{"id":51744,"date":"2025-08-20T20:35:20","date_gmt":"2025-08-20T15:05:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/?p=51744"},"modified":"2025-08-23T11:06:20","modified_gmt":"2025-08-23T05:36:20","slug":"news-in-short-20-august-2025","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-08-2025\/news-in-short-20-august-2025","title":{"rendered":"News In Short 20-August-2025"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Henry Derozio Effect<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS1\/History<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In her book, <strong>India\u2019s First Radicals: Young Bengal and the British Empire<\/strong>, Rosinka Chaudhuri highlights <strong>Henry Derozio\u2019s role in India\u2019s independence movement.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In 1826, Henry Derozio, a 17-year-old Anglo-Portuguese poet, became a lecturer at Hindu College, Calcutta.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He was Dismissed in April 1831 for \u201cpropagating atheism,\u201d Derozio died soon after, but his students continued his legacy.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Influence<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>His English poetry, especially <strong>The Fakeer of Jungheera,<\/strong> expressed nationalist anguish and a call for freedom.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>He inspired students to form the Academic Association, promoting liberty, reason, and reformist debate.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Derozians evolved into<strong> Young Bengal, <\/strong>a radical group challenging religious and social orthodoxy.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>In <strong>1843<\/strong>, they founded <strong>India\u2019s first political party \u2014 Bengal British India Society <\/strong>\u2014 with egalitarian aims.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Their vision contrasted with Macaulay\u2019s anglicized elite; they were described by Alexander Duff as \u201ca<strong> new race of men in the East.\u201d<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Legacy &amp; Ideological Continuity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Though short-lived, Young Bengal\u2019s ideals \u2014 inclusivity, tolerance, intellectual openness \u2014 prefigured the visions of Gandhi and Nehru.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Rosinka Chaudhuri frames their radicalism as foundational to India\u2019s modern political and cultural identity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source :TH<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS) in India<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS 3\/Economy&nbsp;<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>As per the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), India is currently home to three Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>The Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They\u00a0 are dynamic, community-managed farming systems that integrate agrobiodiversity, traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage to ensure sustainable livelihoods and food security.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They are recognised by the FAO, 99 such systems have been designated across 29 countries.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Recently, a <strong>mountain agropastoral system in Tajikistan<\/strong> has become Central Asia&#8217;s first inclusion in the GIAHS.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Additionally, a<strong> pine tree agroforestry system<\/strong> and a traditional bamboo-fishery system i<strong>n South Korea<\/strong>, and an <strong>agrosilvopastoral system in Portugal have also been recognized.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>India\u2019s Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS)\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Koraput region, Odisha <\/strong>\u00a0: It is\u00a0 known for highland subsistence paddy farming and rich diversity of indigenous rice varieties, along with medicinal plant resources linked to tribal knowledge systems.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Kuttanad farming system, Kerala <\/strong>\u00a0: It is\u00a0 a unique <strong>below-sea-level agriculture model combining paddy fields<\/strong>, coconut gardens, inland fisheries, and shell collection in a wetland ecosystem.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Saffron Heritage of Kashmir<\/strong> : It features traditional saffron cultivation using intercropping and organic practices, supporting biodiversity and soil health.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :PIB<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Parliament Passes Mines and Minerals Amendment Bill, 2025<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS2\/ Polity and Governance<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Parliament passed the <strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Amendment Bill, 2025<\/strong>, aimed at promoting sustainable mining, and advancing the objectives of the <strong>National Critical Mineral Mission.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The bill will amend the <strong>Mines and Minerals (Development and Regulation) Act, 1957.\u00a0<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Key Provisions of the Bill<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bill provides that <strong>lease holders may apply<\/strong> to the state government <strong>for adding other minerals to an existing lease.\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>For inclusion of critical and strategic minerals, and other specified minerals, no additional amount needs to be paid.\u00a0\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>These include minerals such as lithium, graphite, nickel, cobalt, gold, and silver.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The Bill expands the scope of the National Mineral Exploration Trust, renaming it as the <strong>National Mineral Exploration and Development Trust.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Captive mines<\/strong> are allowed to sell up to<strong> 50 per cent <\/strong>of minerals produced in a year, after meeting end-use requirements.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The Bill removes the limit on sale of minerals and provides for establishing an authority to register and regulate mineral exchanges.