Context: Recently, Places seen in the news.
International
Panama
Why in the News?
Panama has become the first Latin American country to exit China’s Belt and Road Initiative.
- Capital: Panama City
- Language: Spanish
- Panama has the largest rainforest in the Western Hemisphere outside the Amazon Basin, covering over 40% of the country.
- Location: Panama is a Central American country on the Isthmus of Panama, connecting North and South America.
- Geography: The country includes over 1,600 islands off its Atlantic and Pacific coasts.
- Panama Canal: Famous for the Panama Canal that runs through the country’s midsection.
- Darien Gap: It is situated in the dense marshland and jungle of the Darién region, which spans the easternmost part of Panama and northwestern Colombia.
National
Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary
Why in the News?
The Karnataka government’s recent decision to open the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary (BWS) in Khanapur for a wildlife safari has sparked controversy and is drawing a strong backlash from environmentalists.
Location: Karnataka-Goa border in Belagavi district, covers approximately 190 sq km.
- It shares boundaries with Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary and Mhadei and Bhagwan Mahaveer Wildlife Sanctuaries in Goa.
- Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary: It is home to tigers, leopards, bears, chitals, deer, wild dogs, and other animals.
- Barapede Caves: Natural caves known as a breeding area for endangered Wroughton’s Free-tailed bats.
- Bhimgad Fort: The historical ruins of the Fort are located inside the Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary. It was built by Chatrapati Shivaji Maharaj during the 17th century and offered defense against the Portuguese military that occupied Goa. It has freshwater ponds, canons, and large walls that are reasonably intact
Dibru Saikhowa National Park
Why in the News?
The R&D project was initiated after the Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) rejected a proposal to drill seven wells inside the national park.
About Dibru-Saikhowa National Park
- It is a National Park and Biosphere Reserve covering 340 sq. km in Tinsukia district. It is home to a unique habitat, transformed after the 1950 earthquake, and attracts migratory birds.
- The area consists of moist mixed semi-evergreen and deciduous forests, canebrakes, and grasslands.
- It is the largest Salix swamp forest in northeastern India, with a tropical monsoon climate featuring hot, wet summers and cool, dry winters.
- Rivers: It is bounded by the Brahmaputra and Lohit Rivers in the north and the Dibru River in the south.
- Mammals: The park is home to 36 species, including the rare white-winged wood duck, water buffalo, black-breasted parrotbill, tiger, and capped langur.
- Birds: Over 382 species, such as Greater Adjutant Stork, Griffon Vulture, Grey-headed Fishing Eagle, Osprey, Great Pied Hornbill, and more. The park is famous for the natural regeneration of Salix trees.