Can we stop invasive species by eating them? 🔗
#explained_sci_tech #express_explained #the_united_states

Two biogeographic hotspots in India yield two new plant discoveries

An aerial stem-parasitic flowering plant species Dendrophthoe longensis was from Long Islands of middle Andamans, whereas a small herb Petrocosmea arunachalense was discovered from a cave from West Kameng district of Arunachal Pradesh

via Science News | Latest Updates on Scientific Discoveries | The Hindu

✅ In Ladakh, as a tribute to the heroes of the Kargil War, the Indian Army has opened the Khalubar War Memorial to tourists.
✅ This opening ceremony was part of the ‘Forever in Operations’ Division’s Pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations as this year, the country will celebrate the 25th anniversary of Kargil Vijay Diwas on 26 July.
✅ Located in the renowned Aryan Valley this memorial commemorates the bravery and sacrifices of soldiers who fought to reclaim the valley during the war.
✅ Khalubar, a serene valley near the border, became a focal point during the Kargil War when enemy forces captured it.
✅ The Pre-Kargil Vijay Diwas celebrations also featured a ‘Trek to Battle Site’ led by Brig OP Yadav, YSM (Retd).

What is Dodol, the Goan sweet vying for a GI tag? 🔗
#explained_culture #express_explained #geographical_indication_tag #goa

👉 The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) successfully conducts the 3rd and final landing experiment of its Reusable Launch Vehicle (RLV) ‘Pushpak’.

✅ The landing experiment was conducted at the Aeronautical Test Range in Chitradurga, Karnataka.
✅ The ISRO says RLV LEX-03 (Reusable Launch Vehicle Landing Experiment 3), re-demonstrated the autonomous landing capability under more severe wind conditions.
✅ The Chinook helicopter released the Reusable Launch Vehicle Pushpak at an altitude of 4.5 kms from the runway.
✅ Pushpak approached the runway with a speed of 320 kmph as against 280 kmph of a typical fighter aircraft.
✅ After the touchdown, Pushpak’s velocity was reduced to nearly 100 kmph using its brake parachute. After which the landing gear brakes were employed for deceleration and stop on the runway.
✅ Pushpak utilised its rudder and nose wheel steering system to autonomously maintain a stable and precise ground roll along the runway.

#upsc #GS3 #mains2025 #sciencetechnology

India, Russia prepare to sign military logistics pact soon
https://m.economictimes.com/news/defence/india-russia-prepare-to-sign-military-logistics-pact-soon/articleshow/111194981.cms

India plans global trade promotion body for MSME exports, to be announced in budget
https://www.livemint.com/economy/india-plans-global-trade-promotion-body-for-msme-exports-to-be-announced-in-budget-11719126736424.html

Explained: Behind Kerala Assembly’s demand to rename state as Keralam 🔗
#explained_politics #express_explained #kerala

Will climate change make insurance too expensive? 🔗
#explained_climate #express_explained

IAS Officer Built Science Parks & 75 Sports Complexes for Rural Kids
https://thebetterindia.com/343042/ias-vivek-johnson-establishes-open-science-parks-sports-complexes-for-rural-children-transforms-chandrapur-maharashtra/

Power markets in India: their working, advantages, and the road ahead 🔗
#explained_economics #express_explained

How the PESA has boosted forest conservation in India
https://www.thehindu.com/sci-tech/energy-and-environment/how-the-pesa-has-boosted-forest-conservation-in-india/article68327557.ece

PESA OVERVIEW:
_____

The Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) of 1996 extends local government councils to Scheduled Areas, primarily inhabited by Scheduled Tribes (STs).

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH REPRESENTATION:

PESA mandates political representation for STs, with quotas for chairperson positions and at least half the seats on local councils reserved for ST individuals.


IMPACT ON FOREST CONSERVATION
________

ECONOMIC INCENTIVES:

ST communities depend on forests for non-timber forest produce and daily sustenance, making them inherently opposed to commercial timber and mining activities that lead to deforestation.

FOREST STEWARDSHIP:

Empowering STs as political actors leads to an increase in tree canopy by 3% per year and a reduction in deforestation rates.

USE OF TECHNOLOGY:

The study utilizes remote-sensing microdata from satellites to track changes in forest cover.

MECHANISMS OF IMPACT
_______

OPPOSITION TO MINING:

Increased ST representation under PESA enables communities to resist mining and other large-scale commercial operations, reducing deforestation near mining areas.

CONFLICT INCIDENCE:

The introduction of PESA has led to increased conflicts around mining, indicating active resistance by ST communities.

COMPARISON WITH OTHER LEGISLATION
_________

FRA COMPARISON:

The Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006 (FRA) did not have additional impacts on conservation beyond those caused by PESA.

✍POLICY RECOMMENDATIONS
_______

§ DEMOCRATIC DECENTRALIZATION:

Unlike administrative decentralization, democratic decentralization involves representative local actors with autonomous decision-making powers and resources for significant decisions.

§ SINGLE UMBRELLA INSTITUTION:

A unified institution that consolidates power and balances development and conservation goals is more effective than multiple entities with fragmented mandates.

§ POLICY IMPLICATIONS:

Mandated political representation for marginalized communities like STs not only advances conservation goals but also supports their economic development.

§ ROLE OF POLICYMAKERS:

Ensuring the welfare and rights of forest-dwelling ST communities can achieve both conservation and development objectives.

First time since independence there will be election for speaker post

Om Birla from the NDA and K Suresh from the opposition alliance file nominations for the Speaker's post

https://www.livemint.com/politics/lok-sabha-speaker-elected-without-contest-since-independence-nda-vs-india-find-details-in-5-points-11718689785843.html

Rising water stress to hurt India's credit strength: Moody's
https://m.economictimes.com/news/india/rising-water-stress-to-hurt-indias-credit-strength-moodys/articleshow/111246813.cms