Current Affairs Question - 14 August 2019

Explanation :

• A lesser known plant- Eugenia mooniana, located in Andamans has showed potential to solve missing link between Andamans and Peninsular India. Detailed taxonomical studies carried out by the scientists established the species as Eugenia mooniana, a plant that is hitherto known to occur only in Assam, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
• According to the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI) there are 1,026 common species for the Andaman-Nicobar islands and the Western Ghats of peninsular India. The fragmented distribution of these floral species reveals the geological link of these widely- separated regions in the remote past.

Eugenia mooniana:

• It is a species of plant in the family Myrtaceae which is native to Western Ghats of India and Sri Lanka. Flowers are white colored. Fruit is a globose, glabrous, single-seeded berry. Flowering starts from October and ends in December. It is known as Pinibaru by Sinhalese people in Sri Lanka.

Source: Civil Services Chronicle Online

Explanation :

• India has submitted proposals regarding changes to the listing of various wildlife species in the CITES secretariat meeting, scheduled to be held from 17^th – 28^th August, 2019 in Geneva, Switzerland.
• The proposals put forward are regarding changes in the listing of the smooth-coated otter, small-clawed otter, Indian star tortoise, Tokay gecko, wedgefish and Indian rosewood.
• For the Indian rosewood, the proposal is to eliminate the species from CITES Appendix II. The species covered by CITES are listed in three appendices on the degree of protection they require.
• India is among the parties proposing the re-listing of the star tortoise from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I. The two threats that the species face are: loss of habitat to agriculture and illegal harvesting for the pet trade.
• With regard to the two otter species, India, Nepal and the Philippines have proposed that the listing be moved from CITES Appendix II to Appendix I for the more endangered species.
• A similar proposal has been made to include the Tokay gecko in Appendix I.

CITES

• It is an international agreement to which States and regional economic integration organizations adhere voluntarily. Its aim is to ensure that international trade in specimens of wild animals and plants does not threaten their survival.
• CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World Conservation Union).

Source: Civil Services Chronicle Online

Explanation :

• The Geographical Indication (GI) under the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade hasrecenly registered 3 new GIs.These are:
• Tawlhlohpuan:a medium to heavy, compactly woven, fabric of good quality from Mizoram is known for warp yarns, warping, weaving & intricate designs that are handmade.
• MizoPuanchei:a colourfulMizo shawl/textile, from Mizoram, is regarded as the most colourful among the Mizo textiles. It is akey possession for every Mizo lady and also an important marriage outfit in the state.
• Tirurbetel vine from Kerala: which is mainly cultivated in Tirur, Tanur, Tirurangadi, Kuttippuram, Malappuram and Vengara block panchayaths of Malappuram District, is valued both for its mild stimulant action and medicinal properties.

Source:Civil Services Chronicle Online

Explanation :

• Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc.) have designed an Anti-Microbial Peptide (AMP) that can effectively and quickly kill a multidrug-resistant bacterium called Acinetobacterbaumannii.
• Researchers used a bioinformatics approach to design a new short protein (peptide) called Omega76 that can kill A. baumannii by breaking down its cell membrane.

Acinetobacterbaumannii:

• It is a Gram-negative bacillus that is aerobic, pleomorphic and non-motile.
• It is an opportunistic bacterial pathogen primarily associated with hospital-acquired infections.
• Commonly associated with aquatic environments, it has been shown to colonize the skin as well as being isolated in high numbers from the respiratory and oropharynx secretions of infected individuals.

Source: Civil Services Chronicle Online