CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• A team of researchers has made an exciting discovery in the secluded Dibang Valley of Arunachal Pradesh, identifying a new species of flowering plant named Begonia neisti.
• About Begonia neisti:
  • This newly identified flowering plant belongs to the Begonia sect platycentrum.
  • It was found in the Dibang Valley district of Arunachal Pradesh.
  • The genus Begonia is one of the largest plant groups globally, encompassing over 2,100 recognized species, many prized for their ornamental qualities.
  • The name ‘Begonia neisti’ honors the North East Institute of Science and Technology (NEIST) in recognition of its 60 years of service and significant contributions to science and technology benefiting the local communities in Northeast India.
  • Begonia neisti features striking variegated leaves with white-silver circular spots and dark reddish-brown patches near the veins.
  • Its large leaves and the distinctive white stripe along the stems and petioles give this plant a unique look, distinguishing it from other Begonia species.
  • This species thrives on the moist, hilly slopes between Hunli and Anini, flowering from November to January.
  • Classified as Data Deficient (DD) by the IUCN Red List, Begonia neisti faces threats to its habitat due to road expansion, raising concerns about its long-term survival.

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• The Union Ministry of Culture is poised to "revive and relaunch" the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM) and is considering the establishment of an autonomous body dedicated to preserving ancient texts in India.
• About the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM):
  • Established in February 2003 by the Ministry of Tourism and Culture, Government of India.
  • Mandate: To document, conserve, and disseminate the knowledge contained within manuscripts.
  • Motto: “Conserving the past for the future.”
  • The NMM is a distinctive initiative aimed at uncovering and safeguarding India’s extensive manuscript heritage.
  • India is home to an estimated ten million manuscripts, likely the largest collection worldwide.
  • These manuscripts encompass a diverse range of themes, textures, aesthetics, scripts, languages, calligraphies, illuminations, and illustrations.
  • According to the NMM, approximately 75% of existing manuscripts are in Sanskrit, while 25% are in various regional languages.
• Objectives:
  • Conduct a national-level survey to locate manuscripts and create a comprehensive inventory post-survey.
  • Document every manuscript and repository to build a National Electronic Database, which currently holds information on four million manuscripts, making it the largest database of Indian manuscripts globally.
  • Implement conservation techniques that blend modern and traditional methods while training a new generation of manuscript conservators.
  • Educate future scholars in various aspects of Manuscript Studies, including languages, scripts, critical editing, cataloguing, and conservation.
  • Enhance access to manuscripts by digitizing the rarest and most endangered texts.
  • Increase accessibility through the publication of critical editions of unpublished manuscripts and catalogues.
  • Encourage public engagement with manuscripts via lectures, seminars, publications, and outreach programs.
  • To fulfill these objectives, the mission has established over 100 Manuscript Resource Centres and Manuscript Conservation Centres throughout India.

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• If countries maintain their current environmental policies, they could see a temperature increase of 3.1 degrees Celsius above pre-industrial levels, as indicated in the recently released Emissions Gap Report 2024.
• About the Emissions Gap Report (EGR):
  • The EGR is an annual publication from the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
  • This series tracks progress towards limiting global warming to well below 2°C and striving for 1.5°C in accordance with the Paris Agreement.
  • Since 2010, the report has provided a science-based assessment of the gap between projected global greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions—based on countries’ climate mitigation pledges—and the levels needed to prevent severe climate change impacts.
  • Each year, the report identifies key opportunities to close the emissions gap while focusing on a specific relevant issue.
  • The EGR is published annually ahead of the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP) to support climate negotiations among UN Member States.
• Highlights of the 2024 EGR:
  • Titled “No More Hot Air... Please!”, the report emphasizes that countries must collectively reduce annual GHG emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 to keep the Paris Agreement’s 1.5°C target within reach.
  • For the 2°C target, reductions of 28% by 2030 and 37% by 2035 are necessary.
  • Without significant improvements in Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs), the UNEP warns that global temperatures could rise by 2.6-3.1°C by the end of the century.
  • NDCs are national climate action plans that countries update every five years to align with the Paris Agreement, which aims to limit global temperature rise to well below 2°C, ideally to 1.5°C.
  • GHG emissions rose by 1.3% in 2023 compared to 2022, with the power sector being the largest contributor, followed by transport, agriculture, and industry.
  • Among major economies, India experienced the highest increase in GHG emissions for FY23, rising by 6.1%, with China closely following at 5.2%.
  • Conversely, emissions in the European Union (EU) and the United States (US) decreased by 7.5% and 1.4%, respectively.
  • Despite India's increase, its GHG emissions in 2023 were relatively low at 4,140 million metric tons of carbon dioxide equivalent (MtCO₂e), compared to China’s 16,000 MtCO₂e and the US’s 5,970 MtCO₂e.
  • The EU’s emissions were slightly lower than India's at 3,230 MtCO₂e.
  • India ranks as the third-largest emitter globally, after China and the United States.
  • The six largest GHG emitters are responsible for 63% of global GHG emissions, while least developed countries account for only 3%.

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• The Delhi High Court has recently instructed local authorities to prioritize the relocation of all monkeys in the Capital to the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
• About Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary:
  • Situated in southern Delhi, it extends into the northern regions of the Faridabad and Gurugram districts in Haryana.
  • This sanctuary is located on the southern ridge of Delhi and is part of the northern section of the Aravalli Hill Range, one of the oldest mountain ranges in the world.
  • It is also a vital component of the Sariska-Delhi Wildlife Corridor, which connects the Sariska Tiger Reserve in Rajasthan to the Delhi Ridge.
  • The sanctuary spans an area of 32.71 square kilometers.
• Vegetation:
  • According to Champion & Seth (1968), the sanctuary's vegetation is classified as Northern Tropical Thorn Forests.
  • The native plant species have adapted to arid conditions, displaying characteristics such as thorny structures and leaves that are wax-coated, succulent, and hairy.
• Flora:
  • The sanctuary's flora is dominated by the exotic species Prosopis juliflora, while Diospyros montana is the predominant native species found within the area.
• Fauna:
  • The wildlife includes a variety of species such as Golden Jackals, Striped Hyenas, Indian Crested Porcupines, Civets, Jungle Cats, various Snakes, Monitor Lizards, and Mongooses, among others.