Context:
Recently, Places seen in the news.
International
Gulf of Eilat
Why in the News?
A new study shows that the Gulf of Eilat coral reefs stopped growing for about 3,000 years, from 4,400 to 1,000 years ago because of a temporary drop in sea level, which could have been caused by global cooling.
Key findings
- Coral reefs in the Gulf of Eilat experienced a 3,400-year growth pause, similar to events in Mexico, Brazil, and Australia.
- Coral diversity and abundance remained consistent before and after the hiatus, indicating recovery from deeper coral communities.
- The shutdown was likely caused by tectonic activity and sea-level drops.
- Modern coral skeletons show a shift in carbon isotopic composition, indicating increased human influence on global carbon levels.
About the Gulf of Eilat (Gulf of Aqaba)
- Located east of the Sinai Peninsula and west of the Arabian Peninsula, extending from the northern Red Sea.
- Its deepest point is 1,850 meters (6,070 ft).
- The Gulf of Suez, to the west, is wider but much shallower (under 100 meters).
- The Sinai Peninsula separates the Gulf of Suez and the Gulf of Aqaba.
- The Straits of Tiran are narrow sea passages between the Sinai and Arabian peninsulas, connecting the Gulf of Aqaba, where Israel, Egypt, and Jordan meet.
- Its coastline is shared by four countries: Egypt, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia.
- Three key cities are located at the northern end of the Gulf: Taba in Egypt, Eilat in Israel, and Aqaba in Jordan.
National
Khatarnighat Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in the news?
The carcass of a male elephant aged around 45-50 years was found in the dense forests of the Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary (KWS) near the Indo-Nepal border in Bahraich, Uttar Pradesh.
About Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
- It is part of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve Lakhimpur kheri.
- Location: Northern Uttar Pradesh, India, along the banks of the Ghaghara River (Girwa and Kaudiyala streams) expanded Approximately 400 square kilometers.
- Ecological Significance: Part of the Terai region, which stretches from the Himalayas to the Indo-Gangetic plains.
- Established: 1975.
- Declared as Tiger Reserve: 2008.
- Biodiversity
- Fauna: Fauna of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Mammals: Bengal Tiger, Leopard, Fishing Cat, Monkey, Langur, Mongoose, Jackal, Honey Badger, Otter, Blue Bull, Various Deer species (Spotted, Hog, Barking, Swamp, Sambar), Wild Boar, Indian Rhino, Asian Elephant, Hare.
- Birds: Dabchick, Spot-billed Pelican, Cormorants, Heron, Storks, Ibis, Indian Longbilled Vulture, Osprey, Red Jungle Fowl, Sarus Crane, White-breasted Water Hen, Brown Hawk Owl.
- Reptiles: Crocodile, Gharial, Python, Sand Boa, Banded Krait, Russell’s Viper, Rat Snake, various fish species.
- Flora: The lush tropical forests of Katarniaghat are primarily comprised of dense sal forests, mixed with teak, jamun, and other deciduous trees. The sanctuary is also home to numerous medicinal plants.
- Fauna: Fauna of Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Conservation Challenges: It faces challenges like habitat fragmentation from infrastructure development, poaching, and conflicts between humans and wildlife. Conservationists and local authorities are working together to tackle these issues and protect the sanctuary’s wildlife.
- Recent Herpetofauna Discoveries in Katarniaghat: Krait, Burmese Rock Python, Yellow Speckled Wolf-Snake, and Paradise Flying Snake. In 2012, a rare Red Coral Kukri Snake (Oligodon kheriensis).
Shimlipal National Park
Why in the News?
Similipal Tiger Reserve is the first reserve where the TrailGuard AI system has successfully been implemented as an effective anti-poaching tool.
About Shimlipal National Park
- Location: Situated in Mayurbhanj District, Odisha, in the northernmost part of the state
- Terrain: It has diverse terrain, with varying altitudes, climates, and topography, supports a unique blend of Western Ghats, Eastern Ghats, and Sub-Himalayan plant species. The forest is mostly moist mixed deciduous, with tropical semi-evergreen, dry deciduous, and grassland patches.
- Geography: The inclined plateau rises from the low coastal plains and faces the Bay of Bengal, merging with Chhota Nagpur.
- Water Sources: High water levels with perennial sources, including rivers like Budhabalanga, Salandi, and tributaries of the Baitarani River.
- Ithas come under the Global Network of Biospheres (UNESCO) from 2009.
- It is Asia’s second largest biosphere (after the Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat), and the country’s only wild habitat for melanistic royal Bengal tigers.
- Sacred Grove: Jharia
- Area of the Tiger Reserve:
- Core/Critical Tiger Habitat: 1,194.75 sq.km
- Buffer/Peripheral Area: 1,555.25 sq.km
- Total Area: 2,750.00 sq.km
- Vegetation
- Flora: It is home to over 1,352 plant species, including 94 orchid species, with three being endemic. It also hosts endemic cultivars and aquatic grasses, contributing 7% of India’s flowering plants and 8% of its orchids.
- Fauna: It supports 55 mammal species, 361 bird species, 62 reptiles, 21 amphibians, and various insects and microfauna. Other carnivores include leopards, leopard cats, fishing cats, jungle cats, and wolves.
- Elephants and Ungulates: It holds Odisha’s largest elephant population and houses key ungulates like sambar, chital, barking deer, gaur, and mouse deer.
- Reptiles and Conservation: The mugger crocodile’s population has been revived, particularly in the Khairi and Deo rivers.
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