P4P 2024

MAPPING CA
JANUARY’24 To APRIL 2024
Current Affairs Part
1. PLACES IN NEWS- INDIA + GEOGRAPHY.……………………………………………03

2. PLACES IN NEWS- INTERNATIONAL…………………………………………………..11

3. PLACES IN NEWS- NP, WLS etc. ……………………………………………………….22

pg. 2
 CURRENT AFFAIRS PART

1. PLACES IN NEWS- INDIA SPECIFIC + GEOGRAPHY

ATAL SETU
 IN NEWS: Fresh snowfall near the Atal
Tunnel in Lahaul and Spiti blocked the
Manali-Leh highway.
 Location: Situated in the Pir Panjal Range of
the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh.
 Initially named Rohtang Tunnel, is at
approximately 3,100 meters (10,171 feet)
above sea level, connecting Manali to Lahaul
and Spiti Valley, ensuring year-round
connectivity.

SATPULA DAM
 Delhi's enduring Satpula dam, built in the
14th century under Sultan Muhammad Shah
Tughlaq, remains a symbol of architectural
prowess.
 Named for its seven openings, it was crafted
from local quartz and served as both a
defensive fortification for Jahanpanah and a
crucial water source for irrigation.

NIMMU-PADAM-

DARCHA ROAD
 IN NEWS: BRO completes
298km Nimmu-Padam-Darcha
Road, enhancing connectivity
and infrastructure in Ladakh.
 This strategic link stretches
from Manali to Leh via Darcha
and Nimmu, ensuring all-
weather access.

pg. 3
INDIA- CHINA DISPUTE
 IN NEWS: India rebuffed China's effort to rename parts of Arunachal Pradesh, affirming the region's integral
status within India despite China's naming attempts.
 A longstanding proposal to establish a new Army division, potentially for deployment in eastern Ladakh, may
finally come to fruition this year.
 Operation Meghdoot, launched on April 13, 1984, aimed to seize control of the strategic Siachen Glacier in
the eastern Karakoram Range, Kashmir.

POST OFFICE ANTARCTICA

 IN NEWS: After almost 40 years, a second
post office branch opened at Bharati
research station in Antarctica.
 India's first Antarctic post office opened in
1984 at Dakshin Gangotri, its initial research
station, which later submerged in ice.
 India opened a post office at Maitri
research station in 26 January 1990, and
despite distance, both Maitri and Bharati
belong to Goa postal division.

pg. 4
LACCADIVE SEA
 IN NEWS: Three fish species in
the Laccadive Sea near India
exhibit tool use.

About Laccadive Sea

 It is also called the

Lakshadweep Sea, lies beside
India, covering its Lakshadweep
islands, and borders the
Maldives and Sri Lanka.
 It's part of the Indian Ocean,
the world's third-largest body
of water.
 Boundaries include the Nine
Degree Channel to the south,
merging with the Indian Ocean
to the west, meeting the
Arabian Sea to the north,
adjoining Kerala in the
northeast, and bordering the
Maldives and Sri Lanka to the
southeast.

INDIA'S FIRST UNDER-RIVER METRO TUNNEL

 IN NEWS: India's Prime Minister inaugurated Kolkata's metro train service linking Howrah Maidan to
Esplanade, heralding the start of the nation's first under-river metro tunnel.
 Part of Kolkata Metro’s East-West Corridor, it runs beneath the Hooghly River, 13 meters below the riverbed
and 37 meters underground.
 The tunnel stretches 4.8 km from Howrah Maidan to Esplanade, positioned in the city's northeast.

pg. 5
COAL MINING NAGALAND
 IN NEWS: Article 371A in Nagaland, integrated via the 13th Amendment 1962, protects Naga customary law,
hindering coal mining regulation, particularly overseeing small-scale operations.
 It safeguards religious, social practices, customary laws, and land matters.

PANCHESHWAR MULTIPURPOSE PROJECT (PMP)

 IN NEWS: Progress on the Pancheshwar Multipurpose Project (PMP), a joint hydropower initiative on the
Mahakali River bordering India and Nepal, remains halted despite the recent power-sharing agreement
between the two nations.

