4 May 2024, Quick Facts of the Day
1. Orangutan's Medicinal Plant Use:
- An orangutan named Rakus in Sumatra, Indonesia, used a medicinal plant called Akar Kuning to treat a facial wound.
- This marks the first documented instance of a great ape using a tool with medicinal properties for wound treatment.
- The plant, known for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and anti-fungal properties, suggests a shared behavior between humans and orangutans from a common ancestor.
2. Improvement in Delhi's Air Quality:
- Delhi experienced a significant improvement in air quality in April 2024, with the highest number of 'Good to Moderate' air quality days in six years.
- Effective control measures implemented by the Commission for Air Quality Management in NCR and Adjoining Areas (CAQM) and stakeholders limited the number of poor air quality days.
- Reductions in daily average concentrations of PM 2.5 and PM 10 were observed, contributing to improved air quality.
3. KSFPSO Study on Exotic Plant Species Removal:
- A study by the Kerala State Forest Protective Staff Organisation (KSFPSO) highlights the importance of removing exotic plant species from forests, particularly in Chinnakkanal, Munnar, Kerala.
- Exotic species like Acacia mearnsii and Eucalyptus inhibit the growth of other vegetation, leading to food scarcity for wildlife, particularly elephants, and exacerbating human-elephant conflicts.
- Removing exotic species and restoring natural grasslands can mitigate conflicts and improve the landscape for wildlife.
4. New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance (NCQG):
- The NCQG is a new annual financial target developed countries must meet from 2025 onward to provide climate finance to developing countries.
- It replaces the previous commitment of USD 100 billion per year pledged in 2009 but unfulfilled.
- This initiative is crucial for combating climate change and will be a key topic at the upcoming 29th Conference of the Parties (COP29) to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) in Baku, Azerbaijan.
5. Diplomatic Passports:
- Diplomatic passports are official government-issued documents provided to individuals representing a country on official diplomatic missions or government business.
- They carry certain legal privileges and immunities under international law, including immunity from arrest and detention in the host country.
- Recent discussions have focused on the power regarding the issuance and revocation of diplomatic passports, highlighting their significance in diplomatic relations.
