Recently, the people of Bhaderwah celebrated the ancient Kanchoth festival, which is a symbol of the ancient Nag culture.

Recently, the people of Bhaderwah celebrated the ancient Kanchoth festival, which is a symbol of the ancient Nag culture.

Kanchoth Festival

The festival was celebrated amidst heavy snowfall and extreme cold wave conditions.

Local residents, including women, observed a fast wearing traditional clothes. After this they thronged the temples for worship.

This age old festival is celebrated by Hindus, especially Naga followers.

Nag followers believe that the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on this day on Gauri Tritiya. Snowfall during this festival is considered a good omen.

Celebrations in Jatnai Village

One of the main functions of this festival was celebrated in Jatanai village, a hill top of Chinchora Panchayat. It is 30 km away from Bhaderwah. In this ceremony, women of all ages appeared in bridal attire.

Celebrations at other places

Apart from Bhaderwah, the festival was celebrated in Kotli, Ghata, Mathola, Gupta Ganga, Khakhal, Kapra, Chinot, Bheja, Bhalra, Chinchora and other temples of the region. This festival is celebrated by married women to pray for the long life of their husbands.

For how long is this festival celebrated?

This festival is celebrated for three days. During this period, married women go to the neighborhood to offer 'thel' (respect) to all irrespective of religion, age, creed and caste and gender. In return, they are blessed with 'Suhagan Bho' (wishing the husband a long life).

importance of festival

This day is considered holy for married women. She prays to Goddess Gauri for her husband's long and healthy life. The bride's suit, bangles, bindi, vermilion and mehndi' are considered sacred and offered to the goddess. It is worn by women observing fast.

The festival was celebrated amidst heavy snowfall and extreme cold wave conditions.

Local residents, including women, observed a fast wearing traditional clothes. After this they thronged the temples for worship.

This age old festival is celebrated by Hindus, especially Naga followers.

Nag followers believe that the marriage of Lord Shiva and Goddess Parvati took place on this day on Gauri Tritiya. Snowfall during this festival is considered a good omen.

Celebrations in Jatnai Village

One of the main functions of this festival was celebrated in Jatanai village, a hill top of Chinchora Panchayat. It is 30 km away from Bhaderwah. In this ceremony, women of all ages appeared in bridal attire.

Celebrations at other places

Apart from Bhaderwah, the festival was celebrated in Kotli, Ghata, Mathola, Gupta Ganga, Khakhal, Kapra, Chinot, Bheja, Bhalra, Chinchora and other temples of the region. This festival is celebrated by married women to pray for the long life of their husbands.

For how long is this festival celebrated?

This festival is celebrated for three days. During this period, married women go to the neighborhood to offer 'thel' (respect) to all irrespective of religion, age, creed and caste and gender. In return, they are blessed with 'Suhagan Bho' (wishing the husband a long life).

importance of festival

This day is considered holy for married women. She prays to Goddess Gauri for her husband's long and healthy life. The bride's suit, bangles, bindi, vermilion and mehndi' are considered sacred and offered to the goddess. It is worn by women observing fast.

Do you know that the change in the rainfall pattern due to climate change is a big threat to the population of 'ectotherm' organisms like butterfly. Significantly, exotherms or ectotherms are organisms that use the heat present in the surrounding environment to keep their bodies warm. The internal processes of their body are unable to control their own body temperature.

When we talk about the effects of climate change, we often think about the changes caused by rising temperatures, how rising temperatures are affecting species around the world. But a recent study by researchers at North Carolina State University has studied the impact of changes in rainfall patterns on organisms.

According to the study, if we understand the effects of environmental events on the life cycle of each species, then it will also help us to understand the effects of climate change on these species.

Significantly, in their research, the researchers focused on the Miami Blue Butterfly (Cyclargus thomasi bethunebakeri), a rare species of butterfly, which is on the verge of extinction. This species of butterfly is found in South Florida of America. To work on its conservation, it is important to understand how climate change can affect its life cycle.

How is the change in rainfall affecting the population and development of these organisms?

