Notes:
Scientists recently discovered a massive volcano on Mars called Noctis, which is located on the eastern edge of Tharsis, a broad regional topographic rise. The volcano is 9,022 meters high and 450 kilometers wide, which makes it almost 200 meters taller than Mount Everest. It’s located south of Mars’ equator, in Eastern Noctis Labyrinthus, west of Valles Marineris, the planet’s vast canyon system. Scientists discovered Noctis using data from NASA’s Mariner 9, Viking Orbiter 1 and 2, Mars Global Surveyor, Mars Odyssey, and Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter missions, as well as ESA’s Mars Express mission.

Notes:
According to a 2024 analysis by TRAFFIC and WWF-India, Tamil Nadu has topped the illegal trade of shark body parts in India, accounting for nearly 65% of seizures between 2010 and 2022. The study found that 16,000 kilograms of shark fins were seized during this period, which is almost 80% of the total. The confiscated products are headed to Singapore, Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, Sri Lanka, and mainland China.

Notes:
Union Defence Minister Rajnath Singh inaugurated Nausena Bhawan, Indian Navy’s new headquarters at Delhi Cantonment, consolidating operations from 13 locations. The building, selected through a nationwide competition, features three wings across four stories, incorporating innovative technologies for efficiency and sustainability. This marks the Navy’s first independent HQ in Delhi, emphasizing functionality and aesthetics in its architectural design.

Notes:
At Atapaka Bird Sanctuary, situated on Kolleru Lake in Andhra Pradesh, nature enthusiasts relish the sight of thousands of migratory birds, particularly Pelicans. Spanning 673 sq km across West Godavari and Krishna districts, it’s under the Kaikalur forest range. Common species include Cormorants, Common Redshanks, and more. Kolleru Lake, India’s largest freshwater lake, balances floods for Krishna and Godavari deltas, with over 68 inflowing channels and serves as a vital migratory bird habitat.

Notes:
National Vaccination Day, celebrated annually on March 16, signifies collective commitment to public health. Its 2024 theme, “Vaccines Work for All,” emphasizes universal protection against diseases through vaccination. Originating in 1995 with India’s Pulse Polio Vaccination Program, it also commemorates WHO’s polio eradication initiative since 1988. Notably, it marks the 1975 eradication of smallpox. This day underscores the vital role of vaccination in preventing infectious diseases globally.