Today's Brief 29/06/2024
- M.R Mishra
- Jun 29, 2024
- 6 min read
Youtube:
South African researchers have inserted radioactive material into the horns of 20 live rhinos. Their goal: to track horns from rhinos that were hunted illegally.
South African scientists have introduced radioactive substances into the horns of 20 living rhinos to combat illegal poaching. This initiative, conducted at the Waterberg Biosphere Reserve, aims to enable the tracking of poached rhino horns using radiation detectors installed at airports, harbors, and border crossings worldwide.
Over 11,000 of these detectors are part of a global infrastructure designed to curb the movement of illicit nuclear materials, with a significantly larger workforce than those tackling illegal wildlife trade.
James Larkin of the University of the Witwatersrand, the project lead, explains that the primary objective is to reduce the appeal of rhino horns to end-users and facilitate their detection during smuggling operations. He highlights the dire situation, noting that a rhino is killed for its horn every 20 hours in South Africa. These horns, highly prized on the black market for traditional medicine and status symbols, have a value surpassing that of gold, platinum, diamonds, and cocaine.
For six months, veterinarians will closely monitor the rhinos to ensure the radioisotopes do not harm them. The researchers also plan to extend this method to other trafficked animals, such as elephants and pangolins, in the future.
2.Urban Flooding and Mitigation: Heavy rains can wreak havoc on cities. Here's how urban planning can tackle these problems and create a more resilient city during the rainy season:
Problems:
Flooding: Paved surfaces don't absorb water, leading to overflowing drains and submerged streets. This disrupts transportation, damages property, and creates health hazards.
Erosion: Heavy rain can wash away soil, damaging infrastructure and increasing landslide risks in hilly areas.
Mosquito breeding: Stagnant water creates breeding grounds for mosquitoes, leading to diseases like Dengue.
Solutions:
Improved Drainage: Regularly cleaning and maintaining existing drains, and upgrading them to handle increased water flow, is crucial.
Green Infrastructure: Creating green spaces like parks, rain gardens, and bioswales allows water to soak into the ground, reducing runoff and flooding.
Permeable Surfaces: Using materials like porous pavements allows water to permeate through, replenishing groundwater and reducing surface runoff.
Urban Forests: Trees absorb rainwater and slow down runoff, reducing the burden on drainage systems.
Additional Considerations:
Floodplain Management: Avoiding development in floodplains and creating natural buffers along waterways minimizes flood damage.
Building Codes: Enforcing building codes that require flood-resistant materials and designs protects infrastructure and homes.
Public Awareness: Educating residents about proper waste disposal and responsible rainwater management practices plays a role in reducing problems.
By incorporating these strategies, cities can become more resilient to heavy rains. This not only reduces damage and disruptions but also creates a more sustainable and healthy environment.
3.Rhino's in india :India is a champion for the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, also known as the Indian Rhino. These magnificent creatures are the second largest rhino species globally and face significant threats.
Species:
Greater One-horned Rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis)
Habitat: Grasslands and wetlands in Assam and northern India
Status: Vulnerable (IUCN Red List)
Conservation Efforts:
Success Story: India has witnessed a remarkable increase in rhino population. Kaziranga National Park, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is a major success story with the world's largest population of Greater One-horned Rhinos.
National Rhino Conservation Strategy: Launched in 2019, this strategy aims to strengthen protection, expand rhino range, improve research and monitoring, and secure funding for long-term conservation.
Habitat Restoration and Translocation: Efforts focus on restoring corridors between protected areas to allow rhinos to expand their range. Successful relocation programs have helped reintroduce rhinos to Manas National Park.
Combating Poaching: Stringent anti-poaching measures by park authorities and local communities have significantly reduced poaching incidents.
The current population of greater one-horned rhinos in India:
Kaziranga National Park: 2613
Orang National Park: 125
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: 107
Manas National Park: 40
Jaldapara National Park: 287
Gorumara National Park: 52
Dudhwa National Park: 38
Kaziranga National Park, home to the world’s largest greater one-horned rhino population, announced an increase of 200 individuals since 2018, despite 400 deaths that were due mainly to natural causes.
In 2023, the Indian government increased Orang National Park by about 200 square km, connecting it to the Laokhowa and Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuaries, to build a larger landscape corridor for rhinos and other threatened species. This increase follows several expansions of Kaziranga National Park in recent years, which have added 919.48 square kilometers to the Park.
Orang National Park is a national park situated in India on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River, spanning the Darrang and Sonitpur districts of Assam . Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1985, it was declared a national park in 1999.
