Pangolin

• The World-Wide Fund for Nature India, also known as WWF India, and TRAFFIC, a non-governmental organization that tracks illegal international wildlife trade, recently released a report detailing the poaching and trafficking of over 1,200 pangolins, also known as the scaly anteaters, in India over the course of the previous four years from 2018 to 2022.
• In the 342 seizure occurrences, more than 880 kg of pangolin compounds and 199 live pangolins were reported.

More on the news:

• In China and Southeast Asia, pangolins are mostly hunted for their scales, which are used as an ingredient in traditional remedies and are thought to treat a variety of illnesses.
• According to reports, pangolins are among the most often traded wild mammals worldwide.
• Moreover, pangolin flesh is prized as a delicacy and consumed for its purported health benefits.
• Pangolins and their derivatives were found in 24 states and one Union Territory, according to documented seizures.
• According to the most recent research by WWF-TRAFFIC, 74 seizures totaling 154 pangolins were made in Odisha.
• Odisha caught the most live pangolins (45 incidences and 50 pangolins), followed by Maharashtra (27 incidents and 32 pangolins).

About Pangolin:

• Manidae-related pangolins are the only known mammals in India with thick keratin scales covering their skin. They are toothless, nocturnal, burrow dwellers, and their primary food sources are termites and ants.
• There are four pangolin species on each of the continents of Asia and Africa. Indian pangolins Manis crassicaudata, and Chinese pangolins Manis pentadactyla, are both found in India. Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka are all home to Indian pangolins.
• A distinctive feature of pangolins is their look. Their entire body is covered in scales formed of keratin.
• They can curl up into a ball to protect themselves if they feel attacked.
• Despite being on Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972, pangolins are still the most trafficked mammal in the world.
• The largest of the eight pangolin species is the Indian pangolin.
• The nocturnal animal consumes termites and ants while living in burrows.
• Volvation, a defensive manoeuvre used by some animals, involves rolling one's own body into a ball and only exposing the spines or the toughest sections of one's integument to potential predators.

Significance of pangolins in ecosystem:

• The ecological importance of pangolins, which are both predators and prey, cannot be overstated.
• They consume insects while controlling their number.
• Pangolins are "ecosystem architects" who construct burrows that aid in the movement of organic matter in the soil, boost soil moisture and aeration, and influence the succession of plant communities through their burying behavior.
• The burrows made by pangolins also get utilized as shelters by other species within their ecosystem. More than 30 species, including mammals, birds, reptiles, and invertebrates, have reportedly used Chinese pangolin burrows for a variety of functions.
• A variety of habitats, including primary and secondary tropical forests, limestone and bamboo forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields, are all suitable for it.
• The Chinese pangolin can also be found in Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam. The Indian pangolin can be found all throughout the Indian subcontinent.
• Almost everywhere in India, with the exception of the North-East, high Himalayas, and desert regions.
• The species is also widespread in Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka.

Protection Status:

• The Indian pangolin is classified as Endangered (EN) on the red list of animals maintained by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
• It has been determined that the Chinese pangolin is "critically endangered."
• Both Indian and Chinese pangolins are protected in India by Schedule 1 of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972, which forbids their hunting, trade, or other forms of exploitation.
• The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species (CITES) Appendix I contains a list of all pangolin species.

TRAFFIC:

• As a network for monitoring the wildlife trade, TRAFFIC was founded in 1976 by WWF and the IUCN. Its mission is to gather data, analyze it, and provide recommendations to help with the decision-making process regarding the wildlife trade.
• As a cooperative project of WWF and IUCN, TRAFFIC served as a pioneer in the study of wildlife traffic for more than 40 years.
• In 2017, TRAFFIC was incorporated as a non-profit organization, and its board of directors now includes independent board members as well as representatives from WWF and IUCN.
• Being a source of unbiased and trustworthy information, TRAFFIC is well-known throughout the world for its knowledge and influence in the field of wildlife commerce and conservation.

Underwater Noise Emissions

The Marine Environment is in danger due to the increasing Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE) from ships in Indian waters, according to a News Research titled "Measuring Underwater Noise Levels Radiated by Ships in Indian Waters."

By deploying a hydrophone autonomous system around 30 nautical miles off the Goa coastline, the ambient noise levels were measured.

