Jan 31
To protect amazon, conservators try to save pollinator : stingless bees 💥
✪ In Peru, deforestation poses a threat to the diverse species of stingless bees in the Amazon, putting native pollinators at risk of extinction.
| Species | Stingless Bees |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Melipona irridipennis (Meliporidae) – Scientific Name . A stingless bee is a bee that appears very similar to a honeybee, but is incapable of stinging. These bees are eusocial, which means that they live together in hives and produce honey. Instead of stinging, stingless bees use their mandibles to bite their attackers. Their honey, which is runny enough to be drunk like a liquid and is said to have a citrusy aftertaste. It is used by many Indigenous Peruvians as a natural medicine. |
| Habitat | ⋆ Stingless bees can be found in most tropical or subtropical regions of the world, ⋆ These are native to the Amazon. |
| Threats | ⋆ The Amazon is home to hundreds of species of stingless bee, but as deforestation converts the tropical landscape into farms and ranches, these and other native pollinators are in danger of disappearing. ⋆ Pesticides and climate change |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Not Listed ⋆ IUCN: Not Listed ⋆ CITES: Not Listed |
New kangaroo lizard species
✪ Recently, scientists have discovered a new kangaroo lizard species from the Western Ghats at Kulamavu in Idukki. Researchers named the new, scaly reptiles after the Evolutionarily Distinct and Globally Endangered of Existence (EDGE) program through the Zoological Society of London.
☆ The new species Agasthyagama edge or the northern kangaroo lizard belongs to the Agamidae family. The species is the second one of the Agasthyagama genus after A. beddomii or Indian kangaroo lizard that has been previously reported from Sivagiri hills in Tamil Nadu..
| Species | Kangaroo Lizard |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ Agasthyagama beddomii, commonly known as the Indian kangaroo lizard, is a diurnal, terrestrial, insectivorous agamid lizard ⋆ A reduced fifth toe makes these reptiles poor climbers and hence do not climb trees like other lizards. Instead, they are mostly terrestrial and found in areas with dense leaf litter cover. ⋆ They feed on small insects, this variety of kangaroo lizard run fast and hide within dry leaves to evade predators. ⋆ It is known to have a maximum snout-vent length of 4.3 cm |
| Habitat | ⋆ It is endemic to the Western Ghats |
| Threats | – |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I ⋆ IUCN: Endangered ⋆ CITES: Appendix II. |
Jan 30
What is Humboldt’s enigma and what does it mean for India? 💥
✪ The article explores Humboldt’s enigma, a concept introduced by Alexander von Humboldt during the 19th century. This concept suggests a correlation among temperature, altitude, humidity, and biodiversity.
☆ What is Humboldt Enigma
Humboldt’s enigma is the idea that the Earth’s tropical areas are not the only biodiverse regions. According to this idea, many areas outside the tropics, such as mountains, are also highly biodiverse.
For example– In case of India, the biodiversity isn’t confined only to the tropical regions of MP, Chhattisgarh and Western Ghats but also the regions like eastern Himalayas also serve as regions of abundant biodiversity, where variations in climate and a diverse geological makeup contribute to abundant biodiversity.
Jan 28
Laughing Gull Makes Its Debut Appearance in India 💥
✪ The laughing gull, a migratory bird originating from North America, has been observed for the first time in the country at the Chittari estuary in Kasaragod district of Kerala.
| Species | Laughing Gull |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Leucophaeus atricilla (Scientific Name) The laughing gull is a species of bird belonging to the family Laridae. The name “laughing gull” comes from its unique laughter-like calls, resembling human laughter. |
| Habitat | ⋆ These birds are most commonly found along the Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America, as well as the Caribbean and parts of Central America |
| Threats | Laughing Gull is threatened by destruction of its coastal habitat, and repeated aggression by Herring Gulls which steal its eggs and eat its chicks. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Not listed ⋆ IUCN: Least Concern ⋆ CITES: Not Evaluated |
💡Additional Info
| About Chittari estuary |
| ⋆ The Chittari estuary refers to a coastal area where a river meets the sea, forming a brackish water environment. ⋆ It is located in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, India. ⋆ Chittari estuary encompasses a wide variety species of bird |
Jan 27
Rare golden tiger snapped in Kaziranga
✪ A wildlife photographer recently captured an image of a tiger with a golden coat during a safari in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park.
