News In Shorts

It is officially known as Sonbhadra Fossils Park and is located in the Sonbhadra District of Uttar Pradesh.

• It qualifies as a geo-heritage site under IUCN’s 2020 guidelines for "Evolution of Life" and matches UNESCO’s 2021 framework on Earth’s history and life evolution.

About Salkhan Fossil Park

• It is located in Kaimur Range (part of the Vindhya range), adjacent to Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary.
• It is one of the oldest and most well preserved sites in the world (fossils dating approx 1.4 billion years).
  • The site’s fossil assemblage features Stromatolites which are created by communities of Cyanobacteria or blue green algae
    •  These fossilized microbial structures record the Great Oxidation Event, when oxygen first accumulated in the atmosphere.
• Significance of Salkhan Fossil Park
  • Understanding early environment: The park features varied stromatolite forms—domal, columnar, and stratiform—indicating changes in ancient water depth, sedimentation and wave activity.
  • Filling the Precambrian Gap: Addresses a significant gap in the World Heritage fossil record by showcasing the Precambrian era.
    • It covers 85% of Earth’s history that remains largely underrepresented worldwide.

Recently, the Supreme Court dismissed a plea with respect to honoring legacy of a freedom fighter under Emblems and Names (Prevention of Improper Use) Act, 1950.

About Emblems Act:

• Aim: Prevents misuse of certain emblems and names for professional and commercial purposes or for trade mark, or patents without Central Government permission.
• Defines Emblems: Emblem Includes any emblem, seal, flag, insignia, coat-of-arms or pictorial representation specified in act. 
• Scope: Applies across India and to Indian citizens abroad. 

Kumbakonam vetrilai and Thovalai maanikka maalai from Tamil Nadu were recently granted a Geographical Indication (GI) tag.

About Kumbakonam Vetrilai

• It is a betel (pan) leaf. 
• It is grown in Thanjavur’s fertile Cauvery River basin.
• It is known for its high antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, due to the presence of chavicol.

About Thovalai maanikka maalai

• It is a special type of garland that is made only in Thovalai.
• The flowers are carefully folded and arranged in precise patterns to create the appearance of gems (especially rubies) in a geometrically manner. 

About the GI tag 

• It is a sign used on products that have a specific geographical origin and possess qualities or a reputation that are due to that origin.
• Administered by the Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration and Protection) Act of 1999.
  • The Geographical Indications Registry has been established in Chennai to administer the Act.   
• They are part of the intellectual property rights under the Paris Convention for the Protection of Industrial Property.
  • They are also covered under the Trade Related Aspects of Intellectual Property Rights (TRIPS) Agreement.
• Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade, Ministry of Commerce and Industry, awards GIs. 
• The registration of a GI tag shall be for ten years (can be renewed)
• Uttar Pradesh holds the highest number of GI tags. 

South Africa recently won the World Test Championship against titleholder Australia.

About World Test Championship (WTC)

• Genesis: In 2019.
• Teams playing WTC: The Top nine test teams of the world.
• Format:
  • Each team plays three home and three away series.
    • Each match in a bilateral test series contributes points towards the WTC standings over a two-year cycle.
    • Each series consists of a minimum of two (2) Tests, and a maximum of five (5) Tests.
  • The top two teams (according to the points percentage system and not on the basis of matches won) compete against each other to be crowned as the winner