If seen, like many other tropical species of insects, this butterfly (Miami blue butterfly) also has a stage called 'diapause' in its life cycle. This occurs when butterfly larvae stop their development in dry weather and wait for the rain to come again. During the rainy season this 'diapause' larva once again begins its journey to become an adult butterfly. So the dry season and the duration of 'diapause' can have a significant impact on the butterfly population.

According to the researchers, if the larvae have a shorter period of 'diapause', they are more likely to become adults and reproduce, while if the dry season is accompanied by longer diapause, then they are less likely to become adults. She goes. In this regard, study researcher Erica Henry said that changes in rainfall patterns can determine whether the population of Miami blue butterfly will increase or decrease.

In this regard, study researcher Erica Henry said that changes in rainfall patterns can determine whether the population of Miami blue butterfly will increase or decrease. According to him, the impact is not limited to this rare butterfly but also to all insects that depend on rain-driven systems.

There are many species in the world that are affected by rain during their life cycle. Where the temperature is increasing due to climate change, the rain patterns are changing differently. While there may be drought in some areas due to lack of rain, there will be so much rain that there will be floods while in some areas there will be no change. If we talk about areas like South Florida, how the rain pattern will change with the changes in the climate there, it is completely uncertain.

In such a situation, to understand the effect of changes in future rainfall on this butterfly, researchers have calculated it using 20 different models of climate. All of them showed that their population declined when the rainy period was delayed and the diapause extended, although there was no change in other environmental factors during that time.

Adam Terando, another researcher involved in this research, says that the tropical and sub-tropical region cover an extremely diverse set of ecosystems, which are sensitive to changes in rainfall. The problem is that there is a lot more uncertainty about how rainfall will change due to climate change than temperature.

According to the researchers, this is one of the first efforts to examine how climate change will affect tropical insects due to rainfall rather than temperature. It is estimated that due to climate change, there is every possibility of a decline in rainfall in these tropical areas, which can have an impact on the life cycle of other insects found in the area like this butterfly.

This can lead to a decline in the population of those pests. If seen, changes in rainfall patterns may explain the declining population of these insects. According to researcher Erica Henry, the effects of climate change are being felt everywhere today. In such a situation, by understanding how these changes are having a wide impact on different parts of the world, their negative effects on biodiversity can be reduced.

Source: Down to Earth

In its second term, the Bharatiya Janata Party-led federal government is making drastic changes in all the central laws. As a sequel to the proposed amendments in several laws related to environmental protection, now an Act has been introduced in the Lok Sabha on 17 December 2021 to amend the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. Which has been referred to the Permanent Committee on Science, Environment and Technology of Parliament. This committee has sought comments and recommendations on this act from all the beneficiaries by 12 February 2022.

The Wildlife Protection Act 1972, which came into existence fifty years ago, has been amended many times till now. This eighth amendment is proposed in this law. It has been amended earlier in 1982, 1986, 1991, 1993, 2002, 2006 and 2013.

The first objective of this Act introduced in the Lok Sabha on 9 December 2021 is 'Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora-CITES'. Being a party, it is necessary to implement it better. Interestingly, India became a party to this convention in 1976. Since then this law has been amended about 7 times. Surely this convention must have been taken care of.

In this matter, member of Chhattisgarh State Wildlife Conservation Board, Meetu Gupta says that- “Care has been taken but it is for illegal trade and hunting of endangered species. Keeping this at the center, there is no need to change the existing law for the protection of our country's wildlife”. It can be kept in a separate category under the same law and it has also been kept in a separate category in the 2013 amendment. Penal provisions can be increased which has also been done through this amendment”.

It is noteworthy that in the original Act of 1972, where the amount of fine for a common offence/contravention was Rs 25,000, it has now been increased to Rs 1 lakh. Whereas the amount of fine which was earlier Rs 10,000 for offenses or violations against specially protected wildlife has also been increased to Rs 25,000 now.

However, Mitu Gupta also expresses concern about the fact that 'illegal trade of such species is happening on a large scale internationally. In the age of this technology, internet is making such business easy. If the government is really concerned about this, then a provision should be made in this Act keeping the use of these new mediums such as internet in the category of 'cyber crimes' but nothing has been said in this draft about it.

