CURRENT-AFFAIRS

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• Recently, the forest department fined 14 SUV owners Rs 1 lakh each for illegally entering Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR) during an adventure rally.
• About Ranthambore Tiger Reserve (RTR):
  • Located at the convergence of the Aravalis and Vindhyan ranges, RTR is just 14 kilometers from Sawai Madhopur district in eastern Rajasthan. Spanning 1,411 square kilometers, it is one of the largest tiger reserves in northern India.
  • Historically, RTR was a royal hunting ground for the Maharajas of Jaipur. The landscape transitions dramatically from the gentle and steep slopes of the Vindhyas to the sharp and conical hills of the Aravali valley. The reserve is bordered by the Chambal River to the south and the Banas River to the north.
  • The terrain is characterized by rugged, rocky hills, with the prominent Ranthambore Fort (a UNESCO World Heritage Site dating back to the 10th century) enhancing its scenic beauty. A notable geological feature is the 'Great Boundary Fault,' where the Vindhyan plateau meets the Aravalis.
  • RTR features several lakes, including Padam Talab, Raj Bagh Talab, and Malik Talab. The vegetation primarily consists of tropical dry deciduous and tropical thorn forests. Flora includes Dhok trees (Anogeissus pendula) mixed with grasslands on the plateaus, meadows in the valleys, and lush greenery around the canals.
• Fauna:
  • The reserve is known for its tigers and leopards, which are the main predators. It also hosts wild boars, sloth bears, striped hyenas, rhesus macaques, southern plains grey langurs, 250 bird species, and a variety of other wildlife.

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• Members of the Hakki Pikki tribal community have achieved notable success as entrepreneurs in the hair oil industry.
• About the Hakki Pikki Tribe:
  • The Hakki Pikkis, whose name translates to ‘bird catchers’ in Kannada (with 'Hakki' meaning 'bird' and 'Pikki' meaning 'catchers'), are a semi-nomadic tribe traditionally engaged in bird catching and hunting. They represent a significant tribal community in Karnataka and also inhabit the Western and Southern states of India, primarily in forested areas.
  • Originally from Northern India, particularly Gujarat and Rajasthan, the Hakki Pikkis are now predominantly settled in the Shivamogga, Davanagere, and Mysuru districts of Karnataka. They are officially recognized as a Scheduled Tribe in India.
• Language:
  • Despite residing in the southern part of India where Dravidian languages are prevalent, the Hakki Pikkis speak an Indo-Aryan language known as ‘Vaagri.’ This language is used at home, while Kannada is spoken in their daily interactions and business. UNESCO has classified Vaagri as an endangered language.
• Occupation:
  • With stricter wildlife regulations affecting their traditional practices, the Hakki Pikkis transitioned from hunting to trading spices, flowers, Ayurveda formulations, and herbal oils. They now travel internationally, particularly to Africa, where there is a growing demand for cost-effective alternatives to Western medicine.
• Rituals and Customs:
  • The Hakki Pikkis adhere to Hindu traditions and celebrate Hindu festivals. They practice cross-cousin marriages, and their society is matriarchal, with grooms providing a dowry to the bride’s family. The eldest son in a family typically keeps his hair long as a distinguishing feature. The community is non-vegetarian.

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• The National Coal Index (NCI) reported a notable decrease of 3.48 percent in June 2024, reaching 142.13 points on a provisional basis, down from 147.25 points in June 2023.
• About the National Coal Index (NCI):
• The NCI is a price index that tracks changes in coal prices on a monthly basis relative to a fixed base year. It aggregates the prices from various sales channels, including Notified Prices, Auction Prices, and Import Prices.
• Launched on June 4, 2020, the NCI aims to provide a reliable reflection of market coal prices. The index’s concept, design, and representative prices were developed by the Indian Statistical Institute, Kolkata. It is published monthly by the Ministry of Coal.
• The base year for the NCI is FY 2017-18. The index covers all transactions of raw coal in the Indian market, including both coking and non-coking grades traded in regulated (such as power and fertilizer) and non-regulated sectors. However, it does not include washed coal or coal products.
• An increase in the NCI typically signals a rise in coal demand, potentially motivating producers to boost domestic coal production to meet the growing energy needs. Conversely, a decline in the NCI suggests a more balanced market, aligning supply with demand dynamics.

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• Recently, the Shiveluch volcano in Russia erupted following a 7.0 magnitude earthquake that struck off the eastern coast of the country.
• Location:
• Shiveluch is situated approximately 280 miles from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, in Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. It is one of the largest and most active volcanoes in the Kamchatka region, with at least 60 eruptions recorded over the past 10,000 years. The volcano comprises two main components:
• Old Shiveluch, which reaches an elevation of 3,283 meters (10,771 feet).
• Young Shiveluch, a smaller peak standing 2,800 meters high, extending from the side of Old Shiveluch.
• Young Shiveluch is located within an ancient caldera—a large, crater-like basin that likely formed from a massive eruption of the older section of the volcano over 10,000 years ago.
• Shiveluch has been in a continuous state of eruption since August 1999, though it occasionally experiences significant explosive events, such as the one in 2007.
• Key Facts about the Kamchatka Peninsula:
• Positioned in far eastern Russia, the Kamchatka Peninsula is bordered by the Sea of Okhotsk to the west and the Pacific Ocean and Bering Sea to the east.
• It is one of the world’s most geothermal-active regions, featuring around 30 active volcanoes.
• The peninsula extends approximately 1,200 kilometers from north to south and is about 480 kilometers wide at its broadest point.

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• Recently, INS Shivalik arrived in Guam for an operational turnaround after successfully participating in RIMPAC 2024, the world’s largest multinational maritime exercise.
• About Guam:
• Guam is the largest, most populous, and southernmost of the Mariana Islands in the Northern Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated territory of the United States. Previously a Spanish colony until 1898, Guam became a US territory following the Spanish-American War.
• Climate: Guam enjoys a pleasant tropical climate moderated by northeast trade winds and the north equatorial ocean current that flows westward across the Pacific.
• Native Population: The native inhabitants of Guam, known as Chamorros, are primarily of Malayo-Indonesian descent, with significant Spanish, Filipino, Mexican, and other European and Asian influences.
• Capital: The capital city of Guam is Hagatna.
• Key Facts about INS Shivalik:
• Type: INS Shivalik is the first stealth multi-role frigate built for the Indian Navy.
• Construction: It was constructed at Mazagon Dock Limited (MDL) in Mumbai.
• Commissioning: The ship was commissioned into the Indian Navy on April 29, 2010.
• Features:
• Maximum Speed: 32 knots (59 km/h).
• Advancements: INS Shivalik boasts enhanced stealth and land-attack capabilities compared to the earlier Talwar-class frigates. It is also the first Indian Navy vessel to utilize the CODOG (Combined Diesel or Gas) propulsion system.
• Armament: The frigate is equipped with a combination of Russian, Indian, and Western weapon systems.