Researchers from the state of Tamil Nadu have announced the discovery of a rare moth species within the buffer zone of the Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) in India, marking the first sighting of this species in the country. The moth, known as Mimeusemia ceylonica, belongs to the subfamily Agaristinae and family Noctuidae, and had last been sighted in Sri Lanka 127 years prior, back in 1893.
Established in 1988 through the merger of the contiguously located Kalakkad and Mundanthurai wildlife sanctuaries, KMTR was the first Tiger reserve to be declared in Tamil Nadu. The reserve, which comprises the southern region of the Western Ghats, is a wet evergreen forest that acts as a catchment area for 14 rivers. It also forms part of the Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve.
The reserve is home to diverse wildlife, including tigers, sambar deer, spotted deer, elephants, leopards, and wild dogs, alongside a large variety of bird species and reptiles.
The Third Edition of Multilateral Exercise La Perouse
Scheduled for the 13th and 14th of March, 2023, in the Indian Ocean Region, the third edition of the multilateral exercise La Perouse will include participation from personnel, ships, and integral helicopters from various international navies such as the Royal Australian Navy, French Navy, Indian Navy, Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force, Royal Navy, and the United States Navy.
Conducted by the French Navy every two years, the primary aim of La Perouse is to boost maritime domain awareness and facilitate better maritime coordination amongst the navies participating from the Indo-Pacific region.
Two indigenously built ships, the guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri and fleet tanker INS Jyoti, will represent India in this iteration of the exercise. The participation of the Indian navy amplifies the strong synergy, coordination, and inter-operability that exists between friendly navies, reflecting a commitment to uphold a rules-based international order within the Indo-Pacific region.
Oscar Awards: Indian Song Wins Best Original Score
The Naatu Naatu song recently secured the Academy Award for the best original song in a motion picture at the 95th Oscars. This marks the first time an Indian song has won this prestigious award. Additionally, The Elephant Whisperer emerged as the winner for the best documentary short film.
The Oscar statuette, officially called the Academy Award of Merit, stands 13 and a half inches tall, is adorned in gold, and is widely recognised around the globe. The nickname ‘Oscar’ was officially embraced by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences in 1939.
Dragon Fruit Cultivation Expansion under MIDH
Under the Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH), there are plans underway for a roadmap aimed at expanding the cultivation of dragon fruit, also known as Kamalam, in targeted high-potential areas to boost the production of this exotic fruit.
The dragon fruit originates from Southern Mexico, Central America, and South America, and it is broadly cultivated across South-East Asia, India, United States, Caribbean Islands, and Australia. Known also by “Wondrous Fruit of the 21st century”, it grows on the Hylocereus cactus, which is also referred to as the Honolulu queen.
Following to this roadmap, the cultivation of Kamalam Fruit in India is currently limited, with farmers in several states, including Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Chhattisgarh, Odisha, West Bengal, Andhra Pradesh, and the regions of Andaman & Nicobar Island, Mizoram, and Nagaland, taking up its cultivation.
The dragon fruit comes in different varieties, including pitaya, pitahaya, and strawberry pear, with the most common type featuring bright red skin with green scales that resemble a dragon. The widely available variant has white pulp with black seeds, whereas a less common variety has red pulp with black seeds.
The fruit is packed with multiple nutrients such as iron, calcium, potassium, and zinc and is considered beneficial for diabetic patients due to its low calorie content.
