PLACES IN NEWS 3rd APRIL 2025

 

Chile

Why in news?

1. India and Chile have begun talks on a comprehensive trade pact to strengthen economic cooperation and expand bilateral trade relations.

About Chile:
 

1. Location:
    

1. Chile is a long, narrow country in South America, extending along the western edge of the continent. It shares borders with Argentina to the east, Bolivia to the northeast, and Peru to the north.
2. The country spans approximately 4,300 km from north to south but averages only 177 km in width.
3. Chile’s geography includes diverse landscapes, from the Atacama Desert in the north to the Andes Mountains in the east and the Pacific Ocean in the west.
4. The country also controls several islands in the Pacific, including Easter Island and the Juan Fernández Islands, and has territorial claims in Antarctica.
    

2. Natural Resources:
    

1. Chile is rich in natural resources, particularly minerals, which play a crucial role in its economy.
2. The country is the world's largest producer of copper, accounting for a significant share of global supply. It also has large reserves of gold, silver, and iron ore.
3. Chile is part of the Lithium Triangle, along with Argentina and Bolivia, a region that holds nearly 60% of the world’s lithium reserves. Its vast lithium deposits are primarily located in the Atacama Desert, making it a key supplier for the global electric vehicle (EV) battery and renewable energy storage industries.
4. Other key natural resources include timber, fisheries, and agricultural products such as grapes, apples, and wine, making Chile a leading agricultural exporter.
    

3. Bilateral Trade with India:
    

1. India and Chile have a growing trade relationship, marked by a Preferential Trade Agreement (PTA) that was expanded in 2017 to cover more goods.
2. The total trade between the two countries has been increasing, with Chile exporting minerals, chemicals, and paper products to India, while India exports automobiles, pharmaceuticals, and textiles to Chile.
3. Chile is a major supplier of copper and lithium to India, both of which are essential for India’s infrastructure and clean energy sectors.
4. Efforts are underway to establish a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) to further boost trade and investment between the two nations.
    

4. Significance of Trade for India:
    

1. Strengthening trade ties with Chile is crucial for India’s resource security, especially for strategic minerals like lithium, which is vital for electric vehicle (EV) batteries and renewable energy storage.
2. The import of Chilean copper supports India’s growing industrial sectors, including electronics, construction, and power transmission.
3. Enhanced trade with Chile aligns with India’s Act Latin America policy, promoting diversified economic engagements beyond traditional partners.
4. A deeper economic partnership with Chile can provide Indian businesses better access to South American markets, boosting exports and investment opportunities.
    

Naini Lake

Why in news?

1. Naini Lake in Nainital recorded a 4.7-foot water level, the lowest in five years.

About Naini Lake:

1. Type and Formation:
    

1. Naini Lake is a natural freshwater lake of tectonic origin, located in the heart of Nainital city, Uttarakhand.
2. It was discovered by the British in the early 19th century, but its mention can also be found in the Skanda Purana, where it is referred to as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar.
3. The lake has a crescent or kidney shape and features an outlet at its south-eastern end.
    

2. Geographic Characteristics:
    

1. The lake spans a perimeter of 2 miles and has a depth ranging from 6 metres to 28 metres.
2. It is one of the four major lakes in the Kumaon hills, along with Sattal Lake, Bhimtal Lake, and Naukuchiyatal Lake.
3. The Balia Nala is the primary feeder stream, while 26 other major drains, including three perennial ones, also contribute to the lake’s water supply.
4. The northern end of the lake is called Mallital, while the southern end is known as Tallital, which features a bridge with a post office and a Gandhi statue—the only post office on a lake bridge in the world.
    

3. Cultural and Mythological Significance:
    

1. According to Hindu mythology, the lake is believed to be the site where Goddess Sati’s eyes (nain) fell, which is why the town is named Nainital.
2. The Skanda Purana refers to it as Tri-Rishi-Sarovar, signifying its sacred connection.
    

4. Reasons for Decline in Water Level:
    

1. Deforestation and unregulated construction in the surrounding areas have reduced the lake’s natural catchment capacity.
2. Excessive extraction of groundwater has led to a decline in Balia Nala’s water flow, affecting the lake’s replenishment.
3. Climate change and reduced rainfall have significantly impacted the water levels, leading to a five-year low of 4.7 feet.
4. Encroachments and pollution from urban drainage and sewage inflow have further degraded the lake’s ecosystem, affecting its ability to retain water.

 

Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve

Why in news?

1. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve forms a committee to regulate and manage pilgrim activities in its core areas for conservation.

About Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve:
 

1. Location:
    

1. Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve is located in the Umaria district of Madhya Pradesh and is one of India's most famous tiger reserves.
2. It was declared a national park in 1968 and became a tiger reserve in 1993 under Project Tiger. The core area spans 716 km² (276 sq mi), while the total reserve area, including the buffer zone, is 1,536 km² (593 sq mi).
3. The reserve comprises three major zones—Tala, Magdhi, and Khitauli— with Tala being the most popular for tiger sightings.
4. The name Bandhavgarh comes from the ancient Bandhavgarh Fort, which, according to legend, was gifted by Lord Rama to Lakshmana to keep a watch over Lanka.
    

