Type: India Mapping

Why in the News?

The Odisha government has notified Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR) as a national park, covering 845.70 sq/km. It is the 107th national park and the second in eastern Odisha, following Bhitarkanika.

About Similipal National Park:

• Situated in the Mayurbhanj district of northern Odisha, Similipal is surrounded by high plateaus and hills.
• It includes the Khairiburu and Meghashini peaks, rising to 1,515 meters above sea level.
• The park has a diverse terrain with hills, open grasslands, and wooded areas, supporting various species.
• Flora: The park is home to 1,078 plant species, including 94 species of orchids, with Sal trees dominating the forests.
• Fauna: It boasts diverse wildlife, including leopards, gaurs, elephants, sloth bears, and pangolins. Similipal also supports migratory birds like Bar-headed geese and Brahmini ducks.
• Several indigenous tribes inhabit the region, such as Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, and Khadia.
• Similipal was declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956, included under Project Tiger in 1973, and became a Biosphere Reserve in 2009.

Melanistic Tigers of Similipal:

• Similipal is home to the world’s only wild population of pseudo-melanistic tigers, with 13 known to inhabit the area.
• These tigers have a distinct appearance due to higher melanin levels, causing a unique, black-striped coat.
• The mutation in the Taqpep gene makes these tigers pseudo-melanistic.

Why in the News?

Naini Lake, one of Nainital’s key attractions, has recorded a water level of 4.7 feet, marking a 5-year low, sparking concerns about drinking water scarcity as the summer season approaches.

About Naini Lake

• Naini Lake is situated in the heart of Nainital, a hill station in the Indian state of Uttarakhand. It is surrounded by seven hills.
• The lake is natural kidney-shaped and is one of the main attractions of Nainital.
• It was discovered by P. Barron, an English businessman, in the mid-19th century, which led to the development of Nainital as a hill station.
• The deepest point of Naini Lake is 89 feet.
• The normal gauge level of the lake is 12 feet, and its water level has recently dropped to 4.7 feet, marking a five-year low.

Other Important Lakes in India (Artificial and Manmade):

Why in the News?

Anchar Lake, a vital water body in Kashmir, is renowned for producing Nadru (lotus stem), an aquatic delicacy that holds cultural, culinary, and economic significance in the region.

About Anchar Lake 

• Anchar Lake is situated in Soura, Srinagar near Ganderbal.
• It is connected to Dal Lake via Amir Khan Nallah, which passes through Gilsar and Khushal Sar Lakes.
• The lake is a part of the Sindh River Delta and plays a crucial role in supporting local aquatic ecosystems.
• It is an integral part of the Shallabugh Wetland, which covers 1,675 hectares and serves as a designated bird sanctuary.

• Its features:

• • It provides an essential habitat for migratory birds and various native aquatic species.
  • It functions as a flood-control reservoir, receiving excess water from Dal Lake during heavy rainfall.
  • It is home to the Hanji community, whose livelihood traditionally depended on fishing and other lake-based activities.

Why in the News?

The Karnataka government’s move to build a tribal village in Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary’s buffer zone has sparked debates on environmental conservation, tribal rights, and human-wildlife conflict.

About Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary:

• The Brahmagiri WLS is located in Kodagu District, Karnataka, within the Western Ghats.
• It serves as a crucial ecological corridor, facilitating wildlife movement between Nagarhole National Park and Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary.

• Geographical Location and Features

• • It is situated approximately 250 km from Bengaluru and derives its name from the Brahmagiri Peak, the highest point in the region.
  • The sanctuary was declared a protected area on June 5, 1974, to conserve its unique flora and fauna.
  • The terrain consists of evergreen and semi-evergreen forests, grasslands, and shola forests, which provide a habitat for various species.

• Flora:

• • Bamboo species are widely spread across the region, providing food for herbivores like elephants and deer.
  • The diverse vegetation supports a wide range of faunal species by offering food, shelter, and nesting sites.

• Fauna:

• • Carnivores: Tigers, jungle cats, leopard cats, wild dogs, and sloth bears.
  • Herbivores: Indian elephants, gaurs, sambars, spotted deer, barking deer, mouse deer, and wild pigs.
  • Primates: Lion-tailed macaques, Nilgiri langurs, slender loris, bonnet macaques, and common langurs.
  • Small Mammals & Rodents: Malabar giant squirrels, giant flying squirrels, Nilgiri martens, common otters, brown mongooses, civets, porcupines, and pangolins.
  • Reptiles: King cobras, Indian cobras, pythons, Malabar pit vipers.
  • Birds: Emerald doves, square-tailed bulbuls, and Malabar trogons.