IASBABA'S PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMME (PEP) 2021 - GEOGRAPHY HANDOUTS - WWW.IASBABA.COM
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IASBABA'S PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMME (PEP) 2021 GEOGRAPHY HANDOUTS WWW.IASBABA.COM PEP@IASBABA.COM
PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMME (PEP)-MAP BASED
Location Why in News? Additional Information
Mamallapuram (Tamil Nadu) The second informal summit • The town’s religious
between India and China was centre was founded
held here between Prime by a 7th-century
Minister Narendra Modi and Hindu Pallava King
President Xi Jinping. Narasimhavarman,
The First meeting was held in also known as
Wuhan in China in 2018. Mamalla for whom
Mamallapuram, also called the town was
Mahabalipuram or Seven named.
Pagodas, is a town that lies • It contains many
along the Coromandel Coast of surviving 7th- and
the Bay of Bengal, 60 km south 8th-century Pallava
of Chennai. temples and
monuments, chief of
which are the
sculptured rock relief
popularly known as
“Arjuna’s Penance,”
or “Descent of the
Ganges,” a series of
sculptured cave
temples, and a Shiva
temple on the
seashore.
• The town’s Five
Rathas, or
monolithic temples,
are the remnants of
seven temples, for
which the town was
known as Seven
Pagodas. The entire
assemblage
collectively was
designated a
UNESCO World
Heritage Site in
1984.
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Assam Assam Accord 1985 All those foreigners who
It is a Memorandum of had entered Assam
Settlement (MoS) signed between 1951 and 1961
between representatives of the were to be given full
Government of India and the citizenship, including the
leaders of the Assam right to vote;
Movement. • Those who had done
Assam was also in the news for so after 1971 were
protests against the Citizenship to be deported,
Amendment Bill (Act). • Also, the entrants
between 1961 and
1971 were to be
denied voting rights
for ten years but
would enjoy all other
rights of citizenship.
North-east Autonomous Constitution (125th • 6th schedule deals
Councils (Tribal Areas) Amendment) Bill, 2019 was with the
introduced in Rajya Sabha to administration of the
increase the financial and tribal areas in four
executive powers of the 10 north-eastern states
Autonomous Councils in the of Assam,
Sixth Schedule areas. Meghalaya, Tripura
and Mizoram.
• The tribal areas in
these states have
been constituted as
autonomous
districts, each of
which has an
autonomous district
council consisting of
30 members.
Central Asia First India-Central Asia • India was among the
Dialogue was held in first countries to
Samarkand, Uzbekistan and recognize the five
was co-chaired by the Minister Central Asian states.
of External Affairs of India. It established
The five countries of this region diplomatic relations
are with them after they
• Kazakhstan gained
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• Uzbekistan independence in
• Tajikistan 1990s.
• Kazakhstan • India now considers
• Turkmenistan the Central Asian
countries as part of
its 'extended and
strategic
neighbourhood’.
• At present the five
Central Asian
republics account for
trade of only about
$2 billion with India.
South Africa India and South Africa sealed a • The strategic
three-year strategic programme will
programme (2019-21). The deal cover cooperation in
was finalized after talks a range of areas
between Prime Minister and including defence
South African President Cyril and security, trade
Ramaphosa, who was the Chief and investment, the
Guest for the Republic day blue economy,
function. tourism, IT and
agriculture.
• South Africa agreed
to simplify and
reform South African
business visa regime.
Both the leaders also
reiterated their
commitment to
working together on
strengthening
cooperation to
address fugitive
economic offenders.
Gilgit-Baltistan (Pakistan Pakistan Supreme Court • The Court has also
Occupied Kashmir) declared that its powers and asked the federal
jurisdiction extend to the Gilgit- government in
Baltistan region. Pakistan to
promulgate a new
law within a
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fortnight to grant
more rights,
including
fundamental human
rights, to the people
of Gilgit-Baltistan in
Pakistan-occupied
Kashmir.
• India’s stand: The
region was, and
would remain, an
integral part of India.
Such order by
Supreme Court of
Pakistan on Gilgit-
Baltistan is an
interference in
India’s internal
affairs.
Venezuela Crisis Venezuela is reeling under • Hyperinflation
political turmoil fuelled by an (extremely fast or
economic crisis due to falling oil out of control
prices, and President Nicolas inflation) is the
Maduro’s attempts to restrain biggest problem
the Opposition. faced by Venezuela.
• The economic crisis
has also led to food
shortage and hit the
public health system,
making medicine,
equipment
inaccessible to its
people.
• The current crisis is
often blamed on
previous regimes’
subsidies, large-scale
nationalisation of
companies and
mismanagement of
finances,
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compounded by
Maduro’s own
follies.
• Due to this a political
crisis has also
emerged as two
factions have
emerged. One
supporting the
opposition leader led
by the U.S. and
others supporting
the current regime
led by Russia, China.
• India has taken no
sides till now.
Uranium Mines in India A parliamentary panel has • Presently, a major
recommended that necessary portion of uranium
steps must be taken to open for domestic
new uranium mines to ensure production comes
sufficient amount of uranium in from the Jaduguda
India. mines in Jharkhand.
• India currently
imports uranium
from Kazakhstan,
Canada, France and
Russia. Recently
India also signed deal
with Uzbekistan to
get Uranium supply.
• In India, Uranium
Corporation of India
Ltd. (UCIL) under the
Department of
Atomic Energy, is the
only organisation
responsible for
mining and
processing of
uranium ore for
commercial
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purposes.
• Uranium mined by
the UCIL is used for
weapons and civil
nuclear programmes
both. The imported
uranium is used for
civil nuclear energy
purposes only.
INS Kohassa The Indian Navy has • This will be India’s
(Andaman and Nicobar) commissioned a new airbase, fourth air base and
INS Kohassa, 100 miles north of the third naval air
Port Blair in the strategically facility in the
located Andaman and Nicobar archipelago.
Islands. • The Navy currently
operates air strips at
Port Blair and INS
Baaz at Campbell
Bay, while the Air
Force has a base in
Car Nicobar.
• The islands also
house India’s only
tri-service command.
With increased
contestation in the
region and in an
effort to keep an eye
on movements, India
has considerably
upgraded military
infrastructure in the
islands.
