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- The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has updated the regulations governing the selection of experts for the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC).
- About the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC):
- The GEAC is a statutory body established under the “Rules for the Manufacture, Use/Import/Export, and Storage of Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically Engineered Organisms or Cells (1989 Rules),” which were framed under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Originally called the Genetic Engineering Approval Committee, its name was changed to Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee in 2010.
- Operating under the Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF&CC), the GEAC's role, as outlined in the 1989 Rules, includes:
- Reviewing activities that involve the large-scale use of hazardous microorganisms and recombinant organisms in research and industrial production, from an environmental perspective.
- Evaluating proposals related to the release of genetically modified organisms and products into the environment, including for experimental field trials.
- Exercising the authority to take legal actions under the Environment Protection Act.
- Overseeing the import, export, and use of genetically modified organisms and crops.
- Granting approval for the environmental release of genetically modified crops.
- Composition:
- The GEAC is headed by the Special Secretary or Additional Secretary of MoEF&CC, with a representative from the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) serving as co-chair. The committee currently consists of 24 members, including experts from various ministries and institutions like ICAR, ICMR, and CCMB. The committee convenes once a month.
- Tripura achieved a significant milestone in biodiversity documentation with the first-ever sighting of the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra), a rare species, in the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary.
- About the Banded Royal Butterfly:
- The Banded Royal butterfly is a species of lycaenid, or blue butterfly, native to parts of South and Southeast Asia.
- Scientific Name: Rachana jalindra
- Habitat:
- This butterfly is typically found in forested areas, particularly in regions near the Western Ghats, Northeast India, Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, and Malaysia. It prefers dense vegetation and is often spotted resting on leaves.
- In India, there are three recognized subspecies of Rachana jalindra: macantia, found from southwest India to Goa; R. j. tarpina, located in the Andaman Islands; and R. j. indra, which is distributed across regions from Orissa to lower West Bengal and Bangladesh. Currently, the subspecies R. j. indra has also been recorded in Assam, Meghalaya, and Jharkhand.
- Appearance:
- Upper Side: The males exhibit a deep purple or bluish sheen with dark brown borders, while the females are more brownish with white markings.
- Under Side: The wings are pale brown with prominent white bands, which give the butterfly its distinctive "banded" appearance.
- This species is legally protected under Schedule II of the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
- The Bombay High Court has expressed strong disapproval of an incident where safari vehicles carrying tourists hindered the movement of a tigress and her cubs in Maharashtra's Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Sanctuary on New Year's Eve.
- About Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary:
- The sanctuary spans across Pauni tehsil in Bhandara district, and Umred, Kuhi, and Bhivapur Taluka of Nagpur district in Maharashtra. Established in 2013, it covers an area of 189 square kilometers. The northeast boundaries of the sanctuary are bordered by the Wainganga River and the Gose Khurd Dam, while State Highway 9 and Bhiwapur Town form the southern boundary. The forest along the Wainganga River links this sanctuary to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Located 80 km from Pench Tiger Reserve and 50 kilometers southwest of Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, it serves as an important ecological area.
- Flora: The sanctuary features a variety of tree species, including teak, bamboo, tendu, and mahua, with teak making up 60% of the tree composition.
- Fauna: The sanctuary is home to breeding tigers, herds of Gaur, wild dogs, as well as rare animals like flying squirrels, pangolins, and honey badgers.
- Researchers have discovered two rare species of the Order Neuroptera, Glenochrysa zeylanica and Indophanes barbara, in Kerala.
- Indophanes barbara:
- Indophanes barbara is an antlion from the Myrmeleontidae family.
- Unlike other common antlion species, the larvae of Indophanes barbara do not construct pits. Instead, they reside beneath the surface in loose soils, which protect them from direct sunlight, wind, and rain.
- Adult Indophanes barbara are often mistaken for damselflies by non-experts due to their similar appearance. However, they can be easily distinguished by their long and distinct antennae.
- This species belongs to the Order Neuroptera, which consists of holometabolous insects, while damselflies belong to the Order Odonata, which includes hemimetabolous insects.
- Glenochrysa zeylanica:
- Glenochrysa zeylanica is a green lacewing from the Chrysopidae family within the Order Neuroptera.
- It was rediscovered after 111 years in the Wayanad district, specifically in Mananthavady and Thirunelly. Previously thought to be endemic to Sri Lanka, this species has now been reported for the first time in India.
- What is a Neuroptera Species?
- Neuroptera is a group of insects commonly known as lacewings due to the intricate vein patterns on their wings, which give them a lacy appearance.
- Habitat: Neuropteran adults are primarily terrestrial, often found on the aerial parts of plants, where they settle or hunt for prey.
- Ecological Significance: Neuropterans, due to their predatory nature, play an important role in agriculture. Their larvae, especially from families like Chrysopidae, Hemerobiidae, and Coniopterygidae, are effective biological control agents. They actively search for and consume agricultural pests, making them valuable in controlling harmful insects in crops and gardens.