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- Using the Transiting Exoplanet Survey Satellite (TESS), a global team of astronomers recently identified a new warm Jupiter exoplanet situated over 1,000 light-years away.
- About Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary:
- Located in the Chamarajanagar and Ramanagara districts of Karnataka, the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary was established in 1987. The sanctuary is bisected by the Cauvery River, which flows through it.
- Establishment: The sanctuary was founded in 1987.
- Area: It covers an area of 1,027.535 square kilometers.
- Geographical Border: To the east, it borders the Dharmapuri forest division of Tamil Nadu.
- Flora: The forests are predominantly South Indian dry deciduous forests.
- Cultural & Historical Significance: The central and eastern parts of the sanctuary are known for their rich biodiversity and scenic beauty, with notable attractions like Hogenakkal Falls (referred to as “Smoking Rock” in Kannada), Mekedatu (Goat’s Leap), Sangam (where the Arkavathi River merges with the Cauvery), and Muthathi (a religious site with the Lord Anjaneya Temple).
- Fauna:
- The sanctuary is home to a variety of mammals including elephants, wild boars, leopards, dholes, spotted deer, barking deer, four-horned antelopes, chevrotains, common langurs, bonnet macaques, honey badgers, Malabar giant squirrels, smooth-coated otters, and grizzled giant squirrels. Additionally, the river supports diverse reptile species, including the Mugger crocodile, Indian mud turtles, and various snake species. The Cauvery River is also one of the few habitats for the mahseer fish.
- A remarkable archaeological discovery in Lefkada, Greece, has revealed the first-ever ancient Greek theater found in the Ionian Islands.
- About the Ionian Islands:
- The Ionian Islands are a group of islands located off the western coast of Greece, nestled in the eastern part of the Ionian Sea.
- Land Area: Together, these islands span an area of 2,306.94 square kilometers and include seven major islands along with several smaller ones.
- Other Names: The Ionian Islands are sometimes referred to as the “Heptanese,” meaning “Seven Islands.”
- Major Islands: The main islands in the Ionian group include Kerkyra (Corfu), Paxi, Lefkada, Ithaki, Kefalonia, Zakynthos, and Kythira.
- Largest Island: Kefalonia (also known as Cephalonia) is the largest of the Ionian Islands.
- Highest Point: Mount Ainos, rising to an elevation of 1,628 meters, is the highest peak in the Ionian Islands.
- History:
- The islands were controlled by Venice during the 15th and 16th centuries before being taken by Russian and Turkish forces in 1799. Following the Treaty of Paris in 1815, they came under British control, and the British eventually ceded them to Greece in 1864.
- NATO members Poland, Finland, and all three Baltic states have recently lined up to withdraw from the Ottawa Convention in the past few weeks.
- About the Ottawa Convention:
- The Ottawa Convention, also known as the "Mine Ban Treaty," bans the use, stockpiling, production, and transfer of anti-personnel landmines (APLs).
- Destruction Obligations: The treaty mandates that states-parties must destroy their stockpiled APLs within four years and clear all landmines, including those already in the ground, within 10 years.
- Extensions: Countries can apply for a renewable extension, which may last up to 10 years, to complete the destruction of their APLs.
- Reporting Requirements: States-parties are obligated to report annually on their APL stockpiles, the technical specifications of their mines, the locations of mined areas, and the progress of APL destruction programs.
- Treaty Details: The treaty, which is open-ended and available to all nations, came into effect on March 1, 1999.
- Ratification: As of now, 164 countries have ratified or acceded to the treaty.
- Non-signatories: Several key countries, including the United States, China, India, Pakistan, and Russia, which have historically produced or used landmines, have not signed the treaty.