Andaman and Nicobar Islands Prime Minister announced • Ross Island as Netaji
renaming of 3 islands of Subhas Chandra
Andaman and Nicobar Bose Dweep,
archipelago as a tribute to • Neil Island as
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Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose. Shaheed Dweep.
• Havelock Island as
Swaraj Dweep.
Lakshadweep Islands Post Mumbai attacks of 2008 • The spread of these
the islands have gained islands has bestowed
significance in terms of national upon India 20,000
security. sq. km. of territorial
waters and
approximately
400,000 sq. km. of
Exclusive Economic
Zone (EEZ).
• The lagoons and EEZ
around Lakshadweep
Islands have
significant fishery
and mineral
resources which are
of immense
economic
importance.
• The Nine Degree
Channel, located
near Lakshadweep
Islands, is the most
direct route for ships
sailing from the
Persian Gulf bound
for East Asia.
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Paris (France) At UNESCO Internet • The goals mentioned
Governance Forum (IGF) in the Paris Call and
meeting convened in Paris, the principles
“The Paris Call for Trust and adopted represent a
Security in Cyberspace” was consensus of
commenced, aimed at priorities between
developing common principles states, corporations
for securing cyberspace. and civil society.
• Budapest convention
on cybercrime is a
convention of the
Council of Europe is
the only binding
international
instrument on the
issue of cyber
security.
Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince • Saudi Arabia is
Mohammed bin Salman visited India’s largest
India as a part of its 3-nation supplier of crude oil
tour, including China and (~19% of the total
Pakistan. import). India also
sources ~32% of its
LPG requirements
from Saudi Arabia.
• Recently, Saudi
Arabian oil major
ARAMCO (in
partnership with
ADNOC of UAE) has
decided to partner in
Ratnagiri Refinery
and Petro-Chemical
Project in
Maharashtra, a Joint
Venture of US$ 44
billion billed as the
world’s biggest.
Chabahar Port (Iran) Afghanistan began exports to • Pakistan doesn't
India through Chabahar port. allow Afghan trucks
to carry in return
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goods from India.
Chabahar port can
help the two
countries overcome
this limitation of
overland trade.
• Goods brought at
the port can be
easily transported to
the Afghan border &
distributed to
different parts of
Afghanistan via
Zaranj-Delaram
highway.
• India can export the
iron ore extracted
from the Hajigak
mines in Central
Afghanistan through
Chabahar port.
International North South Multi modal transport corridor • It was expanded to
Transport Corridor (INSTC) signed in 2000 in St. Petersburg include 11 new
with Iran, Russia and India as members:
founding members. Azerbaijan, Armenia,
Kazakhstan,
Kyrgyzstan,
Tajikistan, Turkey,
Ukraine, Belarus,
Oman, Bulgaria.
• It aims to link India
and Iran via the sea
route and then
through Iran to the
Caspian Sea onwards
to Central Asia.
Mauritius (Indian Ocean) International Court of Justice in • British government
an advisory opinion asked has rejected the
Britain to handover Chagos opinion as it said
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Archipelago to complete the that ICJ has no
process of decolonization of jurisdiction to
Mauritius. deliberate on this
matter.
• Mauritius has
maintained that
Britain’s “unilateral”
decision to ban the
right of return of
Chagossians (African
Tribe) and to renew
the lease for the US
base on Diego
Garcia, one of the
Chagos Islands,
breached
international law.
• Mauritius proposed
a resolution in UN
General Assembly in
2016 to take Britain
to the international
court of justice in a
dispute over
sovereignty of the
Chagos Islands. India
supported it.
Hindu-Kush Mountains The Kathmandu-based Hindu-Kush mountains,
(Himalayas) International Centre for along with Tien Shan
Integrated Mountain mountains in Central
Development’s (ICIMOD) Asia, represents the
“Hindu Kush Himalaya largest area of
Assessment” reveals that more permanent ice cover
than one-third of the glaciers in outside the two poles of
the region could retreat by our globe, and is thus
2100, even if the global referred to as the ‘third
temperature rise is capped at pole’.
1.5oC.
Kelp Forests According to a recent study, • Generally speaking,
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Climate change could lead to kelps live further
decline of underwater kelp from the tropics than
forests. coral reefs,
Kelps are large brown algae mangrove forests,
seaweeds. They grow in and warm-water
"underwater forests" (kelp seagrass beds.
forests) in shallow oceans. • Although kelp forests
are unknown in
tropical surface
waters, a few species
have been known to
occur exclusively in
tropical deep waters.
Sela Tunnel (Arunachal Recently, the foundation stone It is being built by the
Pradesh) for the Sela Tunnel Project was Border Roads
laid. Organization to provide
all weather connectivity
to Tawang in Arunachal
Pradesh and other
forward areas.
Russia India has recently signed a $3- • It is the third Russian
billion deal with Russia for nuclear-powered
leasing a nuclear-powered submarine to be
submarine for the Indian Navy. leased to Indian
Under the pact, Russia will have Navy. Earlier, Chakra
to deliver the Akula class I was leased in 1988
submarine, Christened as and Chakra II was
Chakra III, to the Indian Navy by leased in 2012. The
2025 for a period of 10 years. lease of Chakra II is
likely to be extended
to 2027 till the new
vessel gets build and
tested.
• The deal includes
refurbishment of the
submarine with the
Indian
communication and
sensor systems,
spares support and
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training technical
infrastructure for its
operations.
Abu Dhabi (UAE) Recently for the first time “Abu Dhabi declaration”
India’s External Affairs Minister, was named “Document
attended the inaugural plenary on Human Fraternity for
of the 46th session of the World Peace and Living
Council of Foreign Ministers Together” and it seeks to
(CFM) of Organisation of Islamic encourage stronger
Countries (OIC). relationships between
people to promote
coexistence among
peoples and to confront
extremism and its
negative impacts.
The OIC refrained from
giving in to Pakistan's
demands to include
Kashmir issue in the final
declaration.
Malaysia Recently, Malaysia signed the • Established in 2002
Instrument of Accession to the and governed by the
Rome Statute, becoming 123rd Rome Statute, which
member state of International was adopted in
Criminal Court. 1998.
International Criminal Court is • It has territorial
the first permanent, treaty- jurisdiction over
based, International criminal nations that are
court, with jurisdiction to party to the Rome
prosecute individuals for Statute or have
international crimes of accepted the court’s
genocide, crimes against jurisdiction.
