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Context: 

1. Wular Lake yields water chestnut, one of the main sources of income for families in its vicinity in Bandipora.
2. The home of the Komodo dragon, Komodo Island, is under pressure from tourists.
3. A new species of spider has now been recognised as a new genus by arachnologists.
4. Only 6000 species and subspecies of earthworms have been discovered by scientists, owever the true number could be more than 30,000.

Water chestnut

It is a grass-like sedge which is grown in many countries due to its edible corms.

In Kashmir, it is an important aquatic vegetable and it is grown in the Wular Lake.

Scientific Name : Eleocharis dulcis

Distribution: It is native to Asia, trop ical Africa, and Oceania.

Harvest

The harvest typically begins in late September.

It has very sharp spines with barbs  and can cause serious injuries making harvest difficult.

Uses 

After being peeled off and dried, the edible kernel is ground into flour. 

During the winter, people also use the hardy dried outer shells as fuel in the traditional kangri fire pots.

During Navaratri, water chestnut and lotus stems are used in recipes, particularly when the use of grains may be prohibited due to fasting customs. 

They also give energy, which is essential while fasting, and are readily digested. 

Threats

Dry weather and increasing marshy land around the lake caused a decline in the production of water chestnuts and have adversely affected livelihoods.

Significance

In Kashmir, it is much sought after in the fall. 

Families in the Bandipora district of northern Kashmir who live near the lake rely on it as one of their primary sources of income.

The government does not regulate or register the trade in water chestnuts, which is primarily handled by the less fortunate members of society. 

Komodo Dragon

The Komodo dragon is an impressive and fearsome-looking animal. 

It is the largest living species of lizard. 

The species is the last representative of a relic population of large lizards that once lived across Indonesia and Australia. 

It is an apex predator in its area.

Size

It measures  2.5m long and weighs more than 80kg. 

Habitiat

Komodo Island is its home but it is not only home to the dragon. 

Clear island waters and marine and reef ecosystems for swimming are suitable habitats.

Threats 

Only about 1,300 adult "land crocodiles" remain in the world, and they are all found on Komodo and a few nearby Indonesian islands.

The ecology of Komodo National Park is delicate. 

Growing numbers of visitors lead to increased trash and pollution, as well as increasing disturbance of wildlife and habitat. 

Coral reefs can be harmed by an increase in boat traffic and careless scuba diving and snorkelling.

Local communities face difficulties when tourism in a destination grows quickly.

Locals frequently lack the means and abilities necessary to compete with foreign workers and investors for higher-paying jobs and business possibilities.

IUCN Red list: Endangered

Komodo National Park  Komodo National Park is located in the centre of the Indonesian archipelago, between the islands of Sumbawa and Flores. It is composed of three major islands (Rinca, Komodo, and Padar) and numerous smaller ones, all of them of volcanic origin.  Located at the juncture of two continental plates, this national park constitutes the “shatter belt” within the Wallacea Biogeographical Region, between the Australian and Sunda ecosystems.  The property is identified as a global conservation priority area. Climate and vegetation It has a dry climate. Vegetation ranges from open grass-woodland savanna to tropical deciduous (monsoon) forest and quasi-cloud forest.  The rugged hillsides and dry vegetation highly contrast with the sandy beaches and the blue coral-rich waters.  Flora and Fauna The Park is home to numerous other noteworthy terrestrial species, including the Timor deer, a unique rat, and the orange-footed scrub fowl, in addition to the Komodo dragon.  Komodo's abundant coral reefs are home to a wide variety of animals, while the water's powerful currents draw in sea turtles, whales, dolphins, and dugongs.

"Jayamangali Tenkana"

It is a new jumping spider species of genus of “Tenkana”

It was discovered at the Devarayanadurga Reserve area, where the Jayamangali River originates.

The new genus contains two species currently classified within the ‘manu’ group which are T Jayamangali and T Arkavathi.

Habitats

They are ground-dwelling spiders.

They are found in marshes, forests, agricultural lands, etc.

It mostly inhabits complex microhabitats such as shaded grasses with dry leaf litter and even the simpler areas with short grasses in rocky, dry regions.

Distribution

They are found in southern Indian states and northern Sri Lanka. 

Features 

Pale hairs are found in T. jayamangali males.

