government aims to install about 40-50 such nuclear reactors in the next decade.

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Which American Nation Is the First to Exit China’s BRI?

China's foreign ministry said on Friday that it opposes the U.S. for "smearing and disrupting" the Belt and Road Initiative in Panama. Panama has officially submitted its withdrawal from the initiative. After taking office, Donald Trump also issued a warning to Panama. 

China's foreign ministry stated on Friday that it opposes the United States' "smearing and sabotage" of the Belt and Road Initiative in Panama through "pressure and coercion" following the South American country's decision to withdraw from the initiative.

China expressed its deep sadness at Panama's decision at a routine press meeting, according to ministry spokesperson Lin Jian.

"We hope that Panama will remove outside meddling and make the appropriate choice based on the long-term interests of both peoples and the state of bilateral relations overall," he continued.

Panama Withdraws from China's BRI

Following a meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio this month, President Jose Raul Mulino announced on Thursday that Panama had formally submitted a document to withdraw from the Belt and Road Initiative. However, he disputed that the United States had requested the move.

According to Lin, the more than 150 countries that have taken part in the Belt and Road Initiative have benefited their citizens, including more than 20 Latin American countries.

Panama became the first Latin American nation to formally join in November 2017, five months after Taiwan, the democratically run island Beijing claims as its own, changed diplomatic ties to China. 

Trump’s Warning to Panama

President Donald Trump of the United States has frequently claimed that Panama has given the canal to China, a claim that both countries refute.

The US built the Panama Canal in the early 20th century and handed it over to Panama in 1999. After returning to office, Donald Trump warned that the US might take back the Canal, claiming that China had taken control of it.

The Panama Canal is operated by China. "We're going to take it back, or something very powerful is going to happen," Donald Trump warned reporters, referring to the mistakenly handed item to Panama that was not given to China.

What is China’s BRI Project?

Launched by China in 2013, the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) has been a crucial tool for Beijing to increase its economic clout globally by funding infrastructure projects across the globe. In order to secure more Chinese investments in infrastructure, Panama joined the effort in 2017 under former President Juan Carlos Varela.

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Guneri village in Kutch district of Gujarat is Gujarat's first natural inland mangrove site

• The natural inland mangrove site of Guneri village in Kutch district of Gujarat has been declared the state's first biodiversity heritage site.
• This area will be managed by the local Biodiversity Management Committee. It will ensure the conservation and promotion of flora and fauna in the area.
• This declaration has been made under the provisions of the Biodiversity Act 2002.

Mangroves:

• These are special types of trees and shrubs which are found in salt water, marshy land and marine coastal areas.
• The most suitable area for their growth is the meeting place of fresh and salt water.

       Such as in river deltas, bays and lagoons.

• They mainly grow on tropical and subtropical coasts.
• The roots of mangroves spread both above and below the water.

  It helps them take in oxygen and stabilize the soil.

Inland Mangroves:

• Mangroves are found in inland areas, not along the sea or river banks.
• Inland mangroves are rare and have been found only at eight places in the world.
• Guneri Inland Mangrove Site is the last remnant of its kind in India.
• Guneri Mangrove Site is located 45 km from the Arabian Sea and four km from Kori Creek.

Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHS):

•  These are notified to conserve unique, rare and ecologically important flora, fauna and ecosystems.

• These sites are protected under the Biodiversity Act, 2002 of India.

•  Its purpose is to conserve and enhance the biodiversity there.

The state government may notify an area as a biodiversity heritage site after consultation with local bodies and Biodiversity Management Committees.

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