PLACES IN NEWS 10th JULY 2025

Namibia

Why in the News?

1. Namibia has recently come into the international spotlight as it is set to become the first foreign country to adopt India’s Unified Payments Interface (UPI).
2. This significant development follows a licensing agreement signed in April 2024 between the National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) and the Bank of Namibia.
3. The announcement was made during the Indian Prime Minister’s landmark visit to Windhoek, where he held bilateral talks with Namibian President Netumbo Nandi‑Ndaitwah.
4. This move marks a major step in deepening Indo-Namibian relations and highlights India’s growing role in global digital transformation.

What are the Key HIghlights?

1. Location:
   1. Situated in southern Africa, along the southwestern coast of the continent.
2. Borders:
   1. North: Angola
   2. Northeast: Zambia and a small section along the Zambezi River
   3. East: Botswana
   4. South and Southeast: South Africa
   5. West: Atlantic Ocean
3. Capital City: Windhoek, located in the central highlands.
4. Major Physical Features:
   1. Namib Desert: Runs along the entire Atlantic coast; one of the oldest deserts in the world.
   2. Kalahari Desert: Lies in the east; more vegetated than the Namib.
   3. Etosha Pan: A large salt pan in Etosha National Park, a key wildlife area.
   4. Skeleton Coast: Known for shipwrecks, fog, and desert wildlife.
   5. Caprivi Strip: A narrow, lush, tropical region in the northeast with rivers like the Okavango and Zambezi.
5. Climate: Mostly arid to semi-arid; dry with hot summers and mild winters.
6. Population: One of the lowest population densities in the world due to vast deserts.
7. Ethnic Groups: Predominantly Ovambo, along with Herero, Himba, and others.
8. Natural Resources: Rich in diamonds, uranium, copper, and other minerals.
9. Independence: Gained from South Africa in 1990.
10. Political System: Stable democracy with regular elections.
11. Economy:
    1. Based on mining, tourism, agriculture, and fishing.
    2. Tourism is growing rapidly due to unique landscapes and wildlife.
12. Languages: English is the official language, with many indigenous languages also spoken.
13. Unique Features:
    1. Home to desert-adapted elephants and lions.
    2. One of the few places where the desert meets the ocean.

Panna Tiger Reserve / Panna National Park

Why in the News?

1. Panna Tiger Reserve is in the news due to the death of Vatsala, a female elephant believed to be over 100 years old, making her one of the oldest elephants in Asia.
2. She passed away on 8th July 2025 due to age-related complications.

What are the Key Highlights?

Ecological Features:

1. Type of Forests: Tropical dry deciduous forests; part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous ecoregion
2. Flora: Teak, Kardhai, Salai, Mahua, Tendu, Amla, Bamboo, etc.
3. Fauna:
   1. Apex predator: Royal Bengal Tiger
   2. Others: Leopard, Chinkara, Sambar, Nilgai, Wild boar, Sloth bear, Indian wolf, Hyena
   3. Birds: Over 200 species, including bar-headed geese and Indian vulture
4. Protected under: Project Tiger, since 1994
5. Zonation and Connectivity
   1. Core Area: 576.13 sq. km
   2. Buffer Area: 1,021.97 sq. km
6. Connectivity: Forms part of the Ken-Betwa river corridor, crucial for wildlife migration between Panna, Bandhavgarh, and Sanjay-Dubri Tiger Reserves.
7. Notable Aspects:
   1. Tiger Reintroduction Success: Panna had no tigers in 2009, but due to active relocation and protection, the population has rebounded to 40+ tigers.
   2. Ken-Betwa River Linking Project will impact parts of the reserve’s core area, raising conservation concerns.
   3. Ecotourism and community-based conservation models involve Baiga and Gond tribes.