🔆Current Context: Debate surrounding the proposal to rebuild the Teesta-3 dam in Sikkim after it was destroyed by a Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) in 2023.
Key Points:
✅GLOF Event: South Lhonak lake moraine collapse led to a massive flood, damaging the dam and causing casualties.
✅Rebuilding Proposal: Expert committee recommends rebuilding Teesta-3 with modifications.
✅Concerns: Environmental impact, safety in a geologically unstable region, climate change risks.
✅Arguments for Rebuilding: Commercial viability, existing infrastructure.
✅Arguments Against Rebuilding: Increased risk due to climate change, potential for larger disasters, focus on engineering solutions over retreat.
✅Expert Views: Highlight the need for better GLOF modeling and assessment approaches.
✅Broader Picture: Need for improved social security for residents in disaster-prone areas.
Possible Questions:
Key Points:
✅GLOF Event: South Lhonak lake moraine collapse led to a massive flood, damaging the dam and causing casualties.
✅Rebuilding Proposal: Expert committee recommends rebuilding Teesta-3 with modifications.
✅Concerns: Environmental impact, safety in a geologically unstable region, climate change risks.
✅Arguments for Rebuilding: Commercial viability, existing infrastructure.
✅Arguments Against Rebuilding: Increased risk due to climate change, potential for larger disasters, focus on engineering solutions over retreat.
✅Expert Views: Highlight the need for better GLOF modeling and assessment approaches.
✅Broader Picture: Need for improved social security for residents in disaster-prone areas.
Possible Questions:
✅Prelims: Which of the following is/are a concern(s) raised about the proposal to rebuild the Teesta-3 dam?
The region's geological instability.
The potential impact on downstream communities.
The lack of consideration for climate change risks.
(a) 1 only (b) 1 and 2 only (c) 2 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3
✅Mains: "The decision to rebuild the Teesta-3 dam highlights the complex challenges of balancing development needs with disaster risk reduction and climate change adaptation in the Himalayas." Discuss this statement, suggesting a framework for making informed decisions about infrastructure projects in such vulnerable regions.
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UPPCS 2025 Notification.pdf
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UPPSC 2025 Complete Notification
Seats -200
10 - Assistant Conservator of Forest
Application starts- 20 Feb 2025 ( Today)
Last Date- 24 March 2025
Prelims Exam- 12th October 2025
Seats -200
10 - Assistant Conservator of Forest
Application starts- 20 Feb 2025 ( Today)
Last Date- 24 March 2025
Prelims Exam- 12th October 2025
🔆 Similipal Tiger Reserve (STR): A Biodiversity Haven in Odisha
📍 Location and Terrain
✅ Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj District in northern Odisha, featuring hilly, undulating terrain with open grasslands and dense forests.
✅ The twin peaks, Khairiburu and Meghashini, rise to an altitude of 1,515 meters above sea level.
📍 Tribal Communities
✅ The reserve is inhabited by several tribal communities, including the Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
📍 History and Recognition
✅ Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956, Similipal was brought under Project Tiger in 1973.
✅ Recognized as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
📍 Flora and Fauna
✅ Flora:
✅ Home to 1,078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids.
✅ The Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the dominant species.
✅ Fauna:
✅ The reserve supports rich wildlife, including Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Langurs, Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Sambar, Pythons, Pangolins, and Flying Squirrels.
✅ It also hosts diverse birdlife, with migratory species such as Bar-Headed Geese and Brahmini Ducks.
✅ Freshwater snails (Radix genus) are found in its water bodies.
📍 Melanistic Tigers of Similipal
✅ Similipal is the only place in the world where pseudo-melanistic tigers can be found in the wild.
✅ 27 of Odisha’s 30 tigers (AOTE-2023-24) live in Similipal, including 13 pseudo-melanistic tigers.
✅ The unique black-striped pattern of these tigers is caused by a mutation in the Taqpep gene.
📍 Location and Terrain
✅ Similipal Tiger Reserve is located in the Mayurbhanj District in northern Odisha, featuring hilly, undulating terrain with open grasslands and dense forests.
✅ The twin peaks, Khairiburu and Meghashini, rise to an altitude of 1,515 meters above sea level.
📍 Tribal Communities
✅ The reserve is inhabited by several tribal communities, including the Kolha, Santhala, Bhumija, Gondas, Khadia, Mankadia, and Sahara.
📍 History and Recognition
✅ Declared a Tiger Reserve in 1956, Similipal was brought under Project Tiger in 1973.
