The Indian Express

What are AI agents?

Context: GPT-4o by OpenAI and Project Astra by Google are the recently launched AI Agents. They  have been touted as far superior to conventional voice assistants such as Alexa, Siri, and Google Assistant. The launch of these models marks a new phase in AI — the transition from chatbots to multimodal interactive AI agents.

AI agents

  • AI agents are sophisticated AI systems that can engage in real-time, multimodal (text, image, or voice) interactions with humans. Unlike conventional language models, which solely work on text-based inputs and outputs, AI agents can process and respond to a wide variety of inputs including voice, images, and even input from their surroundings.
  • AI agents perceive their environment via sensors, then process the information using algorithms or AI models, and subsequently, provide intelligent responses and assistance. The new AI models can have instant real-time conversations with a user.
  • AI agents are quick to adapt to new situations. This facet makes them incredibly versatile and capable of handling a wide range of situations.
  • Currently, they are used in fields such as gaming, robotics, virtual assistants, autonomous vehicles, etc.

How are they different from large language models?

  • While large language models (LLMs) like GPT-3 and GPT-4 have the ability to only generate human-like text, AI agents make interactions more natural and immersive with the help of voice, vision, and environmental sensors.
    • Unlike LLMs, AI agents are designed for instantaneous, real-time conversations with responses much similar to humans.
    • LLMs lack contextual awareness, while AI agents can understand and learn from the context of interactions, allowing them to provide more relevant and personalised responses. 
  • Language models only generate text output. AI agents, however, can perform complex tasks autonomously such as coding, data analysis, etc. When integrated with robotic systems, AI agents can even perform physical actions.

Potential uses of AI agents:

  • Customer Service Assistants: AI agents can serve as intelligent and highly capable assistants. They are capable of handling an array of tasks, from offering personalised recommendations to scheduling appointments and resolving queries instantly without actually the need for human interventions.
  • Personalised Tutors: In the field of education and training, AI agents can act as personal tutors, customise themselves based on a student’s learning styles, and may even offer a tailored set of instructions.
  • Healthcare assistants: In healthcare, they could assist medical professionals by providing real-time analysis, diagnostic support, and even monitoring patients.

Are there any risks and challenges?

  • Privacy and security are a key area of concern as AI agents gain access to more personal data and environmental information.
  • Just like any AI model, AI agents can carry forward biases from their training data or algorithms, leading to harmful outcomes. 

Hence, as these systems become more common, appropriate regulations and governance frameworks should be laid out to ensure their responsible deployment.

Baltic Sea

Context: Russia deletes draft of plan to redraw border in Baltic Sea which alarmed NATO countries.

About Baltic Sea

  • The Baltic Sea is a part of the North Atlantic Ocean. It stretches from southern Denmark to near the Arctic Circle, dividing the Scandinavian Peninsula from mainland Europe.
  • The area where rivers flow into the Baltic Sea, bringing freshwater, is about four times bigger than the sea itself.
  • The Baltic Sea is a small part of the larger area that was once covered by melting ice from Scandinavia as the Ice Age ended.
  • The seven biggest rivers (Daugava, Gota, Nemunas, Neva, Oder, Tornio, and Vistula) cover 50% of the Baltic Sea catchment area.

Baltic Sea - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

Boundary countries of Baltic Sea

  • There are nine countries with a shoreline at the Baltic Sea:
  •  Denmark, Germany, Poland, Russia (at the Gulf of Finland, and the Russian exclave of Kaliningrad Oblast), Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia, Finland, and Sweden.

Antarctic Parliament meets in Kochi: What’s on the table?

Context: India is hosting the 46th Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM 46), also known as the Antarctic Parliament, from May 20-30 in Kochi.

