May 2024 Awards and Bio Diversity

The significant bleaching event among sea anemones, marking the first observed instance of sea anemone bleaching in India, was documented in the Lakshadweep islands. Specifically, the bleaching event occurred off Agatti Island, highlighting the environmental stressors affecting marine ecosystems in this region.

Purnima Devi Barman, a wildlife biologist from Assam, was awarded the ‘Green Oscar’ Whitley Gold Award 2024 for her conservation efforts of the endangered Greater Adjutant Stork (Hargila). Her work has significantly contributed to increasing the population of Hargila from an estimated 450 birds to 1800 in Northeast India.

Major Radhika Sen, an Indian military peacekeeper serving with the United Nations, has been honoured with the 2023 United Nations Military Gender Advocate of the Year Award. She demonstrated exceptional dedication to promoting gender equality and advancing the principles of UN Security Council resolution 1325 during her deployment in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

Assam launched the Disaster Reporting and Information Management System (DRIMS) platform to streamline disaster reporting and aid distribution. The platform, inaugurated by Assam’s Chief Secretary Ravi Kota, aims to enhance efficiency in managing disasters by capturing critical impact data and expediting relief delivery.

Venezuela, situated on the northern coast of South America, became the first country globally to lose all its glaciers. By 2011, five of Venezuela’s glaciers had disappeared, leaving only the Humboldt Glacier in the Sierra Nevada National Park. Despite efforts, even this glacier, also known as La Corona, has significantly diminished over time.

Pawan Sindhi received the Global Pride of Sindhi Award 2024 in recognition of his remarkable contributions to society and his dedication to serving humanity. The award ceremony celebrated his achievements and emphasized the values of humanity, peace, and prosperity

The UAE President conferred the First-Class Medal of Independence on Jose Aguero Avila, the outgoing Ambassador of Paraguay, in recognition of his efforts to strengthen bilateral relations between Paraguay and the UAE. This acknowledgement highlights the commitment of both countries to fostering diplomatic ties and cooperation.

The World Migration Report 2024 highlights climate change as a major driver of internal displacement, with more than 216 million people projected to move within their countries by 2050. This underscores the impact of environmental factors on migration patterns globally, reflecting the growing concern over climate-related challenges and their socio-economic repercussions.

Meryl Streep, the renowned American actress with a career spanning five decades, is set to receive the Cannes Honorary Palme d’Or award at the Cannes Film Festival’s opening ceremony on May 14.

La Nina refers to the cooling of sea surface temperatures in the central Pacific Ocean, leading to a range of climatic impacts worldwide. This phenomenon is characterized by its opposite effect compared to El Nino, causing cooler and drier conditions in some regions while influencing weather patterns across the globe.

The Gahirmatha Beach in Kendrapara district of Odisha is the largest breeding ground for olive ridley sea turtles in India. It is part of the Bhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary and was designated as the Gahirmatha Marine Wildlife Sanctuary in September 1997. This area, including the Bhitarkanika mangroves, is a Ramsar Wetland of International Importance.

A court in the Philippines recently revoked biosafety permits for commercial propagation of genetically modified golden rice and Bt eggplant. Golden Rice, a genetically engineered variety of rice, contains beta carotene, addressing Vitamin A deficiency. The decision has implications for the adoption of genetically modified crops globally and debates surrounding their safety and regulation.

The “Orangutan diplomacy” strategy involves Malaysia gifting the endangered great apes to palm oil trading nations, showcasing the nation’s commitment to biodiversity conservation. This initiative is similar to China’s panda diplomacy and aims to address concerns about palm oil’s environmental impact on rainforests in Malaysia and Indonesia.