PLACES IN NEWS 8th JULY 2025

Great Nicobar

Why in the News?

1. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has submitted a High-Powered Committee (HPC) report to the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on the Great Nicobar Island project.
2. The NGT is reviewing it due to concerns over environmental impacts on coral reefs, forests, and wildlife.
3. These concerns were raised by activists and researchers citing possible violations of environmental rules.

What are the Key Highlights?

1. Geographical Location:
   1. Country: India
   2. Union Territory: Andaman and Nicobar Islands
   3. Latitude & Longitude: Between 6°45′N to 7°15′N and 93°30′E to 94°10′E
   4. Location: Southernmost island of the Nicobar group in the Bay of Bengal
   5. Indira Point:
      1. Located on the southern tip of Great Nicobar Island
      2. Southernmost point of India
      3. Lies at 6°45′10″N latitude
      4. Submerged during the 2004 tsunami but later restored with a lighthouse
2. Physical Features:
   1. Area: About 910 square kilometers
   2. Highest Peak: Mount Thullier (642 meters above sea level)
   3. Coastline: Rich in mangroves, sandy beaches, and coral reefs
   4. Seismic Zone: Earthquake-prone area; near the 2004 tsunami epicenter
3. Ecological Importance:
   1. Home to Great Nicobar Biosphere Reserve, part of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere Programme
   2. Rich biodiversity with endemic species like the Nicobar megapode and saltwater crocodile
   3. Dense tropical rainforests, coral reefs, and turtle nesting sites
   4. National Parks:
      1. Campbell Bay National Park:
         1. This National Park is located in the northern part of Great Nicobar Island, which is part of the Union Territory of Andaman and Nicobar Islands, India.
         2. It was established in 1992 to protect the rich biodiversity of the region.
      2. Galathea National Park:
         1. It is located in the southern part of Great Nicobar Island.
         2. This park was established in 1992.
         3. It covers an area of about 110 square kilometers and includes both land and coastal ecosystems, making it very important for conservation.
4. Tribes and Population:
   1. Inhabited by Shompens (a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group – PVTG) and Nicobarese tribes
   2. Population is sparse and mostly found in small villages
5. Strategic Importance:
   1. Location is geopolitically significant, close to the Malacca Strait
   2. Plans for a transshipment port, International airport, and defense infrastructure to boost maritime presence

Samjung, Nepal

Why in the News?

1. Samjung, a remote Himalayan village in Nepal, has come into focus due to the severe impacts of climate change.
2. Residents are being forced to abandon their ancestral homes as snowfall declines, rainfall intensifies, and vital water sources vanish.

About the Place

1. Location:
   1. Samjung is situated in the high–altitude Himalayan region of Nepal.
2. Significance:
   1. Part of the Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) range.
   2. This range spans from Afghanistan to Myanmar.
   3. It contains the largest volume of ice outside the polar regions.
3. Environmental Importance:
   1. Glaciers in this region feed major rivers.
   2. These rivers sustain over 240 million people in the mountains and 1.65 billion downstream.
4. Climate Impact:
   1. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), high-altitude areas like Samjung are warming faster than the lowlands.
   2. This is leading to glacier retreat, thawing permafrost, and erratic snowfall patterns.