☆ What is a Golden Tiger?
⋆A golden tiger (also known as a golden tabby tiger) is a Bengal tiger exhibiting a color variation resulting from a recessive gene.
⋆The golden tiger’s coloring originates from a recessive trait known as ‘wideband,’ which influences the production of black pigments during the hair growth cycle.
⋆Golden tigers are not a separate subspecies but rather a result of genetic variation within Bengal tigers.
⋆They are exceptionally rare in the wild and even rarer in captivity.
💡Additional Info
| Protection Area | Kaziranga National Park |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | ⋆ It is located in the State of Assam and covers 42,996 Hectare (ha). It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra Valley floodplain. ⋆ It is situated on the banks of the river Brahmaputra. The Diphlu River runs through it. ⋆ The National Highway 37 passes through it. ⋆ The landscape is marked by: Tropical moist mixed deciduous forests and tropical semi-evergreen forests, tall grasses, open jungle, and short grasses |
| Status | ⋆ Legal Status: It was declared as a National Park in 1974. 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. ⋆ International Status: It was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1985. It is recognized as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International. |
| Major Species | ⋆ It is majorly known for the ‘big four’ species— Rhino, Elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asiatic water buffalo. ⋆ It is also one of the last remaining homes of the endangered and endemic western hoolock gibbon, the only species of apes found in India. ⋆ It is home to approximately 478 species of both resident and migratory birds. ⋆ It is one of the last homes of the critically endangered Bengal florican. |
Jan 23
Odisha govt. seeks urgent deployment of Kumki elephants from Tamil Nadu 💥
✪ Odisha government has deployed Kumki elephant (domesticated, trained elephants) to reduce human-animal conflict.
☆ About Kumki elephant
⋆ “Kumki” comes from the Persian word “kumak,” which means “aid.” This name is used all over India, from Bengal to Tamil Nadu.
⋆ These are trained captive Asian Elephant.
⋆ They help in patrolling and rescue operation. For example-when any wild elephant gets hurt, Kumki elephant provide medical support.
⋆ They would help in minimizing conflicts and safeguard both human and wildlife interest.
| Species | The Asian elephant |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Asian elephant (Elephas maximus) is the largest living land animal in Asia. There are three subspecies of Asian elephants: Indian, Sumatran, and Sri Lankan. |
| Habitat | ⋆ It is distributed throughout the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, ranging from India in the west, Nepal in the north, Sumatra in the south, and to Borneo in the east. ⋆ India is home to about 29,964 elephants as per last census conducted in 2017. ⋆ Karnataka has the highest number of elephants in India. |
| Threats | Habitat loss, habitat degradation, habitat fragmentation, and poaching. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I ⋆ IUCN: Endangered ⋆ CITES: Appendix I |
Jan 21
Two new mammalian species added to Kaziranga‘s fauna
✪ Two new mammalian species – Binturong or the bearcat and the small-clawed otter – have been recorded in the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, taking the total mammalian species in the protected area to 37.
