In News:

Madhya Pradesh to translocate 15 Tigers to Rajasthan, Odisha and Chhattisgarh.

Key Highlights of the Translocation:

• Scale of Translocation: Largest relocation of big cats from a single state in India.
• Approval: NTCA has approved the translocation of 15 tigers from Madhya Pradesh to Rajasthan, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha.
• Source Reserves:
  • Bandhavgarh, Panna, Kanha, and Pench Tiger Reserves in Madhya Pradesh.
• Distribution Plan:
  • Rajasthan: 4 tigresses.
  • Chhattisgarh: 2 male tigers and 6 tigresses.
  • Odisha: 1 male tiger and 2 tigresses.
• Funding: States receiving tigers will bear all expenses related to translocation.

Objectives of the Translocation:

• Enhance Tiger Conservation: Reintroduce and bolster tiger populations in recipient states.
• Population Management: Relocate tigers to areas with suitable habitats to alleviate territorial disputes in overpopulated reserves.
• Genetic Diversity: Introduce new individuals to isolated tiger groups to prevent inbreeding and support long-term species survival.

About Kanha, Bandhavgarh, and Pench Tiger Reserves:

• Kanha Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Maikal range of the Satpura Mountains.
  • Significance: Largest national park in Madhya Pradesh.
  • Distinct Feature: First tiger reserve in India with an official mascot, ‘Bhoorsingh the Barasingha’.
  • Flora and Fauna: Rich biodiversity with Royal Bengal Tigers, leopards, and the IUCN Vulnerable species, Barasingha.
• Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Between Vindhyan and Satpura ranges in Umaria district, Madhya Pradesh.
  • Significance: Known for one of the highest densities of Royal Bengal Tigers in India.
  • Historical Link: The ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, linked to the legend of Lord Rama and Lakshmana.
• Pench Tiger Reserve:
  • Location: Spans Seoni and Chhindwara districts in Madhya Pradesh, extends into Maharashtra.
  • Significance: Inspiration for Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book.
  • Flora and Fauna: Includes teak, saag, mahua forests; tigers, leopards, wild dogs, and gaur are key species.

Tiger Translocation Project Overview:

• First Project:
  • Initiated in 2018, two tigers relocated from Kanha and Bandhavgarh to Satkosia Tiger Reserve in Odisha.
• Main Objectives:
  • Reintroduce Tigers: In areas where they have been extirpated or extinct.
  • Alleviate Territorial Disputes: Overpopulated reserves need additional tigers to reduce human-animal conflict.

Benefits of Translocation:

• Ecological Balance: Restores predator-prey dynamics in underpopulated reserves.
• Human-Animal Conflict Mitigation: Reduces conflict in overcrowded reserves.
• Rewilding Landscapes: Revives areas where tigers were locally extinct.

Concerns Associated with Translocation:

• Local Community Protests: Villagers fear tigers will pose a threat to their safety.
• Territorial Disputes: New tigers may face conflict with resident tigers.
• Poor Forest Management: Inadequate prey augmentation and habitat management may hinder success.

Madhya Pradesh’s Role in Tiger Conservation:

• Largest Tiger Population: Madhya Pradesh hosts the largest number of tigers in India, with 785 tigers as per NTCA’s 2022 report.
• Tiger Reserves: The state is home to nine tiger reserves, including the newly notified Madhav Tiger Reserve in Shivpuri.
• Translocation Strategy: Madhya Pradesh’s involvement helps reduce local tiger population pressure and contributes to broader conservation efforts across India.

Inter-State Tiger Translocation Goals:

• Reinforcement and Reintroduction: Introduce tigers into areas historically part of their range but from which they have been extirpated or extinct.
• Genetic Diversity: Introduce new tigers to isolated populations to maintain long-term population health.

In News:

An ancient Sanskrit inscription found in Gilgit (PoK) was decoded by the Archaeological Survey of India (ASI).

About the Inscription:

• Location:
  • Gilgit (PoK): Written in Brahmi script, dating back to 4th century CE.
  • Peshawar (Pakistan): Written in Sharada script, dating to 10th century CE.
• Details of Gilgit Inscription:
  • Mentions Pushpasingha, who installed a Mahesvaralinga for the merit of his guru.
  • Written in Brahmi script, which was prevalent during the 4th century CE.
  • Religious Context: Indicates significant religious connection, particularly with Shaivism.
• Details of Peshawar Inscription:
  • Fragmentary: Engraved on a slab.
  • Written in Sharada characters (10th century CE).
  • Mentions Buddhist Dharini (chants), particularly referring to Da (Dha) rini in line six.
  • The inscription is partially damaged, and further details are unclear.
• Earlier Discoveries:
  • This is not the first Sanskrit inscription decoded from Pakistan. In the past, Sanskrit inscriptions have been found in various parts of Pakistan.
  • Swat Valley: Known for numerous Buddhist rock inscriptions in Sanskrit using Nagari script, which were part of the Gupta Empire (circa 240–550 CE).
• Religious and Cultural Implications:
  • The Gilgit inscription provides evidence of Shaivism as a prominent religious practice in the region during the 4th century CE.
  • The Peshawar inscription suggests Buddhist influences, particularly related to Buddhist chants and rituals.
  • Swat Valley's Role: The inscriptions found here highlight its importance as a center of Buddhist learning and cultural exchange.

In News:

African Swine Fever has been reported at two pig farms in Koottickal and Vazhoor grama panchayats in Kottayam district.

Action Taken:

• Culling of Pigs: All pigs in the affected farms and within a 1 km radius will be culled and disposed of according to Central Government guidelines.
• Infected Zone: A 1 km radius around the affected farms has been declared an infected zone.
• Surveillance Zone: A 10 km radius around the infected area has been designated a surveillance zone.

About African Swine Fever (ASF)

• African swine fever (ASF) is a highly contagious and hemorrhagic viral disease of domestic and wild pigs. It is a notifiable disease and its outbreak should be immediately reported to the higher authorities.
• ASF causes destructive effect on piggery due to high morbidity and mortality (up to 90-100 %). In India it was first confirmed in Arunachal Pradesh and Assam in February-March 2020.
• Currently, there is no effective vaccine available against ASF, so prevention by adopting strict biosecurity measures is the only way to prevent ASF.

CLINICAL SIGNS  

• High fever (106-1080 F), lethargy and loss of appetite
• Increased respiration rate
• Blue-purple discoloration of skin of ears, abdomen and rear legs
• Discharge from the eyes and nose; bloody froth from the nose/mouth
• Constipation or bloody diarrhea
• Abortion
• Death of pigs in 6-15 days

Diagnosis: Confirmatory diagnosis in gov. laboratories