Daily Current Affairs : 2-November-2023

In recent news, the Uttarakhand Forest Department’s research wing has achieved a significant milestone by rescuing the critically endangered plant, Gentiana Kurroo, from the brink of extinction. This unique plant, endemic to the Western Himalayas, holds immense medicinal value, making its conservation crucial for the region’s biodiversity and traditional medicine.

Background:
  • Endangerment Factors: Gentiana Kurroo faces threats from quarrying, road widening, and overexploitation of its root and rhizome, driven by its medicinal properties.
  • Medicinal Significance: Commonly known as Himalayan Gentian or Trayman, this plant has been revered for its ability to treat liver ailments, digestive disorders, diabetes, bronchial asthma, and urinary infections.
Distinctive Features:
  • The plant boasts vibrant, trumpet-shaped blue flowers, a rarity among angiosperms, with blooming occurring from mid-September to October.
  • Notably, these blue flowers feature a characteristic white or yellow spot at their base, adding to the plant’s unique appeal.
Conservation Status:
  • IUCN Status: Critically endangered according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
  • Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board: Listed among the 16 threatened plant species in the state, highlighting its precarious status.
Conservation Efforts:
  • The Uttarakhand Forest Department’s initiatives have primarily focused on the sustainable preservation and propagation of Gentiana Kurroo.
  • Utilizing the rhizome-based technique, a method involving the propagation of plants through leaves, roots, or stems, the conservationists have successfully saved over 600 specimens of Himalayan Gentian.
  • This technique, which includes fragmentation and regeneration of unique vegetative plants, ensures the species’ survival by creating new individuals from existing plant parts.
Important Points:

Gentiana Kurroo Conservation: A Success Story in Uttarakhand

  • Endangerment Factors:
    • Threatened by quarrying, road widening, and overexploitation for medicinal properties.
  • Medicinal Significance:
    • Known as Himalayan Gentian or Trayman, used for treating liver ailments, digestive disorders, diabetes, bronchial asthma, and urinary infections.
  • Distinctive Features:
    • Vibrant, trumpet-shaped blue flowers with white or yellow spots, blooming from mid-September to October.
  • Conservation Status:
    • Critically endangered according to IUCN.
    • Listed among the 16 threatened plant species in Uttarakhand by the Uttarakhand Biodiversity Board.
  • Conservation Efforts:
    • Focus on sustainable preservation and propagation using the rhizome-based technique.
    • Successful conservation of over 600 specimens of Himalayan Gentian through fragmentation and vegetative plant regeneration.
  • Significance:
    • Uttarakhand Forest Department’s dedication showcases the importance of proactive conservation efforts.
    • Preservation of Gentiana Kurroo contributes to safeguarding Uttarakhand’s biodiversity and traditional medicinal heritage.
Why In News

The research wing of the Uttarakhand Forest Department has not only successfully saved the critically endangered plant Gentiana Kurroo from extinction but has also established a sustainable conservation program to ensure the long-term survival of this precious species, marking a significant milestone in the preservation of biodiversity in the region.

MCQs about Safeguarding Gentiana Kurroo: A Victory for Uttarakhand’s Biodiversity

  1. What is the primary reason for the endangerment of Gentiana Kurroo in Uttarakhand?
    A. Climate change
    B. Overexploitation for medicinal purposes
    C. Natural disasters
    D. Soil erosion
    Correct Answer: B. Overexploitation for medicinal purposes
    Explanation: The Gentiana Kurroo is threatened by overexploitation for its medicinal properties, leading to its endangerment.
  2. What is the distinctive feature of Gentiana Kurroo’s flowers?
    A. Red coloration
    B. Trumpet-shaped with blue color and white or yellow spots
    C. Small size with a strong fragrance
    D. Clustered petals
    Correct Answer: B. Trumpet-shaped with blue color and white or yellow spots
    Explanation: Gentiana Kurroo’s flowers as vibrant, trumpet-shaped, blue in color, with a characteristic white or yellow spot at their base.
  3. Which conservation technique has been employed to save Gentiana Kurroo in Uttarakhand?
    A. Genetic modification
    B. Rhizome-based technique
    C. Hydroponic cultivation
    D. Air-layering propagation
    Correct Answer: B. Rhizome-based technique
    Explanation: The use of the rhizome-based technique, involving the propagation of plants through leaves, roots, or stems, for the successful conservation of Gentiana Kurroo.
  4. What is the significance of preserving Gentiana Kurroo in Uttarakhand?
    A. Promoting tourism
    B. Preserving traditional cultural practices
    C. Safeguarding biodiversity and traditional medicinal heritage
    D. Enhancing agricultural productivity
    Correct Answer: C. Safeguarding biodiversity and traditional medicinal heritage
    Explanation: Preserving Gentiana Kurroo is crucial for safeguarding Uttarakhand’s biodiversity and traditional medicinal heritage.

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