The Vaquita Porpoise, a critically endangered marine animal, recently made headlines when one was found dead in a fishnet off the coast of Mexico. Adding to its allure is its nickname – “the panda of the sea” – thanks to the characteristic black circles around its eyes. The Cetaceans, among which the Vaquita Porpoise belongs, are an extremely distinctive and specialized group of aquatic mammals. Their family includes species such as the blue whale, dolphins, blind river dolphins, Porpoises, and others.
Vaquita Porpoise: A Look at the Dwindling Population
With only about 10 Vaquita Porpoises remaining in the world today, their situation has never been more desperate. These creatures – among the ocean’s smallest cetaceans – are exclusive residents of the northern Gulf of California. Their population has been severely affected by gillnet fishing for another endangered species in their habitat, the totoaba fish. These fish are hunted for their swim bladder, considered a delicacy in China, and often illegally transported through the United States to China. As such, the survival of Vaquita Porpoises heavily depends on conservation efforts in the US, China, and Mexico.
Dongria Kondh Tribe: A People in Harmony with Nature
In the Niyamgiri hill range of Odisha state, you’ll find the Dongria Kondh tribe. Their name was derived from ‘dongar’, which translates to ‘hill’, indicating the geographical location of their settlement. The Dongria worships the mountain god Niyam Raja. They stand out due to their unique jewelry, tattoos, and hairstyles. Women tend to wear numerous rings through their ears and three through their noses, while boys also wear two nose rings. Rings and beads around their necks and clips in their hair make Dongria girls easily identifiable.
Dongria Socio-political Structures
The Dongria Kondh tribe doesn’t have a single political or religious leader. Instead, each clan and village has its own leaders and individuals with specific ceremonial functions. The tribe holds a belief that animals, plants, mountains, streams, and other specific sites possess a life-force or soul, jela, which comes from the mother goddess.
AFINDEX-19: Strengthening Africa-India Ties
The Africa-India Field Training Exercise-2019, known as AFINDEX-19, occurred at Aundh Military Station, Pune. Contingents from India and 17 African countries including Benin, Botswana, Egypt, Ghana, Kenya, Mauritius, Mozambique, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, South Africa, Sudan, Tanzania, Uganda, Zambia, and Zimbabwe took part in this exercise. The activity centered on planning and execution of Humanitarian Mine Assistance and Peacekeeping Operations.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Vaquita Porpoise Population | Around 10 |
| Main Threat to Vaquitas | Gillnet fishing for Totoaba fish |
| Dongria Kondh Tribe Location | Niyamgiri hill range, Odisha |
| AFINDEX-19 Purpose | Humanitarian Mine Assistance and Peacekeeping Operations training |
Military and Political Relations
AFINDEX-19 signifies a positive progression towards strengthening political and military ties between India and Africa. This event serves to bolster the robust strategic cooperation already in place among these nations.