theIASHub | 05 Aug, 2025 | 6
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Asian Giant Tortoise : Recently, in a significant move for wildlife conservation, ten critically endangered Asian giant tortoise, were reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagaland’s Peren district.
o This effort is part of a long-term conservation initiative led by the Nagaland Forest Department in collaboration with the India Turtle Conservation Programme (ITCP).
o Plays a keystone ecological role in tropical forest ecosystems.
o Often referred to as the "small elephant of the forest" for its contribution to seed dispersal and forest floor scavenging.
o Distribution & Habitat: Found across India, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, Malaysia, and Indonesia.
ü In India, historically seen in the Northeast, especially Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh.
ü Prefers dense, moist tropical and subtropical forests, particularly lowland and hill forests with rich undergrowth and leaf litter.
o Physical Features : Size: Can grow up to 60 cm and weight over 35 kg.
o Shell: Heavily domed, dark brown to black, with prominent growth rings.
o Limbs: Thick, scaly forelimbs resembling those of an elephant, adapted for digging.
o Head: Flattened with a sharp beak for tearing vegetation.
o Coloration: Hatchlings are grayish brown and adults darken to a charcoal hue.
o Reproduction: Builds above-ground nest mounds—unusual among tortoises. Females guard the nest to regulate temperature and protect eggs, behavior similar to crocodilians.
o Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered ; CITES: Appendix II
ü India’s Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV
Pariksha Pe Charcha : Recently, in a historic achievement, the Prime Minister of India's flagship initiative, Pariksha Pe Charcha, entered the Guinness World Records for the “Most people registered on a Citizen Engagement Platform in one month.” The recognition marked a record 3.53 crore registrations for the programme’s eighth edition.
o The 2024 edition continues the tradition of fostering a stress-free environment for students appearing in board and other exams.
o Eligibility: Open to school students of Classes 6 to 12, their parents, and teachers.
o Participation: Students can submit responses and questions (within 500 characters) for the Prime Minister.
ü Parents and teachers can take part in dedicated online activities.
o Conceptualized by Sir Hugh Beaver, then Managing Director of the Guinness Brewery in Ireland.
o Aimed to compile verified facts and figures about human achievements and natural phenomena.
o A team of researchers and editors was hired to collect and verify the data.
o The first edition was a huge success, with over 50,000 copies sold within just a few months.
o Over time, it became a global phenomenon, translated into multiple languages and updated annually.
o In 2000, the title was officially changed to Guinness World Records to better reflect its global scope and appeal.
Rhisotope Project: Recently, in a groundbreaking conservation effort, South Africa launched the Rhisotope Project.
o Launched by the University of the Witwatersrand, South Africa, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).
o It is the first wildlife protection project globally to use nuclear technology for conservation.
o Objective: To deter poachers and curb rhino horn smuggling by:
ü Inserting traceable radioactive isotopes into the horns.
ü Making the horns easily detectable at international borders using existing radiation detection systems.
o Detection: Tests showed horns with isotopes could be detected inside 40-foot shipping containers using Radiation Portal Monitors (RPMs) already installed at ports, airports, and borders worldwide.
o Safety Assurance: The process is harmless to rhinos. Treated horns are rendered useless and toxic to humans, discouraging poaching and black-market trade.
o Globally, rhino numbers have declined from 500,000 in the early 1900s to around 27,000 today (IUCN data), driven by illegal horn trade.
Study on Potato: Recently, a study published in Cell revealed that the modern potato evolved from an unexpected hybridization between a wild tomato and a potato-like plant known as Etuberosum, approximately 9 million years ago.
o Tuber Evolution: Neither tomatoes nor Etuberosums originally had tubers. The hybrid plant gained the ability to form tubers, allowing it to store nutrients underground — a key survival adaptation in the cold Andean environment.
o Key Genes Identified: Tomato contributed the SP6A "master switch" gene, signaling tuber formation.
ü Etuberosum contributed the IT1 gene, controlling underground stem growth.
ü Both genes had to function together for tubers to develop — a chance genetic combination.
o This contradiction was resolved through phylogenetic analysis and genome sequencing of 450 wild and cultivated species.
o The study used the most comprehensive collection of wild potato genomic data ever analyzed, including rare specimens from isolated Andean valleys.
India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI): Recently, in a major push towards advancing India’s clean transportation goals, NITI Aayog launched the India Electric Mobility Index (IEMI).
o Each State/UT is scored out of 100, based on 16 indicators grouped under three core themes:
ü Transport Electrification Progress: Tracks EV sales, e-bus deployment, and adoption rates.
ü Charging Infrastructure Readiness: Assesses the extent and availability of charging networks.
ü EV Research & Innovation Status: Evaluates R&D, startups, and local manufacturing ecosystems.
o Objectives of IEMI: Promote data-driven policymaking at the state level.
ü Foster healthy competition to accelerate EV transition.
ü Enable sharing of best practices across regions.
ü Highlight state-specific strengths and gaps for targeted interventions.
o Leading States in EV adoption: Delhi, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, and Karnataka
Ayurveda Aahara : Recently, the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), in consultation with the Ministry of Ayush, released a definitive list of Ayurvedic food preparations under the category of “Ayurveda Aahara.”
o These foods focus on balance, seasonal compatibility, and the use of natural ingredients and herbs with known therapeutic benefits.
o Recognises Ayurvedic food based on: Classical recipes, Authentic ingredients and Traditional preparation methods sourced from authoritative Ayurvedic texts.
o Provides regulatory clarity for Food Business Operators (FBOs).
o Marks a pivotal step in integrating Ayurveda-based nutrition into India’s food regulation system.
o Aims to promote widespread adoption of traditional diets for better public health outcomes.
Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) City Index 2025 : Recently, the Global Artificial Intelligence (AI) City Index 2025, published by market intelligence firm Counterpoint Research, highlighted the leading cities worldwide in AI development and innovation.
o The index evaluates performance across four key pillars: AI R&D Ecosystem
ü Startups, Tech Hubs & Investment Inflows
ü AI Adoption in Key Sectors
ü Digital Infrastructure & Data Centre Growth
o The report aims to spotlight urban centres that are actively shaping the global AI landscape through collaborative governance, policy frameworks, and real-world AI deployment.
o India: Bengaluru leads with strong AI research and infrastructure, while cities like Mumbai, Delhi, Chennai, and Kolkata are emerging hubs.
o Global: Singapore, Seoul, Beijing, Dubai, and San Francisco top the index
ü Index also highlighted fast-growing cities such as Riyadh, Hangzhou, and Bengaluru
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