As we delve into the pages of August, our world finds itself at the crossroads of change, with stories and events that captivate and challenge our understanding of the times we live in. This edition of “Monthly Mapping in News” serves as your trusty guide, a compass through the dynamic landscape of global events, politics, culture, science, and more.
With every headline and breaking story, we’ll chart the uncharted waters, shedding light on the intricate tapestry of our interconnected world. Buckle up as we journey through a month of unfolding narratives, bringing you the key stories, trends, and developments that will shape the conversations and decisions of August. From the political arenas to scientific breakthroughs and cultural milestones, join us in this monthly exploration to stay informed, engaged, and inspired.
Micronesia and COFA
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, The United States signed agreements with Micronesia to extend economic assistance to the island state.
About
- The U.S. is also signed a renewed COFA agreements with Palau and the Marshall Islands.
- Aim: The agreements were part of a strategic pact that the U.S. is using to counter China in the Pacific.
Micronesia
- Micronesia is a region of islands in the western Pacific Ocean.
- It is made up of thousands of islands, atolls, and reefs.
- It is divided roughly along cultural and linguistic lines into the states of—from west to east—Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei, and Kosrae.
- The capital of Micronesia is Palikir, which is located on the island of Pohnpei.
- To the west of the Federated States of Micronesia lies the Republic of Palau, also in the Caroline archipelago, and to the east is the Republic of the Marshall Islands.
The Compact of Free Association (COFA)
- The Compact of Free Association (COFA) is an international agreement between the U.S. and the three Pacific Island states (Micronesia, Palau, and Marshall Islands).
- The COFA allows the U.S. to base troops in these countries in exchange for economic and migratory benefits.
- The COFA also denies military access to these countries by any outside party without U.S. consent.
Kigali (Rwanda)
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, The International Solar Alliance (ISA) hosted its 5th regional meeting in Kigali, Rwanda.
About
- Kigali, city and capital of Rwanda.
- It is located in the centre of the country on the Ruganwa River.
- Rwanda is a landlocked country in the Great Rift Valley of Central Africa, where the African Great Lakes region and Southeast Africa converge.
- Located a few degrees south of the Equator, Rwanda is bordered by Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, and the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
More About the News
- ISA grants have facilitated the implementation of nine solar power demonstration projects in Uganda, Comoros, and Mali. These projects included the solarization of rural healthcare centres and primary schools in these countries.
- ISA also launched the SolarX Startup Challenge, promoting entrepreneurship and clean energy in Africa.
- The Global Solar Facility aims to boost innovative solar technologies in Africa through private investment and guarantees.
Vizag International Cruise Terminal
Tags: GS – 3 Infrastructure
Why in news?
The Vizag International Cruise Terminal (VICT) in Visakhapatnam will be inaugurated by the Ministry of Ports, Shipping and Waterways.
About
The enhancements at the Visakhapatnam Port Authority (VPA) include the Vizag International Cruise Terminal, which is designed to accommodate passenger vessels with a capacity of 2,000 passengers per vessel and a draft of 8.1 meters.
Key statistics and facts about India’s port sector:
- India enjoys a strategic geographical advantage with a coastline spanning 7,517 kilometers.
- Maritime transport plays a pivotal role in handling 70% of India’s trade.
- India commands a significant share, accounting for 30% of the global ship-breaking market.
- The Sagar Mala Program is a prominent initiative that prioritizes port-led development and involves a substantial investment of $123 billion.
- India permits 100% Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) in the port sector through both government approval and automatic routes.
- India’s port infrastructure includes 12 major ports and approximately 200 non-major or intermediate ports.
- Among major ports, the Jawaharlal Nehru Port Trust stands out as the largest, while Mudra Port holds the distinction of being the largest private port in the country.
- The Jawaharlal Nehru Port is notably India’s first 100% Landlord Major Port.
Siang River
Tags: GS – 1 Indian Geography
Why in news?
Recently, The Centre has proposed to construct a large barrage on the Siang River to protect it from potential hazards posed by the massive Chinese dam being built on river Tsangpo in Tibet.