The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence (DRI)'s 2019-20 report on Threatened and Endangered Species has also expressed concern over this growing illegal trade. It has also been told in this report that it is increasing rapidly in India.

The second objective is to simplify the schedules prescribed for wildlife, birds and plants protected under this law. Therefore, the main thrust of this amendment is to change these schedules. In the original law and amendments made in 2013, so far there were separate penal laws for the protection and violation of species listed in Schedule I and Part I of Schedule II and species included in Schedule I, II, III and IV, which were Now being converted into only two schedules. The Ministry of Forest, Environment and Climate Change believes that there are misunderstandings among the people because of the existing schedules.

Regarding the proposed changes in the schedules, the Nature Conservation Foundation has said in its comments and recommendations sent to the Standing Committee that - its grounds are not clear and transparent. Nor has there been any transparent, dialogue with the beneficiaries about the species being included in the schedules. There is also no clarity especially in Schedule IV which has been added on the basis of CITES.

The proposed amendment, first of all, advocates a change in the preamble of this law. Till now, protection of wildlife, birds and plants was the basic spirit in the preamble of this law, which has now been limited to 'wild life' only and words like protection as well as protection and management have been added.

We know that in India there are not separate but one laws regarding the management and conservation of natural resources because the objectives of both are the same. Then why did these words need to be written separately? On 18 December 2021, a report in The Times of India said that elephants from some areas of Maharashtra have been handed over to the Radhe Krishna Temple Elephant Welfare Trust run by Reliance (Ambani). It has been reported in the same news that Reliance has set up a zoo in an area of ​​280 acres near its refinery set up in Jamnagar, Gujarat, where many species of wildlife are being managed. Therefore, this act is taking the initiative to legalize the transportation of live elephants. Understand, what is being indicated by this news?

There has always been a deep tension between wildlife conservation and community rights. Wildlife conservationist groups played an important role in challenging the Forest Rights Recognition Act, 2006. Even today, they consider the rights being recognized under the Forest Rights as a big threat to wildlife and forests. Recognizing the importance of the Forest Rights Recognition Act, 2006, in this amendment, it has been made mandatory to consult the concerned Gram Sabha, respecting the Forest Rights Recognition Act, while preparing the management plan according to the central guidelines in the sanctuary areas. Although this provision was also included in the 2013 amendment but its effect was not visible. This provision should be welcomed.

It is noteworthy that Section 4 of the Forest Rights Recognition Act, while recognizing the rights of Scheduled Tribes and other traditional communities residing within the limits of National Parks and Sanctuaries, establishes the fact that human communities and the environment are protected. Between 'reasonable alternatives such as coexistence are not available'. Along with this, provisions have been made for the rehabilitation and resettlement of the communities residing in these areas. It has also been clarified in the provision given in section 4(3) that 'these rights will be given only on the condition that such tribes or tribal communities or other traditional forest dwellers have made forest land acquisition (possession) before December 13, 2005. Have you'. This is an important provision of this law which also removes the misconception that it is propagated that non-tribal but traditional communities will have to provide proof of possession of forest land for three generations or 75 years.

Anil Garg says that “With this welcome step, the Forest, Environment Ministry should also clarify that how much of this section has been implemented so far under this law, which has come into force since 2008? And how much and how will be supported in its implementation going forward? The experience of 14 years shows that the implementation of the Forest Rights Act, 2006 has been negligible in such areas”.

In addition to this welcome and commendable initiative, this amended Act replaces the Colonial Act 1984 for Land Acquisition, Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013.

If the Forest Rights Recognition Act, 2006 and the Right to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and Resettlement Act, 2013 are implemented simultaneously in the Sanctuary and National Park areas, then in true sense it is the tribal people living in the traditional forests. and in the interest of other traditional communities.

Advocate Anil Garg explains that “Till now the communities settled from these areas were considered eligible only for resettlement and resettlement and for this also they were being given a lump sum cash package. They were denied proper compensation. But with the inclusion of this law in the Wildlife Protection Act, these communities will also be brought under this purview. The system of cash package should be abolished and according to the law passed in 2013, a clear system and guidelines should be made to assess the proper compensation.

