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- The 2025 annual bird survey at Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary recorded an exceptional increase in waterfowl numbers, with a remarkable total of 1,53,719 birds across 97 species, as reported by officials.
- About Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Pong Dam Lake (also called Maharana Pratap Sagar) is an artificial reservoir created by the construction of Pong Dam on the Beas River, situated in the wetland region of the Shivalik hills in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh.
- It is one of the largest man-made wetland areas in Northern India, spanning nearly 307 square kilometers.
- Designated as a Ramsar site in 2002, it is an important ecological zone.
- Flora: The sanctuary is home to submerged vegetation, grasslands, and forests, with notable plant species such as eucalyptus, acacia, and shisham.
- Fauna:
- Located along the trans-Himalayan flyway, over 220 bird species have been recorded here, including 54 species of waterfowl.
- Notable avifauna includes Bar-headed geese, Pintails, common pochards, coots, Grebes, Cormorants, Herons, Storks, angle fowls, peafowl, and Grey partridges.
- The sanctuary also supports diverse wildlife like Sambar, Barking Deer, Wild Bear, Nilgai, Clawless Otter, and Leopards.
- The Union Defence Ministry recently finalized contracts worth ₹10,147 crore for the supply of various types of ammunition for the Army’s Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS).
- About Pinaka Multiple Rocket Launch Systems (MRLS):
- The Pinaka MRLS is a proven, all-weather, indirect area fire artillery weapon system.
- Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) through its Armament Research and Development Establishment (ARDE), it was first deployed during the Kargil War, where it effectively neutralized enemy positions on mountain tops.
- Features:
- The launcher’s quick response time and high accuracy allow it to deliver a large volume of fire against critical and time-sensitive targets in a very short duration.
- Each launcher carries 12 rockets, and a battery includes six launchers, delivering a total of 72 rockets.
- It can fire various types of warheads, including high-explosive and submunition warheads.
- The system has a range between 60 to 75 kilometers.
- Initially unguided, the Pinaka-Guided version now employs INS/GPS navigation for precise targeting.
- The system is mounted on a Tatra truck, providing mobility on various terrains.
- A teenage member of the Kanjar nomadic tribe was tragically beaten to death by fellow tribe members near Chainpur Bazaar in East Champaran district, Bihar, in a recent incident.
- About Kanjar Tribe:
- The Kanjar are a nomadic tribe originating from North India and Pakistan.
- They are primarily found in the fertile, densely populated regions of the Indus River valley and Punjab.
- During British colonial rule, the Kanjar were categorized as a "criminal tribe," but this classification was removed after India gained independence.
- Demography:
- There are approximately 5,000 Kanjar in Pakistan, with a significantly larger population in North India.
- However, accurate demographic data and census information on the Kanjar tribe remains scarce in both countries.
- Lifestyle:
- The Kanjar do not own land or permanent dwellings. They lead a migratory lifestyle, moving from one community to another across various regions. Their belongings are carried on mule-drawn carts (rehra) or donkeys.
- Occupation:
- Historically, the Kanjar have been involved in occupations such as hunting, fishing, basket weaving, and performing entertainment.
- Linguistic Affiliation:
- The Kanjar speak several languages, including various regional dialects of Hindi, Urdu, Punjabi, and Sindhi.
- Their native language, Kanjari, has connections to Indo-Aryan Prakrits and Romani.
- Chakri, a popular folk dance, is one of the cultural highlights of the Kanjar tribe.