Panhala Fort 

Why in news?

• The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI), Mumbai Circle celebrated World Heritage Day at Panhala Fort.

About

• Location: It is located in Panhala, Kolhapur in Maharashtra. It is strategically placed in proximity to the trade routes connecting the Sahyadri mountains, the Deccan plateau, and the Konkan coast.
• The fort was built between1178 and 1209 CE, by the Shilahara ruler Bhoja II.
• The fort reflects the transfer of power in the hands of the Yadavas of Devagiri, the Bahmani of Bidar, the Adil Shahi of Bijapur, the Marathas and the Mughals.

Architecture

• The fort had 3 double walled gates, namely; Chaar Darwaja, Teen Darwaja, Wagh Darwaja.
• There are several water bodies such as, Someshwar Tank, Sadhoba Tank, Khokad Tank and Idgah Tank.
• There is a three-storied tower called theNayikinicha Sajja or the dancing girl’s tower, built during the reign of Ibrahim Adil Shah II.
• Sajja Kothiis a double storied structure with an upper gallery occupying the prominent and highest position on the hill.

Significance

• In 1954, Panhala Fort was declared as a Monument of National Importance.
• Panhala Fort, is one of the 11 forts that has been nominated by ASI for inclusion in the UNESCO World Heritage List under the title, ‘Maratha Military Landscapes’. 

Mount Ruang

Why in news?

• A tsunami alert was issued in Indonesia after multiple eruptions of the Mount Ruang volcano.
  • Indonesia, with 120 active volcanoes, faces frequent volcanic activity due to its location along the Ring of Fire.

What are Volcanic Eruptions?

• A volcano is a vent or fissure in Earth’s crust through which lava, ash, rocks, and gases erupt.
• A volcano can be active, dormant or extinct.
• Themagma is lighter than solid rock, it can rise through vents and fissures on the surface of the earth. After it has erupted, it is called lava.

Ring of Fire

• It is also called the Circum-Pacific Belt, which is a path along the Pacific Ocean characterized by active volcanoes and frequent earthquakes.
• It traces boundaries between several tectonic platesincluding the Pacific, Cocos, Indian-Australian, Nazca, North American, and Philippine Plates.
• It is home to about 75 per cent of the world’s volcanoes and about 90 per cent of its earthquakes.
• Formation: The Ring of Fire is the result of the subduction of oceanic tectonic platesbeneath lighter continental plates. The area where these tectonic plates meet is called a subduction zone.
  • Here, the plate which is below at the convergent boundary is pushed down, or subducted, by the plate above. As the rock is subducted, it melts and becomes magma.

Bird Flu (H5N1)

Why in news

• Recently, Kerala’s Alappuzha district has been hit by a bird flu outbreak.

About Bird Flu 

• It was first detected in the state of Maharashtra in 2006.
• Cause: Bird flu also known as avian influenza (H5N1), is a disease that primarily affects birds and is caused by a virusof the Orthomyxoviridae family.
• Transmission:Human cases of avian influenza occur occasionally and transmission of infection from person to person is very rare.
  • There is no evidence to suggest that avian influenza viruses can be transmitted to humans through properly prepared and cooked poultry or eggs.
• Symptoms: Infected birds show nervousness, lack of coordination and movements, tremors, gasping for air, swelling and redness around neck, head and eyes.
  • Symptoms of infection in humans include cough, muscle aches, runny nose and sore throat.
• Treatment and Prevention: Antiviral medications, such as Oseltamivir (Tamiflu)can help in reducing the severity and duration of symptoms.