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Recently, seven endangered Golden Langurs (Trachypithecus geei), rescued from wildlife traffickers, were released into Sikhna Jwhwlao National Park in Assam, strengthening conservation efforts for this rare primate.

About

The Golden Langur (Trachypithecus geei), also known as Gee's Golden Langur, is an Old World monkey endemic to the Indo-Bhutan region. It is renowned for its golden to creamy-yellow fur, which makes it one of the most distinctive and visually striking primates in the world.

The species was scientifically described by Edward Pritchard Gee, after whom it derives its common name.

Distribution

The Golden Langur has an extremely restricted distribution, occurring only in a narrow geographical corridor comprising western Assam in India and the foothills of southern Bhutan.

Its range is naturally bounded by four geographical features: the foothills of Bhutan in the north, the Manas River in the east, the Sankosh River in the west, and the Brahmaputra River in the south.

Habitat

Golden Langurs inhabit moist evergreen forests, tropical deciduous forests, riverine forests, and savanna woodlands. They are highly arboreal, spending most of their lives in the upper forest canopy, and depend heavily on continuous forest cover for movement and survival.

The species occurs from near sea level in southern Assam to elevations of about 3,000 metres in the foothills of Bhutan.

Characteristics

The Golden Langur is a diurnal and arboreal primate, remaining active during the day and rarely descending to the ground.

Its fur colour changes seasonally, varying from golden-yellow to creamy or pale white depending on climatic conditions. Infant Golden Langurs are almost pure white, gradually acquiring the characteristic golden coat as they mature.

Conservation Status

The Golden Langur is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List due to its restricted distribution, habitat fragmentation, deforestation, and illegal wildlife trade.

It is listed under Appendix I of CITES, providing the highest level of international protection against commercial trade.

In India, the species receives the highest legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, now Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, as amended by the Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022.

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The Union Home Minister is scheduled to chair the 10th Apex-Level Meeting of the Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) in New Delhi to review and strengthen India's strategy against drug trafficking and substance abuse.

About

• The Narco-Coordination Centre (NCORD) is an institutional mechanism established by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) in 2016 to ensure effective coordination among the Central Government, State Governments, and law enforcement agencies in combating the drug menace.

• The mechanism was strengthened in 2019 through the introduction of a four-tier coordination structure, enabling better implementation of anti-narcotics measures at the national, state, and district levels.

• Its primary objective is to enhance coordination, intelligence sharing, communication, and cooperation among various stakeholders for a comprehensive and integrated approach to drug law enforcement, prevention, and rehabilitation.

Objectives

NCORD seeks to strengthen the fight against narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances by improving inter-agency coordination, facilitating real-time intelligence sharing, monitoring drug trafficking networks, promoting awareness programmes, and ensuring effective implementation of the Narcotic Drugs and Psychotropic Substances (NDPS) Act, 1985.

Structure

• The Apex-Level NCORD Committee is headed by the Union Home Secretary and provides overall policy direction and strategic oversight.

• The Executive-Level NCORD Committee is chaired by the Special Secretary, Ministry of Home Affairs, and coordinates operational matters among various Central agencies.

• The State-Level NCORD Committees are headed by the Chief Secretaries of the respective States and Union Territories to ensure effective implementation of anti-drug measures at the state level.

• The District-Level NCORD Committees are chaired by the District Magistrates, who coordinate enforcement, awareness, rehabilitation, and monitoring activities at the district level.

Major Initiatives

Mission SPANDAN

Mission SPANDAN is an awareness initiative launched under the NCORD framework that promotes partnerships with spiritual and religious institutions to educate society about the harmful effects of drug abuse and encourage community participation in prevention.

MANAS Helpline

The MANAS (Madak Padarth Nishedh Asuchna Kendra) Helpline, with the toll-free number 1933, has been launched to enable citizens to report drug trafficking anonymously, seek information, and support anti-drug enforcement efforts.

Significance

NCORD serves as the nodal coordination mechanism for India's anti-narcotics strategy by integrating the efforts of Central Ministries, State Governments, law enforcement agencies, intelligence organisations, and local administration. It strengthens India's capacity to combat drug trafficking, organized crime, and substance abuse, while promoting public awareness and rehabilitation.

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Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL) has recently secured a contract worth ₹1,109.37 crore from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) for the supply of launchers for the HELINA (Helicopter-Launched NAG) anti-tank guided missile system, strengthening India's indigenous defence capabilities.

About HELINA Missile

• HELINA (Helicopter-Launched NAG) is an indigenously developed third-generation, Fire-and-Forget Anti-Tank Guided Missile (ATGM).

• It is the helicopter-launched version of the Nag Anti-Tank Guided Missile and has been developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO).

• The Indian Air Force version of the missile is known as Dhruvastra, while a separate man-portable ATGM variant has also been developed for infantry use.

Features

• The HELINA missile is approximately 1.94 metres long, has a diameter of 150 mm, and weighs around 44 kg.

• It is integrated with two twin launchers, mounted on either side of the helicopter, enabling the platform to carry up to eight missiles.

• The missile has an effective engagement range of 500 metres to 7 kilometres, allowing helicopters to engage enemy armoured vehicles from a safe stand-off distance.

• HELINA is equipped with an Imaging Infrared (IIR) Seeker featuring Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL) capability. This enables the crew to identify and lock onto the target before launch, after which the missile autonomously tracks and destroys the target without further guidance.

Operational Capabilities

• HELINA follows a Top-Attack Flight Profile, in which the missile climbs after launch and then strikes the top of the enemy tank, targeting its weakest armour.

