12.02.25

Controversy over Tribal Village: The Karnataka government’s plan to build a tribal village in the Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary’s buffer zone is raising concerns about tribal safety and potential human-wildlife conflict. This is newsworthy because it highlights a potential conflict between development and conservation.

Location and Geography: Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Western Ghats in the Kodagu district of Karnataka. It covers 181 sq. km and is characterized by undulating terrain, steep valleys, and hillocks. This context is important for understanding the ecological sensitivity of the area.

Name Origin: The sanctuary is named after the Brahmagiri peak, its highest point at 1607m.

River Source: The Lakshmana Tirtha River, a Cauvery tributary, originates within the sanctuary. This underscores the sanctuary’s role in water resource management.

Flora: The sanctuary features diverse vegetation: evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, shoal forest patches in grasslands, and bamboo. It’s surrounded by coffee and cardamom plantations. This emphasizes its rich biodiversity.

Fauna: It is home to endangered Lion Tailed Macaque, Tiger, Elephant, Bonnet Macaque, Common Langur, Barking Deer, Mouse Deer, Malabar Giant Squirrel, Giant Flying Squirrel, and Indian Gaur. The presence of the lion-tailed macaque, a rare and endangered species, makes the sanctuary a crucial conservation area.

A Bailey bridge in north Sikkim collapsed recently, highlighting potential structural concerns.

What is a Bailey Bridge? It’s a portable, prefabricated truss bridge widely used since WWII.

Designed by: Sir Donald Bailey (UK, 1941).

Key Features:

• Standardized, simple panels for easy assembly.
• Can be strengthened by adding truss girders.
• Adaptable for longer spans using pontoons.
• Assembly covers a small area without large hoisting equipment.

Limitations:

• Limited structure and bearing capacity.
• Standard length usually doesn’t exceed 60 meters.

Typical Uses: Spanning rivers, valleys, and shorter spans.

Why the name? Named after its inventor, Donald Coleman Bailey.

Principle: Modular, pre-fabricated, truss-based construction for quick assembly.

Disadvantages: Limited lifespan, weight restrictions, corrosion susceptibility, manual assembly challenges, shorter span length, not for permanent infrastructure.

Discovery in Guwahati, India: The Crocodile Catfish (Asian giant river catfish/Bagarius suchus) was recently found in the Bahini River, Guwahati, raising ecological concerns.

Species Description: A large freshwater catfish native to South and Southeast Asia (India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand), belonging to the Sisoridae family.

Appearance: Characterized by a long, cylindrical body, broad head, wide mouth, and dark brown/black coloration with possible irregular markings. Notably elongated dorsal fin.

Size and Lifespan: Reaches lengths of 1.5 meters or more and can weigh over 50 kilograms. Lifespan is estimated to be 15-25 years in the wild.

Habitat: Typically found in large rivers and deep pools with slow to moderate currents, often with rocky/gravelly substrates.

Diet: Carnivorous predator with a voracious appetite, primarily feeding on fish and other aquatic organisms.

Conservation Status: Listed as Near Threatened on the IUCN Red List.

Ecological Concerns: The presence of this species in a new location (Guwahati) could lead to ecological disruptions due to its predatory nature.

IUCN: The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a global body focused on nature conservation and sustainability.

• Indian national aged 18-30.
• Bachelor’s degree or above.
• £2,530 in savings.
• No dependent children.
• Selection in the YPS ballot is mandatory.
• Cannot have previously participated in YPS or Youth Mobility Scheme.
• Visa holders must enter the UK within six months of visa issuance.

Untapped Fishing Grounds Discovered: Fishery Survey of India (FSI) expedition reveals productive, potentially untouched fishing grounds in the Arabian Sea. Why: Highlights potential for expanding India’s fishing industry and food security.

FSI’s Role: FSI is the nodal fishery institute in India under the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying. Why: Emphasizes FSI’s central position in the Indian fisheries sector.

Primary Function: FSI surveys and assesses fishery resources in India’s Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) and surrounding areas. Why: Outlines FSI’s core responsibility for sustainable development of fisheries.

Headquarters: Mumbai, Maharashtra.

