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Type: India Mapping

  • Russian Invasion of Ukraine: Global Implications

    Why is the Black Sea crucial to Russia?

    India Mapping | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: International Institutions

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Black Sea mapping

    Mains level: Read the attached story

    The sinking of the huge Russian warship Moskva whether due to a Ukrainian missile strike or, as Russia claims, a fire on board — is a serious setback for Russia in the Black Sea.

    About Black Sea

    • The famed water body is bound by Ukraine to the north and northwest, Russia and Georgia to the east, Turkey to the south, and Bulgaria and Romania to the west.
    • It links to the Sea of Marmara through the Bosphorus and then to the Aegean through the Dardanelles.

    Significance of Black Sea for Russia

    • Domination of the Black Sea region is a geostrategic imperative for Moscow.
    • Black Sea has traditionally been Russia’s warm water gateway to Europe.
    • For Russia, the Black Sea is both a stepping stone to the Mediterranean.
    • It acts as a strategic buffer between NATO and itself.
    • It showcases the Russian power in the Mediterranean and to secure the economic gateway to key markets in southern Europe.
    • The Rhine-Main-Danube canal connects the Black Sea to the Atlantic Ocean and the North Sea and the port of Odessa serves as a vital link between Ukraine and the outside world.

    Black Sea in the Ukraine war

    • Russia has been making efforts to gain complete control over the Black Sea since the Crimean crisis of 2014.
    • During the ongoing invasion, the domination of the Black Sea has been a major Russian objective, along with the land bridge to connect Russia and Crimea.
    • As such, there have been intense efforts to capture Mariupol, the Sea of Azov port in the breakaway eastern Ukrainian oblast of Donetsk.
    • Mariupol appeared close to falling to the Russians.

    Sinking of the Moskva

    • The sinking of the Moskva is believed to be the worst loss in the history of naval warfare.
    • It was sunk by shore-based anti-ship cruise missiles which took advantage of bad weather and used decoy UAV attacks to defeat the ship’s air defence systems.
    • It demonstrates the success of outside-the-box measures adopted by Ukraine in the war.

     

    Must answer this PYQ in the comment box:

    Q.Consider the following pairs:

    Sea Bordering country
    1. Adriatic Sea Albania
    2. Black Sea Croatia
    3. Caspian Sea Kazakhstan
    4. Mediterranean Sea Morocco
    5. Red Sea Syria

    Which of the pair given above are correctly matched? (CSP 2020)

    (a) 1, 2 and 4 only

    (b) 1, 3 and 4 only

    (c) 2 and 5 only

    (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

     

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  • Tourism Sector

    Places in news: Nadabet- the Wagah of Gujarat

    India Mapping | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Indian Economy

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Nadabet, Seema Darshan Project

    Mains level: Promoting Border Tourism

    As part of the Seema Darshan project, Union Home Minister inaugurated an Indo-Pakistan border viewing point in Nadabet in Gujarat, around 188 km from Ahmedabad.

    Where is Nadabet?

    • Located in the Rann of Kutch region, Nadabet is also known as the ‘Wagah of Gujarat’.
    • It is connected by a narrow bitumen road cutting across mudflats that get inundated during high-tide.
    • The biggest attraction of the Seema Darshan Project is the access provided to civilians to view the fenced international border with Pakistan at ‘Zero Point’.
    • This is guarded round the clock by the Border Security Force (BSF) in Banaskantha district of Gujarat.
    • Pakistan is around 150 metres from the border pillar 960 at Nadabet.
    • Though the BSF conducts a parade similar to the one held at Attari-Wagah border in Punjab every evening during sunset, there won’t be anyone present across the border on the Pakistani side.

    What is the Seema Darshan Project?

    • The Seema Darshan project is a joint initiative of the tourism department of the Gujarat state government and the BSF Gujarat Frontier.
    • The focus is to develop border-tourism in the region which has a sparse population and even sparser vegetation.
    • The project aims to boost tourism as well as restrict migration from the villages across the border to the Indian side.

    Role of Nadabet in 1971 Indo-Pak War

    • Nadabet played a key role in the 1971 Indo-Pakistan War.
    • It was in this region that the BSF not only stalled the enemy trying to invade from the west, but also captured 15 enemy posts.
    • During the war, the BSF had captured 1,038 square km of Pakistan territory in Nagarparkar and Diplo areas.
    • The area was returned to Pakistan after the Shimla Agreement was signed.

     

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  • Foreign Policy Watch: India-Australia

    Places in news: Solomon Islands

    India Mapping | International Relations | Mains Paper 2: India & Its Neighborhood – Relations

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Solomon Islands

    Mains level: Chinese expansion in Pacific

    The Solomon Islands has defended plans to sign a security deal with Beijing that could allow China to boost its military presence in the South Pacific island nation. This has left Australia very concerned.