About Antarctic Parliament

  • The National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research, Goa, through the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES), has organised the meeting.
  • It will be attended by the 56 member countries of the Antarctic Treaty.
  • The ATCM is meant to facilitate a global dialogue on law, logistics, governance, science, tourism, and other aspects of the southern continent. During the Kochi meet, India will also officially table its plan to construct Maitri II before the members. Any new construction or initiative in Antarctica requires the ATCM’s approval.

Note -

Every year the original twelve Parties to the Treaty and those Parties that demonstrate their interest in Antarctica by conducting substantial research activity there - together called the Consultative Parties - meet "for the purpose of exchanging information, consulting together on matters of common interest pertaining to Antarctica, and formulating and considering and recommending to their governments measures in furtherance of the principles and objectives of the Treaty" (Art. IX). This forum is the Antarctic Treaty Consultative Meeting (ATCM).

  • India had last hosted the ATCM in New Delhi in 2007.

Antarctic treaty

  • Definition of Antarctica: All the Land and ice shelves to the south of 60 degree latitude.
  • It will be treated as Global Common + Principles of Peace, Science and Environmental protection.
  • The Antarctic Treaty was signed in Washington on 1 December 1959 by the twelve countries. It entered into force in 1961 and has since been acceded to by many other nations. The total number of Parties to the Treaty is now 56 (including India)
  • Antarctica should be used only for peaceful purposes. No country should build military bases.
  • No country should claim sovereignty over Antarctica based on setting up of Research stations.
  • No Nuclear explosions or disposal of radioactive wastes
  • Countries to take appropriate efforts to abide by the provisions of the treaty.
    • India and Antarctica:
      • India signed the Antarctic Treaty in 1983.
      • India ratified the Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources in 1985.
      • India signed Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty in 1998. (Madrid Protocol)
      • India's research stations in Antarctica: Dakshin Gangotri (De-commissioned now); Maitri and Bharati. Managed by National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa under the Ministry of Earth Sciences.
      • In 2022, India enacted the Antarctic Act, reaffirming its commitment to the Antarctic Treaty.

Sariska Tiger Reserve

Context: The Supreme Court has ordered the Rajasthan government to shutter 68 mines operating within a 1-kilometre periphery of the critical tiger habitat (CTH) of the Sariska reserve.

About Sariska tiger reserve

  • Location - Sharp cliffs of hills and narrow valleys of the Aravallis.
  • History - It was once a hunting ground of the Maharaja of Alwar before being proclaimed a natural reserve in 1955 & national park in 1979.
  • Success - Has unique distinction of succesfully reintroducing tiger after its local extinction. 
  • Natural Vegetation - Characterised by Dry Deciduous Forests and Tropical Thorn Forest. Anogeissus pendula (also known as Dhok tree or Button tree) is the dominant tree species in the region. 
  • Fauna - The main tourist attraction of the Sariska Tiger Reserve is the Royal Bengal Tiger. Apart from the tiger, other wild animals are Chital, Leopard, Sambhar, Nilgai, Four Horned Antelope, Rhesus Macaque, Langur & Wild Boar.
  • Other important features - Kankarwadi fort is located in the center of the Reserve and it is said that Mughal emperor Aurangzeb had imprisoned his brother Dara Shikoh at this fort in struggle for succession to the throne. It also has Siliserh Lake, which is home to a large number of crocodiles.

Note – Core/critical tiger habitat (CTH) vs Critical wildlife habitat (CWH)

  • “Section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (as amended in 2006) explains the core or critical tiger habitat as well as the buffer or peripheral area of a tiger reserve.
  • A tiger reserve includes two parts:
    • Core or critical tiger habitat (National Park or Sanctuary status).
    • Buffer or peripheral area.
  • The phrase ‘core or critical tiger habitat’ is mentioned only in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as a sequel to amendment made to the said Act in 2006.  It is NOT defined in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006.
  • The phrase ‘critical wildlife habitat’ is defined only in the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, and NOT in the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
  • 'Core or critical tiger habitat’ is different from the ‘critical wildlife habitat’.  Since tigers are territorial big cats, hence considering their social land tenure dynamics, the ‘core / critical tiger habitat’ has been viewed separately from the ‘critical wildlife habitat’, which is applicable to other wild animal species. 

