About Hoolock Gibbon:

• Gibbons, the smallest and fastest of allapes, live in tropical and subtropical forests in the southeastern part of Asia.
• The hoolock gibbon is one of 20 species of gibbons on Earth. 
• Distribution:
  • Its distribution in Southeast Asia spans India, Myanmar, Bangladesh, and southern China.
  • It is the only ape found in India.
  • In India, it is found in Assam, Meghalaya, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Manipur, Mizoram, and Tripura, south of the Brahmaputra.
  • Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary in Assam has the largest concentration of the hoolock gibbon.
• It is categorised into Eastern Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) found in a specific region of Arunachal Pradesh and Western Hoolock Gibbon (Hoolock hoolock) distributed elsewhere in the northeast. 
• Features:
  • Both male and female gibbons are about the same size, but they differ considerably in colors. 
  • Males are black colored with remarkable white brows, while females have grey-brown fur, which is darker at the chest and neck. 
  • White rings around the eyes and around the mouth give their faces a mask-like appearance.
  • They are diurnal and arboreal, brachiating through the trees with their long arms.
  • They are monogamous (same partner throughout life).
  • They live in small families, including males, females and their young ones, and communicate with other gibbons by vocalisation.
  • The loud calls of the gibbon are used to identify individuals within and outside the family group.
  • Like all apes, they are extremely intelligent, with distinct personalities and strong family bonds. 
  • Life span: 25 years
• Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Red List:
    • Eastern Hoolock Gibbon: Vulnerable 
    • Western Hoolock Gibbon: Endangered

Both are on Schedule I of theWildlife (Protection) Act of India, 1972.

Q1: What are apes?

Apes are humanity's closest living relatives. In fact, people are apes; humans share about 98 percent of their DNA with chimpanzees. The non-human types of apes are divided into two groups: great apes — gorillas, bonobos, chimpanzees and orangutans — and lesser apes — gibbons and siamangs. Apes are not monkeys; they belong to different branches of the Simian infraorder, and there are several physical differences. Apes do not have tails, while most monkeys do, and apes are typically larger than monkeys. Apes' noses are short and broad, while monkeys' noses are more snout-like. Apes also have larger brains than monkeys, and they are capable of using tools and learning language.

Source: Railways to build canopy bridges across track in Assam gibbon habitat

About Colombo Process:

• It is a Regional Consultative Process and it provides an important platform for consultations on the management of overseas employment and contractual labour for countries of origin in Asia.
• It serves as a forum for the exchange of best practices on overseas employment.
• Membership:
  • It comprises 12 Member States of Asia (countries of origin of migrant workers).
  • Members: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, China, Cambodia, India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.
  • India has been a member of the Colombo Process since its inception in 2003.
• Objectives:
  • Share experiences, lessons learned and best practices in labour migration management.
  • Consult on issues faced by migrants, countries of origin, and countries of destination, and propose practical solutions for the well-being of overseas workers.
  • Optimize development benefits from organized overseas employment and enhance dialogues with countries of destination.
  • Review and monitor the implementation of the recommendations and identify further steps of action.
• The process is non-binding, and decision-making is by consensus.
• The process is coordinated through the Permanent Missions of Member States at the United Nations in Geneva. 
• The process is governed by Ministerial Consultations wherein recommendations and action plans are discussed and adopted by the Ministers of the participating countries.
• The International Organization for Migration (IOM) has provided technical support to the Colombo Process since its inception and serves as its Secretariat.
• There are five Thematic Area Working Groups (TAWGs):
  • Skills and Qualification Recognition (chaired by Sri Lanka);
  • Fostering Ethical Recruitment (chaired by Bangladesh);
  • Pre-Departure Orientation and Empowerment (chaired by Philippines);
  • Remittances (chaired by Pakistan);
  • Labour Market Analysis (chaired by Thailand)

Q1: What is the International Organization for Migration (IOM)?

Established in 1951, IOM is the leading inter-governmental organization in the field of migration. It offers, at the request of States, its support to migrants but also to internally displaced persons, refugees and other uprooted people in the four broad areas of migration and development, facilitating migration, regulating migration and addressing forced migration. In 2016, IOM entered into an agreement with the United Nations, becoming a related organization. IOM serves as coordinator of the United Nations network on migration, established by the Secretary-General in 2018. It currently has 172 member states and 8 states holding observer status. India is a member of IOM.

