Why in News?
Scientists have developed an Internet of Things (IoT) based smart system to monitor the health, movement, and stress of high altitude yaks in the Himalayan region.
Key Highlights
- Developed by scientists from ICAR National Research Centre on Yak (NRC-Y), Dirang (Arunachal Pradesh) and Assam Don Bosco University.
- The device is attached to a collar worn by the yak.
- Features:
- Geo-fencing to track movement.
- Real time health monitoring.
- Early prediction of stress and illness.
- Helps monitor livestock in remote border areas where physical surveillance is difficult.
Significance
- Improves yak health and productivity.
- Supports the livelihoods of Himalayan pastoral communities (Brokpas).
- Reduces livestock loss and enables timely veterinary intervention.
- Demonstrates the use of IoT in precision livestock farming.
Prelims Facts
- Scientific name: Bos grunniens
- Known as the “Ship of the Himalayas.”
- Found above 8,000 feet.
- India has about 58,000 yaks (20th Livestock Census), with nearly half in Ladakh; others are found in Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
[2018] When the alarm of your smartphone rings in the morning, you wake up and tap it to stop the alarm which causes your geyser to be switched on automatically. The smart mirror in your bathroom shows the day’s weather and also indicates the level of water in your overhead tank. After you take some groceries from your refrigerator for making breakfast, it recognises the shortage of stock in it and places an order for the supply of fresh grocery items. When you step’ out of your house and lock the door, all lights, fans, geysers and AC machines get switched off automatically. On your way to office, your car warns you about traffic congestion ahead and suggests an alternative route, and if you are late for a meeting, it sends a message to your office accordingly. In the context of emerging communication technologies, which one of the following terms best applies to the above scenario?
[A] Border Gateway Protocol
[B] Internet of Things
[C] Internet Protocol
[D] Virtual Private Network