Dhok Trees

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  • They are also known as Button tree
  • They can be grown on hard, rocky surfaces and difficult terrain.
  • They can be grown in arid and semi-arid areas but the unique point is It has no succulent parts or deep roots that can bore into fine rock fissures seeking dampness.
    • Then how does it survive?
      • button tree is “more like a banyan. Instead of sending aerial roots down, the dhok sends subterranean shoots up.
      • It has the ability to bind itself well on the mountainous surface without getting extremely deep for strength. Moreover, the roots possess a subterranean system that allows the tree to spread well over an extensive area.
  • The tribal and rural folks have been using Anogeissus Pendula for many medicinal uses for ailments like dysentery or for its anti-oxidant properties.

What is Blue Origin?

Context: First Indian ventured into space as a tourist on board Amazon’s founder Jeff Bezos’s rocket company Blue Origin. The New Shepard rocket and capsule lifted off from Blue Origin’s facilities. NS-25, Blue Origin’s seventh crewed flight to date, carried six customers. 

image 49

About Blue Origin

  • The company was founded in 2000 by Jeff Bezos, the founder of Amazon.
  • Blue Origin is an American aerospace manufacturer, defence contractor, launch service provider and space technologies company headquartered in Washington, United States.
  • In 2021, New Shepard performed its first crewed mission to sub-orbital space called Blue Origin NS-16. The flight lasted approximately 10 minutes and crossed the Karman line. 
image 50

New Shepard

  • New Shepard is a suborbital launch vehicle developed for space tourism.
  • The vehicle is named after Alan Shepard, the first American astronaut in space.
  • The vehicle is capable of vertical take-off and landings and can carry humans and customer payloads to the edge of space.
  • It is a rocket that consists of a booster rocket and a crew capsule. The capsule can be configured to house up to six passengers, cargo, or a combination of both. 
  • The booster rocket is powered by one BE-3PM engine, which sends the capsule to an apogee (Sub-Orbital) of 100.5 kilometres and flies above the Karman line. 
  • The launch vehicle is designed to be fully reusable, with the capsule returning to Earth via three parachutes and a solid rocket motor. The booster lands vertically on the same launchpad it took off from.
  • The launch vehicle has a length of 15.0 metres, a diameter of 3.7 metres (12 ft) and a launch mass of 75 short tons. 
  • New Shepard allows the company to significantly reduce the cost of space tourism, making the experience more accessible to the general public. 

Orcas

Context – Two people were rescued from the attack of Orcas in the strait of Gibraltar.

Key facts related to Orcas:

  • Common name – Killer whale
  • Family - They are largest of the Dolphin family.
  • Biology & Size - Adults, Killer Whale males are considerably larger than the females. They are about 9.5 m long and weigh up to 8 tons, whilst females are 7 to 8.5 m long and weigh 4 tons or more. Calves at birth, 2-2.4 m long. 

Along with pilot whales and sperm whales, this is the only mammal species other than humans, where females are known to have an extended post-reproductive period (menopause)

Killer whale - Orcas
  • Social being - Extended family groups of Killer Whales live together and cooperate in hunting.
  • Behaviour - Killer Whales are usually approachable, as they are undisturbed by shipping. They might respond by spy hopping, which involves rising vertically so that the head and body – as far as the flippers– are above the surface.
  • Diet - The diet of a Killer Whale is very diverse, including fish, squid, turtles, birds and dolphins. This animal is one of the only predators of large marine mammals, including the largest whales.
  • Natural predators - Killer whales have no known natural predators except possibly other killer whales.
  • World distribution - : Killer Whales may be found in coastal as well as deeper waters. The Killer Whale is very cosmopolitan, occurring in all oceans, from the tropics to the polar regions. But these unique mammals are most abundant in colder regions like the Southern Ocean surrounding Antarctica, the North Atlantic around Norway and Iceland, and the northern Pacific around Alaska.
  • Records from India: Killer whales have been reported from the Andaman and Nicobar islands, southeast coast of India, off Andhra Pradesh, northern Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry and from the west coast of India, mainly Maharashtra to Kerala.
  • Conservation status – Data deficient as per IUCN

Xenotransplantation

Context: The first recipient of a modified pig kidney transplant passed away recently around two months after the surgery was carried out. 