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The bill empowers the government to facilitate mineral trading through exchanges, allow the <strong>sale of mineral dumps to reduce environmental hazards<\/strong>, and promote extraction of deep-seated minerals.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/ddnews.gov.in\/en\/parliament-passes-mines-and-minerals-amendment-bill-2025-to-boost-critical-mineral-production\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>DD News<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>White-Collar and Blue-Collar Jobs in the Age of AI<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Economy, Skill Development<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A recent report, The Work Ahead by job listing platform Indeed, highlights that both white-collar and blue-collar workers in India are increasingly embracing Artificial Intelligence (AI) to future-proof their careers.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>White-Collar vs. Blue-Collar Jobs in the AI Era<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>White-Collar Jobs: <\/strong>Traditionally involve cognitive and desk-based roles (finance, IT, legal, management).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>AI is reshaping these by automating repetitive tasks, enabling focus on higher-value work, and requiring reskilling in digital literacy, data analysis, and AI ethics.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Blue-Collar Jobs:<\/strong> Traditionally involve manual and skilled labour (manufacturing, delivery, construction).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>With AI, tasks like predictive maintenance, safety monitoring, logistics optimization, and customer engagement are being digitized, requiring basic digital and AI familiarity.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/epaper.thehindu.com\/ccidist-ws\/th\/th_international\/issues\/144732\/OPS\/G2KEONB4K.1+G4JEPPFSE.1.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>AI Designs Antibiotics\u00a0<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Researchers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) have developed two new potential antibiotics using generative artificial intelligence (AI) to combat drug-resistant <strong>Neisseria gonorrhoeae and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA).<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Gonorrhea is a <strong>sexually transmitted infection (STI)<\/strong> caused by the bacterium Neisseria gonorrhoeae.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Antibiotics are antimicrobial agents<\/strong> that target specific bacterial processes, disrupting their growth or killing them.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Alexander Fleming&#8217;s<\/strong> discovery of <strong>penicillin in 1928,<\/strong> from the fungus Penicillium notatum, led to the first modern antibiotic.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Superbugs<\/strong>, also known as<strong> multidrug-resistant microbes,<\/strong> are infectious organisms, primarily bacteria, that have developed resistance to multiple types of antibiotics and other antimicrobial drugs, making them difficult to treat.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/news\/articles\/cgr94xxye2lo\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>BBC<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Quantum Mechanics and General Relativity<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus :GS3\/Science and Technology<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new study proposes a groundbreaking experiment to explore the intersection of <strong>quantum mechanics and general relativity.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Quantum Mechanics<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It describes the behavior of matter and energy at atomic and subatomic scales.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It reveals wave-particle duality, where particles like electrons exhibit both wave-like and particle-like properties.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Key concepts include superposition, entanglement, and quantization of energy.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Technologies like atomic clocks, quantum sensors, and quantum networks rely on these principles.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>General Relativity<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It was\u00a0 proposed by Einstein in 1915, general relativity redefined gravity as the curvature of spacetime caused by mass.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is validated by phenomena like gravitational lensing, black holes, and time dilation.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It\u2019s a continuous theory, describing large-scale structures like planets and galaxies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Recent Research\u00a0<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A new study proposes using entangled atomic clocks at different elevations to test how quantum systems behave in curved spacetime.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>By leveraging<strong> robust W-state entanglement<\/strong> and precision timekeeping with <strong>ytterbium <\/strong>atoms, the setup aims to detect minute frequency shifts caused by gravitational time dilation, offering a direct test of quantum coherence under relativistic conditions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Importance <\/strong>\u00a0<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>The recent experiment could validate core quantum principles like unitarity and linearity in curved spacetime, and potentially reveal new physics.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It marks a major step toward bridging quantum mechanics and general relativity using existing technologies.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p>Source :TH<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Palmyra Palm Trees<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Odisha ranks among the top states<\/strong> in lightning-related deaths (as per IMD &amp; NCRB data).\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Planting of Palmyra palm trees<\/strong> is being promoted as a natural safeguard to lightning strikes.