| Species | Binturong or the bearcat |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ The binturong (Arctictis binturong) is a medium-sized mammal, also known as a bearcat, of the Viverridae family, which includes civets, linsangs and genets. ⋆ Its nine subspecies are the sole occupants of the genus Arctictis. ⋆ They can weigh up to 50 pounds, but most often weigh in at between 25 and 35 pounds. ⋆ The binturong is one of only two carnivores that has a prehensile tail. which means it’s capable of gripping things. The other is the kinkajou. |
| Habitat | ⋆ Binturongs live in the rainforests of Southeast Asia. ⋆ Its range extends from Nepal, India, and Bhutan southward to the Indonesian islands of Sumatra and Java and eastward to Borneo. |
| Threats | The binturong is threatened by habitat loss due to logging and agribusiness, especially the oil palm industry. It is also hunted for bushmeat, traditional medicine and the pet trade. A local coffee, made from beans that pass through a binturong’s digestive system, is also valued. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule-1 ⋆ IUCN: Vulnerable ⋆ CITES: Appendix I |
| Species | Small-clawed otter |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ The Small-Clawed otter is also known as Asian small clawed otter/Oriental Small Clawed Otter. The small-clawed otter is an otter species native to South and Southeast Asia. ⋆ Behaviour-It is nocturnal in nature as it is mostly active after the dark. Diet-It feeds mainly on crabs, mudskippers and Trichogaster fish. |
| Habitat | ⋆ They are primarily found in freshwater habitats, sustaining themselves with a diet comprising fish and crustaceans.. ⋆ This mammal boasts a broad distribution range spanning from India eastwards to Southeast Asia and southern China. In India, it predominantly inhabits protected areas in West Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and certain regions of Kerala within the Western Ghats. |
| Threats | They are threatened by habitat destruction and pollution, and hunted as pets or for their pelts or meat. Rice farmers consider them pests. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule-1 ⋆ IUCN: Vulnerable ⋆ CITES: Appendix I |
Jan 20
How do you plan to save the Great Indian Bustard, SC asks govt. 💥
✪ The Supreme Court has instructed the Indian government to disclose its plans to protect the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard by February.
| Species | Great Indian Bustard |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ One of the heaviest flying birds endemic to the Indian subcontinent. State Bird of Rajasthan. ⋆ As per the studies conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India, there are around 150 Great Indian Bustards left across the country which includes about 128 birds in Rajasthan and less than 10 birds each in the States of Gujarat, Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. ⋆ While the GIBs’ historic range included much of the Indian sub-continent, it has now shrunk to just 10 per cent of that. ⋆ Other Facts “The Great Indian Bustard (“GIB”) lacks frontal vision. Due to this, they cannot detect powerlines ahead of them, from far. As they are heavy birds, they are unable to manoeuvre across power lines within close distances. |
| Habitat | ⋆ Habitat: Untamed, Arid grasslands. Among the heaviest birds with flight, GIBs prefer grasslands as their habitats ⋆ A Maximum number of GIBs were found in Jaisalmer and the Indian Army-controlled field firing range near Pokhran, Rajasthan. ⋆ Other areas: Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. |
| Threats | The biggest threat to this species is hunting, which is still prevalent in Pakistan. This is followed by occasional poaching outside Protected Areas, collisions with high tension electric wires, fast moving vehicles and free-ranging dogs in villages. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule-1 ⋆ IUCN: Critically Endangered. ⋆ CITES: Appendix I ⋆ Convention on Migratory Species (CMS): Appendix I |
Gambusia: This solution could actually be an invasive problem 💥
✪ The Andhra Pradesh government has released approximately 10 million Gambusia fish into the state’s water bodies to combat mosquito-borne diseases like malaria and dengue
| Species | Gambusia Fish |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ It is also known as mosquito fish, and is widely used as a biological agent for controlling mosquito larvae. ⋆ It has been a part of mosquito-control strategies for over a century in various parts of the world, including India. In 1928, Mosquitofish was first introduced in India during British rule. ⋆ A single full grown fish eats about 100 to 300 mosquito larvae per day. |
| Habitat | It is native to the waters of the south-eastern United States. |
| Threats | ⋆ Its Itself a threat as its highly invasive. ⋆ The International Union for Conservation of Nature declared Gambusia one of the 100 worst invasive alien species in the world. The fish has a high breeding capacity. A single female may produce between 900 and 1,200 offspring during its lifespan. |
