Iberian lynx

Context: Recently, the world’s first-ever white Iberian lynx (Lynx pardinus)  spotted in Spain, confirmed to have leucism, a rare pigmentation condition causing reduced coloration.

About Iberian Lynx (Lynx pardinus)

• Type/Nature: it is a wild cat native to Iberian Peninsula (Spain & Portugal).
• Distinct features:
  • It is smaller than the Eurasian lynx, weighing approximately 50% less.
  • It has a tawny spotted coat, black ear tufts, a short black-tipped tail, and a facial ruff, often referred to as a ‘beard.
• Conservation status:
  • The Iberian lynx’s IUCN status is Vulnerable.
  • Recovery (2024): more than 1,500 individuals in the wild due to EU LIFE Lynx programme, habitat restoration, and rabbit population management.
  • CITES: Appendix I
• Ecological role: It serves as an apex predator that controls rabbit populations and plays a key role in maintaining the balance of the Mediterranean ecosystem.

Leucism in Wild Animals

• It is a genetic condition causing partial loss of pigmentation in skin, hair, or feathers. Unlike albinism, it does not affect the eyes, which retain normal coloration.
• Cause: Mutation affecting melanocyte distribution rather than melanin production itself.
• Effects: Produces white or pale coloration with normal eye pigment.
• Ecological implications:
  • May reduce camouflage, increasing predation risk or hunting difficulty.
  • Extremely rare in wild species due to survival disadvantages.
• Examples: Tigers (e.g., white Bengal tiger) and peacocks.

States and UTs Formation Day

Context: Recently, President Droupadi Murmu extended greetings to the people of  States and Union Territories Celebrating  their Formation Day (November 1), commending their contributions to India’s development and wishing continued prosperity.

States and Union Territories Celebrating Formation Day on November 1

• Andhra Pradesh: Formed in 1953 as the first state created on a linguistic basis for Telugu speakers, later reorganised in 1956 under the States Reorganisation Act.
• Chhattisgarh: Created on November 1, 2000, after separation from Madhya Pradesh, to ensure focused governance and development for tribal and resource-rich regions.
• Karnataka: Earlier known as Mysore State, the state was reorganised on November 1, 1956, integrating Kannada-speaking regions, Later  it was renamed Karnataka in 1973.
• Lakshadweep: Became a Union Territory in 1956, known for its coral islands, marine biodiversity, and cultural ties with the Malabar coast.
• Madhya Pradesh: Reconstituted on November 1, 1956, consolidating central Indian regions; later, Chhattisgarh was carved out in 2000.
• Punjab: Punjab was reorganised in 1966, leading to the formation of Haryana and the transfer of certain hill areas to Himachal Pradesh, retaining its Sikh-majority and Punjabi-speaking identity.”
• Haryana: Formed in 1966 after bifurcation from Punjab, to recognise the distinct linguistic and cultural identity of Hindi-speaking regions.
• Puducherry: Became a Union Territory in 1954 after French rule ended, formally integrated into India’s administrative structure by 1962.
• Kerala:Formed on November 1, 1956, by merging Travancore–Cochin, Malabar, and Kasaragod taluk of South Canara to create a unified Malayalam-speaking state.

About Kerala Piravi 

• Kerala Piravi, meaning “birth of Kerala,” commemorates the state’s formation on November 1, 1956, under the States Reorganisation Act.
• Cultural Significance: The day celebrates Kerala’s linguistic unity, heritage, and traditions, reflecting its centuries-old contributions to India’s cultural grandeur.
• Celebrations: Across Kerala, people wear traditional attire, and schools observe Malayala Bhasha Vaaram (Malayalam Language Week) featuring cultural events, essays, and performances promoting love for the mother tongue.

New Anti-Venom against African Snakes

Context: Recently, Danish researchers announced the development of a new broad-spectrum antivenom effective against 17 African snake species.

