India and Austria recently signed several agreements and announcements to strengthen bilateral cooperation in the areas of defence, trade, technology, education, and culture.

About Austria

Austria is a landlocked and mountainous country located in south-central Europe. The capital city of Austria is Vienna.

Austria shares borders with eight countries:

• Czech Republic in the north

• Slovakia in the northeast

• Hungary in the east

• Slovenia in the south

• Italy in the southwest

• Switzerland and Liechtenstein in the west

• Germany in the northwest

Nearly 70% of Austria’s total area is covered by the Alps mountain ranges, making it one of the most mountainous countries in Europe. The country experiences a temperate and alpine climate.

Rivers and Natural Features

The most important river of Austria is the Danube River. It is approximately 2,850 km long and is the second-longest river in Europe. The river is extremely important for trade, transportation, and commerce across Europe.

Population and Languages

The population of Austria mainly consists of Germans, along with communities of Turks, Serbs, Croats, Slovenes, and Bosnians. Other recognized minorities include Hungarians, Czechs, Slovaks, and Roma.

The majority of the population speaks German, which is also the official language of the country. Other officially recognized regional languages are Croatian, Hungarian, and Slovene.

Political System

Austria follows a federal parliamentary republic system of government.

• The Chancellor is the head of government.

• The President is the head of state.

The country has a democratic political structure with powers divided between the federal government and regional states.

History of Austria

Early History

The origins of Austria can be traced back to the period of the Roman Empire. Around 15 BC, the Romans conquered a Celtic kingdom in the region, which later became the Roman province of Noricum.

In 788 AD, the Frankish ruler Charlemagne conquered the region and introduced Christianity.

Habsburg Rule

Under the rule of the Habsburg dynasty, Austria emerged as one of the major powers of Europe. The Habsburg rulers expanded Austrian influence across Central Europe for several centuries.

Vienna as the Centre of Classical Music

During the 18th and 19th centuries, Vienna became the centre of classical music and musical innovation in Europe.

Several world-famous composers were associated with Vienna, including:

• Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart

• Ludwig van Beethoven

• Joseph Haydn

• Johann Strauss II

Austria-Hungary and World War I

In 1867, the Austrian Empire was reorganized into the Austria-Hungary Empire.

The empire collapsed after the end of World War I in 1918. Following this, the First Austrian Republic was established in 1919.

The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court recently set aside the decision of a district-level committee that had rejected the community forest rights claims of the Tharu Tribe in Lakhimpur Kheri. The judgment is important because it supports the protection of tribal rights over forests and traditional resources.

About the Tharu Tribe

The Tharu tribe is one of the indigenous tribal communities living in the Terai plains along the Indo-Nepal border. They are considered the largest and oldest ethnic group of the Terai region.

The Tharu people are found in both India and Nepal. In India, they mainly live in the states of Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar.

In 1967, the Government of India officially recognized the Tharu community as a Scheduled Tribe.

Language

The Tharu people have their own language known as Tharu or Tharuhati. This language belongs to the Indo-Aryan subgroup of the Indo-Iranian branch of the Indo-European language family.

Economy and Lifestyle

The economy of the Tharu tribe is mainly based on agriculture. Along with farming, they also practice cattle rearing, hunting, fishing, and the collection of forest products.

Their daily food mainly includes rice, lentils, and vegetables.

The traditional houses of the Tharu people are known as “Badaghar.” These houses are constructed using locally available materials such as mud, wood, and thatch. Their settlements are generally located in compact villages surrounded by forests.

Social Structure

The Tharu society follows a patrilineal system, where family lineage is traced through the male members. However, women in Tharu society enjoy greater property rights compared to women in many traditional Hindu communities.

Marriage in the tribe is generally patrilocal, which means the bride moves to the husband’s home after marriage.

An important feature of Tharu society is the joint family system, where large families live together in long houses and share responsibilities.

The Tharu community also has a very strong Panchayat system, which acts as the local social council. The head of the Panchayat is known as the “Pradhan.”

Religion and Beliefs

The religious beliefs of the Tharu people are a unique combination of animism, Hinduism, and nature worship. They worship natural forces, forests, rivers, and local deities, reflecting their close relationship with nature and forest life.

The River Basin Management (RBM) Scheme has recently contributed to noticeable improvements in water resource planning, infrastructure development, and the sustainable management of major river basins in India.

About the River Basin Management Scheme

The River Basin Management Scheme is a Central Sector Scheme implemented by the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation under the Ministry of Jal Shakti.

The scheme aims to promote the integrated planning, investigation, development, and management of water resources at the river basin level. It focuses on both surface water resources and groundwater systems to ensure their efficient and sustainable utilization.

The scheme works toward the management, protection, improvement, and sustainable use of water resources across river basins. These water resources include rivers, lakes, streams, groundwater, and related ecosystems.

Implementing Agencies

The scheme is implemented through three major organizations:

• Brahmaputra Board

• Central Water Commission (CWC)

• National Water Development Agency (NWDA)

These organizations are responsible for planning, investigation, technical studies, and coordination related to river basin development projects.

Major Activities Under the Scheme

The River Basin Management Scheme supports several important activities related to water resource development and management.

It assists in the preparation of basin master plans, which provide long-term strategies for the sustainable use of water resources.

The scheme also supports the survey and investigation of water-related projects, including irrigation and hydropower projects.

Another important feature of the scheme is the planning and development of multipurpose projects aimed at irrigation, power generation, flood control, navigation, and ecological conservation.

Financial Outlay and Duration

The scheme has been proposed to continue during the 16th Finance Commission period from 2026–27 to 2030–31.

The estimated financial outlay for this period is ₹2183 crore, which will be fully funded by the Central Government.

Objectives of the River Basin Management Scheme

The major objective of the scheme is to ensure the protection, improvement, and sustainable use of water resources across river basins.

It also aims to promote the development and efficient utilization of both surface water and groundwater resources.

The scheme supports the survey, investigation, and preparation of basin master plans for scientific water management.

Another important objective is to facilitate the planning and development of irrigation projects, hydropower projects, and multipurpose river valley projects.

The scheme further encourages the integrated development of water resources for multiple purposes such as irrigation, navigation, drinking water supply, and ecological conservation.