UPSC Colourfull Notes 🇮🇳

📢 Day 39 of #70DM Mapping Series 🌍 Odisha's Protected Areas and New GI Tags! 🌿 Today, we bring you the latest updates from Odisha's protected areas and the newly granted Geographical Indication (GI) tags. Key Highlights: 1. Protected Areas in News: - 🏞 Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary: Highest eco-tourism revenue and successful relocation of families. - 🦜 Nalbana Bird Sanctuary: Record number of migratory birds, including rare species. - 🐘 Chandaka Elephant Corridor: Challenges due to urbanisation and industrialisation. - 🌳 Simlipal National Park: Protests affecting ecotourism. - 🏔 Gandhamardan Hill Range: Declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site. - 🌲 Gupteswar Forest: Declared a Biodiversity Heritage Site. - 🦩 Chilika Lake: Early arrival of migratory birds. - 🐊 Bhitarkanika National Park: Increase in estuarine crocodile population. - 🐢 Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary: World's largest nesting beach for Olive Ridley sea turtles. 2. New GI Tags from Odisha: - 🌶 Similipal Kai Chutney: Made with red weaver ants. - 🍯 Odisha Khajuri Guda: Natural sweetener from date palm trees. - 🍬 Dhenkanal Magji: Sweet made from buffalo milk cheese. - 🍆 Nayagarh Kanteimundi Brinjal: Known for prickly thorns and unique fruits. - 🧣 Dongria Kondh Embroidered Shawl: Reflects rich tribal heritage. - 🌾 Koraput Kalajeera Rice: Black-colored rice variety, known as the 'Prince of Rice'. - 🎨 Lanjia Saura Painting: One of the oldest tribal art forms. Stay tuned for more updates and insights. Don't forget to share this with your friends and fellow aspirants! #Odisha #ProtectedAreas #GITags #UPSCPreparation #Day39 #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs

🗺 Day 40 of #70DM Mapping Series Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) and Nagorno-Karabakh 🌍🔥 🔴 From the rise of ISIS-K in the Khorasan region to the ongoing dispute over Nagorno-Karabakh between Armenia and Azerbaijan, these regions have been making headlines for their geopolitical significance and impact on regional stability. 📍 Khorasan Province (ISIS-K) 🕋💣 - ISIS-K was formed in 2015 by former members of various militant groups, pledging allegiance to ISIS - The group aims to establish an Islamic caliphate in the Khorasan region, encompassing parts of Afghanistan, Pakistan, Iran, and Central Asia - ISIS-K has been responsible for numerous deadly attacks, including the 2021 Kabul Airport bombing and the 2024 Moscow concert hall attack - The rise of ISIS-K has raised concerns about the stability and security of the entire Khorasan region 📍 Nagorno-Karabakh 🇦🇲🇦🇿 - Nagorno-Karabakh is a mountainous region in the South Caucasus, at the heart of a decades-long dispute between Armenia and Azerbaijan - In 2020, Azerbaijan won back much of the land it had lost in a previous war, with Russian peacekeepers sent to keep the peace - In September 2023, Azerbaijan launched a massive surprise attack and quickly took full control of the entire region in just 24 hours - Fearing for their safety under Azerbaijani rule, over 100,000 ethnic Armenians fled to Armenia, leaving the future of Nagorno-Karabakh uncertain #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs #ISIS-K #KhorasanRegion #NagornoKarabakh #Geopolitics

🗺 Day 41 of #70DM Mapping Series Most Disputed Regions in the World Making Headlines 🌍🔥 🔴 From the resurfacing Kalapani dispute between India and Nepal to the escalating tensions in the Essequibo region between Guyana and Venezuela, these disputed territories have been in the spotlight for their geopolitical significance and impact on regional stability. 📍 Kalapani Dispute between India and Nepal 🇮🇳🇳🇵 - The border dispute over Kalapani, Limpiyadhura, and Lipulekh has resurfaced in May 2024 - Nepal announced that the new 100-rupee note would feature a map incorporating these disputed areas - India has strongly objected to Nepal's unilateral actions and called for resolving the matter through established bilateral mechanisms 📍 Essequibo Region Dispute between Guyana and Venezuela 🇬🇾🇻🇪 - The Essequibo region, covering nearly two-thirds of Guyana, has been the subject of a long-standing dispute with Venezuela - In December 2023, Venezuelan President held a referendum to create a new state within the disputed territory and extend citizenship to its residents - Guyana has sought international support and asked the United States to help boost its military capabilities 📍 Sudan's Darfur Conflict 🇸🇩 - Darfur has been in the news due to a resurgence of devastating conflict and a worsening humanitarian crisis - The RSF and its allied Arab militias have been accused of targeting non-Arab, African ethnic groups in Darfur, particularly the Masalit people - Thousands of civilians have been killed, and over 800,000 people have fled their homes - The UN has described the situation as a "convergence of a worsening humanitarian calamity and a catastrophic human rights crisis" #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs #DisputedRegions #Geopolitics

