Amur Falcons

Hunting has been recently banned in the Manipur’s Tamenglong district, ahead of Amur falcon’s arrival.

• The Amur falcon is a species from the Siberian region which migrates to the African region for wintering covering a long distance of 22000 km and completing an elliptical loop.
• It breeds in northern China and eastern Russia and migrates to southern Africa to spend the winter to complete an elliptical loop with a journey length of 22,000 km, longest sea crossing of any raptor.
• It migrates west through India and across the Arabian Sea to Southern Africa.
• In India, it passes through Nagaland, Manipur and elsewhere in north-eastern India.
• In India, it arrives in the first half of October and roost until November-end.
• It is protected under the Schedule IV of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Poaching and destruction of wildlife (including migratory birds Amur falcon) in any way for food or possession or otherwise is a punishable offence under Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
• Amur Falcons feeds on dragonflies that follow a similar migration path over Arabian Sea.
• Flyway – East-Asian Australasian and African Eurasian.

Inflammatory Bowel Diseases (IBDs)

• Inflammatory bowel disease is a term that refers to Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis that cause inflammation in the intestines.
• Crohn’s disease can affect any part of the gastrointestinal tract from the mouth to the anus.
• Ulcerative colitis can affect any part of the large intestine.
• A third category, indeterminate colitis inflammatory bowel disease, refers to IBD that has features of both Crohn’s disease and ulcerative colitis.
• IBD is an autoimmune disorder, body’s immune system attacks healthy tissues.
• It is not yet known what triggers these attacks and why IBD develops in some people and not in others.
• IBD can affect people in any ethnic or racial group, but statistically, people of Jewish ancestry have a greater risk of developing inflammatory bowel disease.
• So it is not hereditary in nature. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• IBD is rare in the southern hemisphere.
• Common Symptoms:
  • Persistent diarrhoea.
  • Abdominal pain and cramping.
  • Rectal bleeding or bloody stools.
  • Fatigue.
  • Unintended weight loss.
  • Reduced appetite.
• Causes and Risk Factor – The exact cause of IBD is unknown, but researchers believe it involves a complex interaction between genetics, the immune system and environmental factors.
• Breakdown of the mucus barrier is a hallmark of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs). (Statement 3 is correct)
• Mucus barrier separates the intestinal epithelium from the microbiota.
• Some risk factors include:
  • Family history of IBD
  • Age (most often diagnosed before age 30)
  • Smoking (increases risk for Crohn's disease)
  • Use of certain medications (e.g., nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • High-fat diet
  • Stress, Diagnosis
• Diagnosing IBD often involves a combination of tests:
  • Blood tests.
  • Stool samples.
  • Endoscopy (colonoscopy, upper endoscopy).
  • Imaging studies (CT scan, MRI).
  • Treatment.
• While there is no cure for IBD, various treatments can help manage symptoms and prevent complications. Treatment plans are often individualized and may include:
• Medications:
  • Anti-inflammatory drugs.
  • Immuno-suppressants.
  • Biologics.
  • Antibiotics.
• Dietary changes:
  • Identifying and avoiding trigger foods.
  • Ensuring proper nutrition.
• Surgery:
  • In severe cases or when complications arise.
• Lifestyle modifications:
  • Stress management.
  • Regular exercise.
  • Quitting smoking.

Nelong/ Nilung Valley, Nagmithong Nala and Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary

• Nelong/ Nilung Valley – It is an inner line area (India – China border), opened for tourist only for day time.
• It is situated at Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand.
• Nagmithong Nala – It is in the Kargil region of Ladakh.
• It is prone to glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs).
• Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary – It is situated at New Delhi.
• Seed balls of native species will be dropped at the Asola-Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time at Asola Wildlife Sanctuary.

Dark Patterns

In recent times, Dark patterns pose a growing concern in India’s digital landscape.

• Deceptive Patterns (aka Dark Patterns) are user interface designs intentionally crafted to mislead or manipulate individuals into actions that may not align with their best interests or original intentions.
• These designs often result in unintended purchases, subscriptions, or the disclosure of personal data.
• It benefits the companies at the expense of consumers by exploiting human psychology and clever design.
• As online shopping becomes more prevalent, dark patterns are increasingly used to manipulate user decisions, exploiting the surge in digital activity.
• Common dark patterns include:
  • Creating a false sense of urgency to rush users into making purchases,
  • Hiding subscription cancellations deep within websites and
  • Using confusing language to mislead users.
• The tactics are unethical and undermine the integrity of the design process, leading to practices that prioritise manipulation over genuine long- term user engagement.
• The practices fall under ‘unfair trade practices’ category under Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
• The ‘Guidelines for Prevention and Regulation of Dark Patterns, 2023’ under the Consumer Protection Act, 2019, has identified 13 common dark patterns prevalent in e-com applications and websites.
• India’s initiatives also include the Consumer Protection (E-commerce) Rules, 2020 and new guidelines are crucial steps in protecting consumers from unfair practices.
• Dark patterns pose a significant ethical challenge by manipulating consumer behaviour, undermining transparency and user autonomy.
• The tactics exploit psychological tendencies, leading users to actions that benefit firms rather than fostering fairness.

Summit of the Future

India emphasises affordable solutions for climate change at the United Nations Summit of the Future, promoting sustainable lifestyles and green jobs.

• The Summit is a high-level event, bringing world leaders together to forge a new international consensus on how we deliver a better present and safeguard the future.
• The aim of the Summit of the Future is two-fold:
  • Accelerate efforts to meet our existing international commitments and
  • Take concrete steps to respond to emerging challenges and opportunities.
• It is an opportunity for the global community to chart the road ahead for the betterment of humanity.
• It was held at New York that covers a broad range of themes including peace and security, sustainable development and climate change.
• It also covers digital cooperation, human rights, gender, youth and future generations, and the transformation of global governance.