✅ Recognized as part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2009.
📍 Flora and Fauna
✅ Flora:
✅ Home to 1,078 species of plants, including 94 species of orchids.
✅ The Sal tree (Shorea robusta) is the dominant species.
✅ Fauna:
✅ The reserve supports rich wildlife, including Leopards, Elephants, Gaurs, Langurs, Barking Deer, Sloth Bears, Sambar, Pythons, Pangolins, and Flying Squirrels.
✅ It also hosts diverse birdlife, with migratory species such as Bar-Headed Geese and Brahmini Ducks.
✅ Freshwater snails (Radix genus) are found in its water bodies.
📍 Melanistic Tigers of Similipal
✅ Similipal is the only place in the world where pseudo-melanistic tigers can be found in the wild.
✅ 27 of Odisha’s 30 tigers (AOTE-2023-24) live in Similipal, including 13 pseudo-melanistic tigers.
✅ The unique black-striped pattern of these tigers is caused by a mutation in the Taqpep gene.
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🔆 Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
📍 Context
✅ Avian diversity in Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary, Assam, has declined by over 70%.
📍 Location
✅ Situated between Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam.
✅ Once part of the Subansiri River.
📍 Climate & Ecology
✅ Experiences a moist tropical climate.
✅ Receives approximately 2000 mm of rainfall annually.
#mapping
📍 Context
✅ Avian diversity in Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary, Assam, has declined by over 70%.
📍 Location
✅ Situated between Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam.
✅ Once part of the Subansiri River.
📍 Climate & Ecology
✅ Experiences a moist tropical climate.
✅ Receives approximately 2000 mm of rainfall annually.
#mapping
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🔆 World’s Busiest Ports: Key Global Trade Hubs 🚢🌍
📍 Top Asian Ports
✅ Port of Shanghai, China 🇨🇳 – World’s busiest port (43M+ TEUs), Yangtze River Delta.
✅ Port of Singapore 🇸🇬 – Handles 20% of global transshipment, top transshipment hub.
✅ Port of Shenzhen, China 🇨🇳 – Key network in Guangdong, linked to Hong Kong.
✅ Port of Busan, South Korea 🇰🇷 – South Korea’s largest port, at Nakdong River’s mouth.
✅ Port of Hong Kong, China 🇨🇳 – Crucial deepwater seaport in the South China Sea.
✅ Port of Jebel Ali, UAE 🇦🇪 – Largest in the Middle East, world’s biggest man-made harbor.
📍 Major Western Ports
✅ Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱 – Europe’s largest seaport in the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta.
✅ Port of Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸 – “America’s Port,” busiest in the U.S., located in California.
✅ Port of Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪 – Europe’s second-largest seaport, handling diverse cargo.
#Places_in_news
#Port_series
📍 Top Asian Ports
✅ Port of Shanghai, China 🇨🇳 – World’s busiest port (43M+ TEUs), Yangtze River Delta.
✅ Port of Singapore 🇸🇬 – Handles 20% of global transshipment, top transshipment hub.
✅ Port of Shenzhen, China 🇨🇳 – Key network in Guangdong, linked to Hong Kong.
✅ Port of Busan, South Korea 🇰🇷 – South Korea’s largest port, at Nakdong River’s mouth.
✅ Port of Hong Kong, China 🇨🇳 – Crucial deepwater seaport in the South China Sea.
✅ Port of Jebel Ali, UAE 🇦🇪 – Largest in the Middle East, world’s biggest man-made harbor.
📍 Major Western Ports
✅ Port of Rotterdam, Netherlands 🇳🇱 – Europe’s largest seaport in the Rhine-Meuse-Scheldt delta.
✅ Port of Los Angeles, USA 🇺🇸 – “America’s Port,” busiest in the U.S., located in California.
✅ Port of Antwerp, Belgium 🇧🇪 – Europe’s second-largest seaport, handling diverse cargo.
#Places_in_news
#Port_series
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Parambikulam Tiger Reserve:
✅Why in news: A faunal survey in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve recorded 15 new species, including birds, butterflies, and odonates, increasing its biodiversity checklist.
✅Location: Situated in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala, between the Anamalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills in the Western Ghats.
✅Area: Covers 643.66 sq. km, including the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (declared in 1973, expanded in 1984) and later notified as a Tiger Reserve in 2010.
✅Flora:
🔸Comprises evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, and grasslands.
🔸Home to endangered medicinal plants like Coscinium fenestratum and Utleria salicifolia (IUCN Red-listed).
