A tribe out of time: how Chenchus have been caught between ancestral past and uncertain future in Andhra Pradesh

The Chenchus of Penukumadugu, traditionally hunter-gatherers, who lived in the dense Nallamala forests of Andhra Pradesh face dwindling employment opportunities under MGNREGA.

 Chenchus Tribe

• The Chenchus are a small, migratory tribal community.
• Predominantly found in Andhra Pradesh and Odisha, 
• These are among the 12 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in Andhra Pradesh.

Lifestyle and Occupation

• The Chenchus traditionally depend on hunting and gathering for sustenance rather than agriculture.
• They are known for their skills in bamboo cutting and honey collection..
• They mainly cultivate tobacco, maize, and millet but rely heavily on natural resources for their diet.
• Many Chenchus have moved towards agricultural and forest work due to the influence of non-tribal communities

Demographics and Language

• The Chenchus numbered approximately 59,000 at the beginning of the 21st century.
• They predominantly speak Telugu, a Dravidian language, and have distinct dialects such as Chenchucoolam and Chenswar.
• Their physical characteristics include being shorter in stature, with a flat nose and wavy black hair.

Social Structure and Family

• Chenchu families are typically small.
• Men and women enjoy equal status.
• They practice exogamous marriages, allowing individuals to choose their partners freely.

An Annual Review by IRENA 

 A report by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and the International Labour Organization (ILO) highlighted the achievements of India’s RE sector. 

Key Findings 

• The renewable energy (RE) workforce increased to 16.2 million globally in 2022 from 13.7 million.
• An estimated 1.02 million jobs in India will be related to renewable energy in 2023.
• Hydropower was India’s largest employer in the renewable sector, providing around 453,000 jobs and accounting for 20% of the global total, second only to China.
• India added 9.7 GW of solar PV capacity in 2023 and ranked fifth globally for new installations and cumulative capacity, which reached 72.7 GW by the end of the year.
• India is the second-largest PV manufacturer globally after China. In 2023, India had a cumulative installed wind power capacity of 44.7 GW, ranking fourth globally.

International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA)

• It is an intergovernmental organisation mandated to facilitate cooperation, advance knowledge, and promote RE adoption and sustainable use. It was first suggested by 1980 Brandt Report activities.
• It is the first international organisation to focus exclusively on RE. It has observer status with UN.
• As of July 2022, 168 states and the EU are members of IRENA. India is a founding Member.
• HQ: Abu Dhabi.
• United Nations General Assembly declared January 26 as the International Day of Clean Energy 

 Banjara Virasat Museum

 PM inaugurated the Banjara Virasat Museum in Poharadevi at Washim,  Maharashtra.

• The Prime Minister also paid floral tribute to the memorials of Banjara leaders Sant Sevalal Maharaj and Sant Ramrao Maharaj.
• He also played the Nangara, a key musical instrument of the Banjara culture.

Historical Significance

• Resistance Against British Rule: The Banjara community played a significant role in resisting British attempts to seize their lands and force them into labour.
• Legal Challenges: Despite their resistance, the Banjara community faced legal challenges, being listed under the Criminal Tribes Act in 1871 They were eventually denotified in the 1950s.
• But were later listed under the Habitual Offenders Act in 1952

 The Banjara Community

• The Banjara community, often referred to as Gypsies, has a rich and vibrant history rooted in nomadic traditions. 
• Derived from the words “Vanaj“ (to trade) and “Jara” (to travel), their nomadic lifestyle played a crucial role in connecting villages and providing essential supply.
• Geographical Spread: The Banjara community has deep roots in Rajasthan and is now spread across various states, known by different names such as Lambada or Lambadi in Andhra Pradesh, Lambani in Karnataka, Gwar or Gwaraiya in Rajasthan, and more. 
• Language: Their unique language, “Gorboli” or “Gor mati Boli,” falls under the Indo-Aryan language category.

