UPSC Daily Current Affairs| Prelim Bits 30-12-2024

Fishing Cat

Why in News?

The 2^nd fishing cat census is expected to be completed within a few weeks.

• Fishing cat – It is one of the largest of the 28 species of small cats and is about twice the size of a typical house cat.
  • Scientific Name – Prionailurus viverrinus.
• Habitat – Wetlands, cultivated grasslands and agricultural areas.
• Global distribution – Mainly in Southeast Asia comprising India, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh, Mekong Delta of Vietnam and Thailand, Pakistan, East Cambodia and northern Himalayan foothills.
• Distribution in India
  • Mangrove forests of the Sundarbans
  • River valleys of Ganga & Brahmaputra along the Himalayan foothills
  • Western Ghats

The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary (CWS) which is India’s 2^nd largest mangroves, is home to larger number of fishing cat. It is part of the Godavari estuary, where the Coringa river confluences into the Bay of Bengal in the state of Andhra Pradesh.

Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in the Krishna estuarine forest area in Andhra Pradesh is another place where these endangered cat species live.

• Morphology – Medium-sized, gray-brown with distinctive black spots, stocky legs, black lines run from the cat's forehead to its neck.
• Its cheeks are white with black marks, nose is pink while its lips, chin, belly and throat are white with gray spots. 

• Other features – It is an adept swimmer and enters water frequently to dive and catch the fish.
• It is a nocturnal animal which preys on frogs, crustaceans, snakes, birds, and scavenges on carcasses of larger animals.
• It is capable of breeding all-round the year.
• Uniqueness – Its muscular tail is shorter than a domestic cat's and is ringed with 6 or 7 incomplete dark bands which are distinct from leopard.
• Threats
  • Destruction of wetlands
  • Human settlements
  • Pollution
  • Poached for its skin.
• Conservation Status
  • IUCN – Endangered.
  • CITES – Appendix II.
  • Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 – Schedule I.

As per the 1^st survey of fishing cats, the population of fishing cats was 115 in 2018 but the number has increased significantly over the past 5 years.

References

1. The Hindu| Fishing Cat Collaring Project
2. National Zoo| Distribution and Habitat of Fishing Cat
3. World Wildlife Fund| Threats and Conservation of Fishing Cat

Overseas Voters in Election

Why in News?

According to recent Election Commission data, there was a poor electoral participation of overseas Indian voters in 18^th Lok Sabha polls in 2024.

• Overseas voters – Generally, they are referred as NRI voters but Election Commission of India describes them as overseas electors.
• NRI’s are Indians living abroad for a variety of reasons and
• Voting rights - They are eligible to vote in the Lok Sabha, Assembly and other direct elections.
• They have to show their original passport as proof of their identity.

According to Election Commission of India, while eligible Indian citizens who enrol in electoral rolls are called electors, those who actually exercise their franchise are described as voters.

Overseas Voters in 18^th Lok Sabha Election

• Increased registration – Overseas Indians showed great enthusiasm in registering as electors, with nearly 1.2 lakh enrolling in the voter list.
• According to the data released by the Election Commission, as many as 1,19,374 registered as overseas electors in 2024, with Kerala witnessing the highest registrations at 89,839.
• In 2019, as many as 99,844 had registered as overseas electors.
• Minimal turnout – Only 2,958 overseas electors flew down to India to participate in the largest democratic exercise in the world.
• Higher participation – 2,670 were from Kerala alone.
• Zero turnout - Karnataka, Uttar Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu among larger states and Assam, Bihar, Goa among smaller states.
• Cause for lower turnout – Travel costs, compulsions of employment overseas, and education, among other things.
• Recommendations – In 2020, the EC proposed to extend the Electronically Transmitted Postal Ballot System (ETPBS) facility, so far available only to service voters, to eligible overseas Indian voters as well.

In 2018, the 16^th Lok Sabha passed a bill to allow proxy voting rights to eligible overseas Indians but it could not be brought to the Rajya Sabha.

Reference

The Hindu| Reduced Voter Participation of Overseas Electors

Related News Articles - Voting Process in India | Postal Ballot Voting |
 Election Commission of India

Dhruv-NG (Next Generation)

Why in News?

Recently, the Pawan Hans Limited has secured a 10-year contract for Rs. 2,141 crore to deliver 4 Dhruv-NG helicopters to the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC).

• Dhruv-NG (Next Generation) – It is a multi-role, multi-mission helicopter.
• It is the civil variant of the Dhruv Mk III, which is widely employed by Indian defense forces.
• Developed by – Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).
• Weight – 5.5 tonne.
• Powered by – 2 indigenous Shakti engines with Cat ’A’ performance.
• Specialty – It is capable of day and night operations.
• It is also fitted with AS4 (Applicability Statement) compliant systems.
• It received a restricted type certificate from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in June 2023.
• For ONGC operation – This will be the 1^st time the chopper will be deployed in offshore operations like transporting staff to and from duty stations on oil and gas rigs.

Pawan Hans has been a key industry player in the Indian offshore industry, providing helicopter services to ONGC, British Gas, HOECL, Petro Gas, and others.

• Significance - It is a “reliable and cost-effective product’ for service provider Pawan Hans Limited.

These helicopters are scheduled to go into service in 2025, largely to meet Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) crew change requirements.

References

1. The Hindu| Dhruv-NG
2. Aviation Today| Implication of Dhruv-NG