Fauna:
✅Mammals: Lion-tailed macaques, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, leopards, elephants, Nilgiri langurs, smooth-coated otters.
✅Amphibians & Fish: Endemic species like Tomopterna parambikulamana (frog) and Garra surendranathanii (sucker fish).
✅Tribes Found: Indigenous tribes like Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar, and Mala Malasar inhabit the reserve in six colonies.
✅Conservation Significance:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster.
✅Implements Project Tiger under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
#National_park_series
#Tiger_Reserve_series
#Places_in_news
Join @mapping_prelims_mains
@upsc_4_environment
✅Why in news: A faunal survey in Parambikulam Tiger Reserve recorded 15 new species, including birds, butterflies, and odonates, increasing its biodiversity checklist.
✅Location: Situated in Palakkad and Thrissur districts of Kerala, between the Anamalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills in the Western Ghats.
✅Area: Covers 643.66 sq. km, including the Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary (declared in 1973, expanded in 1984) and later notified as a Tiger Reserve in 2010.
✅Flora:
🔸Comprises evergreen, moist and dry deciduous forests, and grasslands.
🔸Home to endangered medicinal plants like Coscinium fenestratum and Utleria salicifolia (IUCN Red-listed).
Fauna:
✅Mammals: Lion-tailed macaques, Malabar giant squirrel, flying squirrel, leopards, elephants, Nilgiri langurs, smooth-coated otters.
✅Amphibians & Fish: Endemic species like Tomopterna parambikulamana (frog) and Garra surendranathanii (sucker fish).
✅Tribes Found: Indigenous tribes like Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar, and Mala Malasar inhabit the reserve in six colonies.
✅Conservation Significance:
A UNESCO World Heritage Site under the Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster.
✅Implements Project Tiger under the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA).
#National_park_series
#Tiger_Reserve_series
#Places_in_news
Join @mapping_prelims_mains
@upsc_4_environment
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Key Geographical Events 🌍🌋
📍 Mount Ruang (Indonesia) 🌋
✅ Recently erupted stratovolcano in Sulawesi Islands.
✅ Part of Indonesia’s active volcanic belt.
✅ Other notable volcanoes: Krakatau, Merapi, Semeru.
📍 Hopen Island (Svalbard Archipelago) ❄️
✅ First recorded case of walrus death due to bird flu.
✅ Discovered in 1596, located in the Arctic region.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
📍 Mount Ruang (Indonesia) 🌋
✅ Recently erupted stratovolcano in Sulawesi Islands.
✅ Part of Indonesia’s active volcanic belt.
✅ Other notable volcanoes: Krakatau, Merapi, Semeru.
📍 Hopen Island (Svalbard Archipelago) ❄️
✅ First recorded case of walrus death due to bird flu.
✅ Discovered in 1596, located in the Arctic region.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
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🔆Franklin Fire: Key Takeaways
📍Wildfire Details
🔥 The Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, began on December 9.
🔥 Impact: Over 4,000 acres burned and 22,000 people affected.
📍Santa Ana Winds
✅ High-pressure systems over the Great Basin drive these winds.
✅ Bring dry, warm air to Southern California.
✅ Lower humidity and dry vegetation, increasing fire risk.
✅ Occur typically from October to January.
📍Climate Change Impact
🌍 Longer wildfire seasons in California.
🔥 Increased frequency and intensity of wildfires.
🌡 Driven by rising global temperatures and prolonged dry seasons.
📍Future Concerns
⚠️ Continued greenhouse gas emissions may cause a significant rise in global temperatures by the century's end, worsening wildfire conditions.
#Geography
📍Wildfire Details
🔥 The Franklin Fire in Malibu, California, began on December 9.
🔥 Impact: Over 4,000 acres burned and 22,000 people affected.
📍Santa Ana Winds
✅ High-pressure systems over the Great Basin drive these winds.
✅ Bring dry, warm air to Southern California.
✅ Lower humidity and dry vegetation, increasing fire risk.
✅ Occur typically from October to January.
📍Climate Change Impact
🌍 Longer wildfire seasons in California.
🔥 Increased frequency and intensity of wildfires.
🌡 Driven by rising global temperatures and prolonged dry seasons.
📍Future Concerns
⚠️ Continued greenhouse gas emissions may cause a significant rise in global temperatures by the century's end, worsening wildfire conditions.
