Orans

On following the orders of the Supreme Court, the Rajasthan state government recently released a notification to classify Orans (sacred groves) as deemed forests.

• In Rajasthan it is locally called Orans, these are lands where herders have been grazing their cows, sheep, and goats for centuries.
• These lands usually features a temple and a waterbody, these community-conserved pastures are rich in biodiversity.
• Significance – The Rajasthan orans are home to the endangered great Indian bustard (GIB), chinkara and the Indian desert fox. 
• They are oases of traditional flora and fauna.
• Named after deities, they are considered sacred by the local people and protected as such.
• The richest biodiversity in the deserts is in the orans.
• Threats – Orans are sought to be used for generating “green energy”, solar in particular.
• Many of the orans, are classified as “wasteland” in revenue records.

Kangri Pot

In recent times there has been significant decline in the production of Kashmir’s Kangri Pot due to climate change and increasing use of electric heaters.

• Kangri Pot is a portable earthenware pot encased in a wicker basket that serves as a movable heater.
• It is a traditional warming tool that predates the Mughal Empire in Kashmir.
• Historians suggest that it was introduced to Kashmiris by Italians during the Mughal era (1526-1757), but the claim lacks concrete evidence.
• Historical records show kangris were in use even before 1526, closely associated with Saint Sufi Sheik Noor-u-din Wali (1377-1440), who was buried with his beloved Charari Kangri, one of his most priceless belongings.
• Charari Kangri is a type of kangri found in Charari-i-Sharief, a town in Kashmir.
• Charar Kangri is particularly remarkable, bearing the name of Sufi saint Sheikh Noor ud Din. It is considered a remnant from the Sheikh's lands.
• It has no GI tag status.
• The final product, adorned with colourful threads, mirror work, and sequins, symbolises eco-friendly and cost-effective indigenous craftsmanship.
• Reasons for decline – Climate change has led to a decrease in production, with only 200 kangris made this year, affecting not just kangri-makers but also artisans and those dependent on this craft.
• Despite its cultural significance, the traditional kangri has also lost ground to the convenience of contemporary heating options like electric heaters, resulting in a shift in both the physical terrain and cultural customs.

Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF)

Recently the 7th summit of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum was held at the historic city of Algiers, Algeria.

• Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF) is an intergovernmental organisation that provides a framework for exchanging experience and information among its member countries.
• It seeks to build a mechanism for a meaningful dialogue between gas producers and consumers in order to improve the stability and security of supply and demand in gas markets around the world.
• Significance – Together, they represent 69% of the world’s gas reserves, 39% of the marketed production, and 40% of global gas exports.
• GECF member countries collectively account for more than half of the world LNG exports (51%).
• The central focus of the 7thsummit, articulated through the “Algiers Declaration” is to reaffirm the commitment of member countries to the responsible stewardship of natural gas resources.

Star Dunes

Recently scientists unveiled the first in-depth study of a star dune, revealing the internal structure of these geological features and showing how long it took for one of them to form.

• Star dunes are vaguely pyramid-shaped sand formations up to about 1,000 feet (300 meters) tall with arms stretching out from a central peak to give them a star-like appearance when viewed from above.
• Star dunes make up just under 10% of the dunes in Earth's deserts and are the tallest ones, surpassing other types such as crescent-shaped barchan dunes and straight and lengthy linear dunes.
• They also have been spotted on Mars and on Saturn's large moon Titan.
• Earth's largest star dunes are found in the Badain Jaran desert in western China.
• Star dunes also are found in places including the Namib Sand Sea in Namibia, large sand seas in Algeria such as the Grand Erg Oriental and Grand Erg Occidental, and Rub' al Khali in Saudi Arabia. In North America, Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado contains a series of them.
• Lala Lallia – The recent study by the scientist focused on it.
• It is located a small sand sea called Erg Chebbi within the Sahara Desert in the eastern Morocco, close to the border with Algeria.
• It rises about 330 feet above the surrounding dunes and is approximately 2,300 feet wide, containing about 5.5 million metric tons of sand.
• Complex wind regimes – Star dunes are formed in areas with complex wind regimes.
• They are winds blowing from different directions, and net sand accumulation, points within the desert where big piles of sand can be blown around to form giant dunes.

IRIS

A school in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, recently introduced AI teacher, Iris which is the first humanoid robot teacher in the entire country.

• IRIS is India’s first generative Artificial Intelligence teacher.
• It is an initiative by the Kaduvayil Thangal Charitable Trust.
• It was launched in the KTCT Higher Secondary School in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
• It will push the boundaries of ‘what’s possible’ in the field of education.
• Iris is part of the Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) project, a 2021 NITI Aayog initiative designed to boost extracurricular activities in schools.
• Atal Tinkering Lab (ATL) is a program that aims to encourage innovation and experiential learning among school children. 
• The program was announced by the Department of Space and Atal Innovation Mission, NITI Aayog on January 2021.