Humanity, war crimes and • It is an independent
crimes of aggression. judicial body distinct
from the UN. It
works in cooperation
with UN, reports
annually to the
UNGA and also hear
cases referred to by
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UNSC.
• It is located in The
Hague, The
Netherlands. India is
not a member of ICC
(neither signed nor
ratified).
Golan Heights (Syria) US President has officially In 1981 Israel passed a
recognised Israeli sovereignty law extending its
over the occupied Golan jurisdiction to Golan
Heights, seized from Syria in Heights, effectively
1967. annexing it. However,
The Golan Heights are a 1,200 UNSC resolution 497,
square kilometre plateau on adopted in December
the Israel-Syria border, which 1981, declared that the
were part of Syria until 1967, Israeli Golan Heights Law
when Israel captured it in Six "null and void and
Day War of 1967. without international
legal effect" and further
called on Israel to
rescind its action.
Xuzhou (China) Recently India’s National • NASSCOM has
Association of Software and already launched
Services Companies two such IT corridors
(NASSCOM) entered into a at Dalian, India's first
partnership with China's IT hub in China (in
Xuzhou city (Jiangsu Province) Liaoning Province)
to help develop India’s 3rd IT and Guiyang (in
corridor in China. Guizhou province) to
tap the burgeoning
Chinese IT industry
market.
• The first two
corridors have paved
the way for
cooperation in co-
create mode in the
emerging
technologies such as
Artificial Intelligence,
Internet of Things
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and Analytics in the
Chinese market.
Israel world’s longest salt Cave explorers have discovered Similar caves:
caves the world’s longest salt cave • The Mammoth Cave
(around 10 km) named Malham system in Kentucky,
in the Mount Sodom, Israel. US, is the longest in
Earlier 3 N cave in southern the world stretching
Iran’s Qeshm island was the for about 651.8
longest salt cave in the world kilometers.
with length of 6 km. Related • The longest natural
information cave in India is Krem
Liat Prah in the
Jaintia Hills, which is
30.9 km.
Indo-Pacific Region Recently, the Ministry of The “Indo-Pacific” idea
External Affairs has setup a was originally conceived
dedicated Indo-Pacific division in 2006- 07. The term
for the matters related to the ‘Indo-Pacific’ combines
Indo-Pacific. the Indian Ocean Region
(IOR) and the Western
Pacific Region (WP) –
inclusive of the
contiguous seas off East
Asia and Southeast Asia
– into a singular regional
construct.
Belt and Road Forum The second Belt and Road • The BRI announced
Forum (BRF) was recently held in 2013, is made up
in Beijing, two years after first of a “belt” of
forum was held in May 2017. overland routes and
a maritime “road”,
In the wake of the global which aims to
slowdown, BRI offers a new connect Asia, Europe
model of development to China and Africa.
to maintain its economic • The Belt refers to the
growth. OBOR envisions Silk Road Economic
building networks of roadways, Belt which comprises
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railways, maritime ports, power overland routes:
grids, oil and gas pipelines, connecting China,
associated infrastructure Central Asia, Russia
projects which helps Chinese and Europe.
economy. • The Road refers to
the 21st Century
Maritime Silk Road
designed to provide
an impetus to trade
from China to
Europe through the
South China Sea and
the Indian Ocean,
and from China
through the South
China Sea towards
the South Pacific.
Strait of Hormuz (Iran) USA has imposed sanctions on The United States
Iran, and on other countries officially designated
who trade with them. Iran’s elite Islamic
In response, Iran has Revolutionary Guard
threatened to shut down the Corps (IRGC) as a foreign
Strait of Hormuz, a key channel terrorist organization.
for global oil shipments. There were also drone
attacks on the Saudi
Arabian Aramco’s oil
refinery alleged by the
Iranian forces.
Libya Crisis India has evacuated its entire • The crisis in Libya
peacekeeping CRPF contingent began after the ‘Arab
from Tripoli in Libya. Spring’ protests
Libya is currently split broadly engulfed Libya along
between two administrations, with other countries
the UN-backed Government of in the region
National Accord (GNA) under including Tunisia and
prime minister Fayez Al Sarraj, Egypt in early 2011.
which is based the capital • The long-ruling
Tripoli, and the House of dictator Muammar
Representatives based in the Gaddafi was ousted
eastern town of Tobruk. after a bloody battle
Recently the eastern Libyan and finally killed in
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Army Commander Khalifa October 2011
Haftar ordered his forces, the bringing a brutal
Libyan National Army (LNA), to regime to an end.
take over Tripoli — the capital • The Arab Spring was
of the United Nations-backed a series of pro-
government (Government of democracy uprisings
National Accord) — amid that enveloped
reports of escalating political several largely
tension in the country. Muslim countries,
including Tunisia,
Morocco, Syria,
Libya, Egypt and
Bahrain.
Qatar (Gulf region) Recently UN’s International • The Kafala system
Labour Organization announced emerged in the
that Qatar is all set to abolish 1950’s to regulate
its controversial Exit visa the relationship
system for all foreign workers between employers
by the end of 2019. and migrant workers
About 1.2 million foreign in many countries in
workers in Qatar, mostly from West Asia.
India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, • Under this system a
Nepal, and the Philippines, migrant worker’s
make up 94 percent of the total immigration status is
labor force. legally bound to an
individual employer
or sponsor (kafeel)
for their contract
period.
Kaziranga National Park The Supreme Court has banned • It is world’s major
(Assam) all mining activities along the stronghold of the
Kaziranga National Park and Indian onehorned
catchment area of rivers rhino, having the
originating in Karbi Anglong single largest
Hills in Assam population of this
• Kaziranga National Park was species, currently
formed in 1908 the park is estimated at over
located on the edge of the 2,000 animals
Eastern Himalayan (approximately 2/3rd
biodiversity hotspots - in of their total world
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the Golaghat and Nagaon population).
districts of Assam. • With increase in tiger
• The southern border of the population every
park is roughly defined by year, the
the Mora Diphlu River. government
Further south are the hills authorities declared
of Barail and the Mikir. Kaziranga as a Tiger
• The Brahmaputra River Reserve in the year
constitutes the dynamically 2006.
changing Northern • In the year 1985, the
boundary of the park. park was declared as
• The other rivers in a World Heritage Site
Kaziranga are Diphlu and by UNESCO.
