Bengaluru First – Page 12 – Karnataka First

KARNATAKA: From Indira Gandhi to Modi, Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve has become one of the World’s Top Tiger Habitat

Then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi launched ‘Project Tiger on April 1, 1973, at Bandipur to protect the big cats and promote their conservation in India. Since then, the project has helped in increasing their population and strengthening conservation efforts.

Fifty years later, all eyes are on Bandipur Project Tiger Reserve again, not only because Prime Minister Narendra Modi is coming there to inaugurate the celebrations to mark 50 years of Project Tiger, but bacause the reserve is recognized as the prime tiger habitat in the world today.

According to official statistics, the number of tigers when Project Tiger began in 1973 was 12. Due to rampant poaching and no protection, the big cat was pushed to the brink of extinction. As per the statistics by the National Tiger Conservation Authority the number of tigers has now been recorded at 126. The Authority has mentioned the number under the title “Status of Tigers Co-predators and Prey in India for 2018”. However, the number of tigers in the park is pegged at 173 today.

Modi will release the latest statistics of tiger estimation (2022) at the “Commemorating 50 years of Project Tiger” programme, which will be held in Mysuru on April 9.

The Bandipur National Park was formed by including most of the forest area of the then Venugopala Wildlife Park established by the government of India on February 19, 1941. The area was enlarged in 1985 extending over 874.20 square kms and was named the Bandipur National Park.

This reserve was brought under Project Tiger in 1973. Subsequently some adjacent reserve forest areas were added to the reserve extending it to 880.02 square kms. The present area under the Bandipur Tiger Reserve is 912.04 square kms.

In 2007-08, an area of 39.80 square kms attached to the Karnataka Forest Development Corporation plantation area was handed over to this division. During 2010-11 the Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary was also handed over to the wildlife division.

In old Mysore State, a forest department was established on January 11, 1864 and an army officer Major Hunter was appointed Conservator of Forests. The state’s rulers realizing the significance of the preservation of wildlife, passed the Mysore Game and Fish Preservation Act in 1901.

The Mysore Gazetteer recorded that tiger blocks were identified and restrictions were imposed on shooting them.

The Bandipur Tiger Reserve along with the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve in Tamil Nadu including the Wayanad forest region in Kerala is home to the highest number of tigers in the country (724) and the largest Asian Elephant population.

The Bandipur Tiger Reserve has become a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts and nature lovers from across the world because of its rich biodiversity. Anti-poaching patrols, habitat management and community based conservation programmes have yielded good results.

The authorities are dealing with the challenge of encroachment in buffer zones by the local communities. The development has resulted in man-animal conflict.

Environmentalist Dr A.N. Yallappa Reddy, talking to IANS, stated that Karnataka even today remains the leading state in preservation measures. The tiger population here is the highest in the country. The politicians and earlier the maharajas here paid attention to conservation, he added.

Karnataka was the first state to implement Project Tiger. Because of the Mysuru rulers, the state was the first in the country to declare Bandipur Sanctuary to protect tigers and elephants, he said.

Late former Chief Minister D. Devaraj Urs was also concerned about wildlife, nature, forests and tree protection. He implemented the guidelines of Project Tiger and abolished the “Pre-Paid license” scheme which allowed people to go into the forests by paying Rs 2 or Rs 3 for a pass. Hundreds of bullock carts entered the forests and people stayed there for one or two days, he explained.

Yallappa Reddy said that when he was deputy conservator of forests in Hunsur, he took Devaraj Urs to see the plunder of the forests. “He banned the practice. Simultaneously Project Tiger was implemented,” he stated.

source: http://www.daijiworld.com (headline edited)

REGIONAL – KARNATAKA : MEDICAL LABORATORY & DIAGNOSTICS: Lupin Diagnostics Opens Regional Reference Lab in Bengaluru as part of pan-India expansion

Lupin Diagnostics, a part of pharma major Lupin Ltd., has opened a regional reference laboratory in Bengaluru as part of country-wide expansion of its diagnostics networks. Lupin currently has 25 such labs in the country.