🗺 Day 42 of #70DM Mapping Series Top 5 Important Lakes Making Headlines in the Past Year 🌍🌊 🔴 From the shrinking Lake Urmia in Iran to the devastating glacial lake outburst flood at South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim, these lakes have been in the spotlight for their environmental challenges and geopolitical significance. 📍 Lake Retba, Senegal 🇸🇳 - Faces threats from pollution, rising nitrate levels, and color change from pink to green - Negatively impacts the livelihoods of around 3000 people who depend on the lake 📍 South Lhonak Lake, Sikkim, India 🇮🇳 - Experienced a devastating glacial lake outburst flood on October 3, 2023 - Rapid melting of glaciers attributed to rising global temperatures and climate change 📍 Gatun Lake, Panama 🇵🇦 - Historically low water levels due to severe droughts and increasing water demands - Forced the Panama Canal Authority to restrict the number and size of ships passing through the canal 📍 Lake Titicaca, Peru/Bolivia 🇵🇪🇧🇴 - Drought has significantly reduced water levels, impacting the local economy - Industries such as fishing, agriculture, and livestock farming are suffering in the region 📍 Lake Urmia, Iran 🇮🇷 - Faces severe environmental crisis, rapidly shrinking and on the brink of completely drying up - Shrinking lake has implications for ecological and human health, affecting breeding grounds for waterbirds and causing salt storms #UPSC #IAS #Geography #CurrentAffairs #Lakes #Environment #ClimateChange #Geopolitics

🗺 Day 43 of #70DM Mapping Series INSTC: Connecting India, Iran, and Russia for Enhanced Trade 🇮🇳🇮🇷🇷🇺 🔴 The International North-South Transport Corridor (INSTC) has gained new urgency. 🔴 In May 2023, Russia and Iran signed a $1.7 billion deal to create a rail link from Rasht to Astara, effectively bridging a major connectivity gap in the INSTC. 📍 Introduction - INSTC: a 7,200 km network of ship, rail, and road routes - Aims to reduce transportation costs and time between India and Russia by 30-40% - Enhances connectivity and economic cooperation between member states 📍 History and Member States - First proposed by Russia, India, and Iran in 2000 - 13 member states, with Bulgaria as an observer state 📍 Main Route Hubs - Mumbai, India 🇮🇳 - Bandar Abbas and Tehran, Iran 🇮🇷 - Astara, Iran/Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 - Baku, Azerbaijan 🇦🇿 - Astrakhan, Moscow, and St. Petersburg, Russia 🇷🇺 📍 Geopolitical Significance - Russia sees INSTC as an economic lifeline amid Western sanctions - Iran views INSTC as a way to counter its own isolation from sanctions - India considers INSTC a promising alternate route to energy-rich Central Asia and Russia #UPSC #IAS #Geography #InternationalRelations #CurrentAffairs #INSTC #India #Iran #Russia #Trade #Connectivity #Geopolitics

🗺 Day 44 of #70DM Mapping Series Seshachalam Hills: Biodiversity, Challenges, and Conservation 🌿🐾🌳 🔴 The Seshachalam Hills, a biosphere reserve in Andhra Pradesh, has been in the news due to rising human-wildlife conflict and illegal activities like red sanders smuggling. 📍 Geography and Geology - Part of the ancient Eastern Ghats mountain range in southern Andhra Pradesh - Designated as a Biosphere Reserve in 2010 - Undulating terrain and deep, forest-covered valleys - Composed of ancient Precambrian rocks 📍 Biodiversity - Unique mix of tropical southern dry mixed deciduous forests - Large reserves of endangered red sandalwood trees - Home to numerous endemic and rare plant and animal species - Srivenkateshwara National Park located within the hills 📍 Challenges - Rising human-wildlife conflict due to shrinking habitats - Illegal red sanders smuggling driven by high demand for its timber - Red Sanders population has declined by 50-80% over the last three generations 📍 Native Population - The Yanadi tribe is the native population of the Seshachalam Biosphere Reserve #UPSC #IAS #Geography #Environment #CurrentAffairs #SeshachalamHills #AndhraPradesh #BiosphereReserve #Biodiversity #Conservation

🗺 Day 45 of #70DM Mapping Series The Sahel Region🌍🤝🇫🇷 🔴 The Sahel region has been in the news over the past year due to a series of military coups in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, straining relationships with regional organizations like ECOWAS and the G5 Sahel. 🔴 These coups have led to suspensions from ECOWAS, withdrawals from the G5 Sahel, and the formation of a new alliance, the Association of Sahel States (AES), marking a significant shift in regional dynamics. 📍 The Sahel Region - Spans 5,900 km from the Atlantic Ocean to the Red Sea - Central Sahel states (Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger) are currently ruled by military juntas - Rise of extremist groups like AQIM and Boko Haram 📍 Regional Organizations: ECOWAS and G5 Sahel - ECOWAS: Promoting economic cooperation and stability, recent suspensions due to military coups - G5 Sahel: Addressing security and development issues, dissolved after member withdrawals 📍 France's Withdrawal and Shifting Influence - France's military disengagement and embassy closure in Niger signal a shift in regional dynamics - Other actors, like Russia and its Wagner Group, have stepped in to fill the void - Formation of new alliances, such as the Association of Sahel States #UPSC #IAS #Geography #InternationalRelations #CurrentAffairs #SahelRegion #Africa #ECOWAS #G5Sahel #France