Mora Dhansiri. • Also, the park is
recognized as an
Important Bird Area
by BirdLife
International for the
conservation of
avifaunal species.
Bay of Bengal Initiatives for BIMSTEC leaders were invited Bay of Bengal Initiatives
Multi-sectoral, Technical and for Prime Minister’s swearing in for Multi-sectoral,
Economic Cooperation ceremony. This is seen as Technical and Economic
(BIMSTEC) indicator of India’s policy of Cooperation (BIMSTEC)
engaging neighbours and is a regional group of
keeping Pakistan out as in 2014 seven members:
SAARC leaders were invited for Bangladesh, India,
the swearing in ceremony. Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Thailand, Bhutan, and
Nepal, established in
1997 through Bangkok
Declaration. Founding
members are
Bangladesh, India, Sri
Lanka and Thailand.
Tensions between India
and Pakistan have led to
New Delhi shifting focus
from SAARC to BIMSTEC.
South Asian Association for SAARC, as an organisation, South Asian countries
Regional Cooperation reflects the South Asian identity are closely tied in their
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(SAARC) of the countries, historically socio-political state as
and contemporarily. It has they face similar threats
geographical identity. Equally, and challenges like
there is a cultural, linguistic, terrorism, similar
religious and culinary affinity economic challenges,
that defines South Asia. disaster etc. To face such
Though there have been delays challenges, the South
in regular SAARC summits, Asian countries must
there are mechanisms of cooperate.
interaction within SAARC-
South Asian University, South
Asia Satellite which keep SAARC
relevant.
Arctic Region (Arctic Council) Recently, India was re-elected • Six organisations
as an Observer (first it became representing the
in 2013) to the Arctic Council. indigenous people of
Arctic Council was established the Arctic region
by the eight Arctic States have also been
through the Ottawa Declaration granted the status of
of 1996. These are— Canada, permanent
Denmark (including Greenland participants in the
and the Faroe Islands), Finland, Council.
Iceland, Norway, Russia, • All decision-making
Sweden and the United States. happens through
It is not a formalized treaty- consensus between
based international legal entity the permanent
and does not allocate members.
resources. • The Council does not
prohibit the
commercial
exploitation of
resources in the
Arctic.
Christchurch Call to Action Recently, a document called It outlines collective,
"Christchurch Call to Action" voluntary commitments
was signed and adopted with from governments and
participation from 26 nations, online service providers
including India. intended to address the
The initiative was taken up by issue of violent extremist
the governments of France and content online and to
New Zealand along with top prevent abuse of the
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social media companies after internet, while
the Christchurch attacks to maintaining
combat online extremism and international human
secure the Internet. right laws.
The signatories include
France, New Zealand,
and India among others.
US declined to join the
Call.
Aqaba (Jordan) Aqaba Process was established
by the Hashemite Kingdom of
Jordan to counter radicalization
and extremism in Arab World
and promote moderate Islam.
Mauna Loa (Hawai) Recently, for the first time, • The observatory is
global concentration of carbon part of the National
dioxide in the atmosphere have Oceanic and
crossed 415 parts per million Atmospheric
(ppm) mark as per Mauna Loa Administration
Observatory. (NOAA) Earth System
Mauna Loa Observatory (MLO) Research Laboratory
is the oldest continuous carbon (ESRL) Global
dioxide (CO2) measurement Monitoring Division
station in the world situated in (GMD).
Hawaii. • Keeling Curve is a
graph of the
accumulation of
carbon dioxide in the
Earth's atmosphere
based on continuous
measurements taken
at the Mauna Loa
Observatory.
Basel (Switzerland) Recently, 2019 joint • Rotterdam
Conferences of the Parties to Convention on the
the Basel (COP-14), Rotterdam Prior Informed
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(COP-09) and Stockholm Consent Procedure
(COP09) convention was held in (PIC) for Certain
Geneva. Hazardous Chemicals
and Pesticides in
• Basel Convention on the International Trade.
Control of Transboundary It’s jointly
Movements of Hazardous administered by the
Waste and their Disposal It United Nations Food
was created to address and Agriculture
concerns over the Organization (FAO)
management, disposal, and and UN Environment
Rotterdam (Netherland)
transboundary movement (UNEP).
of the estimated 400 million • Stockholm
tonnes of hazardous wastes Convention on
that are produced Persistent Organic
worldwide each year. Pollutants (POP) is a
global treaty to
protect human
health and the
environment from
chemicals that
remain intact in the
Stockholm (Sweden) environment for long
periods (POP),
become widely
distributed
geographically,
accumulate in the
fatty tissue of
humans and wildlife,
and have harmful
impacts on human
health or on the
environment.
Cyclone Fani Extremely severe cyclonic Fani The Saffir-Simpson
recently hit the Odisha coast. Hurricane Wind Scale is
With sustained winds of 240 a 1 to 5 rating based on
kmph, the storm was the a hurricane's sustained
equivalent of a Category 4 wind speed.
hurricane on the Saffir-Simpson This scale estimates
Hurricane Wind Scale. potential property
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damage.
Hurricanes reaching
Category 3 and higher
are considered major
hurricanes because of
their potential for
significant loss of life
and damage.
Algeria Recently, Algeria and Argentina Certification is granted
have been officially recognized when a country proves
by WHO as malaria-free. that it has interrupted
indigenous transmission
of the disease for at
least 3 consecutive
years. Globally, a total of
38 countries and
territories have now
been declared malaria-
Argentina free, with Maldives and
Sri Lanka achieving
status in 2015 and 2016
respectively.
SCO Members Recently, the countries of Currently, SCO has 8
Shanghai Cooperation Member States - China,
Organisation adopted the Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan,
Bishkek Declaration in 19th SCO Russia, Tajikistan,
summit, held at Kyrgyzstan’s Uzbekistan, India and
capital Bishkek. Pakistan; 4 Observer
SCO is a Eurasian political, States - Afghanistan,
economic, and military Belarus, Iran and
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Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan organisation. Along with BRICS, Mongolia and 6 Dialogue
SCO is seen as an attempt by Partners - Azerbaijan,
China & Russia to challenge the Armenia, Cambodia,
Western dominated global Nepal, Turkey and Sri
order and counter balances the Lanka.
activities of United States and Official working
NATO in Central Asia. languages of the
Shanghai Cooperation
Organisation are Chinese
and Russian.
