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Researchers Find Maharashtra’s Endangered Myristica Swamp Forest

A sacred Myristica swamp forest has been found in Kumbral, Maharashtra by researchers close to the border between Goa and Maharashtra. This finding underscores the importance of local communities in protecting unique habitats. Sacred groves like this are often protected due to cultural beliefs in this case tied to the reverence of Lord Shiva locally known as Bhalandeshwar.

What is Myristica magnifica?

The endangered plant species Myristica magnifica is mostly found in Kerala and Karnataka. It is essential to the ecology because it feeds animals, especially the endangered hornbill birds. This tree, which belongs to the nutmeg family, can reach a height of fifty meters. Its seeds are not as valuable commercially despite having a nutmeg-like flavor. The tree’s essential oil has potential uses in aromatherapy and its wood is utilized locally.

Significance of Discovery

With this finding, Kumbral becomes the second village in Maharashtra to have a Myristica swamp forest after Hewale-Bambarde in Sindhudurg. This place has traditionally been protected by the village people who view it as sacred and connected to Lord Shiva (known locally as Bhalandeshwar). This threatened ecology has been preserved thanks to community initiatives.

With an area of 8,200 square meters, the Kumbral grove is home to 39 distinct plant species. Within the grove there is a 770-square-meter area specifically dedicated to the swamp forest which contains 70 Myristica magnifica trees. This forest provides essential ecosystem services such as:

• Recharge of groundwater, which aids in storing water underground
• The process of sequestering carbon dioxide from the atmosphere
• Flood mitigation (helping reduce flooding)

Research and Documentation

The study’s results were released in the Journal of Threatened Taxa and Pravin Desai oversaw its coordination with Vishal Sadekar and Shital Desai. According to the study a variety of wildlife species including the imperiled Asian short-clawed otter, depend on this freshwater ecosystem.

Conservation Importance

In order to preserve the ecological balance of the Western Ghats a hotspot for biodiversity, the Myristica swamp forest must be preserved. Because the forest provides invaluable benefits to the ecosystem and is essential to the survival of local animals conservationists are pushing for more stringent protection laws.

SBI Foundation Launches 3rd Asha Scholarship Program For Students

The third iteration of the SBI Foundation’s Asha Scholarship Program has been started, with the goal of assisting 10,000 worthy students from disadvantaged households in India. This award provides financial support to students who need assistance with their education fees ensuring they can continue their studies.

What is the Asha Scholarship Program?

Students in Class 6 through postgraduate levels are eligible to apply for scholarships through the Asha Scholarship Program which was launched in 2022. The annual scholarship amount varies based on the needs and educational background of the recipient from ₹15,000 to ₹20,000,000.

Who can apply for the scholarship?

The program divides students into many groups according to their degree of education:

• School students
• Undergraduate students
• Postgraduate students
• The Indian Institutes of Technology (IITs) and Indian Institutes of Management (IIMs) students
• For Scheduled Caste (SC) and Scheduled Tribe (ST) students who choose to pursue higher education abroad, there is also a unique program called “Study Abroad.”

How can students apply?

The scholarship will accept applications until October 1, 2024 with the deadline being August 16, 2024. Interested students can find more details about eligibility and apply through the official website: www.sbifashascholarship.org.

How has the program helped so far?

Since the Asha Scholarship Program began, it has provided ₹3.91 crore in financial aid helping 3,198 students across India. This has improved the accessibility of education for students facing financial difficulties.

Challa Sreenivasulu Setty the Chairman of SBI, emphasized that the Asha Scholarship Program aligns with the bank’s broader mission of offering services that go beyond banking. Additionally he emphasized the Asha Scholars’ critical role in advancing India’s goal of becoming a developed country by 2047 (Viksit Bharat). 

Malpe and Mulki Anti-Submarine Warfare Ships are launched by India

Malpe and Mulki are the two new ships that the Indian Navy has launched. These are the fourth and fifth vessels of an eight-ship project to construct Shallow Water Crafts (SWC) for Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW). The Cochin Shipyard Ltd. hosted the launch. (CSL) in Kochi and is a big step toward India’s goal of becoming more self-reliant in making its defense equipment.

