Today's Brief 1/07/2024
- M.R Mishra
- Jul 1, 2024
- 4 min read
Updated: Jul 2, 2024
2. Great Indian Bustard: he Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has approved Rs 56 crore for the next phase of the conservation of Great Indian Bustard (GIB) and Lesser Florican.
The first component comprises targets such as completion of the conservation breeding centre (CBC) in Jaisalmer’s Ramdevra, development of the Sorsan Lesser Florican facility, preparatory work for releasing captive-bred birds, release of GIBs in Rajasthan and other range states, post-release monitoring and artificial insemination.
Location:
Jaisalmer’s Ramdevra
Sorsan Lesser Florican facility,
The Great Indian Bustard (Ardeotis nigriceps) is one of the heaviest flying birds in the world and is native to the Indian subcontinent.
Description
Appearance: The Great Indian Bustard has a large body with long legs and a long neck. Males are larger than females, typically reaching up to 1.2 meters (4 feet) in height and weighing between 10-15 kg (22-33 lbs). They have a distinctive black cap on their heads, a white neck and underparts, and brown wings.
Flight: Despite their size, they are capable of strong and sustained flight.
Habitat
Range: Historically, they were found across the Indian subcontinent. Today, their population is mostly restricted to isolated pockets in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh in India.
Habitat: They prefer open grasslands, semi-arid regions, and lightly wooded areas.
Behavior and Diet
Diet: Great Indian Bustards are omnivorous. They feed on a variety of items including seeds, insects, small reptiles, and rodents.
Breeding: The breeding season typically occurs around the monsoon. Males perform elaborate courtship displays to attract females. Females lay a single egg on the ground, which they incubate and care for without assistance from the males.
Conservation Status
Threats: The Great Indian Bustard is critically endangered due to habitat loss, hunting, and collisions with power lines. Their grassland habitats have been extensively converted for agriculture and other developments.
Conservation Efforts: Efforts are being made to protect and restore their habitat, reduce human-wildlife conflict, and raise awareness about their plight. Conservation breeding programs and strict protection measures in key habitats are also being implemented.
The Lesser Florican
The Lesser Florican (Sypheotides indicus) is another significant bird species native to the Indian subcontinent.
Description
Appearance: The Lesser Florican is a small bustard with a striking appearance. Males are about 46 cm (18 inches) tall during the breeding season and have a distinctive black plumage with white plumes on their head and neck. Females are larger, about 51 cm (20 inches) tall, and have a more cryptic brown plumage to help them blend into their grassland habitats.
Breeding Plumage: Males display remarkable breeding plumage and perform acrobatic courtship displays, including high jumps and rapid wing beats.
Habitat
Range: The Lesser Florican is primarily found in India, with significant populations in Rajasthan, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, and Maharashtra. Smaller populations may also be found in Nepal.
Habitat: They prefer grasslands, especially during the monsoon season, and can also be found in agricultural fields and scrublands.
Behavior and Diet
Diet: Lesser Floricans are omnivorous, feeding on insects, seeds, and small vertebrates. During the breeding season, their diet primarily consists of insects.
Breeding: The breeding season coincides with the monsoon, from July to September. Males perform elaborate displays to attract females. Females lay 2-4 eggs on the ground in a simple nest made of grass.
Conservation Status
Threats: The Lesser Florican is critically endangered, primarily due to habitat loss and degradation caused by agricultural expansion, overgrazing, and changes in land use. Hunting and poaching also pose significant threats.
Conservation Efforts: Conservation measures include habitat protection and restoration, awareness campaigns, and research to understand their ecology and behavior better. Efforts are being made to work with local communities to promote sustainable land use practices that benefit both the birds and the people.
Importance
Ecological Role: Lesser Floricans play an important role in their ecosystem by controlling insect populations and dispersing seeds.
Cultural Significance: Like the Great Indian Bustard, the Lesser Florican is a symbol of India's natural heritage and highlights the importance of grassland conservation.
2. Cohabitation: go to Point 3 https://www.smritiias.in/post/today-s-brief-27-06-2024
3.18th Statistics Day: The 18th Statistics Day was celebrated in India on June 29, 2024.
It is celebrated every year to honor the birth anniversary of Professor Prasanta Chandra Mahalanobis, a pioneer in statistics who made significant contributions to statistical methods and economic planning in India.
Theme: for the 18th Statistics Day was "Use of Data for Decision Making".
4.The New Criminal laws – Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023 – are now in effect. The Government of India has worked closely with States and Union Territories to ensure they are equipped with the necessary technology, training, and awareness.
The National Crime Records Bureau (NCRB) has updated the Crime and Criminal Tracking Networks and Systems (CCTNS) with 23 new features and is providing technical support for a smooth transition. Police and investigative authorities have been trained, and public awareness efforts have been extensive, including news coverage, social media, flyers, and educational initiatives.
5.AUKUS: AUKUS is a trilateral security partnership between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States, established in September 2021 Its focus is on the Indo-Pacific region.
Main goals:
Boosting Security: AUKUS aims to strengthen the ability of each member country to address security and defense challenges in the Indo-Pacific .
Nuclear-Powered Submarines for Australia: A central part of AUKUS is assisting Australia in acquiring its first fleet of nuclear-powered submarines (SSNs). This significantly enhances Australia's underwater defense capabilities .
Collaboration on Advanced Technologies: AUKUS goes beyond submarines. The partnership fosters cooperation in various advanced military capabilities like artificial intelligence, cyber technologies, and hypersonic weapons
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Refrence:
Indian Express
The Hindu
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