Key Findings of the Study:

• The sound pressure levels of the Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE) in the Indian waters range from 102-115 decibels (dB relative to 1 Pa).
• According to a scientific consensus, the reference pressure for underwater sound is 1 Pa.
• The level on the East Coast is a little higher than on the West.
• There is a noticeable increase of roughly 20 dB relative to 1 Pa.
• Constant shipping activity has been found to be a significant factor in the rise in ocean noise levels worldwide.
• Animals like bottlenose dolphins, manatees, pilot whales, seals, and sperm whales are at risk from Underwater Noise Emissions (UNE).
• In the low-frequency region of less than 500 Hz, the underwater self-noise and machinery vibration levels of ships overlap the communication frequencies of marine species.
• This process, known as masking, could modify how marine species migrate to shallower areas and make it more difficult for them to return to deeper waters.
• Yet, over time, the sound that ships emit harms them and causes internal injuries, hearing loss, altered behavioral reactions, masking, and stress.

Facts:

• In just 11.5 years, the global emissions of underwater noise from shipping have doubled.
• Ships' emissions of underwater noise rise sharply in Arctic regions.
• There is a lot of variation in regional patterns for shipping noise emission.
• The COVID-19 pandemic reduced worldwide maritime noise emissions to levels from 2017.
• The main source of shipping noise emissions is containerships.

What is Ocean Noise?

• The sounds produced by a human activity known as "ocean noise" stress marine ecology. It affects marine mammals' behavior, physiology, and reproductive cycle and has a direct impact on their mortality rates. This phenomenon is also referred to as anthropogenic noise pollution.
• Global warming, plastic pollution, acidification, and overfishing are just a few of the urgent issues affecting marine habitats. Ocean noise pollution is another.
• Since sound waves travel farther and quicker in water than they would on land while moving through the air, the issue is substantial. However, even low-frequency noise, which is barely audible to humans, can do great harm to marine life.

Sources of Noise Pollution in Seas and Oceans:

• There are a variety of sources of ocean noise pollution, such as ship noise, low-frequency sonar "sounds," which are frequently employed to locate submarines, seismic air cannon noise from oil and gas development, commercial shipping traffic, and coastal jet ski activity.
• In regions where ships' noise pollution is a problem, the number of cetaceans (whales and dolphins) has decreased.

Impact of Ocean Noise on Marine Ecosystems and Biodiversity:

• Hours after being exposed to loud underwater noise, marine animals can die. One of the numerous negative effects of ocean noise pollution is the displacement or relocation of marine species to newer locations.
• The strange sounds startle the majority of animals. Hemorrhages, altered diving patterns, migration to newer locations, internal organ damage, and a general panic reaction to unfamiliar sounds can all contribute to death.
• The frequent communication between marine species is further hampered by underwater noise pollution. As a result, animals that are sensitive to noise pollution are unable to communicate with one another, hunt for food, or even cry out for aid.

Initiative to Safeguard Marine Ecosystems:

• Global: The GPA is the Global Program of Action for the Protection of the Maritime Environment from Land-based Activities.
• The GPA is the only international body that specifically addresses the interconnectedness of terrestrial, freshwater, coastal, and marine ecosystems.
• 1973's MARPOL Convention: It addresses intentional or unintentional marine environment degradation by ships.
• It lists numerous types of marine pollution brought on by oil, toxic liquids, dangerous packed goods, ship sewage, and waste, etc.

The 1972 London Convention:

• Its goal is to encourage the effective control of all marine pollution sources and to take all reasonable precautions to avoid polluting the sea by dumping rubbish and other materials.

Way Forward

• The ocean is known as the "quiet planet" for a reason. This realm has its own exquisite, tranquil, and harmonic sounds. To comprehend the consequences of noise pollution on marine life and identify practical mitigation strategies, studies are being done. Up until that point, our best chance of preserving the integrity of this "quiet world" is safety through prevention.

Rural Tourism

• Since most of India's population lives in villages and has a lot to offer tourists, the government must promote rural tourism.
• Agritourism, art and culture, ecotourism, wildlife, tribal tourism, and homestays are six specialty experiences for visitors who want to travel to rural India that Rural Tourism and Rural Homestays (CNA - RT and RH) under the Ministry of Tourism has highlighted in order to promote rural tourism.

About rural tourism:

• Any type of tourism that promotes rural life, art, culture, and heritage while also generating economic and social benefits for the surrounding area is considered rural tourism.
• The cultural diversity of rural areas is enhanced by several local traditions, such as plays, art forms, dances, etc., making these areas appealing to tourists.
• South Indian towns with their lush green woods, sacred groves, etc. provide a great location to promote tourism.
• In India, rural tourism is a type of travel that focuses on learning about and experiencing rural culture and lifestyle.
• To get a better understanding of the local culture and way of life, entails visiting rural areas and taking part in various activities like farming, handicrafts, and village walks.