It has two permanent
bodies — the SCO
Secretariat based in
Beijing and the Executive
Committee of the
Regional Anti-Terrorist
Structure (RATS) based
in Tashkent.
Osaka, Japan Recently, the 14th G-20 summit The 2019 G20 Summit in
was held in Osaka, Japan. Osaka discussed eight
The G20 Summit on Financial themes which are crucial
Markets and the World to ensure Global
Economy is held every year to Sustainable
discuss the critical issues Development, that are
affecting the global economy. Global Economy; Trade
and Investment;
Innovation; Environment
and Energy;
Employment; Women’s
Empowerment;
Development; and
Health.
ASEAN region Recently, the Association of Countries like USA,
Southeast Asian Nations Australia, France, India
(ASEAN) has adopted the and Japan had come up
‘ASEAN Outlook on the Indo- with their own individual
Pacific’. visions and strategies for
The Association of Southeast cooperation in the Indo-
Asian Nations (ASEAN) is a Pacific region. The
regional grouping that primary push for finally
promotes economic, political, concluding the ‘ASEAN
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and security cooperation Outlook on the Indo-
among its ten members: Pacific’ came with the
Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, growing US China trade
Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, the war as economies of
Philippines, Singapore, many Southeast Asian
Thailand, and Vietnam. countries has been
affected negatively.
Kaleshwaram, Telangana The Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Lift irrigation is a
project was inaugurated method of irrigation in
recently in Jayashankar which water instead of
Bhupalpally district of being transported by
Telangana. Kaleshwaram Lift natural flow (as in
Irrigation (KLIP) Project will be gravity-fed canal
world's largest multi-stage, systems) requires
multipurpose lift irrigation. It is external energy through
being built across Godavari animal, fuel based or
river. electric power using
pumps or other
mechanical means.The
advantage of lift
irrigation is the minimal
land acquisition problem
and low-water losses.
Versailles, France 28thJune 2019 marked the The treaty was a
100th anniversary of Treaty of consequence of six
Versailles, signed on 28th June months of Allied
1919 between Germany & negotiations at the Paris
Allied Powers that brought Peace Conference in
World War I to an end. 1919. The provisions of
the treaty were majorly
decided by Britain
(under David Lloyd
George), France (under
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Georges Clemenceau)
and USA (under
Woodrow Wilson). Both
Russia and Germany
were not given
representation at the
conference.
Persian Gulf Indian Navy launched INS Chennai and INS
Operation Sankalp in the Sunayna have been
Persian Gulf and the Gulf of deployed in the region
Oman to reassure Indian to undertake maritime
flagged vessels transiting security operations. In
through strategic shipping lane addition, aerial
between Strait of Hormuz, surveillance in the area
Persian/ Arabian Gulf Region is also being done by
are safe following the recent Indian Navy aircraft.
maritime incidents in the
region.
Mount Etna Mount Etna in southern Italy Mount Etna: is an active
and Mount Sinabung volcano in composite volcano on
Sumatra Island of western the east coast of Sicily,
Indonesia erupted recently. Italy. It lies above the
convergent plate margin
between the African
Plate and the Eurasian
Plate.
Mount Sinabung: It is a
composite volcano in
Mount Sinabung the Karo plateau of Karo
Regency, North Sumatra,
Indonesia. Indonesia has
nearly 130 active
volcanoes, more than
any other country.
It is a proposed pact between The objective of
Regional Comprehensive 10 ASEAN economies and six launching RCEP
Economic Partnership (RCEP) others (New Zealand, Australia, negotiations is to
China, India, Japan, and South achieve a modern,
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Korea) with which the grouping comprehensive, high
currently has FTAs. quality, and mutually
India recently backed out of the
beneficial economic
treaty citing domestic concerns.
partnership agreement
among the ASEAN
Member States and
ASEAN’s FTA partners.
Argentina/Chile Puerto Williams has been Earlier Ushuaia, in
upgraded to the category of Argentina was the
“city” by Chilean authorities, southernmost city.
making it the world’s
southernmost city.
North AtlanticTreaty The US Senate has passed a It will be part of the
Organisation (NATO) binding legislation to accord National Defense
India the same status as its Authorisation Act for the
other NATO allies — South current fiscal 2020. The
Korea, Japan and Australia. legislation paves the way
It follows the agreements like for improved maritime
• Logistics Exchange security and advanced
Memorandum of technology transfer
Agreement (LEMOA) between the two
• Communications, countries.
Compatibility and
Security Agreement
(COMCASA)
African Continental Free Recently, the 12th Summit of The AfCFTA would be
Trade Agreement the African Union (AU) saw 54 world’s largest FTA as it
of 55 of its member states would eventually create
signing the African Continental an African Common
Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) Market of 1.2 billion
for goods and services, with, 27 people and a GDP of
countries ratifying it. over $3.4 billion having a
global impact. The Free
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Trade zone should be
operational from July
2020, as countries
needed time to adapt to
the agreed changes.
Polymetallic Nodules in India will launch its ambitious Polymetallic nodules,
Oceans ‘Deep Ocean Mission’ by also called manganese
October, 2019 to enter hitherto nodules, are rock
untapped 75,000 sq km of area concretions formed of
in international waters to tap concentric layers of iron
vast marine resources. and manganese
India is the first country to have hydroxides around a
received the status of a pioneer core. It has been
investor in 1987 and was estimated that 380
allocated an exclusive area in Million Metric Tonnes of
Central Indian Ocean Basin by PMN are available at the
United Nations (UN) for bottom of the seas in
exploration and utilization of the Central Indian
nodules. Ocean.
Sargosso Sea Recently it was found that The Sargasso Sea lies
Sargasso seaweed algae belt is within the Northern
increasingly growing in Atlantic Subtropical
Sargosso Sea. It is named for a Gyre. While all other
genus of free-floating seaweed seas in the world are
called Sargassum. defined at least in part
The Sargasso Sea is a spawning by land boundaries, the
site for threatened and Sargasso Sea is defined
endangered eels, as well as only by ocean currents.
white marlin, porbeagle shark,
and dolphinfish. Humpback
whales annually migrate
through the Sargasso Sea.