#Geography
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🌍 Geopolitical & Environmental Updates
📌 Darfur (Sudan)
✅ UN warns of imminent starvation in Darfur.
✅ A region in Sudan plagued by violent conflict between Arab and African communities.
📌 Cook Islands
✅ Engaged in deep-sea mining exploration for minerals crucial in electric vehicle batteries.
✅ A self-governing island state in the South Pacific Ocean with its capital at Avarua on Rarotonga Island.
📌 Darfur (Sudan)
✅ UN warns of imminent starvation in Darfur.
✅ A region in Sudan plagued by violent conflict between Arab and African communities.
📌 Cook Islands
✅ Engaged in deep-sea mining exploration for minerals crucial in electric vehicle batteries.
✅ A self-governing island state in the South Pacific Ocean with its capital at Avarua on Rarotonga Island.
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Gulf of Tonkin:
✅It is referred as “Beibu Gulf”in Chinese and “Bac Bo Gulf” in Vietnamese.
✅It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated off South China and Northern Vietnam coasts in the South China Sea’s northwestern portion.
✅Bordering regions: It is bordered by the northern coastline of Vietnam in the west and northwest; by China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the north; and by the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island in the east.
✅It is connected with the South China Sea via the gulf’s mouth in the south and the Hainan Strait in the northeast.
✅Many rivers empty into the Gulf of Tonkin, with the Red River supplying the major riverine discharge along with some smaller rivers along the northern and western coastal areas.
✅Major Ports: In Northern Vietnam, the gulf’s main ports include Haiphong and Ben Thuy, whereas, in China, its major port is Beihai (Pakhoi).
#Places_in_news
#Sea_series
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
✅It is referred as “Beibu Gulf”in Chinese and “Bac Bo Gulf” in Vietnamese.
✅It is a crescent-shaped, shallow, semi-enclosed water body situated off South China and Northern Vietnam coasts in the South China Sea’s northwestern portion.
✅Bordering regions: It is bordered by the northern coastline of Vietnam in the west and northwest; by China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region in the north; and by the Leizhou Peninsula and Hainan Island in the east.
✅It is connected with the South China Sea via the gulf’s mouth in the south and the Hainan Strait in the northeast.
✅Many rivers empty into the Gulf of Tonkin, with the Red River supplying the major riverine discharge along with some smaller rivers along the northern and western coastal areas.
✅Major Ports: In Northern Vietnam, the gulf’s main ports include Haiphong and Ben Thuy, whereas, in China, its major port is Beihai (Pakhoi).
#Places_in_news
#Sea_series
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
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🔆 Mercury Island & Nord Stream Pipeline
📍 Mercury Island
✅ "My Mercury" Documentary explores the life of Yves Chesselet, a conservationist working to reclaim Mercury Island (off Namibia’s coast) for endangered seabirds.
📍 Nord Stream Pipeline Leak
✅ 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream pipeline released thousands of tonnes of methane into the Baltic Sea.
✅ Raises concerns about marine life, carbon cycles, and environmental impact.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
📍 Mercury Island
✅ "My Mercury" Documentary explores the life of Yves Chesselet, a conservationist working to reclaim Mercury Island (off Namibia’s coast) for endangered seabirds.
📍 Nord Stream Pipeline Leak
✅ 2022 explosions on the Nord Stream pipeline released thousands of tonnes of methane into the Baltic Sea.
✅ Raises concerns about marine life, carbon cycles, and environmental impact.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
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🔆 Techo Funan Canal
✅ Cambodia will begin construction of the Chinese-backed Techo Funan Canal.
✅ The canal will connect the Mekong River basin to the Cambodian coast.
🔆 Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb Islands Dispute
✅ Iran summoned China’s ambassador to protest a China-UAE statement on the sovereignty of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb islands.
✅ The islands are claimed by the UAE but have been held by Iran since 1971.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
✅ Cambodia will begin construction of the Chinese-backed Techo Funan Canal.
✅ The canal will connect the Mekong River basin to the Cambodian coast.
🔆 Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb Islands Dispute
✅ Iran summoned China’s ambassador to protest a China-UAE statement on the sovereignty of Abu Musa, Greater Tunb, and Lesser Tunb islands.
✅ The islands are claimed by the UAE but have been held by Iran since 1971.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
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🔆Current Context: The article discusses the increasing seismic activity in the Himalayan region and the need for India to improve its earthquake preparedness.
Key Points:
✅Himalayan Seismicity: Indian Plate pressing onto Eurasian Plate causes frequent earthquakes along the Himalayan arc.