Details of the Launch

The ships were launched by Mrs. Vijaya Srinivas following traditional maritime customs. The occasion was also attended by Vice Admiral V Srinivas the head of the Southern Naval Command who handles operations in that portion of India.

Like Malpe and Mulki, the Mahe class ships bear the names of significant Indian coastal ports. The nation’s waters were once guarded by older minesweepers whose job is carried out by these vessels. They are part of India’s plan to modernize its navy and make it better equipped to deal with threats, especially submarines.

Contract and Development

The Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Cochin Shipyard Ltd. on April 30, 2019, to build eight of these ships. This agreement was reached in support of India’s efforts to encourage homegrown manufacturing and the growth of the nation’s shipbuilding industry.

Technological Features

The majority of the cutting-edge technology used to build these ships was created in India. They are made for anti-submarine operations in shallow coastal areas and are equipped with specialized underwater sensors to detect submarines. They can also conduct other low-intensity maritime tasks, such as minelaying.

The ASW SWC ships can sail up to 1,800 nautical miles at a speed of 25 knots before requiring refueling or supplies. This makes them ideal for coastal defense ensuring India can protect its waters more effectively.

More than 80% of the materials and technology used to build these ships come from India. This supports the country’s focus on ‘Atma Nirbhar Bharat’ (self-reliant India) creating jobs and boosting India’s ability to produce its defense equipment.

54th GST Council Meeting

The 54th meeting of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) Council was chaired by Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman and held in New Delhi. The council concentrated on changing the tax rates on necessities including snacks, cancer medications and health insurance.

Major Decisions Made

Group of Ministers (GoM): A special group has been created to review GST rates on health insurance, cancer medicines and savory snacks (known as namkeens).

GST Cut on Cancer Drugs: The council proposed reducing the GST from 12% to 5% on specific cancer treatments. This includes expensive drugs like Trastuzumab Deruxtecan, Osimertinib and Durvalumab.

Impact on Cancer Treatment

It is anticipated that the GST cut will bring down the sometimes extremely expensive cost of cancer treatments. The goal of this action is to lessen the financial burden that patients may have due to the increase in cancer cases in India. Here are some current costs for important cancer medications:

Trastuzumab Deruxtecan: ₹22,300 per vial

Osimertinib: ₹204,000 for 10 tablets

Durvalumab: ₹157,000 per vial

Potential Reductions on Other Goods

Savoury Snacks (Namkeens): The council is considering reducing GST on these snacks from 18% to 12%, with non-fried variants possibly taxed at 5%.

Research Services: Services supplied by government entities, universities and colleges for research could be excluded from GST.

Increases in GST for Certain Items

Car and Motorcycle Seats: The GST on these items may increase from 18% to 28%.

Helicopter Charters: The 18% GST will remain in place for helicopter charters; however the 5% tax will still apply to passenger flights.

Changes in taxpayer responsibilities

Reverse Charge Mechanism: There have been proposed updates to the taxation of metal scrap transactions and rentals of commercial real estate. In some circumstances the buyer will have to cover the tax.

Interest Waiver: If taxpayers pay by March 31, 2025, they may be eligible for a waiver of interest on unpaid tax requests from prior years.

Future Plans

GoM Report on Insurance: By October 2024, the GoM will present its research on the GST rates for life and health insurance.

New Invoice System: To streamline billing and lower input tax credit errors, a new Invoice Management System (IMS) will be implemented. A pilot project for B2C (business-to-consumer) e-invoicing will also be launched to improve retail transaction transparency.

Significant modifications to India’s GST policy are reflected in this meeting. The council wants to lessen the financial strain on customers by cutting taxes on important cancer medications and other necessities. To offset the tax breaks in other areas, certain products and services, such as car seats can be subject to higher taxes.