About Xenotransplantation

  • In January 2022, the first xenotransplantation of a genetically modified pig heart was done. However, the patient passed away after two months due to a range of factors, including being tainted with a latent virus in the pig heart, which may have contributed to the dysfunction of the transplant.
image 41
  • Xenotransplantation is any procedure that involves the transplantation, implantation or infusion into a human recipient of either:
    • live cells, tissues, or organs from a nonhuman animal source
    • human body fluids, cells, tissues or organs that have had ex vivo contact with live nonhuman animal cells, tissues or organs.

Essentially, it is the use of animal cells and organs to heal humans. 

  • Need: Cross-species transplantation offers the prospect of an unlimited supply of organs and cells for clinical transplantation and addresses the shortage of organs from human donors. 
  • Source: Pigs are the most commonly considered animals due to their size compatibility and organ similarities with humans. Gene editing in pigs to reduce immune rejection has made organ transplants from pigs to humans possible. Natural lifespan of a pig is 30 years, they are easily bred and can have organs of similar size to humans. 
  • Limitations: However, successful xenotransplantation faces challenges such as organ rejection, risk of cross-species infections and social acceptance. 

Do Marriage need to be registered

Context: The Supreme Court ruled that a Hindu marriage is not valid ‘unless performed with ceremonies in proper form’. This was despite the couple in question having an official marriage certificate.

Marriage

Marriage, a social institution present in virtually every culture, serves several functions and comes in various types:

  • C.P. Kottack: Marriage is a socially recognized relationship between a socially recognized male (Husband) and a socially recognized female (Wife) so that the children born to the wife are accepted as the offspring of both the husband and wife.
  • Functions of Marriage:
    • Social Stability and Order: Marriage provides a framework for organizing familial relationships, establishing legal rights and responsibilities, and maintaining social order within a community.
    • Reproduction and Family Formation: Traditionally, marriage has been the primary institution for procreation and raising children. It provides a stable environment for the upbringing of offspring.
    • Emotional Support and Companionship: Marriage offers emotional and psychological support through companionship, intimacy, and partnership. Spouses often rely on each other for love, encouragement, and comfort.
    • Economic Cooperation: Marriage facilitates economic cooperation and pooling of resources between spouses, enabling them to share financial burdens, manage household expenses, and plan for the future together.
    • Cultural and Religious Significance: Many cultures and religions attach profound cultural and religious significance to marriage, viewing it as a sacred union with spiritual implications.
    • Legal and Social Recognition: Marriage grants legal and social recognition to the relationship between spouses, conferring rights such as inheritance, healthcare decision-making, and spousal benefits.
  • Types of Marriage:
    • Monogamy: Monogamy involves the union of two individuals, typically one man and one woman, forming an exclusive partnership. It is the most common form of marriage in many societies.
    • Polygamy:
      • Polygyny: Polygyny permits a man to have multiple wives simultaneously. This practice has historical and cultural roots in various societies, though it is less common today.
      • Polyandry: Polyandry allows a woman to have multiple husbands simultaneously. It is rarer than polygyny and is found in specific cultures, often in areas with scarce resources.
    • Group Marriage: Also known as communal marriage or collective marriage, group marriage involves multiple men and women forming a marital union together. This type of marriage is relatively uncommon and often associated with alternative lifestyle communities.
    • Same-Sex Marriage: Same-sex marriage involves the union of two individuals of the same gender. While historically marginalized or prohibited in many societies, it has gained legal recognition and acceptance in an increasing number of countries.
    • Arranged Marriage: Arranged marriage involves families or intermediaries selecting spouses for individuals based on various factors such as compatibility, social status, and familial considerations. While prevalent in some cultures, the degree of consent and autonomy can vary significantly.

