International Places in News AtJout Region error es oe \ ® ¢— my Ae —~ 5 Mount Fu “Se A PapuaNew Scarborough Guinea Sal @e— Oe ce Oe Z lands } Southeastem Fores, | Indonesia lava 1 | Mount Fuji | Japan’s Mount Fuji remained snow-less recently. Its also known as Fujr-san, is the highest mountain in Japan, standing at 3,776 meters. Its situated close to the Pacific coast in Honshu, It isa strato-volcano that has been dormant since its last eruption in 1707 but is stil generally classified as active by geologists. 2 |PapuaNew | At 16" Conference of Parties (COP16) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, local Guinea environmental groups from Papua New Guinea called for international actions to stop illegal logging that is damaging one of the most biodiverse areas on the planet. Itis an island country that les in the south-western Pacific. t includes the eastern half of New Guinea (the world’s second largest island) and many small offshore islands, 3 | Southeastern | Mount Lewotobi LakrLaki, part of Indonesia's Lewotobi twin volcano complex in Flores, south-eastern Flores, erupted, causing earthquakes, fatalities, property damage, and Indonesia mass evacuations. Located within the "Ring of Fire,” the region is prone to intense tectonic activity 4 | Malawi The Tumaini Festival in Malawi brings together refugees and locals through music, art, and crafts, promoting unity and hope. Malawi, a landlocked country in Southeastern Africa, is bordered by Tanzania, Mozambique, and Zambia. It is known for its stunning highlands and Lake Nyasa (Lake Malawi), one of the world's deepest lakes, which covers more than one-fifth of the country's area 5 | AlJawfRegion | The region experienced heavy snowfall and rainfall for the first time in recorded Saudi Arabia _| history. Al-Jawf is located in the northern part of Saudi Arabia and forms part of the VAJIRAM AND RAVI The Recitals (November 2024) Page 30‘Arabian Desert. The region is typically arid, with vast stretches of sandy terrain and a climate that predominantly features scorching summers and mild winters. 6 | Scarborough Shoal China recently released geographic coordinates marking baselines around the contested Scarborough Shoal in the South China Sea. It (also known in English as the Scarborough Reef) is the largest oceanic coral atoll that developed on top of a seamount into a triangle shape in the eastern part of the South China Sea 7 | Solomon’ Islands Scientists have uncovered the largest coral colony on Earth in the Solomon Islands, offering insights into marine ecosystem’ resilience and the threats posed by climate change. Its located in southwest Pacific Ocean. It is composed of hard coral Pavona clavus, with colors ranging from brown, yellow, red, pink, and blue. Often referred to.as “shoulder blade coral.’ 8 [Armenia Ithas become the 104” member of the International Solar Alliance. it is a landlocked country in the mountainous Caucasus region between Asia and Europe. Yerevan Is the capital. It was the first state to adopt Christianity as its official religion. It underwent the Armenian genocide during World War I. After periods of Independence and Soviet rule, it became independent in 1991 National Places in News Hokersar wetland Dal Lake _ @- sembhartake > to Ranthambore Tiger Reserve a Dhotavira ChushutMoldo Border Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park SS Bordoibam-Bilmukh, Bird Sanctuary Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve 1 | Sambhar Lake ‘Over 40 migratory birds, belonging to two to three different species, have been found dead around Sambhar Lake in Jaipur. Iti the largest saltwater lake in India. It is located in the districts of Nagaur and Jaipur in Rajasthan. This saline wetland is. elliptical in shape, and is surrounded on all sides by the Aravall hills. 2 | Bordoibam- Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary ‘Once a flourishing refuge for numerous bird species, Assam’s Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary now faces an alarming biodiversity crisis, with avian diversity plummeting by over 70%. It is a small wetland located at the boundary of the Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts of Assam. It was part of the River Subansiri (tributary of VAJIRAM AND RAVI The Recitals (November 2024) Page 31Brahmaputra), which now flows 7 km away from the lake. The sanctuary experiences moist tropical climate with and receives about 2000mm rainfall every year. Dholavira The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) has flagged concerns regarding the poor preservation, lack of tourist facilities, and halted excavation activities at Dholavira, an ancient Harappan city and UNESCO World Heritage Site. It is situated in Kutch District, Gujarat, between the seasonal streams of Mansar and Manhar. Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park Himachal Pradesh’s upcoming Durgesh Aranya Zoological Park in Kangra’s Dehra constituency is set to become India’s first z00 certified by the Indian Green Building Council (IG8C) for sustainable and eco-friendly infrastructure. It is situated in the Bankhandi area of Kangra’s Dehra assembly constituency. The park will feature 34 enclosures within its Van Vaibhav Path and Biodiversity Court, housing 73 species, including Asiatic lions, crocodiles, gharials, and indigenous birds. ‘Chushul-Moldo Border The Indian and Chinese armies observed Diwali with an exchange of sweets and greetings at the Chushul-Moldo border point in Ladakh, reflecting a continued tradition of goodwill despite ongoing tensions. Itis a key border meeting point situated in eastern Ladakh along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) between India and China, Itis located close to Pangong Lake area, Chushul-Moldo has seen multiple military confrontations, making it crucial for diplomatic interactions. Dal Lake Ina historic event, 150 women participated in the first-ever traditional shikara boat race on Dal Lake in Srinagar, breaking societal norms and showcasing their strength. Dal lake situated in Srinagar, Jammu and Kashmir, surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains. Iti called "Raad” locally. