News in Shorts: 05 March 2025

Jan Aushadhi- Ek Kadam Matri Shakti Ki Ore (Women Participation)

Context: The fourth day of 7th Jan Aushadhi Diwas 2025 was celebrated with a special focus on the women of the country across 30 major cities in 30 states.

• A week-long series of events is scheduled from March 1 to March 7, 2025, across different locations in India.

About Jan Aushadhi Diwas

• It is an initiative under PM Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana Scheme.
• Aim: To promote generic medicines and increase awareness.
• Theme: To focus on expanding accessibility and ensuring the availability of affordable medicines in every corner of India.
• Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers. 
• Status of Jan Aushadhi Kendras
• • Currently, there are over 15,000 Jan Aushadhi Kendras operating in all districts of India.
  • The government aims to open 25,000 Kendras by March 31, 2027 to expand access to affordable medicines.

Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan”

Context: Recently, the Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan was launched at a National Workshop of Women Elected Representatives in New Delhi.

About Sashakt Panchayat-Netri Abhiyan

• It is an initiative for women empowerment in Rural Governance. 
• Nodal ministry: Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• Objective : To strengthen women leaders in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
  • It focuses on:
    • Enhancing leadership skills.
    • Improving decision-making abilities.
• Significance:
  • Empowering Women: Recognizing the crucial role of women in rural governance and fostering their leadership to drive positive change at the grassroots level.
  • Government Commitment: Reflects the government’s dedication to creating inclusive, gender-sensitive, and socially just Gram Panchayat

Red Rot Disease in Sugarcane

Context: At Muzaffarnagar and other districts of western Uttar Pradesh, several farmers have reported that their sugarcane crops are infected by red rot. 

• The widespread cultivation of Co 0238, covering 87% of sugarcane farms in Uttar Pradesh by 2020-21, has intensified the red rot outbreak

About Red rot disease

• Red rot is a fungal disease caused by Colletotrichum falcatum, which affects sugarcane crops.
• Symptoms: It is characterized by reddish discoloration of internal stalk tissues, a sour alcoholic odor, and reduced sugar content.
• Mode of Spread: Spreads through air, water, soil, infected setts (planting material), and farm tools, making containment challenging.
• Impact on Yield: Leads to reduced cane weight, lower sugar recovery, and poor juice quality, causing significant economic losses for farmers.
• Affected Varieties: Historically, it has damaged several elite sugarcane varieties, including Co 213, Co 1148, Co 7717, and now Co 0238 in western Uttar Pradesh.
• Climate Influence: Excessive rainfall, floods, and humidity create favorable conditions for the disease, weakening plant resistance.

Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

Context: Researchers from the University of Kerala discovered two new species of jumping spiders, Epidelaxia falciformis and Epidelaxia palustris in Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary , marking the first record of the Epidelaxia genus in India and expanding its known range beyond Sri Lanka.

About Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in the southern part of the Western Ghats in the Kollam district of Kerala.
  • It forms part of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve.
• Major Rivers: Shendurney, Kazhuthuruthy, and Kulathupuzha rivers converge to form the Kallada River.
  • Mansar and Manhar rivers also flow through the sanctuary.
  • It also  encompasses Thenmala Dam reservoir.
• Name Origin: “Shendurney” is derived from Gluta travancorica, locally known as ‘Chenkurunji.’
  • This tree species is endemic to the region and found abundantly within the sanctuary.
• Flora: Dominated by tropical evergreen and semi-evergreen forests.
• Mammals: Home to endangered species like the Lion-tailed macaque, along with Indian bison and Malabar giant squirrel.
• Birds: The Great Eared Nightjar, a nocturnal bird, was first recorded in Kerala within this sanctuary.
• Unique Aspects: Unlike most forests in Kerala, Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary has no sandalwood trees, making it ecologically distinct.

Wallace Line

Context: The recent eruption of Mount Ruang volcano in Sitaro, North Sulawesi, highlights the unique landscape of the region.

• The Wallace Line, running between Borneo and Sulawesi, marks a significant biogeographical divide.

About Wallace Line

• Bio-Geographical Boundary: It serves as a natural boundary separating the eco-zones of Asia and Australia.
• Geographical Location:
  • The Wallace Line intersects the Lombok Strait between the Indonesian islands of Bali and Lombok.
  • It extends northward between Borneo and Sulawesi and continues south of the Philippines and the Maluku Islands.
  • The line is part of the Malay archipelago, a geologically complex region with more than 25,000 islands
• Discovery: The Wallace Line was identified by British explorer Alfred Russel Wallace in 1863 during his explorations.
• Ecological Division: The Wallace Line divides the Indonesian archipelago into two distinct ecological zones:
  • West of the Wallace Line: Species resemble those of Asia, including elephants, tigers, and orangutans.
  • East of the Wallace Line: Species are related to Australia, such as kangaroos, cockatoos, and marsupials.
• Impact on Wildlife:
  • Birds and mammals are particularly influenced by the divide, with few species crossing it.
  • Flora is less affected, though Australian species like Eucalyptus remain on the eastern side.
• Impact on Marine Species:
  • The Wallace Line acts as a barrier for terrestrial species but does not restrict marine life.
  • The area between the Wallace Line and the Sahul Shelf (near Australia) is known as the Coral Triangle, one of the most biodiverse marine environments on Earth.
• Reason for the Divide: The Wallace Line aligns with deep ocean trenches that served as barriers to species migration.
  • During the Ice Age, lower sea levels created land bridges between Asia and Australia, but the deep waters between these islands prevented species from crossing.

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