1. What is the Kanwar Yatra?

Recently, Delhi’s Chief Minister emphasized that any kind of mischief during the Kanwar Yatra would not be tolerated, following the discovery of glass shards along the pilgrimage route in Shahdara.

About Kanwar Yatra:

The Kanwar Yatra is an annual Hindu pilgrimage observed during the month of Shravan (July–August). Devotees of Lord Shiva, called Kanwariyas, mainly from northern India, collect sacred water from the Ganges River and carry it—often barefoot over long distances—to offer at Shiva temples.

The term "Kanwar" refers to a bamboo pole used to carry two pots of Ganga water, suspended at either end and balanced on the shoulders. "Yatra" means journey, so Kanwar Yatra translates to "journey with the Kanwar."

Pilgrims gather Gangajal from locations like Haridwar, Gaumukh, Gangotri (Uttarakhand), and Ajgaibinath Temple (Bihar), and offer it to temples including the 12 Jyotirlingas and prominent shrines like Kashi Vishwanath (UP) and Baba Baidyanath (Jharkhand), in a ritual called Jal Abhishek.

Key customs include:

• Walking barefoot (some even prostrate the entire distance).

• Ensuring the water pots never touch the ground.

• Wearing saffron robes.

• Observing fasting, often avoiding water, food, and salt.
  While traditionalists walk the whole way, some modern pilgrims use vehicles or cycles for portions of the journey.

2. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary

Environmentalists have raised concerns over the approval of an eco-tourism resort project on Goa’s Surla plateau, citing its location within critical tiger habitat in the Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary:

Located in northern Goa within the Western Ghats, the sanctuary spans 208 sq. km and is named after the Mhadei River that runs through it. It features scenic waterfalls like Vazra Sakla and Virdi Falls, and Goa’s three highest peaks: Sonsogod, Talvche Sada, and Vagheri.

Flora:
The sanctuary is rich in semi-evergreen and moist deciduous forests, with species like teak, sal, bamboo, medicinal plants, orchids, and sacred groves of rare native trees.

Fauna:
Home to Bengal tigers, leopards, black panthers, gaur, sloth bears, and multiple deer species. It's notable for snake diversity, including the ‘big four’ venomous species. Over 250 bird species thrive here, including the Malabar trogon and critically endangered Long-billed vultures that nest on cliff faces near Vazra Falls.

3. What are Noctilucent Clouds?

Recently, rare noctilucent clouds were spotted over parts of Scotland, fascinating early morning observers.

About Noctilucent Clouds:

Noctilucent (Latin for "night-shining") clouds are wispy, glowing clouds that appear bluish or silvery in the night sky when lit by sunlight from below the horizon. These high-altitude clouds form in the mesosphere—the third layer of Earth's atmosphere—making them the highest clouds on Earth.

They appear only during summer months at latitudes between 45° and 80° (both hemispheres), more commonly from May to August in the Northern Hemisphere.

Formation:
They consist of ice crystals that form on dust particles, which can originate from:

• Micrometeorites,

• Volcanic ash,

• Or even rocket exhaust.

Because the Sun doesn't dip far below the horizon in high latitudes during summer, these clouds remain illuminated even as the ground is in darkness, causing them to glow.

4. What is Cysteine?

In a recent study, scientists found that removing the amino acid cysteine from the diet of mice caused them to lose about 30% of their body weight within a week.

About Cysteine:

Cysteine is a sulfur-containing, non-essential amino acid involved in protein function and antioxidant defense. Though one of the least abundant amino acids, it plays a vital role in:

• Building collagen (important for skin elasticity),

• Synthesizing antioxidants like glutathione,

• Supporting detoxification,

• Producing taurine (beneficial for heart and digestion).

It's abundant in structural proteins like beta-keratin (found in nails, skin, and hair). Dietary sources include meat, dairy, and eggs.

Deficiency Symptoms:
Fatigue, poor growth in children, immune issues, and weakness may result from low cysteine levels.

What are Amino Acids?
They are the building blocks of proteins. Of the 20 known amino acids:

• 9 are essential (must be obtained from diet),

• 11 are non-essential (produced by the body, including cysteine).

5. Sigandur Bridge

The Union Minister for Road Transport and Highways recently inaugurated the Sigandur Bridge over the backwaters of the Sharavati River in Shivamogga district, Karnataka.

About Sigandur Bridge:

Also called the Ambaragodlu-Kalasavalli Bridge, it is the second-longest cable-stayed bridge in India. Measuring 44 km in length and 16 meters in width, it was built at a cost of ₹473 crore.

The bridge connects Sagara town to Sigandur (home to the famous Chowdeshwari temple) and restores a route disrupted by the Linganamakki Dam’s construction in the 1970s. Until now, locals relied on boats or long detours.

About Sharavati River:

• A major west-flowing river in Karnataka.

• Originates in the Western Ghats and flows into the Arabian Sea at Honavar.

• Length: 128 km; Basin area: 2,985 sq.km.

• Famous for forming the Jog Falls (height: 253 m).

• Major tributaries include Nandihole, Haridravathi, and Mavinahole.

6. Zographetus mathewi

A team of lepidopterists has discovered a new butterfly species in the Western Ghats, named Zographetus mathewi.