Lupin Diagnostics leveraged automation and streamlined processes to deliver highly accurate test results, empowering patients to make informed decisions about their health, said Ravindra Kumar, CEO of Lupin Diagnostics, while addressing a media conference here on Wednesday.

“Accurate diagnosis is crucial for effective disease management. With cutting-edge technology and personalised smart reports, patients and doctors can gain valuable insights into health trends and make informed decisions about treatment options,” he said.

In addition to routine and specialised tests, the laboratory offers a comprehensive range of diagnostics services, including molecular diagnostics, cytogenetics, flow cytometry, cytology, microbiology, serology, haematology, histopathology, immunology, routine biochemistry, among others, he added.

Lupin is also planning to scale up the number of its sample collection centres across the country from 400 currently to 1,000 by the end of financial year 2023.

Lupin currently has a leadership position in the cardiovascular, anti-diabetic, and respiratory segments and has a significant presence in the anti-infective, gastrointestinal (GI), central nervous system (CNS), and women’s health areas. Also, it is the third-largest pharmaceutical company in the U.S. by prescriptions, as per senior executives of the company.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: KARNATAKA: WILDLIFE CONSERVATION: Home to the Biggest Population, Karnataka could be ‘Tiger State’

Modi interacts with camp staffers for 15 mins, who explained the nature of their duty and challenges.

PM Narendra Modi, who launched a three-day mega event to mark 50 years of Project Tiger, is likely to declare Karnataka the ‘Tiger State of India’. As per a recent assessment by the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and Wildlife Institute of India, it is expected that Karnataka has overtaken Madhya Pradesh in tiger population.

As per the 2018 tiger estimation, Karnataka came second with 524 tigers, while Madhya Pradesh with 526 tigers took first place. The country has 2,967 tigers, and efforts of forest officials in protecting wildlife and forests are expected to have increased the tiger population in the state and country.

The rapid increase in human population over the centuries led to a decline in wildlife in the country. There was large-scale hunting of wildlife, especially tigers, for pleasure during the period of the Mughals, Maharajas and Nawabs, as well as to save people from attacks of wild animals. During British rule between 1895 and 1925, it is reported that over 80,000 tigers, more than 1.50 lakh leopards and 2 lakh wolves were hunted in the country.

According to the Kanara District Gazetteer 1883, the British government gave incentives for killing tigers — Rs 24 for hunting an adult tiger, Rs 12 for a sub-adult tiger and Rs 6 for a tiger cub. As a result, in the 27 years between 1856 and 1882, 640 tigers were shot dead in Kanara, 158 tigers from 1856 to 1866, 350 tigers between 1867 and 1877, and 130 tigers between 1878 and 1882.

As per the 1954-55 Administrative Report of the forest department of the Government of Mysore, Kakanakote State Forest, Begur State Forest, Berambadi State Forest, Bandipur State Forest and Chamarajanagar State Forest in Mysore District, Lakkavalli State Forest in Chikkamagaluru District, Shankar State Forest in Shivamogga district and Hessaraghatta Grass Farm in Bengaluru district were declared game preserves, and Puduvakote Forest Block, Manche Gowdanahalli forest block and Bale Gowdananakatte forest block in Mysuru District, Gurupura forest block in Chikkamagaluru, Kadathikere and Devabu blocks in Shivamogga district were declared tiger preserves.

The first comprehensive legislation regarding wildlife protection was passed by Parliament and the President on September 9, 1972, called Wildlife Protection Act 1972. Then PM Indira Gandhi launched Project Tiger, providing assistance to states for tiger conservation.

However, before the WPL 1992, a number of wildlife sanctuaries — Venugopala Wildlife Park (1931), Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary (1940), Bandipur Wildlife Sanctuary (1941) and Jagger Valley Wildlife Park (1951) in Mysore state, Nagarahole Wildlife Sanctuary (1955) in Coorg state and Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary (1956) in Bombay Presidency — established by princely states were merged into Karnataka in 1956.

