In News:

On World Turtle Day (May 23, 2025), Assam’s Nagshankar Temple was officially declared a model temple for turtle conservation, highlighting the ecological role of temple ponds in preserving India’s turtle biodiversity.

Key Highlights

Nagshankar Temple – A Model for Turtle Conservation

• Location: Sootea town, Biswanath district, ~70 km from Tezpur, Assam.
• Established: Believed to be built in the 4th century AD by King Nagashankar of the Nagakha dynasty.
• Religious Importance: Dedicated to Lord Shiva, but turtles are revered as incarnations of Lord Vishnu.
• Ecological Value: Functions as a micro-wildlife sanctuary — home to 250–300 turtles, along with peacocks, pythons, and deer.

Turtle Conservation Initiatives

Species Conserved:

• Black Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia nigricans) – Critically Endangered
• Indian Softshell Turtle (Nilssonia gangetica)
• Malayan Softshell Turtle

These species thrive in the temple pond, which is fed by the Brahmaputra River basin, offering a suitable natural habitat.

Community & Scientific Collaboration:

• Key Stakeholders:
  • Nagshankar Temple Committee
  • Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA) India
  • Help Earth (NGO)
  • Kaziranga National Park & Tiger Reserve
  • Assam Forest Department
• Conservation Methods:
  • Artificial egg incubation and wild release of hatchlings.
  • Dried-fish diet introduced for temple turtles, replacing harmful offerings (e.g., biscuits, puffed rice).
  • Capacity-building workshops for forest staff and students to aid in turtle surveys.

Result: 486 hatchlings of the black softshell turtle have been released into the wild from the Nagshankar Temple pond.

Statewide Turtle Conservation Model

• Assam houses ~25 temple ponds actively involved in turtle conservation.
• Notable site: Hayagriva Madhav Temple in Hajo (Kamrup district).
• State Zoo in Guwahati has a dedicated breeding facility (established 2010) for the Assam Roofed Turtle (Pangshura sylhetensis, "Asomi Dura").

In News:
The issue of ‘D’ (Doubtful) voters recently resurfaced in the Assam Legislative Assembly, with the Opposition demanding closure of the state’s lone detention centre (now termed a transit camp) and the tabling of the National Register of Citizens (NRC) report.

Who are ‘D’ Voters?
‘D’ voters are individuals whose Indian citizenship is under suspicion. Introduced by the Election Commission of India (ECI) in 1997 specifically for Assam, these individuals are barred from voting or contesting elections until their citizenship is verified.

Legal and Procedural Aspects:

• Not Defined in Law: The term 'Doubtful Voter' is not defined under the Citizenship Act, 1955 or the Citizenship Rules, 2003.
• As per Citizenship Rules, 2003:
  • The Local Registrar must mark individuals with doubtful citizenship in the National Population Register (NPR) for further verification.
  • Affected individuals must be informed through a prescribed format and granted a hearing before the Taluk or Sub-district Registrar.
  • A decision on citizenship status must be made within 90 days.
• Foreigners Tribunal (FT): Cases of D-voters are referred to FTs, which decide whether the person is an Indian citizen or a foreigner. Based on the verdict, individuals can be:
  • Cleared and subsequently included in the NRC and electoral rolls.
  • Declared foreigners, leading to deportation or detention.

Key Features of D-Voter Status:

• Temporary Tag: The 'D' classification is not permanent and must be resolved within a set timeframe.
• Appeal Mechanism: Individuals can appeal to the Foreigners Tribunal for clearance.
• Impact on Families: Often, some members of a family are citizens while others are tagged as D-voters, leading to legal and social complications.
• Detention Concerns: Several individuals, including potential Indian citizens, have been detained for years without a clear mechanism for release.

Recent Developments:

• Political demands in Assam include the closure of detention centres and transparency regarding NRC implementation.
• Debates continue over the legal ambiguity and humanitarian implications of the D-voter category.

