North Atlantic Right Whale (NARW)

• Right whales are baleen whales that feeds on copepods (tiny crustaceans) by straining huge volumes of ocean water through their baleen plates, which act like a sieve.
• According to the most recent estimate from the North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium, NARW has continued its slow increase from a low of 358 individuals in 2020. (Statement 2 is incorrect)
• The population of NARW is one of the world’s most endangered large whale specie that remains significantly smaller than it was a decade ago.
• Features – They have stocky black bodies with no dorsal fins, and their blow spouts are shaped like a “V.”
• Their heads have knobby white patches of rough skin, called callosities, which appear white because of whale lice (cyamids) covering their otherwise black skin.
• Right whales can probably live for at least 70 years, but data on their average lifespan is limited since scientific monitoring of the species is fairly recent.
• Range – North Atlantic right whales primarily occur in Atlantic coastal waters on the continental shelf, although they also are known to travel far offshore, over deep water.
• Two other species of right whales – The North Pacific right whale, which is found in the North Pacific Ocean, and the Southern right whale, which is found in the southern hemisphere.
• Conservation – It is classified as critically endangered in the Red List of the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
• They have been listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act since 1970.
• Threats – They have experienced an ongoing Unusual Mortality Event since 2017, which includes sub-lethally injured or ill, seriously injured, and dead right whales.
• Additionally, research demonstrates that only about 1/3 of right whale deaths are documented.
• Other threats include entanglement in fishing gear, vessel strikes, climate change, which may alter their migratory patterns and feeding area.
• The impacts of ocean noise also affect their ability to communicate, find food and navigate.
• North Atlantic Right Whale Consortium – Is a longstanding collaboration between scientists, conservationists, marine industry members and others.      

Global Tree Assessment

According the updated report of the Global Tree Assessment, More than a third of the world’s trees face extinction.

• The Global Tree Assessment is an initiative assessing the conservation status assessments for all the world’s tree species available on the IUCN Red List.
• It is led by Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) and the IUCN Species Survival Commission Global Tree Specialist Group. 
• It is a collaborative global initiative linking taxonomic, geographical, ecological and conservation information in support of biodiversity conservation policy and action.
• As of now, the Global Tree Assessment is the largest global project, resulting in IUCN Red List assessments of nearly 50,000 tree species carried out by more than 1,000 tree experts.
• In fact, over a quarter of all assessments on the updated IUCN Red List are now tree assessments.
• IUCN Red List assessments are important to be able to direct resources to take conservation action on species that urgently need it.
• Highlights of the report – The primary threats to trees globally are land clearing for agriculture, logging, pests, and diseases, which are especially prevalent in temperate regions.
• Iconic species like magnolias, oaks, maples, and ebonies are among the most endangered, reflecting a global biodiversity crisis impacting entire ecosystems.
• Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI) – Is a membership organisation, representing botanic gardens in more than 100 countries around the world.
• It is an independent UK charity established in 1987 to link the botanic gardens of the world in a global network for plant conservation.
• IUCN Species Survival Commission Global Tree Specialist Group (GTSG) – It is a global network of experts who, working in their own regions and institutions, all contribute to the conservation of globally threatened trees.
• The aims of the GTSG are to conserve tree species globally, by sharing knowledge and catalyse action to halt declines, restore populations and prevent extinctions.
• The GTSG is one of over 120 IUCN/SSC Specialist Groups and Red List Authorities.

Microcystin

• The microcystin is a toxin from algal blooms that can make animals and people sick when they come into contact with infected water.
• It can lead to:
  • Liver disease
  • Gut disease
  • Lung disease
  • Asthma (noted as showing "significant" inflammation increase)
• A recent research which was held at the Lake Erie, is located on the border of the United States and Canada.
• The most interesting new finding relates to aerosolization of the toxins, which can occur through:
  • Waves hitting rocks.
  • Boat activity.
  • Personal watercraft movement.
• Aerosolization is the process of dispersing a substance into the air as an aerosol, which is a mixture of liquid or gas and extremely small particles.

Expenditure of Elections

• The limit for the expenditure of Elections in India are set, from time to time, by the Election Commission (EC).
• The election expenditure limit for candidates is Rs 95 lakh per Lok Sabha constituency in larger States and Rs 75 lakh in smaller States.
• The election expenditure limit for the Legislative Assemblies is Rs 40 lakh and Rs 28 lakh for larger and smaller States respectively.
• There are no limits on the expenditure of political parties during elections.
• The Indrajit Gupta Committee (1998) and the Law Commission report (1999) have advocated for State funding of elections.

S.S Tarapore Committee is associated with Capital Account Convertibility (CAC).

• Challenges – Elections across the world democracies have become very expensive.
• Such increased expenditure that is met primarily through large donations creates an unholy nexus between the elected representatives and donors who seek favours.
• This acts as an entry barrier into electoral politics for many well-meaning citizens.
• In India, candidates from all major political parties breach the election expenditure limits by a wide margin.

Orvakal, Mawdiangdiang and Cano Cabra

• Orvakal – It is situated in the Kurnool district of Andhra Pradesh.
• The central government has recently approved Rs 2,786 crore to develop infrastructure in the Orvakal Mega Industrial Hub.
• Mawdiangdiang – Is a Village in Mylliem Block in East Khasi Hills District of Meghalaya State, India.
• Meghalaya CM has proposed Rs 2,500 crore budget for new administrative city in Mawdiangdiang.
• The city will include everything from road connectivity, water supply and infrastructure.
• Cano Cabra – Is a village In Colombia.
• Cocaine has sustained the small, remote Colombian village of Cano Cabra.