Whatsapp 93125-11015 For Details
1. December 4th is observed as International Cheetah Day since 2010 to highlight global efforts to prevent cheetah extinction and promote conservation. This day was designated by Dr. Laurie Marker, an American zoologist and founder of the Cheetah Conservation Fund, in honor of Khayam, a cheetah she raised. Cheetahs (Acinonyx jubatus) are the fastest land mammals, with a history spanning over 5 million years. They are found in parts of Africa and Asia but have disappeared from 75% of their historic range. Their population has declined by over 30% in the last two decades, with Namibia hosting the largest population. Under the Cheetah Reintroduction Project, cheetahs were translocated from Namibia and South Africa to India in 2022 and 2023.
2. The UK House of Commons recently voted in favor of the Terminally Ill Adults (End of Life) Bill, allowing terminally ill patients to request assistance in ending their lives. This bill defines a terminally ill person as someone with a condition expected to lead to death within 6 months. Eligible individuals must be 18+, mentally competent, and residing in England or Wales for at least 12 months. The process includes a declaration, assessments by two doctors, judicial oversight, and a 14-day final reflection period. Globally, countries like the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and Belgium permit euthanasia and assisted suicide. Switzerland allows assisted dying, and the US has varying state laws. In India, passive euthanasia (withholding treatment) is legal, as affirmed by the 2018 Supreme Court ruling recognizing the "right to die with dignity" under Article 21.
3. The Pradhan Mantri Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM), previously known as the PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PMASBY), was launched in 2021 by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. With an outlay of Rs. 64,180 Crores for the period 2021-22 to 2025-26, the scheme is one of India's largest health infrastructure initiatives. Its primary objective is to strengthen healthcare systems across primary, secondary, and tertiary levels, as well as enhance pandemic preparedness. Key initiatives under PM-ABHIM include constructing 17,788 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs in rural areas, 11,024 urban Health & Wellness Centres, 3,382 Block Public Health Units, 730 District Integrated Public Health Labs, and 602 Critical Care Hospital Blocks in districts with populations over 5 lakh. The mission complements the National Health Mission (NHM) and supplements existing government health schemes like Ayushman Bharat and PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Scheme.
4. The Axiom-4 mission (Ax-4) is a private spaceflight to the International Space Station (ISS), operated by Axiom Space and using SpaceX Crew Dragon spacecraft. Scheduled for 2024, the mission aims to promote commercial space initiatives like space tourism and demonstrate the feasibility of commercial space stations. It will involve a multinational crew conducting scientific experiments in microgravity, with research areas including materials science, biology, and Earth observation. Indian astronauts Shubhanshu Shukla and Prasanth Balakrishnan Nair have completed the initial training phase for the mission, marking a significant step for India's presence in space exploration. The mission also aligns with India’s Gaganyaan program and a broader India-NASA collaboration. The ISS is a joint effort of 15 countries and 5 space agencies, orbiting Earth at 400 km altitude, with astronauts living and working aboard the station.
5. World Wildlife Conservation Day (4th December) highlights the importance of protecting India’s rich biodiversity and its critically endangered species. Originating from a 2012 pledge by the US State Department, this day encourages global efforts for wildlife preservation. India, with just 2.4% of the world’s land area, is a megadiverse country, home to 7-8% of all recorded species, including 91,000 animal species. It houses four out of 34 globally recognized biodiversity hotspots: the Himalayas, Indo-Burma, Western Ghats-Sri Lanka, and Sundaland. However, threats like rapid economic development, poaching, and habitat loss endanger wildlife. Man-animal conflicts are prevalent, especially in areas without adequate protection measures. While large animals like tigers and lions receive attention, species like the Great Indian Bustard are often neglected. As of 2022, India has 73 critically endangered species, up from 47 in 2011, including 9 endemic mammals.