1. Agarwood

Agarwood, also known as oud, aloeswood, eaglewood, or gaharu, is afragrant dark resinous wood used in incense, perfume, and smallcarvings

.● It is formed in the heartwood of aquilaria trees when they becomeinfected with a type of mold, which in response produces a highlyaromatic resin.

● This process can take several years, and only a small percentage ofinfected trees produce the high-quality resin sought after by collectorsand the fragrance industry

● The aquilaria trees are native to Southeast Asia, the Indiansubcontinent, and East Asia.

● The demand for agarwood has historically been high due to its usein religious ceremonies, traditional medicine, and luxury goods.

● It is considered one of the most expensive raw materials in theworld on a weight-for-weight basis, with prices varying widelydepending on the quality and source.

● The most prized agarwood comes from trees infected with the moldin their natural habitat, as the infection process is unpredictable andthe resulting resin varies greatly.

● Artificial cultivation and infection of trees are practiced in someareas, but the quality of the resulting agarwood may not match thatof naturally infected wood

● Agarwood has a complex and rich fragrance profile, with notes thatcan range from sweet and floral to earthy and woody, depending onthe source and the level of resin content. In perfumery, agarwood oilis highly valued for its ability to fix other fragrances and for itsunique scent.

● The trade in agarwood has historically been a significant driverof its depletion in the wild, leading to the classification of manyaquilaria species as endangered.

● Conservation efforts and sustainable harvesting practices arecrucial to preserving these trees and the traditional uses of agarwood.

India has successfully prevented the inclusion of agarwood (Aquilaria malaccensis) in the Review of Significant Trade (RST) of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES).

● The CITES also notified a new export quota of the highly valuable and aromatic resinous wood and oil of the tree from India from April 2024.

● Since agarwood is cultivated in different parts of India, especially in the northeastern States, this development is going to benefit lakhs of farmers in certain districts of Assam, Manipur, Nagaland, and Tripura

● Aquilaria malaccensis was listed in Appendix II of the CITES (a category of species that are not necessarily threatened but whose trade must be controlled) for the first time in 1995 based on Indiaʼs proposal at CoP9 in 1994.

2.NATURAL FARMING

Natural farming, also known as nature farming or do-nothing farming, is an agriculturalpractice that seeks to cultivate food in a way that mimics natural ecosystems andprocesses, with minimal human interference.It is a holistic approach that aims to enhance the natural fertility of the soil, fosterbiodiversity, and promote the health of crops, livestock, and the environment as a whole.

Principles

No-till or Minimal Till: The soil is not tilled, or if tilled, it is done minimally to reducesoil disturbance and maintain soil structure, which helps in retaining moisture andnutrients.No Chemical Fertilizers or Pesticides: Instead of using synthetic chemicals, naturalfarming relies on the use of organic matter such as compost, manure, and cropresidues to enrich the soil and control pests and diseases.

Use of Indigenous Microorganisms (IMO): These are beneficialmicroorganisms found in the soil that are encouraged to proliferate, whichhelps in breaking down organic matter and making nutrients available toplants.Crop Rotation and Polyculture: Planting a variety of crops in succession orin combination to improve soil health, suppress pests, and enhancebiodiversity.Natural Pest Control: Encouraging natural predators and beneficial insectsto control pest populations, rather than using chemical pesticides.

Water Conservation: Using techniques such as mulching andwater-saving irrigation methods to reduce water usage and maintainsoil moisture.Livestock Integration: In some forms of natural farming, livestock areintegrated into the farming system to provide natural fertilization andhelp control weeds and pests.Observation and Adaptation: Farmers practicing natural farmingclosely observe natural processes and adapt their practicesaccordingly, aiming for a harmonious balance between human activityand the natural environment.

PROBLEMS

Agriculture and food experts have their reservations surrounding a large-scale transition from chemical farming to natural farming in a country like India, which has a huge population.

● Catering to its food-growing needs isnʼt an easy task.

● a government institute, show a 59% decline in wheat yields and a 32% decline in basmati rice yield compared to integrated crop management, adversely impacting food supply.

3.Dark oxygen

● An unknown process is producing oxygen deep in the worldʼs oceans, where it is too dark for photosynthesis

.● Many governments are also bound to take notice since one explanation for the oxygen is that polymetallic nodules are transporting electric charges that split water molecules around them, releasing oxygen.

● Polymetallic nodules are lumps of iron, manganese hydroxides, and rock partially submerged in many parts of the ocean floor.

Deep sea Mining

● Deep sea mining refers to the process of retrieving mineral depositsfrom the deep seabed, typically found at depths of 200 meters (656feet) or more below sea level.

● The seabed contains vast quantities of minerals and metals such ascopper, zinc, silver, gold, and rare earth elements, as well asnon-metallic minerals like phosphates, sulfur, and sand.

There are several types of deep sea mineral deposits that are of interest formining:Polymetallic Nodules: These are potato-sized lumps found on the deepocean floor, particularly in the abyssal plains. They contain a mix of metalsincluding manganese, nickel, copper, and cobalt.Polymetallic Sulfides: These are mineral deposits formed fromhydrothermal vents, which are commonly found near mid-ocean ridges.They contain a variety of metals such as copper, zinc, lead, and gold.Cobalt-Rich Ferromanganese Crusts: These are found on seamounts(underwater mountains) and plateaus and are rich in cobalt, as well as othermetals like nickel and platinum.

4.PSYCHEDELIC drug

Driven by the need for better mental health treatments and the low success rate of current medications, researchers are calling for clinical trials of psychedelic drugs in India.

About Psychedelics

Psychedelics are a class of drugs that alter perception, behaviour, consciousness, and thought, often intensifying sensory awareness. These drugs, a subset of psychotropic substances, are known for causing vivid hallucinations and drastically changing an individual’s thoughts and perceptions.

Categories of Psychedelics:

• Classical Psychedelics: Primarily cause hallucinations by activating the serotonin 5-HT receptor, found throughout the body. Examples include LSD, psilocybin, and DMT.
• Non-Classical Psychedelics: Interact with various receptors. Notable examples are ketamine and MDMA.

How do They work?

Psychedelics typically enhance serotonin, a mood-stabilizing hormone, by binding to serotonin receptors on cell surfaces, triggering specific biochemical reactions.

Research and Clinical Use: Five psychedelics—psilocybin, LSD, MDMA, ketamine, and DMT—are being extensively studied for treating mental health issues.

Regulation: The 1971 UN Convention on Psychotropic Substances regulates about 200 psychotropic substances, categorizing them into four schedules based on abuse potential, with Schedule I being the most restrictive. The convention does not specify the exact number or types classified as psychedelics.

5.NAEGLERIA FOWLERI

Naegleria fowleri is a type of amoeba, a unicellular organism found in soil, warm freshwater lakes, rivers, and hot springs.

If this amoeba enters the nose and reaches the brain, it can cause a severe infection known as Primary Amoebic Meningoencephalitis (PAM).

Due to its ability to infect and destroy brain tissue, Naegleria fowleri is often referred to as the “brain-eating amoeba.”

While infections caused by this organism are rare, they are almost always fatal.