About Brumation

• It is the name to describe a period of dormancy or slowed activity in reptiles, much like hibernation in mammals.
• It typically occurs during colder months, when temperatures drop and food becomes scarce.
• During brumation, reptiles may retreat to underground burrows, rock crevices or other sheltered areas where temperatures are relatively more stable.
• Their metabolism slows significantly, allowing them to go weeks or even months without eating.
• This period of reduced activity allows reptiles to conserve energy and minimise their resource requirements.
• Such species include box turtles and painted turtles, which burrow into the mud at the bottom of ponds or lakes. Snakes may seek refuge in underground dens or caves while lizards may hide under rocks or within vegetation.
• Why brumation?
  • Reptiles enter a state of brumation to conserve energy and survive these adverse environmental conditions.
  • Brumation is crucial for reptiles to survive cold climes and endure challenging environmental conditions, until they can reemerge to feed and reproduce in more favourable climes.

Q1) What are Mammals?

They include humans and all other animals that are warm-blooded vertebrates (vertebrates have backbones) with hair. They feed their young with milk and have a more well-developed brain than other types of animals.

About Fire Capped Tit

• It is a small bird species assigned to the family Paridae.
• Migration pattern: It is a Himalayan bird which flies down south towards Western Ghats and Kerala around Sept, and is back around Feb-end and March.
• Habitat: Inhabits forest feeding on invertebrates, nectar and pollen, usually high in canopy but will descend to low growth.
• It is found in montane broadleaf forest at middle to high elevations, sometimes mixed in with other species.
• These birds breed in the Himalayas during summer and have a melodious song.
• Distribution: 
  • A local breeding summer visitor to northern mountains from Pakistan east to Arunachal Pradesh.
  • Winters in foothills and rarely in plains south to Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh.
• Conservation status
  • IUCN: Least Concern

Why early reverse migration?

• The winters were not very harsh in central India. So, the bird could have started moving early.

Q1) What is migration?

The movement of a person or people from one country, locality, place of residence to settle in another place. Migration is, first and foremost a normal human activity.

Source: Birds reverse-migrate to city, watchers see end of winter

About Biodiversity Heritage Site

• These are areas that are unique, ecologically fragile ecosystems having rich biodiversity comprising of any one or more of the components such as;
  • species richness, high endemism, presence of rare, endemic and threatened species, keystone species, species of evolutionary significance, wild ancestors of domestic/cultivated species or land races or their varieties, past pre-eminence of biological components represented by fossil beds and having cultural or aesthetic values.

Who can declare BHS?

• Under section 37 of the Biological Diversity Act, the State Governments are empowered to notify in the official gazette, in consultation with ‘local bodies’, areas of biodiversity importance as Biodiversity Heritage Sites.
• Under sub section (2) of Section 37 of the BD Act, the State Government in consultation with the Central Government may frame rules for the management and conservation of BHS.
• Under sub section (3) of Section 37 of the BD Act, the State Governments are empowered to frame schemes for compensating or rehabilitating any person or section of people economically affected by such notification.
• Importance of Biological Diversity Heritage Sites: Biodiversity is closely linked to ecological security. Loss of biodiversity and bioresources show an increasing trend mainly due to human activities. Therefore, it is necessary to instil and nurture conservation ethics in the community. 

Q1) What are keystone species?

It is an organism that helps define an entire ecosystem. Without its keystone species, the ecosystem would be dramatically different or cease to exist altogether. Keystone species have low functional redundancy. This means that if the species were to disappear from the ecosystem, no other species would be able to fill its ecological niche.

Source: Odisha declares Gupteswar in Koraput district as its fourth biodiversity heritage site

About Retail Inflation

• Retail inflation, also known as Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation, tracks the change in retail prices of goods and services which households purchase for their daily consumption.
• CPI is calculated for a fixed basket of goods and services that may or may not be altered by the government from time to time.
• The change in the price index over a period of time is referred to as CPI-based inflation, or retail inflation.
• What Does the CPI tell? Following are a few things that the CPI index interprets:
  • Cost of living
  • The purchasing power of consumers
  • The expensiveness of different articles that consumers buy and services that are availed
  • Value of the Indian rupee
• How is CPI calculated?
  • CPI is calculated as a percentage. It is a comparison of the general price level in the markets in a particular time period from a time frame in the past. This is known as the base year.
  • CPI, therefore, is calculated by referring to a base year, which is a benchmark. Currently, the base year is 2012.
  • The formula for calculating the CPI index is:
  • CPI = (Cost of a Fixed Basket of Goods and Services in the Current Year/Cost of a Fixed Basket of Goods and Services in the Base Year) * 100
  • The National Statistical Office (NSO), Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI), compiles All India as well as state-wise CPI for Rural, Urban, Combined sectors and releases the CPI numbers every month.
• How is the Consumer Price Index (CPI) Used?
  • It is used as a macroeconomic indicator of inflation, as a tool by the central bank and government for inflation targeting and for inspecting price stability, and as a deflator in the national accounts.
  • CPI also helps understand the real value of salaries, wages, and pensions, the purchasing power of the nation’s currency, and regulating rates. 

