Monday, 5th February 2024

In News: The Koteshwar (Kori Creek), Kutch, Gujarat, hosted the National Conference on the Promotion of Seaweed Cultivation in a recent gathering.

Introduction to Seaweeds

• Seaweeds are macroscopic, multicellular marine algae, exhibiting a spectrum of colors including red, green, and brown. 
• Recognized as the 'Medical Food of the 21st Century,' they thrive in various marine environments, from intertidal regions to deep-sea habitats and estuaries.

Distribution and Habitat

• Seaweeds predominantly inhabit intertidal zones, shallow and deep sea waters, as well as estuaries.
• Notable formations include kelp forests, acting as vital underwater nurseries for diverse marine life.

Seaweed Species in India

• India hosts approximately 844 reported seaweed species in its waters.
• Cultivated species like Gelidiella acerosa, Gracilaria spp., Sargassum spp., Turbinaria spp., and Cystoseira trinodis contribute to the production of valuable substances like agar, alginates, and liquid seaweed fertilizer.

Major Seaweed Beds in India

• Abundant seaweed resources are concentrated along the coasts of Tamil Nadu and Gujarat, as well as around Lakshadweep, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.
• Notable beds exist in Mumbai, Ratnagiri, Goa, Karwar, Varkala, Vizhinjam, and Pulicat.

Significance of Seaweeds

• Bio-indicator
• Seaweeds serve as bio-indicators, absorbing excess nutrients and signaling chemical damage in marine ecosystems.
• Food Source 
• Rich in vitamins, minerals, and dietary fiber, seaweed is utilized in various food products, from sushi to snacks.
• Bioproducts 
• Seaweed extracts find applications in cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and bioplastics, offering sustainable alternatives.
• Carbon Capture 
• Seaweed aids in carbon dioxide absorption, presenting a potential solution to combat climate change.
• Livelihoods
• Seaweed farming empowers coastal communities, providing income with minimal investment and quick returns.

Other Benefits and Applications

• Seaweeds find use in laxatives, pharmaceutical capsules, goiter treatment, cancer therapy, bone replacement, and cardiovascular surgeries.
• Historical evidence suggests potential ancient medicinal uses, such as in breast cancer treatment.

Government Initiatives

• Seaweed Mission
• Aiming to commercialize seaweed farming and processing for value addition along India's extensive coastline.
• Commercialisation of Seaweed Products
• The ICAR-CMFRI successfully commercialized nutraceutical products like CadalminTM Immunalgin and CadalminTM Antihypercholesterolemic extracts, promoting anti-viral immunity and combating high cholesterol.

Multi-Purpose Seaweed Park in Tamil Nadu

• Highlighting the establishment of a multi-purpose seaweed park in Tamil Nadu, fostering research, development, and commercialization to harness the full potential of seaweed resources.

Source: PIB

In News: As a notable step to encourage Research and Development (R&D) in the private sector, the Finance Minister, in the Interim Union Budget 2024-25, unveiled the creation of a financial corpus amounting to Rs 1 lakh crore.

Budget 2024-25 Announcement: Rs 1 Lakh Crore Corpus for Private Sector R&D Incentives

Introduction

• The recently announced budget for the fiscal year 2024-25 includes a significant allocation of Rs 1 Lakh Crore aimed at incentivizing Research and Development (R&D) in the private sector.

Objectives of the Corpus

• Low-Cost or Zero-Interest Loans: The corpus is designed to provide low-cost or zero-interest loans to facilitate research and innovation in the private sector.
• Long-Term Financing Facility: Private companies can avail interest-free loans for up to 50 years, providing a long-term financing or refinancing facility through this innovative mechanism.
• Encouraging Innovation in Sunrise Domains: The initiative is expected to encourage private sector entities to scale up research and innovation significantly, particularly in sunrise domains.

Alignment with Government Initiatives

• The establishment of this new fund aligns with the government's ongoing efforts to foster private sector involvement in research activities. 
• Notably, the government had set up the National Research Foundation (NRF) last year.

