Sri Lankan golden-backed frog rediscovered after 200 years in India at Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

The rediscovery provides evidence of a historic land bridge between India and Sri Lanka during the late Pleistocene period or the Ice Age, says Bharath Bhupathi from the Zoological Survey of India

Recently, Sri Lankan golden-backed frog rediscovered after two centuries in the Koundinya wildlife sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh.

• Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India, in partnership with the Andhra Pradesh Biodiversity Board, rediscovered the rare species of Sri Lankan wetland frog, sighted in the Palamaner forest range of the Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary in the Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.
• Significance: The rediscovery provides evidence of a historic land bridge between India and Sri Lanka during the late Pleistocene period or the Ice Age
• With this finding, the number of freshwater frog species in India rises to 20.

Golden-Backed Frog:

1. Scientific Name: Hylarana gracilis
2. It is a species of frog belonging to the Ranidae Family.
3. Habitat: It is endemic to the Western Ghats of Karnataka and Kerala, thrives above the Palghat Gap.
4. These thumb-sized frogs inhabit evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, preferring areas near streams, ponds, and other water bodies.
5. Diet: Primarily insectivorous.
6. Threats: Habitat loss and fragmentation, pollution of water bodies, and the introduction of non-native species.

Kaundinya Wildlife Sanctuary

1. It covers an area of 35,760 ha in Kuppam and Palmaner Ranges of Chittoor district, Andhra Pradesh.
2. It is the only Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh known for harboring a population of Asian elephants
3. This sanctuary is part of Project Elephant, a nationwide elephant conservation initiative undertaken by the Government of India.

Vegetation: 

• The Sanctuary has Dry Deciduous forests, with thorny scrub interspersed with trees providing a good habitat for Asian Elephants.
• These forests have small ponds, tanks and the Kaundinya and Kaigal tributaries of Palar River, which provide the main sources of water for the animals.
• Fauna: Sloth Bear, Leopard, Cheetal, Sambar, Porcupine, Wild Boar, Jungle Cat, Golden Jackal, and Slender Loris.
• Flora: Plants like Albizia amara, Ficus glomerata, Zizyphus xylocarpus, Gymnosporia Montana, etc; make this a green panoramic place

X-Chromosome

Scientists have found a molecular link between altered X-chromosome inactivation and autoimmune diseases.

X-Chromosome:

• It is one of the two sex chromosomes in humans (the other is the Y- chromosome.
• There are 23 pairs of chromosomes in the human body. This includes 22 pairs of autosomal or somatic chromosomes that are common to both men and women and one chromosome that differs according to what gender a person is (sex chromosomes).
• Each person usually has one pair of sex chromosomes in each cell. Females typically have two X chromosomes, while males typically have one X and one Y chromosome.
• Men inherit the X chromosome they have from their mother and the Y chromo some from their father, while women inherit one X chromosome from the mother and the other from the father.

• In women, the X chromosome represents almost 5% of the total DNA, and in men, who have only one X chromosome, it represents about 2.5% of the total DNA.
• Early in the embryonic development of people with two X chromosomes, one of the X chromosomes is randomly and permanently IN ACTIVATE DIN CELLS other than egg cells. This phenomenon is called X-inactivation or lyonization.

1. X-inactivation ensures that people with two X chromosomes have only one functional copy of the X chromosome in each cell.
2. Because X-inactivation is random, normally, the X chromosome inherited from one parent is active in some cells, and the X chromosome inherited from the other parent is active in other cells.

• The X chromosome likely contains 900 to 1,400 genes that provide instructions for making proteins.
• Genetic disorders that arise from missing, additional, or malformed copies of the X chromosome are termed numerical disorders.

Examples include Klinefelter’s syndrome, where a male has one or more extra copies; Triple X syndrome, where a female has one extra copy and Turner syndrome, where a female has one normal X chromosome and one missing or abnormal one.

