Daily Current Affairs – 18-05-2025

Tamil Nadu

Sansad Ratna Award 2025: Tamil Nadu’s C.N. Annadurai Honoured

® C.N. Annadurai (DMK) from Tamil Nadu has been selected for the Sansad Ratna Award 2025 for his outstanding and consistent contribution to parliamentary democracy. ® This marks the first time in 11 years that an MP from Tamil Nadu has received this prestigious recognition. ® The award, instituted by the Prime Point Foundation, acknowledges exemplary performance and dedication by Members of Parliament. ® The selection was made by a jury committee chaired by Hansraj Ahir, Chairman of the National Commission for Backward Classes (NCBC).

Tamil Nadu Endangered Species Fund Update 2025

® Tamil Nadu Endangered Species Conservation Fund ( ₹ 50 crore corpus) was announced in 2024 for protecting rare species. ® Initially planned to be managed by Mudumalai Tiger Reserve Foundation, then by State Forest Development Agency (SFDA). ® In 2025, fund management shifted to Advanced Institute of Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), Vandalur, a newly registered society focused on wildlife research. ® AIWC will now invite research grant proposals for conservation of endangered species like: ® Salim Ali’s fruit bat, Malabar Civet, White-rumped vulture ® Nilgiris wart frog, White-spotted bush frog, Anamalai flying frog ® Interim fund holding was done by Tamil Nadu Power Finance Corp or Transport Development Finance Corp.