My Science School

The brain is not only the most complex organ of the body but also one of the most complex things we have yet discovered in the universe. Understanding the human brain and how we think is one of the greatest challenges confronting us.

As we continue to study this wonderful organ, we are taking baby steps towards our ultimate goal. An international team of researchers led by Johns Hopkins University and the University of Cambridge recently produced the most detailed diagram of the brain of a larval fruit fly, tracing every neural network in it. The results were published in the journal Science early in March and serves as an archetypal scientific model with brains comparable to humans.

Creating connectomes

The idea of mapping a brain began as early as the 1970s when researchers conducted a 14-year study on roundworms. It resulted in a partial map and also a Nobel Prize. Partial connectomes (map of neural connections in the brain) of several systems, including flies mice, and even humans have since been developed, but these reconstructions usually represent only a tiny fraction of the brain. Comprehensive connectomes have been generated for small species such as roundworms and larval sea squirt.

In this research, the team produced the connectome of a baby fruit fly,’ Drosophila melanogaster larva’. With 3,016 neurons and 5,48,000 connections between them, this is the most expansive map of an entire insect brain ever completed.

Laborious process

Mapping brains is not only difficult, but also extremely time-consuming, despite the latest technology at the disposal of these researchers. To build a complete cellular-level map of the brain, the brain first needs to be sliced into thousands of tissue samples, which are imaged with electron microscopes, before- reconstructing the pieces, neuron by neuron, to create the portrait of the brain.

While the imaging alone took the team nearly a day per neuron (meaning around 3,000 days were spent on the task), the overall work took the University of Cambridge and Johns Hopkins 12 years. The team chose fruit fly larva as the species, for an insect shares a lot of its fundamental biology with humans.

The methods developed by this team for the mapping are applicable to any brain connection project. They are going to make the code used available to whoever attempts to map an even larger animal brain.

Despite the challenges involved, scientists are expected to take on the brain of the mouse, maybe even in the next decade. But as British zoologist and author of ‘The Idea of the Brain’ sums up in his book, knowing where things happen doesn't necessarily translate to knowing how it happens, and our understanding of how still has a long way to go.

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Leonso Canales Jr. was on cloud nine. It was the beginning of a new year in 1997, and he had emerged victorious in his battle against a pervasive threat that had plagued his community in Kingsville, Texas for years. But this was not your typical pest or villain - it was a simple word. Hello.

For nearly a decade, the 56-year-old veteran and proud owner of a local flea market had harboured a deep disdain for the word. It all started in 1988 when he answered a call from his brother and suddenly realised that the innocent greeting could also be interpreted as a curse, as it entailed the word 'hell'.

 That moment was like a slap in the face, he recalled in a 1997 column by John Kelso in the Austin American-Statesman. Canales was frustrated with the negative connotations attached to a word that was so commonly used to initiate conversations. He began to advocate for an alternative, suggesting ‘God-o,’ but his brother countered with heaven-o, which he liked even more.

However, It was not until November of 1996 that Canales took his campaign to the next level, purchasing ads in the local Kingsville newspaper promoting ‘heaven-o' while crossing out ‘hello.’ He continued his crusade by proposing a resolution to the Kleberg County commissioners, urging them to adopt heaven-o' as the official greeting of the county.

According to Canales, the new greeting would serve as a symbol of peace, friendship, and welcome, benefiting everyone living in what he felt was the “age of anxiety." And on a momentous day in January 1997, the commissioners unanimously voted in favour of the resolution, cementing the triumph of Canales mission to replace the ubiquitous 'hello' with the more positive ‘heaven-o.’

Canales’ quest to replace 'hello' with heaven-o' did not just capture the attention of local officials in Texas; it also landed him on international news programmes through satellite interviews. Despite some pushback from a man named Carl Matthews who claimed to have coined the phrase decades earlier, Canales remained undeterred. In an interview, Matthews claimed that Canales would have to "yield" to his copyright of the phrase, comparing it to finding a lost wallet and returning it to its rightful owner. However, as it turns out, catchphrases like 'heaven-o' are not protected by copyright law-only trademarks are.