Nangara

• The nangara is a unique and essential musical instrument closely associated with the Banjara community
• Material: Nangaras can be made from various materials, including wood, metal, or even goat or buffalo skin.
• Cultural Significance: It is often played during celebrations, rituals, and social gatherings of the Banjara Community.
• Accompaniment: The nangara is often used to accompany singing, dancing, and storytelling.
• Symbol of Identity: The nangara serves as a symbol of Banjara identity and heritage. It is a reminder of their nomadic lifestyle and rich cultural traditions .

Sant Sevalal Maharaj

• Birth and Origin: Born on February 15, 1739, in Surgondankoppa, Karnataka, Sant Sevalal Maharaj was a prominent figure in the Banjara community.
• Social Reformer and Spiritual Teacher: He is revered as a social reformer and spiritual teacher who played a crucial role in uplifting the Banjara community.
• Widespread Influence: With a following of around 10-12 crore Banjara people across India, his teachings and influence extended far and wide.
• Serving Nomadic Tribes: Sant Sevalal Maharaj travelled extensively with his Ladeniya Troup to serve forest dwellers and nomadic tribes.
• Ayurveda and Naturopathy Expertise: His knowledge of Ayurveda and Naturopathy helped dispel myths and superstitions, leading to reforms in tribal lifestyles.
• Impact on Banjara Community: The Banjara community, settled across various states with different names, abandoned their nomadic lifestyle and established permanent settlements called Tandas, influenced by Sant Sevalal Maharaj’s teaching

International Medical Device Regulators Forum (IMDRF)

 India becomes an affiliate member of International Medical Device Regulators Forum ( IMDRF).

IMDRF:

• Nature of Grouping: It is a voluntary group comprising medical device regulators from various countries.
• Establishment: The IMDRF was formed in 2011.
• Goal of IMDRF: To accelerate international medical device regulatory harmonisation and convergence. 
• Foundation of GHTF: The IMDRF builds upon the foundational work of the Global Harmonization Task Force on Medical Devices (GHTF), which previously worked on aligning medical device regulations globally.
• Current Members: The IMDRF includes regulatory authorities from the U.S., Australia, Canada, the European Union, Japan, the United Kingdom, Brazil, Russia, China, South Korea, Singapore, and the World Health Organization (WHO).

India’s Path to Membership: In 2024, the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization (CDSCO), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare applied for IMDRF affiliate membership, which was approved at the 26th session in September 2024, Seattle, USA.

Benefits of IMDRF Affiliate Membership

• Harmonisation and Reduction in Regulatory Compliance:  India’s membership aligns its medical device regulations with global standards, reducing regulatory complexities globally  and improving public health protection.
• Participation in Open Sessions: India can now participate in open sessions to exchange information, discuss regulatory strategies, and adopt IMDRF documents for its domestic framework.
• Enhanced Domestic Competitiveness: CDSCO’s regulatory framework will be strengthened, enabling it to handle emerging technical challenges.
• Boosting “Brand India”: The membership will also help Indian medical device manufacturers meet global regulatory requirements, boosting their presence in international markets.

National Agriculture Code (NAC)

• The Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) has begun working on a National Agriculture Code (NAC), similar to the National Building Code and National Electrical Code.

 Features of the NAC

• Covers all aspects of agriculture, including crop selection, land preparation, irrigation, soil health, plant health, harvesting, processing, storage, and sustainability.
• Includes standards for input management, such as fertilizers, pesticides, and weedicides.
• Addresses emerging areas like natural farming, organic farming, and IoT.
• Provides guidance for farmers, agriculture universities, and officials.

 Objectives of the National Agriculture Code (NAC)

• Provide Clear Recommendations: Create a national code with guidelines for farming practices, considering different climate zones, crop types, and the country’s diverse farming conditions.
• Encourage Quality in Farming: Help policymakers, agriculture departments, and regulators include NAC standards in their schemes, policies, and regulations to improve quality in Indian agriculture.
• Guide for Farmers: Offer a simple guide to help farmers make better decisions in their farming activities.
• Combine Existing Standards: Link existing Indian standards with recommended farming practices to ensure they work together smoothly.
• Focus on Modern Farming: Cover modern topics like SMART farming, sustainability, traceability, and keeping records to support efficient and eco-friendly farming.
• Support Learning and Training: Help agriculture extension services and organizations run training programs to teach farmers and spread better farming practices.