President’s greetings on the eve of Buddha Purnima

1. The President of India, Smt Droupadi Murmu in her message on the eve of Buddha Purnima has said: –
2. The embodiment of compassion, Lord Buddha, has given the message of truth, non-violence, harmony and, love for humanity and all living beings. Lord Buddha had said, ‘Appa Deepo Bhava’ i.e. be a light unto yourself. His teachings of tolerance, self-awareness and good conduct inspire us to serve humanity. His Eight fold Path paves the way for leading a meaningful life.
3. Let us strengthen social harmony and take pledge for nation-building by imbibing the ideals of Bhagwan Buddha in our lives”.

France: Will quell New Caledonia riots ‘whatever the cost’

French security forces are intensifying efforts to regain control over New Caledonia, a French Pacific archipelago, amid ongoing and deadly unrest.

New Caledonia:

• About: It is a French overseas territory in the Pacific. It enjoys a large degree of autonomy but depends heavily on France for matters like defense and education.
• British explorer James Cook named the island New Caledonia in 1774 after the Latin name for Scotland.
• It was annexed by France in 1853and New Caledonia became a French overseas territory in 1946.
• Geographical Overview: It includes the island of New Caledonia where the capital, Noumea, is located, the Loyalty Islands; theBelep Islands;and the Ile des Pins.
• The Loyalty Islands account for more than one-tenth of New Caledonia’s total land area and about one-tenth of the population.
• In contrast to the island of New Caledonia, these islands are raised coral plateaus.
• UNESCO World Heritage site:New Caledonia’s lagoons, with their diverse reefs and associated ecosystems, were designated a UNESCO World Heritage site in 2008.
• Relief: Rugged mountain ranges, consisting principally of metamorphic rock formations, divide the island into an east coast, which in many places descends precipitously to the sea, and a west coast, which slopes more gradually and contains basically flat but undulating land.
• Drainage: Diahot River is the longest river in New Caledonia.
• Ethnicity:  Melanesians make up more than two-fifths of the population and Europeans about one-third.
• Their differing cultures have given rise to two distinct ways of life, known as kanak and caldoche:
• The kanak identity is based on clan membership, a network of family alliances and specific land rights.
• The caldoche way of life is integrated into a cash economy.
• Resources:It is rich in resources and accounts for around 10% of the world’s nickel reserve, according to the Australian Trade and Investment Commission.

PM-WANI Scheme

Public wifi hotspots under the Prime Minister Wi-Fi Access Network Interface (PM-WANI) scheme are nearing the 2-lakh mark in the country.

PM-WANI Scheme:

• It was launched by the Department of Telecommunication (DoT) in December 2020 to provide affordable and high-speed internet connectivity to the public in rural and remote areas of the country.
• The scheme aims to establish a public Wi-Fi network across the country through the creation of Wi-Fi Access Points (WAPs) set up by public data offices (PDOs).
• The WAPs will operate on an open-architecture system, allowing multiple service providers to offer their services to the public through a single platform.
• PM-WANI ecosystem: It consists of four parts: Public Data Office (PDO), Public Data Office Aggregator (PDOA), App Provider, and Central Registry.

1. PDO establishes the Wi-Fi hotspots and provides internet access to users. There shall be no license requiredby PDOs from the DoT for providing broadband Internet through these public Wi-Fi networks.
2. PDOA provides authorisation and accounting services to PDOs. PDOA provides user interface for the user to buy a plan and keep track of their data consumption. PDOA need not pay any licensefees.
3. The small shopkeepers can become PDOs as last-mile access service providers and take services from PDOAs for Internet and backend services.
4. App Provider, who will develop an application to register users,and ‘discover’ and display PM-WANI Wi-Fi hotspots in proximity for accessing the internet service, and also authenticate the potential broadband users. Startups and wallet providers can become App Providers.
5. The central registry over seen by the Centre for Development of Telematics maintains details of App Providers, PDOs, and PDOAs.

PM-WANI internet

1. To access public hotspots under the PM-WANI scheme, one needs to download a relevant app which shows the available networks.
2. The user can then choose from a list of available connections and make a payment to use the network.
3. The user can access the network till his/her balance is exhausted.

Pastoralists in India need better access to land and rights recognition, says UN report

Almost half of the world’s rangelands, used for livestock grazing and sustenance of pastoral groups, are degraded, as per a report of the UN Convention on Combating Desertification

The Global Land Outlook Thematic Report on Rangelands and Pastoralists, was prepared by the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD).