As per the Karnataka State Gazetteer, 1982, when Project Tiger was launched, Bandipur National Park was brought under it in 1973. Nagarahole National Park and Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary were made tiger reserves in 1999. However, Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Anshi National Park were brought under Project Tiger in 2007 under the name Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve.

It was later renamed Kali Tiger Reserve. Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple (BRT) Wildlife Sanctuary was declared a tiger reserve in 2011. The forest department has sent a proposal to the central government to include Kudremukh National Park, Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary and Male Mahadeshwara Hills Wildlife Sanctuary and Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in Belagavi district in Project Tiger. Bhimgad Sanctuary is a critically important tiger corridor between Karnataka and Goa.

ACCURATE NUMBERS
Former Mysuru honorary wildlife warden and Wildlife Conservation Foundation founder Rajkumar Devaraje Urs told TNIE that as tiger estimation was done based on pug marks in the past, there was no accuracy in counting tigers. “After camera traps were introduced, foresters achieved accuracy. The major threat to tigers is forest fires and poaching. If reserve foresters and island pockets are included in the tiger reserve, India has a chance to have a tiger population of 10,000 in future. If there is a good tiger population, forests will be healthy which increases rain, resulting in an increase in groundwater table and rivers.

90% of rivers originate in tiger reserves

As I conclude a memorable visit to the Bandipur and Mudumalai Tiger Reserves, I want to acknowledge the hard work of all forest officials, guards, tiger reserve frontline staff and everyone else working on tiger conservation. Words can’t do justice to their passion and effort. What a delight to meet the wonderful Bomman and Belli, along with Bommi and Raghu.
— Prime Minister Narendra Modi

‘No conflict of economy, ecology’
Mysuru: Wildlife protection is a universal issue, said Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Sunday at the Karnataka State Open University convocation hall in Mysuru. Stating that India contributes to around eight per cent of the known global biodiversity, he said that India has not only saved the tiger population from declining but also provided an ecosystem where they can flourish, and was delighted that the tiger population has increased by 75 per cent. “India does not believe in a conflict between ecology and economy, and gives importance to their coexistence,” Modi said, adding, “India is a country where protecting nature is a part of our culture”. “India has the largest tiger range in the world, the largest Asiatic elephant range with around 30,000 elephants, and also the largest number of single-horn rhinos with a population of roughly 3,000,” he said. India’s Asiatic lion numbers have increased from around 525 in 2015 to around 675 in 2020, he said, adding that the leopard population has jumped by more than 60 per cent over 4 years.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: GREEN ENERGY /SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY: IISc Supercapacitor to replace Batteries in EVs

The supercapacitor is fully functional and can be deployed in energy-storage devices like electric car batteries or any miniaturised system by on-chip integration.

Researchers at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc) have developed a new type of supercapacitor that can replace batteries in streetlights, electric cars and medical devices.

The supercapacitor, developed by researchers from IISc’s Department of Instrumentation and Applied Physics (IAP), is different from others, as it is smaller or ‘ultra-micro’, but capable of storing larger amounts of energy. Hence, the supercapacitor can be easier to use in smaller electronic devices, eliminating the need for batteries, while ensuring that the device stays charged for a longer time.

“Most of these devices are currently powered by batteries. However, over time, these batteries lose their ability to store charge and therefore have a limited shelf-life. Capacitors, on the other hand, can store an electrical charge for much longer, by their design. Supercapacitors, on the other hand, combine the best of both batteries and capacitors — they can store and release large amounts of energy, and are therefore highly sought-after for next-generation electronic devices,” the researchers said.

Abha Misra, an IAP professor and a corresponding study author, said the supercapacitor used Field Effect Transistors (FETs) instead of metallic electrodes, which are more commonly used, as charge collectors. “Using FET as an electrode for supercapacitors is something new for tuning charge in a capacitor,” she said.

