Status of Leopards in India
Source: pib
Why in News: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has published a report detailing the situation of leopards in India for the year 2022. The study encompassed 20 states across the country and concentrated on approximately 70% of the anticipated habitat for these animals.
Key Highlights of the Report
- Population Increase: The leopard population in India surged by 8% from 12,852 in 2018 to 13,874 in 2022.
- Distribution: Approximately 65% of leopards reside outside protected areas in the Shivalik landscape, with only about a third within protected areas.
- Regional Population Trends:
- Central India witnessed a stable or slightly growing leopard population (2018: 8,071, 2022: 8,820).
- Conversely, the Shivalik hills and Gangetic plains experienced a decline (2018: 1,253, 2022: 1,109), with an annual decline rate of 3.4%. The highest growth rate was observed in Central India and Eastern Ghats at 1.5%.
- State-wise Leopard Population:
- Madhya Pradesh boasts the highest leopard population (3,907), followed by Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Tamil Nadu.
- However, Odisha and Uttarakhand witnessed a decline in leopard numbers from 2018 to 2022.
- Landscape Analysis: The Central India and Eastern Ghats landscape harbors the largest and growing leopard population, attributed to conservation efforts under the tiger conservation framework.
- Comparison with Tiger Reserves: Leopard densities are higher in Tiger Reserves compared to areas outside Protected Areas, despite regulatory pressures from tigers.
- Threats:
- Common threats include poaching of prey, targeted poaching for tiger and leopard body parts, and habitat loss due to human activities like mining.
- Notably, Odisha seized 59 leopard skins from wildlife smugglers between 2018 and 2023, while road accidents contribute significantly to leopard fatalities.
Basic Concept:
Scientific Classification: | |
Scientific Name: | Panthera pardus |
Description: | The leopard belongs to the Big Cat family, including the Tiger, Lion, Jaguar, and Snow Leopard, and it is the smallest member of this genus. |
Characteristics: | |
Adaptability: | Known for its adaptability to various habitats. |
Hunting Habits: | Primarily a nocturnal hunter, preying on smaller herbivores like chital, hog deer, and wild boar. |
Melanism: |
|
Habitat: | |
Distribution: | Found across a wide range in sub-Saharan Africa, parts of Western and Central Asia, the Indian subcontinent, and Southeast and East Asia. |
Specific Subspecies: | The Indian leopard (Panthera pardus fusca) is prevalent throughout the Indian subcontinent. |
Threats: | |
Poaching: | Poaching for illegal trade in skins and body parts poses a significant threat. |
Habitat Loss: | Habitat loss and fragmentation due to human activities. |
Human-Leopard Conflicts: | Conflicts often arise from habitat encroachment. |
Conservation Status: | |
IUCN Red List: | Vulnerable |
CITES: | Appendix-I |
Legal Protection: | Protected under the Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, listed under Schedule-I. |
PRELIMS Q. Consider the following: (2012)
Which of the above are naturally found in India?
Ans: (b) |
White Rabbit Technology
Source: CERN
Why in News: CERN has initiated the White Rabbit Collaboration with the goal of preserving and furthering the White Rabbit technology.
Understanding White Rabbit Technology
- Advancing Time Synchronization: White Rabbit technology is designed to synchronize devices in accelerators to sub-nanosecond precision, addressing the challenge of establishing a unified time framework across networks.
- Overcoming Latency Challenges: It tackles potential delays arising from the time taken for light to travel through fiber-optic cables and the processing duration of electronic signals.
- Diverse Sector Applications: Its applications span across sectors such as finance and research infrastructures, with ongoing evaluations for potential integration into the future quantum internet.
- Impact on Time Dissemination: White Rabbit has the potential to reshape global time dissemination technologies, offering alternatives to satellite-dependent systems and potentially enhancing reliability.
- The Role of White Rabbit Collaboration: The White Rabbit Collaboration is a global community aiming to uphold and promote the open-source technology, offering support, training, and facilitating collaborative R&D projects.
CERNCERN, short for the European Organization for Nuclear Research, is renowned globally for its groundbreaking contributions to particle physics research.
CERN’s Mission
Notable Achievements
|
PRELIMS Q. With reference to White Rabbit Technology, which of the following is/are correct?
Select the correct answer using the code given below:
Answer: a) 1 only |
Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
Source: HT
Why in News: The Supreme Court has recently requested the Election Commission of India (ECI) and the Centre to provide their responses regarding a petition that calls for a thorough tally of Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT) receipts during elections.
Understanding Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trail (VVPAT)
VVPAT was initially introduced in India during the 2014 Lok Sabha elections as a supplementary measure to enhance the transparency and credibility of the electoral process.
Components of the VVPAT System
- VVPAT comprises two main components: the VVPAT Printer and the VVPAT Status Display Unit (VSDU), both integrated with Electronic Voting Machines (EVMs).
- This independent system enables voters to verify that their votes are accurately recorded as intended.
Verification Process
- Upon casting a vote, the VVPAT Printer generates a printed slip displaying the serial number, name, and symbol of the chosen candidate.
- This printed slip remains visible through a transparent window for a duration of 7 seconds, allowing voters to confirm their selection.
Disposal of Printed Slips
- Following the verification period, the printed slip is automatically cut and deposited into the sealed drop box of the VVPAT, ensuring the integrity of the voting process.
Operation of VVPAT:
EVM Composition and Voting Process
- In India, voters utilize an Electronic Voting Machine (EVM), consisting of a control unit and a balloting unit.
- The balloting unit displays candidate names, party emblems, and a blue button for voters to make their selections.
Integration of VVPAT with EVM
- Upon casting a vote on the EVM, a printer-like VVPAT device becomes active.
- Connected to the EVM, the VVPAT generates a slip containing the serial number, name, and symbol of the chosen candidate.
Verification Mechanism for Voters
- Voters can use the printed VVPAT slip to verify their chosen candidate.
- The slip remains visible for 7 seconds before being mechanically cut and dropped into the VVPAT machine’s sealed dropbox, accompanied by a beep.
Limited Access to VVPAT by Election Officers
- Election officers are permitted to access VVPAT machines only under extreme circumstances, maintaining the integrity and security of the voting process.
PRELIMS Q. With reference to the Voter Verifiable Paper Audit Trial (VVPAT) consider the following statements:
How many of the statements given above are correct?
Ans. b (Statement 1 and 3 are correct) |
Zero FIR
Source: TH
Why in News: Recently, the police filed a zero FIR against a former minister from Telangana for purportedly making offensive remarks directed at the Telangana Chief Minister.
Understanding Zero FIR
Zero FIR pertains to a First Investigation Report (FIR) registered without considering the location where the offense occurred.
- Elimination of Jurisdictional Excuse: Authorities cannot cite lack of jurisdiction in such cases.
- Transfer Protocol: The case is subsequently shifted to the relevant police station for jurisdictional investigation to commence.
- Legal Obligation: Places a legal duty on the police to initiate an investigation promptly, removing jurisdictional barriers as an excuse.
- Objective of Zero FIR: Ensure victims do not face hurdles in lodging complaints, aiming for swift resolution and action post-FIR filing.
Legal Basis of Zero FIR
Support from Judicial Precedents Various judgments from both the Supreme Court and High Courts endorse the provision of Zero FIR.
|
PRELIMS Q. Consider the following statements
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer. c |
