In the stretch of Andaman and Nicobar islands, two species of amphibious snakes- the yellow-lipped and blue-lipped Andaman sea krait have been discovered living on tree roots, particularly those of the uprooted mangrove tree, Manilkara littoralis. Known for their vibrant and banded exteriors, these sea kraits are exclusive to the Andaman region. They are intrinsically mesmerizing creatures, predating their meals in coral reefs after sunset. Despite their extensive time spent underwater, they return to land for digesting their food, laying eggs and shedding skin.
Threats to Andaman Sea Kraits
Presently, the population of these marine snakes is under threat due to anthropogenic activities. The steps undertaken to make the beach more tourist-friendly has led to the removal of uprooted trees, which provides a habitat for these sea kraits. In lieu of this, it is vital to bring into effect legal protection measures for sandy beaches, and the regulation of activities like sand mining and tourism that disturb the sea kraits’ ecosystem.
| Andaman Sea Kraits’ Key Facts | |
|---|---|
| Species | Yellow-lipped and Blue-lipped |
| Habitat | Andaman Islands |
| Activity cycle | Nocturnal |
| Diet | Coral Reef organisms |
Nile Delta’s Dilemma: Climate Change Impact
Moving towards the northern territory of Egypt, the Nile Delta’s area coverage is dwindling down in response to climate change. The issue is further worsened by the consistent rise of the sea level and escalating soil salinization, resulting in its shrinkage. An arcuate delta, the Nile River forms a fan-shaped delta as it discharges into the Mediterranean Sea, reminiscent of Ganga and Indus delta in India. The fertile region is densely populated, accommodating nearly 50% of Egypt’s dwellers. With a distance covered of nearly 7000 km northward from the equator, the Nile is recognized as the world’s longest river, supplying Egypt with 90% of its needed water.
Rythu Bandhu Scheme: Aiding Farmers
Coming to the field of agriculture, the Rythu Bandhu scheme delineates a welfare program instituted by the Government of Telangana to financially aid farmers while cultivating two crops a year. The scheme is designed to provide a subsidy of Rs. 4,000 per acre per farmer each season to buy essential farming inputs like seeds, fertilizers, pesticides etc. This initiative’s primary objective is to alleviate farmers from debt encumbrance and refrain from falling into debt trap scenarios.