| Protection Status | – |
💡Additional Info
| Disease | Malaria |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | ⋆ Malaria is a life-threatening disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite ⋆ Malaria is most common in tropical and subtropical regions of the world, including sub-Saharan Africa, Southeast Asia, and South America. While Plasmodium falciparum is responsible for more deaths, Plasmodium vivax is the most widespread of all of the malaria species. |
| Cause | Malaria is a disease caused by the Plasmodium parasite. |
| Transmission | ⋆ The parasite can be spread to humans through the bites of infected mosquitoes. Transmission: The plasmodium parasite is spread by female Anopheles mosquitoes, which are known as “night-biting” mosquitoes because they most commonly bite between dusk and dawn. |
| Symptom | Once inside the human body, the parasites multiply in the liver and then infect red blood cells, causing symptoms such as fever, chills, headache, muscle aches, and fatigue. In severe cases, malaria can lead to organ failure, coma, and death. |
| Diagnosis | ⋆ Malaria parasites can be identified by examining under the microscope a drop of the patient’s blood, spread out as a “blood smear” on a microscope slide. Prior to examination, the specimen is stained (most often with the Giemsa stain) to give the parasites a distinctive appearance. |
| Treatment | ⋆ Till now, no malaria vaccine has shown the benchmark efficacy of 75% set by WHO. Still, WHO gave a go-ahead for the first malaria vaccine called RTS,S to be rolled out in high transmission African countries understanding the urgency of malaria control and prevention. ⋆ It has relatively low efficacy somewhere between 30-40%. ⋆ This vaccine has been developed by a collaborative effort of several organisations including GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation etc. ⋆ In India, Bharat Biotech has been granted license to manufacture this vaccine. |
Jan 15
Meet the Punganur, dwarf cows that PM Modi fed on Makar Sankranti
✪ Prime Minister Narendra Modi fed Punganur cows at his residence on Makar Sankranti. Punganur is a unique dwarf breed native to Andhra Pradesh, considered the shortest-humped cattle globally.
| Species | Panganur Cow |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Scientific Name | The Punganur cow is native to Punganur village in Andhra Pradesh’s Chittoor district. It is known for its small size, standing at 70-90 cm tall and weighing approximately 115-200 kg. The breed is adapted to hot and dry climates. Recognizing the importance of preserving this indigenous breed, the Andhra Pradesh government has initiated “Mission Punganur” to revive and conserve the Punganur cow. |
| Habitat | ⋆ Punganur cows are now found not only in Andhra Pradesh but also in Telangana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. |
| Threats | At one point, Punganur cattle faced extinction due to a shift towards hybrid cattle for higher milk production. Mission Punganur: In 2020, the Andhra Pradesh government initiated ‘Mission Punganur’ with an allocation of Rs 69.36 crore to boost the cattle population using IVF technology. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: – ⋆ IUCN: Vulnerbale ⋆ CITES: Appendix II. |
India records its first-ever confirmed sighting of a rare Tibetan Brown Bear
✪ In a significant milestone for wildlife conservation, India has recorded its first-ever confirmed sighting of the rare Tibetan brown bear in Northern Sikkim.
| Species | Tibetan Brown Bear |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | The Tibetan brown bear, also known as the Tibetan blue bear, is one of the rarest subspecies of bears in the world and is rarely sighted in the wild. It has shaggy, dark brown to black fur, a cream to cinnamon face, and a white collar that broadens from the shoulders to the chest. It has small ears covered with long black fur. Its sense of smell is much more acute than its hearing and sight. They are solitary, but the territories between two Himalayan brown bears have been seen to overlap. They are one of the most terrestrial of the bears. It feeds on marmots and alpine vegetation. Lifespan: around 20 to 30 years. |
| Habitat | It inhabits alpine forests, meadows, and steppes, close to the tree line. This rare bear is very different from the more commonly found Himalayan black bear in terms of its appearance, habitat, and behavior. Historically found mainly on the alpine eastern Tibetan plateau (4,500 to 5,000 metres) in eastern Tibet, western China, Nepal, and Bhutan. Remaining bears in the wild seem to be confined to eastern Tibet and Bhutan. |
| Threats | Poaching: Illegal hunting and poaching for body parts and trophies pose a significant threat to the population. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II ⋆ IUCN: Least Concern ⋆ CITES: Appendix I |
Jan 13
Pench Tiger Reserve Marked as India’s first International Dark Sky Park 💥
✪ Recently, the Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Maharashtra has been marked as India’s first international Dark Sky Park.
