1) Boma capturing Technique: A boma is traditionally known throughout Africa as an enclosure, stockade or fort used to secure and protect people’s livestock.
- It involves luring of animals into an enclosure by chasing them through a funnel-like fencing. The funnel tapers into an animal selection-cum-loading chute, supported with grass mats and green net to make it opaque for animals, which are herded into a large vehicle for their transport to another location.
- It was earlier utilised to capture wild elephants for training and service. But presently make a significant contribution in the prey base management.
- Following its adoption in Madhya Pradesh in recent years, Boma has been put to practice for the first time in Rajasthan to improve the prey base in Mukundara Hills Tiger Reserve
2) Synthesis Report: The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) is set to organize meeting in Switzerland to finalize the Synthesis Report, which will summarize the findings of the IPCC’s previous five reports and address policy-relevant scientific questions related to climate change. The report will emphasize meeting the 1.5-degree Celsius target as the main global goal.
- The Synthesis Report is expected to provide a non-technical summary of the previous reports, which were released during the sixth assessment cycle since 2018.
3) EURASIAN OTTER: The first photographic record of an elusive semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal in the upper Chenab catchment has confirmed that some stretches of the Neeru remain unpolluted.
- The Neeru is a tributary of the Chenab river.
- It has one of the widest distributions of all Palaearctic mammals. Its range covers parts of three continents: Europe, Asia, and Africa. Found in northern, northeast, and southern India.
- It has a long lithe body, sensitive whiskers to help detect prey and two layers of fur: a thick waterproof outer one and a warm inner one. It has an acute sense of sight, smell, and hearing. IUCN: Near threatened, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule II, CITES: Appendix I
4) Kattunayakan tribe: it is one of the 75 PVTGs of India and designated scheduled tribe in the states of Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, and Andhra Pradesh
- They are also known by different names like Jenu (honey) Kurumbas and Thenu (honey) Kurumbas in different regions because of their expertise in collection of honey.
- The tribe has traditionally been hunter-gatherers and are experts in basketry.
- They speak the Kattunayakan language which is also called as nama basha (our language) by them. It is basically of the South Dravidian origin containing elements of Kannada, Malayalam and Tamil. the settlements are known as padi and a single hut in a settlement is called manai. Kattunayakans are patrilineal
- The Elephant Whisperers, which won an Oscar for the Best documentary, depicts the story of Kattunayakan tribe of the Western Ghats.
5) National Vaccination Day 2023: It is also known as National Immunisation Day and is observed on March 16th annually to spread awareness about the importance of vaccines. The day also marks the victory of India against polio disease.
- Theme: Vaccines work for everyone
- The world’s largest covid 19 vaccination campaign has been conducted by India.