About
- The Tsangpo flows through Tibet before entering Arunachal Pradesh as the Dihang or Siang. It becomes the Brahmaputra in Assam and the Jamuna in Bangladesh before it empties into the Bay of Bengal.
- It originates at Angsi Glacier in western Tibet, southeast of Mount Kailash and Lake Manasarovar.
- It is the longest river in Tibet and the fifth longest in China.
- The river forms the world’s largest and deepest canyon, YarlungTsangpo Grand Canyon.
- The YarlungTsangpo River is the highest major river in the world.
- Its longest tributary is the Nyang River.
In India, its main tributaries are:
- Main tributaries on the North are: namely Subansiri, Ronganadi, Dikrong, Buroi, Borgong, Jiabharali, Dhansiri (North) Puthimari, Manas, Beki, Aie, Sonkoshare.
- Main tributaries on the south are: Noadehing, Buridehing, Desang, Dikhow, Bhogdoi, Dhansiri (South), Kopilli, Kulsi, Krishnai, Dhdhnoi, Jinjiran.
More Information
- The Chinese government is planning to build a dam over the Siang River with a capacity of around 60,000 MW on the Tibet side.
- It is expected to produce triple the electricity produced by the Three Gorges – the world’s largest power station.
Reasons for Flood in Libya
- Despite being a port city there was a lack of a functioning weather agency and early warning system.
- Lack of maintenance of dam which caused the failure of the dam.
Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC)
Tag: GS-3 Economy Infrastructure
In News
Recently, the Ministry of Ports extended an invitation for an Indo-Russian Workshop on Eastern Maritime Corridor in Chennai
About
- The Eastern Maritime Corridor (EMC) is a proposed sea route that would connect the Indian port of Chennai with the Russian port of Vladivostok.
- This corridor is expected to reduce the transportation time between Indian and Russian ports in the Far East Region by as much as 40 percent, bringing it down from the current 40 days to 24 days.
- Currently, the trade route between Mumbai, India, and St. Petersburg, Russia, covers a distance of 8,675 nautical miles.
- EMC is projected to cover a distance of approximately 5,600 nautical miles, which is significantly shorter than the existing route via the Suez Canal.
- Once completed, the EMC is expected to facilitate the transportation of goods from India to Far East Russia in just 24 days, which is a significant improvement over the current journey duration of over 40 days.
- For India, the EMC holds the potential to offer a more efficient and shorter route to access the markets of the Far East, including countries like China and Japan. This improved connectivity can have positive implications for trade and economic relations in the region.
Harami Nala (Sir Creek, Gujarat)
Tag: GS-3 Security
In News
The Union Home Minister’s visit to Harami Nala on the India-Pakistan border last month highlights the enhanced security measures in place.
About
- Harami Nala is a 22-kilometer tidal channel that serves as a natural demarcation line between India and Pakistan.
- This channel plays a vital role in carrying water and sediment, and it is home to protected marine species.
- The area around Harami Nala consists of extensive marshy mudflats, where temperatures can soar to over 50°C during the summer.
- Sir Creek, originally known as Ban Ganga, is a 96-kilometer tidal estuary situated in the uninhabited marshlands of the Indus River Delta.
- It lies on the border between India and Pakistan, ultimately flowing into the Arabian Sea. This creek serves as a geographical divider, separating India’s Gujarat state from Pakistan’s Sindh province.
Narmada River
Tags: GS –1 Geography
In News
Severe rains in Gujarat caused the Narmada River to flood, displacing thousands.
About
Some blame the Sardar Sarovar Dam operators for their delayed actions.
Narmada River
- Narmada is the largest west flowing river of the peninsular region flowing through a rift valley between the Vindhya Range on the north and the Satpura Range on the south.
- It rises from Maikala range near Amarkantak in Madhya Pradesh.
- It flows through Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Gujarat before reaching the Gulf of Cambay.
- The river near Jabalpur (Madhya Pradesh) forms the DhuanDhar Falls.