Q1) What is 'Wholesale Price Index' (WPI)?

(WPI) represents the price of goods at a wholesale stage i.e. goods that are sold in bulk and traded between organizations instead of consumers.WPI is used as an important measure of inflation in India. Fiscal and monetary policy changes are greatly influenced by changes in WPI.

Source: 2024 brings breather on inflation but food prices are still sticky

What is a Bond?

• A bond is a fixed-income instrument that represents a loan made by an investor to a borrower (typically corporate or governmental) for a set period of time in return for regular interest payments.
• The time from when the bond is issued to when the borrower has agreed to pay the loan back is called its ‘term to maturity’. 
• The bond issuer uses the money raised from bonds to undertake various activities, such as funding expansion projects, refinancing existing debt, undertaking welfare activities, etc. 

What is Bond Yield?

• It is the return an investor expects to receive each year over its term to maturity.
• It partially depends on coupon payments, which refer to the periodic interest income obtained as a reward for holding bonds.
• The bondholders receive the bond’s face value at the end of the bond’s life. However, one may buy bonds at par value, discount (at a price lower than par value), or premium (at a price higher than par value) as they trade in the secondary market. 
• Therefore, the prevailing market price of bonds also affects the bond yield.
• It is calculated by using the following formula:
  • Bond Yield= Coupon Amount/ Price
• Bond Yield vs. Price:
  • Price and yield are inversely related.
  • As the price of a bond goes up, its yield goes down, and as yield goes up, the price of the bond goes down.
  • Example: Suppose interest rates fall. New bonds that are issued will now offer lower interest payments. This makes existing bonds that were issued before the fall in interest rates more valuable to investors, because they offer higher interest payments compared to new bonds. As a result, the price of existing bonds will increase.
  • However, if a bond's price increases, it is now more expensive for a potential new investor to buy. The bond's yield will then fall because the return an investor expects from purchasing this bond is now lower.

Q1) What are Debt Securities?

A debt security is any debt that can be bought or sold between parties in the market prior to maturity. Its structure represents a debt owed by an issuer (the government, an organization, or a company) to an investor who acts as a lender.Examples of debt securities include a government bond, corporate bond, certificate of deposit (CD), municipal bond, etc.

Source: Bond Yields To Soften With Moderating Inflation, Says RBI Governor

About Hastsal Minar

• Location: It is located in a small village of western Delhi.
• Construction of the minar (or tower) was finished in 1634 during the reign of Mughal emperor Shah Jahan.
• It is also known as Mini Qutab Minar.
• Among the locals, it is also known as Hastsal Ki Laat and Kaushal Minar.
• Architecture
  • It was constructed using lakhori bricks and clad with red sandstone.
  • The minar is 17 metres (five storeys) tall, standing on a square platform and with an octagonal body.
  • A staircase inside the five-storey tower led to the domed Chhatri pavilion at the top. 
  • It has three storeys, each with a reducing diameter, and is accessible through a narrow staircase
• Shah Jahan utilised Hastsal as one of his hunting lodges during the 17th century.
• Present condition:
  • In 2018, the minaret was deemed as Grade A in heritage value and was given the permission to be conserved under Phase IV of Delhi government’s project to protect lesser-known monuments in the capital.

Q1) What are Lakhori bricks ?

These are also known as Badshahi bricks, Kakaiya bricks, Lakhauri bricks which are flat, thin, red burnt-clay bricks, originating from the Indian subcontinent that became an increasingly popular element of Mughal architecture during Shah Jahan, and remained so till early 20th century.

Source: Hastsal Minar: Shrouded in mystery, a Mughal-era symbol of glory now a picture of neglect

About Bor Tiger Reserve

• It is a wildlife sanctuary which was declared a tiger reserve in July 2014.
• Location: It is located in the Wardha District of Maharashtra. 
• It is the smallest tiger reserve in India by area.
• The reserve covers an area of 138.12 sq.km, which includes the drainage basin of the Bor Dam.
• It is centrally located among several other Bengal Tiger habitats.
  • Towards the North-east lies the Pench Tiger Reserve, towards the east is Nagzira Navegaon Tiger Reserve, to the South-east is Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary.
  • The Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve is located to the southeast, Melghat Tiger Reserve stands to the west; and Satpura Tiger Reserve lies to the north-west.
• Vegetation: The area is populated by Dry Deciduous Forest type.
• Flora: Teak, tendu, bamboo, tarot, and gokhru are some of the abundant species.
• Fauna: Apart from tigers, the reserve is home to several other mammals like leopards, sloth bears, sambar deer, Indian bison (gaur), chital, wild boars, and more. 

Q1) What is a Tiger Reserve?

Tiger Reserve is a legally declared protected area dedicated to the conservation of striped big cats. A tiger reserve, on the other hand, could be a national park or wildlife sanctuary. The Sariska Tiger Reserve, for example, is also a national park.