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Palmyra Palm (Borassus flabellifer)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Origin &amp; Status: <\/strong>Tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Declared the State Tree of Tamil Nadu.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Geographical Requirements:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Highly adaptable soil, grows in sandy, red, black, alluvial, arid, and even wasteland soils.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Well-suited to semi-arid regions with less than 750 mm of annual rainfall.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Can live up to 100 years or more.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Utility:<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Fruits are edible (toddy, palm sugar, jaggery, palm fruit jelly).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Leaves used for thatching, mats, writing material in ancient times.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Deep roots prevent soil erosion.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Helps in groundwater recharge.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>Provides fodder and shade in arid regions.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: DTE<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Saltwater Crocodiles in Sundarbans<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/ Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>A recent report titled \u201cPopulation Assessment and Habitat Ecology Study of Saltwater Crocodiles in Sundarbans 2025\u201d highlights an increase in the population of saltwater crocodiles in the <strong>Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR).<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Estuarine or Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus Porosus)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>In India, saltwater crocodiles are distributed across the swamplands, rivers, mangroves of <strong>Odisha and West Bengal <\/strong>and the coastal areas of the <strong>Andaman and Nicobar Islands.<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>They are the largest living reptile on earth.\u00a0<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ecological Significance:<\/strong> It maintains ecological balance as a hypercarnivorous species and keeps flowing water clean by feeding on carcasses and wild remains.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conservation status:\u00a0<\/strong>\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>IUCN Status:<\/strong> Least Concern<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is listed under <strong>Schedule 1 <\/strong>of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Crocodiles Species in India<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>India is home to three main kinds of crocodile species<\/strong> \u2013 the gharial (gavialis gangeticus), the saltwater crocodile (crocodylus porosus), and the mugger (crocodylus palustris).\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Odisha is uniquely positioned by hosting wild populations <\/strong>of all three crocodile species.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"ddd1c9\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"819\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crocodiles-Species-in-India-819x1024.png\" alt=\"Crocodiles-Species-in-India\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-51748\" style=\"--dominant-color: #ddd1c9; width:408px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crocodiles-Species-in-India-819x1024.png 819w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crocodiles-Species-in-India-240x300.png 240w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crocodiles-Species-in-India-768x960.png 768w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Crocodiles-Species-in-India.png 864w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 819px) 100vw, 819px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table class=\"has-background\" style=\"background-color:#ebecf0\"><tbody><tr><td><strong>Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR)<\/strong><br>&#8211; Sunderban is the <strong>largest delta (Ganges\u2013Brahmaputra\u2013Meghna delta) and mangrove forest<\/strong> in the world.\u00a0<br>&#8211; <strong>Location:<\/strong> The Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve or Indian Sundarbans is situated in West Bengal and covers an area of <strong>9,630 square kilometers.<\/strong><br>1. The region is situated <strong>south of the Tropic of Cancer.<\/strong><br>&#8211; <strong>River system: <\/strong>It is bounded on the west by <strong>river Muriganga<\/strong> and on the east by rivers <strong>Harinbhahga<\/strong> and <strong>Raimangal.<\/strong>\u00a0<br>1. Other major rivers flowing through this eco-system are Saptamukhi, Thakuran, Matla and Goasaba.<br>&#8211; <strong>Ecological Significance: <\/strong>It is home to 34 mangrove species, including true mangroves like <strong>Heritiera fomes<\/strong> and <strong>Excoecaria agallocha.<\/strong><br>1. <strong>Fauna: <\/strong>Royal Bengal Tiger, Fishing Cat, Olive Ridley Turtles, Irrawaddy Dolphins etc.<br>2. <strong>Ecosystem Services: <\/strong>Carbon sink, storm surge buffer, nursery for fisheries.<br><strong>Recognitions of Sundarban Biosphere Reserve (SBR)<\/strong><br>&#8211; The core area (Sunderban National Park) was designated as a <strong>World Heritage site<\/strong> in<strong> 1987.<\/strong><br>&#8211; It was declared a<strong> UNESCO Biosphere Reserve<\/strong> in<strong> 1989.<\/strong><br>&#8211; The Sundarban Wetland was designated as a <strong>Ramsar site in 2019.\u00a0<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/west-bengal\/saltwater-crocodiles-thriving-in-sundarbans-213-direct-sightings-in-2025\/article69951404.ece\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Revival of Corals in the Gulf of Mannar<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS1\/Geography; GS3\/Environment<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Coral reefs in the <strong>Gulf of Mannar, located off the coast of Tamil Nadu<\/strong>, have undergone a significant revival due to over two decades of dedicated scientific restoration efforts.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Corals are <strong>invertebrates <\/strong>that belong to a large group of animals called <strong>Cnidaria<\/strong>.