Archives (PRELIMS  Focus) Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) Category: Polity and Governance Context: Bodoland People’s Front (BPF) president Hagrama Mohilary was sworn in as the Chief Executive Member of the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC). About Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC): Location: It is an autonomous region in the state of Assam in India. Composition: It is made up of four districts (Kokrajhar, Chirang, Baksa and Udalguri) on the north bank of the Brahmaputra river, surrounded by the foothills of Bhutan and Arunachal Pradesh. Jurisdiction: The area under the jurisdiction of BTC, formed under the 2003 Accord, was called the Bodo Territorial Autonomous District (BTAD). Sixth Schedule: BTC is an area governed under the 6th schedule. However, BTC is an exception to the constitutional provision under the 6th schedule. Members: It can constitute up to 46 members out of which 40 are elected. Of these 40 seats, 35 are reserved for the Scheduled Tribes and non-tribal communities, five are unreserved and the rest six are nominated by the governor from underrepresented communities of the BTAD. Separate State: The first organised demand for a Bodo state came in 1967-68 under the banner of the political party called Plains Tribals Council of Assam. Assam Accord: In 1985, when the Assam Movement culminated in the Assam Accord, many Bodos saw it as essentially focusing on the interests of the Assamese-speaking community. Evolution of Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC): The first Bodo Accord was signed with the ABSU in 1993, leading to the creation of a Bodoland Autonomous Council with limited political powers. The second Bodo Accord was agreed to create a self-governing body for the Bodo Areas in the State of Assam. In pursuance of this, the Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) was created in 2003 with some more financial and other powers. The third Bodo Accord was signed in 2020. It promised more legislative, executive and administrative autonomy under the Sixth Schedule to Bodoland Territorial Council (BTC) and expansion of the BTC territory in lieu of statehood. Source: The Hindu Hilsa Fish Category: Environment and Ecology Context: Bangladesh’s defence force said it has deployed warships and patrol aircraft to protect Hilsa fish from illegal fishing during its spawning season. About Hilsa Fish: State fish: It is the state fish of West Bengal and the national fish of Bangladesh. Clupeidae family: It is a species of fish belonging to the Clupeidae family, which includes herring fish. Uniqueness: It is also called Ilish and holds an exceptional position in the culinary customs and social practices of Bengal. It is a fish that is highly prized because of its delicate flavour, distinct taste, and silky texture. Location: It is found in rivers and estuaries in Bangladesh, India, Pakistan, Myanmar, and the Persian Gulf area. They travel to rivers like the Ganges River and Godavari River in India. Lifespan: Hilsa fish live in both saltwater and freshwater. They spend most of their lives in the ocean. However, when it’s time to lay their eggs, they swim up into rivers. This journey is called a migration.  Appearance: Hilsa fish have a silvery body. They are quite flat and have a pointed head.  Weight: Hilsa can grow up to about 50 cm, weighing more than 3 kg. They are known for their many small bones. Conservation Status: It is classified as ‘Least Concern’ under the IUCN Red List. Source: The Hindu Kaziranga National Park Category: Environment and Ecology Context: A female calf born to one of the oldest elephants in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve has been named Mayabini to honour Zubeen Garg. About Kaziranga National Park: Nature: It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. Location: It is situated in the north-eastern part of India in the state of Assam. Terrain: It is of sheer forest, tall elephant grass, rugged reeds, marshes, and shallow pools. Rivers: The River Diffalu, a tributary of the Brahmaputra, flows through the National Park while another tributary, Moradifalu, flows along its southern boundary. Flora: It is primarily famous for its dense and tall elephant grasses intermixed with small swamplands. It also includes an abundant cover of water lilies, water hyacinths and lotus. Fauna: Many endangered and threatened species like Rhino, Tiger, Eastern swamp deer, Elephant, Buffalo, Hoolock gibbon, Capped langur, and Gangetic River dolphin are commonly found in the habitat. Uniqueness: It is inhabited by the world’s largest population of one-horned rhinoceroses, as well as many mammals. National Park: It was declared as a National Park in 1974. Tiger Reserve: It has been declared a tiger reserve since 2007. It has a total tiger reserve area of 1,030 sq km with a core area of 430 sq. km. UNESCO World Heritage Site: In 1985, the park was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.          Source: The Hindu International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) Category: International Relations Context: Iran’s top diplomat said that cooperation with the IAEA, the UN nuclear watchdog was no longer relevant following the reimposition of international sanctions on it. About International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA): Nature: IAEA is an intergovernmental organisation that seeks to promote the peaceful use of nuclear energy and to inhibit its use for any military purpose, including nuclear weapons. Establishment: It was established in 1957 as the world’s “Atoms for Peace” organisation within the UN, and governed by its own founding treaty, viz. the Statute of the IAEA. Main functions: The IAEA works to ensure that nuclear technology is used solely for peaceful purposes. It applies comprehensive nuclear safeguards, including: Monitoring, On-site inspections, Information analysis, and Other techniques to verify peaceful use. Relations with UN: It reports to both the UNGA and the UNSC and is headquartered at the UN Office at Vienna, Austria Distinction: In 2005, it was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for its work for a safe and peaceful world. Membership: The IAEA has 180 member states, India being one of the founding members of it. Institutional structure: The General Conference, composed of all member states, meets annually to approve budgets and