14 July 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES)

Why in News?

Wildlife experts from across the world are meeting in Geneva for the 34th meeting of the Animals Committee of CITES.

What is CITES?

CITES is an international agreement that regulates international trade in wild animals and plants. It was adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975. It has 185 Parties: 184 countries and the European Union.

Core Objective

CITES ensures that international trade in wild animals and plants is legal, sustainable and traceable, and does not threaten the survival of species in the wild.

How Does CITES Work?

It regulates international wildlife trade through permits and certificates covering export, re-export, import and introduction from the high seas. Its provisions apply to live animals and plants, dead specimens, parts and derivatives, and processed wildlife products.

Important for Prelims

Although CITES is legally binding on its Parties, each country must implement its provisions through national laws.

Secretariat

• Headquarters: Geneva

• Administered by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

Conference of the Parties (CoP)

CITES Parties generally meet every two to three years. The CoP reviews implementation, amends the Appendices, and adopts conservation and trade measures.

CITES Appendices — Know the Difference

Appendix I — Highest Protection

• Species threatened with extinction.

• Commercial international trade is generally prohibited except under exceptional circumstances.

Appendix II — Regulated Trade

• Species not currently threatened with extinction but which may become threatened if trade is not regulated.

• International trade requires an export permit.

• The exporting country must certify legal acquisition and that trade is not detrimental to the species' survival.

Appendix III — International Cooperation Requested

• Species protected in at least one country that has requested assistance from other CITES Parties to control international trade.

• Trade is regulated through export permits from the listing country and certificates of origin from other exporting countries.

Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros (Indian Rhinoceros)

Why in News?

The Central Government has approved a landmark conservation initiative to establish a DNA-based indexing system for the Greater One-Horned Rhinoceros. The initiative aims to strengthen scientific monitoring, wildlife forensics and anti-poaching efforts.

About the Species

• Also known as the Indian Rhinoceros.

• Scientific name: Rhinoceros unicornis.

• Largest of the three Asian rhinoceros species.

Habitat

A semi-aquatic species inhabiting swamps, riverine forests, floodplain grasslands, riverbanks and areas near mineral licks.

Distribution

Found mainly in India and Nepal, particularly in the Himalayan foothills. Historically, it ranged across floodplains and forests associated with the Brahmaputra, Ganges and Indus river systems.

Kaziranga National Park supports the largest population of the species.

Key Features

• Single black horn.

• Greyish-brown hide with thick skin folds, creating an armour-plated appearance.

• Generally solitary, except females with calves.

• Adult males maintain loosely defended territories.

Diet

Herbivorous; feeds on grasses, leaves, fruits, branches, aquatic plants and cultivated crops.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Vulnerable

Australian Grass Owl

Why in News?

A rare sighting of the Australian Grass Owl at Maguri Motapung Beel has excited birdwatchers and wildlife enthusiasts.

About the Species

• Also known as the Eastern Grass Owl.

• Scientific name: Tyto longimembris.

• Family: Tytonidae.

Distribution

Found across eastern, southern and Southeast Asia, parts of New Guinea, Australia mainly in Queensland, western Pacific islands and several coastal islands.

Habitat

Prefers open grassland ecosystems such as savannas, floodplains and agricultural fields. Unlike most owls, it roosts and nests on the ground, concealing its nests within tall grasses.

Physical Features

• Medium-sized, slender owl with long, sparsely feathered legs.

• Male length: 32–38 cm.

• Female length: 35–42 cm.

• Wingspan: 100–116 cm.

How to Identify It?

• Heart-shaped facial disc: white in males and pale orange-buff with dark speckles in females.

• Small eyes with characteristic buff and black tear marks underneath.

• Chocolate-brown and buff upperparts.

• Pale orange-buff underparts with prominent dark spots.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List: Least Concern (LC)

Eärendil-1

Why in News?

The U.S. Federal Communications Commission has authorised Reflect Orbital to launch and operate Eärendil-1, a test satellite designed to deploy a large orbital mirror.

What is Eärendil-1?

It is the first satellite planned by the U.S.-based startup Reflect Orbital. The experimental satellite is designed to reflect sunlight onto selected locations on Earth during nighttime.

Purpose

• Extend usable hours for solar power generation.

• Provide temporary illumination during emergency response, humanitarian operations, disaster relief and other critical nighttime activities.

How Will It Work?

• Operates as a single satellite in a non-geostationary orbit.

• Equipped with a deployable, highly specular or highly reflective thin-film mirror.

• A motorised reflector can be oriented to direct reflected sunlight towards selected locations on Earth.

Orbital Profile

• Orbit: Low Earth Orbit (LEO).

• Altitude: 600–650 km above Earth's surface.

Significance

The mission will demonstrate the feasibility of space-based sunlight reflection technology. It may help extend solar-energy operating hours, support disaster response and humanitarian missions, improve lighting for industrial and agricultural activities, and demonstrate an innovative application of satellite technology for energy and public service.

New Species of Jumping Spiders — Genus Onomastus

Why in News?

Researchers from India and Sri Lanka have discovered three new species of rare jumping spiders belonging to the genus Onomastus.

Why is Onomastus Important?

• One of the oldest evolutionary lineages of jumping spiders.

• Restricted to the Oriental biogeographic region.

The Three Newly Discovered Species

1. Onomastus brahmagiri

• Discovered in the Brahmagiri Hills.

• Found in the Western Ghats, a global biodiversity hotspot.

2. Onomastus silentvalley

• Discovered in the shola forests of Silent Valley National Park.

3. Onomastus wijesinghei

• Discovered in the montane forests of Sri Lanka.

Key Characteristics

• Rare and known only from isolated montane forests.

• Limited dispersal ability leads to geographically isolated populations.

• Restricted distribution contributes to high levels of endemism.

Sky Island Concept — Important for Prelims

The discoveries support the Sky Island concept, under which isolated mountain habitats function like ecological islands.

Long periods of geographic isolation promote:

• Speciation or formation of new species.

• Genetic divergence.

• High levels of endemism.

Such habitats often harbour species found nowhere else in the world.