Butterfly makes a rare call in Himachal (GS Paper 3, Environment)
Why in news?
- A butterfly that is rare in the western Himalayas, the paintbrush swift has been photographed and documented for the first time in Himachal Pradesh’s Chamba district.
- The State is home to about 25% of the total number of butterfly species found in India.
Details:
- The paintbrush swift(Baoris farri), a butterfly species of the Hesperiidae family, was sighted under the Wild Bhattiyat Project initiated by the Bhattiyat Forest Range of the Dalhousie Forest Division of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in 2022.
- The species has never been photographed in Himachal Pradesh since its discovery in 1878.
- It was first described by lepidopterist Frederic Moore, more than 145 years ago, from the eastern Himalayas.
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Key characteristics:
- The paintbrush swift is identified based on two separated spots in the upper forewing cell.
- Other closely related species like the blank swift have no cell spot while the figure-of-eight swift has two conjoined cell spots.
- The species’ larvae feed on bamboo and some other grass species.
- Till now, there is only one record of the paintbrush swift mentioned from the Shivalik mountain range in the State, but that record is doubtful as no photographic or specimen pieces of evidence were provided in the study.
Way Forward:
- Since the launch of the project, the department has so far documented 120 butterfly species.
- It’s an encouraging indication of flourishing biodiversity.
Kasturi Cotton Bharat
(GS Paper 3, Economy)
Why in news?
- Recently, the Union Minister of Textile, launched website of Kasturi Cotton Bharat.
- This website provide a digital platform for necessary information and updates on this initiatives and highlights the registration process for ginners to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat Brand and its processes that make the branded Indian cotton unique.
About Kasturi Cotton Bharat:
- The Kasturi Cotton Bharat is a joint initiative by the Ministry of Textiles, the Cotton Corporation of India, Trade Bodies & Industry to work on the principle of self-regulation by owning complete responsibility of Branding, Traceability and Certification of Indian Cotton to enhance its’ competitiveness in the global market and create a sustainable ecosystem for all stakeholders involved.
- Earlier, on the eve of World Cotton Day on 7th October, Ministry of Textiles announced the “Kasturi Cotton Bharat” brand of cotton by which Indian cotton has been endowed with a brand and a logo that represents Whiteness, Softness, Purity, Lustre and Indianness.
- Thereafter, an MoU has been signed between CCI on behalf of Govt. of India and TEXPROCIL on behalf of the Textile Industry for a mission-mode approach in positioning of Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand.
Significance:
- All the ginners in the country have been empowered to produce Kasturi Cotton Bharat brand as per stipulated protocol.
- Besides this, to provide complete traceability of Kasturi Cotton Bharat across the supply chain, QR based certification technology will be used at each stage of the processing and a blockchain based software platform will provide end to end traceability and transaction certificate.
Way Forward:
- In an era of global competition, this initiative will strategically position Indian cotton on the world map for its quality standards and commitment to best practices.
Dogra architecture gets a revival at J&K’s Maharaj Gunj
(GS Paper 1, Culture)
Why in news?
- A project that recreates the past glory of Srinagar’s Maharaj Gunj market, which has disappeared from sight with encroachment and deviations for several decades, throws new light on rare architectural elements introduced in Kashmir by Dogra Hindu kings between 1846 and 1947.
Collaboration:
- Now, Srinagar Smart City Ltd. and the Kashmir chapter of the Indian National Trust for Art and Cultural Heritage (INTACH) have joined hands to conserve vernacular elements of Kashmiri architecture, including colonnaded walkways, decorative pilasters, and exposed moulded brickwork, in an effort to bring that past to life again.
Cultural aspect:
- The Maharaj Gunj market area has a rich mix of vernacular and colonial architecture. Most residential buildings lining the streets are of mixed use, with shops on the ground floor and living quarters on the upper floors, constructed in the taq or dhajji dewari styles.
- Some of the houses going up four floors still bear testament to the rich architectural legacy of Srinagar, with highly ornate exteriors and interiors.
- One of the approach roads from the beautiful 607-year-old Budshah Tomb has already been uplifted with a subtle colour palette, including lime for the walls and brown for the windows.
Historical aspect:
- Located in the heart of Shehar-e-Khaas, the interior of Srinagar’s old city, the Maharaj Gunj market was established by Maharaja Ranbir Singh to provide a fillip to Kashmir’s trade and commerce.
- In the pre-1947 era, Maharaj Gunj transcended regional boundaries, attracting traders from prominent cities such as Amritsar, Lahore, Karachi, Rawalpindi, and even parts of Central Asia, who embarked on journeys to this bustling hub in their pursuit of expanding commercial prospects.
Srinagar Smart City Mission’s revival programme:
- The Srinagar Smart City Mission’s revival programme is likely to throw a spotlight on the city’s rich cultural heritage, including old shrines, tombs, mosques, temples, and a gurdwara.
- Those buildings that are in structural distress will be strengthened before proceeding with any interventions.