In the end, Canales legacy as the inventor of the blessed jovial greeting remained untarnished. When he passed away in 2014, his obituary lauded him as a "world-renowned figure", thanks to his innovative greeting. There was no mention of Matthews, perhaps indicating that Canales had never acknowledged him as the true creator of heaven-o'.

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As fish populations decrease globally, researchers assert that the focus should be on working with other countries rather than on just local numbers. Why is that? Come, let's find out.

Political boundaries are the work of humans. Wildlife do not recognise them. And, fish are no different. Dwelling in water bodies, they freely cross countries. Studies have indicated that there a few fish species that "migrate over long distances". As it happens, fish egg and/or larvae may originate in one place and be carried to faraway places (this could be to even other countries), thanks to ocean currents. "Often one nation's fish stocks depend on the spawning grounds of a neighboring country, where fish release eggs and sperm into the water and Larvae hatch from fertilized eggs."

A recent study has discovered that "global fisheries are even more tightly connected than previously understood". With fish and spawn connected to several regions, the world's coastal marine fisheries are essentially "a single network", aided by ocean currents. Ocean current patterns vary with seasons. But, mostly these currents are sluggish (though there are a few regions where the currents are faster). Despite this, spawn can travel far. Here's an example. "Even a gentle current of 0.1 miles per hour can carry spawn 40 miles over a month, and some species can float for several months." Add to this the fact that different "fish species spawn in different seasons, and a single species may spawn in several months at different locations", and what we get is fish species in one country steadily arriving from or drifting to other countries over different periods of time.

So what happens is that if fish populations in one region dwindle. "the amount of fish spawn, or eggs and larvae, riding the ocean currents from there to other countries would also decline dramatically, resulting in further loss of fish elsewhere". To ensure food security and employment to those dependent on fishing, it is important for countries to understand this deep interconnectedness of global waters and chalk out ways to guard them.

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The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) recently released its draft Master Plan 2041 for the city of Delhi, What is it for and what are its proposals? Come, let's find out.

The DDA draft Master Plan 2041 for Delhi (MPD 2041) addresses many key challenges facing Delhi. Its aim is to provide a comprehensive framework for sustainable and inclusive development of the city over the next two decades.

Facelift for Delhi

The plan, prepared by the DDA, covers various aspects of urban planning, including land pooling, housing for all sections of society, green area and infrastructure development, innovative interventions, heritage, rejuvenation of the Yamuna, and checking pollution among others. It largely focusses on the policies of environment, economy, mobility, culture, and public spaces.

One of the highlights of the plan is its emphasis on promoting development, where residential, commercial, and recreational spaces are integrated within a neighbourhood. This approach not only aims at encouraging walking but also fostering a sense of community and social interaction. The plan addresses the issue of affordable housing for all and also seeks to create more green spaces and public parks in the city. It prioritises environment sustainability by promoting waste management and use of renewable energy sources.

Transit-oriented development

 Another important aspect is its focus on transit-oriented development, which aims at reducing reliance on private vehicles and promoting use of public transportation. A comprehensive network of metro, bus, and cycling infrastructure with emphasis on last-mile connectivity is part of the plan. This aims at not only reducing traffic congestion and checking air pollution but also making the city more liveable.

The draft MPD 2041 was approved by Lt Governor V K Saxena, who is also the chairman of the DDA, on February 28. It is expected to usher in a new era of development and guide future growth of the national capital.

According to the officials, the draft MPD 2041 has been divided into two volumes, comprising 10 chapters which encapsulate the vision to "foster a sustainable, liveable and vibrant Delhi".

The MPD is a statutory document that facilitates Delhi's development by assessing the present condition and guiding how to achieve the desired development.

First MPD

The first MPD was promulgated in 1962 under the Delhi Development Act, 1957. These plans are prepared for a 20-year perspective period, providing a holistic framework for the planned development of the city. The last master plan of the city was the MPD 2021.

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A super bloom happens when a large concentration of wildflower seeds that have been dormant for years in the desert bloom sporadically and together when met with abundant rain.

