Bhadra Tiger Reserve
Bhadra Tiger Reserve, nestled within the Western Ghats region, is a unique eco-sensitive zone boasting diverse habitats. Situated amidst several hill ranges, it is drained by the river Bhadra and its tributaries. Recognized for its substantial tiger population, the sanctuary gained prominence as the 25th Project Tiger reserve in India in 1998. Additionally, it holds the status of an Elephant Reserve, showcasing dry-deciduous, moist-deciduous, shola, and semi-evergreen patches rich in flora such as Teak, Rosewood, Mathi, Honne, Nandi, and various medicinal plants. The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including Tiger, Leopard, Leopard cat, Dholes, Indian Civet, and ungulates like Gaur, Sambar, and Barking Deer.
Oxytocin: Action Against Use in Dairy Colonies
The Delhi High Court has called for action against the widespread use of Oxytocin in dairy colonies across the national capital. Oxytocin, popularly known as the ‘love hormone,’ is naturally secreted by mammals during intimate or bonding moments. However, its misuse in boosting milk production in cattle led to its ban by the Central government in April 2018. This hormone, administered through injections or nasal solutions, has crucial roles in childbirth, lactation, and postpartum care. The ban aimed to safeguard the health of cattle and consumers while preventing the misuse of this hormone for agricultural purposes.
Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower
The Eta Aquariid meteor shower, active since April 15, reaches its peak on May 5 and 6. Originating from the orbital plane of Halley’s Comet, this meteor shower is known for its rapid speed and long-lasting, glowing tails. Observers in the Southern Hemisphere can witness around 30 to 40 meteors per hour during the peak, while those in the Northern Hemisphere may see approximately 10 meteors per hour due to the shower's radiant position. Eta Aquariid meteors often appear as ‘Earthgrazers’ in the Northern Hemisphere, while in the Southern Hemisphere, they are more visible higher in the sky.
PlayTrue Campaign: NADA
The National Anti-Doping Agency (NADA) India concluded its #PlayTrue Campaign with over 12,133 participants. This campaign, organized to promote clean sports and anti-doping practices, focused on fair play, integrity, and rejecting doping in sports. Through activities like quizzes and awareness sessions, NADA aimed to uphold anti-doping regulations, ensuring a level playing field for all athletes aligned with the World Anti-Doping Agency's vision.
Draft New Explosives Bill
The government has proposed a new Explosives Bill to replace the outdated Explosives Act of 1884. This bill aims to regulate the manufacturing, possession, sale, transport, import, and export of explosives such as gunpowder and nitroglycerine. Noteworthy highlights include defining explosives comprehensively, empowering the Central Government to oversee licensing functions, increasing fines for violations, and establishing a framework for effective enforcement and rule-making.
FLiRT: New COVID-19 Variants Increase Concern in US
The emergence of the FLiRT variants within the Omicron JN.1 lineage, including KP.2 and KP 1.1 variants, has raised concerns in the United States due to increased contagiousness. These variants exhibit new mutations, yet their impact on severity, infectiousness, and vaccine resistance remains under scrutiny. The Infectious Disease Society of America underscores the need for continued surveillance and research to understand and address the implications of these variants.
Tornado Struck in West Bengal
A destructive tornado in West Bengal claimed five lives and left over a hundred injured. The rising incidence of tornadoes across India points to complex meteorological factors such as warming in the Bay of Bengal, land interactions, and anomalous wind patterns. Tornadoes, unlike cyclones, are local, short-lived phenomena resulting from intense thunderstorms influenced by factors like wind shear and atmospheric conditions, making their prediction and management challenging.
Orangutan Treats Wound With Medicinal Plant
Rakus, an orangutan in Sumatra, Indonesia, exhibited a remarkable behavior of treating a wound with Akar Kuning, a medicinal plant known for its antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. This observation highlights the potential for animals, including great apes, to self-medicate using natural remedies, suggesting a shared evolutionary history in seeking healing from the environment.
Diplomatic Passport
Amid sexual abuse allegations, Janata Dal (Secular) MP Prajwal Revanna utilized a diplomatic passport to flee to Germany. Diplomatic passports, reserved for official representatives on diplomatic missions, grant legal privileges and immunities under international law. Issued by the Ministry of External Affairs, these passports serve as vital tools for government officials and diplomats engaged in official duties abroad, ensuring diplomatic protocols and protections.
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