Why is it in the News?

In a bid to manage the teeming population of chital (spotted deer) in Ross Island (officially known as the Netaji Subhash Chandra Bose Island), the Andaman and Nicobar Islands administration recently sought help from the Wildlife Institute of India.

What are Invasive Alien Species (IAS)?

• According to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), Invasive alien species are plants, animals, pathogens, and other organisms that are non-native to an ecosystem, and which may cause economic or environmental harm or adversely affect human health.
• In particular, they impact adversely upon biodiversity, including the decline or elimination of native species - through competition, predation, or transmission of pathogens - and the disruption of local ecosystems and ecosystem functions.
• Invasive alien species, introduced and/or spread outside their natural habitats, have affected native biodiversity in almost every ecosystem type on Earth and are one of the greatest threats to biodiversity.
• Since the 17th century, invasive alien species have contributed to nearly 40% of all animal extinctions for which the cause is known (CBD, 2006).
• The problem continues to grow at great socio-economic, health, and ecological costs around the world.
• Invasive alien species exacerbate poverty and threaten development through their impact on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and natural systems, which are an important basis of people’s livelihoods in developing countries.
• This damage is aggravated by climate change, pollution, habitat loss, and human-induced disturbance.

What are Some Examples of Invasive Wildlife in India?

• The list of invasive wildlife in India is dominated by certain species of fish such as the African catfish, Nile tilapia, red-bellied piranha, and alligator gar, and turtle species such as the red-eared slider.
  • The red-eared slider, for instance, is a favorite among India’s exotic pet owners, and many have been abandoned in local water bodies.
  • This turtle, native to North America, notoriously edges out local freshwater species, owing to its fast rates of reproduction, and the following competition for food.
• With regards to species of fish, many were introduced in India to feed the demand for those maintaining aquariums.
  • For instance, the African catfish was brought over from Bangladesh specifically for aquaculture purposes. “
  • The occurrence of C gariepinus (the species’ scientific name) has been reported from several inland systems of India including the mighty rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Sutlej, Godavari, Periyar River, and the lakes like Vembanad Lake.

How do IAS Impact Native Flora and Fauna?

• The invasive species act as disruptors in the food chain and disturb the balance of the ecosystem.
• In habitats where there is no competition, invasive species can dominate the entire ecosystem
  • For instance, “in Keoladeo Park, Bharatpur in Rajasthan, which is a UNESCO World Heritage site, the African catfish have been known to prey on waterfowls and migratory birds as well.
• Studies have shown that the proliferation of chital in the Andamans has affected the regeneration of native vegetation, as the deer are known to consume seeds and seedlings.

Why is it in the News?

iBUS, a digital infrastructure solutions company, said recently it has raised $200 million from the government-backed National Investment and Infrastructure Fund Limited (NIIF).

What is the National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF)?

• The National Investment and Infrastructure Fund (NIIF) stands as a pioneering fund manager dedicated to investing in India's infrastructure and related sectors.
• Established in 2015, NIIF marks India's inaugural sovereign wealth fund (SWF), embodying a collaborative investment platform for both international and domestic investors.

Key Aspects of NIIF:

• Investment Mandate: NIIF operates with a mandate to deploy equity capital into domestic infrastructure projects, spanning greenfield, brownfield, and stalled ventures.
  • Its investment horizon extends across diverse asset classes, including infrastructure, private equity, and other sectors, all aimed at delivering attractive risk-adjusted returns.
• Ownership and Independence: With 49% ownership by the Indian government, NIIF boasts over $4.9 billion in assets under management, solidifying its status as the nation's largest infrastructure fund.
  • Despite its close ties with the government, NIIF maintains autonomy in its investment decisions, ensuring a professional and impartial approach to its operations.
• Professional Management: The fund is predominantly owned by institutional investors and managed by a proficient team with expertise in both investments and infrastructure.
  • This professional oversight ensures the strategic deployment of capital and efficient management of investments.
• Regulatory Compliance: NIIF operates within the regulatory framework as an Alternative Investment Fund (AIF) registered with the Securities Exchange Board of India (SEBI).
• It actively raises capital from a spectrum of domestic and international institutional investors, further bolstering its financial resources.

NIIF manages capital through four distinct funds:

• NIIF Master Fund: Focused on infrastructural projects such as roads, ports, airports, and power, it stands as India's largest infrastructure fund.
• NIIF Private Markets Fund: Invests in infrastructure and associated sectors through third-party managed funds.
• NIIF Strategic Opportunities Fund: Devoted to developing large-scale businesses and greenfield projects deemed strategically significant for the nation.
• India-Japan Fund: NIIF's bilateral initiative aimed at environmental preservation in India, with contributions from both the Indian government and the Japan Bank for International Cooperation.
• NIIF catalyzes fostering sustainable infrastructure development in India while facilitating fruitful collaborations between Indian and international stakeholders, exemplifying a robust model for investment-driven growth.

Why is it in the News?

Sixty-nine Indian universities made it to the rankings with 424 entries in the 2024 QS World University Rankings by Subject. This marks a 19.4 percent rise from the previous year’s 355 entries.

About QS World University Rankings:

• The QS World University Rankings, curated annually by Quacquarelli Symonds, are a comprehensive assessment of the world's top 1,000 universities.
• In the latest 2024 edition, universities were meticulously evaluated across 55 specific subjects and five broader subject areas, offering a nuanced perspective on academic excellence.