Overview of NaBFID (National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development)

• Specialized Development Finance Institution: NaBFID serves as a specialized Development Finance Institution (DFI) in India, focusing on supporting the country's infrastructure sector.
• Establishment: Founded in 2021 through an Act of Parliament, the National Bank for Financing Infrastructure and Development Act, 2021.
• Objectives: NaBFID aims to address gaps in long-term non-recourse finance for infrastructure development, strengthen bonds and derivatives markets, and sustainably boost the country's economy.

Insights into NIIF (National Investment and Infrastructure Fund)

• Government-Backed Sovereign Wealth Fund: NIIF is a government-backed quasi-sovereign wealth fund, with a 49% government stake and the rest held by foreign and domestic investors.
• Establishment: Set up in 2015 and registered with SEBI as a Category-II Alternative Investment Fund (AIF).

Govt's Plan for Operationalizing Rs 1 Lakh Crore Corpus Fund through Financial Institutions

• Project Success Rate Consideration: Acknowledging the potentially low success rate and long gestation periods for some projects, the government is contemplating long-duration loans of up to 50 years with zero interest to financial institutions.
• Operational Mechanism: Financial institutions may receive these loans and, in turn, provide credit at nil or concessional rates for refinancing or directly financing commercial ventures.
• Commercial Funding for Innovation: The allocated Rs 1 Lakh Crore is designated for commercial, for-profit ventures, specifically those involving innovative and cutting-edge technologies.
• Enabling Ecosystem: The government aims to create an enabling ecosystem for ventures in emerging technologies to thrive.
• Sector Considerations: Inter-ministerial deliberations are underway to determine the sectors eligible for funding under this initiative.
• Project Allocation: The Rs 1 Lakh Crore corpus will be distributed over the years for various projects, with decisions potentially made by an expert committee.

Source: IE

In News: In a recent incident, more than 200 Gentoo penguins were discovered deceased in the Falkland Islands, Antarctica, as a result of the H5N1 Avian Influenza Virus spreading.

Avian Influenza: Understanding the Virus

Overview

• Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral infection primarily affecting birds, both wild and domestic. The emergence of the H5N1 virus in 1996 marked a significant development, particularly in Southern China.

Transmission to Humans and Symptoms

• Human Cases: While human cases of H5N1 avian influenza are infrequent, person-to-person transmission is challenging.
• Symptoms: Ranging from mild flu-like symptoms to severe respiratory issues, the mortality rate, as per the World Health Organization (WHO), is approximately 60%.

Avian Influenza in India

• Initial Outbreak: The first outbreak in India occurred in 2006 in Navapur, Maharashtra, followed by annual occurrences.
• H5N8 Observations: H5N8 was first detected in India in November 2016, mainly affecting wild birds across five states, with Kerala reporting the highest number of cases.
• Nationwide Impact: Reported in 24 states and union territories, leading to the culling of over 9 million birds.
• India's Approach: Follows a "detect and cull" policy outlined in the National Action Plan for Prevention, Control, and Containment of Avian Influenza (revised - 2021).

Treatment

• Antivirals: Effective in treating avian influenza virus infections in humans, reducing severity and the risk of death.

Key Facts About Gentoo Penguins: Understanding a Unique Species

• Scientific Name: Pygoscelis papua
• Distinctive Features: Characterized by a white band above each eye, a black throat, a prominent brush tail, and a mostly deep orange or red bill.
• Distribution: Exclusively found in the Southern Hemisphere, particularly on the Antarctic Peninsula and various sub-Antarctic islands, with a significant presence in the Falkland Islands.
• Habitat: Typically situated along shorelines, strategically positioning themselves for efficient foraging and nesting while staying close to their nests.
• Threats:
• Predators: Vulnerable to predation by various marine and avian species.
• Human Impact: Historical practices such as egg collection and harvesting of skins and blubber.
• Environmental Changes: Changing conditions and competition with humans for prey may impact population sizes.
• Conservation Status: Least Concern on the IUCN Red List.

Source: DTE

In News: In a recent breakthrough, scientists have successfully fused brain-like tissue with electronics, giving rise to Brainoware—an 'organoid neural network (ONN)' proficient in voice recognition and adept at solving intricate mathematical problems.