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March 2,
2020
Contents
1. India is host to 457 migratory fauna, shows latest CMS list
2. Water crisis looms large in Himalayan regions
3. Centre to review list of monuments under ASI
4. Lioness gave foster care to leopard cub in Gir national park
5. Experts raise concerns for India over U.S.-Taliban agreement
6. With falling allocation, Navy looks at fleet optimisation
7. Eurasian otter found in Chilika Lake
Why in news?
With new additions to the wildlife list put out by the Convention on the
Conservation of Migratory Species (CMS), scientists say that the total number of
migratory fauna from India comes to 457 species.
Birds comprise 83% (380 species) of these 457 species.
Details
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) had for the first time compiled the list of
migratory species of India under the CMS before the Conference of Parties (COP
13)held in Gujarat on February 2020.
It had put the number of migratory species at 451. Six species were added later.
The 6 species that were added are the Asian elephant, great Indian bustard, Bengal
florican, oceanic white-tip shark, urial and smooth hammerhead shark.
Globally, more than 650 species are listed under the CMS appendices.
India has over 450 species, and hence plays a very important role in their
conservation.
Bits of Information
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The bird family Muscicapidae (small arboreal insectivores) has the highest number
of migratory species.
2/13
Dolphins are the second highest group of mammals with nine migratory species of
dolphins listed.
Seven reptiles, which include five species of turtles and the Indian gharial and salt
water crocodile, are among the CMS species found in India.
Extra Information
River Dolphin is the National Aquatic Animal of India. This mammal is also said to
represent the purity of the holy Ganga as it can only survive in pure and fresh
water.
Plataista gangetica has a long pointed snout and also have visible teeth in both the
upper and lower jaws.
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WATER CRISIS LOOMS LARGE IN HIMALAYAN REGIONS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology
Why in news?
Eight towns in the Himalayan region of Bangladesh, Nepal, India and Pakistan were
nearly 20%-70% deficient in their water supply, says a survey.
Unplanned urbanisation and climate change are the key factors responsible for the
state of affairs.
Dependence on Springs
The places surveyed are extremely dependent on springs (ranging between 50%
and 100%) for their water, and three-fourths were in urban areas.
Under current trends, the demand supply gap may double by 2050.
Why in news?
The number of monuments under the Centre’s protection could increase as the
government is planning to conduct a review of those under the Archaeological
Survey of India (ASI) and the ones protected by the State governments.
Details
As of March 2020, 3,691 monuments nationwide are protected by the ASI, with the
highest number, 745, in Uttar Pradesh.
The list of Centrally protected monuments can go up to 10,000.
In Tamil Nadu alone, there are about 7,000 temples, many of which are hundreds
of years old.
On the other hand, there are some monuments under the ASI that can be shifted
to the State list.
There is a ban on construction within 100 metres of a Centrally protected
monument and regulated construction within 100-200 metres under the Ancient
Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
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Besides it regulate all archaeological activities in the country as per the provisions
of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains Act, 1958.
It also regulates Antiquities and Art Treasure Act, 1972.
For the maintenance of ancient monuments and archaeological sites and remains
of national importance the entire country is divided into 24 Circles.
The organization has a large work force of trained archaeologists, conservators,
epigraphist, architects and scientists for conducting archaeological research
projects through its Circles, Museums, Excavation Branches, Prehistory Branch,
Epigraphy Branches, Science Branch, Horticulture Branch, Building Survey Project,
Temple Survey Projects and Underwater Archaeology Wing.
The most important of the society’s achievements was the decipherment of the
Brahmi script by James Prinsep in 1837. This successful decipherment inaugurated
the study of Indian palaeography.
Why is news?
A lioness in Gujarat’s Gir National Park gave foster care to a leopard cub for more than a
month. A study has noted their short-lived bonding as a rare case of foster care between
two competing feline species.
Elephant seals and sea lions are known to adopt orphans of their own kind.
The animal kingdom has ONLY two reported cases of cross-species adoption in the
wild till now.
Why in news?
After a closer look at the texts of the two agreements named the
Diplomatic and security experts say the impact on India may be a cause for worry
for the government.
7/13
All Taliban demands have been front-loaded, while the actual terms of the ‘peace deal’
are yet to be negotiated between the Taliban and the Afghan side, facilitated by the U.S.
So, much of the heavy lifting remains.
India’s Concerns
In the Doha agreement, The U.S. appears to submit to the possibility of a Taliban-
led government, by extracting promises that the Taliban will not provide “visas,
passports, travel documents or asylum” to those threatening the U.S. and its allies.
This sidelines the “Intra-Afghan” dialogue, and India’s support for the election
process for leadership in Afghanistan.
India cannot look at the agreements or the route to Kabul via Washington’s view
the
Ghani government, which India has recognised as winner of the 2019 election, will
only serve for an interim period.
This also raises a big question mark on the future of Afghanistan’s government,
and whether it will remain a democracy.
Why in news?
Facing increasing budgetary constraints and with several bigticket acquisitions
lined up, the Navy is looking at adopting unmanned platforms, both aerial and
underwater, in a big way.
It is firm on a third aircraft carrier and the next line of six advanced submarines
under Project-75I.
Details
As part of the fleet rationalisation plan, the Navy has cut down on the requirement
of minesweepers from 12 to 8 and additional P-8I long-range patrol aircraft from
10 to six.
The Navy now has no dedicated minesweepers in service, and is resorting to
makeshift arrangements.
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It has procured some autonomous underwater vehicles is in the process of
procuring 10 General Atomics Seaguardian High Altitude Long Endurance (HALE)
armed drones from the U.S. for maritime surveillance.
Project-75I
The Project 75I-class submarine is a follow-on of the Project 75 Kalvari-class
submarines for the Indian Navy.
Under this project, the Indian Navy intends to acquire six diesel-electric
submarines, which will also feature advanced air-independent propulsion systems
to enable them to stay submerged for longer duration and substantially increase
their operational range.
All six submarines are expected to be constructed in Indian shipyards.
Why in news?
Researchers conducting a study in Odisha’s Chilika Lake have found the presence
of a viable, breeding population of a fishing cat in the brackish water lagoon.
It is a globally endangered species that is elusive and found in very few places in
south and southeast Asia.
Another globally endangered species, smooth-coated otter, has also been
recorded from the study’s data.
Fishing Cat
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The fishing cat (Prionailurus viverrinus) is a medium-sized wild cat of South and
Southeast Asia.
Since 2016, it is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.
Fishing cat populations are threatened by destruction of wetlands and have
declined severely over the last decade.
Smooth-Coated Otter
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The smooth-coated otter (Lutrogale perspicillata) is an otter species occurring in
most of the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia, with a disjunct population in
Iraq.
The smooth-coated otter is a protected species in most range countries and listed
globally as a vulnerable species. It had been listed on CITES Appendix II since 1977.
Since August 2019, it is included in CITES Appendix I, thus strengthening its
protection in regards to international trade.
IUCN
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is a membership union
uniquely composed of both government and civil society organisations.
Created in 1948, it is the global authority on the status of the natural world and the
measures needed to safeguard it.
It is headquartered in Switzerland.
The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, is the world’s most comprehensive
inventory of the global conservation status of plant and animal species.
CITES Appendix
The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and
Flora (CITES) is an international agreement to which States and regional economic
integration organizations adhere voluntarily.
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CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of
members of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
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