During their tests, they found that the ultra-micro supercapacitor, due to the materials used, was able to increase capacitance (ability to store energy as electricity within the device) to 3,000 per cent. This was compared to a regular supercapacitor, which showed only an 18 per cent increase. The key was the use of molybdenum disulphide (MoS2) and graphene in increasing the mobility of electrons within the supercapacitor.

“In future, we are planning to explore if replacing MoS2 with other materials can increase the capacitance of the supercapacitor even more. The supercapacitor is fully functional and can be deployed in energy-storage devices like electric car batteries or any miniaturised system by on-chip integration. We are also planning to apply for a patent on the supercapacitor,” they said.

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

NATIONAL: DEFENCE & TECHNOLOGY: Defence Ministry signs contracts worth ₹5,498 crore with Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL)

The Ministry of Defence has signed 10 contracts worth ₹5,498 crore with Bharat Electronics Ltd. (BEL) for the three armed forces.

BEL said the projects for the Indian Air Force include 90 EW Suite Equipment for Medium Lift Helicopter, annual maintenance contract for maintenance of two squadrons of the Akash Missile System. The Army projects include automated Air Defence Control and Reporting System (Project Akashteer) and Instant Fire Detection and Suppressing System (IFDSS) for T72 tanks. The Navy projects include 1265 Software Defined Radios, 1178 HDVLF HF Receivers, 12 Sarang’s for Kamov 31 helicopters, INS-SA, CMS for P17 & P28, and Varuna EW system

“These are flagship projects showcasing the indigenous design and manufacturing capabilities of the Indian Defence industry led by BEL, involving other public sectors, private sectors, and MSMEs. The projects will add another milestone to the ‘Make in India’ initiative of the Government of India,” said BEL.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AGRICULTURAL MACHINERY & EQUIPMENT: VST Tillers Tractors Ltd (VST) Crosses the Production Milestone of 500,000 Power Tillers from its plant at Malur near Bengaluru

VST has been designing and manufacturing multi-functional tillers and tractors for the domestic and international markets for the last five decades.

VST Tillers Tractors Ltd (VST), a farm equipment manufacturer, has crossed the production milestone of 500,000 power tillers from its plant at Malur, on the outskirts of the city.

Antony Cherukara, CEO, VST, said on Thursday, “This is a testimony to the customer confidence in VST power tillers and it will be a stepping stone to many more accolades for us in times to come.’‘

Currently, the power tiller industry in India is around 60,000 units and it is expected to grow to 100,000 units by the year 2025. VST is the leader in the segment and holds a market share of over 65% in the country, as per VST. “We are focusing on small farm mechanisation and have introduced a wide range of smart farm machines for small and marginal farmers,’‘ said the firm.

The company has introduced the electric start power tiller in the 16 HP and 9 HP category, a range of power weeders, which start from 3.5 hp to 8 hp, a range of brush cutters, multi-crop reaper, for the segment.

VST has been designing and manufacturing multi-functional tillers and tractors for the domestic and international markets for the last five decades. Some of its smart farm machines are used for puddling, inter-cultivation, bund formation, earthing up & de-weeding mainly for crops like Sugarcane, Paddy, Cotton, Vegetables, Horticulture, Turmeric, and Ginger.

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: 14th Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes): Lens on cinema – March 23-30, 2023

In its 14th edition, the festival will be showcasing more than 250 films, which will be screened on 11 screens at Orion Mall in Rajajinagar, from March 23-30.

Movie buffs can gear up as the city prepares for its annual film festival, the Bangalore International Film Festival (BIFFes). In its 14th edition, the festival will be showcasing more than 250 films, which will be screened on 11 screens at Orion Mall in Rajajinagar, from March 23-30.

One of the highlights of this edition is a masterclass by V Vijayendra, screenplay writer of Baahubali and Kantara fame. Movies from various countries like France, Senegal, Iran, South Korea and Russia will be screened. Oscar-winning movies like The Whale and Everything Everywhere All At Once are also going to screen. The festival will see various competitions being held in various categories like Cinema of the World, Asian Cinema, Indian Cinema and Kannada Cinema.

