CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• A unique and extremely rare weather event—the merging of two cyclones—has been identified as the cause behind the destruction of thousands of trees in the Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Mulugu district.
• About Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary:
• Location:
  • Eturnagaram Wildlife Sanctuary is situated at the intersection of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, in the tribal village of Eturnagaram within the Mulugu district. It lies approximately 100 km from Warangal and 250 km from Hyderabad. Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1952 by the Nizam of Hyderabad, it covers an expansive area of around 806 sq. km.
• Rivers:
  • The sanctuary is divided into two sections by the Dayyam Vagu stream, which serves as a vital water source. Additionally, the Godavari River flows through the sanctuary, enriching its ecosystem.
• Flora:
  • The area is densely populated with lush, natural vegetation, characteristic of the tropical dry deciduous forest. It boasts a rich diversity of trees, including teak, bamboo, and species like madhuca and terminalia.
• Fauna:
  • Eturnagaram Sanctuary is home to a variety of wildlife, including Tigers, Leopards, Panthers, Wolves, Wild Dogs, Jackals, Sloth Bears, Chousingha, Black Bucks, Nilgais, Sambars, Spotted Deer, and Four-Horned Antelopes. The abundant water resources support a variety of reptiles, such as the renowned Mugger crocodile, as well as snakes including Cobras, Pythons, and Kraits.

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• Recently, the Labour Bureau released the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS) covering the period from July 2023 to June 2024.
• Key Findings:
  • The Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR) for individuals aged 15 and above stood at 60.1%, with males at 78.8% and females at 41.7%.
  • The Worker Population Ratio (WPR) for this age group was 58.2%, comprising 76.3% for males and 40.3% for females.
  • The Unemployment Rate (UR) was recorded at 3.2% for both males and females aged 15 and above.
  • Among males, the unemployment rate slightly decreased from 3.3% in the previous year (July 2022 – June 2023) to 3.2% in the current survey period. However, for females, it rose from 2.9% to 3.2% during the same timeframe.
  • About the Periodic Labour Force Survey (PLFS):
  • In response to the need for timely labour force data, the National Statistical Office (NSO) initiated the Periodic Labour Force Survey in April 2017.
• Objective:
  • To estimate key employment and unemployment metrics (such as Worker Population Ratio, Labour Force Participation Rate, and Unemployment Rate) on a quarterly basis for urban areas using the ‘Current Weekly Status’ (CWS) approach.
  • To provide annual estimates of employment and unemployment indicators in both ‘Usual Status’ (ps+ss) and CWS for rural and urban regions.
• Definitions:
  • Labour Force Participation Rate (LFPR): The percentage of individuals in the labour force (those working, seeking work, or available for work) relative to the total population.
  • Worker Population Ratio (WPR): The percentage of employed individuals in the population.
  • Unemployment Rate (UR): The percentage of unemployed individuals within the labour force.
  • Current Weekly Status (CWS): The activity status of an individual based on the week prior to the survey date.
• This survey is conducted by the National Sample Survey (NSO), operating under the Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI).

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• ULIP is a digital platform designed to provide industry stakeholders with access to logistics-related data from various government systems through API-based integration. Currently, it connects with 37 systems across 10 ministries via 118 APIs, encompassing over 1,800 data fields. The platform was launched by the Prime Minister on September 17, 2022, as part of the National Logistics Policy (NLP).
• Objectives:
  • To establish a comprehensive single-window logistics platform that offers end-to-end visibility.
  • To create a logistics gateway by integrating data from various government agencies throughout the value chain.
  • To enhance visibility for optimal utilization of different transportation modes.
  • To supply data that stakeholders can leverage to simplify complex processes such as compliance, document filing, certifications, and approvals.
  • To facilitate data exchange among government and private entities engaged in the Indian logistics ecosystem.
• Benefits: ULIP will provide both direct and indirect advantages to all logistics stakeholders, including driver and vehicle verification, consignment tracking and tracing, route optimization planning, and timely updates on consignment destinations. Additionally, it will support structured planning, aiding decision-making for the optimal use of logistics modes, thereby resulting in cost and time savings.

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• A new species of glyptosternine catfish, named Exostoma sentiyonoae, has recently been identified in the Dzuleke River, a tributary of the Barak River in Nagaland.
• About Exostoma sentiyonoae:
• According to the research findings, this species can be recognized by several distinctive features, including an adipose fin connected to the upper procurrent rays of the caudal fin, tubercles on the dorsal fin spine, a slender head, a considerable distance between the dorsal and adipose fins, small eyes, and a total of 41 vertebrae.
• The researchers have differentiated Exostoma sentiyonoae from similar species found in the Salween drainage of Myanmar and Thailand, particularly E. berdmorei and E. gaoligongense. E. sentiyonoae differs from E. berdmorei by possessing a shorter dorsal fin base, a greater dorsal-adipose distance, and smaller eyes. When compared to E. gaoligongense, the new species has a shorter distance between the pectoral and pelvic fins and also features smaller eyes.
• This discovery marks the fourth species of Exostoma documented from the Barak drainage, underscoring the region's rich biodiversity. Notably, it is the first known representative of this genus found in the Dzuleke River in Nagaland.

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• Recently, scientists have uncovered more than 300 previously unseen Nazca Lines in Peru.
• What are Nazca Lines?
  • The Nazca Lines consist of a collection of large geoglyphs intricately carved into the ground, spanning an area of approximately 170 square miles (440 square kilometers) within the Nazca Desert of Peru. These ancient artworks were likely created by the pre-Incan Nazca civilization (or Nasca) between 200 B.C. and A.D. 500. The Nazca people removed the upper layers of reddish pebbles from the desert surface to expose lighter soil beneath, forming a variety of shapes and sizes.
  • Since their rediscovery by airplane passengers in the 1920s, researchers have documented around 430 Nazca Lines. In the past 20 years, advancements in satellite imagery have significantly aided in identifying many of these geoglyphs.

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• The Department of Science and Technology (DST) has launched the Women in Space Leadership Programme (WiSLP) in collaboration with the British Council as part of the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI).
• This initiative is designed to create a framework for women's leadership that supports institutions in enhancing their gender-inclusive practices and policies, particularly in the fields of space sciences and related areas. By developing a strategic leadership framework, the program aims to promote women’s leadership in space sciences, with Coventry University serving as the delivery partner.
• To encourage a fair distribution of leadership opportunities and foster a workplace culture that acknowledges female leaders, the program is built on three foundational pillars:
• Intersectionality: Understanding the various aspects of women's identities.
• Collaborative Approaches: Utilizing culturally sensitive strategies that address the unique opportunities and challenges present in India.
• Leadership Theory: Drawing on insights from both social sciences and STEM to empower female scientists and boost their confidence in their leadership capabilities.
• What is the UK-India Education and Research Initiative (UKIERI)?
• UKIERI is the flagship bilateral collaboration program between the UK and India in the fields of education and research, established in 2006.
• Objective: The initiative aims to enhance education and research collaboration between the two countries, helping them achieve their knowledge goals.
• UKIERI has been implemented in three phases from 2006 to 2022, with the fourth phase officially launched in 2023. The fourth phase seeks to further strengthen the bilateral relationship in education, research, and innovation, while also addressing shared global challenges and promoting sustainable development.