Mount Dukono in eastern Indonesia has recently erupted, releasing an ash column that rose up to 1,400 meters above its summit.

About Mount Dukono

Mount Dukono is an active volcano located on Halmahera Island, in North Maluku, Indonesia.

It is a complex volcano characterized by a broad, low profile, multiple summit peaks, and overlapping craters, which indicate repeated eruptive activity over time.

The volcano stands at an elevation of 1,087 meters above sea level and is one of the 127 active volcanoes of Indonesia.

Tectonic Setting

Mount Dukono lies within the Pacific Ring of Fire, a highly active tectonic belt known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to intense plate boundary interactions.

Eruption History and Activity

Since its first recorded eruption in 1933, Mount Dukono has shown continuous volcanic activity.

Its eruptions are often:

• Frequent and persistent

• Characterized by ash emissions and explosive bursts

• Occasionally producing lava flows and mudflows (lahars)

The volcano regularly emits ash plumes that can rise several kilometers into the atmosphere, affecting nearby air quality and aviation routes.

Surrounding Environment

The surrounding region of Mount Dukono is covered by tropical rainforest, which supports a variety of endemic flora and fauna species, making it both a geologically and ecologically significant area

INS Mahendragiri was recently delivered to the Indian Navy at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), Mumbai, marking an important step in strengthening India’s indigenous naval capabilities. The induction of this warship reflects the country’s focus on enhancing its modern maritime defence fleet under domestic shipbuilding programmes.

About INS Mahendragiri

INS Mahendragiri is the sixth frigate of the advanced Project 17A Nilgiri-class stealth frigates. It has been designed by the Warship Design Bureau (WDB) and constructed at Mazagon Dock Shipbuilders Limited (MDSL), Mumbai, showcasing India’s growing expertise in indigenous warship design and construction.

Propulsion System and Technology

INS Mahendragiri is powered by a Combined Diesel or Gas (CODOG) propulsion system, which allows efficient operation across different speed requirements. This system uses a diesel engine for economical cruising and a gas turbine for high-speed movement, both connected to Controllable Pitch Propellers (CPP) on each shaft. The ship is also equipped with a modern Integrated Platform Management System (IPMS) that enables automated control and efficient monitoring of onboard systems.

Weapons and Combat Capability

INS Mahendragiri carries a highly advanced multi-layered weapon and sensor suite designed for anti-surface, anti-air, and anti-submarine warfare. This makes the frigate capable of handling a wide range of maritime threats with high precision and operational efficiency.

About Project 17A Frigates

The Project 17A frigates represent a new generation of stealth guided-missile warships designed for multi-mission operations in modern naval warfare. These ships are built to enhance stealth, survivability, and combat effectiveness, making them crucial assets for the Indian Navy’s future maritime strategy.

Advanced Systems in Project 17A Ships

The Project 17A frigates are equipped with some of the most advanced combat systems, including the MF-STAR Active Phased Array Radar, which provides superior target detection and tracking capabilities. They also carry BrahMos supersonic cruise missiles for precision strike operations and Barak-8 long-range surface-to-air missiles for strong air defence. These systems together ensure robust capability across anti-air, anti-surface, and anti-submarine warfare domains, significantly strengthening India’s naval defence posture.

Indian conservationists Barkha Subba and Parveen Shaikh have recently been awarded the prestigious Whitley Awards, recognising their outstanding work in conserving the Himalayan salamander and the endangered Indian skimmer. The award highlights impactful grassroots conservation efforts from the Global South.

About Whitley Awards

The Whitley Awards, often called the “Green Oscars”, are international conservation awards given by the Whitley Fund for Nature (WFN), a UK-based charity. These awards recognise local conservation leaders who are working directly at the grassroots level to protect biodiversity.

The award also provides winners with approximately £50,000 in funding over one year, enabling them to scale up their conservation projects and implement community-based solutions to biodiversity loss.

Himalayan Salamander

The Himalayan salamander is a lizard-like amphibian species that, although resembling a lizard, is distinct because it lacks scales and belongs to the amphibian group. It is found in India (especially the Darjeeling region), Nepal, and Bhutan, making it an important species of the eastern Himalayan ecosystem.

It can grow up to 17 cm in length and may live for up to 11 years. One of its unique biological traits is philopatry, which means it returns to its natal breeding sites to reproduce. This makes the species highly sensitive to wetland degradation and habitat disturbance.

The wetlands where it breeds are also considered culturally sacred, often associated with local deities and traditional rituals, which adds an important socio-cultural dimension to its conservation. According to the IUCN Red List, the species is classified as Vulnerable.

Indian Skimmer

The Indian skimmer is a distinctive waterbird belonging to the genus Rynchops in the family Laridae. It is named for its unique feeding behaviour, where it flies low over water bodies and “skims” the surface with its lower mandible to catch fish.

It is primarily found in large sandy rivers, lakes, and marshes, with its distribution spanning India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Nepal, and Myanmar. In India, one of its most important habitats is the Chambal River, which supports a significant breeding population.

The species is listed as Endangered on the IUCN Red List, mainly due to habitat loss, river pollution, and human disturbance along riverbanks