South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

Why in news?

• The secretary general of SAARC, has met senior Indian officials to discuss the status of regional cooperation and assess the working of institutions under the grouping.

South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC)

• SAARC was establishedin 1985.
• Secretariat:It was set up in Kathmandu, Nepal, in 1987.
• It aims to accelerate the process of economic and social development in its member states through increased intra-regional cooperation.
• SAARC has eight member countries:Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri-Lanka.

JAXA’s LUPEX mission

Why in news?

• As per the Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency (JAXA) The India-Japan partnership for their joint moon mission, Lunar Polar Exploration Mission (LUPEX),is likely to take flight in a few years.

About

• LUPEX marks JAXA’s first attempt to send a large rover to the moon.
• The mission’s primary objective is to explore the lunar surface and search for subsurface water.
  • It will also investigate its quantity, distribution on the lunar surface and below ground, and form, such as the level of mixing with dry regolith, the layer of loose unconsolidated rock and dust that sits atop a layer of bedrock.
• The Japanese space agency is responsible for the lunar rover, the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) is handling the lander that will carry the rover.
• The mission will also carry observation instruments from US’ National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) and the European Space Agency (ESA), further enhancing its scientific capabilities.

Sea otters

Why in news? 

• Sea Otters have learned to use tools to help them eat.

About Sea otters (Enhydra lutris)

• The Sea Otter is the smallest marine mammal.
• It is a very social animal, and floats in single-sex groups known as ‘rafts.
• Habitat and Diet:  Sea Otters live in coastal areas with shallow water. They find their food on the ocean floor, and  carry out all other activities, such as eating and grooming, at the surface.
• Geographical range: Canada; Japan; Mexico; Russian Federation; United States.
• Importance of Sea Otters: Sea otters are key players in the health of  the kelp forests they inhabit. They prey on  animals that graze on kelp stalks, such as sea urchins, and so prevent them from becoming so abundant that they completely destroy the habitat.
• Threats : Pollution is a major contributor to Sea Otter deaths, with oil spills  affecting their ability to insulate themselves, and run-off from the land that contains  chemicals and disease-causing organisms.
• IUCN Red List status : Endangered