The park covers an area of approximately 79 square kilometers (30.6 square miles) and is known for its rich biodiversity. It's a significant habitat for the Greater One-horned Rhinoceros, the park's most prominent resident, but also houses a variety of other animals including:
Asian Elephants
Wild Water Buffalo
Bengal Tigers
Pygmy Hogs
Many species of birds
The park's landscape consists of grasslands, marshes, and streams, creating a vital ecosystem for these animals. Orang National Park is Assam's oldest wildlife reserve and the only stronghold for rhinos on the northern bank of the Brahmaputra River.
It's nicknamed the "Mini Kaziranga" due to the similarities in landscape and wildlife with Kaziranga National Park, another prominent rhino sanctuary in Assam.
The park is fringed by three rivers: Pachnoi, Belsiri, and Dhanshiri, all tributaries of the Brahmaputra.
During the monsoon season, the park transforms into a floodplain with numerous streams overflowing and creating wetlands. These wetlands provide a valuable habitat for many species.
The park offers opportunities for Jeep safaris, a popular way for visitors to explore the park and see the wildlife.
Challenges Remain:
Habitat loss and degradation due to human encroachment and development.
Rhino horn continues to be valued in some cultures, fueling poaching for illegal trade.
Rhinos are susceptible to diseases and natural disasters.
4. New Criminal Laws : The Indian Home Ministry has recently introduced three new criminal laws: the Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita, 2023, the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, 2023, and the Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam, 2023.
These laws, which will come into effect on July 1, 2024, will replace the Indian Penal Code, the Code of Criminal Procedure, and the Indian Evidence Act, which date back to the British colonial era.
These new laws are designed to modernize the Indian criminal justice system by addressing contemporary issues. They emphasize a victim-centric approach to justice, enhance national security measures, and prioritize the review of digital and electronic evidence. The aim is to bring the legal framework in line with current needs and challenges, moving away from outdated colonial legislation.
Many changes could be seen , like Audio video recording by police , extension of poilce custody , timely resolution of cases by courts , timely submission of investigation report by Police.
5.Emergency in India: The most notable instance of emergency imposed in India occurred on June 25, 1975. Prime Minister Indira Gandhi declared a National Emergency under Article 352 of the Indian Constitution, citing internal disturbances. This period, often simply referred to as "The Emergency," lasted until March 21, 1977.
It had profound effects on Indian politics and society, including:
Suspension of Civil Liberties: Fundamental Rights of citizens were suspended.
Media Censorship: The press was heavily censored.
Political Repression: Opposition leaders and activists were arrested.
Extended Parliamentary Term: The term of the Lok Sabha was extended beyond its normal five-year period.
Rule by Decree: The executive assumed sweeping powers, bypassing the usual democratic procedures.
In the Indian Constitution, the provisions for emergency situations are detailed in Part XVIII, from Articles 352 to 360. There are three types of emergencies:
National Emergency (Article 352):
Declared when there is a grave threat to the security of India or any part thereof by war, external aggression, or armed rebellion.
Requires the President's proclamation, based on the written advice of the Cabinet.
Parliament must approve the proclamation within one month.
Once approved, the emergency can last indefinitely with periodic parliamentary approval every six months.
Effects: Centralizes power, suspends many Fundamental Rights, and extends the term of the Lok Sabha if necessary.
State Emergency (President's Rule) (Article 356):
Imposed when the President, based on the Governor's report or otherwise, believes that the governance in a state cannot be carried out according to the Constitution.
Initial duration is six months, extendable up to three years with periodic parliamentary approval every six months.
Effects: The President assumes the state's executive power, and the state's legislative assembly may be dissolved or suspended.
Financial Emergency (Article 360):
Declared when the President believes that the financial stability or credit of India or any part of its territory is threatened.
Must be approved by Parliament within two months.
Effects: The executive authority of the Union extends to giving directions to states to observe financial propriety, and salaries of government officials, including judges, may be reduced.
6.Women Cricket : Indian pair of Shafali Verma and Smriti Mandhana on Friday recorded the highest opening partnership in women's Test cricket, sharing a commendable 292-run stand on the opening day of the one-off Test against South Africa here.
Verma reached her double century in just 194 deliveries.
7.Geoportals: The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) unveiled two new geospatial portals today. Dr. Jitendra Singh, a Union Minister, launched the portals during a ceremony at Prithvi Bhavan.
The first portal, named "Bhuvan Panchayat (Ver. 4.0)," aims to empower citizens at the village level (Panchayat) by providing high-resolution satellite imagery and land record management tools.
This initiative builds on Prime Minister Narendra Modi's reforms introduced over the past decade.
The second portal, "National Database for Emergency Management (NDEM Ver. 5.0)," leverages space-based technology to aid in disaster risk reduction for India and neighboring countries. It provides real-time data to government agencies, enabling them to proactively prevent disasters and issue early warnings.
These portals represent a significant advancement in utilizing space technology for the benefit of the common people. They align with the vision of India's space program founder, Vikram Sarabhai, who emphasized the practical applications of space exploration for everyday life.
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