GELEPHU
 IN NEWS: Bhutan aims to establish an economic center in Gelephu, near Assam, India. The project poses risks
for Bhutan but could be transformative with India's support.

SINGCHUNG BUGUN VILLAGE COMMUNITY RESERVE

 IN NEWS: Arunachal Pradesh showcased its Singchung Bugun Village Community Reserve, a 17-square-
kilometer biodiversity hotspot, during the Republic Day parade.
 Established in 2017, the reserve, located near the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary, aims to conserve the region's
biodiversity.

pg. 6
SHIPRA RIVER
 IN NEWS: The Comptroller
and Auditor General of India
(CAG) conducted an audit on
the degradation of the Shipra
River, revealing significant
findings.
 The river, also known as the
Kshipra, flows through
Madhya Pradesh and is
considered sacred by Hindus.
 Originating in the Vindhya
Range near Ujjain, it spans
195km, with 93km passing
through Ujjain.
 It traverses the Malwa Plateau
before joining the Chambal
River, facing degradation
along its course, as highlighted
by the audit.

KEN RIVER
 IN NEWS: In a recent 'Mann Ki Baat'
address, the Prime Minister lauded the use
of technology in wildlife conservation,
highlighting the successful crocodile
conservation efforts along the Ken River.

About Ken River

 A significant river in central India's

Bundelkhand region, flows through Madhya
Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh, eventually
merging with the Yamuna River.
 Originating in Jabalpur, it creates a gorge
and waterfalls while crossing the Bijawar-
Panna hills before its convergence with the
Yamuna.
 The river is famous for its rare Sajhar stone,
and Banda city lies on its banks.
 The Ken-Betwa River Link Project aims to
transfer water to irrigate the drought-prone
Bundelkhand region, showcasing efforts to address water scarcity through infrastructure development.

pg. 7
INDRAYANI RIVER
 IN NEWS: Toxic foam recurrence in the Indrayani River sparks pollution concerns.

About Indrayani River

 Originating near Lonavla in Maharashtra's Sahyadri mountains, it joins the Bhima River, north of Pune.
Religious towns like Alandi and Dehu line its banks.
 The Valvan Dam at Kamshet serves as a hydroelectric station.
 The Bhima River, also known as Chandrabagha, begins near Karjat, Maharashtra, and flows through
Maharashtra, Karnataka, and Telangana before merging with the Krishna River.
 Its course encompasses diverse landscapes, highlighting its significance as a major tributary to the Krishna.

KRISHNARAJASAGAR (KRS) DAM

 IN NEWS: The Karnataka High Court has banned all mining and quarrying within a 20-km radius of the historic
Krishnarajasagar (KRS) dam in Mandya district.
 The dam is located below the confluence of the Kaveri river with its tributaries Hemavati and Lakshmana
Tirtha.

FUTALA LAKE
 IN NEWS: The Supreme Court ordered the Maharashtra government and its metro rail corporation to halt
construction at Futala Lake in Nagpur, Maharashtra.
 Also known as Telankhedi Lake, it has a 200-year history, believed to be built by the Bhonsle kings of Nagpur.

pg. 8
KAVARATTI
 IN NEWS: The Prime
Minister received a warm
welcome in Kavaratti,
Lakshadweep, as he
inaugurated various
development projects.
 Kavaratti, the territory's
capital, is the most
developed island, situated
centrally in the
Lakshadweep archipelago
between Agatti and
Andrott Islands.

pg. 9
MAHANADI RIVER & BASIN
 IN NEWS: In the Bay
of Bengal, ONGC
discovered significant
natural gas reserves
in the Mahanadi
basin.
 The 8th largest river
basin in India,
covering 4.28% of the
nation's area, mainly
in Chhattisgarh and
Odisha, with smaller
portions in other
states.
 The basin is divided
into four regions: the
hilly Northern
plateau, Eastern
Ghats, fertile coastal
plain, and erosional
plains.
 It receives 90% of its rainfall during the monsoon season and is predominantly agricultural, with red and
yellow soils.
 The Mahanadi River, one of India's major east-flowing rivers, originates m from the Sihawa range of hills in
the Dhamtari district of Chhattisgarh.
 It ranks second in water potential among peninsular rivers, with a total length of 851 km, primarily in
Chhattisgarh and Odisha.