Once in a few years, the hills of California burst with an explosion of colours. This happens when the wildflowers bloom in abundance and carpet the hillsides in hues of orange, purple, yellow and pink.

The wildflowers blanket the deserts and grasslands with such a grandeur that it can even be seen from space. This rare desert phenomenon in California when a large proportion of wildflowers bloom is called a super bloom.

The super bloom season occurs between late winter and early spring, from February through May. During this phenomenon, a large number of seeds sprout at the same time in the desert.

A super bloom happens when a large concentration of wildflower seeds that have been dormant for years in the desert bloom sporadically and together when met with abundant rain. A few weather conditions need to be satisfied for the super bloom to occur.

There must be a balance of sunshine, temperature, wind, and rainfall which will aid in the germination of the seeds that have been lying dormant for a long time in the desert soil.

The super blooms normally occur once every 10 to 15 years. But the years 2017 and 2019 saw the flowers blooming en masse. Depending on the location, the hillsides may get covered by desert sunflowers, desert lilies, California poppies, sand verbena, evening primrose and popcorn flowers.

A sudden change in temperatures such as cold weather or a hot spell can prevent the en masse blooming from happening. There are some human-induced factors that are a threat to the wildflowers and thereby severely affect the super bloom. These are residential development, mining, agriculture, climate change and so on.

Travellers are hopeful that this year they will be able to witness the super bloom. With some areas in San Diego County already blooming, people are hopeful that the floral phenomenon might appear this year.

The last time the super bloom happened tourists flocked to the area in hordes which led to a lot of road closures and traffic issues. It also caused habitat damage as people trampled over the flowers, picked them up, and followed trails that were closed to the public.

If one were to visit such a site, it goes without saying that one must visit the habitat responsibly. The plants should be left undisturbed and one must stick to the designated trails.

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In articles about infections and medicines, you may have come across words such as superbugs and drug resistance. What do they mean and what is providing superbugs (microbes resistant to medication used for treating the infections they cause) the perfect circumstances to thrive? Come, let's find out

It is common knowledge that microbes such as bacteria, virus, fungi, and parasites cause infection in humans, animals, and plants. Such infections are tackled using antibiotics (to fight bacteria), antivirals, antifungal, and antiparasitics. These medicines are collectively called antimicrobials; they prevent or treat infections by killing or inhibiting the growth of the microbes. Medicines tackle erring microbes and bring the infection under control. However, not always do antimicrobials succeed in doing what they set out to. This is because the microbes begin to resist these medicines-in essence, they continue to grow unaffected. This is called drug (medicine) resistance. Now, how do these germs develop that resistance? Most microbes - such as bacteria, fungi, and parasites - are living organisms. So they always find ways to survive by protecting themselves from anything that could harm them. One important way this happens is through change in one or more of their genes- also known as gene mutation. This can help microbes ignore the antimicrobial, block, or even destroy it. And, surviving germs pass on these genes to the subsequent generation that keeps both the resistance and itself alive.

But, what causes the resistance in the first place? Several reasons! Overuse and misuse of antimicrobials are among the most common reasons that lead to drug resistance. Of growing concern in recent times is how climate change is driving drug resistance.

Here's an example. "Higher temperatures have been found to promote the growth, infection and spread of antibiotic resistance in bacteria, both in humans and animals." Extreme weather events lead to sharing of limited resources such as water in extremely crowded places, increasing risk of infection. Drought, agricultural run-offs, pollutants, etc. exacerbate the growth and spread of drug-resistant microbes.

As drug-resistant microbes cause millions of death the world over, it is important to not just develop newer drugs to combat these microbes but also tackle the pressing issue of climate change.

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While reading news about any war-stricken country, you must have read about International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) giving aid to the victims. However, do you know what ICRC is?

Origin

ICRC, established in 1863, is an independent and neutral organisation that helps people who are affected by conflict and armed violence and promote the laws protecting victims of war.

Its work is based on the Geneva Conventions of 1949, which are international treaties that protect people who do not take part in the fighting (civilians, medics, aid workers) and those who can no longer fight (wounded, sick, and shipwrecked troops. prisoners of war, etc.).

