PLACES IN NEWS 17th APRIL 2025

 

Virupaksha Temple

 

Why in news?

1. Virupaksha Temple mantapa collapse underscores apathy towards Hampi’s heritage, prompting alarm over conservation amid increasing climatic and anthropogenic pressures.

About Virupaksha Temple:

1. Location:

1. The Virupaksha Temple is in Hampi, Karnataka, on the southern banks of the Tungabhadra River.
2. It lies within the core area of the UNESCO World Heritage Site, surrounded by the ruins of the Vijayanagara Empire.

2. Establishment:

1. Dedicated to Lord Shiva, the Virupaksha Temple predates the Vijayanagara Empire but rose to prominence during its rule.
2. It has remained a continuously functioning religious site, making it one of the oldest active temples in India.

3. Historical and Cultural Significance:

1. The temple is associated with the Virupaksha form of Shiva, and its sanctity is rooted in ancient Puranic references to Pampakshetra.
2. Under Vijayanagara patronage, particularly during the reigns of Krishnadevaraya and others, the temple complex expanded significantly with the addition of grand gopurams, pillared halls, and courtyards.
3. It served not only as a religious centre but also as a hub for art, culture, and learning, reflecting the empire’s Dravidian architectural brilliance.

4. Recent Collapse:

In April 2025, a portion of the mantapa (pillared hall) at the Virupaksha Temple collapsed following intense rainfall. Conservationists attribute the incident to a combination of factors:

1. Water Seepage and Weathering: Unseasonal heavy rains led to waterlogging, weakening the structure’s foundation and stone joints.
2. Neglect and Poor Maintenance: Despite being a protected monument, there have been reports of delayed restoration efforts and lack of scientific structural audits.
3. Tourism and Anthropogenic Pressure: Continuous footfall without adequate infrastructure support has further stressed the ageing architecture.

About Hampi:

1. Historical Context:

1. Hampi, the illustrious capital of the Vijayanagara Empire, was founded in 1336 CE by Harihara I and Bukka Raya I of the Sangama Dynasty.
2. Known traditionally as Pampakshetra of Kishkindha, Hampi is steeped in mythological and historical importance.

2. Architectural and Economic Glory:

1. Foreign travellers like Portuguese chronicler Domingo Paes described it as “as large and beautiful as Rome,” signifying its urban richness, market networks, and monumental architecture.

3. Fall and Rediscovery:

1. The empire met its tragic end in 1565 CE after the Battle of Talikota, when Deccan Sultanates defeated the ruling forces, leading to widespread plunder.
2. The once-glorious city lay in ruins and was largely forgotten until British antiquarian Colin Mackenzie mapped it in 1799.
3. Early photographic documentation and conservation began during the colonial era.

4. Modern Recognition and Conservation:

1. Excavations have unearthed significant structures like the Vitthala Temple bazaar and stepped tanks (pushkarinis).
2. The Hampi National Project, initiated in 1976, marked the beginning of large-scale restoration.
3. In 1986, UNESCO recognised Hampi as a World Heritage Site, highlighting its archaeological and cultural value across 250 sq. km with over 1,600 protected monuments.

5. Key Monuments:

1. Virupaksha Temple, Mahanavami Dibba, Queen’s Bath, Lotus Mahal, Elephant Stables, and the Stone Chariot remain iconic reminders of a golden age.
    

Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary

 

Why in news?

1. Clinidium lalitae, a new beetle species, was discovered in Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary, highlighting Arunachal Pradesh’s rich biodiversity.

About Talley Valley Wildlife Sanctuary:

1. Talle Valley Wildlife Sanctuary is a pristine biodiversity hotspot located in the Lower Subansiri district of Arunachal Pradesh, nestled at an elevation ranging from 1,200 to 3,000 metres above sea level.
2. Spanning an area of approximately 337 sq.km, the sanctuary represents a significant ecological zone, housing around 20% of India’s floral and faunal diversity.
3. Enriched by rivers such as the Pange, Sipu, Karing, and Subansiri, the sanctuary thrives with dense forests and vibrant ecosystems.
4. It is also home to the Apatani tribe, known for their distinct customs, traditional knowledge, and exquisite handicrafts.
5. The sanctuary's flora includes a rich variety of subtropical to alpine vegetation. Key species include silver fir trees, ferns, orchids, bamboo, and rhododendrons.
6. A rare bamboo species, Pleioblastus simone, is endemic to this region. Additionally, several medicinal herbs and plants used by the locals for traditional healing are found here.
7. In terms of fauna, the sanctuary shelters animals like elephants, barking deer, giant squirrels, porcupines, wild boars, leopards, and clouded leopards.
8. Notably, it is the site where a new species of ground beetle, Clinidium lalitae, was recently discovered, highlighting the sanctuary’s rich and largely unexplored insect biodiversity.
    