✅Recent Earthquakes: Türkiye-Syria quake (2023), Shigatse (Tibet) quake (2025), Delhi and Bihar tremors (2025).
✅Unpredictability: Predicting earthquakes remains beyond current scientific capabilities.
✅Infrastructure Vulnerability: Himalayan infrastructure (dams, hydropower projects, roads) is particularly vulnerable.
✅Building Codes: Enforcement of existing building codes is insufficient.
✅Public Awareness: Need to dispel "perilous innocence" about earthquake risks.
Suggested Measures:
✅Preventive Action: Roll back engineering projects that weaken the earth's crust.
✅Seismic Zonation Maps: Develop detailed maps for vulnerable structures, including hydel projects and atomic reactors.
✅Building Insurance Scheme: Incentivize insurance against building collapse.
✅Disaster Response Planning: Assess costs for rescue, sheltering, and rehabilitation.
✅International Collaboration: Partner with experts on earthquake anticipation and architecture.
📍Government's Role:
✅Ministry of Earth Sciences & Disaster Management Authority: Utilize these institutions for seismic preparedness.
✅Financial Commitment: Allocate resources for earthquake mitigation and response.
Possible Questions:
Key Points:
✅Himalayan Seismicity: Indian Plate pressing onto Eurasian Plate causes frequent earthquakes along the Himalayan arc.
✅Recent Earthquakes: Türkiye-Syria quake (2023), Shigatse (Tibet) quake (2025), Delhi and Bihar tremors (2025).
✅Unpredictability: Predicting earthquakes remains beyond current scientific capabilities.
✅Infrastructure Vulnerability: Himalayan infrastructure (dams, hydropower projects, roads) is particularly vulnerable.
✅Building Codes: Enforcement of existing building codes is insufficient.
✅Public Awareness: Need to dispel "perilous innocence" about earthquake risks.
Suggested Measures:
✅Preventive Action: Roll back engineering projects that weaken the earth's crust.
✅Seismic Zonation Maps: Develop detailed maps for vulnerable structures, including hydel projects and atomic reactors.
✅Building Insurance Scheme: Incentivize insurance against building collapse.
✅Disaster Response Planning: Assess costs for rescue, sheltering, and rehabilitation.
✅International Collaboration: Partner with experts on earthquake anticipation and architecture.
📍Government's Role:
✅Ministry of Earth Sciences & Disaster Management Authority: Utilize these institutions for seismic preparedness.
✅Financial Commitment: Allocate resources for earthquake mitigation and response.
Possible Questions:
✅Prelims: Which of the following statements regarding earthquakes in the Himalayan region is/are correct?
They are caused by the Indian Plate pressing onto the Eurasian Plate.
Predicting earthquakes is now within current scientific capabilities.
Infrastructure in the region is highly vulnerable to seismic activity.
(a) 1 only
(b) 1 and 3 only
(c) 2 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
✅Mains: "Despite the inherent unpredictability of earthquakes, India can significantly enhance its resilience through proactive measures and robust institutional mechanisms." Discuss this statement, highlighting the key challenges and suggesting a comprehensive strategy for earthquake preparedness in the Himalayan region.
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🔆 Key Global Updates
📍 Namaqualand, Africa
✅ Scientists discovered 34,000-year-old termite mounds along the Buffels River, making them the world’s oldest inhabited termite structures.
📍 Denmark
✅ First country to impose a livestock CO₂ tax starting in 2030, aiming to reduce agricultural emissions.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
📍 Namaqualand, Africa
✅ Scientists discovered 34,000-year-old termite mounds along the Buffels River, making them the world’s oldest inhabited termite structures.
📍 Denmark
✅ First country to impose a livestock CO₂ tax starting in 2030, aiming to reduce agricultural emissions.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
👍8
🔆 Key Global Updates
📍 Lake Natron, Tanzania
✅ Climate change is affecting Lake Natron, a crucial habitat for flamingos and biodiversity.
📍 Chilakgava Mountain Range, Malawi
✅ Malawi’s Vice President died in a plane crash in the Chilakgava Mountain Range.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
📍 Lake Natron, Tanzania
✅ Climate change is affecting Lake Natron, a crucial habitat for flamingos and biodiversity.
📍 Chilakgava Mountain Range, Malawi
✅ Malawi’s Vice President died in a plane crash in the Chilakgava Mountain Range.
#Places_in_news
Join @Mapping_prelims_mains
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