01 June 2026

UPSC GS 2

Forest Advisory Committee (FAC)

1. News:    The Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has recently granted in-principle approval for the diversion of more than 3,000 hectares of forest land across multiple states for major infrastructure projects.

2. About Forest Advisory Committee (FAC):

a. The Forest Advisory Committee is a statutory body constituted under the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980.

b. It functions under the Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC).

3. Functions of the Forest Advisory Committee:

a. The committee examines proposals involving the diversion of forest land for non-forest purposes.

b. It evaluates projects related to mining, industrial development, townships, infrastructure, and other non-forest activities.

c. The committee advises the Central Government on whether forest clearance should be granted for such proposals.

4. Process of Forest Land Diversion:

a. Examination of Proposals:  The FAC scrutinizes proposals seeking the use of forest land for non-forest purposes and assesses their environmental implications.

b. Recommendation by FAC: Once the committee approves or rejects a proposal, its recommendation is forwarded to the concerned State Government where the forest land is located.

c. Compliance with Forest Rights Act: The State Government must ensure compliance with the provisions of the Forest Rights Act 2006. This Act safeguards the rights of forest-dwelling communities and tribal populations over forest land and resources.

d. Compensatory Afforestation: Project proponents are required to provide land for compensatory afforestation to offset the loss of forest cover.

e. Payment of Net Present Value (NPV): The user agency must also pay the Net Present Value (NPV) of the diverted forest land as part of the forest clearance process.

5. Significance of FAC:

a. The committee acts as an important institutional mechanism for balancing developmental needs with forest conservation objectives.

b. It helps ensure that diversion of forest land takes place only after careful scrutiny of environmental, ecological, and social considerations.  

UPSC GS 3

1. Rumen Fluke (Paramphistomosis)

2. News:    Around 70 cattle deaths in Kendrapada district of Odisha have been linked to rumen fluke disease, locally known as Kurmi.

3.  About Rumen Fluke:

a. Rumen flukes are parasitic worms of ruminants and occur worldwide.

b. Adult parasites inhabit the rumen (stomach), while immature larval stages develop in the small intestine.

c. They require a snail as an intermediate host.

d. Heavy infestation causes paramphistomosis, a disease resulting from intestinal damage caused by large numbers of larvae.

e. The disease is particularly associated with tropical and subtropical regions.

4. Transmission: Occurs through ingestion of contaminated water or vegetation carrying infective larval stages.

5. Symptoms:

a. Severe diarrhoea

b. Rapid weight loss

c. Swelling under the jaw (Bottle Jaw)

d. Reduced milk yield and curdling

e. Significant body mass loss despite normal appetite

6. Treatment and Management:

a. Treated using anthelmintic drugs (medicines used to eliminate parasitic worms). 

Interfilum Shuklaii

1. News:   Researchers from Catholicate College have discovered a new species of green algae named Interfilum shuklaii from the Western Ghats of Kerala.

2. About Interfilum Shuklaii:

a. Interfilum shuklaii is a newly identified species of green algae.

b. The species was discovered in the forest ecosystems of the Western Ghats in Kerala.

c. It has been named in honour of Shubhanshu Shukla, a Group Captain, test pilot, and astronaut of the Indian Air Force.

d. The species belongs to the family Klebsormidiaceae under the order Klebsormidiales.

3.   Distinctive Features:

a. The algae is characterised by a non-striated mucilage envelope.

b. It also possesses remnants of the mother cell wall that form a distinctive dome-shaped cap.

4.   Scientific Significance: This is the first recorded discovery of the genus Interfilum from India.

5. Potential Applications:

a. The genus Interfilum is gaining importance in biotechnology because of its ability to tolerate environmental stress and produce biomass efficiently.

b. It has potential applications in carbon sequestration and climate mitigation efforts.

c. The algae may also contribute to the development of biofertilisers for sustainable agriculture.

d. Its resilience and growth characteristics make it a promising candidate for future space life-support systems.

6.  Significance of the Discovery: The discovery highlights the rich biodiversity of the Western Ghats and underscores the region's importance as a hotspot for new species discoveries and biological research. 

Babesia

1. News:  Two lion cubs in the Gir National Park region of Gujarat reportedly died due to a suspected infection caused by Babesia.

2.  About Babesia:

a. Babesia is a genus of microscopic protozoan parasites that infect the red blood cells (RBCs) of animals and humans.

b. Infection by these parasites causes a disease known as babesiosis.

3. Transmission:

a. Babesia is transmitted primarily through the bite of infected ticks.

b. The principal vector is the Ixodes Tick, commonly known as the deer tick.

c. The same tick is also responsible for transmitting other diseases, including Lyme Disease.

4. Host Range and Distribution:

a. Babesiosis affects both animals and humans, although it is considerably more common in animals.

b. Cattle, dogs, and several other mammals are particularly susceptible to infection.

c. Human cases are more frequently reported in regions where tick populations are abundant.

d. The parasite is mainly distributed in the Americas, especially the northeastern region, as well as parts of Europe and Asia.