FREE MOVEMENT REGIME (FMR) AGREEMENT

 IN NEWS: The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) ends India-Myanmar Free Movement Regime to protect
internal security and preserve demographic balance in northeastern states bordering Myanmar.
 FMR permits cross-border travel for hill tribes within 16 km of the Indo-Myanmar Border, requiring a border
pass for up to two weeks per visit.
 Implemented in 2018 under India's Act East policy, it's jointly managed by both governments for residents
along the border.

pg. 10
 2. PLACES IN NEWS- INTERNATIONAL

MADAGASCAR
 IN NEWS: Cyclone Gamane
struck Madagascar, causing 18
deaths and displacing
thousands. Madagascar, the
world's second-largest island
nation in the Indian Ocean,
spans 592,800 square km off
the coast of East Africa.

SEA OF JAPAN
 IN NEWS: North Korea
recently launched a
ballistic missile into the
Sea of Japan, also known
as the East Sea.
 This body of water, a
marginal sea of the
western Pacific Ocean, is
bordered by Japan and
Sakhalin Island, and Russia
and Korea on the Asian
mainland.
 It is separated from the
East China Sea to the
south by the Tsushima and
Korea straits, and from the
Sea of Okhotsk to the
north by the La Perouse
(or Sōya) and Tatar straits.
 It's connected to the
Inland Sea of Japan and
the Pacific Ocean via
straits.

pg. 11
RED SEA
 IN NEWS: Global trade faces significant challenges due to disruptions along a vital maritime route in the Red
Sea.
 The Red Sea, a semi-enclosed inlet between Africa and Asia, is renowned for its warmth.
 Connected to the Arabian Sea and the Indian Ocean via the Gulf of Aden and Bab El-Mandeb strait, it's
divided by the Sinai Peninsula into the Gulf of Aqaba and the Gulf of Suez (Mediterranean Sea).
 It borders countries like Yemen, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Sudan, Eritrea, and Djibouti. Islands such as Tiran and
Shadwan are strategically located.
 These geographical features play a crucial role in global maritime trade and geopolitical dynamics.

pg. 12
 PACIFIC RING OF
FIRE
 IN NEWS: Taiwan,
situated in the Pacific Ring
of Fire, faces frequent
earthquakes due to its
location along the Circum-
Pacific Belt.
 This belt, encircling the
Pacific Ocean, features
numerous active
volcanoes and is
responsible for 90% of
global earthquakes.
 Taiwan's vulnerability to
seismic activity
underscores its
geographical challenge.

SIERRA LEONE
 IN NEWS: Sierra Leone's President
declared a national emergency due to
rising consumption of the synthetic
substance "kush," addressing substance
abuse concerns.
 Sierra Leone, located in West Africa
along the Atlantic coast, has a tropical
climate.
 It shares borders with Guinea, Liberia,
and the Atlantic Ocean. Major rivers
include Rokel, Taia, Moa, and Sewa.

MOUNT RUANG
 IN NEWS: Mount Ruang in Indonesia's
North Sulawesi province erupted,
sending ash clouds a mile high.
 It stands 725 meters tall with a summit
10,932 feet above sea level, featuring a two-mile-wide caldera.
 As a stratovolcano, it has a tall, steep, cone-shaped structure, unlike flat shield volcanoes, known for their
higher peaks.

pg. 13
MOUNT EREBUS
 IN NEWS: Mount Erebus, Antarctica's most southerly active volcano on Ross Island, emits gold dust valued at
around $6000 daily, drawing attention.
 Discovered in 1841 by British explorer Sir James Clark Ross, it was named after his ship, Erebus.

