Daily Current Affairs – 13-06-2025
Tamil Nadu
Lion Census 2025: Asiatic Lion Population Rises to 891 in Gujarat
® The 16th Asiatic Lion Census (2025), conducted across 11 districts of Gujarat, recorded a population increase from 674 (2020) to 891 lions, marking a 32% rise over five years. ® Asiatic lions, found only in Gujarat’s Gir National Park and surrounding areas, are a distinct sub-species. ® Core populations are concentrated in Gir and Pania Wildlife Sanctuaries. ® Amreli district reported the highest lion count at 257. ® Barda Wildlife Sanctuary near Porbandar emerged as a new lion habitat, being termed a “second home” for lions—first such development since 1879. ® New satellite populations were also observed around Jetpur and Babra-Jasdan.
New Sea Route for North-East via Shillong-Silchar Corridor
® The Union Cabinet has approved the construction of a 166.8 km, 4-lane high-speed corridor along NH-6, from Mawlyngkhung (Shillong, Meghalaya) to Panchgram (Silchar, Assam). ® This corridor will enhance regional connectivity by linking the Northeast to Kolkata via a sea route, bypassing Bangladesh. ® It forms a crucial extension of the Kaladan Multi-Modal Transit Transport Project (KMTTP) in Myanmar. ® KMTTP connects Kolkata Port to Sittwe Port (Rakhine State, Myanmar), then to Paletwa via inland waterways, and finally to Zorinpui (Mizoram) by road. ® Silchar is strategically important as a gateway to Mizoram, Tripura, Manipur, and Barak Valley (Assam).
Operation Olivia:
Indian Coast Guard Protects 6.98 Lakh Olive Ridley Turtles
® Under Operation Olivia, the Indian Coast Guard (ICG) successfully protected over 6.98 lakh Olive Ridley turtles along the Odisha coast. ® The operation focuses on safeguarding the endangered species during their annual nesting season.
Pushkar Kumbh 2025
Held at Mana Village, Uttarakhand After 12 Years
® Held at Keshav Prayag (confluence of Alaknanda and Saraswati) near Shri Badrinath Dham. ® Organised when Jupiter enters Gemini (every 12 years) as per tradition. ® Vaishnav devotees from South India participated prominently. ® Mana: Known as India’s first village.