Current Context :  Recent snowfall has blocked vehicular movement, disrupting traffic between Darcha and Sarchu  at Baralacha Pass in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal.

About Baralacha Pass

• Location: Located at an altitude of 4,890 meters (16,040 feet) on the Manali-Leh highway in the Indian Himalayas.
• It connects Himachal Pradesh and Ladakh.
• Geographical Importance: Known as the “pass of crossroads,” it links paths leading to Zanskar, Ladakh, and Spiti Valley.
• Lakes: Suraj Tal, India’s third-highest lake, is near the pass.

Current Context :  The 1st edition of Joint Table Top Exercise, CINBAX commenced at Foreign Training Node, Pune.

About Exercise CINBAX:

• Participants: Jointly conducted by the Indian Army and Cambodian Army.
• Objective: Enhances coordination in Counter-Terrorism (CT) operations under Chapter VII of the UN Charter.
• Focus Areas: Intelligence, surveillance, cyber and hybrid warfare, logistics, casualty management, and humanitarian assistance.

Current Context :  Recently, Gujarat’s Gharchola awarded the Geographical Indication (GI) tag, enhancing its cultural and market significance.

• Recognized at the “GI and Beyond – Virasat Se Vikas Tak” event, contributing to Gujarat’s 27 GI-certified products​
• With this recognition, Gujarat now boasts 27 GI-certified items, 23 of which belong to the handicraft sector

What is Gharchola?

• Traditional handicraft of Gujarat primarily used in sarees and home décor.
• Design:Known for intricate patterns inspired by cultural motifs, blending traditional and modern techniques.
• Cultural Significance: Historically worn in Hindu and Jain weddings, using auspicious colors like red, maroon, green, and yellow.

Current Context : At least 15 people were killed and over 100 others went missing after heavy rains led to landslides in eastern Uganda in Africa.

About Uganda:

• Location:East-Central Africa; landlocked
• Borders DRC, Kenya, Rwanda, South Sudan, and Tanzania.
• Capital:
• Geography:Features a plateau, volcanic mountains (Rwenzori & Virunga), Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake).
• Lake Victoria (Africa’s largest lake and the world’s second-largest freshwater lake) forms the southern boundary of the country with Tanzania and Kenya.
• Rivers:Includes Victoria Nile, Albert Nile, and Katonga.
• Biodiversity:Hosts 50% of the world’s mountain gorillas and 11% of global bird species.
• Independence:Achieved from Britain in 1962.
• Languages:English and Swahili are official.
• Economy:Dominated by agriculture; growing tourism sector.

Current Context : The National Tiger Conservation Authority’s (NTCA) technical committee has approved the proposal to notify Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh’s Shivpuri district as a tiger reserve.

• This is set to make Madhav the 9th tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh.

About Madhav National Park (MNP):

• Location: Located in Shivpuri district, Madhya Pradesh, in the northern part of the Central Highlands of India.
• Establishment: Established as a national park in 1958. Recently approved in-principle as a tiger reserve.
• Rivers: Contains the catchments of Amarnadi and Sind rivers; eastern park area features Vindhyan sedimentary rocks like sandstone and limestone.
• Lakes: Sakhya Sagar and Madhav Sagar provide aquatic biodiversity and water for terrestrial species.
• Forest Type: Includes Northern tropical dry deciduous forests and Dry Thorn Forests.
• Flora: Dominant trees include Kardhai, Salai, Dhaora, and Khair. Understory includes Ber, Makor, and Karonda.

Fauna: Inhabited by Nilgai, Chinkara, Chital, Sambar, Barking Deer, Leopard, Jackal, and Wild Dog.

Observed annually on 5th December.

Objective: To raise awareness about the importance of soil health, sustainable ecosystem management, and human well-being.

Theme : Caring for Soils: Measure, Monitor, Manage.

Celebrated every year on 5 December.

Purpose:

• Highlights the contributions of volunteers globally to peace and development.
• Promotes awareness of volunteerism as a tool for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
• Established by the UN General Assemblyin 1985.

Celebrated every year on 4 December.

Purpose:

• To become aware, reflect, and take action when it comes to issues that are threatening the planet’s wildlife biodiversity balance.
• In 2012, Hillary Clinton, the Secretary of State at that time, put out a call to action to raise awareness and engage conservationists and wildlife enthusiasts about World Wildlife Conservation Day.

Current Context : Recently, Sach Pass has been closed for vehicular movement , marking the beginning of its annual winter closure.

• The closure comes as temperatures at the 4,414-metre-high mountain pass have started to dip below freezing point.

About Sach Pass

Sach Pass is a mountain pass in the Chamba district of Himachal Pradesh, India.

Location :

• Sach Pass is located in the Pir Panjal range of the Himalayas, about 127 km (79 mi) from the district headquarters.
• Recently renamed “Sache Jot” and is vital for linking remote tribal regions with district headquarters.

Geographical Features:

• Altitude : 4,414 meters (14,478 feet) above sea level.
• Known for rugged terrain, narrow roads, and unpredictable weather conditions.

It includes sites like Pangi Valley’s sub-valleys (Sural and Hundan) and access to the Chenab River basin.

Current Context : Kullu district administration received the Skoch Award 2024 for establishing Himachal Pradesh’s first Integrated Drug Prevention and Rehabilitation Centre (IDPRC) for women at Bhuntar in 2022.

• Objective: Address increasing addiction issues among women in the region.
• The initiative was undertaken by the District Red Cross Society (RCS) to address the growing addiction problem among women in the state.

About Award :

• The SKOCH Award is an award that recognizes people, projects, and institutions that work to improve India.
• Established in 2003 and is considered one of the highest civilian honors in India.