RWANDA (ASYLUM AND IMMIGRATION)

BILL
 IN NEWS: UK parliament passes a bill allowing asylum
seekers to be transferred to Rwanda for assessment.
 Motivated by a surge in migrants arriving via small boats,
reaching 45,774 in 2022.

About Rwanda

 Rwanda, in Central/Eastern Africa, is bordered by the

Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda, Tanzania, and
Burundi.
 It's landlocked and lies just south of the equator, with Kigali
as its capital near the country's center.

pg. 14
BOGOTA'S WATER RATIONING
 IN NEWS: Bogota, Colombia's capital, began
water rationing due to low reservoir levels.
 Situated on the Andean plateau, it's among
the world's highest capitals.

DOOMSDAY GLACIER
 IN NEWS: Recent findings reveal ongoing ice
loss in Antarctica's Thwaites Glacier since the
1940s, shedding light on its ominous
nickname, the "Doomsday Glacier."
 Located in West Antarctica's remote
Amundsen Sea, it's vast and fast-flowing,
comparable to Florida or Great Britain.
 Its susceptibility to climate change has made
it a focal point for scientific scrutiny.

BURKINA FASO
 IN NEWS: In northern Burkina Faso,
about 170 people were "executed"
in attacks on three villages.
 Burkina Faso, in West Africa,
straddles the Prime Meridian,
spanning territories across Eastern
and Western Hemispheres.
 It shares borders with Mali, Niger,
Benin, Togo, Ghana, and Ivory Coast.

IRAN-PAKISTAN
RELATIONSHIP
 IN NEWS: The Iran-Pakistan relationship has
deteriorated due to Iranian missiles and
drones targeting alleged Jaish al-Adl (JAA)
bases in Pakistan's Balochistan.

pg. 15
PERSIAN GULF
 IN NEWS: Chinese reservations for crude oil tankers from the Persian Gulf have surged, signaling increased
reliance on this region by the largest importer.
 Positioned in Western Asia within the Indian Ocean, the Persian Gulf extends from the Gulf of Oman,
connecting to the Indian Ocean via the Strait of Hormuz.
 Also known as the Arabian Gulf or Gulf of Iran, it's bordered by the Arabian Peninsula and Iran.
 Its borders include Iran, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
 The Shatt al-Arab delineates its western boundary, fed by the Euphrates and Tigris rivers.

SALTON SEA
 IN NEWS: The U.S. Department of Energy discovered the world's largest lithium reserve beneath California's
Salton Sea.
 The sea, in southern California, formed in 1905–06 from floodwaters of the Colorado River due to diversion
control failures.

pg. 16
SOUTH CHINA SEA
 IN NEWS: The Philippines and Vietnam strengthen cooperation amidst Chinese opposition, asserting their
interests in the South China Sea region.

MEKONG RIVER
 IN NEWS: The multibillion-dollar dam
project on Laos's Mekong River sparks
concerns over Luang Prabang city's
UNESCO World Heritage Site status.
 The Mekong, Southeast Asia's longest
river, spans about 4,350 km, originating
in China's Qinghai province.
 Designated a national nature reserve, it
feeds major rivers like Yangtze, Yellow.
 Passing six countries, including China,
Vietnam, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand, and
Cambodia, it nurtures capitals like
Vientiane and Phnom Penh.
 Finally, it empties into the South China
Sea near Ho Chi Minh City.
 Famous for its diverse fish species giant
stingrays,catfish, Mekong faces threats
from large-scale development projects.

pg. 17
THAMES RIVER
 IN NEWS: The individual sought in
connection with the recent chemical
attack is believed to have jumped into the
Thames River and perished.
 The Thames River, flowing 346 km
through southern England, is the longest
river in England and second longest in the
UK.
 It originates near Kemble in
Gloucestershire and flows into the North
Sea via the Thames Estuary, serving as a
vital water source for London.