1. The report was prepared and released by the UN Convention on Combating Desertification (UNCCD)
2. The year 2026, is declared as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), by the United Nations General Assembly.

United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification UNCCD

• Establishment:It is an international agreement on good land stewardship established in 1994 to protect and restore our land and ensure a safer, just, and more sustainable future.
• Objective: The UNCCD is the only legally binding framework set up to address desertification and the effects of drought and promotes practices that avoid, reduce and reverse land degradation and are the driving force behind Sustainable Development Goal 15 and Land Degradation Neutrality.
• Membership:The Convention is party to 197 member countries
• Permanent secretariat: It is located in Bonn, Germany. 
• Principles: The Convention is based on the principles of participation, partnership and decentralization 

Flagship Initiatives: 

1. The UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework: It is a comprehensive global commitment to achieve Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) with 129 countries have set up their voluntary national LDN target already.
2. The Drought Initiative launched in 2018.

Rangelands:

1. Area: They cover approximately 80 million sq km, which is 54 percent of the earth’s land surface.
2. Only 12% or 9.5 million sq. km are categorized as protected rangelands worldwide.
3. Importance:
4. 33% of global biodiversity hotspots found in rangelands
5. 24% of proportion of world languages found in rangelands
6. Nature of Vegetation: Rangelands are characterized by low vegetation and comprises grasslands, steppes (shortgrass prairies), desert shrublands, shrub woodlands, savannas, chaparrals, mountain pastures, plateaus and tundra.
7. Rangelands are distinct from pastureland as they are composed of native vegetation, rather than cultivation by human societies.
8. They are generally confined to areas of marginal or submarginal agricultural land or to areas that are entirely unsuited to permanent cultivation.
9. Development: Rangelands are developed under conditions of periodic disturbance ie.  drought, fire, grazing, weed incursions, outbreaks of insect pests, disease, and human activities.

These disturbances often help maintain the rangeland ecosystem’s biological diversity and soil health over long periods of time.

Findings of the Report:

• Degradation of Rangelands: Almost half of the world’s rangelands i.e. 50% are degraded and accounts for one sixth of global food production and represent nearly one third of the planet’s carbon reservoir.
• Symptoms of degradation: Diminished soil fertility and nutrients, erosion, salinization, alkalinization, and soil compaction inhibiting plant growth, increasingly contributing  to drought, precipitation fluctuations, and biodiversity loss both above and below the ground.

Reason of Degradation:

1. It is due to climate change, population growth, excessive grazing, abandonment (end of maintenance by pastoralists) and growing farmlands
2. Land use change:Converting pastures to cropland and other land use changes due to population growth and urban expansion, and rapidly rising food, fibre and fuel demands.
3. Weak governance: Poorly implemented policies and regulations leading to over exploitation and lack of investment in rangeland communities and sustainable production models.
4. The Greening Problem: Rangelands are often the go through land for greening activities like afforestation and renewable energy production.
5. Less than 5 percent of India’s grasslands fall within protected areas, and the total grassland area declined from 18 to 12 million hectares between 2005 and 2015
6. Example: Wind energy and solar plants in the habitat of the Great Indian Bustard in India.

Pastoralism In India:

1. India has some 46 distinct pastoralist identities and they distinguish themselves from farmers by not owning land.
2. They use their herds or flocks to harvest “waste” biomass, grazing on harvested fields, in the forest or on uncultivated land.
3. They include transhumance (seasonal migrations, such as between lowlands and mountains), nomadic and semi-nomadic movements, and village-based herding.
4. Pastoralists Economy: They contribute to the economy through livestock rearing and milk production with the livestock sector contributing 4 percent of national gross domestic product and 26 per cent of agricultural gross domestic product.
5. The country also accounts for 20 per cent of the world’s livestock population.
6. Community: They are estimated to be around 20 million or more in population making up 1% of total and include prominent groups such as Maldharis, Van Gujjars, Rabaris,etc
7. Marginalization:  Pastoralists in India are considered as marginalized community with little influence on policy decisions, thus needs better recognition of their rights and access to markets

Rights and welfare Initiatives: 

1. The Forest Rights Act 2006:  It has given pastoralists grazing rights across states in the country.
2. Legal victory: The Van Gujjars community won the grazing rights and received land titles in the Rajaji National Park, following the high court judgment.
3. Welfare schemes: Schemes by the government providing assistance to pastoralists under the National Livestock Mission, Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund and the Rashtriya Gokul Mission on sustainable dairy production for bettering their socio-economic status.