The ICRC was formed in response to the experiences of its founder. Jean-Henri Dunant, during Italy's Battle of Solferino in 1859. He had witnessed wounded soldiers left to die over lack of adequate medical services.

In 1862, he published an account of the Solferino's situation

By next year, his popularity led to the formation of International Committee for the Relief of the Wounded with the help of Geneva Society for Public Welfare.

This committee became the International Committee of the Red Cross in 1875.

The ICRC is now one of the components of a large network that includes national Red Cross and Red Crescent societies and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies.

Emblem

The governments attending the diplomatic conference, wherein the First Geneva Convention in 1864 was adopted, decided that a clear neutral sign was needed on the battlefield to protect medical staff and facilities.

A red cross on a white background, the exact reverse of the flag of neutral Switzerland, was opted. The emblem is recognisable at a distance because of its contrasting colours.

At present, there are three emblems that are used by the ICRC-red cross, red crescent, and red crystal. They provide protection for military medical services and relief workers in armed conflicts.

Recently, two ICRC workers were kidnapped in Mali (the country is battling insurgencies that broke out in the north of the country in 2012). Such deliberate attacks a person, equipment, or a building having a protective emblem is a war crime under international law.

The organisation

ICRC's headquarters is in Geneva, Switzerland. It is funded mainly by voluntary donations from governments and from nation Red Cross and Red Crescent societies.

The work of the ICRC in both World Wars was recognised the Nobel Prize for Peace in 1917 and 1944. It shared another Nobel Peace Prize with the League of Red Cross Societie in 1963, the year of the 100th anniversary of the ICRC’S founding.

All the members are Swiss mainly because of the origin f the Red Cross.

The current president of is Mirjana Spoljaric, who previously served as the United Nations Assistant Secretary-General.

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The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), which is responsible for issuing the Aadhaar card to residents of the country, recently launched a new AI/ML-based chatbot called Aadhaar Mitra. What's the chatbot for and how can we access it? Come, let's find out

Aadhaar is a unique identification system that assigns a 12-digit number to residents of the country after due verification. The system is used to authenticate identity and provide access to government services such as PDS, LPG, etc., subsidies, and benefits. Though Aadhaar was introduced way back in 2010, many still struggle to enrol in the system or update their information. This is where Aadhaar Mitra comes in.

Where can you find it?

Aadhaar Mitra is a chatbot that uses machine learning and artificial intelligence technology to provide personalised assistance to users. The chatbot is designed to be user-friendly.

The Aadhaar Mitra feature is available on the home page of the UIDAI's website. Once you click on the flickering blue "Aadhaar Mitra" icon at the bottom right comer, it will ask you to "Get started". Then, enter your query related to the Aadhaar system in the text field and click on the ‘Send’ button and the chatbot will throw up the required answer.

Available at all times

Aadhaar Mitra can provide a wide range of answers on Aadhaar related topics. The chatbot makes the process of checking your Aadhaar enrolment/update status easier. You can get information about a nearby Aadhaar enrolment centre by entering the pin code of your location.

The chatbot helps track Aadhaar PVC card (latest version of the card which is made of polyvinyl chloride in the size of a debit card) status and even tells users what should be done when an Aadhaar card is lost. It also tells you how to download an e-aadhaar from the UIDAI website through a video.

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A computer that is powered by human brain cells, thereby extending the capabilities of modern computing exponentially and creating novel fields of study. No, this isn't a one-line plot of a science-fiction. Researchers from Johns Hopkins University expect such ‘biocomputers’ to be developed within our lifetimes.

Organoid intelligence

While computing and artificial intelligence have been driving the tech revolution, it is nearing its peak. Biocomputing aims at compacting computational power and increasing efficiency in order to push past current tech limitations. A team of researchers outlined their plan for "organoid intelligence" in the journal Frontiers in Science in February 2023.

Scientists have used tiny organoids, lab grown tissue resembling fully grown organs, to experiment on organs without resorting to human or animal testing for nearly 20 years. Recently, researchers have started working on brain organoids.

