Main Point :-
(i) The Fast Patrol Vessels (FPVs) are specifically designed to fulfill the Indian Coast Guard's (ICG) operational needs, including surveillance and the protection of offshore assets and island territories, with key specifications of 52 meters in length, 8 meters in breadth, and a displacement of 320 tonnes.
(iii) For the first time in its history, Goa Shipyard Limited (GSL) used it State-of-the-Art Ship-Lift System to simultaneously launch two vessels of the same series in October 2024. This showcases the shipyard's advanced infrastructure and modernization efforts.
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- The first discovery in May 2024 was Stellaria mcclintockiae, found in Nelliyampathy Hills, Palakkad, Kerala.
- The discovery was made by Arya S, Post-Graduate & Research Department of Botany, PSG College of Arts and Science, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, and Harsh Singh from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong, Meghalaya.
Main Point :-
(i) Stellaria bengalensis is an annual herb that grows to a height of 8 to 10.5 centimeters. It is distinguished by its white flowers, the absence of bracts, shorter petals that are enclosed within the sepal, and sharp, pointed seeds. The plant blooms between May and September.
(ii) India hosts approximately 22 species of Stellaria, primarily located in the Himalayan region. The population of Stellaria bengalensis has been classified as 'data deficient' according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) criteria.
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Five New Species of Darwin Wasps Discovered in India and Thailand
Researchers at the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) have discovered five new species of Darwin wasps, marking the first record of the Microleptinae subfamily in India. These wasps, known for their parasitic life cycle, include four new species from India—Microleptes chiani, M. gowrishankari, M. sandeshkaduri, and M. tehriensis—and one from Thailand, M. depressus. This study highlights the importance of taxonomic research in understanding biodiversity and ecological functions. The Ichneumonidae family, to which these wasps belong, consists of 42 subfamilies, with Microleptinae being among the smallest. The discovery underscores the need for further research on the distribution and diversity of the Microleptinae subfamily.
- The Ichneumonidae family consists of 42 subfamilies.
- Highlights the importance of taxonomic research in biodiversity.
Main Point :-
(i) Marks the first record of the Microleptinae subfamily in India.
(ii) New species include Microleptes chiani, M. gowrishankari, M. sandeshkaduri, M. tehriensis, and M. depressus.
About ATREE :
- Headquarters: Bangalore, India
- Chairman: Mr. G. G. George
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ICAR-IISR Releases India’s First Ginger Variety IISR Surasa for Vegetable Use
The Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) and the Indian Institute of Spices Research (IISR) have introduced India's first ginger variety specifically for vegetable use, named IISR Surasa. Developed through a farmers’ participatory breeding program, IISR Surasa is a non-pungent cultivar that offers superior organoleptic qualities, making it more appealing for consumption. Scientifically grown, it can yield up to 24.33 tons per hectare. Extensive trials over six years have shown consistent and high output. The variety has been approved by the Kerala State Varietal Release Committee and is ideal for creating dry ginger and growing in polybags. Farmers will have access to its planting material from the upcoming planting season.
- ICAR-IISR releases India’s first ginger variety for vegetable use, named IISR Surasa.
- IISR Surasa is a non-pungent cultivar developed through a farmers’ participatory breeding program.
Main Point :-
(i) Trials and testing of IISR Surasa were conducted over six years.
(ii) Farmers will have restricted access to the variety’s planting material starting in May–June.
About India’s first ginger variety :
- Variety Name: IISR Surasa, Yield: Up to 24.33 tons per hectare
- Dry Recovery Rate: 21%
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A new species of crocodile, named the "Cao Bang Crocodile Newt," has been discovered in Vietnam.
A crocodile-like creature was found in the mountainous farms of Vietnam, at an elevation of 3,300 feet. It was seen in a slow-moving stream, and after analyzing its DNA, researchers identified it as a new species of crocodile, Tylototriton koliaensis, also called the Cao Bang Crocodile Newt.
- The study was published in the journal Zoo Keys, which focuses on salamander species found mainly in Asia.
- Researcher Trung My Phung, who was part of the study, mentioned that there are 38 species of this genus across Asia, and 6 specimens have been collected for further research.
Main Point :-
(i) The Cao Bang Crocodile Newt is entirely black, with bright orange markings on its fingertips and toes. It is about 5 inches long, has a stout body with rough skin, and its scales resemble knobs or warts. Its head is large.
