PLACES IN NEWS 14th APRIL 2025

 

Mount Spurr

 

Why in news?

1. Dozens of mini-earthquakes have rattled Alaska's Mount Spurr recently, sparking fears among scientists that the towering 11,000-foot volcano may be on the verge of a major eruption.

About Mount Spurr:

1. Mount Spurr is an active stratovolcano located in the north-central Cook Inlet region, about 100 km west of Anchorage, Alaska.
2. It lies at the southern edge of a break in the Alaska Range.
3. The volcano is mostly composed of andesite, a volcanic rock typical of explosive eruptions.
4. It forms a complex volcanic structure consisting of:
   • A breached stratovolcano,
   • A lava dome at its summit, and
   • Crater Peak, a small stratocone on its southern flank.
5. The volcano reaches a height of approximately 3,000 metres.
6. At its summit lies a 5 by 6 km wide caldera, which houses an active icefield and several glaciers.
7. Around 10,000 years ago, a crater collapse created the nearby Chakachamna Lake.
8. Mount Spurr's most recent eruption occurred in 1992, causing significant ashfall and disrupting air travel in the region.
1. Due to its ice and snow cover, the volcano poses unique hazards during eruptions, especially in terms of lahars and ash clouds.
10. It remains closely monitored due to its proximity to populated areas and air traffic routes.
     

India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC)

Why in news?

1. Italy will co-host the India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC) ministerial meeting in late 2025, as announced by Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani.

About India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEC):

1. Overview:
   1. 1. The India-Middle East-Europe Economic Corridor (IMEEC) is a multimodal connectivity initiative launched at the G20 Summit in New Delhi (2023).
      2. It aims to develop trade and transport infrastructure linking India, the Middle East, and Europe to enhance regional and intercontinental integration.
      3. The initiative was formalised through an MoU signed by India, the European Union, France, Germany, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and the United States.
      4. IMEEC forms a critical part of the Partnership for Global Infrastructure and Investment (PGII), announced at the G7 Summit (2021).
2. Structure and Components:
   1. 1. IMEEC consists of two main corridors:

• Eastern Corridor – connects India to the Gulf region.
• Northern Corridor – links the Gulf region to Europe.
  1. 2. It integrates railways, ports, shipping lanes, energy grids, and digital networks to promote seamless connectivity.

3. Strategic Significance for India:
   1. 1. IMEEC serves as a geopolitical counterweight to China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) by providing an alternative, transparent infrastructure model.
      2. It strengthens India’s strategic and economic presence in the Middle East and Europe, enhancing its role in global supply chains.
      3. Through IMEEC, India deepens ties with key partners like Italy, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia in areas such as clean energy, technology, and trade.
      4. It aligns with India’s vision of becoming a reliable global hub for manufacturing, logistics, and digital innovation.
4. Diplomatic and Economic Cooperation:
   1. 1. India and Italy have agreed to expand collaboration in AI, cybersecurity, digital technologies, and renewable energy under the broader framework of IMEEC.
      2. Enhanced people-to-people exchanges, youth mobility, and educational cooperation further strengthen bilateral engagement.
          

Ramgarh Lake

Why in news?

1. Revival work has begun on Jaipur’s historic Ramgarh Lake, once a crucial water source for Rajasthan’s capital city.

About Ramgarh Lake:

1. Location:
   1. Ramgarh Lake is located near the Jamwa Ramgarh subdivision of Jaipur district, in the Indian state of Rajasthan.
   2. It lies around 32 kilometres from Jaipur city and covers an area of approximately 15.5 square kilometres.
   3. The lake stretches about 4 kilometres in length and 2 kilometres in width, nestled amid forested hills of the Aravalli range.
2. Establishment and Historical Significance:
   1. Ramgarh Lake is a man-made reservoir, constructed in 1876 by Sawai Ram Singh II, the then ruler of Jaipur.
   2. It was built by creating an embankment across a forested valley to ensure water supply for the residents of Jaipur.
   3. The lake was once the primary source of drinking water for the city and held strategic and ecological significance.
   4. It also gained prominence by hosting the rowing event during the 1982 Asian Games.
3. Reason Behind Degradation:
   1. Over time, deforestation, illegal mining, and urban encroachments in the catchment area severely impacted the lake's ecosystem.
   2. The four feeder rivers—Roda, Banganga, Tala, and Madhoveni—that once replenished the lake have gone dry due to ecological degradation.
   3. As a result, the lake has lost its water-holding capacity, turning into a dry basin in recent decades.
4. Ecological and Cultural Significance:
   1. The nearby Jamwa Mata Temple holds religious importance and draws pilgrims from surrounding regions.
   2. The Ramgarh Polo Ground, situated between the lake and the Aravalli Hills, is known as one of the finest in India.
   3. In 1982, the region was declared a wildlife sanctuary, home to species like nilgai, chital, and lions.
       