Our brain remains unmatched by modem computers. While recent supercomputers have exceeded the computational capacity of a single human brain for the first time, it has been achieved by using a million times more energy.

Light on energy demands

A futuristic computer with biological hardware or brain organoids might be able to provide superior computing with limited energy consumption. Even though it may take decades to have an operational organoid intelligence that can power a system as smart as a mouse, researchers believe that setting along that path now is important. This, they believe, will create funding programmes that will help scale up production of brain organoids and have them trained using artificial intelligence Apart from the computational capabilities, organoid intelligence might also be a game-changer in drug testing, especially research pertaining to neurodevelopmental disorders and neurodegeneration.

The team working on organoid intelligence comprises scientists, bioethicists, and members of the public. This diverse consortium is an attempt to have varying opinions while assessing the ethical implications of working with organoid intelligence.

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Our Earth recently had its brush with a green comet. The last time it visited us was some 50.000 years ago. It is unlikely to return for millions of years. Astronomers and space enthusiasts around the globe looked up to catch a glimpse of this unique visitor.

Christened C/2022 E3 (ZTF), the comet was discovered in March 2022 by astronomers. The comet which had been in the skies for close to a month since mid-January has now travelled outwards, away from Earth and out of our solar system. The comet came from the Oort Cloud.

And if you missed the comet this time, rest assured. There are plenty of comets around which will swing past us and who knows maybe the next one will be bigger and brighter! With so much of discussion around comets, let’s learn more about them.

Comets

The comets are leftovers after the formation of the solar system 4.6 billion years ago. These frozen leftovers are made of dust and ice and orbit the Sun. These ancient objects are often referred to as time capsules as they contain material back from the time the Sun and the planets were formed. They are important as they are believed to hold vital clues regarding the formation of our solar system. They are known for their long tails. The current known number of comets is 3.743

Comets are found to exist in a disk beyond Neptune's orbit called the Kuiper Belt. These are called short period comets. They take less than 200 years to orbit the Sun. Other comets east in the Oort Cloud, the outer edge of the solar system. These are called long-period comets as they take larger periods to orbit the sun.

Halley's comet

Halley is the most famous of the lot. Earlier comets were thought to pass through the solar system only once. In the early 1700s, it was English astronomer Edmond Halley who suggested that the bright comet reported in 1531, 1607 and 1682 was one and the same. That it was a single comet making return trips. He predicted that it would return in 1758. The comet did and it was named in his honour.

Why do comets have a tail?

The most distinctive characteristic of a comet is its tail. When a comet approaches the Sun, the heat evaporates the comet's gases. The dust and gases start moving away from the nucleus of the comet. The Sun's radiation pressure and particles coming from the Sun start pushing the gas and dust stream away from the nucleus into a bright tail that extends to millions of miles.

 In fact, a comet has two tails. While one appears to be white and is made of dust, the other is blush in colour and is comprised of ions and electrically charged gas molecules.

A comet's lifetime

As the comet completes each orbit around the Sun, it loses material from the surface of its nucleus. Its aging starts and it starts dimming in appearance. And over time it loses all the ices in the nucleus and the tail also disappears. The comet changes into a dark rocky mass or fizzles into dust.

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The Indian judicial system has picked up the concept of Public Interest Litigation from American jurisprudence.

You must have often read in the newspapers about people filing Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the court of law. However, do you know what it is?

PIL

PIL is a legal action filed in a court of law for the enforcement of a public interest. Justice Bhagwati launched the concept of a PIL by relaxing the locus standi (legal capacity to sue or approach courts) rule in 1980. Earlier, only those who were injured by an action could approach the courts.

The Indian judicial system has picked up the concept of public interest litigation from American jurisprudence.

First PIL

The earliest PIL was filed by G. Vasantha Pai several decades ago in the Madras High Court against its sitting Chief Justice S. Ramachandra lyer over his age discrepancy. It was found that the judge had forged his birth date to avoid compulsory retirement at the age of 60.

