CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The remains of a nearly nine-year-old tigress, RVTR-2, were discovered in the recently designated Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve (RVTR) in Bundi.
• About Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Situated in the southeastern region of Rajasthan within Bundi district, the reserve features both Vindhyan and Aravalli geographical elements.
  • Area: The core zone spans 481.91 sq. km., complemented by a buffer zone of 1019.98 sq. km., bringing the total area to 1501.89 sq. km.
  • Connections: It adjoins the buffer area of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve to the northeast and Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve to the south.
  • Designation: The area was officially designated as a tiger reserve on May 16, 2022.
  • River: The Mez River, a tributary of the Chambal River, flows through the reserve.
  • Vegetation: The region is primarily characterized by dry deciduous forests.
  • Topography: The landscape features a mix of gentle slopes, steep rocky cliffs, flat hills of the Vindhyas, conical hillocks, and sharp ridges of the Aravallis.
• Flora:
  • The dominant tree species is Dhok (Anogeissus pendula).
  • Other significant flora includes Khair (Acacia catechu), Ronj (Acacia leucophloea), Amaltas (Cassia fistula), Gurjan (Lannea coromandelica), and Saler (Boswellia serrata).
• Fauna:
  • The reserve is primarily inhabited by leopards and sloth bears.
  • Other notable wildlife includes the jungle cat, golden jackal, hyena, crested porcupine, Indian hedgehog, rhesus macaque, and hanuman langur.

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• An Indian Air Force (IAF) havildar and his 14-year-old son were recently swept away by powerful currents in the Kameng River.
• About Kameng River:
  • Overview: The Kameng River is one of the principal tributaries of the Brahmaputra River.
  • Location: It flows through Arunachal Pradesh and Assam and is known as "Jia Bharali" in the higher reaches of Assam. In some regions, it is also referred to as the Bhareli.
• Course:
  • Origin: The river begins in the eastern Himalayan Mountains, specifically in Tawang district, from a glacial lake located below the snow-capped Gori Chen Mountain at an elevation of 6,300 meters (20,669 feet) along the India-Tibet border in South Tibet.
  • It then traverses through the Bhalukpong Circle in the West Kameng District of Arunachal Pradesh and into the Sonitpur District of Assam, India.
  • The river delineates the boundary between the East and West Kameng Districts, as well as the boundary between the Sessa and Eaglenest sanctuaries on the west and Pakke Tiger Reserve on the east.
  • As it flows toward its lower stretches, it transforms into a braided channel, eventually merging with the Brahmaputra at Tezpur, just east of the Kolia Bhomora Setu bridge.
• Length: The Kameng River is approximately 264 kilometers long, with a drainage basin covering about 11,843 sq. km.
• Major Tributaries: Notable tributaries include the Tippi River, Tenga River, Bichom River, and Dirang Chu River.
• Cultural Significance: The river is home to several ethnic communities, including the Monpa, Sherdukpen, and Aka tribes.

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• India may be on the verge of eliminating Kala-azar as a public health issue, having successfully maintained the number of cases below one in 10,000 according to WHO standards for elimination certification for two consecutive years.
• About Kala-azar:
  • Overview: Kala-azar, also known as visceral leishmaniasis (VL), is a serious form of leishmaniasis caused by the protozoan parasite Leishmania donovani.
  • Transmission: The disease is transmitted to humans through the bite of an infected female sandfly, primarily Phlebotomus argentipes in India.
  • Impact: Kala-azar predominantly affects some of the world’s most impoverished populations, often linked to factors such as malnutrition, displacement, inadequate housing, weakened immune systems, and limited financial resources. Individuals with HIV and other immune-compromising conditions are particularly vulnerable to Leishmania infections.
  • Symptoms: The disease is marked by irregular fever, significant weight loss, swelling of the spleen and liver, and severe anemia if untreated, which can result in death within two years.
  • Diagnosis: Diagnosing Kala-azar involves assessing clinical signs alongside parasitological or serological tests, such as the rK39 diagnostic kit.

Treatment: A variety of anti-parasitic medications are available to effectively treat leishmaniasis.

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• India's National Centre for Good Governance (NCGG) has launched its inaugural Mid-Career Training Programme for civil servants from the Bay of Bengal Initiative for Multi-Sectoral Technical and Economic Cooperation (BIMSTEC) countries.
• About BIMSTEC:
  • Overview: BIMSTEC is a regional organization that includes seven member states located in and around the Bay of Bengal, forming a cohesive regional alliance.
  • Formation: It was established on June 6, 1997, through the Bangkok Declaration.
  • Member States: The organization consists of seven members: five from South Asia—Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka—and two from Southeast Asia—Myanmar and Thailand.
  • Objective: The primary goal of BIMSTEC is to enhance economic cooperation among the nations bordering the Bay of Bengal.
  • Cooperation Areas: BIMSTEC has identified 14 priority areas for collaboration, with each member state leading specific initiatives.
  • India's Leadership: India spearheads efforts in Transport & Communication, Tourism, Environment & Disaster Management, and Counter Terrorism & Transnational Crime.
  • Secretariat: The permanent secretariat is located in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

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• The 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) is about to commence in Cali, Colombia.
• About the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD):
  • Overview: The CBD, which currently has 196 contracting parties, is the most comprehensive legally binding international agreement focused on nature conservation and the sustainable use of natural resources.
  • Establishment: It was opened for signing during the UN Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992.
• Objectives: The convention has three primary goals:
  • To conserve biological diversity, encompassing genetic, species, and habitat diversity.
  • To promote the sustainable use of biological diversity.
  • To ensure fair and equitable sharing of the benefits derived from the use of genetic resources.
• Scope: The CBD addresses biodiversity at all levels, including ecosystems, species, and genetic resources.
• Governing Body: The Conference of the Parties (COP) serves as the governing body of the CBD. This body, representing all governments (or Parties) that have ratified the treaty, convenes every two years to assess progress, set priorities, and commit to work plans.
• Secretariat: The CBD Secretariat is located in Montreal, Canada.
• Protocols: To facilitate the implementation of the CBD’s objectives, two internationally binding agreements were adopted:
• The Cartagena Protocol, adopted in 2000 and effective from 2003, regulates the transboundary movement of living modified organisms (LMOs).
• The Nagoya Protocol, adopted in 2010, establishes a legally binding framework for access to genetic resources and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their utilization.