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Art and Culture

Maratha Military Landscapes

'Maratha Military Landscapes' to be India's nomination for UNESCO tag for 2024-25

About ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’:

• The ‘Maratha Military Landscapes of India’ comprise twelve components, including Salher Fort, Shivneri Fort, Lohgad, Khanderi Fort, Raigad, Rajgad, Pratapgad, Suvarnadurg, Panhala Fort, Vijay Durg, Sindhudurg, and Gingee Fort.
• These structures, dating back to the 17th and 19th centuries, span across Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu, showcasing the strategic military prowess of the Maratha rule.
• The Maratha Military Landscapes include hill forts, hill-forest forts, hill-plateau forts, coastal forts, and island forts.
• This variety reflects the Marathas’ adaptability and ingenuity in using the natural terrain to their advantage.

Miscellaneous – Defence

Ex. SADA TANSEEQ

India- Saudi Arabia joint military exercise ‘SadaTanseeq’ commences in Rajasthan

About:

• The inaugural edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commenced in Rajasthan.
• The Saudi Arabian contingent comprising 45 personnel is being represented by Royal Saudi Land Forces.
• The Indian Army contingent also comprising 45 personnel is being represented by a Battalion from the Brigade of the Guards (Mechanised Infantry).
• Aim of the Exercise is to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domain.
• It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both the sides.
• The Exercise will involve Establishment of Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon & Search Operation, House Intervention Drill, Reflex Shooting, Slithering and Sniper Firing.

Environment and Ecology

Birds of many feathers spotted in Ramnad's wetlands

In a remarkable occurrence, Oystercatcher birds, unseen along the coasts of Ramanathapuram for nearly 35 years, have made a stunning reappearance. The discovery follows a recent wetland bird census conducted across a broader range than in previous years.

Oystercatcher birds

• The oystercatchers are a group of waders forming the family Haematopodidae, which has a single genus, Haematopus. They are found on coasts worldwide apart from the polar regions and some tropical regions of Africa and South East Asia.
• The diet of oystercatchers varies with location. Species occurring inland feed upon earthworms and insect larvae.
• Nearly all species of oystercatcher are monogamous, although there are reports of polygamy in the Eurasian oystercatcher.
• The Chatham oystercatcher is endemic to the Chatham Islands of New Zealand and is listed as endangered by the IUCN, while both the African and Eurasian oystercatchers are considered near threatened.

Migratory Season in Ramanathapuram

Typically, the migratory season in Ramanathapuram spans from November to April, attracting various bird species to its water bodies and the Gulf of Mannar biosphere park, featuring an expansive mangrove area. This region serves as a crucial nesting ground for birds during their migration.

Wetland bird census 2022 - 23
No.  of survey sites:13
Species - 99
Population - 8,676
Wetland bird census 2023 - 24
No. survey sites : 26
Species - 138
Population - 26,541