Why should we concentrate on rural tourism?

• Enormous Potential: There is a great deal of opportunity to draw both domestic and foreign tourists. Despite having a rich architectural history and a diversified culture, India barely accounts for 1.2% of global tourism (2019). Although the UK has 2.7%, China has 4.5%, the USA has 5.4%, and Spain has 5.7%. Corresponding to this, there has been an increase in the popularity of short-break vacations in cities, and the close proximity of rural areas makes them excellent tourist attractions.
• Stopping Over-tourism: Shimla and Goa are only two examples of places that suffer from having too much tourism. Over-tourism is defined as a large number of visitors to a small number of tourist attractions. Overtourism has negative effects on the environment, the amount of garbage produced, inflation, resident migration, and more.
• Increasing India's Soft Power: If rural tourism is successfully marketed, visitors from wealthy nations will be enticed to India. Especially the millennial generation, which is captivated by traditions, culture, and art.
• Arts revival: Rural tourism can bring back many of the traditional crafts and arts that have been slowly fading out in rural areas.
• Possibilities for Employment: The tourism sector creates both direct and indirect jobs. When fully developed, it has the ability to give many young people who would otherwise be moving to cities jobs. Rural tourism has the ability to provide significant amounts of diverse, highly skilled to semi-skilled, productive employment.

What are India's Rural Tourism Challenges?

• Lack of knowledge about rural tourism among visitors and local populations may limit its development.
• Many individuals are ignorant of the tourist potential of rural places and the advantages that tourism may have for nearby towns.
• High unemployment rates and low-income levels are common problems in rural areas.
• For local communities to invest in tourism infrastructure and offer top-notch services to guests, this could be challenging.
• If not properly managed, rural tourism has the potential to have a harmful influence on the environment and local communities.
• The local ecology and culture may be harmed by overcrowding, pollution, and the deterioration of natural ecosystems, which may eventually discourage tourists.

Government step:

• The Ministry of Tourism has designated rural tourism as one of the Niche Tourism sectors for growth in the country.
• In order to develop and market regional goods through tourism, the Ministry has created a Draft National Strategy and Roadmap for Rural Tourism.
• It centers on the following fundamental tenets:

Model policies and best practices for rural tourism are:

• (a), digital platforms and technologies
• (b), developing clusters for rural tourism
• (c), marketing assistance
• (d), strengthening stakeholder capacity
• (e), and governance and institutional framework are

Way Forward

• Only if a multi-action, multi-stakeholder participatory planning model is adopted and put into practise then tourism in rural areas continue to thrive. This would assure adherence to the idea of Atithi Devo Bhava—Guest is our God—and assist rural areas realise their full potential.

Tsetse Flies

• According to a recent study, tsetse flies emit volatile pheromones that regulate both their mating habits and the harmful diseases they transmit.
• More people and animals are anticipated to contract these diseases in the upcoming years as climate change is predicted to increase the places where tsetse flies may survive.
• African trypanosomes, a type of parasite, are known to be carried by tsetse flies. The parasites carry diseases like nagana, which affects livestock and other animals, and African sleeping sickness, which can be lethal to humans, when the insects bite people or animals.

About pathogen:

• A biological agent that causes disease or illness is called a pathogen. Pathogens that spread spontaneously between animals and people are referred to as zoonotic pathogens.

Several other pathogen types:

• A virus' genetic material, such as DNA or RNA, is combined with a protein covering to provide it with protection. The body's host cells are invaded by viruses. After that, they replicate by using the elements of the host cell to create new viruses.
• Examples of illnesses brought on by viruses include chickenpox, influenza, Covid-19, HIV/AIDS, mumps, measles, and rubella.
• Microorganisms that are composed of just one cell are known as bacteria. They can exist in almost any environment and come in a wide variety of shapes and features, including those found inside and on the human body.
• Cholera, Leprosy, Tuberculosis, Plague, Syphilis, Anthrax, etc. are a few examples of diseases brought on by bacteria.
• Fungi: Fungi are microscopic organisms that can be found almost anywhere in the environment, including on human skin. When they develop too much, they infect people.
• Mucormycosis, white mould, and yellow mould are a few examples of fungi.
• Parasites are organisms that behave like tiny animals and live inside or on top of their hosts, obtaining food from them or from them at their expense. Parasitic illnesses can happen worldwide, though they are more prevalent in tropical and subtropical areas.
• Malaria, African trypanosomiasis, babesiosis, leishmaniasis, toxoplasmosis, and other parasitic diseases are examples.