Appointment of CHIEF JUSTICE OF INDIA (CJI)

• Justice Sanjiv Khanna has been appointed as the next (51st) Chief Justice of India (CJI).
• The President of India appointed Justice Sanjiv Khanna as the next Chief Justice of India (CJI). This decision follows the recommendation from the current CJI, D Y Chandrachud.
• Justice Khanna, who is the senior-most judge in the Supreme Court, will take over from CJI Chandrachud on November 11, just a day after Chandrachud''s retirement. He is expected to serve as CJI for about six months until his own retirement on May 13, 2025.

How is the CJI Appointed?

• By convention, the senior-most judge of the Supreme Court becomes the CJI. This principle has been formalized in the Memorandum of Procedure (MoP), which outlines the process for appointing Supreme Court judges.
• According to the MoP, the appointment should be made for the “senior most judge of the Supreme Court considered fit” for the role. This guideline has been followed even before the MoP was established in 1999.
• The process starts when the Union Minister of Law and Justice asks the outgoing CJI for a recommendation about who should be the next CJI. This generally happens about a month before the current CJI retires. For example, CJI Chandrachud sent his recommendation to the government on October 17.
• After the recommendation is accepted, the Union Minister will present it to the Prime Minister, who advises the President on the appointment. Although the final decision lies with the government, it generally follows the CJI''s recommendation.

Evolution of the MoP

• The MoP''s development derived from several landmark Supreme Court cases—the First Judges Case (1981), Second Judges Case (1993), and Third Judges Case (1998). These cases established a collegium system for selecting judges, which involves the senior-most judges of the Supreme Court.
• The MoP was first drafted in 1999, it highlights how judges are appointed, and the roles of the government, the Supreme Court, and the High Courts in the appointment process. Notably, this process is a judicial innovation and not rooted in formal legislation or constitutional text.

Tenure of CJIs :

• He serves until the age of 65, with no fixed term in the Constitution, however, he can be removed through a constitutional process. According to Article 124(4), a chief justice can only be removed if both Houses of Parliament support this decision by a two-thirds majority, based on misconduct or incapacity.

Discovery of Two New Cities in Uzbekistan on the Silk Route

·        Archaeologists have discovered the remains of two medieval cities, Tugunbulak and Tashbulak, in the mountains of eastern Uzbekistan on the Silk Route.

·        Traditionally, the Silk Route was related to plains and river valleys, believed to be the most reachable paths for trade. 

·        However, these new towns in extended parts of Uzbekistan endorse that buyers also traversed more mountainous areas. 

·        Discovery of Two New Cities in Uzbekistan at the Silk Route

What is the Silk Route?

·        The Silk Route, additionally known as the Silk Road, changed into an ancient network of trade routes that connected the East (especially China) to the West (Europe and the Mediterranean). 

·        Spanning over 6,000 kilometers, the course facilitated the trade of goods, specifically silk, together with spices, precious metals, ceramics, and different treasured items.

·        It played a crucial function in the cultural, monetary, and political exchange among civilizations over centuries.

Emissions Gap report 2024.

•  The Emissions Gap Report 2024 has flagged that if countries continue with the present environmental policies, it would result in 3.1 degrees Celsius warming over pre-industrial levels.
• It is an annual report by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) being published since 2010.
• The report assesses the gap between current emissions and the reductions needed to limit warming to below 2°C or 1.5°C of the Paris Agreement goals.
• It provides science-based insights on future global emissions trends and their comparison with the climate goals.
• Each edition of the report highlights the key opportunities to bridge the emissions gap in the countries.
• The report is released annually before the UN Climate Change Conference (COP) to guide global negotiations.

Findings of the Emissions Gap Report 2024

• Urgent Need for Emission Reductions
• The report highlights that the governments need to cut annual greenhouse gas emissions by 42% by 2030 and 57% by 2035 in order to align with the 1.5°C goal of the Paris Agreement.
• The report forecasts that there will be a temperature rise between 2.6°C and 3.1°C by 2100 if current trends continue among the countries.
• As per the report, to stay within the 1.5°C limit, the emissions must decline by 7.5 per cent annually until 2035. This is a challenging task given that in 2023, the emissions reached a record 57.1 gigatons of CO2 equivalent.

Difficulty in meeting the targets

• Even the lowest projected 2.6°C increase in temperature would result in severe impacts on human lives, economies, and biodiversity.
• Delayed action requires greater emission cuts later and this will make it harder to meet climate goals.