- It is the fifth largest river in India.
- Major Tributaries: Hiran, Orsang, the Barna and the Kolar.
- Notable dams in the Narmada Basin include the Sardar Sarovar Dam, Rani Avanti Bai Sagar (Bargi) Dam, and Maheshwar Dam.
Sardar Sarovar Dam
- The Sardar Sarovar Dam is a concrete gravity dam erected on the Narmada River near the town of Kevadiya in Gujarat’s Narmada District.
- The dam was constructed to provide water and electricity to four Indian states: Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Rajasthan.
- The dam is located on the boundary between Gujarat and Maharashtra in Gujarat’s Narmada district.
- To the west of the dam lies the Malwa plateau of Madhya Pradesh.
Azerbaijan (Nagorno-Karabakh)
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
In News
Recently, Azerbaijan launched an operation against Armenian forces in Nagorno-Karabakh.
About
Azerbaijan
- It is a former Soviet republic nation.
- Occupying an area that fringes the southern flanks of the Caucasus Mountains, it is bounded on the north by Russia, on the east by the Caspian Sea, on the south by Iran, on the west by Armenia, and on the northwest by Georgia.
- Its capital, Baku, is famed for its medieval walled Inner City.
Nagorno-Karabakh conflict
- Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous and heavily forested region that under international law is recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
- However, ethnic Armenians who constitute the vast majority of the population there reject Azeri rule (the legal system of Azerbaijan).
- A ceasefire mediated by Russia in 1994 left the region under Armenian control, though it’s still recognized as part of Azerbaijan.
- The area is now governed by separatist Armenians and called the “Nagorno-Karabakh Autonomous Oblast.”
- Strategic Significance:
- The energy-rich Azerbaijan has built several gas and oil pipelines across the Caucasus (the region between the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea) to Turkey and Europe.
- In an open war between the two countries, the pipelines could be targeted, which would impact energy supplies and may even lead to higher oil prices globally.
Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
In News
Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley, once a battleground during the Kargil war, has now opened up for tourists.
About
- This transformation is attributed to the enduring ceasefire between India and Pakistan sparking hope that tourism-driven commerce will thrive in the region.
Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley
- It is located in Kargil’s Drass Sector and was a battlefield during the 1999 Kargil war between India and Pakistan.
- The region includes the Gurez Valley in north Kashmir, which was previously inaccessible to civilians due to shelling from Pakistan but now connects with the Mushkoh Valley in Kargil’s Drass Sector.
- Kaobal Gali, the highest pass at a height of 4,167 meters in Gurez, connects Gurez to Mushkoh Valley.
Gurez Valley
- The Gurez Valley is close to the Line of Control (LoC), in north Kashmir, with the Kishanganga river demarcating the line in several parts.
- It is also home to ibex, musk deer and marmots, Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard.
- The Gurez valley is one of few habitations in Kashmir where villages with only log houses exist, with no intervention of urban concrete materials.
Mushkoh Valley
- The Mushkoh Valley is situated in Dras, Ladakh.
- It is home to boisterous wild tulip flowers and endangered Himalayan yew.
Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary
Tags: GS – Environment & Ecology
In News
Bihar is set to get a second tiger reserve in Kaimur district (Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary) by the end of 2023 or early 2024.
About
- Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary, Bihar’s largest, covers Kaimur and Rohtas Districts.
- It was established in 1979.
- It is home to rare and endangered flora and fauna. Rohtasgarh Fort and Shergarh Fort are also located in these forests.
- Kaimur district has a large forest cover and is home to tigers, leopards and chinkaras.
- Vegetation: Tropical Dry Mixed Deciduous, Dry Sal Forests, Boswellia Forests and Dry Bamboo Brakes.
- There are several waterfalls of which the finest are Karkat Waterfall, Manjhar Kund, Dhua Kund.
- There are several Dams and lakes, including Anupam Lake, Karamchat dam and Kohira Dam.
More Information
- 1st tiger reserve of Bihar:
- The Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) in West Champaran district, is currently the 1st and only tiger reserve of the state.