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Mekong-Ganga Cooperation Recently, the 10th Mekong- It was launched in 2000
Ganga Cooperation Ministerial at Vientiane, Laos. Both
Meeting (10th MGC MM) was the Ganga and the
held in Bangkok, Thailand. Mekong are civilizational
It is an initiative by six countries rivers, and the MGC
– India and five ASEAN initiative aims to
countries, namely, Cambodia, facilitate closer contacts
Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and among the people
Vietnam for cooperation in inhabiting these two
tourism, culture, education, as major river basins. It is
well as transport and also indicative of the
communications. cultural and commercial
linkages among the
member countries of the
MGC down the
centuries.
G-7 Group Recently, India was invited as a Initially it was formed as
special guest for attending the an effort by the US and
45th G-7 Summit in France. its allies to discuss
About G-7 It is an economic issues, which
intergovernmental organisation included battling a
that was formed in 1975. global oil crisis. The G7
or 'Group of Seven' are
Way to remember: FCGURUJI Canada, France,
minus R (Russia) Germany, Italy, Japan,
the United Kingdom, and
the United States which
discuss issues such as
global economic
governance,
international security,
and energy policy.
Ken-Betwa River-interlinking Recently, the Union This interlinking project
Project. Government has approved the envisages diversion of
Kosi-Mechi river-interlinking part of surplus water of
project. Kosi river through
It is the country’s second major existing Hanuman Nagar
river interlinking project after barrage to the
Ken-Betwa of Madhya Pradesh. Mahananda basin.
Mechi is an important
tributary of Mahananda
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river. Its basin however
remains mostly deficient
in providing adequate
water for irrigation.
Hong Kong Hong Kong has seen months of The Basic Law provides
protests sparked by a people in Hong Kong
controversial plan to allow more political freedoms
extraditions to mainland China. than their counterparts
These protests have brought in mainland China. There
into focus the "one country, is a relatively free press,
two systems" deal under which an unregulated Internet
Hong Kong is governed. When and a less-controlled
Hong Kong was handed over to judiciary in Hong Kong.
China in 1997 by Britain, both But China has
sides agreed that the city would increasingly tried to
remain a semi-autonomous exert its influence on the
region under the Basic Law, its city in recent years,
mini-Constitution, for 50 years. raising concerns of the
city’s pro-democracy
groups. The protest
movement is leaderless.
Protesters are now
demanding greater
democracy and an
inquiry into alleged
police brutality during
past demonstrations.
Quadrilateral (QUAD) Recently, the four-way dialogue This meeting is a
between the US, Japan, India "significant elevation" of
and Australia - for a free and the dialogue efforts by
open Indo-Pacific - was held at the partners countries to
the foreign minister's level for advance cooperation in
the first time on the side-lines the Indo-Pacific region
of the UN General Assembly. as the Quadrilateral has
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The Quadrilateral Security so far met at the level of
Dialogue (also known as the Joint Secretary-rank
Quad) is currently an informal officials only.
but increasingly being
formalised, strategic dialogue
between the United States,
Japan, Australia and India.
Far-East Region (Russia) Recently, the 20th India-Russia
The focus of the visit
annual summit and the fifth was on the development
meeting of the Eastern of the Far East for which
Economic Forum (EEF) was held India has extended a $1
in Vladivostok, Russia. billion line of credit. The
Eastern Economic Forum
(EEF) established in 2015
aims to support the
economic development
of Russia’s Far East, and
to expand international
cooperation in the Asia-
Pacific region.
Cryosphere Recently the IPCC Special The cryosphere refers to
Report on the Ocean and frozen components of
Cryosphere in a Changing the Earth system that
Climate (SROCC) was released. are at or below the land
and ocean surface.
These include “snow,
glaciers, ice sheets, ice
shelves, icebergs, sea
ice, lake ice, river ice,
permafrost and
seasonally frozen
ground”.
Alps Mountain Range Recently, people came out to Recently, Iceland also
generate awareness regarding commemorated
an Alps glacier the “Pizol”, in Okjokull, the island’s
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the northeastern Switzerland, first glacier lost to
which has lost about 80 to 90% climate change.
of its volume since 2006 due to
global warming.
Mahabaleshwar,Maharashtra Mahabaleshwar in Maharashtra The heavy rain in and
received 7,175.4 mm rain as around Mahabaleshwar
against Mawsynram's 6,218.4 was because of the low
mm, Cherrapunji received pressure that had
around 6,082.7 mm rainfall as formed over West
per the India Meteorological Bengal, Odisha and the
Department (IMD). movement of this
Five rivers originate from system towards Central
Mahabaleshwar, including east India strengthened
flowing river Krishna its SouthWest monsoon.
tributaries Koyna, Venna, and
Gayatri and west flowing Savitri
which empties in Arabian sea
South Africa Recently, a new mineral, Goldschmidtite has high
Goldschmidtite, has been concentrations of
discovered inside a diamond niobium, potassium and
unearthed from a mine in South the rare-earth elements
Africa. The mineral has an lanthanum and cerium,
unusual chemical signature for whereas the rest of the
a mineral from Earth’s mantle. mantle is dominated by
other elements, such as
magnesium and iron.
United Kingdom (UK) India and the UK have agreed to United Kingdom consists
set up three new bilateral of:
working groups to tackle • England
barriers to trade in specific • Wales
sectors of food and drink, • Northern Ireland
healthcare and data services as • Scotland
part of the 13th Joint Economic
and Trade Committee (JETCO)
meeting.
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String of Pearls Pakistan- China is working on Sri Lanka- Recently,
China-Pakistan Economic China has donated a
Corridor, which even passes frigate to the Sri Lankan
through the Indian territory Navy, credit to procure
under Pakistan’s occupation. China-made
Chinese presence is there on counterinsurgency
Gwadar port. equipment among other
Bangladesh- As a member of areas. Chinese presence
China’s Belt and Road Initiative, is there on Hambantota
Bangladesh has seen an influx Port.
of Chinese investment in recent Maldives- China owns
times. China has become around 70 per cent of
Bangladesh’s top source for the Maldives’ debt.
arms imports. Chinese presence Maldives signed China's
is there on Chittagong port. Belt and Road Initiative,
changed laws to lease
out several prime islands
to China, and allowed
Beijing to build an
observation post in
Makunudhoo, which is
not far from India.
Myanmar- There is a
comprehensive strategic
cooperative partnership
between both countries.