While in T arkavathi, pale hairs are gentler on the carapace forming narrower bands on the carapace laterally. 

The ocular area of T Jayamangali is covered with white hairs uniformly, while T Arkavathi has distinctive V-shaped bands and T manu has a bald ocular area.

Jayamangali River It  is a tributary of Pennar River. Pennar river rises from the Chenna Kesava hills of the Nandi ranges of Karnataka and flows for about 597 km before outfalling into Bay of Bengal.  The Principal tributaries of the river are the Jayamangal, the Kunder, the Sagileru, the Chitravati, the Papagni and the Cheyyeru.

Earthworm

An earthworm is a soil-dwelling terrestrial invertebrate that belongs to the phylum Annelida. 

The term Annelida is the common name for the largest members of the class Oligochaeta. 

Larger terrestrial earthworms are also called megadriles as opposed to the microdriles ("small worms") in the semiaquatic families Tubificidae, Lumbricidae and Enchytraeidae. 

The megadriles are characterized by a distinct clitellum (more extensive than that of microdriles) and a vascular system with true capillaries.

Features:

An earthworm's external characteristics

Head: The earthworm lacks eyes and a toothless mouth. Rather, its skin has light-sensitive photoreceptors all along its length;

Clitellum: a smooth, different-colored area of the worm's body that is only present in mature worms. It is located at the side of the skull and creates the egg's cocoon.

Retractable bristles: To aid in movement, the earthworm has retractable bristles on each segment of its body.

They can still feel light through their skin even without eyes.

An earthworm's internal characteristics

They take in oxygen through their skin instead of their lungs.

The gizzard aids in food digestion. Worms grind down food with the aid of tiny stones they consume.

Both male and female reproductive organs are present in them.

How do earthworms reproduce?

Earthworms are hermaphrodites - i.e. they have both male and female reproductive cells. 

All earthworms can carry eggs, fertilise another earthworm’s eggs or fertilise their own eggs. 

If they fertilise their own eggs, all their offspring will be clones, which means that they will be identical to their parents. 

Benefits of earthworms

Improved nutrient availability
Worms consume plant detritus (dead roots, leaves, grasses, manure) and dirt. 

Their digestive tract concentrates the organic and mineral ingredients in the food they eat, so their casts contain more accessible nutrients than the soil around them. 

Improved drainage

Earthworms' extensive channelling and burrowing loosens and aerates the soil, hence improving drainage. Soils containing earthworms drain up to ten times faster than soils without them. 

Improved soil structure.

According to research, earthworms that leave castings on the soil surface help to repair topsoil. 

Improved productivity
Research into earthworms in New Zealand and Tasmania found earthworms introduced to worm-free perennial pastures produced an initial increase of 70–80% in pasture growth, with a long-term 25% increase: this raised stock carrying capacity. 

Sources:

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/jammu-and-kashmir/news-in-frames-wulars-autumn-nibbles/article68748079.ece#:

https://cosmosmagazine.com/nature/komodo-dragon-under-pressure/

https://www.newindianexpress.com/states/karnataka/2024/Oct/14/new-genus-of-jumping-spider-found

https://www.newscientist.com/article/2451401-there-could-be-30000-species-of-earthworms-wriggling-around-the-world/

PRACTICE QUESTION Q.How many of the following could be the benefits of Earthworms in farming practices:  Improved nutrient availability Improved drainage Improved soil structure Improved productivity Choose the correct option? A.Only one B.Only two C. Only Three D.All four Answer: D Explanation: All are the benefits of the earthworm Improved nutrient availability Worms feed on plant debris (dead roots, leaves, grasses, manure) and soil. Their digestive system concentrates the organic and mineral constituents in the food they eat, so their casts are richer in available nutrients than the soil around them.  Improved drainage The extensive channelling and burrowing by earthworms loosens and aerates the soil and improves soil drainage. Soils with earthworms drain up to 10 times faster than soils without earthworms.  Improved soil structure Research has shown that earthworms which leave their casts on the soil surface rebuild topsoil.  Improved productivity Research into earthworms in New Zealand and Tasmania found earthworms introduced to worm-free perennial pastures produced an initial increase of 70–80% in pasture growth, with a long-term 25% increase: this raised stock carrying capacity.