Rapid Fire
Rapid Fire Current Affairs
- 22 Jul 2023
- 4 min read
Tiger Orchids
The Tiger Orchids (Grammatophyllum speciosum) are in bloom at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode.
The plant was listed by the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest orchid.
Important Facts about the plant include:
- Native Distribution: Indonesia, Malaysia, Philippines, Papua New Guinea
- Native Habitat: Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest, Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine)
- Preferred Climate Zone: Tropical, Sub-Tropical / Monsoonal
- CITES Protection: True (Appendix II)
- Growth Form: Its stem is 3 m or longer, and up to 5 cm thick. It is also the largest orchid species in the world.
Read More: Rare Orchids in India
Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary
Recently, violence erupted in Assam's Bura Chapori Wildlife Sanctuary, resulting in the death of a woman and injuries to six others, including forest guards.
Important Facts about the Wildlife Sanctuary include:
- About: It is a part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori ecosystem.
- Location: South bank of the Brahmaputra River.
- Fauna: This sanctuary is home to the Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pig, and elephants.
- The bird list includes the Bengal Florican (highly endangered), Black-necked Stork, Mallard, Open billed Stork, Teal, and Whistling Duck among others.
- Due to several wetlands it is an ideal breeding place for several species of migratory birds during the winter season.
- Flora: The grassland is also rich in various kinds of medicinal herbs and plants.
Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve
The forest department has identified 12 illegal, unauthorised or unrecognised resorts in Srivilliputhur Megamalai Tiger Reserve (SMTR), Megamalai division in Theni.
Important Facts about the Wildlife Sanctuary include:
- About: It was established in 2021.
- It is the fifth Tiger Reserve in Tamil Nadu and 51st tiger reserve in India.
- It provides protection to Megamalai, the Vaigai’s primary catchment, in turn helping water levels to rise in the river.
- Fauna: Animals seen here are Bengal tiger, elephants, gaur, Indian giant squirrel, leopard, Nilgiri Tahrs, etc.
- Flora: It has a mix of tropical evergreen forests and semi-evergreen forests, dry deciduous forests and moist mixed deciduous forests, grassland.
- Other four Tiger reserves of Tamil Nadu:
Read More: Srivilliputhur-Megamalai Tiger Reserve & Vaigai River
Tankai Method
The Ministry of Culture and the Indian Navy sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to revive the “ancient, stitched shipbuilding method (Tankai method). The Indian Navy will oversee the implementation and execution of the entire project.
- The 'stitched shipbuilding method' is a traditional boat building technique that involves sewing the planks of a boat together with cord or wire instead of using nails or screws.
- This method is still used in some parts of the world for building small boats. It is a 2000-year-old technique of shipbuilding known as the ‘stitched shipbuilding method’.
- The stitched ship holds significant cultural value in India, given its historical importance and the preservation of traditional craftsmanship.
- These ships offered flexibility and durability, making them less susceptible to damage from shoals and sandbars.
Read more: Global Hub for Green Ship Building by 2030
