Burkina, Mali, Niger quit West African bloc ECOWAS

• The military regimes in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their immediate withdrawal from the West African bloc ECOWAS.
• Economic Community of West African States is also known as CEDEAO in French.
• It is the regional group which was established in 1975 through the Lagos Treaty.
• Mandate: Promoting economic integration among its members.
• The vision of ECOWAS is the creation of a “borderless region” that is well-integrated and governed in accordance with the principles of democracy, rule of law and good governance.
• Members: Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’ Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea Bissau, Liberia, Nigeria, Sierra Leone, Senegal and Togo.
• ECOWAS’ larger aims are to have a single common currency and create a single, large trading bloc in areas of industry, transport, telecommunications, energy, financial issues, and social and cultural matters.
• Along with the goals of economic cooperation, it has attempted to quell military conflicts in the region.
• It also operated a regional peacekeeping operation known as ECOMOG, led by Nigeria in the 1990s and early 2000s.
• Headquarters: Abuja, Nigeria.

INDIA- SAUDI ARABIA JOINT MILITARY EXERCISE ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ COMMENCES IN RAJASTHAN

• In a major boost of ties, the militaries of India and Saudi Arabia are conducting their first Joint Military Exercise named as Sada Tanseeq.
• Exercise Sada Tanseeq is the inaugural edition of India-Saudi Arabia Joint Military Exercise ‘SADA TANSEEQ’ commenced at Mahajan, Rajasthan.
• The Exercise is scheduled to be conducted from 29th January to 10th February 2024.
• Aim of the Exercise is to train troops of both sides for Joint Operations in Semi Desert terrain under Chapter VII of the United Nations Charter.
• The Exercise will enable both the sides to share their best practices in the tactics, techniques and procedures of conducting operations in sub-conventional domains.
• It will facilitate developing interoperability, bonhomie and camaraderie between troops from both the sides.
• The Exercise will involve Establishment of Mobile Vehicle Check Post, Cordon & Search Operation, House Intervention Drill, Reflex Shooting, Slithering and Sniper Firing.
• The Exercise will provide an opportunity to both the contingents to strengthen their bond.

In Jambavan’s land: Sloth bears mostly coexist peacefully with humans in Karnataka; but conflict is not non-existent.

• Scientific Name: Melursus ursinus
• Sloth bears are one of the eight bear speciesfound across the world.
• They are myrmecophagous, meaning, they find bugs and termites to be their most sought-after meal.
• Habitat: They live in a variety of dry and moist forestsand in some tall grasslands, where boulders, scattered shrubs and trees provide shelter.
• Appearance: They have long, shaggy dark brown or black fur and curved claws, which are the longest out of any of the bear species.

Conservation Status

• IUCN: Vulnerable
• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule 1
• Key to mitigate human-sloth bear confrontations: Enhancing habitat connectivity, minimising human-wildlife interaction zones, and implementing responsible waste management practices.
• Sloth Bear Sanctuaries in India: Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary (Karnataka), Jessore Sloth Bear Sanctuary (Gujarat).

Govt diverts Chenab river water to expedite hydroelectric project in Jammu and Kashmir.

• The government announced diversion of Chenab river water through diversion tunnels to expedite the 850-MW Ratle Hydro Electric Project in Jammu & Kashmir.
• Ratle Hydro Electric Project is an 850 MW run-of-river hydroelectric power project being built on the Chenab River in the Kishtwar District of Jammu and Kashmir.
• The project is being developed by Ratle Hydroelectric Power Corporation (RHPCL), which was formed as a joint venture (JV) between Jammu & Kashmir State Power Development Corporation (JKSPDC) and India’s state-owned National Hydroelectric Power Corporation (NHPC).
• The project comprises a 133-metre-tall and 194.8-meter-long concrete gravity dam, a diversion dam, and an underground powerhouse on the right bank of the river.

Key Facts about Chenab River:

• It is a major river of India and Pakistan.
• Origin: It is formed by the confluence of two streams, Chandra and Bhaga, at Tandi in the upper Himalayas in the Lahaul and Spiti Districts of Himachal Pradesh.
• In its upper reaches, it is also known as the Chandrabhaga.
• It is a tributary of the Indus River.

Course:

• It flows west through Jammu and Kashmir union territory, between the steep cliffs of the Siwalik Range (south) and the Lesser Himalayas (north).
• Turning southwest, it continues into Pakistan, descending from the uplands into the broad alluvial lowlands of Punjab province.
• After receiving the Jhelum River near Trimmu, the Chenab empties into the Sutlej River, a tributary of the Indus River.
• Its total length is about 605 miles (974 km), and it feeds several irrigation canals.
• Tributaries: The tributaries of the Chenab River include Miyar Nalla, Sohal, Thirot, Bhut Nalla, Marusudar, and Lidrari.