NORTHERN IRELAND
CONFLICT
 IN NEWS: An Irish nationalist became
Northern Ireland’s first minister as the
government resumed work after a two-year
boycott.
 The Good Friday Agreement, also
known as the Belfast Agreement, was a
political deal designed to bring an end to the
30 years ‘Troubles’ in the Northern Ireland.

About Northern Ireland

 The smallest of the UK's four

countries, lies on the island of Ireland but is
politically part of the United Kingdom.
 It has coastlines along the Irish Sea
and the Atlantic Ocean and is separated from
Scotland by the North Channel.

SCHENGEN ZONE
 IN NEWS: Despite past delays, Kosovo has achieved a significant milestone in obtaining Schengen approval.
 The Schengen Agreement, launched in 1985 by five European countries.
 It aims to create a border-free zone promoting the free movement of people, goods, services, and capital
within the Schengen Area.

pg. 18
 GUYANA-VENEZUELA CONFLICT &
ESSEQUIBO RIVER REGION
 IN NEWS: Amid heightened tensions over a
longstanding border dispute, a British
warship has docked in Guyana, a former
British colony.
 The conflict dates back to colonial times,
with Britain and Spain disputing South
American land boundaries.
 Venezuela contests Guyana's ownership
west of the Essequibo River, rejecting the
Arbitral Award of 1899.
 The disputed Essequibo region remains a
focal point of contention.
 The presence of the British warship
underscores international interest and
potential involvement in resolving the
territorial dispute between Guyana and
Venezuela.

SWEDEN
 IN NEWS: Sweden has officially
become the 32nd member of NATO
(North Atlantic Treaty Organization)
 In 2023, Finland became the 31st
NATO member, followed by
Sweden,making entire Nordic region
the part of NATO.
 The Nordic region encompasses
Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway,
and Sweden as sovereign states,
alongside the autonomous territories
of the Faroe Islands and Greenland,
and the autonomous region of Åland.
 Recently it became the 38th country
to sign the Artemis Accords, joining
the United States, India, and Japan as
leading spacefaring nations endorsing
the agreement.

About Sweden

 A Nordic country on the Scandinavian

Peninsula in Northern Europe,
bordered by Norway and Finland,

pg. 19
 connected to Denmark via Öresund bridge-tunnel in the southwest.

RED SEA AND PANAMA CANAL

 IN NEWS: Recent Red Sea vessel attacks and Panama Canal drought heighten global trade disruption
concerns, raising risks.

pg. 20
CONGO RIVER
 IN NEWS: The Congo River recently reached its highest level in over six decades, causing extensive flooding in
the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) and the Congo Republic.
 Spanning about 4,700 km, it's the second-longest river in Africa and ninth globally.
 Originating as the Chambeshi River in northeastern Zambia, it flows through countries, including the DRC,
Republic of the Congo, Central African Republic, western Zambia, northern Angola, Cameroon, and Tanzania.
 With a flow rate of 1.5 million cubic feet per second, second only to the Amazon, it boasts a vast watershed
covering 3.7 million square kilometers, known as the Congo Basin.

pg. 21
 3. PLACES IN NEWS- NP, WLS etc.

WAYANAD WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

 IN NEWS: A recent fire scorched about 100
hectares of forest in Wayanad Wildlife
Sanctuary's Sulthan Bathery range.
 It is nestled in Kerala's Wayanad district
within the Western Ghats, is an integral part
of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
 Established in 1973, it spans 344.44 square
kilometers and shares borders with protected
areas in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu.
 Rich in biodiversity, it's home to various
tribes, including scheduled adivasis like
Paniyas, Kattunaikkans, Kurumas, Ooralis,
Adiyans, and Kurichiyas.

KALESAR WILDLIFE SANCTUARY

 IN NEWS: A tiger was spotted in Kalesar
Wildlife Sanctuary, Haryana, via a camera
trap.
 Spanning 11,000 acres, it's in Yamunanagar
district, nestled in the Shivalik foothills.
 Bordered by the Yamuna River to the east.
Named after the Kalesar Forest, it's a
significant reserve in the region.

pg. 22
AMRABAD TIGER RESERVE
 IN NEWS: The 'Status of Leopards in India' report highlights a notable increase in leopard numbers in the
Amrabad Tiger Reserve, located in Telangana's Nagarkurnool and Nalgonda districts.