- Need for the 2nd tiger reserve:
- A report of the NTCA said that the tiger population in the Valmiki reserve has increased from 31 in 2018 to 54.
- The total tiger count in the State currently is 54.
- There is a need for the second tiger reserve in the state as Valmiki TR has reached its saturation point of 50 tigers.
Papua New Guinea
Tags: General Studies – 1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) of India and the Ministry of Information and Communication Technology (MICT) of Papua New Guinea have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to share INDIA STACK.
About
- INDIA STACK is a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a large scale.
Papua New Guinea
- Papua New Guinea, island country in the southwestern Pacific Ocean.
- It shares land borders with Indonesia and water border with Australia, and the Solomon Islands.
- It includes the eastern half of New Guinea and many small offshore islands.
- The capital is Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea is mainly mountainous but has low-lying plains in southern New Guinea.
- A country of immense cultural and biological diversity, it’s known for its beaches and coral reefs.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
Tags: General Studies –1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, Two Indian military aircraft visited Australia’s strategic Cocos Islands.
About
- Expanding the strategic reach of the Indian military and improving interoperability with Australia, an Indian Navy Dornier maritime patrol aircraft and an Indian Air Force (IAF) C-130 transport aircraft visited Australia’s Cocos (Keeling) Islands (CKI) in the Southern Indian Ocean, close to Indonesia.
Cocos (Keeling) Islands
- The Cocos (Keeling) Islands are a remote territory of Australia in the Indian Ocean, approximately 3,000 km northwest of Perth in Western Australia, and comprise two coral atolls made up of 27 smaller islands.
- The territory’s administrative headquarters are on West Island in the southern atoll.
Deepor Beel
Tags: GS – 3 Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation
Why in news?
Deepor Beel, a vital wetland in Guwahati, Assam, faces anthropogenic threats despite its protected status.
About
- Word ‘deepor’ comes from the Sanskrit word dipa, which means elephants and ‘beel’ means lake in Assamese.
- It is one of the largest freshwater lakes in Assam and an Important Bird Area by Birdlife International.
- Deepor Beel has been designated as a Ramsar Site in November 2002 and it is the only Ramsar site in Assam.
- It is located towards the southwest of Guwahati city, Assam and is the erstwhile water channel of River Brahmaputra.
- It constitutes a unique habitat for aquatic flora and avian fauna.
- Deepor Beel adjoins the Rani Reserve Forest from where herds of elephants come periodically to forage in the wetland.
- Some globally threatened birds are supported, including Spot-billed Pelican, Lesser Greater Adjutant Stork and Baer’s Pochard.
Arash-Dorra Gas Field
Tags: GS – 2 International Relation
Why in news?
Recently, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have rejected Iran’s claims to a disputed gas field located in the offshore area known as Arash in Iran and Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia.
About
- The offshore field, known as Arash in Iran and Dorra in Kuwait and Saudi Arabia, has long been a focal point of contention between the three countries.
- The field holds significant natural gas reserves, making it a highly valuable resource for all involved parties.
- It was discovered in 1967. It began production in 2013 and produces natural gas and condensates.
- The dispute over this field dates back to the 1960s between Saudi Arabia, Iran and Kuwait.
Mali
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, France and Mali have suspended issuing visas to each other’s citizens in a heightening of a row between the former allies.
About
- Mali is a landlocked country of western Africa, with the Niger River flowing through its central region.
- It is bounded on the north by Algeria, on the east by Niger and Burkina Faso, on the south by Côte d’Ivoire and Guinea, and on the west by Senegal and Mauritania.
- It is the eighth-largest country in Africa.
- The climate is hot and dry in the north, and more humid in the south.
- The major ethnic groups in Mali are the Bambara, Malinke, Songhai, and Tuareg.
- The Desert covers about 65 per cent of Mali’s total area.
Indonesia’s Aceh Province
Tags: GS – 1 Geography, GS – 2 International Relation
Why in news?
