Current Affairs - State

West Bengal has recently received Geographical Indication (GI) tags for seven new traditional products, including the iconic Nolen Gurer Sandesh and Baruipur guavas. This recognition is a testament to the state’s commitment to preserving its rich cultural and culinary heritage. Nolen Gurer Sandesh, a beloved Bengali sweet made from chhena and date palm jaggery, is especially popular during the winter season. GI tags not only help protect the uniqueness of these regional specialities but also boost the local economy by giving these products greater visibility and commercial value in national and international markets. West Bengal now has 33 GI-tagged items.

The new Pamban Rail Bridge was inaugurated by Prime Minister Narendra Modi in Tamil Nadu, marking a significant milestone in India's coastal infrastructure. Located between Rameswaram and the mainland, the bridge features a vertical lift mechanism, allowing ships to pass beneath it—boosting both railway connectivity and maritime navigation. Built at a cost of ₹550 crore, it is equipped with an advanced electro-mechanical lift system and is designed to last for 58 years. The inauguration also included the flagging off of the Rameswaram–Tambaram Express and a Coast Guard vessel, which was the first to pass under the raised bridge span.

Haryana has taken a significant step in addressing the growing threat of synthetic drug trafficking by forming an Anti-Synthetic Narcotics Task Force under its Narcotics Control Bureau. This specialized unit is tasked with tracking complex drug networks, monitoring the use and movement of precursor chemicals, and dismantling concealed drug labs. Synthetic drugs, unlike natural ones, can be produced in compact, hidden labs without requiring plant-based raw materials, making enforcement more challenging. Haryana’s initiative reflects the urgency of responding to the rapid spread of synthetic narcotics, which are often potent, hard to detect, and increasingly trafficked using encrypted digital channels.

Euphaea wayanadensis, a newly identified damselfly species, was discovered in Kerala’s Wayanad region, located in the Western Ghats — a recognized biodiversity hotspot. This discovery brings Kerala’s odonate species count to 191 and adds to the ecological significance of the Western Ghats, now home to 223 known odonate species. The damselfly inhabits fast-flowing rocky streams in evergreen and semi-evergreen forest areas and is distinguished by unique wing and thorax markings. Its narrow distribution and sensitivity to habitat changes highlight the importance of conservation efforts in the region to protect such endemic and ecologically valuable species.

The scientific study to assess zoonotic spillover risks will take place in bird sanctuaries across Sikkim, Maharashtra, and Tamil Nadu. This study will adopt the One Health approach, which monitors both humans and birds and aims to develop a real-time zoonotic disease surveillance model. The project reflects a proactive shift towards public health preparedness to detect and manage zoonotic diseases efficiently.