This will be the first festival that Ashok Kashyap, who was recently appointed as the chairman of Karnataka Chalanachitra Academy, is managing. It will also see a centenary celebration of Dada Saheb Award-winning cinematographer V K Murthy, who has worked on classics like Pyaasa, Kaagez ke Phool, Chaudhubin ka Chand.

“We are celebrating 100 years of cinematographer VK Murthy. He was one of the few cinematographers who received the Dada Saheb Phalke award. So we have some of his classics lined up,” says Kashyap, who has been a cinematographer in the Kannada film industry for over two decades.

According to Kashyap, this year they have tried to focus on throwing the spotlight on regional cinema, especially Kannada classics. “We are also showing some popular cinema of 2022 like Gaalipata 2,” says Kashyap.

To make things easily accessible, different passes are available digitally. “This year we have gone digital. Tickets can be booked on the phone,” says Kashyap, adding that the Chamber of Commerce, Suchitra Film Academy and Chalanchitra Academy have taken the charge of the distribution.

Now showing

The Whale: Darren Aronofsky (English)

L’Immensita Dir- Emanuele Crialese (Italian)

Everything Everywhere All at Once: Daniel Kwan & Daniel Scheinert (English, Mandarin, Cantonese)

Black Girl: Ousmane Sembene (French)

VK Murthy Movies

1957 Pyaasa: Guru Dutt

1959 Kaagez ke Phool: Guru Dut

1960 Chaudhubin ka Chand: M Sadiq

1962 Sahib Bibi Aur Ghulam: Abrar Alvi

Kannada Classics

Kasturi Nivasa: Dorai-Bhagavan

Sr Krishna-devaraya: B R Panthulu

Janumada Jodi: T S Nagabharana

America! America!!: Nagatihalli Chandra-shekar

source/content: newindianexpress.com (headline edited)

WORLD RECORD : SPORTS / TENNIS: Rohan Bopanna becomes Oldest ATP Masters 1000 Champion after claiming Indian Wells Doubles Title at 43

Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

Indian Wells :

India’s Rohan Bopanna became the oldest ATP Masters 1000 champion when he and his Australian partner Matt Ebden claimed the men’s doubles crown at the BNP Paribas Open here.

The 43-year-old Bopanna and Ebden, 35, defeated top-seeded Wesley Koolhof of the Netherlands and Neil Skupski of Britain 6-3, 2-6, 10-8 in the final on Saturday.

“Truly special. It’s called Tennis Paradise for a reason,” said Bopanna, who was playing in his 10th ATP Masters 1000 final.

“I’ve been, over the years, coming here and seeing all these guys win for so many years. I’m really happy that Matt and I were able to do this and get this title here.

“It’s been some tough matches, close matches. Today we played against one of the best teams out there. Really happy that we got the trophy.”

Bopanna thus surpassed Daniel Nestor of Canada, who had claimed the 2015 Cincinnati Masters to become the oldest champion at the age of 42.

“I spoke to Danny Nestor and I told him sorry I’m going to beat his record,” he joked.

“Winning the title, that stays with me, so really happy with that. ” It was the 43-year-old’s fifth Masters 1000 doubles title and first since he won in Monte Carlo in 2017.

This was the third final of the year for the Indo-Australian duo.

He now holds 24 tour-level trophies in his cabinet.

The Indo-Australian pair stunned defending and two-time desert titlists John Isner and Jack Sock in the semi-finals, while getting the better off Canadian singles stars Felix Auger-Aliassime and Denis Shapovalov in the quarters.

Bopanna and Ebden had defeated Rafael Matos and David Vega Hernandez in their opening match.

A former World No.3, Bopanna jumped four places to No.11 in the Pepperstone ATP Live Doubles Rankings.

source/content: newindianexpress.com / PTI (headline edited)

KARNATAKA: AIRPORTS & AVIATION: PM Modi Inaugurates ‘lotus-shaped’ Shivamogga Airport, launches slew of development projects

PM Modi also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over ₹3,600 crore in the district.

