News Crux Miscellaneous

Great Backyard Bird Count

On February 24, 2023, a report is released by the Bird Count India (BCI) to document bird sightings during the Global Big Birding Challenge 2023.

• West Bengal reported the highest number of species with 489 species among the 35 participating States and Union Territories in Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2023 across India.
• Kerala recorded the highest number of checklists of birds, with 9,768 lists of birds uploaded on e-Bird, an online platform to record bird observations.
• More than 46,000 checklists and a total of 1,067 avian species were uploaded on e-Bird, indicating a remarkable increase in participation across the country.
• Pune birders uploaded more than 5,900 lists, the most among urban centres.

Bird Count India (BCI): BCI is an informal partnership of organisations and groups working together to increase collective knowledge about bird distributions and populations.

Current News National Defence

INS Sindhukesari

For the first time, an Indian Navy submarine, INS Sindhukesari, has docked in Jakarta, Indonesia, from February 22 to 24, as part of India's expanding military cooperation with South East Asian nations.

• INS Sindhukesari is a Kilo-class submarine of the Indian Navy. (Kilo class submarine is a type of diesel-electric attack submarine developed by the Soviet Union in the 1980s for export to other countries).
• The submarine has a displacement of 2,300 tonnes, a maximum diving depth of 300 metres, and a top speed of 18 knots.
• It is manned by a crew of 53 and can operate solo for 45 days.

Significance of INS Sindhukesari docking in Indonesia:

• Strengthening maritime partnership: The docking of INS Sindhukesari in Jakarta marks a significant step towards strengthening the maritime partnership between India and Indonesia.
• Expansion of area operational reach: The docking of the Indian Navy submarine in Jakarta significantly expands the area operational reach of the submarine arm near crucial shipping lanes and the strategic Malacca Strait.
• Strategic significance: The docking of INS Sindhukesari in Indonesia is of strategic significance as it highlights India's growing influence in the Indo-Pacific region.
• It sends a strong message to China, which has been aggressively asserting its claims in the South China Sea, that India is a major player in the region and is committed to safeguarding its interests and those of its allies.
• Enhancing defense ties: The docking of INS Sindhukesari in Jakarta is expected to enhance defense ties between India and Indonesia.