\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>Corals are formed by <strong>multiple small, soft organisms known as polyps.<\/strong>\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>They secrete a<strong> rocky chalk-like (calcium carbonate) exoskeleton<\/strong> around themselves for protection.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coral reefs<\/strong> are therefore created by <strong>millions of tiny polyps forming large carbonate structures.<\/strong><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Appearance: <\/strong>Corals range in colour from <strong>red to purple and even blue,<\/strong> but are most commonly shades of<strong> brown and green.<\/strong><\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Coral reefs in India: <\/strong>Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar, Andaman &amp; Nicobar, Lakshadweep Island and Malvan.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About the Gulf of Mannar<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li>It is one of India\u2019s coral-rich regions, covering about 100 sq.km, with high species diversity of reef-building corals (117 species reported).<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is a large shallow bay in the <strong>Laccadive Sea<\/strong>, lying between the southeastern tip of India and western Sri Lanka.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>It is bounded by Rameswaram (island), Adam\u2019s (Rama\u2019s) Bridge (a chain of shoals), and Mannar Island; approximately 130\u2013275 km wide and 160 km long.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/tamil-nadu\/chasing-corals-hope-blooms-in-gulf-of-mannar\/article69940144.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading has-text-align-center\"><strong>Palm Civet<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p><strong>Syllabus: GS3\/Species in News<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Context<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Civet <\/strong>problem forces Kerala High Court to adjourn for the day.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>About Palm Civet (Paradoxurus hermaphroditus)<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Common names: <\/strong>Asian palm civet, common palm civet, and toddy cat.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Appearance: <\/strong>Often mistaken for a cat; <strong>known for its pungent urine<\/strong>, making its presence noticeable in enclosed spaces.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Ecological role:<\/strong> Important for forest ecosystems as a <strong>seed disperser<\/strong>, supporting biodiversity.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Diet: <\/strong>It is an <strong>omnivore<\/strong> and feeds mostly on fruits and berries and occasionally small mammals and insects.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Habitat and Activity:<\/strong> It is widely found in <strong>south and southeast Asia<\/strong>, and is known to be most active between night and dawn.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Threats: <\/strong>Deforestation, land conversion for agriculture, and wildlife trafficking.<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li><strong>Conservation status:<\/strong> <strong>Least Concern<\/strong> (IUCN).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\"><strong>Do you know?<\/strong><\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\">\n<li><strong>Kopi luwak (civet coffee)<\/strong> is made from coffee cherries partially digested and excreted by the Asian palm civet.\u00a0<\/li>\n\n\n\n<li>The digestion process <strong>reduces acidity<\/strong> in the beans, giving the coffee a unique flavor.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\">\n<figure class=\"aligncenter size-full is-resized\"><img data-dominant-color=\"738b42\" data-has-transparency=\"false\" loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"487\" height=\"556\" src=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Palm-Civet.png\" alt=\"Palm Civet\" class=\"not-transparent wp-image-51747\" style=\"--dominant-color: #738b42; width:321px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Palm-Civet.png 487w, https:\/\/wp-images.nextias.com\/cdn-cgi\/image\/format=auto\/ca\/uploads\/2025\/08\/Palm-Civet-263x300.png 263w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 487px) 100vw, 487px\" \/><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<p><strong>Source: <\/strong><a href=\"https:\/\/www.thehindu.com\/news\/national\/kerala\/civet-problem-forces-kerala-high-court-to-adjourn-for-the-day\/article69950709.ece\" rel=\"nofollow noopener\" target=\"_blank\"><strong>TH<\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<h3><strong>In News<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">In her book, India\u2019s First Radicals: Young Bengal and the British Empire, Rosinka Chaudhuri highlights Henry Derozio\u2019s role in India\u2019s independence movement.<\/li>\n<p><\/p>\n<h3><strong>About<\/strong><\/h3>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">In 1826, Henry Derozio, a 17-year-old Anglo-Portuguese poet, became a lecturer at Hindu College, Calcutta.<\/li>\n<li class=\"ms-5\">He was Dismissed in April 1831 for \u201cpropagating atheism,\u201d Derozio died soon after, but his students continued his legacy.<\/li>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/current-affairs\/20-08-2025\/news-in-short-20-august-2025\" class=\"btn btn-primary btn-sm float-end\">Read\u00a0More<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":15,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[21],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-51744","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-current-affairs"],"acf":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51744","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/15"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=51744"}],"version-history":[{"count":3,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51744\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":51785,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/51744\/revisions\/51785"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=51744"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=51744"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.nextias.com\/ca\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=51744"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}