The Union Territory of Lakshadweep has embarked on an environmentally friendly campaign of recruiting barn owls from Kerala to combat the problematic rat population threatening its essential coconut yield. The campaign intends to deploy three pairs of these specially trained owls, renowned for their potent auditory hunting mechanisms, into the coconut plantations.
In Lakshadweep islands, rat populations are particularly challenging pests, living high on treetops and easily transferring from one tree to another due to overlapping fronds. This environment makes it difficult for certain conventional rat predators such as cats or rat snakes to effectively control the rodent population.
As the islands have been designated an organic zone, chemical pest control methods are prohibited, hence the push towards biocontrol measures. Biocontrol is a recognized and environmentally sound mechanism that utilises natural predators as a means of mitigating pests and their harmful effects.
Common Barn Owl (Tyto alba)
The common barn owl is a part of the Tytonidae family and widely found across the Indian subcontinent, Australia, Africa, Europe, Southeast Asia, the Middle East, North America, South America, and the Caribbean Islands. Despite being listed under Schedule IV of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, the species remains of ‘least concern’ as per the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List.
Grizzled Giant Squirrel: A Species Under Threat
Recently, researchers discovered nests of the grizzled giant squirrel (Ratufa macroura) at Pakkamalai Reserve Forest near Gingee, Tamil Nadu, in the Eastern Ghats. Generally endemic to the Western Ghats, these squirrels are facing threats due to predators, low food plant regeneration brought about by heavy cattle grazing, and habitat loss. Hunting for fur and bushmeat by locals also poses a significant threat to this species.
Tuila: A One-Stringed Instrument of Tribal Heritage
The Tuila is a one-stringed instrument integral to the tribal communities of Jharkhand and Odisha. It belongs to the chordophone category of musical instruments, which produce sound through a stretched, vibrating string. This unique instrument is made up of bamboo, known as Mundari Pani Bansu, and a piece of wood known as Ghoda attached to one end. It’s usually played by men, accompanying female vocal performances in local folk communities.
Gopal Krishna Gokhale: The Freedom Fighter
On May 9th, 2019, the Prime Minister of India paid tribute to freedom fighter Gopal Krishna Gokhale on his 153rd birth anniversary. Gokhale, born on May 9, 1866, in Ratnagiri, Maharashtra, joined the Indian National Congress in 1889 and later became its President in 1905. He founded the Servants of Indian Society in the same year, and mentored Mahatma Gandhi, who wrote a book titled ‘Gokhale, My Political Guru’ in his honour.
NASA’s Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART)
NASA’s upcoming mission, the Double Asteroid Redirection Test (DART), aims to demonstrate asteroid deflection through a kinetic impactor for the first time in history. Scheduled to launch in mid-2021, DART will target a small moonlet in the binary near-earth asteroid system Didymos. Using solar electric propulsion, the mission plans to intercept the secondary member of the Didymos system when it’s within 11 million km of Earth.
Facts about the Issues and Innovations
| Fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Rodent problem in Lakshadweep | Between 30 to 40% of coconut yield loss caused by rats. |
| Barn Owls as a solution | Three pairs of barn owls from Kerala employed for rodent management. |
| Eco-friendly measures | Lakshadweep is an organic zone prohibiting chemical pest control. |
| Grizzled Giant Squirrel | Listed as Near threatened category in IUCN Red List and under Schedule II of CITES. |
| Tuila Instrument | A one-stringed instrument native to the tribal communities of Jharkhand and Odisha. |
| Gokhale’s Contribution | Freedom fighter, mentor to Mahatma Gandhi, and founder of the Servants of Indian Society. |
| DART Mission | The first-ever mission to demonstrate asteroid deflection by a kinetic impactor. |
Beyond the DART Mission: Future Endeavours
NASA’s pioneering DART mission portrays the continuous efforts towards safeguarding our planet, opening new frontiers in space exploration. As we continue to understand and appreciate the nuances of our rich biodiversity and cultural heritage, it is the interplay of innovative scientific endeavor, responsible societal development, and conservation efforts that will guide our path forward.
