Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary in News: Rare Albino Himalayan Tahr Highlights Conservation Significance
A rare albino Himalayan tahr has been spotted in Kugti Wildlife Sanctuary, Himachal Pradesh, bringing attention to this ecologically rich high-altitude protected area. Known for its diverse flora, endangered fauna, and sacred Manimahesh Temple, the sanctuary plays a vital role
Zojila Pass: Strategic Importance and Avalanche Risks in the Himalayas
Zojila Pass is in news after a deadly avalanche incident. This article covers its location, history, strategic importance, avalanche risks, and Zoji-la Tunnel—highly relevant for UPSC/HAS Prelims and Mains.
What Is the Alaknanda Galaxy? India’s Major Astronomical Discovery
The discovery of the Alaknanda Galaxy by Indian researchers marks a major breakthrough in understanding early cosmic evolution. Found using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope, this 12-billion-year-old spiral galaxy displays a well-defined structure similar to the Milky Way—challenging existing theories
The Importance of Sir Creek: Why India and Pakistan Have Failed to Solve the Border Dispute
The Sir Creek dispute remains one of the longest unresolved territorial issues between India and Pakistan. Despite being only a 96-kilometre-long tidal estuary, the region holds significant strategic and economic importance, making its resolution complex and politically sensitive for both
Himachal Cold Desert Enters UNESCO Biosphere Reserve List
The inclusion of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve (CDBR) in Himachal Pradesh into UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) marks a milestone in India’s biodiversity conservation journey. Spanning 7,770 sq km across Lahaul-Spiti district, this cold desert ecosystem is
Pong Dam at 50: Lessons for Water Management and Climate Resilience
Introduction The Pong Dam, commissioned in 1974 on the Beas River in Himachal Pradesh, stands as one of India’s major multipurpose river valley projects. Conceived under the Beas Project, its primary objectives were irrigation supply to Punjab, Haryana, and Rajasthan, hydroelectric
Daily Mains Answer Writing Practice – Geography Questions GS-1 (UNIT-2)
Q.1 What are the primary reasons behind the heightened frequency of Tropical Cyclones in the Arabian Sea compared to earlier periods? Ans. Tropical cyclones are violent storms that originate over oceans in tropical areas and move over to the coastal areas
Understanding Cloudbursts and Flash Floods in Himachal Pradesh: A Must-Know Topic for HAS Aspirants
Why in the News? On June 26, 2025, multiple districts in Himachal Pradesh were battered by cloudbursts, triggering devastating flash floods. As per official reports, three bodies were recovered in Kangra, taking the death toll to five. The Kullu district was
RAMSAR Wetland Sites of Himachal Pradesh
Wetlands: Nature's Vital Ecosystem Wetlands play a pivotal role in our landscape, providing a multitude of valuable services to both human communities and the diverse range of wildlife that inhabit them. These remarkable ecosystems are the unsung heroes, quietly contributing to
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