NIGRANI App

Why in News?

Recently, the NIGRANI App, Hajj Wrist Band, and AI Chatbots were launched during the two-day National ‘Chintan Shivir’ at Nalanda University, Rajgir, Bihar.

• Aim – To bridge development gaps, improve Centre–State coordination, and advance Viksit Bharat 2047.
• Under – The app was launched under Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK).

PMJVK is an area development programme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs implemented in Minority Concentration Areas (MCAs) to create socio-economic infrastructure and provide basic amenities.

• Purpose – To enhance transparency, real-time monitoring, and implementation of infrastructure projects in minority-concentrated areas.

Hajj Wrist Band and AI Chatbots

• To enhance the safety, navigation, and health support of Indian Hajj pilgrims.
• Purpose – Hajj modernisation with wrist bands and AI Chatbots for service delivery.
• These initiatives are meant for Muslims going on a pilgrimage to Mecca.
• Coverage – All registered Indian pilgrims for Hajj will receive wristbands free of cost.
• Target Group – Special focus on elderly and vulnerable pilgrims.
• Features – Location Tracking – Helps locate pilgrims if lost.
• SOS Alerts – Emergency distress signal feature.
• Prayer Timings – Integrated religious schedule support.
• Health Monitoring – Tracks basic health parameters.

National Chintan Shivir

• Aim – To achieve Citizen Participation for Viksit Bharat @2047 through Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishvaas and Sabka Prayaas.
• Launched by – The Ministry of Minority Affairs.
• Participants – Union & State Ministers, senior officials, and experts.
• Objective – Emphasis on public-private-community partnership and Jan Bhagidari (Public participation) to increase transparency and accountability.

References

1. PIB | National Chintan Shivir
2. HT | Smart wristbands to Haj pilgrims

Veli–Akkulam Estuary Degradation

Why in News?

Recently, a University of Kerala study revealed severe ecological decline in the Veli–Akkulam estuary due to invasive species and environmental stressors.

• It is a shallow, bar-built, seasonally closed estuary connected periodically to the Lakshadweep Sea.
• Location – Northwest of Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, along the southwest coast of India.
• The Arabian Sea lies to the west of the lake system.
• Structure – Separated from the sea by an elongated sandbar.
• Partially divided by an embankment (bund) into –
  • Veli Lake (west, near sea)
  • Akkulam Lake (east, inland)
• Both are connected by a narrow channel.
• Hydrology – Inflow – Precipitation is the main inflow.
• Akkulam receives water from Kannamoola stream, while Veli receives inflow from Kulathur stream and T.S. Canal.
• Outflow and Stagnation – Outflow is episodic due to sandbar closure, with the lake mouth opening only a few times annually, causing prolonged water stagnation.
• Connectivity – Connected to Kadinamkulam and Poonthura estuaries via T.S. Canal.  
• Concern – Sandbar-induced closure and water stagnation promote eutrophication, invasive species proliferation, and deterioration of water quality.
• Key Findings – Ecological Decline – Clear trajectory of ecological degradation over three decades.
• Ecosystem Shift – Transition from a moderately organised to an invasion-dominated ecosystem with invasive Species such as 
  • Exotic species – Mozambique tilapia (Oreochromis mossambicus), Nile tilapia (Oreochromis niloticus),
  • New exotic species – Amazon suckermouth catfish (Pterygoplichthys pardalis), North African catfish (Clarias gariepinus).
• Earlier invasion by water hyacinth.
• Food Web Alteration – Restructured trophic dynamics with weakened top-down control.
• It leads to a detritus-driven system with low energy transfer efficiency and loss of native species (e.g., Karimeen) with the rise of detritivores.
• Recommendations – Adaptive wetland management includes invasive species control, native species reintroduction, wastewater treatment, ecosystem restoration and long-term monitoring.

Reference

TH | Veli–Akkulam Estuary Degradation Study