Recently, Authorities in Indonesia’s Aceh province have issued an order requiring men and women not immediately related or married to stay apart in vehicles and public spaces.
About
- This move aims to enforce stricter adherence to Islamic law in the ultra-conservative province of Aceh.
Aceh Province
- Aceh is a province in Indonesia located on the northwestern tip of Sumatra Island.
- Aceh is surrounded by water on three sides: the Indian Ocean to the west and north and the Strait of Malacca to the east.
- Its boundary with the province of North Sumatra (Sumatera Utara) to the southeast extends north-south from Salahaji, on the northeastern coast just north of Aru Bay, to a point on the southwestern coast about midway between Singkil and Barus.
- The capital is Banda Aceh.
Hawaii, USA
Tags: GS – 1 Geography, GS – 3 Climate Change
Why in news?
Recently, A devastating wildfire swept through Maui, Hawaii, leading to destruction, fatalities, and evacuations.
About
- The Hawaiian Islands are an archipelago of eight major volcanic islands, several atolls, and numerous smaller islets in the North Pacific Ocean.
- The eight major islands at the eastern end of the chain are, from west to east, Niihau, Kauai, Oahu, Molokai, Lanai, Kahoolawe, Maui, and Hawaii.
- The capital is Honolulu, located on the island of Oahu.
- Formation:
- The Hawaiian Islands were formed by a hot spot occurring in the middle of the Pacific Plate. While the hot spot itself is fixed, the plate is moving. So, as the plate moved over the hot spot, the string of islands that make up the Hawaiian Island chain was formed.
- Maui is an island in the Central Pacific, part of the Hawaiian archipelago.
Katchatheevu Island (Tamil Nadu)
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi, in his speech in the Parliament mentioned the island of Katchatheevu.
About
- Katchatheevu Island is a tiny uninhabited landmass located in the Palk Strait between India and Sri Lanka.
- It is between Tamil Nadu and Sri Lanka.
- Formation: It was formed due to volcanic eruptions in the 14th century.
- Katchatheevu is not suited for permanent settlement as there is no source of drinking water on the island.
- History:
- In the early medieval period, it was controlled by the Jaffna kingdom of Sri Lanka.
- In the 17th century, control passed to the Ramnad zamindari based out of Ramanathapuram.
- It became part of the Madras Presidency during the British Raj. But in 1921, both India and Sri Lanka, at the time British colonies, claimed Katchatheevu in order to determine fishing boundaries.
- In 1974, Indira Gandhi made attempts to settle the maritime border.
- As a part of this settlement, known as the ‘Indo-Sri Lankan Maritime agreement’, Indira Gandhi ‘ceded’ Katchatheevu to Sri Lanka.
- Today, the uninhabited island is administered by Sri Lanka.
Sulina Channel (Danube River)
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
The Sulina Channel holds immense importance for Ukraine’s grain trade as an alternative passage after Russia’s withdrawal from the Black Sea grain deal.
About
- This deal was used to provide safe passage for cargo ships carrying grain from Ukrainian Black Sea ports.
Sulina Channel
- Sulina Channel is a 63 km long distributary of the Danube. It lies completely within the borders of Romania.
- Of the three major channels of the Danube River, the Sulina Channel is the only one deep and wide enough for freight transport.
- It is a sort of a riverine ‘expressway’, crucial for transport of goods from inland to the Black Sea.
- It plays a crucial role in this new trade route, connecting major Ukrainian ports to the Black Sea within Romania’s borders.
Danube River
- Danube is the second-longest river in Europe, after the Volga in Russia.
- It flows through much of Central and Southeastern Europe, from the Black Forest into the Black Sea.
- Near Romania, the river begins to spread out into its delta which has three major channels – Chilia, Sulina and St George.
- It passes through or forms the border of ten countries, making it one of the most international rivers in the world.
- The countries it flows through include: Germany; Austria; Slovakia; Hungary; Croatia; Serbia; Bulgaria; Romania; Moldova; Ukraine.
North Sea Transition Authority (NTSA)
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
The U.K. plans to conduct more fossil fuel drilling in the North Sea, sparking concerns about its alignment with climate goals.