Each type of marriage reflects the values, norms, and traditions of the society in which it occurs, shaping individuals' lives and relationships in diverse ways.

About Ruling

The Supreme Court Ruling:

  • The Supreme Court ruled that a Hindu couple, despite possessing an official marriage certificate, was deemed to have "never acquired the status of husband and wife."
  • This ruling was based on the fact that the couple's marriage was registered under the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955 (HMA) before they performed the wedding rituals.
  • Consequently, the couple did not need to obtain a divorce because they were considered to have never been married in the first place.

Understanding Solemnized Marriage:

  • Solemnizing a marriage entail conducting an official marriage ceremony, including appropriate rituals.
  • In India, marriage is governed by personal laws and statutes like the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (SMA).
  • Different religions have their own requirements for a valid marriage, such as rituals for Hindus and Christians, and a contractual agreement for Muslims.

Registered Marriages vs. Solemnized Marriages:

  • Terms like "court marriage" or "registered marriage" typically refer to civil marriages under the Special Marriage Act, 1954 (SMA), conducted without religious rituals.
  • Marriages under personal laws (e.g., HMA for Hindus) require adherence to religious rituals for validity.
  • The registration of marriages solemnized under personal laws is governed by respective statutes, such as Section 8 of the Hindu Marriage Act, 1955.

Implications of Marriage Registration:

  • Marriage registration serves various official purposes, such as spousal visa applications and joint medical insurance.
  • However, the absence of marriage registration does not inherently invalidate a marriage, as registration alone does not confer validity.

Legal Presumptions and Evidence:

  • Various legal presumptions exist regarding marriage, such as the presumption of marriage when cohabitation is continuous.
  • Evidence of a valid marriage includes proof of performing rituals, long-term cohabitation, and acceptance by family and friends.
  • While a marriage certificate holds corroborative value, it is not considered conclusive evidence on its own in legal proceedings.

Significance in Legal Matters:

  • Validity of marriage is crucial in legal contexts like bigamy trials and inheritance disputes.
  • Proof of performing valid rituals, evidence of cohabitation, and acceptance by family and friends are essential in establishing the validity of marriage.
  • A marriage certificate supplements evidence but is not sole proof of marriage validity.

India-Maldives Meet

Context: In the recent meeting between Indian and Maldivian foreign ministers in New Delhi, S. Jaishankar reiterated that the development of India-Maldives ties was based on ‘mutual interests’ and ‘reciprocal sensitivity’ given that they are close and proximate neighbours. 

More information: 

  • India recently approved the highest-ever export quotas for essential commodities: eggs, potatoes, onions, sugar, rice, wheat flour and pulses, river sand and stone aggregates, to the Maldives for 2024-25 under a unique bilateral mechanism.
  • The approved quantities are the highest since this arrangement came into effect in 1981. 

India-Maldives relations in recent years: 

  • The relations strained after President Muizzu was elected to the Presidential Office.
  • President Muizzu immediately demanded the withdrawal of Indian Military personnel keeping with his disinclination to accommodate India. 
  • President Muizzu is following the India-Out and China-In policy. 
  • He pressed for non-renewal of the Hydrology pact with India signed in 2019, but commenced the operationalisation of the FTA signed with China (PRC) in 2017. 