Key Recommendations:

1. Integrated Management Plans:The climate change mitigation and adaptation strategies should combine with the sustainable rangeland management plans to increase carbon sequestration while enhancing the pastoralist and rangeland communities’ resilience.
2. Limit Land use change:Reduce rangeland conversion and other land use changes especially on indigenous and communal lands that diminish the diversity and multi functionality of rangelands,
3. Conservation Measures:Rangeland conservation measures need to be adopted, within and outside protected areas, to support biodiversity and improve the health, productivity, and resilience of extensive livestock production systems.
4. Pastoralism:Adopt and support pastoralism-based strategies and practices to mitigate harms to rangeland health.
5. Policy Intervention: Promote supportive policies, full people’s participation and flexible management and governance systems to boost rangeland and pastoralist services.

International Criminal Court (ICC):

The International Criminal Court’s (ICC) prosecutor is seeking arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Defence Minister Yoav Gallant, and three Hamas leaders for war crimes.

International Criminal Court (ICC):

• It is a permanent judicial body established by the Rome Statute (1998) to investigate, prosecute, and try individuals accused of genocide, war crimes, crimes against humanity, and the crime of aggression, and to impose prison sentences upon individuals who are found guilty of such crimes.
• Background: The court’s founding treaty, the Rome Statute, was adopted in July 1998, and the court began work in 2003.
• HQ: Hague, Netherlands.
• Members: 123 nations are States Parties to the Rome Statute and recognize the ICC’s authority. The notable exceptions being the US, China, Russia, and India.
• Funding: The Court is funded by contributions from the States Parties and by voluntary contributions from Governments, international organizations, individuals, corporations, and other entities.

Composition:

1. Judges: The Court has eighteen judges, each from a different member country, elected to non-renewable nine-year terms.
2. The Presidency: Consists of three judges(the President and two Vice-Presidents) elected from among the judges. It represents the Court to the outside world and helps with the organization of the work of the judges.
3. Judicial Divisions: 18 judges in 3 divisions, the Pre-Trial Division, the Trial Division, and the Appeals Division.
4. Office of the Prosecutor (OTP): OTP is responsible for receiving referrals and any substantiated information on crimes within the jurisdiction of the Court. OTP examines these referrals and information, conducts investigations, and conducts prosecutions before the Court.
5. Registry: The core function of the Registry is to provide administrative and operational support to the Chambers and the OTP.

Jurisdiction of ICC:

Unlike the International Court of Justice, which hears disputes between states, the ICC handles prosecutions of individuals. 

• The ICC is only competent to hear a case if:
• The country where the offence was committed is a party to the Rome Statute; or
• The perpetrator’s country of origin is a party to the Rome Statute.
• The ICC may only exercise its jurisdiction if the national court is unable or unwilling to do so.
• The ICC only has jurisdiction over offences committed after the Statute’s entry into force on 1 July 2002.

Relation with United Nations (UN):

1. While not A UN organization, the Court has a cooperation agreement with the UN.
2. When a situation is not within the Court’s jurisdiction, the UN Security Councilcan refer the situation to the ICC, granting it jurisdiction.

CDS Gen Anil Chauhan attends Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024

Ex Cyber Suraksha to further enhance collaboration & integration among military and national agencies

• Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) Gen Anil Chauhan attended ‘Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024’, on May 22, 2024, and underscored the importance of strengthening India’s cyber defence capabilities.
• The comprehensive cyber defence exercise is being conducted by Defence Cyber Agency from 20 – 24 May 2024. It aims to further develop Cyber Defence Capability of all Cyber security organisations and promote synergy amongst all stakeholders. It focusses on enhancing collaboration and integration among participants from various military and prominent national organizations.
• The CDS highlighted the critical need for jointness among all stakeholders in the cyber domain and praised the initiative for fostering a collaborative environment to tackle emerging cyber threats. He commended the participants and staff for their dedication and efforts in organizing the Exercise.
• Exercise Cyber Suraksha – 2024 aims to empower participants by enhancing their cyber defence skills, techniques and capabilities; share best practices, and work towards a unified and robust cyber defence posture. It will promote jointmanship and synergy in planning and preparation of a a Cyber Defence Framework. The event reaffirms the commitment of the Indian Armed Forces to safeguarding national security in the increasingly important cyber domain.

