Sea Fan Coral (Gorgonians) or Indrajal

Recently four persons were arrested by the Gujarat forest department for illegal wildlife trade of sea fans corals and it was seized by the officials.

• Sea fan coral (gorgonians) or Indrajal are rare flowering marine organisms and serve as a habitat for a number of marine species and fish.
• It is a member of a genus of invertebrate marine animals of the suborder Holaxonia (class Anthozoa, phylum Cnidaria).
• In India, they are known to be found in waters off the coasts of Gujarat, Lakshadweep, Tamil Nadu and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
• It is listed as a Schedule I species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act (WPA), 1972.
• Schedule I species, which include Bengal tigers and Indian elephants, are endangered and demand protection of the highest order.
• Hunting or trade in any parts of these listed animals can result in imprisonment for three to seven years, with a minimum fine of Rs 25,000.
• Gujarat is a key market for sea fan, which sees high demand among all economic sections of buyers, due to superstitious beliefs.
• There are no medical reasons or problem-solving benefits associated with this.
• It is primarily sold by astrologers for framing and display in homes to attract good luck.

Mugger crocodiles or Marsh crocodiles

A recent study has found that mugger crocodiles living in urban areas (specifically Vadodara) have significantly higher stress hormone levels compared to those in rural areas (Charotar) or in captivity.

• Mugger or Marsh (Crocodylus palustris) is a species of freshwater crocodile known for its broad head and snout and robust body.
• Muggers inhabit freshwater streams, ponds, and marshes, as well as saltwater lagoons and coastal saltwater in South Asia.
• It can be found in the Indian subcontinent as well as other countries in southern Asia.
• Muggers are primarily carnivorous, eating mostly fish, frogs, crustaceans, insects, mammals, birds and sometimes monkeys and squirrels.
• The Moyar River is home to one of the largest mugger populations in Tamil Nadu.
• Mugger crocodiles is listed as ‘vulnerable’ in the red list of IUCN and also protected under the Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
• Among all crocodilian species, muggers rank third in terms of human–crocodile conflict, after the saltwater (Crocodylus porosus) and Nile (Crocodylus niloticus) crocodiles.
• India saw a fivefold increase in human–mugger conflict (HMC) incidences over the last two decades, from 57 incidents in 2001–2010 to 338 reported incidents in 2011–2020”.
• Factors contributing to stress of Mugger crocodiles in Vadodara:
  • Urban environment with high population density
  • Presence of chemical industries
  • Sewage pollution in rivers
  • High dependency of locals on rivers for daily activities
  • Increased human-crocodile conflict
• Vishwamitri – Is a seasonal river that originates in the hills of Pavagadh in the district of Panchmahal, Gujarat and flows through Vadodara, before ending in the Gulf of Khambhat.
• It have large crocodile populations.

Krishi-Decision Support System(Krishi-DSS)

Krishi-Decision Support System (Krishi-DSS) is a new digital geo-spatial platform specifically designed for Indian agriculture that was recently launched by the Minister of State for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare.

• Krishi-Decision Support System is a digital geospatial platform that provides seamless access to comprehensive all-India data to serve as a support system for agriculture sector.
• It provides real-time data on weather, soil conditions, crop health, and so on.
• It includes several advanced modules designed to support comprehensive agricultural management and from the vast expanse of fields to the smallest soil particle.
• Krishi-DSS is developed jointly by the Ministry of Agriculture and the Department of Space.
• With crop mapping and monitoring, it aids to understand cropping patterns by analysing parcel-level crop maps over the different years.
• Krishi-DSS is more than just a tool, it's a catalyst for innovation and sustainability in agriculture.
• Together, we'll build a resilient, sustainable, and prosperous agriculture for India.
• Features of Krishi-DSS:
  • Crop mapping and monitoring
  • Drought monitoring
  • Crop weather watch
  • Field parcel segmentation
  • One nation-one soil information system
  • Ground truth data library
  • Flood impact assessment and crop insurance solutions
• Benefits and Applications:
  • Enables targeted interventions for sustainable agriculture.
  • Provides early disaster warnings (e.g., pest attacks, heavy rain).
  • Supports precision agriculture and crop monitoring.
  • Aids in disaster management and soil health management.

Oeko-Tex Certification

The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has recently received the Oeko-Tex Certification for its Eri Silk.

• The Oeko-Tex certification is a rigorous standard that ensures textiles are tested for harmful substances and produced in environment friendly conditions.
• Oeko-Tex Certification is provided by the OEKO-TEX organisation.
• OEKO-TEX consists of independent textile and leather testing institutes located in Europe and Japan.
• The institutes work together to develop test methods and define limit values that form the basis of OEKO-TEX standards.
• The testing institutes carry out accredited testing processes.
• These institutes are active in research and development and are committed to innovation in the textile and leather industries.
• They conduct both laboratory tests and company audits in accordance with global OEKO-TEX guidelines.
• The North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC) has successfully obtained the prestigious Oeko-Tex certification for its Eri Silk.
• NEHHDC works under the aegis of the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER).
• Significance of Oeko-Tex Certification:
• This achievement further cements the silk's status as a Geographical Indication (GI) product of Assam, highlighting its authenticity and regional importance.
• This certification marks a pivotal step in bringing Eri Silk closer to penetrating the global export market, expanding its reach, and establishing a strong international presence.
• Eri silk – Is one of the most durable and strong fibres. It is cooling in the summer and warming in the winter.
• Eri Silk, celebrated as the world’s only vegan silk, distinguishes itself through an ethical production process where the silk moth is allowed to naturally emerge from its cocoon, leaving the silk intact.
• This compassionate method sets Eri Silk apart from other from other silks, aligning with growing global demands for sustainable and eco-friendly textiles.
• It is mostly found in tribal areas of Assam.