< Daily Current Affairs & Important Editorials

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Peru (Capital: Lima)

GS- I >> Geography>> Mapping

Context: Peru has lost more than half of its glacier surface in last six decades.

About Peru:

Political boundaries:

• Country in western South America.
• Bounded with Colombia (northeast), Brazil (east), Bolivia (southeast), Chile (south) and Ecuador (northwest).
• To west, territorial waters into Pacific Ocean are claimed by Peru.

Geographical features:

• Mountain range:
• Highest point: Mount Huascarán.
• Major rivers: Amazon, Purus, Jurua etc.
• Major lake: Lake Titicaca (between Peru and Bolivia).

Source: www.thehindu.com

Cashew Crop

GS- III >> Economy>> Agriculture

Context: APEDA will be facilitating export of over 30 tonnes of cashew from Tamil Nadu and Kerala on World Cashew Day

About Cashew Crop:

• Origin: The cashew crop, native to Brazil in Latin America, was introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 16th century (1570).
• Climatic conditions:
  • Soil and climate: Well-drained deep sandy loam soils, ranging from sandy to laterite, are ideal for cashew cultivation. It thrives in hot humid conditions, particularly in Indian coastal areas.
  • Temperature: Suitable temperature ranges from 20 to 38°C.
  • Relative humidity: Thrives in relative humidity between 60 to 95%.
  • Rainfall: Requires annual precipitation in the range of 2000 to 3500 mm.
  • Extreme conditions: Cashew plantations are not conducive to extreme low temperatures and frost.
• Cultivation expansion: Cashew cultivation is expanding to non-traditional areas, including the plains of Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and parts of the North East hill region.
• Global position: India holds the second-largest share in the world’s cashew nut production and export.
• Top export destinations: The UAE, the Netherlands, Japan, and Saudi Arabia are among India’s major export destinations for cashew nuts.

Source: pib.gov.in

Bandipur National Park

GS- III >> Environment >> Biodiversity

Context: Forest officials have started night combing, using elephants and vehicles, in addition to launching a thermal drone, in the hopes of capturing a tiger who had killed woman and cattle.

About Bandipur National Park:

• Bandipur National Park, established in 1973 as a tiger reserve under Project Tiger, is a national park located in the south Indian state of Karnataka.
• It was once a private hunting reserve for the Maharaja of the Kingdom of Mysore.
• Together with the adjoining Nagarhole National Park, Mudumalai National Park, and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, it is part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve totaling making it largest protected areas in southern India.
• The Tiger Reserve is situated in the contiguous landscape spread in the two revenue districts of Southern Karnataka namely the Mysore and Chamarajanagar.
• It is a distinctive landmass located at the tri-junction area of the States of Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, and Kerala.
• The park is flanked by the Kabini river in the north and the Moyar in the south. The Nugu river runs through the park.

Flora and Fauna:

• Natural inhabitants of this lovely forest are tiger, Indian Elephant, gaur (a type of bull), sambhar, chital, mouse deer, four-horned antelope, wild dogs, dhole, wild boar, jackal, sloth bear, panther, Malabar squirrel, porcupines, etc.
• Birds like jungle fowl and green pigeon are also found here.

Vegetation:

• Bandipur National Park is located where the Deccan Plateau meets the Western Ghats, and the altitude of the park ranges from 680 m to 1,454 m. As a result, the park has a variety of biomes including dry deciduous forests, moist deciduous forests and shrublands.

About Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve:

• The Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is a biosphere reserve in the Nilgiri Mountains of the Western Ghats in South India.
• It is one of the largest protected forest areas in India, spreading across Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, and Kerala.
• It includes the protected areas Mudumalai National Park, Mukurthi National Park, Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu; Nagarhole National Park, Bandipur National Park, both in Karnataka; Silent Valley National Park, Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary, Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary, and Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala.
• It was constituted as Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve by UNESCO in September 1986 under Man and Biosphere Programme.
• Nilgiris Biosphere Reserve is India’s first and foremost biosphere reserves with a heritage, rich in flora and fauna.
• Tribal groups such as the Badagas, Toda, Kotas, Irulla, Kurumba, Paniya, Adiyan, Edanadan Chettis, Allar, and Malayan is native to the reserve.

Source: www.thehindu.com

Deepor Beel

GS- III >> Economy >> Renewable Energy

Context: Assam government has expressed intent to allow water sports and tourism-related activities in Deepor Beel.

About Deepor Beel:

• It is a permanent freshwater lake and largest Beel (lake) in Brahmaputra valley of Lower Assam.
• It is a wildlife sanctuary and is included in Ramsar site. Birdlife International has declared Deepor Beel as an Important Bird Area site.
• Migratory bird spotted: White-eyed pochard, greylag goose, Baer’s pochard, etc.
• Threat to Beel: Filling of wetlands for habitation, pollution, fishing, excessive fodder practices etc.

Source: www.sentinelassam.com