Key Highlights from the 2024 Rankings:

• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) maintains its prestigious position as the top-ranked university globally for the 12th consecutive year, a testament to its enduring academic prowess.
• The Indian Institute of Technology Bombay (IITB) shines as the leading Indian institution, securing the 149th spot on the global stage.
• Noteworthy Progress: India demonstrates remarkable advancement with a total of 69 universities making their mark in the QS rankings, showcasing a notable 19.4% increase from the previous year.
  • India stands as the second most represented country in Asia, highlighting its growing significance in the global academic landscape.
• Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) emerges as a standout, clinching the 20th position globally in development studies, reaffirming its commitment to excellence in specialized fields.
• India's Rise in Research: The nation exhibits a commendable 20% improvement in the Citations per Paper indicator, underscoring its burgeoning research capabilities.
  • With a staggering 1.3 million academic papers produced, India emerges as the world's fourth-largest contributor to research, trailing only behind academic powerhouses like China, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
• Challenges Ahead: Despite significant strides, India grapples with the challenge of securing citations in premier global journals, with only 15% of its research receiving recognition in these esteemed publications between 2017 and 2021.
• Overall, India's journey in the QS World University Rankings reflects a narrative of progress, innovation, and resilience, while also highlighting areas for continued growth and enhancement in the global academic arena.

Why is it in the News?

In a groundbreaking conservation endeavor, the Global Society for the Preservation of Baobabs and Mangroves (GSPBM) has initiated a mission to rejuvenate the iconic Baobab trees.

About the African Baobab Tree:

• African baobab trees, scientifically known as Adansonia Digitata, are some of the oldest living organisms in the world.
• Baobab trees originated millions of years ago in West Africa and spread over time to other parts of the world, creating new species.
  • There are 9 baobab species, of which 6 have originated in Madagascar, 2 in Australia, and 1 in Africa.
• These trees range in height from 5 to 20 meters and are typically found in deciduous forests composed primarily of broad-leaved trees that shed their leaves during one season.
• It is one of nine species of baobab, is native to mainland Africa, and also thrives in the African savanna ecosystem.
• The savanna features warm temperatures year-round and experiences its highest seasonal rainfall in the summer.
• It is characterized by grasses and dispersed trees, allowing ample sunlight to reach the ground.
• Age Record: Carbon-14 dating has revealed that an African baobab specimen in Namibia is approximately 1,275 years old, making it the oldest known angiosperm tree.
• Tree of Life: African baobabs, being succulents, absorb and store water in their expansive trunks during the rainy season.
  • This unique adaptation enables them to produce nutrient-dense fruit during the dry season, even in arid environments.
• Utilization: Baobab trees, with lifespans exceeding a thousand years, offer a multitude of benefits including food, fodder for livestock, medicinal compounds, and raw materials for various purposes.
• Threats: Since 2005, nine of the thirteen oldest African baobab specimens and five of the six largest trees have either perished or experienced significant decline, possibly due to the impacts of climate change.

What are Angiosperms?

• Angiosperms, a taxonomic class of plants, are characterized by seeds enclosed within an ovule, such as those found in apples.
• This group is commonly known as hardwoods.
• Angiosperms typically comprise trees with broad leaves that undergo color changes and shed annually during autumn.
  • Examples of deciduous angiosperms include oaks, maples, and dogwoods. However, certain angiosperms, such as rhododendrons, live oaks, and sweet bay magnolias, retain their leaves.

Gymnosperms:

• Gymnosperms, another taxonomic class, encompass plants with seeds not enclosed in an ovule, as seen in pine cones.
  • The term "gymnosperm" translates to "naked seed," and this group is often referred to as softwoods.
• Gymnosperms commonly feature needle-like leaves that remain green throughout the year. Examples include pines, cedars, spruces, and firs.
• While many gymnosperms maintain their foliage year-round, some, like ginkgos, dawn redwoods, and bald cypresses, do shed their leaves.

Why is it in the News?

BJP suggests renaming Sulthan Bathery to Ganapathivattam due to historical identity alteration by Tipu Sultan.

Where Does the Name Ganapathyvattam Come From?

• Sulthan Bathery, one of the three municipal towns in Wayanad has a stone temple that was once known as Ganapathyvattam.
• The temple, built in the prevalent architectural style of the Vijayanagar dynasty, was constructed by Jains who migrated to Wayanad from areas in present-day Tamil Nadu and Karnataka in the 13th century.
• The temple was partly destroyed during the invasions of Tipu Sultan, the ruler of Mysuru in the second half of the 18th century.
  • Between 1750 and 1790, today’s northern Kerala was invaded several times by the rulers of Mysuru, Hyder Ali and his son Tipu.
• It remained abandoned for nearly 150 years.
• Later, it was taken over by the Archaeological Survey of India, which declared it as a monument of national importance.
• The town of Ganapathyvattam, on the route between Mysore and the ports of the Arabian Sea, also gained prominence as a trading center and a stopover.

The History of Sultan Bathery:

• The armies of Tipu destroyed temples and churches and forced many in the path of the invasion to flee to escape forced religious conversion.
• Tipu Sultan used the Maha Ganapathy temple in Sulthan Bathery as a battery or store for weapons for his army in the Malabar region (today’s North Kerala, including Wayanad).
• This led to the British recording Ganapathyvattam as “[Tipu] Sultan’s Battery”, and the name survived as Sulthan Bathery.