• The missile employs Fire-and-Forget technology, eliminating the need for continuous operator guidance after launch and allowing the launch platform to disengage immediately.

• It is capable of operating during both day and night, in all-weather conditions, and can effectively destroy modern main battle tanks equipped with conventional armour as well as Explosive Reactive Armour (ERA).

Significance

HELINA significantly enhances the anti-armour capability of the Indian Armed Forces by providing a highly accurate, indigenous, and advanced stand-off weapon system. Developed under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative, it reduces dependence on imported anti-tank missile systems and strengthens India's indigenous defence manufacturing ecosystem.

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A bronze statue of Maharishi Sushruta, revered as the Father of Surgery, was recently unveiled at the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, United Kingdom, in recognition of his pioneering contributions to the field of surgery.

About Maharishi Sushruta

• Maharishi Sushruta is regarded as the "Father of Surgery" and one of the greatest physicians in the history of Ayurveda. He is also widely recognized as the "Father of Indian Medicine" for his pioneering contributions to surgical science (Shalya Tantra) and ancient medical practice.

• According to medical scholars, Sushruta lived between approximately 600 BCE and 1000 BCE, with many historians placing him around the 6th century BCE.

• He is believed to have been a disciple of Lord Dhanvantari, who is revered in Ayurveda as the God of Medicine, and he taught and practiced medicine in Varanasi (Kashi), one of the foremost centres of learning in ancient India.

Sushruta Samhita

• The Sushruta Samhita is the most celebrated work of Maharishi Sushruta and remains one of the foundational texts of Ayurveda and surgery. Composed more than 2,500 years ago, it serves as the principal source of knowledge on ancient Indian surgical science.

• The text consists of 184 chapters and describes more than 300 surgical procedures, making it one of the earliest and most comprehensive surgical treatises in the world.

• It provides detailed descriptions of over 120 surgical instruments, various types of wounds, fractures, dislocations, diseases, and their treatment methods. In addition to surgery, it also covers subjects such as toxicology, paediatrics, pharmacology, anatomy, and other branches of Ayurveda.

• The treatise further documents more than 100 medicinal plants, explaining their properties, therapeutic uses, taste, and medicinal effects, thereby serving as a comprehensive medical encyclopedia of ancient India.

Major Contributions

• Maharishi Sushruta pioneered several advanced surgical techniques that were centuries ahead of their time. He is especially renowned for performing rhinoplasty (reconstructive surgery of the nose), which earned India worldwide recognition in the field of plastic and reconstructive surgery.

• His works also describe procedures such as the removal of a dead fetus, lithotomy for removing bladder stones, treatment of fractures and dislocations, and numerous other complex surgical operations.

• Sushruta developed innovative methods for the dissection of human cadavers, emphasizing direct observation as an essential component of medical education. His systematic approach to anatomy greatly enhanced the understanding of the human body.

• He also advocated the use of herbal anaesthetics, emphasized sterilization, postoperative care, wound management, and rehabilitation, and introduced a structured methodology for surgical practice.

Contribution to Medical Education

Maharishi Sushruta strongly believed that practical training was indispensable for becoming a competent surgeon. He insisted on cadaver dissection, hands-on surgical practice, and meticulous documentation of medical knowledge.

His emphasis on clinical observation, practical experience, ethical medical practice, and scientific documentation laid the foundation for modern surgical education and training.

Global Significance

The surgical principles and techniques described in the Sushruta Samhita spread beyond India and significantly influenced the development of reconstructive surgery, orthopaedics, ophthalmology, and general surgery in different parts of the world.

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Recent scientific data indicates that since the mid-1990s, the Caspian Sea has lost approximately 24,000 km² of surface area, while its water level has declined by nearly two metres, primarily due to climate change, rising temperatures, and reduced river inflows, raising concerns about biodiversity, fisheries, and regional economies.

About

The Caspian Sea is the world's largest enclosed inland water body, completely surrounded by land. Although it is called a sea because of its large size and saline water, it is technically the largest lake on Earth.

It is situated between Europe and Asia, forming an important geographical and economic link between the two continents. The name "Caspian" is derived from the ancient Kaspi people, who once inhabited the region west of the sea.

Geographical Features

The Caspian Sea is an endorheic basin, meaning it has no natural outlet to the world's oceans. Water entering the basin is lost primarily through evaporation, making its water level highly sensitive to climatic variations.

The salinity of the Caspian Sea varies considerably, with the northern region containing almost fresh water, while the southern basin is significantly more saline.

Bordering Countries

The Caspian Sea is bordered by Russia and Azerbaijan to the west, Kazakhstan to the north, Turkmenistan to the east, and Iran to the south.

Major Rivers

The principal rivers draining into the Caspian Sea are the Volga, Ural, and Terek, all of which enter from the northern side.

Among these, the Volga River is the largest contributor, supplying nearly 80% of the total freshwater inflow into the Caspian Sea.

Important Cities

The largest city located on the Caspian coast is Baku, the capital of Azerbaijan, which serves as a major centre for the oil and gas industry.

Another important coastal city is Nowshahr in Iran, situated along the southern coast.

Major Islands

Prominent islands in the Caspian Sea include Chechen, Tyuleny, Morskoy, Kulaly, Zhiloy, and Ogurchin.

Economic Importance

The Caspian Sea possesses some of the world's largest offshore reserves of oil and natural gas, making it one of the most strategically important energy regions globally.

Apart from hydrocarbons, it supports commercial fisheries, particularly the sturgeon, which is the primary source of the world's famous caviar. It also plays a vital role in regional transportation, trade, and maritime connectivity.