Geo-Strategic and Geopolitics importance of Maldives: 

  • Maldives is very important for India due to the existence of India’s Sea lanes of communication(SLOCs) passing around Maldives. Most of India’s trade and energy supplies transit through this route.
  • Kerala and Lakshadweep security to an extent depends on Maldives’s stability as it forms an outer buffer zone for India.
  • China’s PLN (People’s Liberation Navy) increasing presence in the Indian Ocean and the (Xiang Yang Hong 03) arrival of research vessels from China in Male has deepened India’s concerns. 
  • China is increasing its power and status by constructing bases in the Indian Ocean Region. China also wants to win mining rights and conduct bathymetric and topographic surveys of the region. 
  • India cannot risk the radicalisation of Maldives which may lead to adverse downstream consequences for regional security in general and Indian security in specific.

India’s options: 

  • The recent push by Muizzu to diversify resources and import partners asks for sustained quiet diplomacy from India.
  • India needs to consistently use sustained diplomacy as India shares a lot of commons with Maldives which includes geographical access, historical ties, political ties, people to people connectivity etc.
  • India’s deep political ties are showcased by recent high-level exchanges done by both sides in 2023 and annual joint exercises like Ekuverin.
  • When Abdulla Shahid became the UNGA President, India has used its instrumental diplomatic clout to ensure its victory. 
  • India can leverage People to people (P2P) relations.
  • India has always been a first responder like in 2014 incident of acute water supply crisis and even has stood beside Maldivians through Indira Gandhi Memorial Hospital(IGMH). 
  • India also sent the highest number of tourists to Maldives from 2020 to 2023. 
  • India has an official policy of not commenting or taking sides in internal elections of other sovereign countries but it can try to use its non-governmental leverage by Track II diplomacy to ensure President Muizzu alone cannot sideline India.
  • India can rope in other Quadrilateral Security Dialogue (QUAD) partners. France really wants to make sure International Shipping Lines (ISL) are not compromised and can collaborate with India for Maldives’ security.

Way Forward: 

The deep-rooted Chinese investments which come with strings and strategic imperatives is forcing India to quickly adapt to the changing geopolitical situations. India is trying to be accommodative to new realities and Maldives needs to do its bit to ensure it does not use its largely Muslim populace to create rifts in its time-tested partnerships to make the Indian Ocean Region a geopolitical conquest where one wins at the other’s expense.

For more information:

INDIA – MALDIVES Evolution and Contemporary Issues

Polymetallic Nodules

Context: 7 poly-metallic nodules, 3 lime mud blocks identified for first offshore mineral auctions.

What are Polymetallic Nodules (PMN)?

  • Polymetallic nodules, also called manganese nodules, are rock concretions formed of concentric layers of iron and manganese hydroxides around a core. 
  • Deep-ocean polymetallic nodules form on or just below the vast, sediment-covered, abyssal plains of the global ocean. 
  • Abundance: They can occur at any depth, but the highest concentrations have been found between 4,000 and 6,000m.
  • Size: Nodules vary in size from tiny particles visible only under a microscope to large pellets more than 20 centimetres across. However most nodules are between 5 and 10 cm in diameter, about the size of potatoes.
  • Significance: These nodules primarily consist of precipitated iron oxyhydroxides and manganese oxides, onto which metals such as nickel, cobalt, copper, titanium and rare earth elements sorb.
image 30

Note – 

International Seabed Authority is an autonomous organization within the United Nations common system, with headquarters located in Kingston, Jamaica. All States parties to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) are members of the Authority, amounting to 168 members, including the European Union. The Authority is one of the three international institutions established by UNCLOS; the other two are the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf and the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea. Its primary function is to regulate exploration for, and exploitation of deep seabed minerals found in 'the Area', which is defined by the Convention as the seabed and subsoil beyond the limits of national jurisdiction, that is, beyond the outer limits of the continental shelf.

Why is Exploration of PMN Important for India?