In News:

A recent study has revealed a dramatic decline in the number of bird species at Assam's Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS). The sanctuary, once home to a rich diversity of avian species, has experienced a 72% decline in bird species over the past 27 years. The study, published in the Journal of Threatened Taxa, highlights the severe biodiversity crisis facing the sanctuary.

Key Findings:

• Bird Species Count Decline:
  • In 1997, the sanctuary recorded 167 bird species.
  • Recent surveys (2022-2024) have only recorded 47 species, marking a 71.85% decline in species count.
• Surveys:
  • 2011 Survey: Recorded 133 species (86 resident, 23 migratory, 24 local migrants).
  • 2017-2018 Survey: Found 120 species, along with a variety of other biodiversity, including macrophytes, fish, and aquatic ferns.
• Impact on Migratory Birds:
  • Migratory species like Brown Shrike, Citrine Wagtail, and White Wagtail (winter migrants), and the Lesser Kestrel (summer migrant) were recorded recently.
• Main Causes of Decline:
  • Anthropogenic Activities: Overfishing, poaching, excessive harvesting of aquatic plants, and egg collection.
  • Land Use Changes: Habitat degradation due to agriculture, machinery noise, and land being used as pasture areas.
  • Disruption of Food Chain: Habitat loss and changes in foraging and breeding grounds for both migratory and resident birds.
• Species of Concern:
  • Poached Birds: Lesser whistling duck, Fulvous whistling duck, White-breasted waterhen, Indian pond heron, Eastern spotted dove, and Yellow-footed green pigeon.
  • Threatened Species: The sanctuary is home to globally threatened species like the Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Adjutant.

About Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary:

• Location: Situated between Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam, the sanctuary spans 11.25 sq. km at an altitude of 90-95 meters above sea level.
• History: Declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1996, it was originally part of the Subansiri River which has now shifted 7 km from the wetland.
• Climate & Vegetation:
  • Moist tropical climate with an average annual rainfall of around 2,000 mm.
  • The vegetation includes flooded valley grasslands and wetland plants, providing crucial habitat for migratory birds.
• Significance for Avian Species:
  • Hosts a variety of migratory waterfowl, especially during the winter.
  • Home to globally threatened bird species like the Spot-billed Pelican and Lesser Adjutant, along with resident birds such as the Indian Pond Heron and Fulvous Whistling Duck.

Conservation Efforts:

• The decline in bird species at the sanctuary has raised alarm about the degradation of wetland habitats.
  • The study emphasizes that habitat loss can disrupt the food chain, water table, and nutrient cycle, which in turn harms both the ecosystem and human communities.
• The authors of the study advocate for intense conservation efforts to restore and protect the sanctuary’s biodiversity.

Assam's Biodiversity:

• Assam is one of India's most biodiverse states, with around 950 bird species, including 17 endemic species.
• The state also hosts 55 Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas (IBA), which are vital hotspots for avian species.

In News:

India conducts the first-ever satellite tagging of the Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica) in Assam, a key step in wildlife conservation.

Key Highlights:

Objective of Tagging: The tagging aims to understand:

• Migratory patterns
• Range and distribution
• Habitat utilization, especially in fragmented river systems.

Key Participants:

• Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC)
• Wildlife Institute of India (WII)
• Assam Forest Department
• Aaranyak (NGO)
• Funded by the National CAMPA Authority.

Significance of the Tagging:

• Technology Used: Lightweight satellite tags compatible with Argos systems were employed, minimizing interference with the dolphin’s movement despite its limited surfacing time (5-30 seconds).
• Insight into Dolphin Ecology: Helps fill knowledge gaps regarding habitat needs and seasonal migration, especially in disturbed river ecosystems.

Ganges River Dolphin – India's National Aquatic Animal:

• Endemic to India with around 90% of the population in India.
• Known for being nearly blind and using echolocation for navigation and hunting.
• Plays a crucial role as an apex predator and indicator species for river ecosystem health.

