Parag Jain Appointed New RAW Chief for Two-Year Term

•The government has appointed senior IPS officer Parag Jain as the next Secretary of the Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) for a term of two years. 

• Jain, who is a 1989-batch IPS officer of the Punjab cadre, will succeed Ravi Sinha.

• Research and Analysis Wing (R&AW) is the foreign intelligence agency of the Republic of India. 

• The agency’s primary function is gathering foreign intelligence, counter-terrorism, counter-proliferation, advising Indian policymakers, and advancing India’s foreign strategic interests.

 • It is also involved in the security of India's nuclear programme. 

• Formed: 21 September 1968 

• Headquarters: New Delhi 

• Motto: Dharmō Rakṣati Rakṣitaḥ (Dharma protects, When it is protected) 

• Minister responsible: Narendra Modi, Prime Minister of India 

• Secretary: Parag Jain • Parent department: Cabinet Secretariat

India’s First Wildlife Corridor Built on Delhi-Mumbai Highway Near Ranthambore Wildlife Sanctuary 

• In a landmark step towards balancing development and conservation, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has created India’s first dedicated wildlife corridor on a national highway.

 • The wildlife corridor is developed in collaboration with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) 

• The 12-kilometre stretch on the Delhi-Mumbai Expressway passes through the buffer zone of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan. 

• This is the first time in India that an expressway has been planned to prioritise both vehicular movement and wildlife conservation, marking a critical innovation in infrastructure design. Key Features of the Corridor 

• Location: Between the Ranthambore Tiger Reserve and the Chambal Valley, known for its rich biodiversity, including tigers, bears, leopards, and other endangered species. 

• Wildlife Crossings: 

o 5 wildlife overpasses, each 500 meters long. 

o 1.2 km long wildlife underpass — the longest such underpass in India (facilitates safe passage for larger animals). 

o 5 km of elevated/sunken sections to preserve natural terrain. 

o 2.5 km overpass corridor aligned perfectly with natural habitat  the longest wildlife overpass corridor in India.

 • Eco-Protective Measures: 

o 4-metre-high walls and 2-metre sound barriers to prevent wildlife intrusion and reduce noise pollution.

 o 35,000 trees planted alongside the stretch.

 o Drip irrigation installed, reducing water use by over 50%. 

o Rainwater harvesting units placed every 500 meters. 

o Adoption of modular, low-waste construction techniques. Monitoring & Wildlife Safety

 • Construction Phase: 

o Personnel stationed every 200 meters to prevent animal entry into work zones.

 o Zero wildlife incidents during construction.

 • Post-Construction: Camera traps recorded movement of tigers and bears using the crossings — demonstrating early success. Significance and Implications 

• First-of-its-kind eco-sensitive infrastructure project in India. 

• Aligns with India's goals under Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and SDGs

 • Sets a national benchmark for future highway development projects in ecologically sensitive regions. • Encourages integration of environmental safeguards in infrastructure planning