PLACES IN NEWS 18th MARCH 2025

Bhadra River

 

Why in news?

 

1. Two youths from Rajasthan drowned in the Bhadra River recently.

 

About Bhadra River:

 

 

1. Location and Geography:
    

1. The Bhadra River is a significant river in Karnataka, originating in Gangamoola near Kudremukha in the Western Ghats (Sahyadri range).
2. The river flows eastward across the southern Deccan Plateau, passing through towns like Kudremukh, Kalasa, Horanadu, Haluvalli, Balehonnur, Balehole, and Narasimharajapura.
3. It is joined by tributaries such as Somavahini (near Hebbe), Thadabehalla, and Odirayanahalla.
4. The Bhadra River eventually merges with the Tunga River at Koodli, near Shivamogga, forming the Tungabhadra River, a key tributary of the Krishna River that drains into the Bay of Bengal.
    

2. Hydropower and Irrigation Projects:
    

1. The Bhadra Dam, located at BRP (Bhadravathi), Karnataka, was built to control the river’s flow and support irrigation and power generation.
2. The dam forms the Bhadra Reservoir (186 ft), which is crucial for agriculture and drinking water supply.
3. The Bhadra Hydroelectric Project contributes to power generation in Karnataka.
    

3. Cultural and Environmental Significance:
    

1. The river flows near Kudremukh National Park, a biodiversity hotspot, supporting unique flora and fauna.
2. Several temples and pilgrimage sites along its course, such as Horanadu and Kalasa, add to its religious significance.
3. The river sustains agricultural activities, especially rice and arecanut cultivation in the region.

 

Yemen

 

Why in news?
 

1. The U.S. recently conducted airstrikes on Houthi-controlled regions in Yemen, targeting key Houthi bases, missile defense systems, and leadership positions to counter their military capabilities and strategic influence.
    

About Yemen:

 

1. Location and Strategic Importance:
    

1. Yemen is located in the Middle East, at the southern tip of the Arabian Peninsula, bordering Saudi Arabia (north) and Oman (east).
2. It has a strategic coastline along the Red Sea (west), Gulf of Aden, Arabian Sea, and Guardafui Channel (south).
3. Yemen controls the Bab-el-Mandeb Strait, a crucial maritime chokepoint connecting the Indian Ocean to the Red Sea via the Gulf of Aden.
4. This strait is vital for global oil trade and international shipping, making Yemen geopolitically significant.
    

2. The Houthis:
    

1. The Houthis are a Zaidi Shia sect primarily based in north-western Yemen, particularly in Sa’dah province.
2. The group emerged in the 1990s as a rebellion against then-Yemeni President Ali Abdullah Saleh.
3. The Houthis control large parts of western and north-western Yemen, including the capital, Sana’a.
4. They are backed by Iran and are part of "The Axis of Resistance", an anti-Western and anti-Israel alliance.
    

3. Recent Airstrikes:
    

1. On Sunday, the United States launched airstrikes targeting Houthi-controlled areas in Yemen.
2. The strikes targeted Houthi bases, missile defence systems, and leaders, killing at least 53 people, including civilians.
3. The Houthis responded by threatening to "meet escalation with escalation" and claimed to have launched attacks on the USS Harry S. Truman carrier strike group.
    

4. Regions Targeted in Airstrikes:
    

1. The U.S. airstrikes focused on key Houthi strongholds, including Sana’a (capital) and Sa’dah, near the Saudi Arabian border.
2. Other affected areas included Houthi-controlled military sites that posed a threat to maritime trade in the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden.
3. The strikes were carried out in response to Houthi attacks on international shipping routes, which have disrupted trade and freedom of navigation.

 

Kyushu Island

 

Why in news?
 

1. Japan's government recently revealed plans to explore deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu, a southwestern island, to enhance regional defence capabilities.
    

About Kyushu Island:

 

1. Location and Strategic Importance:
    

1. Kyushu is the third-largest island of Japan, located in the southwestern part of the country.
2. It is bordered by the East China Sea (west) and the Pacific Ocean (east) and is separated from Honshu by the Kanmon Straits.
3. Major cities on the island include Fukuoka, Nagasaki, Kumamoto, and Kagoshima, making it a key economic and military region.
4. Due to its proximity to China, Taiwan, and the Korean Peninsula, Kyushu holds strategic significance in Japan’s national security framework.
    

2. Reason Behind Missile Deployment:
    

1. The Japanese government is considering deploying long-range missiles on Kyushu to strengthen its defence posture against regional threats.
2. China’s increasing military assertiveness, especially around the Senkaku Islands (Diaoyu Islands in Chinese) in the East China Sea, has raised security concerns for Japan.
3. North Korea’s frequent missile tests, some of which have flown over Japanese territory, have further heightened Japan’s need for enhanced deterrence.
4. Rising tensions in the Taiwan Strait have also prompted Japan to reinforce its southwestern defence line, as any potential conflict involving Taiwan could directly impact Japan’s security.
    

3. Regional Disputes and Strategic Implications:
    

1. Japan has an ongoing territorial dispute with China over the Senkaku Islands, which China also claims.
2. The U.S.-Japan alliance plays a crucial role in countering threats from China and North Korea, with Kyushu being a vital base for U.S. military operations.
3. The missile deployment would serve as a deterrent against regional aggressors, ensuring Japan’s territorial integrity and maritime security.
4. This move aligns with Japan’s recent military expansion policies, emphasising counterstrike capabilities to defend against possible attacks.
    

Mudumal

 

Why in news?

 

1. Telangana's Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs were recently included in India’s tentative UNESCO World Heritage list, emphasizing their archaeological and historical importance.