Chinese presence is
there on Cocos Island.
Baku, Azerbaijan Recently, Vice-President The Non-Aligned
Venkaiah Naidu attended the Movement was formed
18th Non-Aligned Movement during the Cold War as
(NAM) summit at Baku in an organization of States
Azerbaijan. This is the second that did not seek to
time in a row that PM Narendra formally align
Modi has skipped the summit, themselves with either
marking India’s transformation the United States or the
from a non-aligned country to Soviet Union, but sought
one which is supposedly to remain independent
multialigned. This is seen as or neutral.
indication that NAM is losing
relevance in present global
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order.
Ethiopia and Eritrea The Nobel Peace Prize 2019 is Ethiopia and Eritrea,
awarded to Ethiopian Prime long-time foes, restored
Minister Abiy Ahmed Ali "for his relations in July 2018
efforts to achieve peace and after years of hostility.
international cooperation, and
in particular for his decisive
initiative to resolve the border
conflict with neighbouring
Eritrea."
Kurds and Kurdistan Recently Turkey attacked The Kurds are the
Kurdish-run territory in world’s largest stateless
northern Syria. The Turkish ethnic group. They live
government fears Kurd- in the highlands of
dominated forces in Syria will southern and eastern
link up with Kurdish rebels in Turkey, northern Iraq,
Turkey, who have been fighting the north-eastern Syria,
for a breakaway state for north-western Iran, and
decades. parts of south Armenia,
and are a minority in
each of these countries.
Small communities live
in Georgia, Kazakhstan,
Lebanon, and eastern
Iran as well.
Rohingya Refugee Issue Around 6000-7000 Rohingya The island was formed
refugees in Bangladesh are to with the Himalayan silt
be relocated to the newly built in 2006 on the mouth of
camp on the Bhashan Char river Meghna. Rohingyas
Island, Bangladesh. Bhashan are ethnic group, largely
Char, also known as Thengar comprising Muslims,
Char is located in the Bay of found in Rakhine state of
Bengal. Myanmar. Myanmar
Nationality Law 1982
denied citizenship to
Rohingya population.
Thailand Recently, the Culture Khon Masked Dance
Department of Uttar Pradesh Drama in Thailand is a
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government organised the performing art which
country’s first training and involve graceful dance
performance programme of movements,
KHON Ramlila in collaboration instrumental and vocal
with Thailand government. renditions and glittering
Khon Ramlila of Thailand is costumes that depict the
included in the list of UNESCO’s glory of Rama. It has no
Intangible cultural heritage. dialogues and
background voices
narrate the whole story
of Ramayana.
BRICS Recently 11th BRICS Summit New Development Bank
was held in Brasilia, Brazil with (NDB) is BRICS most
the theme "Economic Growth tangible achievement.
for an Innovative Future.” Every BRICS country
A British economist Jim O’Neill contributes equally to its
had coined the acronym “BRIC” capital and has equal
in 2001, identifying four high voting rights. The
growth economies that could Contingent Reserve
dominate the world by 2050. Arrangement as an
Later in 2010, South Africa alternative to the IMF;
became the 5th member of the the Global Financial
grouping making it BRICS. Messaging System
(GFMS) created by the
Bank of Russia as a
safeguard against entire
states being weaned off
from SWIFT.
UNESCO’s Creative Cities UNESCO has announced that The initiative was
Network Mumbai and Hyderabad have created in 2004 to
been included amongst the 66 promote cooperation
cities selected in its network of with and among cities
'Creative Cities' on the occasion that have identified
of World Cities Day 2019. creativity as a strategic
Mumbai has been designated factor for sustainable
as Creative City of Films and urban development.
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Hyderabad a Creative City of The Network covers
Gastronomy. seven creative fields:
Earlier, Chennai and Varanasi Crafts and Folk Arts,
were selected UNESCO cities of Media Arts, Film, Design,
music while Jaipur is the City of Gastronomy, Literature,
Crafts and Folk Arts. Music.
Palestine (Golan Heights, Recently, India released third India’s investment
West Bank, Gaza strip) section of funding worth $3 towards the park is part
million for the construction of a of an agreement signed
Palestine India Techno Park. for setting up of a
The techno park is to create techno park with Indian
business environment and grant of $12 million,
culture that will enable which is to be released
knowledge-based and creative $3 million on a half-
enterprises as well as yearly basis.
technology clusters to
successfully operate locally,
regionally and globally.
IORA Recently, 6th Indian Ocean Indian Ocean Rim
Dialogue (IOD) was held in Association is an
Delhi. The IOD is a flagship intergovernmental
initiative of the Indian Ocean organisation aimed at
Rim Association (IORA). It is a strengthening regional
Track 1.5 discussion, cooperation and
encouraging an open and free sustainabledevelopment
flowing dialogue by academia within the Indian Ocean
and officials on strategic issues region. The Association
of the Indian Ocean Region. has 22 member states
and 9 dialogue partners.
Portugal Portuguese Prime Minister The first edition of the
Antonio Costa recently prize would be
announced setting up of a dedicated to animal
Gandhi Citizenship Education welfare.
Prize. The prize would be
inspired by Gandhi’s thoughts
and quotes and will be given
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every year.
Atal Tunnel Recently, Prime Minister It is being built by Border
named Rohtang tunnel as Atal Roads Organisation
Tunnel. Rohtang tunnel is 8.8- (BRO). It will provide all
kilometre long tunnel, through weather connectivity to
Pir Panjal Range, is the world's Manali in Himachal
longest tunnel above an Pradesh with Leh,
altitude of 3,000 metres. Ladakh, and Jammu
Kashmir.
South China Sea China has reportedly deployed One third of global
an airship near South China Sea shipping, or a total of
(SCS) to monitor and control US$3.37 trillion of
military activity in the area by international trade,
other countries, especially the passes through the
United States. China claims South China Sea.
more than 80 per cent. China’s Philippines, Vietnam,
“nine-dash line” is a China, Brunei, Taiwan
geographical marker used to and Malaysia hold
assert its claim. It stretches as different, sometimes
far as 2,000km from the overlapping, territorial
Chinese mainland, reaching claims over the sea,
waters close to Indonesia and based on various
Malaysia. accounts of history and
geography.