Source: Bor seeks ₹1 crore for tourism devpt at Hingni, Bangdapur 

About Insolvency and Bankruptcy Board of India (IBBI)

• The IBBI was established on October 1, 2016 in accordance with the provisions of the ‘Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code, 2016’.
• It is responsible for the implementation of the IBC. The IBC amends and consolidates the laws relating to the insolvency resolution of individuals, partnership firms, and corporate persons in a time-bound manner. 
  • The IBBI regulates professionals as well as processes.
  • It has regulatory oversight over the insolvency professional agencies, insolvency professional entities, insolvency professionals, and information utilities.
  • It enforces rules for processes of corporate insolvency resolution, individual insolvency resolution, corporate liquidation, and individual bankruptcy under the IBC.
• It has also been designated as the ‘Authority’ under the Companies (Registered Valuers and Valuation Rules), 2017 for the regulation and development of the profession of valuers in the country.
• Constitution of the Board: The Board consists of the following members who are appointed by the Central Government: 
  • A Chairperson. 
  • Three members from among the officers of the Central Government equivalent or not below the rank of a Joint Secretary. Out of the three members, each will represent the Ministry of Finance, the Ministry of Corporate Affairs, and the Ministry of Law, ex -officio. 
  • One member nominated by the RBI (Reserve Bank of India), ex-officio. 
  • Five other members nominated by the Central Government, out of which at least three should be whole-time members. 
  • The term of office of the Chairperson and members (other than ex-officio members) is five years or until they attain sixty-five years, whichever is earlier, and they are eligible for re-appointment.

Q1) What is Insolvency and Bankruptcy?

Insolvency is a financial state where a person cannot meet debt payments on time. Bankruptcy is a legal process that happens when the individual declares he or she can no longer pay back his or her debts to creditors.

Source: Equal access. Personal guarantors’ insolvency: IBBI mandates Resolution Professionals to provide reports to both debtor and creditor for enhanced transparency

About Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC)

• It is an annual, four-day event that engages bird enthusiasts of all ages around the world in counting birds to create a real-time snapshot of where the birds are. 
• It was launched in 1998 by the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society.
• It was established to help researchers learn more about how birds are doing and how to protect them and the environment.
• How is it done? Participants count birds for as little as 15 minutes (or as long as they wish) on one or more days of the four-day event and report their sightings online.
• Who can participate? Anyone can take part in the Great Backyard Bird Count, from beginning bird watchers to experts. One can participate from his/her backyard, or anywhere in the world.
• Significance: Each checklist submitted during the GBBC helps researchers at the Cornell Lab of Ornithology and the National Audubon Society learn more about how birds are distributed across the country and how they are affected by changes in habitat and weather.
• India and GBBC:
  • Indian birders have participated in the GBBC since 2013.
  • In India, GBBC is coordinated by the Bird Count India (BCI) collective, a coming-together of a number of groups and organisations that are interested in birds, nature, and conservation.

Q1) What is BirdLife International?

BirdLife International is a global Partnership of over 100 national conservation organisations with a focus on birds and working together on shared priorities, policies and programmes of conservation exchanging skills, achievements and information, and so growing in ability, authority and influence. Each Partner represents a unique geographical area or territory (usually a country).

Source: Can India secure top spot in reported bird species this year?

About GROW Portal

• The "Greening and Restoration of Wasteland with Agroforestry (GROW)-Suitability Mapping" portal allows universal access to state and district-level data.
• It is hosted on Bhuvan website.
• The GROW initiative aligns with national commitments, aiming to restore 26 million hectares of degraded land by 2030 and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent.
• The initiative, led by NITI Aayog, involved a collaborative effort from multiple institutions and employed advanced technologies such as remote sensing and GIS to assess agroforestry suitability across all districts in India.
• Utilizing thematic datasets, the project resulted in the creation of an Agroforestry Suitability Index (ASI). This index enables national-level prioritization for greening and restoration projects.
• This project on prioritization of wasteland areas suitable for greening is based on the analysis of five remote sensing derived thematic layers viz. land use, wasteland, slope, water proximity and soil organic content.
• These parameters were selected as a result of expert consultations and considered to be the most critical layers in identifying area that are amenable for interventions with agroforestry. Highest weightages was given to wastelands.
• The developed system provides information on area suitable for agroforestry across India.
• The areas available in the system are classified as highly suitable, moderately suitable, less suitable for agroforestry.
• The key features of the system:
  • Generates district level information of wasteland area suitable for agroforestry
  • Generates area prioritization regime i.e highly suitable area, moderate and less suitable for agroforestry
  • Generates live maps
  • Generates area analysis-statistic report
  • Offer an interactive mode/tool that provides flexibility in handling the weightages as per local conditions/need

Q1) What is agroforestry ?

It can be defined as a dynamic, ecologically based, natural resource management system that, through the integration of trees on farms and in the agricultural landscape, diversifies and sustains production for increased social, economic and environmental benefits for land users at all levels.

Source: NITI Aayog Launches Greening India's Wastelands with Agroforestry (GROW) Report and Portal