Justice KS Puttaswamy, petitioner in right to privacy case, passes away at 98.

Law for Right to Privacy

• India
  • Supreme Court in  K.S. Puttaswamy v. Union of India case in 2017  ruled that ‘Right to Privacy is a fundamental and inalienable right’ with reasonable restrictions.
    • It is protected as an intrinsic part of the right to life and personal liberty (Article 21).
• Global
  • Article 12 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 1948 and Article 17 of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), 1966, legally protect persons against “arbitrary interference” with one’s privacy.

Recently, Custodians of herbal traditional knowledge from Jammu & Kashmir and Gujarat were granted herbal patents.

About Indigenous herbal knowledge

• Knowledge holders interact within their ecological system and possess deep understanding of local flora accumulated through experiences, experiments and wisdom.
• In India, of the 17,000 species of higher plants, 7500 are known for medicinal uses (highest proportion of plants known for their medical purposes in any country).

Initiatives to protect traditional knowledge in India: Traditional knowledge digital library; National IPR Policy 2018, etc.

Recently, a new complex of India's first Biomanufacturing Institute, named BRIC-NABI, was inaugurated at Mohali (Punjab).

About BRIC-NABI

• Formed through the strategic merger of National Agri-Food Biotechnology Institute (NABI) and the Centre of Innovative and Applied Bioprocessing (CIAB).
• Funded by: Department of Biotechnology
• Aims: 
  • Promote cutting-edge research in genetic manipulation, metabolic pathways, etc.
  • Address India’s biomanufacturing gap by creating large-scale production facilities and nurturing startups.

A recent study shows evidence of turmeric adulteration with lead chromate across South Asia

About Turmeric 

• It is a rhizomatous herb,which is cultivated extensively in Asia, India, China, and other countries with a tropical climate.
  • A rhizomatous herb is a plant with a horizontal, underground stem called a rhizome.
• The aqueous extract of Turmeric has bio-pesticidal properties.
• Used as condiments, a dye and as an aromatic stimulant in several medicines.
• India is the largest producer of turmeric in the world and shares 80% of total world production.
• Cultivation States: Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Orissa, Tamil Nadu, Karnataka and Kerala.

The Prime Minister said over 60,000 Amrit Sarovars were constructed across villages for future generations.

Mission Amrit Sarovar

• Mission Amrit Sarovar was launched in 20222, as part of India's "Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav" celebrations for the 75th year of independence.
• Aim: Every district of the country will construct or rejuvenate at least 75 Amrit Sarovars with a pondage area of at least 1 acre.
• Mission focuses on water conservation, people’s participation and proper utilization of soil excavated from the water bodies.
• There is no separate financial allocation for the Mission. 

Over 40 migratory birds died at Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan

About Sambhar Lake

• The name "Sambhar" is derived from Shakambhari, the 2,500-year-old tutelary deity of the Chauhan Rajputs.
• Wetland: It is India’s largest saline lake.
  • Also a Ramsar Site (designated in 1990), recognized for its international ecological importance.
• Biodiversity: Attracts tens of thousands of migratory birds, including flamingos, from northern Asia and Siberia from November to February.

Studies found that the Island of Taiwan is highly suitable for reintroduction of the species.

About Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa)

• Physical features: They have distinct cloud shaped patches on their pale-yellow to brown coloured fur that camouflages them in dense forests.
• Habitat and Ecology: Found in south-east Asia including India, China, Malaysia etc.

• Prefers dense evergreen forest

• Conservation Status: 
  • IUCN: Vulnerable
  • CITES: Appendix I
  • Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I

Workshop for drafting Ayurveda Process Handbook concludes at NCISM.

About NCISM

• Genesis: It is a statutory body constituted under NCISM Act, 2020. 
• Composition: 19 members (including 1 chairman, 15 Ex Officio members, and 3 part time members)
• Aim and objective
  • Improve access to quality and affordable Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha and Sowa-Rigpa (AUS&SR) medical education.
  • Ensure availability of adequate and high quality AUS&SR medical professionals in all parts of the country.
  • Maintain a National AUS&SR medical register for India.