About Amrabad Tiger Reserve

 Covering 2611.4
square kilometers,
it's among India's
largest reserves
and the second-
largest in core
area.
 Originally part of
the
'Nagarjunasagar-
Srisailam Tiger
Reserve,' post-
bifurcation, it
became
Telangana's
'Amrabad Tiger
Reserve.'
 Nestled in the
Nallamala Forest,
it supports diverse
flora and fauna, and feeds major reservoirs via the Krishna River.

ERAVIKULAM NATIONAL PARK

 IN NEWS: It is located in Kerala's Idukki district
along the Western Ghats, closes temporarily
during the Nilgiri tahr's calving season.
 Declared a National Park in 1978 and is home to
Anamudi, South India's highest peak at 2695
meters. The park's southern side hosts the peak.
 It's famed for the rare blooming of the
"Neelakurinji" flower, which occurs once every
twelve years, adding to its unique natural allure.

pg. 23
SIMILIPAL TIGER RESERVE (STR)
 IN NEWS: Odisha plans first
melanistic tiger safari near
Similipal Tiger Reserve.

About Similipal Tiger Reserve

 Similipal Tiger Reserve in Odisha's

Mayurbhanj District, nestled
amidst high plateaus and hills.
 It was declared a 'Tiger Reserve' in
1956 and integrated into 'Project
Tiger' in 1973.
 Recognized by UNESCO as a
Biosphere Reserve in 2009, it
spans 2250 sq. km.
 It boasts the distinction of being
the sole habitat for melanistic
tigers globally.
 Melanistic animals exhibit dark
pigmentation due to increased
melanin, defining their
appearance in skin, hair, feathers,
etc.

KAWAL TIGER RESERVE

 IN NEWS: Authorities in Kawal Tiger Reserve suspended six staff members for negligence in controlling teak
smuggling.

About Kawal Tiger Reserve

 Situated in Telangana's northeastern region, it's bordered by the Godavari River and Maharashtra.
 Designated a Tiger Reserve in 2012, it's part of the Deccan peninsula-central highlands.
 Serving as the catchment for Godavari and Kadam rivers, it's positioned at the southernmost tip of the
Central Indian Tiger Landscape, linking to Tadoba-Andhari and Indravati tiger reserves.

BOR TIGER RESERVE (BTR)

 IN NEWS: Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR) seeks Rs 1 crore for wildlife safaris in Bangdapur and Hingni forest ranges.

About Bor Tiger Reserve (BTR)

 Originally a sanctuary, BTR became a tiger reserve in 2014. Located in Maharashtra's Wardha District, it's
India's smallest tiger reserve.
 Covering 138.12 sq. km, it includes Bor Dam's drainage basin.
 Centrally positioned among Bengal Tiger habitats, it borders Pench, Nagzira Navegaon, and Karhandla.
 Adjacent reserves include Tadoba Andhari, Melghat, and Satpura Tiger Reserves.

pg. 24
NEORA VALLEY NATIONAL PARK
 IN NEWS: Trap cameras recently captured images confirming Royal Bengal Tigers' presence at an
unprecedented elevation of 10,509 feet above sea level in Neora Valley National Park, West Bengal.
 Located in Kalimpong district, the park boasts remarkable biodiversity, making it a vital conservation area in
Northeast India.
 Neora Valley shares borders with Sikkim and Bhutan to the north and northeast, linking with Pangolakha
Wildlife Sanctuary and Toorsa Strict Reserve.
 To the south, it connects with Jalpaiguri district's forests, including Chapramari Wildlife Sanctuary and
Gorumara National Park. Rachela Pass marks the park's highest point.