About
- The North Sea Transition Authority (NSTA), known as the Oil and Gas Authority (OGA) until March 2022, is a private company limited by shares wholly owned by the Secretary of State for Energy Security and Net Zero.
- It is responsible for maximising the economic recovery of oil from the North Sea.
- It is empowered to license and regulate activity in relation to oil and gas in the United Kingdom, including oil and gas exploration, carbon capture and storage, and offshore gas storage.
North Sea
- North Sea, shallow, northeastern arm of the Atlantic Ocean, located between the British Isles and the mainland of northwestern Europe.
- The sea is bordered by the island of Great Britain to the southwest and west, the Orkney and Shetland islands to the northwest, Norway to the northeast, Denmark to the east, Germany and the Netherlands to the southeast, and Belgium and France to the south.
- It is connected to the Atlantic by the Strait of Dover and the English Channel.
- Almost the entire seabed of the North Sea is a continental shelf (depth of only about 200 meters).
- The geological formations beneath the North Sea, such as porous rocks and structural traps, provide suitable environments for the collection of oil and gas reserves.
Trinidad and Tobago
Tags: GS – 1 Geography, GS – 2 International Relations
Why in news?
Recently, India and Trinidad and Tobago signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for sharing India Stack.
About
- India Stack is a collection of open APIs and digital public goods that aim to facilitate identity, data, and payment services on a massive scale.
Trinidad and Tobago
- Trinidad and Tobago, island country of the southeastern West Indies.
- It consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and 21 smaller islands.
- It is located in the southern Caribbean Sea, and lie close to the continent of South America, northeast of Venezuela and northwest of Guyana.
- The climate of Trinidad and Tobago is tropical, with high relative humidity.
More about the news
- India and Trinidad and Tobago agreed to cooperate in the areas of digital transformation by means of capacity building, training programmes, exchange of best practices, exchange of public officials and experts, development of pilot or demo solutions etc.
‘Likaru-Mig La-Fukche’ road (Ladakh)
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news? Border Roads Organisation (BRO) has commenced the construction of a 64-km long Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road in Eastern Ladakh’s Demchok sector.
About
- This road project aims to provide connectivity to the military outposts in the sensitive Fukche sector, lying near the contested Line of Actual Control (LAC).
Likaru-Mig La-Fukche road
- It is located close to Hanle in Eastern Ladakh.
- The 64-km long road will connect Likaru to Fukche, situated 3 km from the Line of Actual Control (LAC).
- Once completed, it will be the world’s highest motorable road at a height of 19,400 ft in Mig La.
- Currently, Umling La in Ladakh holds the title of the highest motorable road at 19,024 ft.
- It is the first project in India to be carried out entirely by an All-Woman Road Construction Company.
- It is led by a five-member All Woman Border Road Task Force.
- Additionally, the BRO is undertaking other significant projects, including the Shinku La tunnel and the construction of the ‘Nyoma Airfield’.
| Umling La Pass: |
| It is a 52-km road that connects Chishumle to Demchok villages. Both these villages lie in close proximity to the Line of Actual Control (LAC), and a friction point between India and China. Currently, Umling La in Ladakh, at a height of 19,024 ft, holds the record of being the highest motorable road in the world. The construction of this road has been achieved by the BRO (Border Road Organization) as part of “Project Himank”. |
Maharashtra’s 1st elephant reserve
Tags: GS – 2 Environment, Conservation
Why in news?
In response to the frequent movement of elephants in the Gondia and Gadchiroli districts, the Maharashtra state wildlife department has proposed creating the Navegaon Elephant Reserve in an area (in Gondia and Gadchiroli districts).
About
- This move aims to conserve wild elephants in the region, where around 23-25 elephants have been residing.
- This initiative follows the Maharashtra government’s 2020 decision to designate nearly 3,000 hectares of forest land as an elephant reserve in the Sindhudurg district, marking the first instance of such a reserve being established in the state.