Required Actions and Global Coordination

• Global mobilisation of funds and awareness for policy actions on a massive scale is necessary to strengthen climate pledges or Nationally Determined Climate goals.
• Countries must submit the updated NDC before COP30 in Brazil to enhance their ambition.
• Achieving Paris climate goals will require a 6 times higher mitigation investment and global financial system reforms, especially from G20 countries as they are responsible for 75% of global emissions.

Proposed Emission Reduction Pathways

• As per the report Reducing emissions by 52% by 2030 and down to 41 gigatons by 2035 is absolutely achievable at a cost below 200 dollars per ton of CO2.
• Key contributors to emission reductions for Emission Reduction Pathways are solar, wind energy, forest preservation (27%), and sectoral electrification and efficiency.

Common but Differentiated Responsibilities

• Largest emitters, especially the G20 countries, historically bear more responsibility, although the inclusion of the African Union in G20 just emphasises a shared but differentiated role.

Current Policy Projections and Conditional NDCs

• Full implementation of unconditional and conditional NDCs by the countries will only bring an emission reduction of 10% by 2030 and likely lead to a 2.6°C warming.
• Even with only the conditional NDCs, temperatures may still reach 2.8°C by the end of the century.

Call for Enhanced Climate Finance

• The report calls for international climate finance and support for developing countries to align climate action with development goals and also highlights the need for transparency and accountability in NDCs so as to ensure that they cover all GHGs and sectors.

India’s emission 

• As per the report, India’s FY23 GreenHouse Gas emissions increased by 6.1% which is the highest among all the years and among all the countries. 
• This is followed by China at 5.2%, while the US and EU emissions decreased by 1.4% and 7.5% respectively.
• India’s total emissions which were 4,140 MtCO₂e in absolute value remain lower than that of China at 16,000 MtCO₂e and the US at 5,970 MtCO₂e.

India Launches $25 Million G20 Pandemic Fund

• In a significant move towards enhancing public health preparedness, the Indian government has announced the implementation of a USD 25 million G20 Pandemic Fund.

 G20 Pandemic Fund

• The G20 Pandemic Fund focuses on developing comprehensive health coverage for livestock, particularly in the context of zoonotic diseases—those that can be transmitted from animals to humans, such as COVID-19.

The Fund aims to bolster India’s animal health security through a multifaceted approach:

• Enhancing Disease Surveillance: The fund will support the enhancement of disease surveillance systems, including genomic and environmental monitoring, which are crucial for early detection and response to potential outbreaks.
• Upgrading Laboratory Infrastructure: Significant investments will be directed towards upgrading and expanding animal health laboratories, thereby improving the country’s capacity to diagnose and manage animal diseases effectively.
• Facilitating Cross-Border Collaboration: By promoting international cooperation, the initiative seeks to establish an integrated system for monitoring and managing zoonotic diseases, which often cross borders.
• Building Institutional Capacity: The project aims to strengthen institutional frameworks at national and regional levels, including the development of disaster management strategies specifically for the livestock sector.
• Developing Human Capacity: Training programs will be established to enhance the skills and capabilities of professionals in the animal health field, fostering a more robust response to health crises.
• The fund will be implemented in partnership with esteemed organizations, including the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the World Bank, and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).

Zoonotic Disease

• Zoonotic disease is a disease that has passed into the human population from an animal source directly or through an intermediary species.
• Zoonotic infections can be bacterial, viral, or parasitic in nature, with animals playing a vital role in maintaining such infections.
• Examples of zoonoses include HIV-AIDS, Ebola, Lyme disease, malaria, rabies, West Nile fever, and the current novel coronavirus disease (COVID-19) disease.

India’s coking coal imports

• India’s coking coal imports have surged to a six-year high, reaching 57.89 million tonnes in FY 2023-24, a 6% increase from 54.45 million tonnes in FY 2022-23. 
• This rise is attributed to a combination of falling seaborne prices and heightened demand from the steel sector, driven by ongoing infrastructure projects. 
• Despite being the second-largest crude steel producer globally, India continues to rely heavily on imports, particularly from Australia, which supplies about 60% of its coking coal. 
• The government aims to enhance domestic production while diversifying import sources to mitigate supply risks.

India’s Expanding Space Program

• The Indian government has recently taken significant strides in advancing its space program, approving a series of ambitious projects that signal a new era of exploration. With plans for new missions to the Moon and Venus, along with a strong emphasis on collaboration with the private sector, India is poised to enhance its position in the global space arena.

