Pakke Tiger Reserve
Why in News: A 4-month-old Asiatic bear cub was rescued by the wildlife rescue team from Kolortang village in Lohit district and relocated to the Centre for Bear Rehabilitation and Conservation (CBRC) in Pakke Tiger Reserve.
About Pakke Tiger Reserve:
Location:
- Situated in the East Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh.
- Located north of the Brahmaputra River, in the transition zone between the Assam plains and the hilly forests of Arunachal Pradesh.
Boundaries:
- Surrounded by the Tenga Reserve Forest to the north, Doimara Reserve Forest on the west, Nameri National Park and Tiger Reserve (Assam) on the south, and agricultural land as well as Papum Reserve Forest on the east.
- Bounded by the Bhareli or Kameng River in the west and north, and by the Pakke River in the east.
Area:
- Total area of 862 sq.km.
- Elevations range from 100 to 2,000 meters (330 to 6,560 feet).
- Landscape and Biodiversity:
- Features high species diversity and endemicity as it forms the transition zone between the Indian and Malayan eco-regions.
- Habitat types include lowland semi-evergreen, evergreen forest, and Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests.
Community Involvement:
- Inhabited by the Nyishi tribe, who play a significant role in its conservation.
Flora:
- Key species include Polyalthia simiarum, Pterospermum acerifolium, Sterculia alata, Stereospermum chelonioides, Ailanthus grandis, and Duabanga grandiflor.
- About eight species of bamboo occur in the area.
Fauna:
- Notable wildlife includes tigers, leopards, clouded leopards, jungle cats, wild dogs, jackals, Himalayan black bears, binturongs, elephants, gaurs, sambar deer, hog deer, barking deer, wild boars, yellow-throated martins, Malayan giant squirrels, and flying squirrels.
International Maritime Organisation (IMO)
Why in News: India has urged for effective measures to address seafarer abandonment and ensure the safety of the maritime workforce during the 132nd session of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) Council in London.
About International Maritime Organization (IMO):
- The IMO is a specialized agency of the United Nations (UN) focused on the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
- It plays a crucial role in achieving the targets of UN Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 14, which aims to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas, and marine resources for sustainable development.
Functions:
- Sets policies for international shipping, including regulations on safety, security, and environmental best practices.
- Engages in legal matters such as liability, compensation, and the facilitation of international maritime traffic.
- While the IMO establishes policies, it does not enforce them. Once a government accepts an IMO policy, it becomes national law, and enforcement is the government’s responsibility.
Formation and Membership:
- Established as the Inter-Governmental Maritime Consultative Organization (IMCO) in 1948.
- Became a specialized agency of the United Nations in 1959 and was renamed the International Maritime Organization in 1982.
- Currently, it has 174 member states.
Structure:
- Assembly: The highest governing body, comprising all Member States. It meets biennially to approve the work program, vote on the budget, and elect the Council.
- Council: The executive organ responsible for supervising the work of the organization under the Assembly.
- Committees: Five policy-making committees are tasked with developing, reviewing, updating, and approving the organization’s guidelines and regulations.
- Funding: The IMO is funded through contributions from member states, voluntary donations, and commercial activities.
Headquarters: Located in London.
Sarus crane
Why in News : According to the most recent summer census conducted on June 20–21, 2024, the population of Sarus cranes in Uttar Pradesh is increasing.
About Sarus Crane:
- It is the tallest flying bird globally.
- Scientific name: Grus Antigone
- Distribution: Found in Southeast Asia, northern India, and northern Australia.
- Habitat: Primarily inhabits wetlands such as canals, marshes, and ponds, often in proximity to human settlements.
Appearance:
- Predominantly grey plumage with a bare red head and upper neck, and pale red legs.
- Considered one of the less social crane species, typically seen in pairs or small groups of three or four.
- Monogamous birds that mate for life.
Conservation Status:
- IUCN Red List: Vulnerable
- CITES: Appendix II
- Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule IV
Threats:
- The primary threat to Sarus cranes in India is habitat loss and degradation, primarily due to wetland drainage and conversion of land for agriculture.