    Solomon Islands

    • Solomon Islands is a sovereign country consisting of six major islands and over 900 smaller islands in Oceania, to the east of Papua New Guinea and northwest of Vanuatu.
    • It has a land area of 28,400 square kilometres and a population of 652,858.[10] Its capital, Honiara, is located on the largest island, Guadalcanal.
    • The country takes its name from the Solomon Islands archipelago, which is a collection of Melanesian islands.
    • It also includes the North Solomon Islands (a part of Papua New Guinea), but excludes outlying islands, such as the Santa Cruz Islands and Rennell and Bellona.
    • The islands have been settled since at least some time between 30,000 and 28,800 BCE, with later waves of migrants, notably the Lapita people, mixing and producing the modern indigenous Solomon Islanders population.

     

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  • Trade Sector Updates – Falling Exports, TIES, MEIS, Foreign Trade Policy, etc.

    Egypt hikes Suez Canal transit fees for ship

    India Mapping | International Relations | Mains Paper 3: Achievements Of Indians In S&T

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Suez Canal

    Mains level: NA

    Cash-strapped Egypt increased transit fees for ships passing through the Suez Canal, one of the world’s most crucial waterways, with hikes of up to 10%.

    Suez Canal

    • The Suez Canal is an artificial sea-level waterway in Egypt, connecting the Mediterranean Sea to the Red Sea through the Isthmus of Suez; and dividing Africa and Asia.
    • Constructed by the Suez Canal Company between 1859 and 1869, it officially opened on 17 November 1869.
    • The canal was earlier controlled by British and French interests in its initial years but was nationalized in 1956 by Egypt’s then leader Gamal Abdel Nasser.
    • It extends from the northern terminus of Port Said to the southern terminus of Port Tewfik at the city of Suez.
    • Its length is 193.30 km including its northern and southern access channels.

    Its significance

    • The Suez Canal provides a crucial link for oil, natural gas and cargo being shipping from East to West.
    • About 10% of global trade, including 7% of the world’s oil, flows through the Suez Canal.
    • It provides a major shortcut for ships moving between Europe and Asia, who before its construction had to sail around Africa to complete the same journey.
    • As per a report, the canal is a major source of income for Egypt’s economy, with the African country earning $5.61 billion in revenues from it last year.

    Try this PYQ:

    Q.Between India and East Asia, the navigation time and distance can be greatly reduced by which of the following?

    1. Deepening the Malacca straits between Malaysia and Indonesia.
    2. Opening a new canal across the Kra isthmus between the Gulf of Siam and Andaman sea.

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    (a) 1 only

    (b) 2 only

    (c) Both 1 and 2

    (d) Neither 1 nor 2

     

    Post your answers here.

     

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  • Climate Change Impact on India and World – International Reports, Key Observations, etc.

    Places in news: Erra Matti Dibbalu

    India Mapping | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Erra Matti Dibbalu

    Mains level: NA

    Citizens join hands to preserve the geological marvel of Erra Matti Dibbalu in Visakhapatnam.

    What is Erra Matti Dibbalu?

    • Located between Visakhapatnam and Bheemunipatnam, the Erra Matti Dibbalu are rare red sand dunes that are a reminder of the million years of geological processes.
    • Its towering red sand dunes with patches of greenery is like a meandering maze.
    • The width of the dunes, which runs for five kilometres along the coast, varies from 200 metres to two kilometres.
    • It is listed among the 34 notified National Geological Heritage Monument Sites of India by the Geological Survey of India.

    (Don’t they resemble to Ravines of Chambal?)

    Its formation

    • Studies indicate that the area was tectonically active between 2.5 million years and 11,000 years ago.
    • The sediments are mainly derived from the Khondalite rocks from the hinterland of the Eastern Ghats.
    • Geologically these red sand dune sediments particularly hold significance.
    • They are the result of the combined effect of numerous factors including global climatic changes, sea-level variations, monsoonal variability and as a result serves as valuable paleo-environment indicators.

     

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  • Wetland Conservation

    Places in news: Basai Wetlands

    India Mapping | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Basai Wetlands

    Mains level: Not Much

    The Basai Wetlands in Gurugram has shrunk to a quarter of its original size over the years.

    Basai Wetlands

    • Basai wetland, located in Basai village in Gurgaon Haryana is a flora and fauna rich water body.
    • It lies in one of the paleochannel of the Sahibi River, a tributary of Yamuna which originates from the Aravalli range in Rajasthan and flows through the region.

