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- Former US President Joe Biden emphasized the growing possibility of realizing the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas.
- Overview of the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):
- The IMEC is a transformative infrastructure initiative designed to foster seamless connectivity through a network of ports, railways, highways, sea routes, and pipelines, aimed at boosting trade between India, the Arabian Peninsula, the Mediterranean region, and Europe. It was introduced in 2023 during the G20 summit in New Delhi, where a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed among the European Union and seven nations—India, the United States, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, France, Germany, and Italy.
- The IMEC will consist of two primary corridors: the eastern corridor linking India to the Arabian Gulf and the northern corridor connecting the Gulf to Europe. Upon its completion, the project will establish an efficient, cost-effective cross-border railway system, augmented by road and maritime routes.
- The initiative will feature a shipping route connecting the Indian ports of Mumbai and Mundra to the UAE, and a railway system that links the UAE, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan to the Israeli port of Haifa, ultimately reaching the Mediterranean Sea. From Haifa, the corridor will extend to Greece’s Piraeus port, completing the route to Europe.
- Furthermore, the corridor will incorporate the installation of electricity grids, digital optical fiber cables, and pipelines for hydrogen transportation. This ambitious project aims to boost trade efficiency, lower costs, enhance economic cooperation, create jobs, fortify regional supply chains, and contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- The IMEC project will be backed by the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), a US-led initiative designed to address the infrastructure gap in developing nations.
- An analysis of stable isotope data from seven hominin specimens, dating back 3.5 million years from Sterkfontein in South Africa, reveals that Australopithecus likely had a varied, predominantly plant-based diet.
- About Australopithecus:
- Australopithecus, a genus of extinct primates, is represented by a collection of fossils found at various locations across eastern, north-central, and southern Africa. These hominins are considered the closest known relatives of the genus Homo, which includes modern humans.
- The different species of Australopithecus inhabited Earth between 4.4 million and 1.4 million years ago, spanning the Pliocene and Pleistocene epochs (from 5.3 million to 11,700 years ago). The name "Australopithecus," meaning “southern ape,” was derived from the discovery of the first fossils in South Africa.
- One of the most renowned specimens of this genus is "Lucy," a well-preserved fossilized skeleton from Ethiopia, dated to 3.2 million years ago.
- Features:
- Fossil evidence indicates that Australopithecus exhibited a blend of human-like and ape-like traits. Members of this genus had facial features resembling those of apes, such as a flat nose and a protruding lower jaw, along with a small braincase (less than 500 cubic centimeters, roughly one-third the size of a modern human brain). They also had long, powerful arms and curved fingers suited for tree climbing.
- Their small canine teeth, characteristic of early humans, and their ability to walk upright on two legs further distinguish them from other primates. Australopithecus species were about 1.2 to 1.5 meters tall, weighing between 30 and 50 kilograms. Males were typically nearly twice the size of females, demonstrating a high degree of sexual dimorphism—greater than in modern chimpanzees or humans, but less than in gorillas or orangutans.
- Their diet was primarily plant-based, consisting of leaves, fruit, seeds, roots, nuts, and insects.
- The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has rejected the Uttarakhand government's proposal to permit soapstone mining near the Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary, which serves as a critical habitat for endangered species.
- About the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL):
- The NBWL was established by the Central Government under Section 5A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 (WLPA). The board came into existence through an amendment to the WLPA in 2022, replacing the Indian Board for Wildlife, which had been formed in 1952.
- As India’s primary advisory body on wildlife conservation, the NBWL provides guidance to the government on issues related to wildlife protection, particularly within Protected Areas (PAs). The board plays a key role in reviewing and approving projects that may impact wildlife conservation efforts within these areas.
- According to the WLPA, the NBWL’s approval is necessary before undertaking any construction of tourist lodges, altering the boundaries of PAs, destroying or diverting wildlife habitats, or de-notifying Tiger Reserves.
- Organisation Structure:
- The NBWL is a 47-member committee chaired by the Prime Minister, with the Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change serving as the vice-chairperson. In addition to representatives from institutions and offices directly involved in wildlife conservation, the board includes members such as the Chief of Army Staff, the Defence Secretary, and the Expenditure Secretary of the Government of India.
- Furthermore, the central government nominates 10 members who are prominent conservationists, ecologists, and environmentalists. The Additional Director General of Forests (Wildlife) and Director of Wildlife Preservation acts as the Member-Secretary to the Board.
- Standing Committee of NBWL:
- The Standing Committee is an independent body within the NBWL, consisting of no more than 10 members. The Minister of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change chairs this committee. While the Standing Committee is responsible for clearing specific projects, the NBWL itself serves as the policy-making body, advising the government on wildlife protection and conservation policies.