CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• The wildlife panel of the Union Environment Ministry has postponed approval for the National Highway Authority of India’s (NHAI) proposed four-lane project, which is set to traverse the Rajaji Tiger Reserve and Shivalik Elephant Reserve in Uttarakhand.
• About Rajaji Tiger Reserve:
  • The reserve spans three districts: Haridwar, Dehradun, and Pauri Garhwal.
  • Situated in the Shivalik range of the Himalayas, it covers an area of 820 square kilometers.
  • It is named after the renowned freedom fighter Rajgopalachari, affectionately known as "Rajaji."
  • The reserve lies in a transition zone between the temperate western and central Himalayas, which contributes to its rich species diversity.
  • It plays a crucial role in the Terai-Arc landscape, which stretches 7,500 kilometers between the Yamuna River to the northwest and the Sharda River to the southeast.
  • Vegetation: The area features a variety of forest types, including semi-evergreen, deciduous, mixed broad-leaved, and Terai grassland, categorized as Indus-Ganges Monsoon Forest type.
  • Flora: Notable plant species in the reserve include Rohini, Palash, Shisham, Sal, Sandan, Khair, Arjun, Bans, Semul, and Chamaror.
  • Fauna: The reserve is home to a significant population of Tigers and Asian Elephants, along with various wildlife such as Leopards, Jungle Cats, Himalayan Black Bears, Sloth Bears, Striped Hyenas, Gorals, Sambars, Wild Pigs, Spotted Deer, and Barking Deer.

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• Russia's escalating assaults on Ukraine's Black Sea ports are hindering essential aid from reaching Palestinians and obstructing vital grain shipments to the Global South, according to recent statements from the British Prime Minister.
• About the Black Sea:
  • The Black Sea is a significant inland body of water located at the southeastern edge of Europe.
  • It is classified as one of the marginal seas of the Atlantic Ocean.
  • The sea covers an area of approximately 436,000 square kilometers (168,000 square miles).
  • To the west, it is bordered by the Balkan Peninsula in Southeastern Europe; to the east, by the Caucasus; to the north, by the East European Plains; and to the south, by Anatolia in Western Asia.
• Bordering Countries:
  • The Black Sea is flanked to the north by Russia and Ukraine, to the south by Turkey, to the west by Bulgaria, and to the east by Georgia.
  • Romania also has access to the Black Sea.
  • The Crimean Peninsula protrudes into the sea from the north.
  • Russia boasts the longest coastline along the Black Sea, measuring 2,300 kilometers, followed by Turkey at 1,329 kilometers and Ukraine at 1,282 kilometers.
  • The Black Sea is connected to the Aegean Sea (an arm of the Mediterranean) through the Bosporus Strait, the Sea of Marmara, and the Dardanelles Strait, and to the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait.
  • Its formation occurred when geological shifts in Asia Minor separated the Caspian basin from the Mediterranean, leading to the Black Sea's gradual isolation; its salinity is now less than half that of the world's oceans.
  • The sea receives freshwater from numerous rivers, including the Danube, Southern Bug, Dnieper, Rioni, and Dniester.
  • It is the largest meromictic basin in the world, characterized by rare movement of water between its upper and lower layers.
  • The Black Sea is also known for being one of the largest anoxic basins globally, containing areas with very low dissolved oxygen levels.
• Islands:
  • The Black Sea features several islands, the largest being Snake Island (Ukraine), Giresun Island (Turkey), and St. Ivan Island (Bulgaria).

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• An Indian travel vlogger recently ventured deep into the jungles of Indonesia to connect with the Korowai tribe, often labeled as a ‘human-eating’ tribe, and shared his journey on social media.
• About the Korowai Tribe:
  • The Korowai tribe consists of indigenous people residing in the southeastern region of Papua, Indonesia.
  • They maintain a profound relationship with the forest, which is essential for their survival; they hunt and forage for food, including wild animals and various plants.
  • Until approximately 1975, the Korowai had minimal interaction with the outside world.
  • They are well-known for their distinctive treehouses, which are typically constructed 8 to 15 meters above the ground, with some reaching heights of up to 45 meters in tall trees.
  • The tribe does not follow a specific hierarchy, as the Korowai people value equality and harmony among themselves.
  • Modern media has sensationalized their image due to their historical association with cannibalism, a practice of consuming human flesh.
  • While it is believed that the tribe engaged in cannibalism as part of their spiritual and social customs, this practice has largely diminished over time.

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• The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is considering amendments to the Transplantation of Human Organs and Tissues Act (THOTA), 1994, to allow the retrieval of corneas from all Indian patients who pass away in hospitals, without requiring consent from their families.
• About the Cornea:
  • The cornea is the transparent outer layer at the front of the eye.
  • It protects the pupil (the central opening), the iris (the colored part of the eye), and the anterior chamber (the fluid-filled space within the eye).
  • Its primary role is to refract, or bend, light, focusing most of the light that enters the eye.
  • The unique shape of the cornea is crucial for proper vision and helps filter some ultraviolet (UV) rays.
  • Apart from its edges, the cornea lacks blood vessels but is rich in nerve endings, making it highly sensitive to pain and touch.
  • As it does not have blood vessels to supply nutrients, the cornea relies on tears and the aqueous humor (a watery fluid) in the anterior chamber for nourishment.
  • When light passes through the cornea, it is partially refracted before reaching the lens.
  • The curvature of the cornea is spherical during infancy but changes with age, influencing its focusing ability.
  • Irregularities in this curvature can lead to a refractive error known as astigmatism, where images may appear distorted or elongated.
  • Serving as the first line of defense for the eye's surface, the cornea is susceptible to injuries and damage.
  • While it typically heals quickly from minor scratches, deeper abrasions can lead to scarring, causing the cornea to lose transparency and resulting in visual impairment.