In what is his fifth visit to poll-bound Karnataka in two months, Prime Minister Narendra Modi inaugurated the Shivamogga airport at Sogane. The event coincided with the 80th birthday of BJP strongman from the State and former Chief Minister B S Yediyurappa.

He also inaugurated and laid the foundation stones for development projects worth over Rs. 3,600 crore in the district. Later in the afternoon, he will take part in a nine-km roadshow and inaugurate the renovated railway station in Belagavi.

Airport to bring improved connectivity

The new airport has a lotus-shaped terminal and has been developed at a cost of around ₹450 crore. The passenger terminal building of the airport can handle 300 passengers per hour.

Built on 775 acres of land, the airport has aa 3.2 km long runway, and the passenger terminal has a built-up area of 4,320 sqft. The airport can handle aircraft ranging from the ATR 72 to the Airbus 320.

It is considered the second largest airport in the State, after Kempe Gowda International Airport in Bengaluru. The exterior design of the passenger terminal resembles lotus, symbol of the ruling BJP, which was objected to by some people earlier.

The airport is expected to improve connectivity and accessibility from Shivamogga and other neighbouring areas in the Malnad region of Karnataka, officials said.

A view of the Shivamogga Airport that was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on February 27, 2023 | Photo Credit: ANI

The new airport was the dream project of four-time Chief Minister B.S. Yediyurappa who hails from Shivamogga district. Though he announced his retirement from electoral politics, Mr. Yediyurappa remains a key leader for the party’s poll campaign. He was the Deputy Chief Minister in the Janata Dal (S)-BJP coalition government in 2007 when an airport for Shivamogga was approved.

Earlier, a section of BJP leaders in Shivamogga had proposed that the airport be named after Mr. Yediyurappa. But the former Chief Minister himself suggested that it be named after Kuvempu, the first Kannada poet to get the Jnanpith award and who also hails from Shivamogga.

Frequent visits

Mr. Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and BJP president J.P. Nadda have been visiting the State frequently for the last two months, and this would be the Prime Minister’s fifth visit to Karnataka in two months, and the third in February alone. Earlier, he visited Hubballi (January 12), Kalaburagi (January 19), Bengaluru and Tumakuru (February 6), and again Bengaluru to inaugurate Aero India on February 13.

(With inputs from PTI)

source/content: thehindu.com (headline edited)

INTERNATIONAL: SPORTS / TENNIS: Rohan Bopanna and Matthew Ebden Win Men’s Doubles Title at Qatar Open 2023

On Friday, Indian tennis player Rohan Bopanna and his Australian partner Matthew Ebden took home the men’s doubles championship in the Qatar Open 2023 tennis competition in Doha. The pair defeated Botic van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands and Constant Lestienne of France 6(5)-7(7), 6-4, 10-6.

It was Rohan Bopanna’s second victory in the Qatar Open. He had finished second last year with Canadian Denis Shapovalov in the doubles competition after winning it in 2020 with his Dutch partner Wesley Koolhof.

Throughout his career, Rohan Bopanna has already won 23 doubles championships. It was his first time playing alongside current Wimbledon doubles winner Matthew Ebden. At Tel Aviv, Pune, and Adelaide, the Indian tennis player won three championships last year. Bopanna’s first championship of 2023 was the ATP 250 victory in Qatar.

Bopanna and Ebden also advanced to the Rotterdam Open ATP 500 final last week, but they fell to Austin Krajicek of the USA and Ivan Dodig of Croatia in the match tiebreaker following the winning point.

The third-seeded Indian-Australian combination in Doha on Friday had a break advantage at 6-5 in the first set before being pushed back and dropping the set in a tiebreaker. In the second game, both defences improved, and the teams maintained their serves until the ninth game. Bopanna and Ebden, though, triumphed in the tenth game to force a match tiebreak.

Bopanna is ranked No. 37 in the world and No. 17 in the ATP doubles rankings. The match tiebreaker was won in 99 minutes by Ebden after they successfully converted four of six break-point opportunities.

source /content : sportscafe.in (headline edited)