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- It is a closed basin lake located in the Himalayas, standing at an elevation of approximately 4,350 meters (14,270 feet).
- A closed basin lake, or endorheic lake, is a water body that does not drain into any ocean or sea, often found in the interior of continents.
- This lake is among the highest saline lakes globally.
- It was created as a tectonic lake during the collision between the Indian and Eurasian plates.
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- The Territorial Army has recently formed a new task force dedicated to the revitalization and safeguarding of the Gomti River.
- About the Gomti River:
- The Gomti is a tributary of the Ganges (Ganga) River, flowing entirely through the state of Uttar Pradesh.
- Course: The Gomti River originates from Gomat Taal, also known as Fulhaar Jheel, located near Madho Tanda in the Pilibhit district of Uttar Pradesh.
- The river drains the region between the Ramganga and Sharda rivers. Flowing southward, it passes through the districts of Lucknow, Barabanki, Sultanpur, Faizabad, and Jaunpur before joining the Ganga River.
- The Gomti extends over approximately 900 kilometers and drains a basin covering about 18,750 square kilometers (7,240 square miles).
- It is a perennial river, characterized by a slow flow throughout the year, with a significant increase in runoff during the monsoon season due to heavy rainfall.
- Key tributaries of the Gomti include the Sai River, Chowka River, Kathina River, and Saryu River.
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- Recently, 17 Indian fishermen were detained by the Sri Lankan Navy while fishing near Neduntheevu Island.
- About Neduntheevu Island:
- Neduntheevu, also called Neduntivu, is the largest island in the Palk Strait, situated in the northern region of Sri Lanka. It is also known as Delft Island, a name given by Dutch colonists during their rule. The island spans an area of 50 square kilometers, with a length of 8 kilometers and a maximum width of approximately 6 kilometers. It is the largest of the seven inhabited islands in the area.
- The island has a distinct flat, oval shape, and is often swept by winds, creating a refreshing and tranquil environment. There are no rivers on the island, and its primary freshwater sources are surface water gathered in natural depressions and man-made ponds.
- The landscape is characterized by dry shrubs and semi-arid tropical plants, along with tall palm trees that enhance the island’s coastal atmosphere. Additionally, there is a Dutch fort made from coral stones, which stands as a historic relic.
- Home to a population of around 4,800 Tamil people, the inhabitants are mainly concentrated in the northern half of the island, residing in small settlements.
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- Fifteen fishermen from Tamil Nadu were reportedly detained near Diego Garcia, a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), for allegedly crossing the maritime boundary in a recent incident.
- About Diego Garcia:
- Diego Garcia is a coral atoll, the largest and southernmost island of the Chagos Archipelago, located in the central Indian Ocean.
- It is a part of the British Indian Ocean Territory (BIOT), making up more than half of the land area of the territory.
- Spanning 44 square kilometers, it features a V-shaped, sand-fringed cay approximately 24 km long, with a maximum width of about 11 km. Its lagoon is open at the northern end.
- The island was discovered by the Portuguese in the early 16th century and, for most of its history, was a dependency of Mauritius.
- In 1965, Diego Garcia was separated from Mauritius as part of the establishment of BIOT.
- In 1966, the UK leased Diego Garcia to the United States to establish an air and naval base. The construction of the defense facility led to the forced removal of the island’s inhabitants.
- Diego Garcia is now a key strategic and logistical support base for the United States in the Indian Ocean.
- In 2019, the International Court of Justice issued an advisory opinion stating that the UK’s separation of Diego Garcia from Mauritius and its continued control was unlawful, citing the ongoing claims of the Chagossian people.
- A non-binding 2019 UN General Assembly resolution also called on the UK to end its "colonial administration" of the Chagos Archipelago and return the islands to Mauritius.
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- The Tungabhadra river water has turned green in the areas surrounding Shiranahalli, Gangapur, and Korlahalli villages in Mundargi taluk, Gadag district, Karnataka, sparking concerns and panic among local residents.
- About Tungabhadra River:
- The Tungabhadra is a prominent river in peninsular India. It serves as a major tributary of the Krishna River. Revered as sacred by Hindus, the river is mentioned in the ancient epic Ramayana, where it is referred to as "Pampa." The river takes its name from two primary streams: the Tunga, which is approximately 147 km long, and the Bhadra, around 178 km in length. These streams originate from the eastern slopes of the Western Ghats.