Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) Context: The Central Adoption Resource Authority has issued nationwide guidelines aimed at improving adoption procedures, ensuring the proper maintenance of records, and protecting the identity and rights of adopted children. About Central Adoption Resource Authority The Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) is a statutory organisation functioning under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India. It obtained statutory status through Section 68 of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015. CARA mainly manages the adoption process for orphaned, abandoned, and surrendered children through a network of approved adoption agencies. It serves as India’s Central Authority for inter-country adoptions, following the provisions of the Hague Convention on Protection of Children and Co‑operation in Respect of Intercountry Adoption, which India ratified in 2003. Functions of CARA Encourage domestic adoptions and support inter-state adoptions in collaboration with state authorities. Supervise and regulate inter-country adoptions involving children from India. Formulate and update adoption regulations and related guidelines whenever required. Perform the responsibilities assigned to India’s Central Authority under the Hague Convention on inter-country adoption. Carry out additional duties assigned by the government. Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary Context: Recently, the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) identified nine new species during a faunal survey conducted in the Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary. About Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary The sanctuary is situated in the state of Tamil Nadu. It lies along the Tamil Nadu–Kerala border and acts as a buffer zone for the Periyar Tiger Reserve. The sanctuary supports rich biodiversity, with numerous plant species and a wide range of wildlife. The vegetation varies from scrub forests at the foothills to thick evergreen forests and shola grasslands at higher elevations. Important plant species found here include Banyan tree, Syzygium zeylanicum, Nothopegia vajravelui, Memecylon flavescens, Symplocos oligandra, Symplocos wynadense, and Meiogyne…