In the early years, PIL was used to get justice on issues such as rescuing bonded labourers from inhuman work conditions and securing the release of prisoners in Bihar who were kept in jail even after their punishment term was complete

Filing PIL

Any Indian citizen can file a PIL. The issue regarding the PIL is not restricted to any specific list or subject. The only condition that validates a PIL is that the issue being raised should bear significant public interest and not for private gain alone.

The PILS can comprise subjects such as environment, human rights, road safety, exploitation, and atrocities of different kinds.

However, the heavy flow of PILS has led to a greater clogging of the courts that leads to pushing traditional litigation to more delays. Such PILS threaten the entire judicial structure.

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Lithium resources have been discovered for the first time in india's Jammu and Kashmir. What is lithium and why is the discovery significant for the country? Let's find out....

Crucial in rechargeable batteries

 Lithium in its pure form is a soft, silvery white alkali metal which is highly reactive. It is the lightest metal known to us. Not found naturally as a metal, lithium is available in small amounts as a mineral in most rocks. This mineral is crucial in the manufacturing of batteries for electric vehicles, laptops, mobile phones, and other smart devices. Lithium is also used to make aircraft parts as it is light weight. India has so far been relying on imports for the rare mineral. Did you know Bolivia has the largest lithium resources globally?

A major boost

The discovery of the 5.9-million tonnes of "inferred" lithium resources at Salal village in Reasi district by the Geological Survey of India will serve as a major boost to the manufacture of rechargeable batteries for personal devices and electric cars in India and reduce the country's dependence on imports for the mineral. If you wonder what "inferred” lithium resource means, it is a resource for which "quantity, grade and mineral content are estimated only with a low level of confidence". It indicates a preliminary stage of assessment. The mineral blocks are likely to be auctioned after approval from the Central Government.

A game-changer

Of 98 million tonnes of lithium resources found globally. India has over 5% of the resources. According to an official, the project to extract the metal will be a game-changer for the local youths as it will generate ample employment opportunities for them.

With the world keen on transitioning to electric vehicles to reduce carbon emissions, the discovery can help meet India's growing demand for lithium. India wants EVs to make up 30% of new automobiles by the year 2030.

However, environmentalists have a different take on lithium extraction. They say the process of mining lithium is not eco-friendly as it requires a lot of water. Lithium is extracted from hard rocks and underground reservoirs. Besides, lithium extraction releases huge amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

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Imagine a forest underwater or a tapestry of green inside the ocean. That's just what a kelp forest is. Though kelps are considered the forests of the sea and look like plants, they are not plants. Kelps are large brown algae, and together, the different species of kelps form kelp forests.

The kelp forests figure among one of the most dynamic and diverse ecosystems on earth and offer a habitat for marine organisms such as invertebrates, fishes, and other algae and play many key ecological roles.

Kelps cover 25% of the world's coastlines. They provide food and shelter to marine animals. These can be seen around the world, across polar as well as temperate coastal oceans. They live in cold waters that are rich in nutrients.

While they remain attached to the seafloor, they grow towards the surface of the water and depend on sunlight to generate food. If the ideal physical conditions are satisfied, then kelps can grow 45 cm a day. Some of these species are seen to measure up to even 45 m long.

Kelps and climate change

Kelp forests play a highly crucial role in battling climate change as they are good at sequestering carbon, thereby ensuring the health of the coastal environment. They are also capable of absorbing excess nitrogen and phosphorus that run into the oceans from the land.

Studies have shown that a third of the globe's coastal environments depend on kelp to combat local pollution and sustain fisheries. Apart from helping maintain the health of the marine ecosystem, kelps are also commercially harvested as they find applications in food production, textiles, pharmaceuticals, and so on.

The health of the kelps is dependent largely on oceanographic conditions and as such they can disappear and reappear based on this. For instance, sea urchins can destroy the kelp forests. Moreover, strong individual storms can affect the kelp forests by tearing out the kelps from the floor of the sea.

These dense canopies of algae are also facing many threats. Water pollution, rising sea temperatures, overgrazing, overfishing, and water pollution are some of the reasons for the depletion of kelp forests.

Studies prove that Southern Australia and Northern California have lost 95% of their kelp forests.