2. Flora and Fauna:

1. The reserve features a diverse landscape of moist deciduous forests, sal mixed forests, dry deciduous scrub, and grasslands, dominated by sal and bamboo trees.
2. It is home to a thriving tiger population, with 135 tigers recorded in 2022, making it one of India’s best places for tiger sightings. Other predators include leopards, wild dogs, striped hyenas, and jackals.
3. Herbivores in the park include chital, sambar, nilgai, chinkara, wild boar, and gaur. The gaur population, reintroduced in 2012, has grown to 170 individuals as of 2025.
4. Bandhavgarh also hosts Indian elephants, a species that had disappeared from the region for over a century until a herd migrated from Chhattisgarh in 2018. By 2024, their numbers had reached 55.
5. Over 250 bird species have been recorded, including Indian peafowl, kingfishers, vultures, eagles, hornbills, and owls, making it a birdwatcher’s paradise.
    

3. Pilgrim Activities and Management:
    

1. The Bandhavgarh Fort and ancient caves within the reserve attract pilgrims and tourists, as they hold significant Hindu religious and historical value.
2. The fort features several temples, including those dedicated to Lord Vishnu and Lakshmana, along with numerous sculptures and inscriptions dating back centuries.
3. Due to increasing footfall, a committee has been formed to regulate and manage pilgrim activities in the core areas, ensuring a balance between conservation and religious tourism.
4. The presence of pilgrims and local visitors poses ecological concerns, including habitat disturbance and waste disposal issues, necessitating strict guidelines and monitoring.
    

Dudhwa Tiger Reserve

Why in news?

1. A rare long-snouted vine snake was spotted in Uttar Pradesh's Dudhwa Tiger Reserve, highlighting its rich biodiversity.

About Dudhwa Tiger Reserve:

1. Location and Geography:
    

1. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is a protected area in Uttar Pradesh, spread across the Lakhimpur Kheri and Bahraich districts.
2. It comprises Dudhwa National Park, Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary, and Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary, covering a total area of 1,284.3 km² (495.9 sq mi).
3. The reserve shares its northeastern boundary with Nepal, with the Mohana River acting as a natural border.
4. The landscape is primarily agricultural, with three large forested areas still intact. Several streams originating from the northwest flow through the alluvial plains of the reserve.
    

2. History and Conservation:
    

1. Dudhwa National Park and Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary were designated as Dudhwa Tiger Reserve in 1987 under Project Tiger.
2. In 2000, the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary was added, making it one of India's 53 tiger reserves.
3. The reserve is famous for tiger conservation efforts, including the reintroduction of a hand-reared tigress named Tara in 1976 by Billy Arjan Singh, a noted wildlife conservationist.
4. In the 1990s, tigers in the area showed Siberian tiger-like characteristics, raising speculation about the presence of Bengal-Siberian tiger hybrids, though genetic studies did not confirm conclusive hybridisation.
    

3. Flora and Fauna:
    

1. Dudhwa Tiger Reserve is home to a rich diversity of wildlife, including tigers, leopards, Asiatic black bears, sloth bears, swamp deer, rhinoceros, elephants, cheetal, hog deer, barking deer, sambar, wild boar, and the rare hispid hare.
2. The reserve is particularly significant for the conservation of swamp deer (Barasingha), which thrive in the grasslands of Dudhwa.
3. As of 2006, the Dudhwa-Kheri-Pilibhit conservation complex housed an estimated 80–110 tigers, increasing to 106–118 by 2010, indicating a stable tiger population.
4. The presence of rare species like the long-snouted vine snake, recently sighted, highlights the biodiversity richness of the region.
    

Ib River

Why in news?

1. Two significant barrage projects on the Ib River face delays, impacting regional water management and development.

About Ib River:

1. Location and Course:
    

1. The Ib River is a major tributary of the Mahanadi River, flowing through Chhattisgarh and Odisha before joining the Hirakud Reservoir in Odisha.
2. It originates from hills near Pandrapet at an elevation of 762 metres (2,500 feet).
3. The river passes through Raigarh and Jashpur districts in Chhattisgarh and Jharsuguda and Sundargarh districts in Odisha, covering a total length of 252 kilometres (157 miles).
4. The watershed of the Ib River spans around 25,000 square kilometres, with a drainage area of 12,447 square kilometres (4,806 sq mi).
    

2. Economic and Industrial Significance:
    

1. The Ib Valley is rich in coal reserves, forming the Ib Valley Coalfield, which is a part of the Mahanadi Coalfields.
2. The coal deposits along the riverbanks make it one of the most important industrial zones in Eastern India.
    

3. Barrage Projects on Ib River:
    

1. The Ib River barrage projects aim to enhance water storage, irrigation, and industrial water supply.
2. However, two crucial barrage projects have been delayed, affecting water management and regional development.
3. These projects are essential for agriculture, power generation, and sustaining industrial operations in the Ib Valley region.

 

Also Read
UPSC Foundation Course	UPSC Daily Current Affairs
UPSC Monthly Magazine	CSAT Foundation Course
Free MCQs for UPSC Prelims	UPSC Test Series
ENSURE IAS NOTES	Our Booklist