Key Approvals and Missions

• The Union Cabinet approved several critical missions under the Gaganyaan human spaceflight program, including four missions aimed at testing technologies for India''s first space station, the Bharatiya Antariksh Station 1, expected to be operational by 2028.
• The Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) will conduct one uncrewed Gaganyaan flight in addition to two planned missions. This initiative is supported by an additional funding of Rs 11,170 crore.
• Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV): The Cabinet also greenlit the development of the Next Generation Launch Vehicle (NGLV), with an allocation of Rs 8,240 crore. This vehicle will be developed in collaboration with private industry to ensure a smooth transition to operational flights once testing is complete. The NGLV is expected to support a variety of future missions, including launching satellites into orbit.

Upcoming Space Missions

• Venus Orbiter Mission: Scheduled for launch in March 2028, this mission will cost Rs 1,236 crore and aims to study the planet’s harsh atmosphere and surface conditions.
• Chandrayaan-4: Planned as a sample-return mission, this project will involve launching components using two LVM-3 rockets. It is designed to gather lunar soil and rock samples and return them to Earth by 2027 at a cost of Rs 2,104 crore.
• Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX): A joint effort with Japan, this mission will utilize a new lander distinct from those used in previous Chandrayaan missions, facilitating future crewed lunar explorations.
• Infrastructure Expansion :The Space Commission has also approved the development of a third launch pad at Sriharikota, essential for testing and launching the NGLV, reflecting ISRO''s commitment to expanding its infrastructure to meet growing demands.
• Enhanced Surveillance and Training

The Cabinet Committee on Security approved the Space Based Surveillance (SBS) project, which involves constructing 21 satellites by ISRO and 31 by private companies, totaling ?26,968 crore. This marks a substantial increase from earlier phases of the project.

• In preparation for international missions, Indian astronaut Sudhanshu Shukla has begun training at SpaceX''s headquarters, getting ready for the Axiom-4 mission to the International Space Station.
• Satellite Collaborations (NISAR and Proba-3): India is gearing up for the launch of two important satellites:
• NISAR: A collaboration with NASA, this Earth-observation satellite recently received its radar antenna in India and is set to launch in early 2025 using a Geosynchronous Satellite Launch Vehicle.
• Proba-3: From the European Space Agency, this mission will study the Sun''s corona and is scheduled for a launch aboard a PSLV-XL vehicle.

Indians Lose ₹120 Crore to Digital Arrest Scams in Q1 2024 

What are Digital Arrest Scams?

• Digital arrest scams involve fraudulent individuals posing as government officials who contact victims via phone or video calls through platforms like WhatsApp and Skype.
• The scammers typically accuse the victims of involvement in illegal activities, such as drug trafficking or handling suspicious packages.
• To make their deception convincing, these scammers often use elaborate setups that mimic police stations and wear costumes that include official badges.
• They employ intimidation tactics, making victims believe they are under "digital arrest."
• The pressure builds during lengthy calls where the scammers outline dire consequences for non-compliance, culminating in demands for money as a means to secure the victim’s release or to stop the supposed legal proceedings

Government Response to Counter Digital Arrest Scams

• Establishment of I4C: The Indian Cybercrime Coordination Centre was created under the Ministry of Home Affairs to address the growing menace of cybercrime, including digital arrest scams.
• Blocking of Scammer IDs: In collaboration with tech companies like Microsoft, I4C has successfully blocked over 1,000 Skype IDs associated with these fraudulent activities.
• Awareness Campaigns: The government has launched initiatives to educate the public about the risks of such scams. Prime Minister Narendra Modi emphasized the role of educational institutions in spreading awareness.
• Inter-Ministerial Committee: In response to a spike in transnational organized cybercrime, particularly from Southeast Asian countries like Cambodia, the government has formed a committee comprising various law enforcement and intelligence agencies to tackle these threats.
• Reporting Mechanisms: Citizens are encouraged to report suspicious calls immediately by using the cybercrime helpline (1930) or by filing complaints on the official cybercrime website (http://www.cybercrime.gov.in). Local police should also be informed to aid in investigations.
•  Proactive Measures by CERT-IN and Law Enforcement: India’s Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-IN) has flagged thousands of fraudulent accounts and blocked video-calling IDs, SIM cards, and associated bank accounts used by these scammers

Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT-In)

• Information Technology Act, 2000 (the “IT Act”):  Empowers the Central Government to appoint the CERT-In to report cybercrime incidents. 
• Established in : 2004 
• Functional organization of:  Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Functions of CERT-In : 
• Issue guidelines, advisories, vulnerability notes and whitepapers relating to information security practices, procedures, prevention, response and reporting of cyber incidents.
• Legally mandatory to report on cyber security incidents:  It is mandatory for service providers, intermediaries, data centers and corporate bodies to report cyber security incidents to CERT-In within a reasonable time of occurrence of the incident
• Powers : CERT-In is empowered to call for information and issue directions to service providers, intermediaries, data centers, body corporates, and any other person. 

Mangroves and Cyclones

 Cyclone Dana, which made landfall close to Bhitarkanika National Park and Dhamra Port in Odisha did not cause significant damage as many had feared.

What are mangroves?

• Mangroves are salt-tolerant trees and shrubs typical of estuarine and intertidal regions, meaning they grow in areas where freshwater and saltwater meet. Mangroves have aerial, breathing roots and waxy, succulent leaves, and are flowering plants. 
• The Sundarbans (spread across India and Bangladesh) is the largest contiguous mangrove forest in the world. Mangrove seedlings called propagules germinate on the parent tree before falling into the waters and growing into a mangrove tree again.

How Mangroves Reduced Cyclones?

 Government Measures:

 NEED FOR FGD REGULATIONS IN INDIAN TPPs

• The recent memorandum from NITI Aayog has ignited a significant debate regarding the necessity of flue gas desulfurization (FGD) systems in India’s thermal power plants (TPPs). This discussion is crucial as India grapples with its status as the world’s largest emitter of sulfur dioxide (SO₂), primarily from coal combustion in TPP’s.

 Context of the Debate

• According to the NITI Ayog memorandum supported by the information gathered by the Council of Scientific & Industrial Research-National Environmental Engineering Research Institute (CSIR-NEERI), the need for further FGD provision is in doubt. 
• The CSIR-NEERI report found 467 monitoring stations where maximum permitted levels of SO₂ emissions were crossed and out of these, only 13 stations crossed the allowed limits in 2015. 

Contrasting Evidence

• Even as CSIR-NEERI has recommended a change of strategy towards regulation of PM, which often violates the legal limit, an analysis made with the help of satellite data by a team from IIT Delhi proposes a phased roll out of FGDs that seem to point to a higher actual emissions of SO₂ than declared by CSIR-NEERI. This difference illustrates a lesson that could be learned from the attempted use of one study in the formation of national policy; more particularly when health risks are involved.

 Key Details 

• The study aimed to assess the need for current flue gas desulfurization (FGD) regulations in Indian TPPs. 
• It concluded that SO₂ levels from 467 Central Control Room for Air Quality Management stations operated by CPCB and 486 sites managed by TPPs across India showed only 13 sites exceeded the prescribed limit of 80 micrograms per cubic metre and only in the fourth quartile (less than 25 per cent of data).
• IIT Delhi’s report, Study to Assess the Compliance of Thermal Power Plants in India to New SO₂ Emission Norms (2015) and Lay Out Phased Plan for FGD Implementation, recommended phased FGD implementation in thermal power plants (TPPs) across India based on SO₂ concentration data from AURA (OMI) Satellite and MERRA2 reanalysis (2015-2019).

Should FGD be installed?

• Installing FGD systems is costly, at Rs 1-2 crore per megawatts, leading to an added charge of 0.50-0.55 paise per unit, which increases electricity generation costs. 
• If FGD implementation continues, consumers may face additional costs, while coal power plants and regulators avoid accountability for market-driven technology prices.

Where is the SO₂?

• In 2023, India consumed approximately 1,155.3 million tonnes of coal, with the coal-based thermal power sector accounting for 826.64 million tonnes. Indian coal has a sulphur content ranging from 0.35 to 0.4 percent, which is relatively low compared to Chinese or Indonesian coal. 
• However, the calorific value (CV) of Indian coal is about half that of imported coal, leading to double the consumption for each MWe generated. During combustion, the sulphur in coal combines with oxygen, forming SO₂, which is released into the environment unless effective capture mechanisms are in place.
• The SO₂ emitted from coal combustion in India is transformed into sulphates in the atmosphere, which contributes to an increase in particulate matter (PM2.5). 
• India is the world’s largest emitter of sulfur oxides, emitting nearly two to three times as much as China, which has already implemented abatement measures in its power plants.