☆ What is a Dark Preserve
⋆ Dark sky Preserve is an area, usually surrounding a park or observatory that is kept free of artificial light pollution.
⋆ The park has replaced over 100 street and community lights with downward-facing lights in various villages, minimizing their impact on the night sky.
⋆ All these efforts helps in protecting the night sky, preventing light pollution and promoting astronomy.
| Protection Area | Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR) Dark Sky Park |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | ⋆ Pench Tiger Reserve (PTR). ⋆ A night observatory has been established and the area near Bagholi is designated for stargazing. ⋆ The sanctuary is located across two states of Madhya Pradesh and Maharashtra. ⋆ The portion of the reserve that is in Madhya Pradesh is located in the Satpura ranges. |
| Status | ⋆ Legal Status: Certified by: The International Dark-Sky Association |
| Major Species | ⋆ Excellent habitat to harbor the Tiger, the highly endangered species . Other mammals includes sloth bear, jackal, nilgai, wild dog etc. ⋆ Birds like peafowl, magpie robin, pintail, drongo, unia, myna etc. are also found. |
💡Additional Info
| India’s first dark-sky Reserve |
| ⋆ Situated at : Hanle, Ladakh ⋆ Operated by: The Indian Institute of Astrophysics ⋆ Significance: world’s highest located sites for optical, infrared and gamma-ray telescopes. |
Vulture Restaurant Set Up In Jharkhand 💥
✪ In Jharkhand, a ‘Vulture Restaurant’ has been established in Koderma district as part of a conservation effort to address the declining vulture population.
⋆ The initiative aims to combat the impact of livestock drugs, particularly diclofenac, on vultures.
⋆ The restaurant serves as a designated feeding site for vultures, awaiting the completion of protocols for diclofenac-free carcasses.
💡Additional Info
| Species | Indian Vulture |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | Indian Vulture –Gyps Indicus. Himalayan Vulture -Gyps himalayensis. Bearded Vulture -Gypaetus Barbatus. Slender-Billed Vulture -Gyps tenuirostris. |
| Habitat | ⋆ It is one of the 22 species of large carrion-eating birds that live predominantly in the tropics and subtropics. ⋆ India is home to 9 species of Vulture namely the Oriental white-backed, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Himalayan, Red-headed, Egyptian, Bearded, Cinereous and the Eurasian Griffon. |
| Threats | Diclofenac has long been established as the prime reason for wiping out 99 percent of the vulture population in India in the 90s. Later two more veterinary drugs, aceclofenac and ketoprofen, were found to be toxic for vultures. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Bearded, Long-billed, Slender-billed, Oriental white-backed are protected in the Schedule-1 of the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Rest are protected under ‘Schedule IV’. ⋆ IUCN: Vulnerbale ⋆ CITES: Appendix II. |
Jan 12
The first-ever IUCN assessment of the Himalayan Wolf is out
✪ They have been evaluated for the first time on the IUCN Red List and are now classified as ‘Vulnerable.’
⋆ The assessment estimates a population size of 2,275-3,792 mature individuals in a single subpopulation across Nepal, India, and the Tibetan Plateau.
