Salt pan lands

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• Salt pan lands are saline due to natural or man-made deposits of seawater.

• Salt pan lands play a crucial role in protecting cities and coastal areas from flooding, as they have water retention capacity and help control excess water.

•Only salt extraction and natural gas exploration are permitted in these areas, while other economic activities are restricted.

Second largest butterfly species

• Species Discovery:The Southern Birdwing, India’s second largest butterfly species, has been discovered between Chathirapatti and Kadavur on the New Natham Highway in Madurai district.

•Historical Status: From 1932 to 2020, the Southern Birdwing held the title of India’s largest butterfly species.

 •Habitat and Size: It is primarily found in the Western and Eastern Ghats regions and has a wingspan of 190mm.

•Shift in Ranking:The Southern Birdwing moved to second place after Brigadier William Harry Evans, a British naturalist, recorded a butterfly species named the Golden Birdwing with a wingspan of 194mm.

Miristica Swamp Forest

•Miristica Swamp Forest Miristica Swamp Forest Researchers have discovered a sacred grove known as Myristica Swamp Forest in Kumbharala (Maharashtra), which is preserved by the local community.

• Species Found: The forest is home to the species Myristica magnifica, which is found in abundance here.

• Sacred Groves: Sacred groves are natural areas preserved by local communities for spiritual and ecological reasons. Protection of these areas is traditionally guided by local beliefs and restrictions.