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- The Government of India has declared specific regions around the Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary, situated in Mandi district, as eco-sensitive zones (ESZs) to mitigate the effects of urbanization and developmental projects on the surrounding protected areas.
- About Shikari Devi Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Located in the foothills of the Himalayas, the sanctuary lies in the Mandi district of Himachal Pradesh.
- It spans an altitudinal range of 1,800 to 3,400 meters, showcasing a gradual transition from pine forests to oak forests and alpine meadows.
- This high-altitude sanctuary is named after the goddess Shikari Devi, to whom a temple is dedicated. The location is considered sacred by Hindus.
- The temple sits amidst snow-covered mountains and dense pine forests at an elevation of 2,850 meters above sea level.
- In 1962, an area of 7,200 hectares surrounding the temple was designated as a sanctuary.
- Flora:
- Due to the variation in altitude, the sanctuary features seven distinct forest types, as classified by Champion and Seth (1968): Alpine Pasture, Sub-alpine Forest, Moist Temperate Deciduous Forest, West Himalayan Upper Oak/Fir Forest, Kharsu Oak Forest, Western Mixed Coniferous Forest, and Ban Oak Forest.
- Fauna:
- The sanctuary is home to a diverse range of wildlife, including species like goral, monal, black bear, barking deer, musk deer, leopard cat, and the Himalayan black bear.
- Other animals such as the Himalayan palm civet, marten, Indian porcupine, Kashmiri flying squirrel, common langur, leopard, common squirrel, and snow leopard also inhabit this area.
- Scientists are raising alarms about the potential for the deadly and untreatable 'Zombie Deer' disease to impact humans.
- About Zombie Deer Disease:
- Scientifically known as Chronic Wasting Disease (CWD), it is a progressive and fatal neurological disorder that primarily affects deer, elk, moose, and reindeer.
- What causes CWD?
- CWD is triggered by prions, which are infectious proteins that lack DNA or RNA, distinguishing them from bacteria and viruses.
- These prions are misfolded proteins that induce other proteins in the brain to misfold, ultimately causing brain damage.
- As these proteins build up in the brain, they create spongy lesions in the tissue, leading to severe neurological impairment.
- Transmission:
- CWD prions are highly contagious and spread through body fluids such as saliva, feces, blood, or urine. Transmission occurs through direct contact or environmental contamination.
- Once prions enter an environment, they can remain infectious in soil, water, and vegetation for years, posing long-term threats to wildlife populations.
- Symptoms:
- CWD has a long incubation period, typically 18 to 24 months, during which infected animals show no visible signs.
- As the disease progresses, the most prominent symptom is extreme weight loss.
- Other behavioral changes include diminished social interactions, reduced awareness, and a lack of fear toward humans.
- Infected animals may also exhibit increased thirst, urination, and excessive salivation.
- Treatment:
- There is no known treatment or cure for CWD, and it is invariably fatal in affected animals.
- Can Humans Get CWD?
- To date, there have been no confirmed cases of CWD transmission to humans, though experts continue to exercise caution regarding the potential risks.
- India has successfully tested Bhargavastra, its first micro-missile system specifically developed to combat swarm drones.
- About Bhargavastra:
- Bhargavastra is India’s first indigenous micro-missile system created to address the threat posed by swarm drones.
- Developed by Economic Explosives Ltd., it is designed for rapid deployment on mobile platforms and can target objects over 2.5 km away.
- The system can detect even small flying objects from a distance of over 6 km and can neutralize them using micro munitions, which are guided toward the target.
- It has the capability to launch more than 64 micro missiles simultaneously.
- Bhargavastra is built to operate in diverse terrains, including high-altitude regions, and is tailored to meet the specific needs of the armed forces.
- This counter-drone system, which utilizes micro missiles, is the first of its kind developed for the Army's Air Defence requirements.