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- The Bombay High Court has expressed strong disapproval of an incident where safari vehicles carrying tourists hindered the movement of a tigress and her cubs in Maharashtra's Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Sanctuary on New Year's Eve.
- About Umred-Pauni-Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary:
- The sanctuary spans across Pauni tehsil in Bhandara district, and Umred, Kuhi, and Bhivapur Taluka of Nagpur district in Maharashtra. Established in 2013, it covers an area of 189 square kilometers. The northeast boundaries of the sanctuary are bordered by the Wainganga River and the Gose Khurd Dam, while State Highway 9 and Bhiwapur Town form the southern boundary. The forest along the Wainganga River links this sanctuary to the Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve. Located 80 km from Pench Tiger Reserve and 50 kilometers southwest of Nagzira Wildlife Sanctuary, it serves as an important ecological area.
- Flora: The sanctuary features a variety of tree species, including teak, bamboo, tendu, and mahua, with teak making up 60% of the tree composition.
- Fauna: The sanctuary is home to breeding tigers, herds of Gaur, wild dogs, as well as rare animals like flying squirrels, pangolins, and honey badgers.
- A group of divers exploring the marine ecosystem near Kalpeni Island in the Lakshadweep archipelago stumbled upon what seems to be the remains of a European warship, believed to be from the 17th or 18th century.
- About Kalpeni Island:
- Kalpeni is a village located within the Lakshadweep archipelago in the Arabian Sea, covering an area of 2.79 square kilometers. The island is situated 287 kilometers (155 nautical miles) from Kochi, Kerala, and lies southeast of Kavaratti Island, positioned between Androth and Minicoy islands. Kalpeni, along with the small islets of Tilakkam and Pitti and the uninhabited Cheriyam Island to the north, forms a single atoll. The island is famous for its stunning coral reefs, crystal-clear waters, and soft, white sandy beaches. A standout feature of Kalpeni is its large lagoon, which stretches about 2.8 kilometers at its widest, with the island aligned in a north-south direction. The surrounding coral reef system is rich in marine biodiversity, making Kalpeni a popular destination for snorkeling and scuba diving. Kalpeni experiences a climate similar to that of Kerala, with tropical weather conditions. In addition to its natural beauty, Kalpeni has a rich cultural heritage, with the local population primarily belonging to the indigenous Maliku community.
- The Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) scheme, launched in January 2015, has marked a decade of success, distributing 36.87 crore LED bulbs, which have resulted in annual electricity savings of ₹19,153 crore, according to official data from the Ministry of Power.
- About the UJALA Scheme:
- In May 2015, the Government of India launched the UJALA scheme, also known as the LED-based Domestic Efficient Lighting Programme (DELP), with the aim of enhancing energy efficiency across all households. This scheme is recognized as the world's largest zero-subsidy LED lamp distribution program. Implemented by Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL) under the Ministry of Power, the initiative targets reducing energy consumption by replacing traditional bulbs, CFLs, and streetlights with energy-efficient LEDs. The primary goal of the UJALA scheme is to save 85 lakh kWh of electricity and 15,000 tonnes of CO2 by replacing 77 crore conventional bulbs and CFLs, along with 3.5 crore streetlights, with LEDs.
- Eligible Households:
- Any domestic household with a metered connection from their local Electricity Distribution Company is eligible to obtain LED bulbs under the UJALA scheme. Consumers can either purchase the bulbs through EMI payment (monthly or bimonthly installments via the electricity bill) or through a one-time upfront payment. In an effort to ensure inclusive growth, especially in low-income communities, EESL has partnered with Self-Help Groups (SHGs) to facilitate the distribution of LEDs under the scheme.
- The annual energy savings from the scheme now stand at 47,883 million kWh, with peak demand reduced by 9,586 MW and a decrease of 3.87 crore tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions annually. These significant savings have been achieved through e-procurement and bulk purchasing, which allowed LED bulbs to be offered at affordable prices to millions of households. The UJALA scheme has successfully reduced the retail price of LED bulbs from ₹300-350 per bulb to ₹70-80 per bulb.
- In a recent publication in Nature, researchers introduced Twigstats, a novel time-stratified ancestry analysis tool, and applied it to ancient whole-genomes from Europe.
- Twigstats is designed to enhance the statistical power of existing ancestry analysis methods by a significant margin while reducing statistical errors. It provides a much higher level of precision in determining individual-level ancestry, offering a more detailed resolution than ever before. Coded in C++ and utilizing the statistical language R, Twigstats enables researchers to zoom in on specific historical periods, allowing for a much finer analysis compared to previous techniques.
- Techniques used for Genetic Analysis:
- Single Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs): SNP analysis is widely used to reconstruct genetic histories and ancestry models, particularly when working with ancient genetic material (aDNA). This method is powerful for understanding population genetics but is limited by the need for high-quality DNA samples and struggles to resolve the histories of closely related ancestral groups.
- Haplotypes Method: This approach simultaneously captures information from haplotype-sharing (identity-by-descent) and rare variants, incorporating time-resolved data about genetic ancestry. It offers a comprehensive view of how individuals share common ancestors across time.
- Genealogical Tree Inference Method: Applied to both modern and ancient genomes, this method helps researchers understand population structures, demographics, ancestral locations, and more, providing deeper insights into human genetic history.