Places in News – February 2025

Place

News

Key Facts

Aral Sea

Rapid desertification continues, worsening environmental catastrophe.

Located between Kazakhstan & Uzbekistan, once the world’s 3rd-largest lake, drying due to Soviet irrigation projects and climate change.

Kīlauea Volcano

Erupted again, producing lava fountains.

Located on the Big Island, Hawai'i, within Hawai'i Volcanoes National Park.

Other regional volcanoes: Mauna Loa, Mauna Kea, Hualālai, Kohala.

Santorini (Greece)

Frequent earthquakes raise concerns of volcanic activity.

Crescent-shaped island in the Cyclades Archipelago (Aegean Sea), surrounds a submerged caldera from a 1600 BCE eruption.

North Sea

Massive landforms were discovered, indicating reshaping during the Ice Age.

Bordered by the UK, Norway, Denmark, Germany, the Netherlands, and Belgium. Rich in oil, gas, wind energy, and fisheries.

Cascade Range

Magma reservoirs discovered beneath dormant volcanoes.

Pacific Northwest, spans California to Canada. Part of Pacific Ring of Fire.

Key volcanoes: Mt. St. Helens, Mt. Rainier, Mt. Baker.

Democratic Republic of Congo

Rwanda-backed M23 rebels capture Goma.

Second-largest African country, rich in cobalt, gold, coltan.

Conflict hotspots: North Kivu, South Kivu, Ituri, Bukavu.

Dead Sea

Rapid shrinking due to water diversion, climate change.

Borders Jordan, Israel, Palestine.

Earth’s lowest point (-430m), fed by Jordan River, extremely high salinity.

Lake Victoria

Toxic cyanobacteria turning the lake green.

Africa’s largest freshwater lake, shared by Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya. Feeds into White Nile.

Mount Dukono

Erupted, spewing ash and smoke.

Stratovolcano in North Maluku, Indonesia. Part of Pacific Ring of Fire.

Gulf of Tonkin

Vietnam releases new territorial claim map.

Shallow gulf in the north-western South China Sea, bordered by Vietnam, China’s Guangxi region, and Hainan Island.

Zagros Mountains

Surrounding areas in Iraq are sinking due to tectonic activity.

1,500 km-long fold mountains spanning Turkey, Iraq, Iran.

Formed by Arabian-Eurasian plate collision.

Place

News

Key Facts

Mahabodhi Temple

Plastic ban reinforced for a cleaner environment.

Located in Bodh Gaya, Bihar. Site of Buddha’s Enlightenment.

Built by Emperor Ashoka (3rd century BCE).

Tungabhadra River

Karnataka-AP dispute over proposed barrage.

Tributary of Krishna River. Originates in the Western Ghats.

Associated with Vijayanagara Empire, Hampi (UNESCO site).

Palar River

Severe pollution from tannery waste in Tamil Nadu.

Originates in Karnataka’s Nandi Hills, flows through AP & TN, drains into the Bay of Bengal.

Mula River

Protests against tree cutting for development projects.

Originates near Mulshi Dam (Maharashtra) and flows through Pune, merges with the Mutha River.

Kamakhya Temple

ED raided former officials over a ₹7.62 crore scam in temple management.

dedicated to Goddess Kamakhya, is one of the 51 Shakti Peethas.

major pilgrimage site for Tantric worship, Located in Guwahati, Assam. 

hosts the annual Ambubachi Mela.

Ramsar Wetlands

Four wetlands from India added to the Ramsar List.

Added Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Therthangal Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), Khecheopalri Wetland (Sikkim), and Udhwa Lake (Jharkhand) as new Ramsar Wetlands.

Araku Valley

Araku Utsav (Chali festival) has begun, celebrating local culture, tribal heritage, and coffee production.

Located in Eastern Ghats, 120 km from Visakhapatnam, at 900-1000m altitude.

Ideal for Coffee Cultivation.

Place

News

Key Facts

Similipal Biosphere Reserve

40.85% area highly susceptible to forest fires.

Located in Odisha. Home to melanistic tigers.

Includes Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadgarh, Kuldiha Sanctuaries.

Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary

50% rise in water bird population.

Located in Assam, part of the Brahmaputra floodplains.

Notable for one-horned rhinos, migratory birds.

Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary

Plans for a tribal village raise human-wildlife conflict concerns.

Located in Kodagu, Karnataka, part of the Western Ghats.

Named after Brahmagiri Peak (1,607m).

Bhadra Tiger Reserve

Activists demand probe into leopard death.

Located in Karnataka.

Highest peak: Hebbe Giri peak (1,875m). Drained by the Bhadra River.

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

One-horned rhinos spotted after 40 years.

Located in Assam. Buffer zone of Kaziranga Tiger Reserve, part of Laokhowa-Burachapori ecosystem.

Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary

Carcass of a 50-year-old elephant found.

Located in Uttar Pradesh, near the Indo-Nepal border.

Part of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

Parambikulam Tiger Reserve

Faunal survey recorded 15 new species.

Located in Kerala, part of Project Tiger (2009).

Rivers: Parambikulam, Sholayar, Thekkady.