Phawngpui National Park

Why in news?

1. Recent forest fires in Mizoram’s Phawngpui National Park have impacted nearly one-ninth of its total area, officials reported.

About Phawngpui National Park:

1. Location:
   1. Phawngpui National Park, also known as Blue Mountain National Park, is situated in the southeastern corner of Mizoram, near the India-Myanmar border.
   2. It covers an area of 50 square kilometres and includes Phawngpui Peak, the highest point in Mizoram at 2,157 metres above sea level.
   3. The peak offers views of the Chhimtuipui River and the Myanmar hill ranges and is regarded as sacred by the local Mizo community.
2. Flora and Fauna:
   1. The park features montane subtropical forests, rich with oak, rhododendrons, rare bamboos, and grassy glades.
   2. It is home to numerous bird species, including the rare Blyth’s tragopan, dark-rumped swift, and Mrs Hume’s pheasant—the state bird of Mizoram.
   3. Endangered mammals such as the tiger, leopard, slow loris, serow, capped langur, and Asiatic black bear also inhabit the park.
   4. It is the only known Indian habitat of the Mount Victoria Babax, a highly endangered ground-dwelling bird.
3. Reason Behind Forest Fires:
   1. In March 2025, a severe forest fire affected nearly one-ninth of the park’s area, according to official estimates.
   2. The fire originated from a slash-and-burn (jhum) cultivation site in Archhuang village and quickly spread due to dry grass, accumulated combustible material, and sudden climatic changes.
   3. Despite a quick response from local villagers forming fire lines, the rugged terrain made containment efforts challenging.
   4. Environmental groups have raised concerns over long-term ecological damage, loss of biodiversity, and potential disruption of breeding cycles during bird nesting seasons.
   5. Although no animal fatalities have been reported, the incident highlights the urgent need for sustainable land-use practices and forest fire management strategies in the region.

 

Sabarmati River

Why in news?

1. Two youths from Ahmedabad slipped into the Sabarmati River while bathing; one body recovered, search continues for the other.

About Sabarmati River:

1. Location:

1. The Sabarmati River originates from the Aravalli Hills in Udaipur district, Rajasthan, and flows westward for 371 km before draining into the Gulf of Khambhat in the Arabian Sea.
2. Of the total length, 48 km lies in Rajasthan and 323 km in Gujarat, passing through varied terrains including rocky uplands, alluvial plains, and an estuarine zone.
3. The Sabarmati basin covers an area of about 21,674 sq. km. with major tributaries such as the Watrak, Wakal, Hathmati, Harnav, and Sei Rivers.

2. Religious and Historical Significance:

1. In Hindu mythology, the Sabarmati is believed to have originated from sage Kashyapa’s penance on Mount Abu, where Lord Shiva granted him the Ganga, which flowed down as the Sabarmati.
2. Another legend narrates that Shiva brought goddess Ganga to Gujarat, resulting in the formation of this river.
3. The river is historically notable for being the site of Sabarmati Ashram, established by Mahatma Gandhi, making it a landmark in India’s freedom movement.

3. Dams and Development Projects:

1. Major dams on the Sabarmati and its tributaries include the Dharoi Dam, Hathmati, Harnav, and Guhai Dams, built for water regulation and flood control.
2. The Meshvo, Mazam, and Watrak dams are located downstream, while a proposed Kalpasar project is planned in the Gulf of Khambhat.
3. In 2002, water from the Narmada River was diverted into the Sabarmati via the Sardar Sarovar Dam, boosting water availability.
4. The Sabarmati Riverfront Project in Ahmedabad is a landmark urban initiative aimed at pollution control, tourism development, and flood management and has been recognised globally by KPMG for infrastructure innovation.

 

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