 

About Mudumal:

 

 

1. Location and Historical Significance:
    

1. Mudumal Megalithic Menhirs are located in Telangana, India, and are considered one of South India’s largest megalithic burial sites.
2. The site spans 80 acres and consists of around 80 menhirs (10-14 feet high) and 3,000 alignment stones, possibly linked to ancient funerary rites.
3. Dating back 3,500–4,000 years, these megaliths reflect advanced prehistoric knowledge of astronomy and mathematics, making them a crucial archaeological site.
    

2. Megalithic Burials and Their Types:
    

1. Megaliths are stone structures used as burial sites or commemorative memorials, mostly from the Iron Age (1500–500 BCE) in India.
    
2. Types of megalithic burials include:

• Dolmenoid Cists: Box-shaped burial chambers made of stone slabs.
• Cairn Circles: Circular arrangements of stones marking graves.
• Capstones: large mushroom-shaped burial chambers, mainly found in Kerala.
• Menhirs: upright standing stones, often serving as memorials or astronomical markers.

3. The Mudumal site likely served both funerary and astronomical purposes, with its menhirs aligning with equinoxes and solstices.
    

3. Cultural and Religious Significance:
    

1. Some Mudumal menhirs are worshipped by locals, referred to as "Niluralla Thimmappa" (Thimmappa of the Standing Stones).
2. A unique cup-marked menhir at the site is believed to be South Asia’s earliest depiction of a constellation (Ursa Major/Saptarshi Mandal).
3. One particular menhir is revered as Goddess Yellamma, showcasing a blend of prehistoric and living traditions.
    

5. UNESCO Recognition and Future Prospects:

 

1. Telangana has one existing UNESCO World Heritage Site, Ramappa Temple (inscribed in 2021).
2. The Mudumal Menhirs were included in the UNESCO Tentative List in 2025, along with other significant sites such as:

• Kanger Valley National Park (Chhattisgarh).
• Ashokan Edict Sites (Multiple States).
• Chausath Yogini Temples (Madhya Pradesh & Odisha).
• Gupta Temples (Multiple States).
• Palace-Fortresses of the Bundelas (Madhya Pradesh & Uttar Pradesh).

 

Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

 

Why in news?

 

1. 1. Pakistan witnessed a 73% rise in terrorism-related deaths, with Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa being the most affected regions, according to a recent report highlighting escalating security concerns.
       

About Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

 

1. Location and Geography:
    

1. Balochistan is the largest province of Pakistan by area, located in the southwest of the country.
2. It shares borders with Iran (west), Afghanistan (northwest), Punjab and Sindh (east), and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (northeast), along with a coastline along the Arabian Sea (south). The province is largely arid and mountainous, with sparse population density.
3. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) lies in northwestern Pakistan, bordering Afghanistan through the historically significant Durand Line.
4. It is known for its rugged terrain, tribal belt, and mountain ranges, including the Hindu Kush. The province includes the Khyber Pass, a strategic route connecting South Asia to Central Asia.
    

2. Reasons Behind the Surge in Terrorist-Related Deaths:
    

1. Resurgence of Tehrik-i-Taliban Pakistan (TTP): The TTP, an umbrella group of militant factions, has intensified attacks, particularly in KP and Balochistan, following the collapse of a ceasefire with the Pakistani government in late 2022.
2. Ethno-Nationalist Insurgencies in Balochistan: Separatist groups such as the Balochistan Liberation Army (BLA) and Balochistan Liberation Front (BLF) have escalated attacks against security forces, infrastructure, and Chinese interests due to long-standing grievances over economic marginalisation and resource exploitation.
3. Cross-Border Militancy: The Afghan Taliban’s return to power (2021) has emboldened militant groups, providing them safe havens in Afghanistan, leading to increased cross-border attacks in KP and Balochistan.
4. Sectarian and Religious Extremism: Groups like ISIS-Khorasan (ISIS-K) and Lashkar-e-Jhangvi (LeJ) have carried out targeted attacks against Shia Muslims, particularly in Quetta (Balochistan) and parts of KP.
5. China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC) Attacks: Baloch separatists oppose CPEC projects, particularly in Gwadar, targeting Chinese nationals and infrastructure, citing exploitation of local resources without benefits to native Baloch communities.
6. Weak Governance and Security Vacuum: The Pakistani state's inability to fully control tribal areas and address socio-economic grievances has allowed militant groups to operate freely.
    

3. Hotspot Regions of Terrorist Activities:
   1. Balochistan:

• Quetta (provincial capital): frequent bombings and sectarian violence.
• Gwadar: CPEC-related attacks targeting Chinese nationals.
• Turbat and Panjgur: hubs of Baloch separatist insurgencies.
• Chaman: a key border town with cross-border militant movement.
  2. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa:

• North Waziristan & South Waziristan: strongholds of TTP and Haqqani Network.
• Swat Valley: resurgence of militant activity despite past military operations.
• Peshawar: frequent bombings, including attacks on police and military.
• Khyber District & Bajaur: cross-border infiltration zones with Afghan militants.

 

UPSC CSE PYQs Q1. Which one of the following statements best reflects the issue with Senkaku Islands, sometimes mentioned in the news? (2022) It is generally believed that they are artificial islands made by a country around South China Sea. China and Japan engage in maritime disputes over these islands in East China Sea. A permanent American military base has been set up there to help Taiwan to increase its defence capabilities. Though International Court of Justice declared them as no man’s land, some South-East Asian countries claim them. Answer: Option B Q2. Consider the following pairs: Region often in news Country 1. Chechnya Russian Federation 2. Darfur Mali 3. Swat Valley Iraq Which of the above pairs is/ are correctly matched? 1 only 2 and 3 only 1 and 3 only 1, 2 and 3 Answer: Option A

 

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