Notes:
Over exploitation of 25 medicinal host plants has impacted swallowtail butterflies in Assam’s “citrus belt.” Swallowtail butterflies belong to the Papilionidae family and are found globally, except in the Arctic. India is home to 77 of the 573 swallowtail species. Some swallowtail species mimic protected butterflies’ coloration and patterns. Threats include illegal cattle farming, agriculture, tea cultivation, tree felling, and pesticide use. Butterflies are important environmental indicators, with their health reflecting ecosystem health and diversity.

Notes:
NITI Aayog released an Expert Group report titled ‘Future Pandemic Preparedness and Emergency Response —A Framework for Action’. The report offers a blueprint for rapid response to future public health emergencies. COVID-19 is not the last pandemic; 75% of future threats could be zoonotic. The report offers a 100-day response plan for pandemics, focusing on governance, data management, and partnerships. India’s efforts during COVID-19, like digital tools and R&D, were highlighted. The report recommends strengthening legislation, surveillance, and capacity-building. It involved consultations with over 60 experts and stakeholders. The framework aims to better prepare and manage future outbreaks effectively.3. Researchers of which institution have recently developed a method to treat retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy?

Notes:
Researchers at IIT Madras have discovered a new method to treat retinal tears and diabetic retinopathy using mild laser-induced convection to improve drug delivery into the retina. They conducted simulations to study different treatment types, focusing on heat and mass transfer. This innovative approach could benefit around 11 million people in India with retinal disorders. Currently, laser-based techniques are employed to treat conditions like retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, macular edema, and retinal vein occlusion.

Notes:
The Prime Minister launched the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in Jharkhand with an outlay of about Rs 80,000 crore. It aims to develop 63,843 tribal villages, benefiting over 5 crore people across 30 states/UTs. The scheme addresses gaps in social infrastructure, health, education, and livelihood through 25 interventions by 17 ministries. The total outlay is Rs. 79,156 crore, with Rs. 56,333 crore from the central government. It builds on the success of PM-JANMAN, launched in 2023, which focuses on Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTG).

Notes:
Experts report that 430 of the 450 hectares of Albania’s Little Prespa Lake have become swamps or dried up. It is one of Europe’s oldest and highest tectonic lakes, located at the junction of three geological masses: granite, karstic, and Suva Gora. The area contains rocks from the Paleozoic era to the Neogene era. The lake system includes Great Prespa Lake (shared by Albania, Greece, and Macedonia) and Little Prespa Lake, mostly in Greece. Climate change, rising temperatures, and lack of snowfall and rain have significantly impacted the lake.