Source: India assumes chair of Colombo Process for 2024-26

About Koya Tribe: 

• Koya are one of the few multi-racial and multi-lingual tribal communities in India.
• They live in the forests, plains, and valleys on both sides of the Godavari River, in the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Chhattisgarh, and Odisha. 
• The Koya are said to have migrated to central India from their original home in Bastar, northern India.
• Language:
  • The Koya language, also called Koyi, is a Dravidian language. It is closely related to Gondi and has been strongly influenced by Telugu.
  • Most Koyaspeak either Gondi or Telugu, in addition to Koyi.
• Occupation: 
  • Traditionally, they were pastoralists and shifting cultivators, but now-a-days, they have taken to settled cultivation supplemented by animal husbandry and seasonal forest collections.
  • They grow Jowar, Ragi, Bajra, and other millets. 
• Society and Culture:
  • All Koya belong to one of five sub-divisions called gotrams. Every Koya is born into a clan, and he cannot leave it.
  • The Koyas have a patrilineal and patrilocal family. The family is called "Kutum". The nuclear family is the predominant type.
  • Monogamy is prevalent among the Koyas.
  • The Koya practice their own ethnic religion, but also worship a number of Hindu gods and goddesses.
  • Many Koya deities are female, the most important being the "mother earth."
  • They maintain community funds and grain banks at the village level to help the needy families and provide food security.
  • Koyas either bury or cremate the dead. They erect menhirs in memory of the dead.
  • Their main festivals are Vijji Pandum (seeds charming festival) and KondalaKolupu (festival to appease Hill deities). 
  • Koyas perform a robust, colourful dance called Permakok (Bison horn dance) during festivals and marriage ceremonies.

Q1: What is Mahua?

The flowers of the Mahua tree (Madhuca longifolia) are fermented to produce an alcoholic drink also called Mahua. Tribal men and women in various parts of India traditionally make this liquor. It is found in West Bengal, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Bihar, in parts of northern and central India, in Maharashtra, Gujarat, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala. Mahua is considered holy amongst the tribes of India.

Source: Andhra’s Koya tribe faces brewing conflict over sacred Mahua flower

About Controller General of Accounts (CGA): 

• CGA, in the Department of Expenditure, Ministry of Finance, is the Principal Accounting Adviser to the Government of India.
• CGA is responsible for establishing and managing a technically sound Management Accounting System and preparation & submission of the accounts of the Union Government. 
• The CGA is also responsible for exchequer control and internal audits for the central government.
• It was established in October 1975 to administer matters pertaining to the departmentalisation of the accounts of the Union. 
• Functions:
  • The Office of CGA prepare smoothly and annual analysis of expenditure, revenues, borrowings, and various fiscal indicators for the Union Government. 
  • It further formulates policies relating to general principles, forms, and procedures of accounting for the Central and State Governments.
  • It administers the process of payments, receipts, and accounting in the Central Civil Ministries/ Departments. 
  • Through its Internal Audit Units in the respective Ministries/Departments, it is responsible for maintaining the requisite technical standards of accounting in the departmentalized accounting offices and for monitoring the financial performance and effectiveness of various programs, schemes, and activities of the civil ministries.
  • It also administers banking arrangementsfor the disbursements of Government expenditures and the collection of government receipts and interacts with the Central Bank for the reconciliation of the cash balances of the Union Government.
  • CGA is also responsible for coordination and monitoring the progress of the submission of corrective/remedial action taken notes (ATNs)on the recommendations contained in the Public Accounts Committee’s (PAC) reports as well as the Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) reports through its web-based Audit Para Monitoring System (APMS).
  • It also looks after the pensions of Central government employees.

Q1: What is the Public Accounts Committee (PAC)?

PAC is a committee of selected members of parliament, constituted by the Parliament of India, for the purpose of auditing the revenue and the expenditure of the Government of India. They check that parliament exercises over the executive stems from the basic principle that parliament embodies the will of the people. It consists of not more than twenty-two members, fifteen elected by Lok Sabha, the lower house of the Parliament, and not more than seven members of Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Parliament.

Source: India’s FY24 fiscal deficit improves to 5.63% of GDP, narrower than government’s target of 5.8%

About Interim Bail:

• An interim bail is a short-term temporary relief to individuals entangled in legal proceedings before the hearing for the grant of regular or anticipatory bail.
• The period for interim bail can be extended, but if the accused individual does not pay the court to confirm or extend the interim bail, they will lose their freedom and may end up in jail or face a warrant.
• Grounds for Granting Interim Bail:
  • In the Parminder Singh and Ors. v. The State of Punjab (November 02, 2001) case, the Delhi High Court listed certain scenarios where interim bail should be granted which are as follows:
  • No likelihood of the accused fleeing from justice,
  • No chance of tampering with the evidence,
  • A clear case for custodial interrogation is not made out,
  • The application for a grant of anticipatory bail cannot be heard at an early date.
• Some common grounds:
  • In case the accused has a serious medical condition requiring urgent or specialized treatment.
  • After considering the humanitarian factors such as familial responsibilities, age, health of the family members.
  • If the investigation is taking an unreasonable amount of time despite his cooperation with authorities.
  • Related Case Laws: 
  • Lal Kamlendra Pratap Singh vs. State of U.P.& Ors (March, 2009)
  • Sukhwant Singh vs. State of Punjab (May, 2009)

Arvind Kejriwal interim bail: Supreme Court rejects 7-day extension plea

Q1: What is anticipatory bail?

