The avian species Montane laughingthrushes are found only in the peaks of Western Ghats, which are popularly called as Sky islands.
BirdLife International, an organisation which assesses the conservation status of birds globally, has newly identified two sub-species Banasura Laughingthrushes (Endangered) and Travancore laughingthrushes (Vulnerable).
The two original species of the family were Nilgiri laughingthrushes (Endangered) and Palani laughingthrushes (Near threatened).
Bhutan & BBIN Pact:
The SAARC declaration at the Kathmandu Summitin Nov, 2014 encouraged Member States to initiate regional and sub-regional measures to enhance connectivity.
Accordingly, a sub-regional Motor Vehicle Agreement among Bangladesh, Bhutan, India and Nepal (BBIN) was pursued.
The pact will regulate the passenger, personal and cargo vehicular traffic among BBIN and will promote seamless movement of the same across borders for the overall economic development of the region.
The ratification of BBIN pact is still pending in Bhutan and it is expected to be ratified this month.
New species of Ginger:
The Botanical Survey of India has found a new species of Zingiber (Commonly referred as Ginger) from the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
The species Zingiber pseudosquarrosum belongs to genus Zingiber and it possess ethno-medicinal uses such as treating abdominal pain and anti-helminthic troubles.
