PLACES IN NEWS 23rd MAY 2025

1. Gir National Park

Recently, Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) population in Gujarat goes up from 674 to 891 in 5 years,

according to the 16th census 2025 released by the Gujarat Forest Department.

• Location: Gir National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary, also known as Sasan Gir, is located primarily in the Junagadh district of Gujarat, with portions extending into Amreli, Gir Somnath, and Botad districts.
• Significance: It is the only natural habitat of the Asiatic lion (Panthera leo persica) in the world,
• Historical Status:

• Declared as a Wildlife Sanctuary in 1965.
• The core area was designated as a National Park in 1975, covering approximately 258.71 sq. km, while the total protected area exceeds 1,400 sq. km when including the sanctuary.

• Forest Type and Ecology:

• Gir represents the largest contiguous tract of dry deciduous forest in the semi-arid zone of western India.
• The vegetation is dominated by Teak, Acacia, and Flame of the Forest (Butea monosperma).
• The region supports a rich biodiversity, including mammals (leopards, striped hyenas, jackals, chinkaras), over 300 bird species, and various reptiles and insects.

• Hydrology:

• Seven major perennial rivers flow through the Gir region: Hiran, Shetrunji, Datardi, Shingoda, Machhundri, Raval, and Saraswati.
• The Kamleshwar Dam on the Hiran River, also called the ‘Lifeline of Gir’, plays a crucial role in maintaining the ecosystem.

• Cultural Landscape – Maldharis:

• Maldharis are religious pastoralist communities who have coexisted with wildlife in Gir for centuries.
• Their settlements are known as “nesses”, and they practice a symbiotic relationship with nature, often herding cattle within the protected areas.

• Other Important National Parks in Gujarat:

National Park	Location	Notable Features
Blackbuck National Park	Velavadar (Bhavnagar district)	Known for Blackbuck antelope, grassland ecosystem
Vansda National Park	Navsari district	Part of the Western Ghats ecosystem in Gujarat; moist deciduous forests
Marine National Park	Gulf of Kachchh (Jamnagar district)	India’s first marine park; rich coral reefs, mangroves, and marine fauna

 

2. China–Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC)

Recently, China, Pakistan, Afghanistan agrees to expand CPEC during trilateral talks

• Launched: Officially launched in April 2015 during Chinese President Xi Jinping’s visit to Pakistan.
•  Nature of Project:

• A flagship project under China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI).
• A collection of infrastructure projects (transport, energy, and industrial) aimed at connecting Gwadar Port in Pakistan to Kashgar in Xinjiang, China.

• Length & Route:

• Approximately 3,000 km long.
• Traverses from Gwadar (Balochistan) to Kashgar (Xinjiang) via Sindh, Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

 

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