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- Archaeologists have recently unearthed two superimposed temples within the ancient megacity of Girsu in Iraq.
- Girsu, a prominent city of the Sumer civilization, was initially discovered in the 19th century through excavations led by the French archaeologist Ernest de Sarzec, beginning in the 1880s. This discovery was pivotal as it introduced the world to the existence of the Sumerian civilization, unveiling some of the most significant monuments of Mesopotamian art and architecture.
The Sumer civilization, flourishing from approximately 4100 to 1750 BCE in southern Mesopotamia (modern-day Iraq), consisted of city-states rather than a unified political entity. Each city-state, governed by its own king, contributed to the advancement of technology and culture. The Sumerians were pioneers in various fields, including time measurement, writing (creating the earliest known writing system), and urban development (constructing the first known cities and establishing early legal codes).
- Scientists have recently identified a new species of hedgehog, Mesechinus orientalis, thriving in the scrublands and subtropical forests of eastern China.
- Mesechinus orientalis is a newly discovered hedgehog species currently documented in southern Anhui and northwestern Zhejiang, marking its presence as the southeasternmost member of the Mesechinus genus—a small group within the hedgehog family.
- These hedgehogs inhabit scrublands and subtropical broad-leaf evergreen forests, typically ranging from elevations of 30 to 700 meters. Characterized by its small size, Mesechinus orientalis possesses notably short spines measuring between 1.8 to 2 centimeters. Each spine is adorned with four distinct color rings from base to tip. The species exhibits sexual dimorphism, with males generally displaying gray pelage while females predominantly exhibit reddish-brown fur.
- The deadline for Submission of Applications for the "Adopt a Heritage 2.0" Program has recently been set for December 31, 2023.
- Adopt a Heritage 2.0 is an enhanced version of the earlier scheme introduced in 2017, aligned with the provisions of the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958. The program aims to engage private/public sector companies, trusts, societies, NGOs, etc., through their CSR funding to develop and maintain 'amenities' at centrally protected monuments and sites.
- Stakeholders interested in participating can apply to adopt entire monuments or specific amenities through the dedicated web portal at www.indianheritage.gov.in. The portal provides comprehensive details on monuments available for adoption, including gap analysis and financial estimates required for amenities.
- Initiated by the Ministry of Tourism in collaboration with the Ministry of Culture and the Archaeological Survey of India, the Adopt a Heritage Scheme was launched on World Tourism Day in September 2017. Its primary objective is to invite entities across sectors to become 'Monument Mitras,' taking responsibility for enhancing tourist amenities at selected heritage sites and monuments throughout India.
- In a significant conservation effort aimed at preserving the Indian Bison, the indigenous Koya tribes of the Papikonda hill range in Andhra Pradesh have taken a commendable step by discontinuing the use of bison horns in crafting their traditional flute known as Permakore.
- The Koya community is distinguished as one of India's few multi-racial and multi-lingual tribal groups. They reside in the forests, plains, and valleys alongside the Godavari River, spanning across the central Indian state of Andhra Pradesh, with populations also found in Madhya Pradesh and Orissa. Their cultural beliefs are deeply rooted, often centering around deities like the revered "mother earth," whose spirit is believed to dwell in a cave in the Bastar region.
- Traditionally, the Koya people practiced pastoralism and shifting cultivation, but in recent times, they have transitioned to settled agriculture along with animal husbandry and seasonal forest produce collection. Their cultural heritage is richly diverse, celebrated through vibrant dance forms like the Kommu Koya dance, where Bison horns traditionally adorned dancers' heads as part of their attire.
- India has recently been appointed as the lead pioneer country for the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Green Voyage2050 Project, marking a significant step towards advancing global efforts in sustainable maritime practices.
- The Green Voyage2050 Project aligns with the overarching goal of supporting the effective implementation of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy. This strategy outlines ambitious targets, including a commitment to reduce total annual greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from ships by at least 50% by 2050 compared to 2008 levels.
- Key components of the Green Voyage2050 Project include:
- Development of global tools to facilitate the implementation of the Initial IMO GHG Strategy.
- Capacity building initiatives, policy development, and the formulation of National Action Plans (NAPs) to enhance GHG emission reduction efforts.
- Establishment of strategic partnerships to foster collaboration and knowledge sharing among participating countries and stakeholders.
- Promotion of technology cooperation, innovation, and pilot demonstrations to accelerate the adoption of energy-efficient technologies and explore opportunities for low- and zero-carbon fuels.
- Partnering countries in the Green Voyage2050 Project, which include Azerbaijan, Belize, China, Cook Islands, Ecuador, Georgia, India, Kenya, Malaysia, Solomon Islands, South Africa, and Sri Lanka, are categorized as either New Pilot Countries (NPC) or Pioneer Pilot Countries (PPC).