WHAT MAKES 'CORPSE FLOWER( AMORPHOPHALLUS TITANIUM) UNIQUE

WHAT MAKES 'CORPSE FLOWER( AMORPHOPHALLUS TITANIUM)  UNIQUE

The flower which has a scientific name Amorphophallus titanum blooms rarely once in every 7-10 years and is a site of attraction for botany enthusiasts and tourists. Apart from its foul smell, the flower is also considered to be one of the world’s largest flowers and it can grow upto 8-10  feet in about a decade. An average Corpse flower lives upto 4-5 decades and throughout its lifetime remains an object of attraction. The plant which is a native species of Indonesia’s Tropical forest in Sumatra is an endangered species and has been planted in different parts of the world in botanical gardens and other places.

It IS  SAID THAT ,The “Corpse Flower” is not actually a single flower but an inflorescence (a stalk of many flowers). The flowers are a mixture of tiny male and female flowers held out of sight at the base of the central phallus-like structure (spadix) surrounded by a pleated skirt-like covering (spathe) that is bright green on the outside and deep maroon inside when opened. The female flowers mature before the male (pollen-producing) flowers which avoids self-pollination.

The plant typically requires at least 7 years before it blooms but it may take even longer.Ever since this plant was first identified in Sumatra, Indonesia in 1878 by Italian botanist Odoardo Beccari, it has excited worldwide attention due to its massive size, fascinating appearance, and habit of producing a foul odor resembling rotten flesh (to attract insects that pollinate it).

The corpse flower (Amorphophallus titanum) is listed as ENDANGERED BYIUCN, with an estimation of fewer than 1,000 individuals remaining in the wild. IUCN estimates the population has declined more than 50% over the past 150 years. The main reasons for the decline are logging and the conversion of the plant's native forest habitat to oil palm plantations.

What Makes THE Whale Vomit SO Expensive & Why Is It Illegal In India

 What Makes THE Whale Vomit SO Expensive & Why Is It Illegal In India

Two persons have been arrested by Ghatkopar(UP)police while they were attempting to sell extremely rare Ambergris (whale spew) worth Rs 1.70 crore in the illicit market.

A couple from the UK recently chanced upon a smelly rock while walking on the beach. In a report by CNN, Gary and Angela Williams were walking on Middleton Sands beach when their attention was caught by a pungent smell. They knew it was  vomit or ambergris.

We have come across many stories of people stumbling on wale vomit worth millions. The ambergris, as whale vomit is known, is often described as one of the world's strangest natural occurrences.  

Whale ‘vomit’ or Ambergris is a very costly wax that originates as a secretion in the intestines of the sperm whale. It can be found floating in tropical seas and is used in manufacturing perfumes

While scientists don’t have an exact reason for why ambergris is produced in the whale’s body, some theories suggest that the substance is produced by the whale's gastrointestinal tract to ease the passage of hard, sharp objects that it may have eaten

Why is it so expensive? 

A kilogram of whale vomit can cost you upwards of Rs 1 crore. The wax-like substance is produced in the digestive tract of sperm whales.

Ambergris has been called the treasure of the sea and floating gold. It is hugely valuable – it commands a higher price than gold. This is because it is highly prized as a fixative and ingredient in fine perfumes.

Why is it illegal? 

In India, the sale of Ambergris is prohibited by law as the sperm whale is an endangered species which is protected under the Wildlife Protection Act. The sperm whale was declared an endangered species in 1970.

However, in countries like UK and the rest of the European Union, it is currently perfectly legal to salvage a lump of ambergris from beaches and sell it, either at auction or on sites such as eBay.

THE NEW SPECIE OF FROG: LITORIA MIRA the kind you can’t eat and discovered

 

THE NEW SPECIE OF FROG: LITORIA MIRA  the kind you can’t eat and  discovered   

Litoria mira is a species found in the rainforest swamps of New Guinea. First discovered in 2016, this frog was dubbed as “chocolate frog” because of its distinctive brown coloured skin. The scientific name was chosen as Litoria mira, which means surprised or strange in Latin. They are found in hot swampy areas infested with crocodiles. This had discouraged exploration during the past instances.

The chocolate frog’s closest relation is the Australian green tree frog. These species have common characteristics except for their coloration, with the latter being green instead of brown.

It is to note that Litoria mira bears resemblance with the common green tree frog of Australia- also known as Litoria cerulean. They both look similar apart from their skin colour. However, some differences can be seen when studied closely. According to the report, Litoria mira can be differentiated from all other Litoria due to its unique combination of webbing on hand, large size, limbs that are relatively short and robust as well as a small violet patch of skin which is present on the edge of its eyes.

The frog is thought to be found across Papua New Guinea in hard-to-reach lowland swamp forests. The species was typically observed perched on branches about 3 meters of the ground, the study says.

You might hear the “chocolate” frog before you see it. The amphibian makes a “deep, masking bark” that sounds like “crawk, crawk, crawk.”

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID)

 The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID)

The International Commission on Irrigation and Drainage (ICID), established in 1950 is a leading scientific, technical, international not-for-profit, non-governmental organization. ICID is a professional network of experts from across the world in the field of irrigation, drainage, and flood management. The main mission is to promote ‘Sustainable agriculture water management’ to achieve ‘Water secure world free of poverty and hunger through sustainable rural development’.   ICID is a knowledge sharing platform dedicated to issues that covers the entire spectrum of agricultural water management practices ranging from rainfed agriculture to supplemental irrigation, land drainage, deficit irrigation to full irrigation, etc. In addition, drainage of agricultural lands forms the core theme of commission’s activities. Floods and drought; the two extremes of increasingly variable climate as a result of potential climate change, also form the focus of activities. ICID has more than half-a-century of experience in the transfer of water management technology and in the handling of related issues. Building on its past experience, accomplishments, and the comprehensive water management framework, ICID strives to promote programs to enhance sustainable development of irrigated agriculture. ICID has been involved in the global discussions leading to Agenda 21, World Water Vision, and World Water Forums etc., which have become the focal point of several of its technical activities. In recognition of its significant contribution to the programs and objectives of International Year of Peace proclaimed by the UN General Assembly, on 15 September 1987 ICID was designated as a Peace Messenger by the UN Secretary General.