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve In the past year, around 25 tigers have "disappeared from the population of ~75 in Ranthambore National Park (RNP) in Rajasthan. Located at the junction of the Aravallis and Vindhyas near Sawai Madhopur, the park features rivers like Chabal and Banas, along with the Great Boundary Fault. The flora includes tropical dry deciduous and thorn forests, mainly dominated by Dhok trees and grasslands. Hokersar wetland Lack of water due to excess deficit rainfall at the Hokersar wetland in the Kashmir Valley in recent years has impacted the arrival of migratory bird populations in the region. It lies to the north of the famous Dal Lake and is situated at an elevation. The wetland is 2 bird sanctuary, hosting a variety of migratory species, especially during the winter months. It is an important stopover for birds migrating along the Central Asian Flyway, Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve Ministry of Tribal Affairs has instructed the Maharashtra government to address complaints of "non-recognition of forest rights and forced eviction" from families living in Rantalodhi village, located within the core area of Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR).It was notified in 1955 and is situated in Maharashtra. The reserve is known for its dry deciduous forests, predominantly featuring teak trees, along with bamboo thickets and grasslands, which support a rich variety of wildlife. 10 Guru Ghasidas- Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve Situated in Chhattisgarh, itis India’s 56th tiger reserve. Itis the third largest tiger reserve in the country, located on the Chota Nagpur and Baghelkhand plateaus, VAJIRAM AND RAVI The Recitals (November 2024) Page 32Natural/Mixed World Heritage Sites in India Great Himalayan National Park Conservation Area z _— Nanda Devi and Valley of Flowers National Parks Keoladeo @ National Park — : Manas Wildlife Khangchendzonga Sanctuary National Park —@ ® (eaten OQer > Natonal Park cS Rani kiVav ® ‘Sundarbans National Park Western Ghats —© 7) 1 | Great Himalayan | Great Himalayan National Park (GHNP) in Himachal Pradesh’s Kullu district is home National Park to over 375 species, including mammals like the Himalayan Black Bear, Himalayan Conservation Tahr, Snow Leopard, and birds like the Western Tragopan (state bird of Himachal ‘Area Pradesh). The park features diverse ecosystems, from riverine forests to alpine meadows, 2 | Nanda Deviand _| Located in Uttarakhand’s Western Himalayas, they are UNESCO World Heritage Valley of Flowers | Sites, recognized in 1988 and 2005 respectively for their natural beauty and National Parks _| biodiversity. Dominated by the Nanda Devi peak, the second-highest mountain in India, the parks are home to rare and endangered flowers like blue poppies, primulas, and orchids, preserved by their remote and pristine location. 3 | Sundarbans It is located southeast of Calcutta in West Bengal, is part of the Gangetic Delta and National Park was added to the UNESCO World Heritage list in 1987. It is the world’s largest ‘mangrove forest, covering over 10,000 square kilometers, with a network of tidal waterways, mudflats, and islands. The park is home to diverse fauna, including 260 bird species, the Bengal tiger, and threatened species like the estuarine crocodile and Indian python. @ | Kaziranga Itis a UNESCO World Heritage Site since 1985. It is home to the world’s largest National Park population of one-horned rhinos. Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, with the highest density of one-horned rhinos, ranks second in Assam after Kaziranga. Conservation efforts in Kaziranga focus on the ‘big four’ species: the rhinoceros, elephant, Royal Bengal tiger, and Asiatic water buffalo. VAJIRAM AND RAVI The Recitals (November 2024) Page 335 | Manas Wildlife Sanctuary Located in the foothills of the Himalayas in Assam, Manas National Park is contiguous with Bhutan’s Royal Manas National Park. It holds multiple designations, including a Natural World Heritage Site, Tiger Reserve, Elephant Reserve, Biosphere Reserve, and Important Bird Area. It was included in the Project Tiger in 1973. The park's name is derived from the Manas River, named after the serpent goddess Manasa, 6 | Keoladeo ‘National Park Located in Bharatpur, Rajasthan, itis a prime bird-watching destination. The park is home to over 365 bird species, including rare ones like the Siberian crane. It attracts birds from the northern hemisphere for breeding. In addition to its avian diversity, the park also shelters animals such as jackals, sambar, nilgai, wild cats, hyenas, wild boar, porcupines, and mongooses. 7 _ | Western Ghats ‘Also known as Sahyadri Hills, they are known for their rich flora and fauna. The range is called Sahyadri in northern Maharashtra and Sahya Parvatham in Kerala, ‘The region's coastal areas are known as the Konkan Coast (northern part), Kanara (central part), and Malabar Coast (southern part). The foothills are called Desh in Maharashtra, Malanadu in Karnataka, and Nilgiri Malai in Tamil Nadu, Recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the Western Ghats are one of the world’s eight biodiversity hotspots. @ | Khangchendzonga National Park ‘Aso known as the Kanchenjunga Biosphere Reserve, itis located in Sikkim. It was inscribed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in July 2016, becoming India's first (Mixed Heritage | "Mixed Heritage" site. The park, part of the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Site) Programme, is named after Kangchenjunga, the world's third-highest peak at 8,586 meters. 9 [Rani kiVav It isa stunning stepwell in Patan, Gujarat, bullt in the 1th century as a memorial (Mixed Heritage | toa king. itis an exceptional example of subterranean water architecture, Site) designed as an inverted temple with seven levels of steps leading to the water. The walls feature intricate sculptures of Hindu deities, mythological figures, and daily life scenes. VAJIRAM AND RAVI The Recitals (November 2024) Page 34