BUXA TIGER RESERVE (BTR)

 IN NEWS: After 23 years, a tiger's return to West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR) for the second time in
two years sparks hopes of ecosystem revival and tiger population resurgence.

About Buxa Tiger Reserve (BTR)

 Covering 760 square km, BTR in

Alipurduar district forms part of
a larger tiger territory extending
into Bhutan, recognized by the
National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA).
 Buxa Reserve connects with
Bhutan's forests in the North,
Kochugaon forests, Manas Tiger
Reserve in Assam, and Jaldapara
National Park.
 Conservation efforts include
introducing chitals to bolster
the tiger's prey base and
promoting genetic diversity
through crucial corridor
connectivity with neighboring
forests.

BILIGIRI RANGASWAMY TEMPLE (BRT) TIGER RESERVE

 IN NEWS: The Karnataka Forest Department has introduced a green tax at BR Hills, charging vehicles entering
via BRT Tiger Reserve in Chamarajanagar district.
 BR Hills, named after the white rocky cliff 'Biligiri' housing the Rangaswamy temple, stands as a unique bio-
geographical entity between the Western and Eastern Ghats in South India.
 Initially a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1974, it gained Tiger Reserve status in 2011, showcasing its ecological
significance and cultural heritage.

pg. 25
CHANDAKA-DAMPARA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
 IN NEWS: The Odisha government plans to introduce Sambar and Gaur (bison) into the Chandaka-Dampara
Wildlife Sanctuary after relocating deer from Cuttack.
 The sanctuary, located in Odisha's Khurda district, marks the north-eastern boundaries of the Eastern Ghats
and has been a protected area since 1982.
 It hosts various threatened wildlife and birds, thriving in the region's tropical climate with distinct summer,
rainy, and winter seasons.

KANGER VALLEY
NATIONAL PARK
 IN NEWS: Kanger Valley National
Park leads innovative collaboration
for ecological restoration with
organizations and government
departments.

About Kanger Valley National Park

 Name derived from the Kangar

river, which flows in its length.
 Kanger Valley got the status of a
national park in the year 1982.
 Forest Type: Mixed humid
deciduous [Sal, Saugaun, teak and
bamboo trees].
 The state bird, Bastar Maina, is a
type of Hill maina, which is capable
of emulating the human voices.
 It is home to three exceptional
caves- Kutumbasar, Kailash and
Dandak-Stellagmites and
Stalactitees.
 Tirathgarh Waterfall is located in
Kanger Valley National Park.
 The Kenjhardhara and
Bhainsadhara are famous for
Crocodile Park.

PARAMBIKULAM TIGER RESERVE

 IN NEWS: A survey at Parambikulam Tiger Reserve revealed 11 new species, including birds, butterflies, and
odonates.
 Located in Kerala's Western Ghats, it became a Tiger Reserve in 2009, boasting diverse habitats like
evergreen forests and marshy grasslands.
 It's renowned for the world's first scientifically managed teak plantation and hosts the oldest and tallest teak
tree, 'Kannimara,' aged 450 years and standing at 40 meters.

pg. 26
DALMA WILDLIFE SANCTUARY
 IN NEWS: Construction of a 25-foot elevated canopy walk is ongoing at Dalma Sanctuary.
 Located 10 km from Jamshedpur, Jharkhand, nestled around the Dalma Hills on the Chottanagpur Plateau.
 Inaugurated in 1975 and named after local deity "Dalma mai," it houses a significant Indian Elephant
population, within the Subarnarekha River and Dimna Lake catchment area.

GOLDEN TIGER IN KAZIRANGA NATIONAL PARK

 IN NEWS: In Kaziranga National Park (KNP), a rare golden tiger, also known as a golden tabby tiger, was
recently photographed, showcasing its exceptional rarity both in the wild and captivity.
 Established in 1908, KNP in Assam, India, became a National Park in 1974 and achieved UNESCO World
Heritage Site status in 1985.
 It was declared a Tiger Reserve in 2006, covering the largest undisturbed area in the Brahmaputra Valley
floodplain.

pg. 27