⋆ The continuous decline in the population is attributed to significant threats and a lack of conservation efforts.
| Species | Himalayan Wolf |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a prominent lupine predator found across the Himalayas. Its mitochondrial DNA suggests it is genetically primitive compared to the Holarctic grey wolf and is genetically identical to the Tibetan and Mongolian wolves, with connections to the African wolf. |
| Habitat | ⋆ The Himalayan wolf’s distribution includes the Himalayan range and the Tibetan Plateau. Although there are no significant morphological differences between Himalayan and Tibetan wolves, the former are adapted to high-altitude environments above 4,000 meters. ⋆ Distribution:In China, the Himalayan wolf lives on the Tibetan Plateau in the provinces of Gansu, Qinghai, Tibet, and western Sichuan. ⋆ In northern India, it occurs in the Union Territory of Ladakh and in the Lahaul and Spiti region in northeastern Himachal Pradesh. |
| Threats | It is illegally hunted for trade in its fur and body parts including paws, tongues, heads, and other parts. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I ⋆ IUCN: Vulnerbale ⋆ CITES: Appendix I. |
Jan 11
2023 may have been warmest in 1 lakh years 💥
✪ 2023 emerges as the warmest year on record, surpassing the 2016 record, with significant implications for global climate patterns and extreme weather events.
⋆ 2023 was 1.48°C warmer than the average of the 1850-1900 pre-industrial level. Approximately 50% of days were more than 1.5°C warmer than the same baseline.
⋆ Record temperatures in 2023 led to widespread heatwaves, floods, droughts, and wildfires. Marine heatwaves were observed in various regions, including the Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico, Indian Ocean, North Pacific, and much of the North Atlantic.
⋆ The onset of El Niño in 2023 played a role in exacerbating temperature extremes. El Niño is a natural weather phenomenon that warms the surface waters in the eastern Pacific Ocean, which contributes to higher global temperatures.
Jan 10
A look at Project Tiger, 50 years on
✪ Project Tiger was started in 1973 in India to promote conservation of the animal in the country. 2023 marks 50 years of this endeavour.
| Scheme | Project tiger |
|---|---|
| Aspect | Details |
| About | ⋆ It was launched in 1973 from the Jim Corbett National Park in Uttarakhand as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change. It was initially launched in 9 Tiger reserves (TRs) in different states of India. |
| Time period | – |
| Aim and Objectives | To ensure the survival and maintenance of the tiger population in specially constituted Tiger reserves throughout India. It provides central assistance to tiger range States for in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves. |
| Eligibility & coverage | It provides central assistance to tiger range States for in-situ conservation of tigers in designated tiger reserves. Implementing Agency: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) was established through Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2006 to provide statutory authority to Project Tiger. Funding pattern: Centre provides financial assistance to States of 60% and 50% for expenditure on all non-recurring items and expenditure on recurring items respectively. Northeastern and Himalayan States are provided 90% central assistance in both cases. |
| Benefits | ⋆ Has Helped increase Tiger Populations ⋆ Enhanced conservation management of tiger reserves in India has helped avoid forest loss, preventing one million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent emissions. |
💡Additional Info
| Species | Tiger |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Scientific Name | Panthera tigris , Indian Sub Species: Panthera tigris tigris |
| Habitat | ⋆ Its habitat stretches from Siberian temperate forests to subtropical and tropical forests on the Indian subcontinent and Sumatra. |
| Threats | Habitat destruction, habitat fragmentation and poaching. |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I ⋆ International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List: Endangered. ⋆ Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES): Appendix I. |
Jan 9
Understanding the EU’s carbon border tax 💥
✪ The EU’s Carbon Border Tax (Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM)) is a policy measure that aims to put a fair price on the carbon emissions generated during the production of certain goods imported into the EU.
☆ It is part of the “Fit for 55 in 2030 package”, which is the EU’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by at least 55% by 2030 compared to 1990 levels in line with the European Climate Law.
☆ The CBAM will apply to imports of cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, electricity and hydrogen from countries that have less stringent climate policies than the EU.
☆ Importers of these goods will have to buy carbon certificates that reflect the amount of carbon emissions embedded in their products.