Why is it important to control SO₂ emissions?

• In 2019, India surpassed China to become the largest SO₂ emitter globally, emitting nearly twice the amount of Russia, the second-largest emitter. 
• SO₂, along with PM2.5 and PM10, poses severe health risks, increasing the likelihood of stroke, heart disease, lung cancer, and premature death. 
• Given the harmful effects of SO₂ on human health, controlling its emissions is crucial. SO₂ also reacts with nitrogen oxides (NOx) to form PM2.5 and PM1, both of which have serious health implications and contribute to haze. High NOx levels in Indian coal-fired power plants enhance the conversion of SO₂ into fine PM.
• According to the Ministry of Power, in 2024, FGDs were being installed in 537 units across the country’s coal-based TPPs. 
• The current status of FGD installation as per the ministry is as follows:
• FGD installed in 39 units (19,430 MW).
• Contracts awarded or installations underway in 238 units (105,200 MW).
• Units in various stages of tendering process: 139 units (42,847 MW).
• Units in the pre-tendering process: 121 units (36,683 MW).

Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD)

Thermal Power Plants in India

Raigad Fort

• The fort of Raigad is part of the 12 forts nominated for UNESCO World Heritage under the title “Maratha Military Landscapes of India”.
• Among the 12 nominated forts, Raigad is the classic example of Maratha architecture and best representation of the capital fort on a hill.
• India has officially nominated the Maratha military landscape for the inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage Sites List for the year 2024-25. 
• These forts were developed between the 17th and 19th century. 
• These forts were strategically built in diverse geographical regions including Sahyadri mountain ranges, Konkan Coast, Deccan Plateau and Eastern Ghats. 

List of Nominated Forts

• Salher
• Shivneri
• Lohagad
• Khanderi
• Raigad
• Rajgad
• Pratapgad
• Suvarnadurg
• Panhala
• Vijaydurg
• Sindhudurg
• Gingee (in Tamil Nadu)

 DURGRAJ RAIGAD

• Towering above the valleys of Maharashtra, Raigad Fort carries the echoes of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj’s reign. Once the capital of his flourishing Maratha Empire, this hilltop stronghold carries with it the stories of bravery, innovation, and heroism.
• Each stone of Raigad echoes the remarkable courage and visionary tactics of Shivaji Maharaj, whose leadership transformed this fort into a symbol of strength. Today, it continues to inspire, reminding generations of the extraordinary deeds that shaped the history of an empire.
•  Raigad, surrounded by valleys shaped by the Kal and Gandhari rivers, stands as an isolated massif without connections to neighbouring hills. Its impregnable nature, attributed to physiographic features like steep cliffs and 1500-foot escarpments, is underscored by innovative military defence tactics.
• Grant Duff, a British historian of the Maratha period has drawn parallels between Raigad and the Rock of Gibraltar. He has gone to the extent of labelling Raigad as the Gibraltar of the east.
• In 1653 CE, Raigad (then known as Rairi) was captured by the Maratha forces from the Mores''. In order to make the fort worthy of being a capital, Shivaji Maharaj assigned the work of reconstruction of the fort to Hiroji Indulkar.
• Subsquently, on 6th June, 1674 CE a grand coronation ceremony of Shivaji Maharaj was held on Raigad post, during which he attained the title of “Chhatrapati”. The fort served as the second capital of Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj and played an important role in the administration and expansion of the Maratha Kingdom
• Raigad Fort is remarkable for magnificently designed gates, fortification walls and imposing monuments. It is quite unfortunate that except Shivaji Maharaj''s Samadhi, Naqqar Khana, Sirkai Devi Temple, Jagadishwar Temple – a shrine dedicated to Lord Siva - most of the structures located within the fort, including the Hall of Public Audience (Rajsadar), Royal Complex, Queens'' palace (Ranivasa), Bazarpeth, Manore (pleasure pavilions), Wadeshwar Temple, Khublada Burj, Massid Morcha, Nanne Darwaza are in a bad state of preservation.

UNESCO World Heritage Site

• World Heritage sites are the areas with legal protection by an International Convention administered under UNESCO for their cultural, historical, or scientific significance
• As per the ‘Convention concerning the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage’ of 1972, UNESCO aims to encourage the identification, protection and prevention of cultural and natural sites around the world. India ratified the Convention in 1977
• A World Heritage Site can be either cultural or natural areas/objects included in the UNESCO’s World Heritage List for having “outstanding universal value.”