About the New Antivenom

• The formulation combines eight carefully selected nanobodies into a single cocktail, designed to neutralize multiple venom types simultaneously.
• Developed by: Scientists from the Technical University of Denmark (DTU) using advanced biotechnology and antibody engineering techniques.
• Purpose: It aims to offer broader protection and overcome limitations of conventional antivenoms that are often specific to a few snake species.
• Effectiveness: Laboratory tests showed it to be effective against venoms from 17 African snake species, including cobras and rinkhals, while reducing tissue damage and immune reactions.
• Technology Used: Phage Display Method which enables scientists to select and replicate effective antibody fragments (nanobodies) rapidly and precisely.
  • It allows for large-scale, low-cost production of high-quality antivenom without depending on antibodies extracted from animals.
• Accessibility :The new production method is expected to reduce costs and improve access to life-saving treatment in regions where snakebite care is limited.
• Limitations: The antivenom has shown partial effectiveness against some species like the black mamba and forest cobra, requiring further optimization.

Researchers emphasize the need for human clinical trials to confirm safety and efficacy before global deployment.

Nauradehi Sanctuary

Context: Madhya Pradesh announced that the Nauradehi Sanctuary will soon become the third habitat for cheetahs in the state, following Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary.

About Nauradehi Sanctuary

• Location: 
  • Situated in Sagar, Damoh, Narsinghpur, and Raisen districts of Madhya Pradesh.
  • It lies in the central part of India, forming part of the Satpura–Maikal landscape.
  • Spread over ~1,200 sq. km, making it Madhya Pradesh’s largest wildlife sanctuary
• Established: It was notified as a Sanctuary in 1975. 
• Vegetation:
  • Characterized by Tropical Dry Deciduous Forests.
  • Dominated by teak (Tectona grandis), saja (Terminalia tomentosa), bija, tendu, bamboo, and grasslands.
• Fauna: 
  • Mammals: Leopard, Indian wolf, sloth bear, hyena, chital, sambar, nilgai, blackbuck, and wild boar.
  • Birds: Over 200 species, including peafowl, parakeets, and migratory waterfowl.
• Ecological Significance:
  • Wildlife Corridor: Nauradehi acts as a corridor between major tiger reserves Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve .
  • Watershed Importance: Serves as a catchment for tributaries of the Narmada and Ganga rivers.
  • Conservation Value: Acts as a buffer zone for wildlife dispersal and genetic diversity maintenance.

Cheetah Conservation

• The Asiatic cheetah had gone extinct from India in the mid-20th century(1952).
• Project Cheetah: India reintroduced African cheetahs in 2022 under Project Cheetah, beginning at Kuno National Park.
• Under: National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
• Implementation Partners: Wildlife Institute of India (WII), Cheetah Conservation Fund (Namibia).

Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan

Context: India created three Guinness World Records under the Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan, highlighting large-scale community participation in women’s health and digital wellness initiatives across the country.

About Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan

• The Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar Abhiyaan is a nationwide women’s health awareness and screening campaign aimed at strengthening preventive healthcare, digital health access, and community engagement for women.
• Launch and Duration: The campaign was conducted between 17th September and 2nd October 2025.
• It focused on promoting early detection and preventive screening, particularly for women’s health conditions.
• Nodal Ministry and Partners: The initiative was spearheaded by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, with active participation from over 20 central ministries, medical colleges, central government institutions, and private healthcare organisations.
• Community Participation: The campaign mobilised:
  • 5 lakh Panchayati Raj representatives,
  • 1.14 crore students,
  • 94 lakh Self-Help Group members, and
  • 5 lakh other community stakeholders.

Record Achievements

• Largest Health Platform Registration in a Single Month: Over 3.21 crore individuals registered on a digital health platform within one month , the highest number ever recorded globally under a single health campaign.
• Most Online Breast Cancer Screenings in One Week: A record 9.94 lakh women signed up for online breast cancer screening, advancing early detection and awareness of women’s health issues.
• Highest Online Vital Signs Screenings at State Level: At the state level, 1.25 lakh people participated in online vital signs screening within a week.

This demonstrated India’s commitment to digital health innovation, inter-ministerial coordination, and grassroots public participation for a Healthy Woman, Empowered Family, and Viksit Bharat.

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