Places in News This Week (Sept 22-28, 2025)

1. Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan

Why in News: US warns Afghanistan about consequences if base isn't returned

Key Facts:

• 60 km north of Kabul, Afghanistan's largest military base

• Strategic proximity to Chinese nuclear sites (Lop Nur, Koko Nur)

2. Achanakmar Tiger Reserve, Chhattisgarh

Why in News: Tiger population tripled from 5 (2022) to 18 (2025)

Key Facts:

• Links Kanha and Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserves

• Home to Baigas (PVTG), Gond communities

3. Sawalkote Hydropower Project, J&K

Why in News: Fast-tracked after Indus Waters Treaty suspension post-Pahalgam attack

Key Facts:

• 1,856 MW capacity on Chenab River
• Will generate 7,000 Mn+ units annually

4. Morocco Defense Facility

Why in News: India inaugurated first overseas defense manufacturing plant

Key Facts:

• Tata Advanced Systems' facility producing WhAP 8x8 armoured vehicles

• Morocco: Only African nation with Atlantic and Mediterranean coasts

5. Peru Earthquake Zone

Why in News: Magnitude 5.6 earthquake struck southern coast

Key Facts:

• Home to Amazon rainforest and Andes mountains

• Lake Titicaca: World's highest navigable lake

6. Baltic Sea

Why in News: Germany deployed jets after Russian aircraft violated airspace

Key Facts:

• World's youngest sea, largest brackish water body

• Connected to North Sea via Kiel Canal

7. Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu

Why in News: India's first Dugong Conservation Reserve recognized by IUCN at World Conservation Congress 2025

Key Facts:

• Established 2022, covers 448.34 sq. km in northern Palk Bay

• Home to 12,250+ hectares of seagrass meadows

• Dugong population: ~200 (vulnerable species)

8. Banswara, Rajasthan

Why in News: PM laid foundation of Mahi Banswara Rajasthan Atomic Power Project (MBRAPP)

Key Facts:

• 4 x 700 MWe PHWR units by NPCIL and NTPC
• Part of India's "fleet mode" nuclear initiative
• India currently has 24 reactors (8180 MW capacity)

9. Andaman Basin

Why in News: Natural gas discovery in Sri Vijayapuram 2 well, supporting energy goals

Key Facts:

• Gas found 17 km from east coast shoreline

• 371 million MT oil equivalent estimated in Andaman-Nicobar Basin

• Part of Bengal-Arakan sedimentary system

10. Ecuador

Why in News: Indigenous groups criticize $47 billion oil drilling expansion plan in Amazon

Key Facts:

• Northwest South America, borders Colombia, Peru, Brazil

• Home to Cotopaxi (active volcano) and Mount Chimborazo (highest peak)

• Galapagos Islands part of Ecuador

11. Sirik, Iran (Hormozgan Province)

Why in News: Russia-Iran sign $25 billion deal for 4 nuclear power plants

Key Facts:

• Each plant: 1,255 MW capacity
• Iran currently has only Bushehr nuclear plant operational
• Major nuclear sites: Natanz, Fordow, Isfahan

12. Spiti Valley, Himachal Pradesh

Why in News: Recognized as India's first Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's MAB Programme

Key Facts:

• Spanning 7,770 sq. km, features unique biodiversity including Snow Leopard

• Promotes conservation, research, and eco-tourism

• Cold desert ecosystem with unique high-altitude flora and fauna