News in Shorts: 03 February 2025

Gujrat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site: Inland mangrove of Guneri

Context: The Guneri village in Lakhtar tehsil, Kutch district, covering 32.78 hectares, has been declared as Gujarat’s first Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS). 

About Inland mangrove

• Inland mangroves are unique ecosystems found further away from the coastal areas compared to typical mangroves. 
• They occur in saltwater-influenced environments such as lagoons, river deltas, and estuaries.
• Inland mangroves are very rare and found in only a few countries:
  • Australia, Antigua-Barbuda, Bahamas, Guatemala, Indonesia, Mexico, and Pakistan.
• In India, inland mangroves exist only in Kutch, Gujarat.
  • Shravan Kavadiya and Guneri were the only two inland mangrove sites in India.
  • Shravan Kavadiya mangrove is now extinct due to the loss of saline water.

Enroll now for UPSC Online Course

About Inland mangrove of Guneri

• This inland mangrove site is rare and holds great ecological significance.
• Legal Framework
  • The declaration was made under The Biodiversity Act, 2002.
    • The site has been declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site (BHS).
• Unlike typical mangroves, it does not depend on direct seawater connection.
• Grows on flat land rather than coastal regions.
• Location and Geography
  • Situated in Kutch district, Gujarat.
  • Located 45 km from the Arabian Sea and 4 km from Kori Creek.
  • Unlike coastal mangroves, this site is never exposed to seawater.
  • Spread over a flat, forest-like land with no sludge deposits.
• Role of Limestone in Survival
  • Inland mangroves are known to survive in areas with limestone deposits.
  • Limestone connects to the seabed, allowing a continuous groundwater flow.
  • The Western Kutch region, including Guneri, has rich limestone deposits, supporting this unique mangrove ecosystem.

‘SwaRail’ SuperApp

Context: The ‘SwaRail’ SuperApp has been released by the Railway Ministry for testing on Google Play Store. 

• The app is a one-stop solution offering multiple public-facing services.
• Testing Purpose: The App is available for download for only 1,000 users at first to assess the response and feedback. 
  • Currently available for both Android and iOS platforms in beta version.

About the App

• Developed By: The Centre for Railway Information Systems (CRIS), on behalf of the Ministry of Railways
• Services Offered: The app provides easy access to services like,
  • Reserved and unreserved ticket bookings, platform and parcel bookings, train inquiries, PNR inquiries, order food on trains, help through RailMadad
• It integrates several services to provide users with a complete package of Indian Railway services
• Objective: To enhance user experience through a seamless and clean user interface.
• Features:
  • Single Sign-On Functionality:  It offers single sign-on functionality, enabling users to access all services with a single set of credentials.
    • Example: PNR enquiries will also display the associated information about the train.
  • Multiple Login Options: Users can also use their existing RailConnect or UTS App credentials to onboard the app. It provides multiple login options, including m-PIN and biometric authentication.

Suzetrigne

Context: The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has approved a new non-opioid painkiller called Suzetrigine.

About Suzetrigine

• It is a non-opioid pain relief medication used to manage moderate to severe acute pain in adults.
• It is sold under the brand name Journavx. 
  • The drug is produced by US-based Vertex Pharmaceuticals.
• Common side effects include: Itching, Rash, Muscle spasms, and Increased levels of creatine kinase. 

Check Out UPSC Modules From PW Store

What Are Opioids?

• Opioids are drugs that come from or imitate natural substances found in the opium poppy plant.
• Common opioids include:
  • Oxycodone, morphine, codeine, heroin, and fentanyl.
• They are mainly used as painkillers.
• How opioids work:
  • Opioids attach to opioid receptors in the brain.
  • This blocks pain signals and creates a feeling of pleasure or euphoria.
• Why are opioids addictive?
  • The pleasure they produce can make users want to continue taking them, leading to psychological dependence and addiction.

Ready to boost your UPSC 2025 preparation? Join PW’s UPSC online courses today!