Western Ghats Host 337 Butterfly Species
In September 2024, a new study highlights that the Western Ghats are home to 337 butterfly species, with Kerala boasting the highest number, while the diversity diminishes as one moves northward.
Key Points
- Species Distribution: The Western Ghats feature 337 butterfly species: Kerala has 328, Tamil Nadu 326, and Karnataka 317. The southern regions exhibit the highest species diversity, which decreases moving northward.
- Butterfly Families: The study categorizes species into various families: Papilionidae (19), Pieridae (34), Nymphalidae (100), Riodinidae (2), Lycaenidae (99), and Hesperiidae (83).
- Endemic and Protected Species: Of the 40 strictly endemic species, only 22 are listed on the IUCN Red List, with two classified as ‘near threatened’ and the rest as ‘least concern.’ Approximately 71 species (21%) are protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
- Conservation Discrepancies: Some strictly endemic and rare species are not protected under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, and certain common species are on the IUCN Red List despite being less threatened.
- Diversity Across Regions: The southern and central Western Ghats have the highest butterfly diversity, each with 324 species, while the northern region has only 255 species.
India’s First Study on Teal Carbon
India’s recent inaugural study on teal carbon, conducted at Keoladeo National Park (KNP) in Rajasthan, underscores the critical role of wetland conservation in tackling climate adaptation and resilience challenges.
Key Points
- Teal Carbon Concept: Teal carbon refers to organic carbon stored in non-tidal freshwater wetlands, encompassing carbon sequestered in vegetation, microbial biomass, and organic matter.
- Challenges in Wetlands: Wetlands are vulnerable to pollution, land use changes, and landscape modifications. If degraded, they could release harmful gases like methane and carbon dioxide.
- Solutions: The Keoladeo National Park study found elevated methane emissions, calling for solutions such as biochar.
- Global Implications: Teal carbon ecosystems could play a vital role in increasing groundwater levels, flood mitigation, and reducing heat islands, contributing to sustainable urban adaptation.
First India-GCC Foreign Ministers’ Meeting
On 8th September 2024, S Jaishankar, India’s External Affairs Minister, landed in Riyadh to attend the inaugural India-Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) foreign ministers’ meeting.
Key Points
- EAM Three-Nation Tour: EAM visit to Saudi Arabia is the first leg of his three-nation tour, which will also take him to Germany and Switzerland.
- India-GCC Relations: India’s trade with the GCC countries reached USD 184.46 billion in the 2022-23 financial year, highlighting the significance of the partnership. The GCC includes UAE, Bahrain, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, and Kuwait.
- Focus of the Meeting: The meeting provides an opportunity to enhance cooperation between India and the GCC in trade, investment, energy, and cultural exchanges. Jaishankar will also hold bilateral meetings with several GCC foreign ministers during the visit.
- Indian Expatriates: The GCC is home to approximately 8.9 million Indian expatriates, reinforcing strong people-to-people ties between the two regions.
India Awards Contract for First Bio-Hydrogen Project
In September 2024, the government awarded a Rs 164 crore contract to Gensol Engineering, in collaboration with Matrix Gas & Renewables, for India’s first bio-hydrogen project, marking a key step in the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
Key Points
- Project Overview: Gensol Engineering, alongside Matrix Gas & Renewables, has secured the contract to develop India’s first bio-hydrogen plant.
- The project, valued at Rs 164 crore, will process 25 tonnes of bio-waste daily and produce one tonne of green hydrogen using advanced gasification technology.
- What is Bio-Hydrogen?: Bio-hydrogen is a cleaner alternative to conventional hydrogen, produced from organic waste like biomass through methods such as biophotolysis and dark fermentation.
- Unlike hydrogen from fossil fuels, bio-hydrogen relies on renewable resources, making it a sustainable energy solution.
- India’s Green Energy Push: Aligned with the National Green Hydrogen Mission, India’s vast agricultural sector, which generates 380 million tonnes of waste annually, presents a significant opportunity for bio-hydrogen production.
- Opportunities in the Bio-Hydrogen Sector:. Rural areas, rich in organic waste, stand to benefit from decentralised bio-hydrogen plants, transforming waste into renewable energy for local use.
India Approves New Treatment for Drug-Resistant TB
On 6th September 2024, the Union Health Ministry has approved the introduction of the BPaLM regimen, a more effective and quicker treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis, aiming to eliminate TB by 2025.
Key Points
- Introduction of the BPaLM Regimen: The BPaLM regimen, consisting of Bedaquiline, Pretomanid, Linezolid, and Moxifloxacin, has been introduced as a safer, faster, and more efficient treatment for drug-resistant tuberculosis.
- Faster and More Effective Treatment: Unlike traditional treatments that can take up to 20 months, the BPaLM regimen can cure drug-resistant TB in just six months, offering a higher success rate and fewer side effects.
- National TB Elimination Programme: The new regimen has been incorporated into India’s National TB Elimination Programme as part of the country’s goal to eliminate tuberculosis by 2025, five years ahead of the global target.
- Availability for Drug-Resistant TB Patients: India’s 75,000 drug-resistant TB patients will benefit from the shorter, more efficient BPaLM treatment, which will also result in significant cost savings.