5. Is Babesiosis Contagious?:

a. Babesiosis does not spread directly from one person to another.

b. In rare cases, the parasite may be transmitted from an infected pregnant woman to her fetus.

6. Symptoms:

a. Many infected individuals may remain asymptomatic or experience only mild symptoms.

b. Severe infections can result in high fever, fatigue, anaemia, and complications arising from the destruction of red blood cells.

7. Severe Complications:

a. In serious cases, babesiosis may lead to respiratory failure, kidney failure, liver failure, heart-related complications, and coagulopathy.

8. Treatment:

a. Babesiosis is generally treated using a combination of antimicrobial drugs because the disease is caused by a parasitic organism.

b. Recommended Drug Therapy:

c. The most commonly recommended treatment consists of a combination of atovaquone, an antiparasitic drug, and azithromycin, an antibiotic.

CLEAR (Cleavable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter)

1. News:   Researchers at the Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research (JNCASR) have developed a novel imaging platform called CLEAR (Cleavable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter).

2. About CLEAR Technology:

a. Cleavable Light-Erased Antibody Reporter (CLEAR) is an innovative imaging platform designed to significantly enhance the visualization and mapping of proteins within biological samples.

b. The technology was developed by researchers at JNCASR.

c. Scientists from the Indian Institute of Science also collaborated in demonstrating its application in complex biological environments, particularly immune cell systems.

3. Key Features of CLEAR Technology:

a. Advanced Protein Visualization:

i. CLEAR enables scientists to visualize a large number of proteins within the same biological sample using a single fluorescent marker.

ii. This addresses a major challenge in spatial protein mapping.

b. Light-Cleavable Probe System:

i. Researchers developed a light-cleavable probe system that supports repeated cycles of protein labelling and imaging within the same spectral window.

c. Signal Erasure and Re-Imaging:

i. After a set of proteins has been imaged, the fluorescent signal can be removed using a gentle pulse of 365 nm LED light.

ii. This allows researchers to label and image a new set of proteins within the same cell.

d. High-Resolution Protein Mapping:

i. The technology facilitates the creation of increasingly detailed protein maps across a wide range of specimens, from individual cells to complex tissue sections.

e. Compatibility with Delicate Samples:

i. Unlike many existing multiplex imaging methods, CLEAR combines high multiplexing capability with speed and spatial resolution.

ii. It is also compatible with sensitive biological samples, including live cells.

4. Significance of the Technology:

a. Disease Detection: CLEAR has the potential to improve early detection of diseases, particularly cancers and neurological disorders.

b. Understanding Biological Processes: The platform can help researchers gain deeper insights into immune responses, cellular interactions, and protein behaviour.

c. Precision Medicine: In the long term, the technology may contribute to precision medicine by enabling detailed molecular analysis that supports targeted therapies and personalized treatment strategies. 

Mission Queen Pineapple Initiative

1. News:   The Union Minister for the Development of North Eastern Region recently launched the Mission Queen Pineapple initiative to promote Tripura’s GI-tagged Queen Pineapple and strengthen its market potential.

2.   About Mission Queen Pineapple: Mission Queen Pineapple is a focused initiative aimed at promoting Tripura’s Unique Selling Proposition (USP), the GI-tagged Queen Pineapple.

3.   Objective:

a. The mission seeks to establish an integrated pineapple value-chain ecosystem in the state.

b. It aims to bridge structural gaps in the pineapple sector and unlock premium market opportunities for Tripura’s Queen Pineapple.

c. The initiative also focuses on converting discarded pineapple leaves into value-added products, thereby generating additional income opportunities.

4.   Time Period: The mission has been designed as a three-year implementation roadmap spanning from Q2 of FY 2026 to Q4 of FY 2028.

5. Nodal Ministry: The initiative is being implemented under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER).

6.  Key Features of the Mission:

a. It aims to strengthen the entire pineapple value chain, from production and processing to marketing and value addition.

b. The mission seeks to improve market access and enhance returns for pineapple growers.

c. It also promotes the utilization of pineapple waste, particularly leaves, for wealth creation and sustainable livelihood generation.

7.   Key Facts about Queen Pineapple:

a. Variety and Characteristics: Queen Pineapple is a spiny, golden-yellow pineapple variety renowned for its sweet taste, pleasant aroma, juicy flesh, and high nutritional value.

b. Nutritional Value:

i. The fruit is rich in vitamins A, B, and C.

ii. It also contains important minerals such as calcium, magnesium, potassium, and iron.

c. Quality Parameters:

i. The fruit has Total Soluble Solids (TSS), which indicate sweetness, ranging from 13 to 17.2 degrees Brix.

ii. Its acidity ranges between 0.6% and 0.8%, giving it a balanced sweet-tart flavour.

d. State Fruit Status: Queen Pineapple is the official state fruit of Tripura.

e. GI Tag: The variety received a Geographical Indication (GI) tag in 2015.