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History

Sishupalgarh

Land mafias damage rampart of ancient fortified city of Sisupalgarh.

About

• Sisupalgarh is thought to have been built around the 7th to 6th century BCE.
• It served as the capital of the Kalinga kingdom.
• It was an important centre of trade and commerce during ancient times.
• Fortified city was architectural and engineering marvels of the ancient India.
• The urban core was 1.2 km by 1 km in size and was moated all around. The city has a special water management system.
• This is the only fortified site in India having eight gateways.
• When King Kharavela began to restore the city 2,100 years ago, in the fourth to third century BCE, the fortress was completed.
• The excavation of the Sisupalgarh site was first taken up in 1948, when it was declared a Centrally Protected Monument under the provisions of the Ancient Monuments Preservation Act, 1904.

Environment
Yellowstone National Park

Yellowstone National Park, celebrating its 151st anniversary contains large biodiversity.

About

• American national park Yellowstone NP is situated in the western part of the country, primarily in Wyoming's northwest corner and spreading into Montana and Idaho.
• In addition to being the first national park in the United States, Yellowstone is considered to be the first national park of the world.
• The park is renowned for both its abundant wildlife and geothermal features, with Old Faithful geyser being one of its most well-known.
• Even though it represents a variety of biomes, the subalpine forest is the most prevalent.
• It corresponds to the South Central Rockies forests ecoregion.
• Moreover, the region serves as the unique location where the western United States' three largest river basins merge.
• The rivers of the Snake-Columbia basin, Green-Colorado basin, and Missouri River Basin all begin as snow on the Continental Divide as it weaves across Yellowstone’s peaks and plateaus.
• It is home to multiple mega fauna like grizzly bears, wolves, and free-ranging herds of the endangered bison and elk.

Environment

Jerdon’s narrow-mouthed frog (Uperodon montanus)

Jerdon’s narrow-mouthed frog (Uperodon montanus) has been re-spotted in western ghats.

• Since it was last studied in 1934 by a British scientist, the species faded into oblivion.

About

• It is a species of narrow-mouthed frog (family Microhylidae) endemic to the Western Ghats of India.
• This frog is considered a montane species and is restricted to higher altitude ranges of 800-1,700 metres,
• They are distributed from near Wayanad south across the Palghat and the Shencottah gaps to the Agasthyamalai hills.
• It is classified as ‘Near Threatened’ in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
• Its tadpoles are which means they feed on other species.
• Rain-water filled tree holes are the favoured microhabitat of these frogs.