Project Dolphin:

• Launched by PM Narendra Modi in 2020, modeled after Project Tiger.
• Focuses on conservation of riverine and marine dolphins.
• A 10-year initiative funded by MoEFCC to safeguard dolphin populations and address ecosystem challenges.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN: Endangered.
• Protection: Included in Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act (1972) and CITES Appendix I.
• Major Threats: Habitat degradation, pollution, bycatch, and water abstraction, compounded by damming and sand mining.

Broader Impact:

• The tagging initiative contributes to evidence-based conservation strategies for Ganges River Dolphins.
• Will aid in the development of a comprehensive conservation action plan for the species.
• Expands the understanding of critical habitats within river ecosystems, benefiting both biodiversity and the communities dependent on these resources.

In News:

• "Comics Commandos" is an innovative initiative launched in Goalpara district, Assam, aimed at combating child labour and child marriage through the creative medium of comics.
• The initiative trains 30 local youths to create comic strips that use humour and minimal text for effective communication and public engagement.

Purpose and Objectives:

• Primary Goal: To raise awareness about child labour and child marriage, two major social issues prevalent in the region, by using visual storytelling.
• The initiative aims to resonate with the local community, focusing on everyday struggles like economic hardship, child abuse, and the social norms that perpetuate these issues.
• Rising Dropout Rates: Assam has witnessed an increase in school dropout rates, from 3.3% in 2020-21 to 6.02% in 2021-22, exacerbated by economic pressures like poverty, which force children to work or marry early.

Execution and Approach:

• Training: Thirty local youths are trained to design caricatures and doodles for the comics, ensuring the messages are both simple and engaging for a broader audience.
• Visual Storytelling: The use of visuals over text helps overcome literacy barriers and makes the message more impactful and accessible.
• Community Involvement: The program collaborates with teachers and school committees to facilitate wider participation and support in creating social awareness.

Government Support:

• Chief Minister HimantaBiswaSarma initiated a state-wide campaign in 2023 against child marriage, with the ambitious goal of eradicating it by 2026. This initiative aligns with the state's broader efforts to address social issues.

Impact of the Initiative:

• Comics Commandos is being seen as an effective tool for community empowerment and awareness generation in a region that faces persistent social challenges.
• By involving local youths in the campaign, the initiative ensures community participation and ensures that the message is communicated in a culturally relevant manner.
• The program also empowers young people to use their creativity for social change, thus helping build leadership and social responsibility among the youth.

Why in the News?

The Prime Minister, Narendra Modi recently extended best wishes on the auspicious occasion of KatiBihu to the people of Assam.

About Kati Bihu:

• Kati Bihu is an annual celebration observed in the state of Assam, signifying the relocation of rice saplings.
• The term "Kati" translates to cutting, representing the agricultural activity during this period.
• Also known as Kongali Bihu, with "Kongali" connoting a state of poverty, the festival holds cultural significance in Assam alongside two other Bihu festivals—Bhogali or Magh Bihu in January and Rongali or Bohag Bihu in April.

Significance:

• In this month, food resources are scarce, prompting people to celebrate by illuminating their homes with earthen lamps or candles.
• Lighting lamps near the Tulsi plant are a central aspect of the festival, signifying devotion and auspiciousness.
• People light a special lamp known as "Akash Banti" (Sky candle) in their paddy fields. Fueled by mustard oil, these lamps are elevated on bamboo poles.
• The belief prevails that the illuminated lamps guide the spirits of ancestors toward their heavenly abode.

Why is it in the News?

Persistent high temperatures over an extended period might be responsible for the severe infestation of the Mythimna separata pest in Assam, causing damage to paddy crops in at least 15 districts.