  • India has been allotted a site of 75,000 sq. km. in the Central Indian Ocean Basin (CIOB) by the UN International SeaBed Authority (ISA) for the exploitation of polymetallic nodules (PMN). 
  • Preliminary estimates indicate that 380 Million Metric Tonnes (MMT) of Polymetallic Nodules comprising Copper, Nickel, Cobalt and Manganese are available within an allocated area of 75000 sq. km for exploration of PMN in the Central Indian Ocean Basin. 
  • The estimated value of these metals is about 110 billion US$. The polymetallic sulphides are expected to contain rare earth minerals including gold and silver.  
  • Just utilising 10% of the PMN reserve available in the area, the country can meet its energy requirements for the next 100 years. 

India and PMN

  • India is implementing a long-term programme on exploration and utilisation of Polymetallic Nodules through the Ministry of Earth Sciences. 
  • This includes survey and exploration, environmental studies, technology development in mining and extractive metallurgy, in which significant contributions have been made.
  • The Government extends composite licences for determination of mineral resource quantity, exploration and commercial production and off-take through the auctions under the Offshore Areas Mineral (Development and Regulation) Act, 2002.
    • This will enable India to tap into offshore mineral resources, particularly cobalt and nickel, and will support clean energy and steel manufacturing.

Further, the Budget has also enhanced allocations for the Geological Survey of India (GSI), Indian Bureau of Mines (IBM), and National Mineral Exploration Trust (NMET) to bolster exploration, sustainable mining practices, and comprehensive exploration projects.

Translocation of Tiger in Maharashtra

Context: The Maharashtra Forest department plans to translocate tigers from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) to Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) in the state's western region.

About Sahyadri Tiger Reserve

The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is one of only five tiger reserves in the country — Kaval in Telangana, Kamlang in Arunachal Pradesh, Dampa in Mizoram and Satkosia in Odisha being the other four — with zero tigers within the reserve 

image 2
  • STR spans Kolhapur, Satara, Sangli, and Ratnagiri districts in western Maharashtra.
  • The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is located in the Sahyadri Ranges of Western Ghats in Maharashtra.
  • These ranges from a common boundary between Maharashtra, Karnataka and Goa, and comprise of rich evergreen, semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests.
  • It is the first Tiger Reserve of Western Maharashtra and the fourth Tiger Reserve of the State spreading over two Protected Areas of Koyana Sanctuary (KWLS) and Chandoli National Park (CNP).

Approval and Planning:

  • National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) approved the translocation plan in October 2023.
  • Waiting for final approval from the Union Environment Ministry.
  • Initially, a male tiger or a pair of male and female tigers will be translocated from TATR to STR.

Logistics and Implementation:

  • Special vehicle with misting provisions prepared for tiger transportation.
  • Tranquilization of tigers under Section 12 of the Wildlife Protection Act.
  • Fieldwork pending final approval.

Significance for Conservation:

  • Vital for conserving tigers in the forests of the northern Western Ghats, serving as a wildlife corridor between Maharashtra and Karnataka.
  • Enables connectivity between tiger populations in various reserves.
  • Tiger is keystone species in grassland ecosystems, which helps to maintain ecosystem stability by maintaining the population of herbivorous animals (reduce burden on grassland from intense grazing activity).

Population and Threats:

  • No tiger evidence captured during 2022 population estimation in STR.
  • Recent camera trap evidence of a tiger within the reserve in December last year.
  • Threats to wildlife corridor from mining, road projects, and human settlements highlighted in 2023 tiger population estimation report.

Phase-II of Tiger Recovery Project:

  • Involves translocation of eight tigers - three males and five females.
  • Phase-I focused on habitat preparation, prey augmentation, forest protection, and building temporary enclosures for soft release.
  • Soft release strategy involves close monitoring of tigers in enclosures before releasing them into the reserve habitat.

Prey Augmentation and Sustainability:

  • Prey base augmented with Chital and Sambar deer from Katraj Zoo.
  • Prey base studies suggest the reserve can sustain a population of 10-12 tigers.

Senior scientist at Wildlife Institute of India, providing technical support to the Maharashtra Forest department, emphasizes the importance of prey base studies and cautious monitoring during the translocation process.