Significance of this proposal
- At present, there are 33 elephant reserves in the country.
- If approved, Navegaon Elephant Reserve could become the 34th elephant reserve in India and the 5th largest in terms of area.
| Elephant Conservation in India: |
| Elephant has been recognised as a national heritage animal of India. India has the largest population of Asian elephants with nearly 30,000 wild and about 3,600 captive ones. Government of India had launched Project Elephant in 1991-92. The project was intended to provide financial and technical support to the elephant range states for the protection of elephants, their habitats, and corridors and address the issue of human-animal conflict. It also sought to promote the welfare of captive elephants. IUCN Red List: Endangered CITES: Appendix I Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I |
Panama Canal
Tags: GS – 1 Geography
Why in news?
Recently, A severe drought in Panama is causing extensive delays for cargo ships transiting the Panama Canal, a vital route connecting almost 2,000 ports across 170 countries.
About
- Panama Canal is a constructed waterway that connects the Atlantic and Pacific oceans across the Isthmus of Panama.
- It is approximately 82 kilometers long.
- It is one of the two most strategic artificial waterways in the world, the other being the Suez Canal.
- It allows ships to avoid the lengthy and dangerous voyage around Cape Horn.
- Panama itself forms an isthmus (a narrow land strip connecting two larger landmasses) between North and South America.
- Originally under French control in the late 1800s, the United States completed the project in 1914 and managed it until 1999 when Panama took over. It’s now operated by the Panama Canal Authority.
- The Panama Canal consists of a series of locks that raise and lower the water level to facilitate the passage of ships through the continental divide.
Dibang Multipurpose Project
Tag: GS-3 Infrastructure development
In News
Recently, NHPC signed an MoU with RITES, Ministry of Railways for construction of railway siding for the Dibang Multipurpose Project, Arunachal Pradesh
About
- Dibang Multipurpose Project is a flood control cum hydroelectric power project planned to be developed on the Dibang River (Tributary of Brahmaputra River) in Arunachal Pradesh.
- It will be the country’s biggest hydropower facility with a capacity of 2880MW
- National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC) is developing this project.
Dibang hydroelectric plant makeup
- The project aims to build the tallest dam in the nation, standing at 278 meters in height and stretching 375 meters in length.
- This concrete gravity dam will give rise to a reservoir spanning 43 kilometers and boasting a total storage capacity of 3.85 billion cubic meters.
Denmark
Tag: GS-1 Geography, Mapping
In News
Denmark to ban Quran burnings, says justice minister
About
- Denmark, positioned in Scandinavia, encompasses the Jutland Peninsula and an array of islands. It is connected to its neighboring country Sweden by means of the Öresund Bridge.
- The capital, Copenhagen, boasts royal residences, the vibrant Nyhavn harbor, the Tivoli theme park, and the renowned “Little Mermaid” sculpture.
- Denmark is attached directly to continental Europe at Jutland’s boundary with Germany.
- All the frontiers with surrounding countries are maritime, including that with the United Kingdom to the west across the North Sea. Norway and Sweden lie to the north, separated from Denmark by sea lanes linking the North Sea to the Baltic Sea.
China-Bhutan Boundary Dispute
Tags: GS –1 Geography
Why in news?
China and Bhutan recently held boundary talks to expedite efforts to resolve their disputed border issue.
About
- Bhutan shares a 477 km-long border with China.
- The disputed regions between China and Bhutan include Doklam, Gamochen, Batangla, Sinchela, Sakteng and Amo Chhu.
- The China-Bhutan border dispute involves territorial claims and tensions between the two countries over parts of Bhutan’s territory, particularly in areas bordering Tibet.
Hawaii – Deadliest wildfires in US History
Peru
In News
Tears down wall of shame separating Rich and Poor
Iberian Penisula
In News
Heatwave swept across the Peninsula
Lake Titicaca
In News
Water levels falls to historic lows due to climate change
Gabon
In News
Military coup took place after the president won disputed election in Gabon.
Ethiopia
In News
Government declared state of emergency in its largest Region Amhara.
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