Historical Context: Established in 1946 as Deep Sea Fishing Station, later upgraded to a survey institute in 1974, and then a national institute in 1983. Why: Shows FSI’s evolution and increasing importance over time.

Science & Technology Recognition: Recognized as a Science & Technology Institute in 1988. Why: Underscores FSI’s scientific expertise and research capabilities.

K H Alikunhi: Considered the father of modern fisheries in India.

Leading Fish Producer: Andhra Pradesh is the largest fish producer in the country, followed by West Bengal and Gujarat.

Release of Devolution Index Report: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will release the “Devolution Index Report” on February 13, 2025, in New Delhi. Union Minister of State Prof. S.P. Singh Baghel will release the report.

Purpose of the Index: The index evaluates the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories and ranks them based on rural local bodies’ autonomy.

Six Key Dimensions: The Index assesses Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Building, and Accountability of Panchayats.

Focus on Panchayat Autonomy: It examines the degree to which Panchayats can make and implement independent decisions, aligning with Article 243G of the Constitution which enables State legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats across 29 subjects.

Strengthening Cooperative Federalism: The Index is a tool for States to identify areas for improvement and adopt best practices for empowered Panchayats.

Benefits for Stakeholders: It provides transparency for citizens, data-driven insights for representatives, and a roadmap for government officials and policymakers.

Alignment with Viksit Bharat: The initiative supports the vision of Panchayats as the foundation for rural transformation and sustainable development.

Report Title: “Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States – An Indicative Evidence Based Ranking 2024”.

eGramSwaraj Portal: The eGramSwaraj aims to bring in better transparency and strengthen the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country through decentralized Profiling, Planning, Physical Progress, Reporting and Work-Based Accounting.

Potential New Use for IBD: A study indicates vancomycin, typically used for diarrhea, shows promise in treating a specific type of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) linked to autoimmune liver disease (primary sclerosing cholangitis – PSC).

Study Results: 80% of IBD patients achieved clinical remission with reduced inflammation after four weeks of oral vancomycin treatment. 100% showed mucosal healing.

Further Research Planned: Researchers are preparing for randomized controlled trials to further investigate vancomycin’s effectiveness in treating PSC-IBD.

Existing Uses: Vancomycin is a glycopeptide antibiotic used for severe bacterial infections like MRSA, bloodstream infections, skin/soft tissue infections, endocarditis, bone/joint infections, and C. difficile-associated diarrhea.

Mechanism of Action: Vancomycin

Side Effects: Serious side effects can include hearing and kidney damage, more likely in elderly patients.

Not for Viral Infections: Vancomycin is ineffective against colds, flu, or other viral infections.

Specific Target: The study focused on IBD developing in the context of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC).

The 14th Asian Fisheries and Aquaculture Forum (14AFAF) will be held in New Delhi from February 12-14, 2025.

The theme of the forum is “Greening the Blue Growth in Asia-Pacific”.

India is hosting the event for the second time, highlighting its growing importance in global fisheries and aquaculture. The first time was in 2007 (8AFAF in Kochi).

The forum is organized by the Asian Fisheries Society (AFS), Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR), the Department of Fisheries (DoF), and the Asian Fisheries Society Indian Branch (AFSIB).

Around 1,000 delegates from 24 countries are expected to attend.

The forum aims to showcase India’s contributions, strengthen international partnerships, and promote sustainable aquaculture practices.

India holds the 2nd position globally in total fish production and aquaculture production.

Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh, Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying and Panchayati Raj, Govt. of India will inaugurate the forum.

The event includes Lead Presentations by experts from India and overseas.

A Symposium on “Aquatic Animal Diseases: Emerging Challenges and Preparedness” is scheduled on the second day, inaugurated by Shri George Kurian, Minister of State for Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying, and Minority Affairs.

An Academia-Industry-Government Meet on ‘De-risking Shrimp Aquaculture Value Chain for Improved Global Competitiveness’ is scheduled on the third day, inaugurated by Dr B. Mastan Rao, Member of Parliament (Rajya Sabha).

Shri Bhagirath Choudhary, Minister of State for Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Govt. of India will be the Chief Guest at the closing ceremony.