POWERGRID gets global recognition for Learning & Development, receives ATD Best Awards for the third time

1. Power Grid Corporation of India Limited (POWERGRID), a Maharatna Central Public Sector Enterprise under the Ministry of Power, Government of India, has been conferred the prestigious ATD BEST Awards 2024 for its strategic approach to talent development driving business results.
2. The ATD BEST Awards, established by the Association for Talent Development (ATD), USA, is one of the most esteemed international recognitions in the field of Learning and Development (L&D). It honors organizations that leverage talent development as a strategic business tool and demonstrate enterprise-wide success through effective employee development practices. The ranking is said to be determined through a rigorous evaluation and assessment process conducted by international experts of high integrity and global eminence.
3. This year’s accolade highlights POWERGRID’s innovative approach to adopting latest technologies, such as artificial intelligence and machine learning, for the efficient maintenance of extensive power transmission network and the successful execution of large-scale projects. This recognition places POWERGRID among the elite organizations worldwide in the field of Learning & Development. This is the third time POWERGRID has been honoured with the ATD BEST Award, having previously received it in 2021 and 2023.

The achievement is a testament to the dedication and hard work of POWERGRID employees and the strategic vision of the leadership in fostering an environment that encourages continuous learning and skill enhancement. By embracing cutting-edge technologies and nurturing talent, POWERGRID is well-positioned to continue delivering excellence in the power transmission sector.

The Department of Science and Technology (DST) organized a national brainstorming session on “Transforming Science, Technology and Innovation Ecosystem of India”

1. The Department of Science and Technology (DST) organized a national brainstorming session on “Transforming Science, Technology, and Innovation Ecosystems of India” at the Indian National Science Academy (INSA), today in New Delhi.
2. The day-long discussions were hosted by the Indian National Science Academy (INSA) and focused on critical areas like research and innovation; equity and inclusion; technology development, translation, innovation, and entrepreneurship; international cooperation; and science, technology, and innovation governance.
3. DST was the pioneer in developing science and technology policies to facilitate R&D over the years. He said, “We set up several centers of policy research, and we have taken the lead in areas like formulating science and technology indicators, benchmarking those indicators against global practices, and doing evidence-based analysis about the entire scientific and technological ecosystem in the country.
4. Karandikar emphasized that DST could take the lead in developing policy interventions in different sectors in harmony with all line ministries for ease of doing research and facilitating deep tech startups. “At present, as the S&T ecosystem transforms rapidly, we need to design agile and adaptive policies that can sync with the changes,” he added.
5. “We need a long-term policy for creating a very robust and strong ecosystem of basic science research in the country, which can lead to more discoveries and inventions from our country. I hope that all of you who have been working in their respective areas will be able to deliberate and come up with some recommendations that we can take forward.“
6. Ashutosh Sharma, President, INSA said “Science, technology, and innovation (STI) policy formation was a mammoth exercise, involving the consultation of a wide range of around 50,000 stakeholders from different sectors and balancing conflicting demands.”
7. He also highlighted that science can work only with right kind of policy highlighting how the new open National Geospatial Policy could reach benefits of Geospatial information to Indians and helped make resources like rural land economically important by defining ownership.
8. Akhilesh Gupta, Senior Adviser, DST, gave an outline of the DST’s policy research initiatives and chalked out the entire exercise of formulation of the Science, Technology, and Innovation Policy (STIP) 2020.
9. The expected outcomes from the sessions are to develop a comprehensive roadmap for national science policy development, identify specific policy recommendations to address critical challenges within each focus area., foster collaboration and knowledge exchange between policymakers, researchers, and industry stakeholders, and establish a platform for ongoing dialogue and collaborative policy development efforts.