- Pretomanid’s Approval in India: Pretomanid, a key component of the regimen, has already been approved for use in India by the Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO), further bolstering the country’s anti-TB efforts.
- India’s Extensive TB Laboratory Network: India boasts the world’s largest TB laboratory network, with 7,767 rapid molecular testing facilities and 87 drug susceptibility testing laboratories to support the fight against TB.
- Global Leadership in TB Elimination: India’s adoption of the BPaLM regimen positions the country as a leader in the global effort to eliminate tuberculosis, significantly improving the standard of care for drug-resistant TB patients.
Mike Pandey Wins 2024 Jackson Wild Legacy Award
On 5th September 2024, renowned filmmaker and conservationist Mike Pandey has been honored with the 2024 Jackson Wild Legacy Award, recognizing his 45 years of impactful storytelling in wildlife and environmental filmmaking.
- The Jackson Wild Legacy Award is one of the most prestigious global honors in the field of wildlife and environmental filmmaking.
- Pandey was presented the award at a ceremony in Maryland, USA, in recognition of his work to raise awareness about critical wildlife and environmental issues.
- With a career spanning over four decades, Pandey’s films have spotlighted endangered species and ecosystems, influencing conservation policies.
- He has been a voice for the planet’s “voiceless beings,” aiming to protect vulnerable species through the power of storytelling.
- His films have played a pivotal role in creating awareness on environmental conservation, urging viewers to take action to preserve biodiversity.
Abdelmadjid Tebboune Re-elected in Algeria
On 8th September 2024, President Abdelmadjid Tebboune secured a landslide victory in Algeria’s presidential election, though low voter turnout has raised concerns over legitimacy.
- Tebboune won 94.7% of the vote, far outpacing his opponents, with Islamist Abdelali Hassani Cherif receiving 3.2% and socialist Youcef Aouchiche garnering 2.2%.
- Only 5.6 million of Algeria’s 24 million eligible voters participated, with a staggering 80% abstention rate, marking the lowest voter turnout in recent years.
- Tebboune’s re-election follows his initial victory in 2019, which was also marred by low participation and dissent among pro-democracy activists.
- The election took place in an atmosphere of political repression, with Amnesty International and opposition parties condemning the harassment of activists, journalists, and civil society figures.
- The “Hirak” pro-democracy movement, which previously ousted long-serving President Abdelaziz Bouteflika, has criticized the election as a tool to legitimize the ruling elite.
Tuhin Kanta Pandey Appointed Finance Secretary
On 7th September 2024, Senior bureaucrat Tuhin Kanta Pandey has been designated as the new finance secretary, following an official order from the personnel ministry.
- Tuhin Kanta Pandey, a 1987-batch IAS officer from the Odisha cadre, is currently serving as the secretary of the Department of Investment and Public Asset Management (DIPAM).
- His appointment as finance secretary was approved by the Appointments Committee of the Cabinet.
- The vacancy for the finance secretary position arose after T V Somanathan was appointed as the Cabinet secretary last month.
- As per established convention, the senior-most secretary in the Union finance ministry is designated as the finance secretary.
- His leadership at DIPAM involved managing strategic disinvestments of public sector enterprises, further shaping the government’s financial strategies.
Randhir Singh Elected President of Olympic Council of Asia
On 8th September 2024, Veteran sports administrator Randhir Singh became the first Indian to be elected president of the Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) during its 44th General Assembly.
- Randhir Singh, a five-time Olympic shooter, was the sole candidate for the OCA presidency and was unanimously elected for a term running from 2024 to 2028.
- He had been serving as the OCA acting president since 2021, following the suspension of Sheikh Ahmad Al-Fahad Al-Sabah, who was banned for 15 years from sports administration due to ethical violations.
- The election, conducted electronically, saw Randhir secure 44 out of 45 votes, with one abstention and no opposing votes from the 45 National Olympic Committees.
- Randhir Singh has held various leadership roles in Indian and Asian sports organizations and was an International Olympic Committee (IOC) member from 2001 to 2014, later becoming an honorary member.
- Vice presidents for the OCA’s five regions and executive board members from different zones were also elected uncontested during the session.
Odisha Launches CM-KISAN Yojana
On 8th September 2024, Odisha Chief Minister launched the CM-KISAN Yojana in Sambalpur, disbursing Rs 925 crore to nearly 46 lakh farmers during the Nuakhai harvest festival.
- The CM-KISAN Yojana, introduced by the current BJP government, replaces the previous BJD government’s Kalia scheme.
- Under the scheme, small and marginal farmers will receive Rs 4,000 annually in two instalments, distributed on Nuakhai and Akshaya Tritiya.
- A total of 46 lakh farmers, including landless agriculture households, will benefit from this initiative, according to Chief Minister Majhi.
- With the Centre already providing Rs 6,000 per year under the PM-KISAN scheme, farmers in Odisha will now receive a combined annual benefit of Rs 10,000.
- The first instalment was distributed on Nuakhai to support farmers in purchasing seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and equipment ahead of the Rabi crop season.
- The state government has also introduced a scholarship program offering Rs 2 lakh to the children of CM-KISAN beneficiaries to pursue technical education.
- A two-month saturation drive has been launched to include all eligible farmers under the PM-KISAN scheme, addressing the exclusion of some beneficiaries.