Three Wetlands of Karnataka into Ramsar list
On February 1, 2024, Bhupender Yadav, the Union Minister of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), revealed the inclusion of five new wetlands from India into the Ramsar list, designating them as Wetlands of International Importance.
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- Among these, three are located in Karnataka—Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve, Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve, and Aghanashini Estuary—while the other two, Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary and Longwood Shola Reserve Forest, are situated in Tamil Nadu.
- This addition brings the total number of Ramsar sites in India to 80, up from the previous count of 75.
- During July 2022, India witnessed the inclusion of five additional sites in the Ramsar Sites List:
- Karikili Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu
- Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest in Tamil Nadu
- Pichavaram Mangrove in Tamil Nadu
- Sakhya Sagar in Madhya Pradesh
- Pala Wetlands in Mizoram
Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve
- ABCR is the first bird conservation reserve in the North Karnataka or Kalyan Karnataka region.
- It was declared as a Conservation Reserve for the protection and conservation of resident and migratory aquatic birds, under section 36-A of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
Aghanashini Estuary
- The site, located in Karnataka, is an estuary formed by the convergence of the Aghanashini River and the Arabian Sea.
- It encompasses diverse environments like rocky shores, intertidal mudflats, and aquaculture ponds. Home to over 80 fish, 115 bird species, and 45 mangrove-related species, including globally threatened ones like the halavi guitarfish and Indian river tern, the site boasts rich biodiversity.
- Notably, 55,000 birds, including 10% of the regional black-headed ibis population, frequent the area. The site is vital for over 6,000 households engaged in fishing, agriculture, aquaculture, bivalve shell mining, and salt production.
- Traditional farming of salt-tolerant rice, known as “kagga,” adds to the region’s uniqueness.
Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve
- It also known as Magadi Bird Sanctuary, situated near the village of Madagi in North Karnataka, is a vital winter haven for migratory birds.
- Established in 2015, the reserve attracts over 5,000 Bar-headed Geese and various other migratory species from Central Asia and Europe, including common teal and comb ducks.
- Notably, the Bar-headed Goose, among the world’s highest-flying birds, migrates from Mongolia to this location.
- The Karnataka Forest Department has actively implemented measures to combat poaching in the area, while bird enthusiasts contribute valuable data on the migration patterns of ringed birds.
However, the persistent threat of domestic/feral dogs to wildlife populations in human-inhabited areas remains a significant concern, emphasizing the need for ongoing conservation efforts.
Ordinace of Karnataka sign board dispute has not been rejected
In the recent Karnataka signboard dispute, Governor Thaawarchand Gehlot has not outright rejected the ordinance mandating 60% Kannada signage. Instead, he opted to return the ordinance to the State Government with advice.
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- The Governor’s guidance includes a recommendation to present the bill before both Houses of the State Legislature for approval during the upcoming session scheduled to commence on February 12, 2024.
- The clarification emerged following reports in newspapers and on TV channels, stating that the Governor had rejected the Karnataka Bhasha Samagra Abhivruddhi (Tiddupadi) Adhyadesha, 2024, which aimed at enforcing the use of Kannada in 60% of signage boards.
- Prabhu Shankar, Karnataka Special Secretary to the Governor, clarified the situation, stating that the Governor did not reject the ordinance. Instead, the ordinance was returned to the State Government with the advice to present it before both Houses for approval, considering the imminent session scheduled to start from February 12, 2024.
This statement from the Karnataka Raj Bhavan aimed to provide accurate information and address any misunderstandings surrounding the Governor’s actions.
Temporary ban of trek to Kumaraparvata
As of February 1, 2024, Karnataka has temporarily closed the popular trekking path, Kukke Subramanya-Pushpagiri, situated in an environmentally sensitive section of the Western Ghats. The closure, effective until October, aims to address environmental concerns and manage the surge in visitors. Access to the trail will be permitted only through a government online booking system.
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- The decision to implement the ban was prompted by a video circulating on social media, depicting the overwhelming tourist traffic during the long Republic Day weekend. Over 1,500 trekkers were reported at the entry counters on both the Kodagu and Kukke Subramanya sides of the trail.
- The Kumara Parvatha trekking trail, commencing approximately a kilometer from Kukke Subramanya temple in Dakshina Kannada district within Pushpagiri wildlife sanctuary, falls under the directive.
- On January 30, 2024, Karnataka’s Forest, Ecology, and Environment Minister Eshwar Khandre directed the forest department to impose a temporary ban on trekking activities in various forest areas.
Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary
- The Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary, located in the Kogadu (Coorg) district within Somwarpet taluk in the State of Karnataka, is globally recognized as a significant bird sanctuary.
- Established in 1987, this sanctuary covers an expansive area of 102 square kilometers and is proposed for inclusion as one of the World Heritage Sites. It holds particular importance among the 21 well-known wildlife sanctuaries in Karnataka due to its role in conserving endangered and rare bird species.
- The sanctuary, positioned just 287 kilometers from Bangalore, is bordered by the Kukke Subramanya Forest range on one side and the Bisle Reserve Forest on the other. Characterized by steep terrains, waterfalls, and mountain streams, it includes the Kadamakkal reserve forest. Pushpagiri, the highest peak in the sanctuary, stands at an elevation ranging from 160 to 1712 meters.
With a diverse landscape that encompasses swamps and dense forests covering 70% of its area, the Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary serves as a crucial habitat for various species, contributing significantly to biodiversity conservation. Its strategic location and unique features make it an essential part of the rich ecological tapestry of Karnataka.