Emblica chakrabartyi

Recently, scientists have reported the discovery of a new plant species Emblica chakrabartyi from Adichilthotti within the Edamalayar forest range of Kerala.

Emblica chakrabartyi:

The species belonging to the gooseberry (Phyllanthaceae) family has been named after Tapas Chakrabarty, former scientist at the Botanical Survey of India, for his contribution to the study on Phyllanthaceae.

Features

1. The plant attains a height of approximately 2 metres. The leaves are large with a shiny elongated oval shape of up to 13 cm.
2. The flowering and fruiting occur during December to June. Male flowers are found in inflorescence whereas females ones are in single, on the leaf axils.
3. Each flower bears yellowish green coloured six petals. The fruits are brown to black when they ripen and the seeds are black about 8-9 mm diameter.
4. Generally growing as shrubs in tropical rain forests, 55 species of the genus Emblica have been recorded all around the world.
5. The new plant is the eleventh from India.

DCGI calls for strict reporting of side-effects related to medical devices

In its circular issued this week the top drug regulator said that the post-market surveillance of medical devices is important to ensure safety and performance

The Drugs Controller General of India (DCGI) has directed all medical device license holders and manufacturers to report any adverse events related to life-saving medical equipment on the government’s Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI) platform.

• Objective: To mitigate risks and safeguard public health by ensuring the safety and performance of medical devices through post-market surveillance (PMS).

Medical Device

• A medical device is any tool or item made by a manufacturer for use in humans, either alone or combined with others.
• It includes instruments, machines, implants, reagents for testing, software, and similar items.

Global Post marketing Surveillance Approaches

1. United States of America (USA): FDA regulates all food, pharmaceuticals, vaccines, and medical devices.
2. Before entering into the market, medical devices must be authorized and approved by the FDA.
3. Canada: Canada regulates licensing for modified devices.
4. This licensing checks compliance criteria during the Pre-Marketing phase.
5. Japan: Pharmaceutical and Medical Device Agency supervises all medical devices that fall under certain rules.
6. The agency gives certification, ensures quality , and provides license. 
7. Australia: Sponsors are required to submit records of medical devices to the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA)at time of introducing any product in the market.
8. Records include batch number and ingredient information.
9. United Kingdom (UK): UK maintains all databases and schemes for monitoring and reporting adverse events.
10. Europe:  National Competency Authority (NCA) oversees all medical devices and handles all complaints from manufacturers directly.

These devices are meant for specific medical purposes, such as diagnosing, treating, or preventing diseases, managing injuries, supporting bodily functions, controlling conception, and more.

Types of Medical Devices

1. Instruments and Apparatuses: Includes tools and equipment.
2. Implements and Machines: Various devices and machines.
3. Appliances and Implants: Devices used in or on the body.
4. Reagents for In-Vitro Use: Substances used for testing outside the body.
5. Calibrators and Software: Tools for measurement and data management.
6. Materials and Related Articles: Any other similar items.

Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI)

1. This programme is a national initiative to monitor the safety of medical devices in India.
2. Nodal Ministry:Ministry Of Health and Family Welfare

Pharma covigilance

1. It is also known as“drug safety”.
2. It focuses on collection, detection, assessment, monitoring, and prevention of all adverse effects associated with the pharmaceutical products.
3. It works like regulatory agencies within industry.

Significance:

1. Comprehensive Reporting: MvPI is crucial for the systematic reporting of adverse events related to medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices.
2. Coordinated Analysis:The program facilitates coordinated analysis of the reported data to understand the frequency and severity of risks.
3. Risk Mitigation: By identifying and addressing potential risks, MvPI helps in implementing measures to mitigate these risks.
4. Recommendations for License Holders
5. Mandatory Reporting:All medical device license holders should use the MvPI platform to report any adverse events or serious adverse events associated with their devices.
6. Enhanced Compliance:The recommendation highlights the crucial need to adhere to MvPI guidelines to guarantee the safety of medical devices and safeguard public health.

Regulatory Framework

1. Governing Acts:Medical devices, including in-vitro diagnostic devices, are regulated under
2. The Drugs and Cosmetics Act, 1940
3. The Medical Devices Rules, 2017.
4. Licensing Requirements: A license or approval is necessary for the import or manufacture of medical devices for the Indian market.

