Why is it in the News?

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has recommended to the authorities that the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary abutting the Bandipur Tiger Reserve be declared as a core critical tiger habitat.

About Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary:

• The Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is situated in the Heggadadevanakote Taluk of Mysore district in Karnataka and comprises the Lakshmanapura State Forest.
• In 1974, Nugu was declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary and later during the year 2003-2004, the area of Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary was added to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
• On the western side of the sanctuary lies the backwater of Nugu Dam which forms the part of the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary.
• On the southwestern side, the area touches the Alaganchi State Forest which comes under the Bandipur Tiger Reserve.
• During the summer, elephants migrate from the adjoining area and congregate on the foreshore area because here, the backwater recedes and the area becomes temporary vast grassland due to the availability of fodder and water.

Geology of Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary:

• The Nugu region has red loamy type of soil with boulders.

The climate of Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary:

• The climate in the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is of moderate type with the temperature ranging between14°C to 38°C.
• The area receives rainfall both from southwest and northeast monsoons.
• The average amount of rainfall received in this area is 1000mm.
• Flora: The flora of the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary is similar to that of the Bandipur National Park.
• The forests comprise southern mixed deciduous trees and dry deciduous scrubs.
• Some of the tree species found in this region include Dipterocarpus indicus, Calophyllum tomentosum, and Hopea parviflora.
• Fauna: Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary has a vast list of fauna with a wildlife population that includes elephants, wild boar, jungle cats, tigers, leopard, bonnet macaque, small Indian civet, back nappe hare, along with reptiles like the marsh crocodile, monitor lizard, cobra, rat snake, etc.
• With the adoption of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, hunting and poaching is banned and illegal in this sanctuary.
• In recent times, the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary has been declared to be an eco-sensitive zone, which means there will be no commercial or industrial activity including mining in this area.

Why is it in the News?

The Indian Armed Forces contingent comprising 81 personnel departed for Australia on Wednesday to take part in the second edition of Joint Military Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23.

About Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23:

• Exercise AUSTRAHIND-23 was established in 2022, with its first edition held in Mahajan, Rajasthan.
• It is planned as an annual training event, alternating between India and Australia.
• The primary goal of the exercise is to cultivate collaborative partnerships and share best practices between the two sides.
• This year, the exercise is scheduled to take place in Perth, Australia, spanning from November 22nd to December 6th, 2023.
• The Indian Army contingent, consisting of 60 personnel from a Gorkha Rifles battalion, will actively participate in this exercise.
• A key focus is on promoting interoperability during multi-domain operations in urban and semi-urban terrain, aligned with Chapter VII of the United Nations on peacekeeping operations.
• The joint exercise serves as a platform for exchanging ideas and collectively rehearsing tactics, techniques, and procedures for conducting tactical operations.
• Additionally, the exercise contributes to fostering understanding between the two militaries, further strengthening defense cooperation between the two friendly nations.

Other Exercises between India and the Aus:

• AUSINDEX - Naval exercise between India and Australia
• Exercise Pitch Black - It is a biennial warfare exercise hosted by the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF).

Why is it in the News?

The second edition of the Inter-Command Ocean Sailing Race to Goa was flagged off from the Naval Base in Kochi on Wednesday.

About the Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race 2023:

• The Inter Command Ocean Sailing Race 2023 features four 40-footer sailboats for an exciting journey in the Arabian Sea which was:
• INSV Bulbul
• INSV Neelkanth
• INS Kadalpur, and
• INSV Hariyal
• Each boat has a team of eight people from three naval commands and a combined team from Andaman and Nicobar Command, including the Delhi area.

Details of the Race:

• Distance and Route: The race covers around 667km from Naval Base, Kochi, to Goa in about five days.
• Engine-Free Journey: Boats will use the wind to reach Goa without engines.
• Inclusive Crew: This edition includes both men and women officers and sailors, promoting equal opportunities.
• Competition: With 32 participants, each competing for the title, the boats will navigate through the Arabian Sea's currents and winds.

Organizational Framework:

• Event Host: The Southern Naval Command organizes the race with the Indian Naval Sailing Association in New Delhi.
• Coordination: The Indian Navy’s Offshore Sailing Club in Kochi and the Ocean Sailing Node in INS Mandovi, Goa, coordinate the event.
• Purpose: The race helps the Navy improve risk management and technical skills while fostering a spirit of adventure among the crew.

Why is it in the News?

The AIM and NITI Aayog have recently introduced a new accelerator known as Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE) aimed at providing support to startups in the circular economy sector in both Australia and India.

About Rapid Innovation and Startup Expansion (RISE):

• RISE, a collaborative initiative between Australia’s national science agency (CSIRO), and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM), the Government of India’s flagship initiative for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship, is a dedicated accelerator.
• This program is designed to support startups and small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) in India and Australia focusing on circular economy technologies and solutions.

Key Highlights:

• Focus Themes: The RISE Accelerator targets startups in India and Australia engaged in circular economy technologies, specifically in:
• Climate Smart Agriculture
• Clean Energy
• Circular Economy and Waste Management, and
• Climate Smart Mobility.
• Nine-Month Program: Over the course of nine months, the RISE Accelerator aims to assist startups in navigating early steps in a new region, establishing connections with the right partners, customers, and talent, and building credibility to succeed in international markets.
• First Round Focus: In its initial round, the accelerator concentrates on supporting startups and SMEs involved in technologies and solutions related to waste and the circular economy.
• Financial Support: Participating startups have the opportunity to receive up to INR 40,00,000 in non-equity grants.
• Future Rounds: Subsequent rounds of the accelerator will shift focus to climate-smart agriculture, clean energy, and climate-smart mobility.

Why is it in the News?

Recently, scientists have discovered a new species of 'music frog' in Arunachal Pradesh.

About the New Frog Species:

• Scientists discover a new 'music frog,' Nidirana noadihing, in Arunachal Pradesh.
• Both male and female frogs are vocal with a unique call pattern of two-three notes.
• The discovery was made during field surveys in the Changlang and Lohit districts in August-September.
• Male frogs with 'robust' bodies were found calling loudly in vegetation near water bodies.
• The new species is named after the Noa-Dihing River, near where it was discovered.
• The species confirms the presence of the Nidirana genus in India for the first time.
• Nidirana species are known in Japan, Taiwan, China, Vietnam, Laos, and Thailand.
• Appearance: The amphibians have "irregularly shaped and sized spots" on their eyelids and they have dark stripes around their moderately large eyes.
• Their pupils are gold-rimmed and their irises are dark brown and have a golden spackle.
• Habitat: Noa-Dihing Music Frogs inhabit swamps, ponds, and paddy fields, constructing nests for egg laying.
• The discovery emphasizes the importance of exploring specialized habitats like marshlands, often overlooked in scientific studies.