About the Species:

• This newly described skipper butterfly belongs to the family Hesperiidae and marks a new addition to the genus Zographetus Watson.

• It is the 15th species in this oriental genus and the fifth recorded in India.

• Its proposed common name is Sahyadri Spotted Flitter, named after the Western Ghats (locally called Sahyadri).

• Habitat: The species is endemic to low-elevation forests of Kerala.

Distinct Features:

• It is part of the Zographetus satwa species group, recognized by specific traits such as wing venation and unique male secondary sexual characteristics, including swollen forewing veins.

• Additional identifying traits include:

  • A basal hair tuft on the underside of the forewing,

  • Yellow-ochre scaling on the underside of the hindwing,

  • Distinct genitalia in both males and females.

Ecological Role:

• Butterflies like this one play a vital role in ecosystems as pollinators, prey, and biological pest controllers. They also promote genetic diversity in plants and contribute to aesthetic and ecological health.

• They are important bioindicators, with their abundance and diversity reflecting the health of the surrounding environment.

7. Wular Lake

After nearly three decades, a vibrant spread of pink and green lotus beds has reappeared on Wular Lake in Jammu & Kashmir, a sight last seen before the devastating floods of 1992.

About Wular Lake:

• It is India’s largest freshwater lake and the second-largest in Asia.

• Location: Situated in Bandipore district, Jammu and Kashmir.

• It is fed by the Jhelum River and lies at an altitude of 1,580 meters, at the base of the Haramuk Mountain.

• The lake spans an area of about 200 sq. km, measuring 24 km in length and 10 km in width.

• Formed due to tectonic activity, it is believed to be a remnant of the ancient Satisar Lake.

• It features a small artificial island named Zaina Lank, built by King Zainul-Abidin.

• In 1990, it was designated a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

Ecological Importance:

• The lake serves as a critical habitat for migratory, breeding, and wintering birds.

• Bird species include the black-eared kite, Eurasian sparrowhawk, short-toed eagle, Himalayan golden eagle, and the Himalayan monal.

• It supports diverse aquatic life, contributing to around 60% of fish production in the region.

8. Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra (PMDK)

The 75th Pradhan Mantri Divyasha Kendra is being inaugurated at the Government Medical College, Badaun, Uttar Pradesh by the Union Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

About the PMDK Initiative:

• These centres aim to provide comprehensive support services under one roof, including:

  • Assessment, evaluation, counselling,

  • Distribution and post-distribution care of assistive devices.

• Implemented by ALIMCO (Artificial Limbs Manufacturing Corporation of India), under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities (DEPwD).

• The Badaun centre will offer devices under the ADIP Scheme (for persons with disabilities) and the Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY) (for senior citizens).

Assistive Devices Provided:

• Tricycles, wheelchairs, hearing aids, walkers, artificial limbs, and mobility aids—all free of cost for eligible beneficiaries.

Impact:

• So far, over 1.40 lakh individuals have benefited from devices worth more than ₹179.15 lakh.

• The initiative eases travel and accessibility challenges for rural and differently-abled populations, delivering dignified and timely care locally.

9. RhoDIS India Programme

A specialised team has started the genetic profiling of 2,573 rhino horn samples, to be integrated into the RhoDIS India DNA database.

About RhoDIS (Rhino DNA Index System):

• RhoDIS is a wildlife forensic tool developed for investigating rhino-related crimes.

• Launched in 2016 by the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), in collaboration with:

  • Wildlife Institute of India (WII),

  • Forest Departments of Assam, West Bengal, Uttar Pradesh,

  • WWF India.

Objectives:

• Improve scientific investigation of wildlife crimes.

• Aid in the conservation and monitoring of India’s rhino population.

• Use a standardised protocol to generate unique DNA signatures for individual rhinos.

Significance:

• Helps track rhino horns involved in poaching or illegal trade,

• Strengthens legal cases with scientific evidence.

About Rhino Horns:

• Composed mainly of keratin (like hooves, beaks, and hair).

• Rich in sulphur-based amino acids (cysteine, tyrosine, histidine, lysine, arginine), as well as calcium salts.

• Of the five rhino species, three have two horns, while Greater One-Horned and Javan rhinos have only one.

10. Pheromones

Scientists have identified a way to interfere with pheromones released by locusts to prevent them from swarming, offering new hope in pest control.

What are Pheromones?

• Pheromones are chemical signals secreted outside the body and perceived by other members of the same species.

• They are detected by the olfactory system and are present in bodily secretions like sweat.

• Classified as ecto-hormones, they influence behaviour, mood, and physiological responses.

Types of Pheromones:

1. Releaser: Prompt an immediate response.

2. Signaler: Convey identity-related information (e.g., baby recognizing its mother).

3. Modulator: Influence mood and emotional states.

4. Primer: Affect long-term hormonal changes (e.g., during pregnancy).

Functions in Animals:

• Used for alarm signaling, food tracking, territory marking, and maternal bonding.

• Some fungi, algae, and slime molds also use pheromones during reproduction.

Significance in Locust Control:

• Locust swarms are triggered by pheromone-induced group behavior.

• Blocking these signals may help prevent devastating locust outbreaks and reduce crop damage.