News in Shorts: 04 March 2025

Lake Tanganyika Basin

Context: A five-year conservation project has been launched by Burundi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Zambia to protect the biodiversity of Lake Tanganyika Basin.

Key highlights of the project

• The initiative is led by UNEP and funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

About Lake Tanganyika Basin

• Lake Tanganyika is one of the world’s most biodiverse freshwater ecosystems.
• Lake Tanganyika is shared by four countries:
  • Burundi
  • Democratic Republic of Congo (DR Congo)
  • Tanzania
  • Zambia
• It holds about 17% of the global surface freshwater supply and is home to one of Africa’s largest freshwater fisheries.
• The lake contains around 1,500 species, with 600 species endemic (found only in this lake).
• The lake is internationally recognized as a global biodiversity hotspot.
• Apart from aquatic biodiversity, the Lake Tanganyika Basin also has rich terrestrial biodiversity and scenic landscapes.
• The region includes forest reserves and national parks, such as:
  • Burundi: Rusizi Nature Reserve, Kigwena Forest Reserve
  • Tanzania: Gombe Stream, Katavi, and Mahale Mountains National Parks
  • Zambia: Nsumbu National Park
• Lake Tanganyika lies within the Albertine Rift, which is part of the East African Rift Valley

Selenium Toxicity in PDS Wheat

Context: Over 300 cases of sudden hair loss were reported between December 2024 and January 2025 in Shegaon taluka, Maharashtra.

• Investigations linked the issue to high selenium levels in wheat distributed through Public Distribution System (PDS) outlets.
• Wheat samples from PDS shops and affected households contained selenium levels 2-8 times higher than normal.

About Selenium and Its Health Impact

• Selenium is present in Earth’s crust, often in association with sulfur-containing minerals. 
• Selenium is an essential trace element, and foodstuffs such as cereals, meat and fish are the principal source of selenium for the general population. 
• Levels of Selenium in food also vary greatly according to geographical area of production.
• Excessive intake of Selenium  causes selenosis, leading to hair loss, brittle nails, nausea, and neurological issues.
• Safe limit of Selenium: FAO/WHO established an upper tolerable limit for selenium of 400 µg/day.

First Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report

Context: Recently a press report on Riverine Dolphin Estimation by the Environment Ministry on March 3, commemorated as World Wildlife Day.

About the Report

• The first-ever estimate of Gangetic dolphins in India was conducted between 2021 and 2025.
• The survey spanned 8,507 km across the Ganga and its tributaries .
• Conducted By:  Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change,with researchers using advanced tracking techniques.
• Methodology: Unlike traditional wildlife surveys, dolphin counting was done through sound-based triangulation using acoustic hydrophones for accurate counting since they are blind and rely on echolocation.
• Total Dolphins Spotted: A total of 6,327 dolphins were recorded, including 6,324 Ganges river dolphins and 3 Indus river dolphins.
• Dolphin Distribution:
  • The largest population was found in the main stem of the Ganga (3,275 dolphins) and its tributaries (2,414 dolphins).
  • State-wise, the maximum dolphins were found in Uttar Pradesh, followed by Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
  • Other sightings included 584 dolphins in the Brahmaputra mainstream, 412 in its tributaries, and 101 in the Beas river.