On the lines of the National Wildlife Board constituted under the Act, radical changes in the structures of the State Wildlife Board have been suggested in the draft of this Act. In the system that was going on till now, this board is headed by the Chief Minister of the state. But through this amendment, the Chief Minister has now been removed from this role. Now in this system the Forest Minister has been made its chairman. With this the number of members has been limited to ten members.

Mitu Gupta, herself a member of the State Wildlife Board, sees this as the most dangerous consequence of the Act. He believes that "Just as the Prime Minister of the country has now been separated from the responsibility of protecting the wildlife of his own country, in the same way the Chief Ministers of the states have also been taken out of it. Till now the Chief Minister was its chairman, then the accountability of all the concerned departments was also ensured. But now the Chief Minister will have nothing to do with wildlife conservation and the Forest Minister will work on it through his officers. Ten members will also be selected in a fixed manner, in which political closeness will be given importance instead of expertise. Corporates' control over these boards will increase".

Source: Down to Earth

Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya launched the Virtually Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) 4.0 on February 7, 2022.

India is running the largest vaccination campaign globally in which more than 30 million pregnant women and 26 million children are covered through the annual Universal Immunization Program.

IMI 4.0 will have three rounds and will be conducted in 416 districts across 33 states and union territories. It also includes 75 districts identified for the Amrit Mahotsav of Azadi.

IMI 4.0 portal was also launched on this occasion.

importance of the program

This program will contribute immensely in filling the gaps as well as earning sustainable benefits for universal immunization.

This will ensure that Routine Immunization (RI) services reach illiterate and partially vaccinated children and pregnant women.

IMI 4.0 First Round

The first round of IMI 4.0 will be implemented from February 2022 to April 2022. In the first round, 11 states will conduct IMI 4.0. These states include Assam, Gujarat, Uttarakhand, Meghalaya, Jammu and Kashmir, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh and Tripura.

Second Round of IMI 4.0

The second round of IMI 4.0 will be implemented in 22 states from April 2022 to May 2022. These states and union territories include Himachal Pradesh, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Arunachal Pradesh, Manipur, Bihar, Odisha, Delhi, Puducherry, Punjab, Tamil Nadu, Goa, Telangana, Haryana, Jharkhand, Kerala, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and West Bengal. Are included.

When was Mission Indradhanush launched?

Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched Mission Indradhanush in December 2014 with the aim of increasing full immunization coverage. It was introduced to partially cover unvaccinated children and pregnant women in high-risk, inaccessible and low-vaccination coverage areas. The mission focused on protecting them from vaccine-preventable diseases.

Till now 10 phases of Mission Indradhanush have been completed. 701 districts are covered all over India. Till April 2021, 96.8 lakh pregnant women and 3.86 crore children have been vaccinated.

India topped the Sales Force Global Digital Skills Index, 2022. The index was created comparing 19 countries. The index was calculated on the basis of citizens' readiness to learn new digital skills and employee sentiments. Among all the countries, India had the highest readiness score. India scored 63 out of 100.

How was this index calculated?

This index was calculated on the basis of a survey. The survey asked more than 23,500 workers in all 19 countries.

60% of Indians are equipped with digital resources. Only 25% of the respondents in India believe that it is necessary to have advanced technical skills at the workplace. Only 39% of Indians believed that they had advanced digital marketing skills in their workplace. More than half of respondents primarily want to learn new skills to progress in their careers. Younger respondents had more confidence. He had ambitious goals of learning new skills.

global exposure

The average digital readiness was 33. Three major skill gaps were identified. They were workforce skills, leadership skills and generational skills gaps. These skill gaps are having a huge impact on the GDP of countries.

According to this index, India will create 1.3 million jobs by 2026. Also, India will generate new trade revenue of USD 66.4 billion by 2026.

Salesforce

It is a software company. It is headquartered in San Francisco, California. It provides customer relationship management services. It was founded in 1999 by Marc Benioff, a former Oracle executive.