Tuti Island

Why in news?

1. Since April 15, 2023, Tuti Island has suffered immense destruction amid the ongoing conflict between Sudanese Army and Rapid Support Forces (RSF).

About Tuti Island:

1. Tuti Island, located at the confluence of the Blue and White Nile rivers in Khartoum, Sudan, is one of the city’s oldest and most culturally rich settlements.
2. Spanning approximately 8 square kilometres, it is known for its lush greenery, agriculture, and traditional lifestyle, earning it the nickname “Khartoum’s garden.”
3. The island is historically significant as the home of the Mahas community, who settled there in the 15th century.
4. This indigenous group has helped preserve a unique cultural and agricultural identity, making the island a symbol of sustainability and heritage in the Nile region. Traditionally, the residents relied on farming and fishing for livelihood.
5. Tuti Island is connected to central Khartoum via the Tuti Bridge, Sudan’s first suspension bridge, enhancing its strategic importance.
6. However, the civil war that erupted on April 15, 2023, between the Sudanese Army and the Rapid Support Forces (RSF), has led to the devastation and occupation of the island, turning it into a flashpoint of violence.
7. Adding to the turmoil, climate change has disrupted the Nile’s natural flooding cycle, causing droughts, floods, and desertification.
8. In response, the HEART Project (Heritage Empowered Action for Risk in Tuti) was launched to preserve traditional systems and document community knowledge amid these growing threats.
    

Ghana

Why in news?

1. Ghana has ordered foreigners to leave local gold trading markets to strengthen domestic control and boost national revenue generation.

About Ghana:

1. Location and Natural Wealth:

1. Ghana, situated along the Gulf of Guinea in West Africa, is a mineral-rich nation known for its vast deposits of gold, bauxite, manganese, and diamonds.
2. It is also the world’s second-largest cocoa producer yet reaps minimal benefits from global chocolate trade.
3. The country’s strategic location and natural resources have made it a hub for extractive industries in Africa.

2. Gold Sector and Its Significance:

1. Ghana is Africa’s largest gold producer and ranks sixth globally in gold output. In 2023 alone, gold exports rose by 53.2% to $11.64 billion, with nearly $5 billion generated from legal small-scale miners.
2. However, despite such massive revenue potential, the sector has been plagued by illegal mining, known locally as galamsey, which has led to environmental degradation, youth exploitation, and foreign exploitation, particularly by Chinese operatives.

3. Government Action:

1. To streamline the gold sector and boost national revenue, Ghana has banned all foreigners from trading in local gold markets starting April 30, 2025.
2. This follows the creation of the Ghana Gold Board (GoldBod), a new state entity with exclusive rights to buy, sell, and export gold produced by the artisanal and small-scale mining (ASM) sector.
3. Foreigners may still apply to purchase gold through GoldBod, but they can no longer operate within the local value chain. The reform aims to curb illegal mining, enhance environmental protection, ensure transparent pricing in Ghanaian cedis, and stabilise the national currency.
4. The government has allocated $279 million to GoldBod to facilitate weekly exports of at least three tonnes of gold, signalling a strong regulatory shift in Ghana’s economic and environmental policy framework.
    

Kawal Tiger Reserve

 

Why in news?

1. Forest staff have intensified night patrols and vehicle checks at Kawal Tiger Reserve to enhance wildlife protection and prevent poaching.

About Kawal Tiger Reserve:

1. Kawal Tiger Reserve is located in Jannaram Mandal of Mancherial District, in Telangana, India, and was officially declared a tiger reserve in 2012.
2. Flora in Kawal Tiger Reserve includes some of the richest teak forests in Telangana, predominantly consisting of dry deciduous teak forests interspersed with species like bamboo, terminalia, pterocarpus, anogeissus, and cassia.
3. The Godavari River flows through the sanctuary, contributing to its abundant plant life and providing a vital water source.
4. Fauna in the reserve is diverse, with notable species like the tiger, leopard, gaur, cheetal, sambar, nilgai, barking deer, chowsingha, and sloth bear.
5. Currently, about 48 tigers reside in the reserve, and conservation efforts aim to increase their population.
6. Despite its biodiversity, the reserve faces threats from poaching, illegal wood felling, human encroachment, and habitat loss.

 

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