Timeline for NAC

• BIS has formed working panels for specific areas, including university professors and R&D organizations.
• BIS plans to train farmers on NAC standards, with universities organizing training programs.
• The tentative deadline for the NAC is set for October 2025.
• BIS has initiated the development of Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADFs) in selected agricultural institutes.

What is Standardized Agriculture Demonstration Farms (SADF)?

• SADFs are experimental sites to test and implement agriculture practices and new technologies based on Indian Standards.
• BIS plans to collaborate with agricultural institutes through Memorandums of Understanding (MoUs) to develop these farms.
• 10 prominent agriculture institutes have been identified, with two MoUs already signed, including one with GBPUAT in Pantnagar.

 Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

• BIS is the official body responsible for setting standards in India.
• Formation: It was formed under the BIS Act of 2016 to oversee and ensure uniformity in standards.
• Main Functions: BIS focuses on standardization, marking, and quality certification of products.
• Purpose: The goal is to promote consistent quality in goods and related activities across the country. 

National Wildlife Week is celebrated from October 2 to October 8.

Big cats have drawn attention in India as government is steering ahead with multiple initiatives like cheetah reintroduction and big cat alliance.

• India is home to five of the seven big cats: the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, and cheetah, except for the puma and jaguar

Tiger (Panthera Tigris)

• Panthera tigris tigris, the continental tiger, and Panthera tigris sondaica, the Sunda tiger, are the two recognised subspecies of tigers.
• According to the fifth cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation 2022 summary report, India is home to about 3,167 tigers, accounting for more than 70 per cent of the world’s wild tigers.

Steps taken towards conservation

• Indian Board for Wild Life (IBWL)
• Project Tiger: It was a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 1973.
• The Wildlife Crime Control Bureau and the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) were established as statutory agencies after the amendments in the Wildlife (Protection) Act in 2006.
• International Big Cats Alliance (IBCA)

 Lion (Panthera Leo)

• Most sociable when compared to other big cat species, they are found in parts of sub-Saharan Africa, a tiny population of Asiatic lions in India’s Gir National Park, and a severely endangered subpopulation in West Africa.
• Because of their remarkable adaptability, lions can live in a broad range of environments, such as semi-arid desert regions, dense shrubbery, dry forests, and floodplains. They usually like open savannas since it is simpler for them to stalk their prey there.
• August 10 is World Lion Day — an annual event started by Big Cat Rescue, the largest accredited big cat sanctuary in the world.

Conservation efforts

• Project Lion: It was announced on August 15, 2020, ‘Project Lion’ is a pivotal initiative aimed at securing the future of Asiatic lions through comprehensive, long-term conservation efforts. The project focuses on creating and maintaining a sustainable environment where lions can survive.
• Greater Gir Concept: The concept involves developing additional habitats for lions beyond Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary. There are various other wildlife sanctuaries suitable for lions like Girnar, Pania, and Mitiyala

Leopard (Panthera Pardus)

• There are nine species of leopards, which are found in both Asia and Africa.
• The leopard, the smallest of the big cats, is well known for its ability to adapt to a variety of settings. This species is a nocturnal mammal, they can hunt at night.
• The leopard is not among the species for whom a “species-specific conservation program” has been defined because there is no evidence that the species is at risk of going extinct in the country.
• The “Status of Leopards in India, 2022” report states that there were 13784 leopards in India in 2022 compared to 12,852 in 2018.
• According to the report, Central India and Eastern Ghats have the highest population of leopards (8,820), followed by the Western Ghats (3,596), and the Shivalik Hills and Gangetic Plains (1,109). The maximum population of leopards is found in Madhya Pradesh (3907) followed by Maharashtra (1985), and Karnataka (1879).