☆ The price of these certificates will be equivalent to the price of carbon in the EU Emissions Trading System (ETS), which is a market-based system that regulates the emissions of industries within the EU.
☆ It is intended to encourage cleaner industrial production in non-EU countries and prevent carbon leakage, which is the relocation of carbon-intensive activities to countries with lower environmental standards.
Jan 8
Maharashtra Government Declares New Atpadi Conservation
✪ Maharashtra’s government established the ‘Atpadi Conservation Reserve’ in Sangli, linking Maini Conservation Area and Maldhok Bird Sanctuary.
☆ It protects wildlife corridors and habitats for mammals like wolves, deer, foxes, and civets. The reserve has semi-evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, 36 tree species, 116 herbs, 15 shrubs, 14 vines, and a parasitic plant. It’s crucial for the dog family, including wolves, foxes, hyenas, and jackals.
| Protection Area | Atpadi Conservation Reserve |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| About | The Atpadi Conservation Reserve is situated in the forest land of Sangli district. It forms a crucial ecological bridge, connecting the Maini Conservation Area in the west with the Maldhok Bird Sanctuary in the northeast. This connectivity is vital for the movement and genetic diversity of wildlife in the region. |
| Status | ⋆ Conservation Reserve Declared ! |
| Species | ⋆ A key objective of the Atpadi Conservation Reserve is to preserve the habitat of various mammals like wolves, jackals, deer, foxes, civets, rabbits, and other species. The establishment of the reserve will play a crucial role in the protection of these wildlife corridors. ⋆ The reserve hosts a diverse range of flora and fauna. It includes three types of forest cover: Semi-evergreen, moist deciduous, and dry deciduous. |
💡Additional Info
| What are Conservation Reserves?? |
| ⋆ Conservation reserves and community reserves are terms denoting protected areas of the country which typically act as buffer zones to or connectors and migration corridors between established national parks, wildlife sanctuaries and reserved and protected forests. ⋆ Such areas are designated as conservation areas if they are uninhabited and completely owned by the Government of India but used for subsistence by communities and community areas if part of the lands are privately owned. ⋆ These protected area categories were first introduced in the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act of 2002 − the amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972. ⋆ These categories were added because of reduced protection in and around existing or proposed protected areas due to private ownership of land and land use. |
Jan 5
Kyrgyzstan declares snow leopard national symbol 💥
✪ Kyrgyzstan , a Central Asian country. Recently has declared the snow leopard as the national symbol. The loss of these magnificent creatures in the wild poses a significant threat to the delicate balance of mountain ecosystems.
| Species | Snow Leopard |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | Panthera uncia (previously: Uncia uncia) |
| Status | ⋆ The snow leopard inhabits the mountains of central Asia and the Indian subcontinent, ranging from an elevation of about 1,800 metres (about 6,000 feet) in the winter to about 5,500 metres (18,000 feet) in the summer. Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. ⋆ Geographical range in India: Western Himalayas: Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Eastern Himalayas: Uttarakhand and Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh. Hemis National Park (Ladakh) has a good presence of Snow Leopard ⋆ Indicator Species: Due to their position as the top predator in the food web, they act as an indicator of the health of the mountain ecosystem in which they live. |
| Threats | Snow leopards are highly threatened due to poaching for its pelt and body parts, a decline in prey base (mostly Blue Sheep and Asiatic Ibex) due to increasing domestic livestock who tend to quickly deplete the high altitude pasture lands ; and retaliatory killings by village communities |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I. ⋆ IUCN: Vulnerbale ⋆ CITES: Appendix I. |
Jan 4
Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) to Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur 💥
✪ The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has nominated Indore, Bhopal, and Udaipur for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) under the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands. It is the first nomination of its kind by the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
About Wetland City Accreditation (WCA)
⋆ A voluntary accreditation system to recognize the importance of wetlands in urban and peri-urban (zones of transition from rural to urban) environments
⋆ Establishment – COP12 of Ramsar Convention (2015).
