Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary

• Location: Situated in Madhya Pradesh on the northern boundary of the Mandsaur and Nimach districts.
• Area: It is spread over an area of 368.62 km2 (142.32 sq mi) adjoining Rajasthan state.
• Vegetation: It lies in the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests ecoregion.
• Prominent Geographical Feature: River Chambal flows through the sanctuary, dividing it into two parts.
• Notified in 1974 and added to the list of sanctuaries in 1984.
• Why in the News?
  • Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary is shortlisted to be the second home for cheetahs in India.
  • The first one was Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh.
  • The cheetahs will be imported from Namibia and South Africa.
• Note: About Chambal River
  • Origin:
    • Originates at Vindhya mountains (Indore, Madhya Pradesh) at the Singar Chouri peak.
    • Flows in the North direction in Madhya Pradesh for a length of about 346 km and then follows a north-easterly direction for a length of 225 km through Rajasthan.
    • It enters Uttar Pradesh and flows for about 32 km before joining the Yamuna River in Etawah District.
  • It is a rainfed river and its basin is bounded by the Vindhyan mountain ranges and the Aravallis. 
  • Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Parbati.
  • Main Power Projects/ Dam: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam, and Kota Barrage.
  • The National Chambal Sanctuary is located along river Chambal on the tri-junction of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttar Pradesh.
  • Known for critically endangered gharial, the red-crowned roof turtle, and the endangered Ganges river dolphin.

Chenab Bridge

• It is located between Bakkal and Kauri in the Reasi district of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K).
• The 1.3-km-long bridge is located 359 metres above the Chenab riverbed.
• It is the highest single-arch railway bridge in the world.
• It is part of the Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link project.
• Features:
  • The arch consists of steel boxes and concrete has been filled in the boxes to improve stability.
  • The bridge has been designed with a life span of 120 years to withstand high wind speeds of up to 266 Kmph.
  • It can withstand the nation’s maximum intensity zone-V earthquake forces.
• About Udhampur-Srinagar-Baramulla Rail Link (USBRL) Project
  • Objective: Construct a railway line from Udhampur to Baramulla, connecting the Kashmir valley with the Indian Railways network.
  • Aim: To integrate Kashmir with the rest of the country and stimulate development in the valley.
  • Total Length: 272 km.
  • Declared as a National Project in 2002.
  • Key Features:
    • Construction of several bridges and tunnels along the route.
    • 38 tunnels with a combined length of 119 km.
    • The longest tunnel (T-49) measures 12.75 km, making it the country's longest transportation tunnel.
    • 927 bridges with a combined length of 13 km, including the iconic Chenab Bridge.
    • Includes the Indian Railways' first cable-stayed bridge, currently under construction on Anji Khad.
• Why in the News?
  • The Indian Railways has conducted a successful trial of an electric engine from Sangaldan to Reasi.
  • This route crosses the world’s highest steel arch rail bridge, the Chenab Bridge.
• Note: About Chenab River
  • Origin: It rises in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti district of Himachal Pradesh state.
  • Confluence: Formed by the confluence of two rivers, Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi, 8 km southwest of Keylong, in the Lahaul and Spiti district.
    • The Bhaga river originates from Surya taal lake, which is situated a few kilometers west of the Bara-lacha la pass in Himachal Pradesh.
    • The Chandra river originates from glaciers east of the same pass (near Chandra Taal).
  • Flows Through: It flows through the Jammu region of Jammu and Kashmir into the plains of Punjab, Pakistan, before flowing into the Indus River.
  • Important projects/dams on Chenab:
    • Ratle Hydro Electric Project
    • Salal Dam- hydroelectric power project near Reasi
    • Dul Hasti Hydroelectric Plant- power project in Kishtwar District
    • Pakal Dul Dam (under construction)- on a tributary Marusadar River in Kishtwar District.

Indian Railways Entered its Name into Limca Book of Records

• This achievement is for hosting the largest public-service event across multiple venues.
• Note:
  • Limca Book of Records (LBR) is launched in 1990 in India.
  • It is an annual publication that documents world records held by Indians.
  • With over 30 editions since 1990, it is India’s first and longest continuously published book of records.
  • It is owned by Coca‑Cola India Private Limited.

Vinod Ganatra was Honoured with Nelson Mandela Lifetime Achievement Award

• He has become the first Indian to confer the award at the ongoing 7^th Nelson Mandela Children’s Film Festival in South Africa.
• The award recognizes his contributions to children's cinema.

World Sustainable Gastronomy Day 2024

• World Sustainable Gastronomy Day is annually observed on 18^th June.
• The raise awareness of the role and importance of sustainable gastronomy in promoting food security, agricultural development, sustainable food production, nutrition, conservation of biodiversity, and sustainable development.
• The theme for the year 2024 is More Taste Less Waste.