Eta Aquariid Meteor Shower

Context: The Eta Aquariid meteor shower, which has been active since April 15, will peak on May 5 and 6. These showers are seen in May every year, and are best visible to countries such as Indonesia and Australia in the Southern Hemisphere.

Comets:

image 14
  • Comets are frozen leftovers from the formation of our solar system, some 4.6 billion years ago.
  • Comets are composed of dust, rock and ice, and orbit around the Sun in highly elliptical orbits which can, in some cases, take hundreds of thousands of years to complete.
  • According to NASA, a total of 3,910 comets are currently known, although billions more are theorised to be orbiting the Sun beyond Neptune, in the Kuiper Belt and even more distant Oort cloud.
  • Comets come in different sizes, although most are roughly 10 km wide. However, as they come closer to the Sun, comets heat up and spew gases and dust into a glowing head that can be larger than a planet.  This material also forms a tail which stretches millions of miles.

Asteroids:

  • Asteroids are rocky remnants from the early formation of our solar system (about 4.6 billion years ago) that mainly orbit the Sun between Mars and Jupiter.
  • The asteroid belt is a nearly flat ring that contains millions of asteroids, ranging in size from less than 10 metres to 530 kms (The largest asteroid is Ceres, which is about one-quarter the size of Earth’s moon). 
image 15

Meteoroids, Meteors and Meteorites: 

  • Meteoroids are rocky fragments of asteroids, comets, moons, and planetary collisions. They are much smaller than asteroids, ranging in size from tiny grains up to a metre. In our solar system, most meteoroids come from the asteroid belt, but a few come from comets and fragments of the Moon and Mars formed by impacts.
  • Meteor is a flash of light (shooting star or falling star) seen when a meteoroid, asteroid, or comet heats up in the Earth’s atmosphere. Since most meteors are tiny (the size of a grain of sand) they completely burn up in Earth’s atmosphere. This burning also creates a brief tail. 
  • Meteorites are meteoroids that enter the Earth’s atmosphere and survive to impact the Earth’s surface. A large enough meteor can pass through the atmosphere and hit the Earth’s ground, often causing significant damage.

Eta Aquariid meteor shower:

  • The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is formed when Earth passes through the orbital plane of the famous Halley’s Comet, which takes about 76 years to orbit the Sun once.
    • Last seen in 1986, Halley’s comet is due to enter the inner solar system again in 2061.
    • Like Eta Aquariids, the Orionids meteor shower is also caused by the Halley’s Comet, and appears every October.
  • The Eta Aquariid meteor shower is known for its rapid speed. This makes for long, glowing tails which can last up to several minutes. The meteor shower consists of burning space debris moving at speeds of around 66 km per second (2.37 lakh kmph) into Earth’s atmosphere.

Southern Hemisphere: a better vantage point: 

  • The difference in meteor rates between the Northern and Southern Hemispheres during the Eta Aquarid meteor shower is primarily due to the position of this radiant point relative to each hemisphere.
  • The radiant point of the Eta Aquarids (apparent origin of the meteors) is located near the star Eta Aquarii in the Aquarius constellation (in the southern part of the sky).
    • From the Southern Hemisphere, this radiant is higher above the horizon, which means meteors appear to streak outwards in different directions and are more spread out across the sky.
    • From the Northern Hemisphere, the radiant point of the Eta Aquarids is much closer to the horizon. This positioning causes the meteors to skim the Earth's atmosphere at a shallower angle. Consequently, they may appear as "Earthgrazers," which are long, slow-moving meteors that appear to skim or graze the surface of the Earth.
  • Consequently, In the Southern Hemisphere, where the radiant is higher in the sky, observers can see more meteors per hour during the peak of the shower (around 30 to 40 meteors per hour). Conversely, in the Northern Hemisphere, with the radiant nearer to the horizon, observers typically see fewer meteors (around 10 per hour) and often in the form of Earthgrazers.