(ii) The underside of the newt has a dark gray belly, with an orange stripe running down the center of its tail.
(iii) The discovery of the Cao Bang Crocodile Newt (Tylototriton koliaensis) is a significant addition to Vietnam’s biodiversity.
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New Genus "Koima" of Freshwater Fish Discovered in Western Ghats.
In November 2024, a team of researchers discovered Koima, a new genus of freshwater fish found only in the Western Ghats. This genus includes two species, Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, which were previously classified under the genus Nemacheilus.
- The two species, Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, have now been renamed as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis. Both species are found in the tributaries (smaller rivers that flow into a larger river) of the Cauvery River.
- The research was published in Zootaxa, a leading international journal on the classification of species.
Main Point :-
(i) A team of botanists, led by scientist L. Rasingam from the Botanical Survey of India (BSI) in Hyderabad (Telangana), discovered a new flower species called Dicliptera srisailamica. This flower was found in the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve, located in the Eastern Ghats of Andhra Pradesh (AP) and Telangana. The species was named after the town of Srisailam, which is known for its temple.
(ii) This new flower belongs to the Acanthaceae family, which includes 223 known species worldwide.
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New Freshwater Fish Genus 'Koima' Discovered in Western Ghats.
In November 2024, a team of researchers discovered Koima, a new genus of freshwater fish endemic to the Western Ghats. This genus includes two known species - Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis, which were previously assigned under the genus Nemacheilus.
- The fish named Mesonoemacheilus remadevii and Nemacheilus monilis are now renamed as Koima remadevii and Koima monilis respectively. Both species are found in the tributaries of the Cauvery River.
- The research was published in the leading international taxonomy journal Zootaxa.
Main Points:-
(i) Koima is distinguished from other genera of the Nemacheilidae family by its unique colour pattern, which includes a yellowish-brown ground colour, a single row of black spots on the lateral line, all fins hyaline, and the absence of a uniform banding pattern on the dorsal side.
(ii) The Nemacheilidae family includes a diverse group of freshwater fish found in Asia and Europe. These species are valued as food sources for local communities and as ornamental fish.
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King Cobra Discovered in Western Ghats Officially Named Ophiophagus Kaalinga.
Eshwar Khandre, Cabinet Minister for Forest, Ecology and Environment, Government of Karnataka, officially named the king cobra found in the Western Ghats as 'Ophiophagus Kaalinga'.
- The specific name "Kaalinga" derives from Kannada, meaning "dark," reflecting the snake's coloration and cultural significance in Karnataka.
- It features a blackish-brown body adorned with pale bands and a lighter creamy yellow belly. It is recognized for its impressive size, often exceeding 10 feet in length.
Main Points:-
(i) This announcement was made following extensive research led by wildlife biologist P. Gowri Shankar and his team, which identified the distinct genetic lineage of this snake, previously classified under a single species.
(ii) Alongside Ophiophagus Kaalinga, the other identified species include Ophiophagus hannah (the northern king cobra), Ophiophagus bungarus (the unda king cobra), and Ophiophagus salvatana (the Luzon king cobra).
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Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Declared India's 56th Tiger Reserve.
On November 18, 2024, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav notified the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla protected area in Chhattisgarh as India's 56th tiger reserve.
- The new reserve becomes India's 3rd largest tiger reserve behind the Manas Tiger Reserve (MTR) in Assam and the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve (NSTR) in Andhra Pradesh (AP).
- It is the 4th tiger reserve in Chhattisgarh after Achanakmar, Indravati, and Udanti Sitanadi.
- The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve is located across the Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Korea, Surajpur, and Balrampur districts of Chhattisgarh.
Main Points:-
(i) The reserve spans a total area of 2,829.38 square kilometers (sq km), with 2,049.2 sq km designated as the core area. It is contiguous to the Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve in Madhya Pradesh (MP).
(ii) The reserve has a buffer zone of 780.15 sq km, which helps reduce human-animal conflicts and provides wildlife the space they need to thrive.
(iii) A total of 753 species, including 365 invertebrates and 388 vertebrates, have been documented in the Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI).
About Chhattisgarh
Chief Minister (CM) : Vishnu Deo Sai
Governor : Ramen Deka
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