    Its significance

    • It is recognized as one of India’s Important Bird and Biodiversity Areas and is of global conservation significance.
    • It supports populations of several endangered, vulnerable, and threatened bird species.
    • It is recognized globally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) by the BirdLife International housing 20,000 birds of over 280 species including migratory birds and endangered birds.
    • However, it has not yet been declared a protected wetland by the Government of Haryana.

    Threats

    • Given the accelerated expansion of the city of the future, the wetland continues to disappear under newly laid roads, modern housing constructions and other infrastructure development.
    • An upcoming expressway, cutting through the terrain here, has majorly impacted the flyway of thousands of migratory birds from Europe and Central Asia.

     

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  • Wildlife Conservation Efforts

    Places in news: Sultanpur National Park

    India Mapping | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 3: Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation, Eia

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Sultanpur National Park

    Mains level: NA

    Homestays would soon be allowed in the villages around Sultanpur National Park in Gurugram to promote tourism and provide an opportunity for the visitors to catch a glimpse of rural life in Haryana.

    Sultanpur National Park

    • Sultanpur NP is located at Sultanpur village on Gurugram-Jhajjar highway, 15 km from Gurugram, Haryana and 50 km from Delhi.
    • It was a bird sanctuary, ideal for birding and bird lookers. Its area covers approximately 142.52 hectares.
    • Migratory birds start arriving in the park in September. Birds use the park as a resting place till the following March-April.
    • During summer and monsoon months the park is inhabited by many local bird species.
    • In April 1971, the Sultanpur Jheel inside the park (an area of 1.21 sq. km.) was accorded Sanctuary status under section 8 of the Punjab Wildlife Preservation Act of 1959.
    • The status of the park was upgraded to National Park under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 in July 1991.

    Why must we remember it?

    • It is one of the few NPs in the small state of Haryana.
    • Another NP in Haryana is Kalesar National Park.

    Important Fauna at the Park

    • Mammals: Blackbuck, Nilgai, Hog deer, Sambar, Leopard etc.
    • Birds: Siberian Cranes, Greater Flamingo, Demoiselle Crane etc.

     

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  • Indian Army Updates

    [pib] Sela Pass Tunnel Project

    India Mapping | Economics | Mains Paper 3: Infrastructure: Energy, Ports, Roads, Airports, Railways Etc.

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Sela Pass

    Mains level: Critical border infrastructures

    The final blast for the 980-metre long Sela Tunnel was recently conducted by the Border Roads Organisation (BRO) amidst inclement weather and heavy snowfall.

    Sela Pass Tunnel Project

    • The tunnel covers a total distance of 12.04 kms which consist of two tunnels of 1790 metres and 475 meters.
    • It is being built at an estimated cost of ₹687 crores by the Border Roads Organisation.
    • It aims to provide all weather connectivity to Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh — an area claimed entirely by China — and other forward areas.
    • Once built it will cut travel time to Tawang by at least an hour for Indian troops stationed in adjoining Assam’s Tezpur town — the headquarters of the Indian army’s IV Corps.

    Strategic Importance

    • The lack of motorable roads and rail connections in India’s northeast and Arunachal Pradesh in particular were seen as distinct disadvantages for India vis a vis China in the region.
    • Analysts had been warning of China building infrastructure including access roads right up to the Indian border that would give it a strategic advantage in any conflict with India.
    • Once completed this would result in all weather connectivity to Tawang and forward areas and reduction in more than one hour of travelling time from Tezpur to Tawang.

     

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  • Global Geological And Climatic Events

    Undersea Volcanic Eruption in Hunga Islands, Tonga

    India Mapping | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Geographical Features & Their Location

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Hunga Volcano

    Mains level: Not Much

    A distant undersea volcano has erupted in spectacular fashion near the Pacific nation of Tonga sending large tsunami waves reaching the shore.

    Hunga Volcano

    • The Hunga-Tonga-Hunga-Ha’apai volcano has erupted regularly over the past few decades.
    • It consists of two small uninhabited islands, Hunga-Ha’apai and Hunga-Tonga, poking about 100m above sea level 65km north of Tonga’s capital Nuku’alofa.
    • But hiding below the waves is a massive volcano, around 1800m high and 20 kilometres wide.
    • During events in 2009 and 2014/15 hot jets of magma and steam exploded through the waves. But these eruptions were small, dwarfed in scale by the January 2022 events.
    • Researchers suggest this is one of the massive explosions the volcano is capable of producing roughly every thousand years.

    Impact of the eruption

    • The ash plume is already about 20km high.
    • Most remarkably, it spread out almost concentrically over a distance of about 130km from the volcano, creating a plume with a 260km diameter, before it was distorted by the wind.
    • The eruption also produced a tsunami throughout Tonga and neighbouring Fiji and Samoa.
    • Shock waves traversed many thousands of kilometres, were seen from space, and recorded in New Zealand some 2000km away.
    • All these signs suggest the large Hunga caldera has awoken.