How sites are included in the list?

Step 1: A country needs to list its significant cultural and natural sites into a document known as a tentative list. 

Step 2: The sites selected from the tentative list move into the nomination file, which is then evaluated by the International Council on Monuments and Sites and the World Conservation Union. A site that was not first included in the tentative list cannot be nominated. 

Step 3: The two bodies then make their recommendations to the World Heritage Committee, which consists of diplomatic representatives from 21 countries. The committee meets each year to decide whether a nominated site can be included in the World Heritage Site list, the committee makes the final decision.

A site can lose its status when the World Heritage Committee found that it is not properly maintained or protected. It is first placed in the list of World Heritage in Danger as the committee attempts to find a remedy involving the local authorities. If any remedies fail, the status is removed

Similipal Tiger Reserve

·        Odisha is set to get its first tiger from Maharashtra under a big cat relocation project intended at improving the genetic diversity of the Tigers in the Similipal landscape.

·        First-Ever Tiger Relocation from Maharashtra to Odisha with Radio-Tracking

·        Source and Destination: A female tiger from Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in Maharashtra is being transported to Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) in Odisha.

·        Significance: This relocation is the first such project between Odisha and Maharashtra, following the suspension of an earlier tiger relocation program between Odisha and Madhya Pradesh in 2019.

·        Radio-Collaring: The relocated tiger will be equipped with a radio collar to allow continuous tracking and monitoring of its movement within STR

Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR)

·        Located in Chandrapur district, Maharashtra.

·        Named after the god “Tadoba” or “Taru,” worshipped by indigenous tribes in the dense forests of Tadoba and Andhari.

·        “Andhari” refers to the Andhari River, which flows through the forest.

·        Linked by corridor connections with Nagzira-Navegaon and Pench Tiger Reserves in Maharashtra.

·        Vegetation type: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous forest.

·        Contains two lakes and one waterway: Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, and the Tadoba River.

·        Designated as Maharashtra’s second Tiger Reserve in 1993-94.

 Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR)

·        Designated as a Tiger Reserve in 1956; included in Project Tiger in 1973 and declared a Biosphere Reserve in 1994.

·        Recognized as part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009.

·        Forms part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve (Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve), which encompasses three protected areas: Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife Sanctuary, and Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary.

·        Location: Situated in northern Odisha’s Mayurbhanj district, at the eastern edge of the Eastern Ghats.

·        Tribes: Home to the Erenga Kharias and Mankirdias tribes, who engage in traditional agriculture and collect seeds and timber.

·        Unique feature: The only place in the world where melanistic (black) tigers are found.

·        Fauna: Includes leopard, gaur, elephant, langur, barking deer, spotted deer, sloth bear, mongoose, and flying squirrel.         

The Great-Eared Nightjar

• In the thick forests of Southeast Asia, the Great Eared Nightjar reminds people of a dragon from ancient folklore. They are birds with nocturnal habits and it is named so because its calls which are are often described as jarring.
• It is the Second heaviest species in the family Caprimulgidae, after Nacunda Nighthawk.
• Scientific Name : Lyncornis macrotis  Common Name: Great Eared Nightjar
• Physical Features : They are very large nightjars with long barred wings and a barred tail. They have long ear-tufts, with a white throat band. However, they lack white patches on the wings or tail
• Behaviour : They are nocturnal and active at dusk and night.They are known for their distinctive call which is the sharp "tsiik," pause, which is followed by the two-syllable "ba-haaww"
• Subspecies : They exist in five subspecies.
• These are:
• L. m. cerviniceps: They are found in Bangladesh, NE India, southern China, Indochina and the northern Malay Peninsula.
• L. m. bourdilloni: They are restricted to South West India
• L. m. macrotis: They are found in the Philippines, except far west of Visayas, Palawan group and the Sulu Archipelago.
• L. m. jacobsoni: They are found on Simeulue island in Indonesia.
• L. m. macropterus: Sulawesi, Sangihe and Talaud Islands, Banggai, and Sula Island of Indonesia are the places where they are found
• Distribution: They are found in South Asia and Southeast Asia, including the Western Ghats (India) and Sri Lanka. India, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam are the countries where they are found
• Habitat :They are found  in subtropical or moist lowland tropical forests
• Conservation status :IUCN: Least Concern