Israel-Palestine (Jerusalem) US President Donald Trump It is home to some of the
unveiled his Middle East peace holiest sites in both
plan, Peace to Prosperity: A Judaism and Islam, and
Vision to Improve the Lives of so both Israel and
the Palestinian and Israeli Palestine want to make
People aimed at solving the it their capital.
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Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It is an Important
Jerusalem is situated on the pilgrimage for Christians
border between Israel and the as well whose holiest
West Bank. Church of Sepulcher is
located here.
It also hosts the third
holiest site of Islam, the
dome of the rock, which
is one of the oldest
extant works of Islamic
architecture.
The western wall or the
Buraq wall is the ancient
limestone wall in this
city. It is considered holy
due to its connection to
the temple mount.
Gambia Recently, the International In November 2019, the
Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Republic of the Gambia
Myanmar must take effective moved the ICJ against
measures to protect its Myanmar over alleged
Rohingya Muslims, including violations of the
protecting evidence relating to Convention on the
allegations of genocide. Prevention and
Punishment of the Crime
of Genocide. Gambia
was backed by the 57-
member Organisation
for Islamic Cooperation
(OIC).
Baghdad, Iraq Recently, there was a major Islamic Revolutionary
escalation in tensions between Guard Corps (IRGC), also
the US and Iran after an air raid called Pasdaran, is a
at Iraq's airport in Baghdad, the branch of the Iranian
US struck and killed Qassem armed forces,
Soleimani, the head of Iran's independent of Iran’s
elite Quds Force. Quds Force is regular army. It is tasked
a wing of IRGC which is with preserving the
responsible primarily for its Islamic Republic of Iran
foreign operations. and the ideals of the
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1979 revolution.
Bodoland The 3rd Bodo Peace Accord as Bodos are the single
tripartite agreement between largest tribal community
the Centre, Assam Government in Assam, making up
and the banned Assam-based over 5-6% of the state’s
insurgent group National population. The Bodos
Democratic Front of Bodoland have had a long history
(NDFB) was signed on 27th of separatist demands,
January 2020, for bringing a marked by armed
lasting peace in Bodo- struggle. The four
dominated areas in Assam. districts in Assam —
Kokrajhar, Baksa,
Udalguri and Chirang —
that constitute the Bodo
Territorial Area District
(BTAD), are home to
Bodos along with several
other ethnic groups.
Bru-Reang Refugee Crisis A four-party agreement among Mizo is a generic term
the Centre, Mizoram used for the people
government, Tripura living in Mizoram.
government, and leaders of Bru The Bru community, also
community was signed to end referred to as Reangs,
the 23-year old Bru-Reang resides in Mizoram,
refugee crisis. Tripura, and parts of
southern Assam, and is
ethnically distinct from
the Mizos of Mizoram.
Reangs in Tripura are
categorised as
Particularly Vulnerable
Tribal Group (PVTG).
There are over 40,000
Brus living in four
districts of Mizoram.
Ramsar Sites The Ramsar Convention has The new ones are:
declared 10 more wetlands in • Nandur
India as sites of international Madhameshwar,
importance. This brings the Maharashtra
total number of Ramsar sites in • Saman Bird
India to 37 from 27. Sanctuary (Mainpuri,
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UP)
• Nawabganj Bird
Sanctuary (Unnao,
UP):
• Samaspur Bird
Sanctuary (Raebareli,
UP):
• Sandi Bird Sanctuary
(Hardoi, UP)
• Parvati Arga Bird
Sanctuary (UP)
• Nangal Wildlife
Sanctuary (Punjab)
• Sarsai Nawar Jheel
(Etawah, UP)
• Beas Conservation
Reserve (Punjab)
• Keshopur-Miani
Community Reserve
(Punjab)
Palau (Pacific Ocean) Palau (located in the western Other places to
Pacific Ocean) has become first announce similar ban
country to ban sun cream that include the US Virgin
is harmful to corals and sea life. Islands, where the law
The ban came into effect on takes effect in March;
January 1, 2020. An ingredient the US state of Hawaii,
in sunscreen products - the ban comes into
oxybenzone - is considered to effect in 2021, and the
be particularity harmful. Dutch Caribbean island
of Bonaire.
Battle of Çanakkale Speaking to MPs at a joint The Battle of Çanakkale,
Turkey session of Pakistan’s also known as the
Parliament, Turkey’s President Gallipoli campaign or the
Recep Tayyip Erdogan Dardanelles campaign, is
expressed his country’s deep considered to be one of
love and affection for Pakistan, the bloodiest of World
strongly backed its position on War I, during which the
IASBABA 39PRELIMS EXCLUSIVE PROGRAMME (PEP)-MAP BASED
Kashmir. Erdogan went on to Ottoman army faced off
say that what happened in against the Allied forces,
Turkey during World War I was leading to the slaughter
now happening in Kashmir, that of tens of thousands of
is the Battle of Çanakkale. soldiers on both sides. It
was an unsuccessful
attempt by the Allied
Powers to control the
sea route from Europe
to Russia during World
War I.
Northern European Enclosure A mammoth Northern Two dams of a combined
Dam European Enclosure Dam length of 637 km will be
(NEED) has been proposed to constructed.
protect millions of people and First dam will be built
important economic regions of between northern
15 Northern European Scotland and western
Countries from rising seas as a Norway, measuring 476
result of climate change. km and with an average
depth of 121 m and
maximum depth of 321
m.
The second dam will be
built between France
and southwestern
England, of length 161
km, and average depth
of 85 m and maximum
depth of 102 m.
Mt. Aconcagua A 12-year old Mumbai student, It is the highest peak of
Kaamya Karthikeyan has set a the Andes Mountains in
record of becoming the Argentina, South
youngest in the world to America. It is the highest
summit Mt. Aconcagua. mountain outside of
Asia, with a summit
elevation of 6,960.8
metres. The mountain is
one of the so-called
Seven Summits of the
seven continents.
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Yongle Blue Hole (YBH) Cave more than 8,000 years old It is the deepest known
lies deep inside a yawning marine cavern. Located
sinkhole in the South China Sea. in the Xisha Islands of
the South China Sea
(SCS). It measures
roughly 300 metres from
top to bottom. Its waters
are mostly isolated from
the surrounding ocean
and receive little fresh
water from rainfall,
making it a rare spot to
study the chemistry of
oxygen-deprived marine
ecosystems.
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