Snow leopard (Panthera uncia)

• Known as “Ghost of the Mountains”, they can climb steep hills while their rear legs help them to leap over six times of their own length of the body. They have a long tail which helps them in balancing their body.
• The mountainous regions of twelve Asian countries—Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan—make up the habitat range of the snow leopard.
• Snow Leopards are found in Ladakh, Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim and Arunachal Pradesh.

Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus)

• Cheetahs can walk with a long stride because of their long, slender limbs, solid foot pads, and flexible spine. They have a body specially designed to enable them to achieve peak speeds. It can accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in 3 seconds, making it the only cat without retractable claws.
• They have quirky eyesight which helps them to find prey in the daytime. The species prefer grasslands found in Asia and Africa.
• The Indian government officially declared the cheetah extinct in 1952. Earlier in 2022, the Government of India decided to introduce the Cheetah, the only large carnivore species that went extinct in Independent India.
• The re-introduction of the African Cheetahs was done to Kuno National Park and later Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. Both are situated in Madhya Pradesh. The landscape of these sanctuaries looks like Maasai Mara, a reserve known for its savanna wilderness in Africa

Black panthers (Panthera Pardus)

• Black panthers are “melanistic” members of the Panthera genus rather than being a separate species. Panthera also includes lions, tigers, leopards, jaguars, and snow leopards.
• Melanism is defined as the occurrence of individuals that are darker in pigmentation. There can be two reasons behind it: polymorphisms within species or consistent variation between closely related species. This melanism provides superior camouflage only in the densest and darkest forests.

Jaguar and Puma

• These big cats are not native to India and are mainly found in the region of South America.
• Jaguars are distinguished swimmers, they are the largest cat in South America.
• WWF has been tracking the populations of the Jaguars in the Napo-Putumayo Corridor, a forest spanning through Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru.
• Puma (Puma concolor), sometimes referred to as a mountain lion, cougar, or panther, is the biggest of the “small cats.”
• They can be found in woods, prairies, wetlands, and deserts, among other types of environments. These mountain lions prefer to live in isolation which does not mean that they do not communicate with each other.

 Power Play in the Indian Ocean: India and Maldives Forge a New Strategic Partnership

On October 7, 2024, India and the Maldives signed a landmark agreement focusing on defense, trade, and energy security to enhance regional stability and cooperation

 Bolstering Maritime Security in the Indian Ocean

• A key focus of the talks was enhancing maritime security cooperation between India and Maldives. Both nations face common threats, including piracy, illegal fishing, drug trafficking, and terrorism, all of which require coordinated responses. With its vast Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ), the Maldives is on the front line of these challenges.
• India has committed to providing defense platforms and advanced surveillance systems to bolster the operational capabilities of the Maldives National Defence Force (MNDF). This includes the timely completion of the MNDF ‘Ekatha’ harbour project at Uthuru Thila Falhu (UTF), a vital initiative supported by India to enhance Maldives’ maritime security infrastructure.
• The agreement goes beyond traditional defense assistance. India and Maldives will also work together on hydrography and disaster response, further cementing their role as natural partners in maintaining stability in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). Capacity building, training programs, and additional funding for the MNDF are also on the agenda, ensuring that the Maldives is equipped to handle both current and future security challenges.

 Driving Trade and Investment: A New Frontier

•  On the economic front, both Countries acknowledged the untapped potential for increased trade and investment between their countries. A major step forward is the initiation of discussions on a Bilateral Free Trade Agreement (FTA) that would simplify trade in goods and services, potentially boosting economic cooperation to new heights.
• The decision to operationalize local currency trade settlements between India and the Maldives marks a significant milestone. By reducing dependency on foreign currencies, both nations aim to strengthen trade linkages and economic resilience. This move is expected to benefit sectors like agriculture, fisheries, and tourism, which remain the backbone of the Maldivian economy.
• In line with Maldives’ focus on economic diversification, the two countries will also collaborate on agriculture and fisheries, key areas that hold significant potential for growth. Plans are in place to establish an Agriculture Economic Zone in Haa Dhaalu atoll and a fish processing facility in Haa Alifu atoll, leveraging India’s expertise and investment.