Challenges in Regulating Medical Devices in India

1. High Dependence on Imports: India gets about 80% of its medical devices from other countries due to which India is very dependent on imports.
2. Weak Domestic Manufacturing:
3. Regulation Issues: There is no strong system in place to regulate medical device manufacturing.
4. Limited Local Production: India produces limited components needed for medical devices within the country.
5. Lack of Skilled Workers: A lack of skilled professionals also hinders the growth of a local manufacturing ecosystem.
6. Dominance of Multinational Companies: Big international companies have the capacity to supply medical devices, which increases India’s reliance on imports.

Post-Market Surveillance (PMS)

1. PMS allows for ongoing evaluation of medical device performance in real-world use, going beyond pre-market testing.
2. It helps identify new potential risks or adverse events associated with the devices.

Role of Post-Market Surveillance (PMS) for Medical Devices in India:

1. Ensures Safety and Performance: PMS has a significant role in guaranteeing the ongoing safety and effectiveness of medical devices after they enter the market.
2. Identifies and Addresses Risks: Through PMS, potential risks or adverse events associated with the devices can be detected and addressed.
3. Enables Timely Reporting: Timely reporting of adverse events is essential for PMS. This allows for:

• Identifying unforeseen risks.
• Analyzing how often known risks occur.

4. Informs Corrective Actions: Based on PMS data, both manufacturers and regulatory bodies can take necessary actions to mitigate risks and safeguard public health.
5. Utilizes MvPI Platform: The Materiovigilance Programme of India (MvPI) serves as a key platform for reporting adverse events related to medical devices.

Bharal

Wildlife authorities in Himachal Pradesh’s high altitude, cold desert district of Lahaul & Spiti have started surveys as part of census to estimate the population of blue sheep or bharal and the Himalayan ibex, the main prey of the iconic snow leopard.

Bharal:

• The bharal, also called the blue sheep, is a caprine native to the high Himalayas.
• Scientific Name: Pseudois nayaur
• It is the only member of the genus Pseudois.
• Distribution: It occurs in India, Bhutan, China (in Gansu, Ningxia, Sichuan, Tibet, and Inner Mongolia), Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan.

Features:

• These medium-sized caprids are 115 to 165 cm (45 to 65 in) long along the head and body, with a tail of 10 to 20 cm (3.9 to 7.9 in).
• They stand 69 to 91 cm (27 to 36 in) high at the shoulder.
• Males are slightly larger than females.
• The short, dense coat is slate grey in colour, sometimes with a bluish shine. The underparts and backs of the legs are white, while the chest and fronts of the legs are black.
• It has horns that grow upwards, curve out, and then towards the back, somewhat like an upside-down.
• Bharal are active throughout the day, alternating between feeding and resting on the grassy mountain slopes.

Conservation Status:

1. IUCN Red List: Least Concern
2. Wildlife Protection Act 1972: Schedule 1

Himalayan Ibex:

1. It is a subspecies of the Siberian ibex that is native to the Himalayan region of India, Pakistan, Tibet, and Nepal.
2. Ibex is any of several sure-footed, sturdy wild goats of the genus Capra in the family Bovidae that are found in the mountains of Europe, Asia, and northeastern Africa.
3. Scientific Name: Capra sibirica hemalayanus
4. They inhabit the high-altitude regions of the Himalayas, including the Trans-Himalayan region, where they can be found at elevations between 3,000 and 5,800 meters.
5. It is found in several parts of India, primarily in the states of Jammu and Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.

Features:

An adult ibex weighs about 90 kgs, and stands around 40 inches tall, with huge curved horns. Males are larger than females.

• The horns have notches on the front, and grow each year.
• They have a light brown to reddish-brown coat, with a white belly and black and white markings on their legs.
• Their coat is thick and woolly in winter, and shed in early summer.
• The colour ranges from pale brown to dark brown, with a darker dorsal stripe.
• They are usually found in small herds, sometimes around 50 together.
• They can run at a speed of up to 50 km/h.
• Conservation Status: IUCN Red List: Near Threatened