Red Admiral Butterfly Spotted for the First Time in Dhauladhar Range, Himachal Pradesh
In a remarkable discovery for Indian biodiversity, the Red Admiral butterfly (Vanessa atalanta) has been sighted for the first time in the Dhauladhar mountain range of Himachal Pradesh. This finding adds a new chapter to the lepidopteran records of India and highlights the ecological richness of the Western Himalayas. Taxonomy and Morphology Belonging to the Nymphalidae family, the Red Admiral butterfly is known for its striking wing pattern and coloration. With a wingspan ranging from 67 mm
CSK HPKV Palampur Wins Best Centre Award for Forage Research Excellence
In a remarkable achievement, Chaudhary Sarwan Kumar Himachal Pradesh Krishi Vishvavidyalaya (CSK HPKV), Palampur, has been honoured with the prestigious "Best Centre Award" during the National Group Meeting of the All India Coordinated Research Project on Forage Crops and Utilisation. The event was organised at the Southern Regional Research Station, Dharwad (Karnataka), under the aegis of the Indian Grassland and Fodder Research Institute (IGFRI), Jhansi. Recognition Among 21 National Centres CSK HPKV was selected among 21 centres
Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve: India’s Largest Conservation Reserve in Spiti Valley
Introduction India recently witnessed the establishment of its largest conservation reserve, the Tsarap Chu Conservation Reserve, situated in the remote Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh. Officially notified on May 7, 2025, under Section 36A(1) of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, this reserve marks a significant step towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable ecological management. Significance of the Tsarap Chu Reserve Geographical Importance Tsarap Chu becomes Himachal Pradesh’s fifth conservation reserve, following Darlaghat, Naina Devi, Potter Hill, and Shilli. Its vast
India’s Major Defence Agreements: Strengthening National Security and International Partnerships
Major Defence AgreementsSubject: Defence and Security Relevance:India has signed several significant defence agreements to foster cooperation, collaboration, and facilitate the import and export of critical military assets including missiles, weapons, naval ships, and advanced technology. These bilateral agreements aim to strengthen India's defence capabilities in response to emerging terrorist threats in the Indian subcontinent. The relevance of these agreements has become especially pronounced in light of recent military operations such as Operation Sindoor, making them essential
S-400 Missile System: India’s Sudarshan Chakra Against Aerial Threats
Why in News? Following the precision strikes carried out by India under Operation Sindoor on May 7, 2025, the threat of retaliation from Pakistan brought the spotlight back to India’s air defence preparedness. Among the most crucial components of India’s defence infrastructure is the S-400 Triumf system, referred to in Indian service as Sudarshan Chakra, a name derived from Hindu mythology, symbolizing divine precision and invincibility. What is the S-400 Sudarshan Chakra? The S-400 Triumf is a next-generation,
Operation Sindoor: India’s Precision Strike Against Terrorism in Pakistan and PoJK
Why in News? On May 7, 2025, the Government of India launched Operation Sindoor, a decisive and coordinated military response to the April 22 Pahalgam terror attack, which claimed the lives of 26 civilians, including 25 Indians and one Nepali tourist. The attack, claimed by The Resistance Front (TRF)—a proxy of Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—prompted India to strike back, targeting nine terror infrastructure sites located in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Jammu and Kashmir (PoJK). Operation Sindoor: A Coordinated Tri-Force Offensive Operation