About Mythimna Separata:

• This is a common long-distance migratory insect and a significant pest for various grain crops.
• Distribution: Mythimna separata is widely distributed in tropical and subtropical regions of Asia, including China, Japan, Southeast Asia, India, and eastern Australia.
• It has also been introduced to New Zealand and some Pacific islands.
• In India, it was initially identified as a sporadic pest in Tamil Nadu in 1937 and later in Kerala and Odisha in 1957.
• Known by various names such as the ear-head-cutting caterpillar, rice ear-cutting caterpillar, or armyworm, this pest feeds on leaves and has the capability to cut off panicles from the base of a crop plant.
• Its feeding habits often leave the field resembling it has been grazed by cattle.
• During an outbreak, the pest multiplies rapidly and moves in swarms from one field to another, similar to an army, causing harm to crops.
• The pest population tends to increase under favorable conditions, particularly when there is a rise in temperatures coupled with dryness.

Why is it in the News?

The Supreme Court on Thursday asked the Centre and Assam government to provide details on the “estimated inflow of illegal migrants” to Assam and other Northeastern states after March 25, 1971, and the status of border fencing.

News Summary:

• During the hearing of petitions, a five-judge bench of the Supreme Court expressed concerns about the perceived 'unlimited influx' of illegal migrants from Bangladesh, impacting demographics and straining resources for Indian citizens.
• The court questioned the application of Section 6A, granting Indian citizenship benefits to illegal migrants, solely in Assam and not in West Bengal, which shares a larger border with Bangladesh.
• The Supreme Court directed the Home Secretary to submit an affidavit by May 11, 2023, detailing the estimated inflow of illegal migrants, steps taken to address illegal immigration, and specifics on border-fencing extent and timelines.
• The government was also instructed to provide information on illegal immigration along the West Bengal border post on March 25, 1971.

Why Section 6A of the Citizenship Act, 1955 is Under Challenge?

• Presently, a Supreme Court bench is reviewing petitions from indigenous Assamese groups challenging Section 6A of the Citizenship Act.
• These groups assert that the special provision serves as a 'beacon' for illegal entrants to settle in Assam, gain Indian citizenship, and subsequently deprive locals of political, and economic rights, jeopardizing Assamese cultural identity.
• The petitioners question the constitutional validity of Section 6A, claiming it is arbitrary, specifically singles out Assam, violates Article 14, and has led to an influx of illegal migrants from Bangladesh.
• They advocate for establishing 1951 as the cutoff date for inclusion in the National Register of Citizens instead of 1971.
• The primary petitioner, Assam Sanmilita Mahasangha (ASM), argues that Section 6A is discriminatory, arbitrary, illegal, and infringes upon the rights of indigenous Assamese people by establishing a different citizenship cutoff date for Assam compared to the rest of India (July 1948).

What are the Arguments of the Central Government?

• The central government refutes the accusation of unfairly burdening the state with the responsibility of handling illegal migrants, contending that different states of India can be classified differently based on historical and geographical factors.
• According to the government, the classification implied in Section 6-A is founded on intelligible differentia.
• Dismissing claims of arbitrariness, the Centre asserts that the guarantee against non-arbitrariness under Article 14 does not mandate universal application for every law, irrespective of dissimilarity or the nature of the individuals it pertains to.

Why in the News?

Recently, a total of eighteen pygmy hogs, which were bred in captivity, were set free within the Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve located in western Assam.

About Pygmy Hog:

• It holds the distinction of being the world's smallest and rarest wild pig species.
• Remarkably, it's among the few mammals that construct their own dwellings, complete with a 'roof.'
• Considered an indicator species, its presence serves as a barometer for the well-being of its primary habitat, which consists of tall and moist grasslands.
• Habitat: Pygmy hogs thrive in untouched expanses of grassland dominated by early-stage riverine ecosystems.
• These areas typically feature dense tall grass interspersed with a rich variety of herbs, shrubs, and young trees.
• Currently, the only viable population of these hogs in the wild resides in the Manas Tiger Reserve in Assam.
• Conservation Status: IUCN: Critically Endangered
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Listed under Schedule I