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Bronze Statue of Rajiv Gandhi in Gandhinagar, Bengaluru
A new statue of Rajiv Gandhi is set to replace the existing concrete one at the Subhash Nagar Junction, also known as Rajiv Gandhi square, in Malleswaram. The busy intersection falls partly under the Gandhinagar assembly constituency. The construction of the seven-meter bronze statue, costing Rs 1.11 crore, will be funded by the Bruhat Bengaluru Mahanagara Palike (BBMP) using its own resources. The project is part of the development works undertaken at 25 junctions as part of the 15th Finance Commission programme. The contract for the work has been awarded to Kalyan Infra Projects, the sole bidder, under the supervision of the Traffic Engineering Cell of the BBMP.
Bengaluru's Sadar Patrappa Road market in US Notorious Markets List
Bengaluru’s Sadar Patrappa Road market has been named in the US Notorious Markets List, along with two other Indian physical markets – Heera Panna in Mumbai and Tank Road, Karol Bagh in New Delhi.
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- The report, released on Tuesday, identifies these markets for their involvement in the sale of counterfeit and pirated goods, violating copyright or trademark policies. Sadar Patrappa Road, located in the heart of Bengaluru, is known for dealing in spare parts of electronic goods, digital gadget sales, and repair works at subsidized rates.
- The market is cautioned for potential scams, despite offering budget-friendly options. Indian online markets like IndiaMart, Vegamovies, and WHMCS Smarters are also listed in the report.
The resurgence of counterfeit sales globally following the easing of Covid-19 restrictions is highlighted in the annual report by the Office of the United States Trade Representative. Physical stores are increasingly becoming points of contact for sellers to engage with customers and distribute counterfeit products.
Justice P S Dinesh Kumar: Cheif Justice of Karntaka
Justice P S Dinesh Kumar has been designated as the Chief Justice (CJ) of the Karnataka High Court. His appointment comes after serving as the acting CJ, filling the role left by Justice Prasanna Bhalachandra Varale, who was elevated to the position of a judge in the Supreme Court of India on January 24, 2024.
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Justice Dinesh Kumar is scheduled to retire from service on February 24, 2024. The appointment was made by the President of India, Droupadi Murmu, exercising the authority conferred by clause (1) of Article 217 of the Constitution of India.
Article 217 of the Constitution outlines the procedure for the appointment of Judges of High Courts. According to this article, the President, in consultation with the Chief Justice of India (CJI) and the Governor of the State, appoints Judges for a High Court. In cases where a Judge, other than the Chief Justice, is to be appointed, the Chief Justice of the High Court is consulted.
The process of consultation involves the recommendation of High Court judges by a Collegium, consisting of the CJI and the two senior-most judges. The initiation of the proposal lies with the Chief Justice of the concerned High Court, who, in consultation with two senior colleagues, recommends the judges.
Subsequently, the recommendation is forwarded to the Chief Minister, who advises the Governor to send the proposal to the Union Law Minister. Notably, the appointment of the Chief Justice of the High Court adheres to the practice of selecting candidates from outside the respective States.
Ultimately, the Collegium, comprising the CJI and other senior judges, plays a decisive role in determining the elevation of judges to the High Court.
Agasthyagama edge: kangaroo lizard
A team of scientists from diverse institutions, both in India and abroad, have unearthed a novel species of tiny lizards named ‘Agasthyagama edge,’ also known as the northern kangaroo lizard.
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This discovery took place in the southern Western Ghats at Kulamavu in Idukki, Kerala, and the findings have been documented in the scientific journal Vertebrate Zoology, published by the Senckenberg Museum in Germany.
Details about Agasthyagama edge:
- Belongs to the Agamidae family and Agasthyagama genus.
- Represents the second species within the Agasthyagama genus, following the discovery of A. beddomii or the Indian kangaroo lizard in the Sivagiri hills of Tamil Nadu.
- Named “Agasthyagama Edge” in acknowledgment of the Evolutionary Distinct and Globally Endangered (EDGE) program of the Zoological Society of London.
Jay Shah appointed as Secretary of BCCI
Jay Shah, the Secretary of the Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI), has been reappointed for a third consecutive term as the President of the Asian Cricket Council (ACC).
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- Jay Shah assumed the role of ACC President in January 2021, succeeding Nazmul Hassan, the President of Bangladesh Cricket Board (BCB).
- The decision to extend Shah’s presidency for another year received unanimous approval at the Annual General Meeting (AGM) of ACC held in Bali, Indonesia, on January 31, 2024.
- The extension proposal was put forward by Shammi Silva, the President of Sri Lanka Cricket (SLC).
About Jay Shah:
- Previously served as the joint secretary of the Gujarat Cricket Association (GCA) from 2013 to 2019.
- Became a member of the finance and marketing committees of BCCI in 2015.
- Jay Shah’s continued leadership in the ACC signifies a continued commitment to the development and promotion of cricket in the Asian region.
Ranveer Singh : boAt ambassador
- Bollywood actor Ranveer Singh has been appointed as the brand ambassador for the audio and wearable brand boAt, a Mumbai-based company under Imagine Marketing Limited.
- Singh will feature in the ‘Lost in Nirvana’ campaign, promoting boAt’s new premium audio sub-brand Nirvana. The campaign was developed by the Talented Agency based in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
Other notable brand ambassadors for boAt include Indian cricketers Jemimah Rodrigues, Hardik Pandya, KL Rahul, Shreyas Iyer, and actresses Rashmika Mandanna and Kiara Advani. Additionally, Ranveer Singh holds a significant stake in the company.