 Energy Security: A Future Powered by Renewables

• Energy security featured prominently in the discussions, with both leaders agreeing that renewable energy cooperation would be crucial in addressing Maldives’ high energy costs and its commitment to achieving its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
• India, with its expertise in solar power, will partner with the Maldives on various renewable energy projects aimed at driving down energy costs and reducing reliance on traditional energy sources. This collaboration also includes exploring Maldives’ participation in India’s ambitious “One Sun, One World, One Grid” initiative, aimed at interconnecting global solar energy grids.
• Additionally, both sides committed to joint research, capacity building, and exchange of expertise on energy efficiency. These initiatives are expected to foster sustainable development while helping Maldives transition to a greener future.

 Deepening Political and Digital Cooperation

• The meeting also paved the way for enhanced political engagement. To strengthen democratic ties, the two nations plan to sign a Memorandum of Understanding that will institutionalize cooperation between their parliaments, including exchanges between parliamentarians and local representatives.
• In the digital domain, India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI) and other digital services will be introduced in the Maldives, boosting e-governance and financial inclusion. The leaders welcomed the launch of the RuPay card in the Maldives, making payments easier for Indian tourists and residents, and vowed to explore further collaborations in the financial and digital sectors.

 Health and Human Security: A People-Centric Approach

• Health cooperation remains a critical area of partnership between India and Maldives. Both nations are committed to improving healthcare infrastructure and access to essential services. The establishment of India-Maldives Jan Aushadhi Kendras, offering affordable medicines across the Maldives, is set to enhance health security.
• In addition to healthcare, the two countries will collaborate on mental health services, drug rehabilitation programs, and medical evacuations, further cementing their people-centric approach to development.

The Road Ahead: A Comprehensive Security and Economic Partnership

• The discussions between Modi and Muizzu signal a new chapter in India-Maldives relations, defined by a Comprehensive Economic and Maritime Security Partnership. As India continues to support Maldives in its developmental and security needs, both nations are poised to play a crucial role in maintaining peace and stability in the Indian Ocean Region.

 The discovery of microRNA wins the 2024 physiology Nobel Prize:

MicroRNA plays a key role in gene regulation. MicroRNAs, or miRNAs, are small, non-coding molecules of RNA. They are typically around 19-24 nucleotides long and play an important role in determining how much messenger RNA (mRNA), which carries genetic information, eventually gets translated into protein.

• The body makes proteins in a complex process with two broad steps.
• In the transcription step, a cell copies a DNA sequence into messenger RNA (mRNA) in the nucleus. The mRNA moves from the nucleus, through the cell fluid, and attaches itself to the ribosome.
• In the translation step, another type of RNA called transfer RNA (tRNA) brings specific amino acids to the ribosome, where they are linked together in the order specified by the mRNA to make the protein.
• Micro RNA, or miRNA, regulates the production of proteins by bonding with and subsequently silencing the mRNA at an appropriate juncture. The process is called post-transcriptional gene regulation.

 Nobel-winning research details:

