Why in News?

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended including the Pygmy Hog in the list of critically endangered species under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) recovery programme.

About Pygmy Hog

The Pygmy Hog is the smallest and rarest species of wild pig. It is unusual among mammals because it builds its own nest with a roof, providing shelter within its grassland habitat.

It is an important indicator species, as its presence reflects the ecological health of its primary grassland habitat.

Habitat and Distribution

The Pygmy Hog prefers undisturbed tall-grass habitats, particularly early-succession riverine grasslands containing dense grasses along with herbs, shrubs and young trees.

Currently, the species survives only in the grasslands of Manas and Orang National Parks in Assam.

Food and Ecological Role

The Pygmy Hog feeds mainly on roots, tubers, shoots and ground vegetation, along with worms and other invertebrates.

Its digging and foraging activities aerate the soil and improve soil quality. It also contributes to seed dispersal, thereby supporting grassland ecosystem functioning.

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Critically Endangered

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH)

The Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme that provides financial assistance to States for the protection of wildlife and habitats.

Major Components

The scheme focuses on support to Protected Areas, including National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, Conservation Reserves and Community Reserves.

It also supports the protection of wildlife outside Protected Areas and provides recovery programmes for critically endangered species and their habitats.

Why in News?

A Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) has been photographed for the first time in the Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.

Location and Establishment

The Dhauladhar Wildlife Sanctuary is located in Kangra district of Himachal Pradesh and was established in 1994. The sanctuary covers an altitude range of approximately 1,600–4,500 metres above sea level.

Geographical Features

The sanctuary is dominated by the Dhauladhar and Bara Bhangal ranges, which occupy a major portion of its natural landscape. Its terrain consists of large bare granite rocks and snow-covered peaks, giving it a predominantly high-altitude environment.

Vegetation and Flora

The sanctuary mainly has Western Mixed Coniferous Forest vegetation. Important plant species include Deodar, Fir, Spruce, Blue Pine and Oak, along with extensive alpine pastures.

Fauna

The sanctuary supports several high-altitude species, including Musk Deer, Himalayan Black Bear, Serow, Himalayan Weasel and Himalayan Palm Civet. Important birds found here include the Cheer Pheasant, Western Tragopan and Speckled Wood-Pigeon.

Snow Leopard

The Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) is a high-altitude carnivore adapted to cold, rugged mountain environments. Its first photographic record in the sanctuary highlights the biodiversity value of the Dhauladhar landscape and the importance of conserving high-altitude habitats

Why in News?

Border trade through Nathu La Pass has recently resumed after remaining suspended for six years due to the COVID-19 pandemic and India–China border tensions.

Location

Nathu La Pass is a Himalayan mountain pass located in Sikkim, about 54 km east of Gangtok. It connects Sikkim with the Tibet Autonomous Region of China.

Key Features

The name “Nathu” means “listening ears”, while “La” means “pass” in Tibetan. Situated at an elevation of around 4,310 metres, Nathu La forms part of an offshoot of the ancient Silk Road and is among the highest motorable roads in the world.

The pass is guarded by Indian and Chinese soldiers on their respective sides. It is also one of the three designated open trading border posts between India and China, along with Shipki La in Himachal Pradesh and Lipulekh in Uttarakhand.

Historical Significance

Nathu La was sealed after the 1962 India–China War and was reopened in 2006 following several bilateral agreements between India and China. Border trade through the pass is restricted to a specified list of commodities, including silk, clothes, yak hair and yak tails.

Access

The pass is accessible to Indian citizens with a permit, which can be obtained in Gangtok.

Why in News?

The Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport, Tourism and Culture has raised concerns over the slow pace of manuscript digitisation under the Gyan Bharatam Mission (GBM), the flagship manuscript-preservation initiative of the Ministry of Culture.

Current Progress and Targets

So far, only around 7.5 lakh manuscripts have been digitised. The government has set an interim target of 20 lakh manuscripts by 31 March 2027. The broader mission aims to digitise 1 crore manuscripts by 2030.

About Gyan Bharatam Mission

The Gyan Bharatam Mission was announced in the Union Budget 2025–26 to preserve, digitise and disseminate India’s vast manuscript heritage by combining traditional knowledge with modern technology.