⋆ Validity – 6 Years
💡Additional Info
| Criteria for Wetland City Accreditation (WCA) |
| ⋆ It has one or more Ramsar Sites, or other significant wetlands which provide(s) a range of ecosystem services to the city; ⋆ It has adopted measures for conservation of wetlands. ⋆ It has implemented wetland restoration measures. ⋆ It considers the challenges and opportunities of integrated spatial/land-use planning for wetlands under its jurisdiction. ⋆ It has raised public awareness about the values of wetlands and enabled public participation in decision-making processes. ⋆ It has established a local committee to support the preparation work and the implementation of measures. |
CO2 level in a planet’s atmosphere could indicate habitability
⋆ A recent study by a team of researchers suggests that lower levels of CO2 in a planet’s atmosphere may indicate the presence of liquid water, rendering the planet ‘habitable.’
☆What are the Findings of the study?
⋆ The researchers have devised a new ‘habitability signature’ as a “practical method for detecting habitability” of a planet.
⋆ According to the researches, lower levels of CO2 in a planet’s atmosphere compared to neighbouring planets suggests potential absorption by an ocean or isolation by biomass on a planetary scale.
⋆ Planets positioned at an ideal distance from their star— neither too close leading to excessive heat nor too far resulting in extreme cold— are deemed to be in the habitable zone and may be capable of hosting water on their surface.
Jan 2
Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) Spotted in Kerala 💥
✪ A team of researchers in Kerala has identified the presence of the Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in the state for the first time, specifically at Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki.
| Species | Eurasian Otter |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Scientific Name | Lutra lutra, semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal., belonging to the Mustelidae family with 13 species. |
| Habitat | ⋆ Inhabit every continent except Australia and Antarctica. wide variety of aquatic habitats ⋆ India is home to three species of otters including Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra), Smooth-coated Otter and Small-clawed Otter. In India, it occurs in northern, northeast and southern India. West Bengal, Odisha, Arunachal Pradesh, and Tripura in India, as well as hilly regions such as Nilgiris, Palani, and Coorg in the southern part of the country. ⋆ Recognized as a flagship species, it serves as an indicator of high-quality aquatic habitats. |
| Threats | Habitat loss and degradation, pollution, and hunting |
| Protection Status | ⋆ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule-1 ⋆ IUCN: Near Threatened ⋆ CITES: Appendix I. |
💡Additional Info
| Protection Area | Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary |
|---|---|
| Specifications | Details |
| Location | ⋆ It is located in Munnar, the Kanthalloor and Marayoor Panchayat limits in the Idukki District. ⋆ The area is diverse in ecosystems and rich in ethnic cultural heritage. |
| Status | ⋆ Legal Status: Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary is one among the 13 sanctuaries in the protected areas of the state of Kerala. It comes under the jurisdiction of Eravikulam National Park. |
| Major Species | ⋆ Home to 965 floral species, 29 mammal species including the endangered Grizzled Giant Squirrel, 225 bird species, 52 reptile species, and endemic fish like Deccan Mahseer. |
Jan 1
Lemongrass, mint spread scent of change in Odisha 💥
✪ In Odisha tribal communities have found a viable and sustainable alternative to traditional rain-fed agriculture.
☆ High-value aromatic crops and floriculture have recently emerged as a means to supplement their livelihood like menthol mint (the CIM-Unnati variety), rosemary (Hariyali variety), patchouli (CIM-Samarth), damask roses (Ranisahiba), chamomile, and geraniums (CIM-Bharat).
💡Additional Info
| What are Aromatic Plants ? |
| ⋆ Aromatic plants are those that contain aromatic compounds – basically, essential oils that are volatile at room temperature. ⋆ These essential oils are odorous, volatile, hydrophobic and highly concentrated compounds. They can be obtained from flowers, buds, seeds, leaves, twigs, bark, wood, fruits and roots |