• Ambros and Ruvkun studied a roundworm, Caenorhabditis elegans which, despite its small size, had specialised cell types such as nerve and muscle cells.
• Ambros and Ruvkun studied two mutant strains, lin-4 and lin-14, both of which exhibited abnormalities – their genetic programming that controls development was not functioning as expected. Ambros’ previous research proved that lin-4 suppressed the activity of lin-14, but could not tell how it did so.
• The biologists individually researched how lin-4 affected the activity of lin-14. Ambros analysed the lin-4 mutant and cloned the gene and found out that it produced an unusually short RNA molecule that lacked a code for protein production. The findings suggested that this small RNA molecule could be responsible for inhibiting lin-14.
• Around the same time, Ruvkun investigated the regulation of the lin-14 gene in his lab and found that lin-4 did not block the production of lin-14 mRNA. Since the late 1960s, gene regulation was understood as a process that determined which mRNAs are produced, and hence, how genetic information flows. Ruvkun found that the regulation of lin-14 mRNA occurred later in the gene expression process by inhibiting protein production.
• Ruvkon’s experiment also revealed an important segment in the lin-14 mRNA that was essential for its inhibition by lin-4. The short lin-4 sequence that Ambros discovered in his research matched complementary sequences in the critical segment of the lin-14 mRNA, which means that they can pair together like keys fit into locks.
• The two biologists conducted further experiments and found that lin-4 microRNA, the “unusually short” RNA molecule, attaches to lin-14’s mRNA and blocks the production of lin-14 protein. This is how microRNA was discovered.
• The results were not enthusiastically accepted by scientists as the behaviour was thought to be specific to C. elegans, and therefore irrelevant to complex animals. However, in 2000, Ruvkun’s research group published discovery of another microRNA, encoded by the let-7 gene. The let-7 gene is present throughout the animal kingdom.

What is microRNA?

• Every cell in the human body contains the same raw genetic information, locked in our DNA. But bone cells, nerve cells, skin cells, white blood cells, heart cells and many more each use that genetic code in different highly specialised ways. The work by the US pair helps explain how that happens.
• This year's Nobel Prize focuses on the discovery of a vital regulatory mechanism used in cells to control gene activity. Genetic information flows from DNA to messenger RNA (mRNA), via a process called transcription, and then on to the cellular machinery for protein production.

Applications

• A single micro-RNA can regulate the expression of many genes, and alternatively a single gene can also be controlled by multiple micro-RNAs. This leads to fine tuning of different types of cells despite similar genetic information.
• Abnormal regulation by microRNA can contribute to cancer, and mutations in genes coding for microRNAs have been found in humans, causing conditions such as congenital hearing loss, eye and skeletal disorders.

Unified Genomic Chip for cattle

Prime Minister has introduced a Unified Genomic Chip for cattle, along with indigenous technology for sex-sorted semen production. 

Unified Genomic Chip For Cattle

• It is a technology designed to revolutionise the livestock breeding industry. 
• It’s a microchip that analyses the genetic makeup of animals, providing valuable insights into their traits, health, and potential offspring.
• Developed by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)  under Ministry of Animal Husbandry, Dairying and Fisheries.

 IndiGau Chip

• Recognized as India’s first Cattle Genomic Chip, focused on conserving pure varieties of indigenous cattle breeds.
• Global Significance: It is the largest cattle genomic chip in the world.
• Developed by: National Institute of Animal Biotechnology (NIAB), Hyderabad in 2021.
• Goal: To preserve our indigenous breeds with superior characteristics.

Two Versions: The chip comes in two versions

• Gau Chip: Designed for Cattle
• Mahish Chip: Designed for Buffalo
• Purpose: Assists farmers in early identification of young, high-quality bulls, enabling informed decisions regarding animal selection.
• Benefit: Enhances the quality and efficiency of cattle in the dairy sector.

Sex Sorted Technology

• Sex sorting technology for cattle is a method used to separate sperm cells based on their sex chromosomes, allowing farmers to choose the sex of their offspring.
• Indigenous Technology: Recently launched for the production of sex-sorted semen.
• Purpose: Increases the availability of sex-sorted semen for farmers, enabling the production of predominantly female calves.
• Technology Use: IVF Technology (Test Tube Baby) is also utilised to expedite the production of desired cattle breeds.
• DAHD Aim: To produce 1 million doses of sexed semen annually for the Artificial Insemination (AI) program.

 Significance:

• Lowers the cost from Rs 1,000 (for imported technology) to Rs 200 per dose .
• Facilitates quicker production of high-grade female cattle with a 90% success rate.

o   When combined with the Unified Genomic Chip, the sex-sorted semen technology helps reduce the number of non-productive animals, making dairy farming more economically sustainable