It has been approved as a Central Sector Scheme for 2024–31 with a total financial outlay of ₹482.85 crore.

Background

The Mission builds upon the National Mission for Manuscripts (NMM), launched in 2003. The NMM has documented more than 44.07 lakh manuscripts in the Kriti Sampada repository.

National Digital Repository

A key objective of GBM is to establish a National Digital Repository (NDR) that will provide global digital access to India’s manuscript heritage and facilitate preservation, research and knowledge sharing.

Significance

The Mission seeks to connect India’s manuscript heritage with education, research and digital technology, while enabling global knowledge exchange. It supports the broader vision of “Virasat aur Vikas” and Viksit Bharat @2047.

Why in News?

India has launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Other Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) of India at the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) of the UNCCD in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

About the Guide

The guide provides a comprehensive account of India’s grasslands, savannas, deserts, scrublands, ravines, rocky plateaus and other open natural ecosystems. It documents their geographical characteristics, ecological features, biodiversity and associated communities.

Major Ecosystems Covered

The guide covers diverse landscapes such as the Himalayan and Terai grasslands, Thar and Banni landscapes, Deccan savannas, Aravalli scrublands, Yamuna-Chambal ravines, Western Ghats rocky plateaus, Central Nicobar grasslands and Tamil Nadu’s Theri Kaadu.

Correcting the ‘Wasteland’ Perception

A key message of the guide is that lack of tree cover does not mean lack of ecological value. Grasslands, scrublands, ravines and other ONEs are distinct naturally occurring ecosystems with significant ecological and socio-economic importance.

Ecological Importance

ONEs support rich biodiversity and contribute to soil and water processes, carbon sequestration and climate resilience. They provide important habitats for species such as the Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican, Bengal Florican, Indian Wolf and Blackbuck.

Livelihood Significance

These ecosystems support pastoral, livestock-based and agricultural communities. Traditional landscapes such as Orans and Gauchars demonstrate long-standing forms of community-based management of grazing lands.

Science-Based Restoration

The guide calls for improved scientific understanding, land-degradation assessment and landscape-level planning for the conservation and restoration of ONEs. Such approaches can also contribute to India’s Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) targets.

Institutional Collaboration

The guide was developed under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) in collaboration with organisations including Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) and the IUCN.

Global Significance

The launch at UNCCD COP17 provides India an opportunity to highlight the importance of open natural ecosystems in global discussions on land restoration, rangelands and Land Degradation Neutrality.

Why in News?

The Indian Army contingent has departed for Surat Thani, Thailand, to participate in the 15th edition of India–Thailand Joint Military Exercise MAITREE-XV (2026).

About Exercise MAITREE

Exercise MAITREE is a bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and Royal Thai Army. It aims to strengthen military cooperation, interoperability, mutual trust and camaraderie between the two forces.

Evolution of the Exercise

The exercise was launched in 2006 as the Thai-Indian Cooperation Field Exercise (TICAFE) and was renamed MAITREE, meaning “Friendship”, in 2013. It is conducted alternately in India and Thailand. After a five-year gap following 2019, the exercise resumed in 2024.

Participation

The 2026 edition involves 85 personnel from each country. The Indian contingent is represented mainly by the 9 Gorkha Rifles, while Thailand is represented by the 3rd Battalion, 25th Infantry Brigade, 5th Division.

Operational Focus

The company-level exercise focuses on joint counter-insurgency and counter-terrorism operations in jungle and semi-urban/suburban terrain. The operations are conducted under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.

Training and Activities

The exercise includes field exercises, combat discussions, lectures, demonstrations and tactical drills, culminating in a validation exercise. Both sides also undertake joint planning and tactical training to improve operational coordination.

Technology and Knowledge Exchange

The participating forces will exchange operational experiences and showcase contemporary military equipment and technologies used in joint operations. This promotes greater interoperability and coordination between the two armies.

Significance

The 2026 edition marks 20 years of Exercise MAITREE since its launch in 2006. It further strengthens the longstanding India–Thailand defence partnership and enhances the ability of both armies to conduct joint counter-terrorism and counter-insurgency operations.