    Why is it so explosive even after being underwater?

    Answer: Fuel-coolant interaction

    • If magma rises into sea water slowly, even at temperatures of about 1200 degrees Celsius, a thin film of steam forms between the magma and water.
    • This provides a layer of insulation to allow the outer surface of the magma to cool.
    • But this process doesn’t work when magma is blasted out of the ground full of volcanic gas.
    • When magma enters the water rapidly, any steam layers are quickly disrupted, bringing hot magma in direct contact with cold water.
    • Volcano researchers call this ‘fuel-coolant interaction’ and it is akin to weapons-grade chemical explosions.

    A chain reaction

    • Extremely violent blasts tear the magma apart.
    • A chain reaction begins, with new magma fragments exposing fresh hot interior surfaces to water, and the explosions repeat, ultimately jetting out volcanic particles and causing blasts with supersonic speeds.

    How has it emerged out to be so big?

    • The caldera is a crater-like depression around 5km across.
    • Small eruptions (such as in 2009 and 2014/15) occur mainly at the edge of the caldera, but very big ones come from the caldera itself.
    • These big eruptions are so large the top of the erupting magma collapses inward, deepening the caldera.
    • Looking at the chemistry of past eruptions, we now think the small eruptions represent the magma system slowly recharging itself to prepare for a big event.

    What next?

    • This latest eruption has stepped up the scale in terms of violence.
    • Researchers are still in the middle of this major eruptive sequence and many aspects remain unclear, partly because the island is currently obscured by ash clouds.

     

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  • Oil and Gas Sector – HELP, Open Acreage Policy, etc.

    Places in news: Darvaza Gas Crater

    India Mapping | Enviro & Biodiversity | Mains Paper 1: Distribution Of Key Natural Resources Across The World

    Note4Students

    From UPSC perspective, the following things are important:

    Prelims level: Darvaza Gas Crater, TAPI gas pipeline

    Mains level: Not Much

    Turkmenistan President has ordered experts to find a way to extinguish a fire in a huge natural gas crater, the Darvaza gas crater also known as the ‘Gateway to Hell’.

    Darvaza Gas Crater

    • Located in the Karakum desert, 260 kilometres away from Turkmenistan’s capital, Ashgabat, the crater has been burning for the last 50 years.
    • The crater is 69 metres wide and 30 metres deep.
    • While the details of the origin of the crater are contested but it has been said that the crater was created in 1971 during a Soviet drilling operation.
    • In 1971, Soviet geologists were drilling for oil in the Karakum desert when they hit a pocket of natural gas by mistake, which caused the earth to collapse and ended up forming three huge sinkholes.

    Why is it flamed?

    • This pocket of natural gas contained methane, hence to stop that methane from leaking into the atmosphere, the scientists lit it with fire, assuming the gas present in the pit would burn out within a few weeks.
    • The scientists seemed to have misjudged the amount of gas present in the pit, because the crater has been on fire for five decades now.

    A popular tourist attraction

    • The crater has become a significant tourist attraction in Turkmenistan.
    • In 2018, the country’s president officially renamed it as the “Shining of Karakum”.

    Why did Turkmenistan order to extinguish it?

    • Calling it a human-made crater, it has negative effects on both environment and the health of the people living nearby.
    • It also ends up losing valuable natural resources for which could fetch significant profits.

    How harmful are methane leaks?

    • Methane is the primary contributor to the formation of ground-level ozone, a hazardous air pollutant and greenhouse gas, exposure to which causes 1 million premature deaths every year.
    • Methane is also a powerful greenhouse gas. Over a 20-year period, it is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide.

    Back2Basics: TAPI Gas Pipeline

    • The Turkmenistan–Afghanistan–Pakistan–India (TAPI) Pipeline is a natural gas pipeline being developed with the participation of the Asian Development Bank.
    • It will be a 1,814km trans-country natural gas pipeline running across four countries.
    • It will transport natural gas from the Galkynysh Gas Field in Turkmenistan through Afghanistan into Pakistan and then to India.
    • The plan for the TAPI project was originally conceived in the 1990s to generate revenue from Turkmenistan’s gas reserves by exporting natural gas via Afghanistan to Pakistan and India.
    • Construction on the project started in Turkmenistan on 13 December 2015, work on the Afghan section began in February 2018, and work on the Pakistani section was planned to commence in December 2018.
    • Presently, the construction work has been stalled due to terror activities of Taliban in Afghanistan since few years.

     

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