Their depletion is seen along the coastlines of every continent and this affects the fish, livelihoods and economy that are supported by the kelp forests.

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Just a few months ago, the Albanian government declared the river Vjosa and its tributaries a national park. With that it became Europe's first wild river national park, and it was called a "historic moment. Why so? Come, let's find out.

Claimed to be "one of the last wild rivers in Europe", Vjosa runs 270 km from Greece to Albania, and then joins the Adriatic Sea. It is said that the river became part of this significant move after nearly a decade-long campaign by environmental NGOS in the region, now placing the country "at the forefront of river protection". Unlike many rivers in central Europe, Vjosa flows freely and is wild, in that, it is largely untouched by infrastructure projects. This makes it similar to a natural wildlife habitat on land, without any human interference. By becoming a national park, it can be compared to protected wildlife areas on land. The national park covers over 32,000 acres, including the 190-km-long Albanian part of the river, where more than 60,000 people live.

But why it truly needs to be protected is because of this - "The river and its surrounding areas are ecosystems of substantial biodiversity and home to over 1,100 species of animals. Two of the plant species and 13 of the animal species are assessed as globally threatened by the International Union for Conservation of Nature" (IUCN). Not just that. As a national park, the focus will be on concerns such as "water and land pollution, waste management", etc. Further, it "will create economic opportunities for local communities through responsible tourism".

It is noteworthy that the Albanian government ended plans to have eight hydropower stations on the river and its tributaries, which could "have caused serious damage to the river'.

Meanwhile, a half-built hydropower station on the river and a new, multimillion-euro international airport being built where Vjosa flows into the Adriatic are concerns, especially since the latter could cause "irreparable damage to the fragile ecosystems of protected lagoons that host flamingos, pelicans and millions of other migratory birds".

While there are marine reserves globally and rivers flowing within national parks, instances of a wild river itself as a national park are not as common. As countries globally battle climate change and many other challenges, Albania's move is perhaps a crucial necessity worthy of emulation.

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Vistadome coaches allow rail passengers to experience the natural beauty of the surroundings in a whole new way.

The Tejas Express train operating between Mumbai and Karmali in Goa added the second vistadome coach recently. But what is a vistadome coach and why is it added to trains? Come let's find out.

Vistadome coaches are an exciting addition to the Indian Railways. These coaches offer passengers a panoramic view of the passing landscape. With large windows and transparent, see-through roofs, a vistadome coach provides a hindrance-free view of the surroundings. As they allow you to take in the beauty of the surroundings from every angle, they have become a huge hit among rail passengers.

A boost for tourism

Vistadome coaches have been introduced in several train routes across the country to promote tourism and to make rail journeys memorable for travellers. One of the most popular routes for such glass-covered coaches is the Araku Valley route in Andhra Pradesh which is known for its lush greenery, waterfalls, and coffee plantations. Another popular route is the Kalka-Shimla route in north India which is known for its stunning views of the Himalayan range. The vistadome train service is available in sections of Assam, West Bengal, and Madhya Pradesh too.

Breathtaking view

The Konkan belt also offers a breathtaking view of waterfalls, rivers, valleys, tunnels, lush green fields, and creeks. One vistadome coach was attached to the Mumbai-Karmali Tejas Express in September 2022. With the attachment of the second vistadome coach on April 14, 2023, the Tejas Express has become the first in the country to have two such coaches on both ends of the train, according to Railway officials.

The vistadome coaches are air-conditioned, and the seats cushioned to provide maximum comfort. They also have other attractions such as LED lights, rotatable seats, GPS-based information system, electrically operated automatic sliding compartment doors, wide side sliding doors for specially-abled people and toilets with ceramic tile flooring. The viewing gallery with huge glass windows on three sides is one of the biggest attractions of these coaches, from where passengers love to click photographs.

DID YOU KNOW?

*The first vistadome coach in a train in India was introduced in Andhra Pradesh in 2017 on the beautiful Visakhapatnam-Araku route.

*There are over 30 vistadome coaches at present that mainly cover routes boasting exceptional scenic beauty such as rolling hills, gurgling rivers, and lush forests.

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