What is an anticipatory bail? It is the bail granted to a person in anticipation and apprehending arrest. Under Section 438 of CrPC, any individual who discerns that he may be tried for a non-bailable offence can apply for anticipatory bail.

Source: Arvind Kejriwal interim bail: Supreme Court rejects 7-day extension plea

About World No-Tobacco Day:

• History:
• The Member States of the World Health Organization created World No Tobacco Day in 1987.
• In 1988, a Resolution was passed, calling for the celebration of World No Tobacco Day, every year on 31 May.
• The annual campaign is an opportunity to raise awareness on the harmful and deadly effects of tobacco use and second-hand smoke exposure and to discourage the use of tobacco in any form.
• The theme: “Protecting Children from Tobacco Industry Interference”.

About tobacco cultivation:

• Tobacco cultivation in India was introduced by the Portuguese in 1605.
• Area and production:
  • In India tobacco is predominantly cultivated in Andhra Pradesh, Gujarat, Karnataka, UP and Bihar. Gujarat accounts for 45 per cent of the area (0.13 M ha) and 30 percent of production (0.16 M t). Productivity is also highest (1700 kg ha-1) in Gujarat followed by AP.
• Types of tobacco:
  • Anand area of Gujarat grows wholly bidi tobacco. Nipani area of Karnataka grows bidi tobacco. North Bihar and Bengal area has both tabacum and rustica types used in the manufacture of hookah and to a limited extent chewing and snuff types. Madurai and Coimbatore area of Tamil Nadu grow cigars, filter, binder and chewing tobacco.
• Climate and soil:
  • Tobacco is grown when the mean temperature is 20° to 27°C.
  • When grown as a rainfed crop, it requires at least about 500 mm of well distributed rainfall during crop growing season.
  • It is not usually grown where rainfall exceeds 1200 mm during the season.

Q1: What is tobacco?

Tobacco is a plant used to make products that deliver nicotine to the body. Nicotine is the addictive drug in tobacco products, but they also contain many other chemicals that cause serious health problems.

Source: World No Tobacco Day 2024: Did You Know Smoking Does This To Your Body?

Why in news?

• On 29 May 2024, Member States (with the initiation of Spain) approved a new resolution on increasing availability, ethical access and oversight of transplantation of human cells, tissues and organs.

About the draft resolution:

• The draft urged member states to increase in line with the World Health Organization (WHO) Guiding Principles on Human Cell, Tissue and Organ Transplantation.
• It emphasized on encouraging donation after the neurological determination of death and where appropriate, donation after the circulatory determination of death.
• It also mentioned that insufficient access to transplantation therapies is one of the root causes of trafficking in persons for organ removal and trafficking in human organs, practices that undermine human rights and pose serious risks to public health.
• The resolution urged the director-general to establish an expert committee under the Regulations for Expert Advisory Panels and Committees, to help the Secretariat in developing the proposed global strategy and its implementation.
• The resolution tasked countries with developing a global strategy to be presented for adoption in 2026. It also encouraged the establishment of a World Donor Day to raise public awareness and donations.

About World Health Assembly:

• It is the decision-making body of the World Health Organization.
• It is attended by delegations from all WHO Member States and focuses on a specific health agenda prepared by the Executive Board.
• Functions:
  • The main functions of the World Health Assembly are to determine the policies of the Organization, appoint the Director-General, supervise financial policies and review and approve the proposed programme budget.
  • The Health Assembly is held annually in Geneva, Switzerland.

Q1: What is the World Health Organization (WHO)?

The WHO, established in 1948, is a specialized agency of the United Nations that connects nations, partners and people to promote health, keep the world safe and serve the vulnerable – so everyone, everywhere can attain the highest level of health.

Source: World Health Assembly: Countries approve draft to improve organ transplantation availability

About Exit poll:

• What is an exit poll?
  • An exit poll is a post-election survey that shows how many seats a political party will likely win.
  • It is not the same as the official election results.
• When will Exit polls be released?
  • They can be released by media houses only after the voting ends for an election.
• Methods of conducting:
  • They are taken immediately after voters have cast their ballots.
• Legal Regulations:
  • The exit polls are regulated by Section 126A of the Representation of the People Act, 1951.
  • This law stipulates that no person shall conduct or publish exit polls via print or electronic media, or disseminate the results in any manner, during a period specified by the Election Commission of India.
  • Any person who contravenes the provisions of the Section 126A shall be punishable with imprisonment for a term which may extend to two years or with a fine or with both.

Q1: What is the Election Commission of India (ECI)?

The ECI is an autonomous and permanent constitutional body responsible for organising free and fair elections in the Union and States of India. The Constitution grants the ECI with the power of direction, superintendence, and control of elections to Parliament, state legislatures, the office of president of India and the office of vice-president of India. The ECI does not deal with the elections to the urban bodies such as Municipalities and Panchayats in the states and hence, a separate State Election Commission.

Source: Now, onto exit polls: A look back at how close they were in 2009, 2014, 2019