Recently, the Pamba River breached its banks at several locations following torrential overnight rainfall, causing widespread flooding across Pathanamthitta district of Kerala.

About Pamba River

The Pamba River, also known as the Pampa River, is the third-longest river in Kerala, after the Periyar and Bharathappuzha rivers.

The river is also known as “Dakshina Bhageerathi” or the “Ganga of Kerala.” It holds great religious and cultural significance because of its close association with the Sabarimala Temple.

Origin and Course

The Pamba River originates at an altitude of about 1,650 metres from Pulachimalai Hill on the Peerumedu Plateau of the Western Ghats.

The river flows through Kerala and ultimately reaches the Arabian Sea, where it branches into several channels before meeting the sea.

Pamba River Basin

The entire catchment area of the Pamba River lies within Kerala. The basin is bounded by the Western Ghats in the east and the Arabian Sea in the west.

Major Tributaries

The important tributaries of the Pamba River include Kakki Ar, Azhuta Ar, Kakkad Ar, Kallar, Manimala and Achenkovil.

Exercise ROTOR CLAP III is a specialised helicopter exercise conducted by the Indian Air Force (IAF). The exercise focused on Counter-Unmanned Aerial Systems (Counter-UAS) operations and was aimed at strengthening the IAF’s preparedness against emerging aerial threats, particularly drones.

Location and Edition

The exercise was conducted at the Pokhran Field Firing Range in Jaisalmer district of Rajasthan. It was the third edition of the ROTOR CLAP series, which focuses on enhancing the operational capabilities of the IAF’s rotary-wing platforms.

Participating Helicopters

Various helicopter platforms of the IAF participated in the exercise, including the AH-64 Apache, Mi-25/35, and the indigenous Prachand helicopter gunships. Chinook, Mi-17 and Dhruv helicopters also participated in different operational roles.

Key Objectives

The exercise aimed to validate operational concepts for helicopter operations against emerging aerial threats and enhance combat preparedness in a dynamic battlefield environment. It also focused on improving coordination among different helicopter units during complex combat situations.

Major Operations

During the exercise, the helicopters carried out various tactical missions, including precision strikes, battlefield support, reconnaissance, troop insertion and casualty evacuation. The participating units also conducted coordinated operations against aerial and ground-based threats.

Significance

ROTOR CLAP III highlights the growing importance of helicopter-based operations in modern warfare, particularly in dealing with the increasing threat posed by Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). It strengthens the IAF’s ability to integrate different helicopter platforms and respond effectively to evolving battlefield challenges.

The Chhattisgarh Forest Department is planning to translocate wild buffaloes from Assam and keep them in enclosures at Pamed Wildlife Sanctuary, Udanti-Sitanadi Tiger Reserve and Indravati Tiger Reserve (ITR). The initiative aims to strengthen the conservation of the Asiatic Wild Buffalo in Chhattisgarh.

About Asiatic Wild Buffalo

The Asiatic Wild Buffalo is considered the largest wild bovine in the world. It is also known as the Wild Water Buffalo, Asian Buffalo or Wild Asian Buffalo.

Habitat

The species primarily inhabits swamps, flooded grasslands, wetlands, alluvial plains and densely vegetated river valleys. It is closely associated with water-rich habitats.

Distribution

The Asiatic Wild Buffalo is found in Southern Nepal, eastern and central India, southern Bhutan and western Thailand. India supports more than 90% of the global population of the species.

India has an estimated 3,500–3,700 wild buffaloes, with the majority found in Assam. Smaller populations occur in Meghalaya, Chhattisgarh and the Kolamarka forests of Maharashtra.

Food and Behaviour

The species is herbivorous, with a diet consisting of grasses, aquatic plants, herbs, leaves, crops and tree bark. Wild buffaloes can be both diurnal and nocturnal, remaining active during both day and night.

Reproduction

Male wild buffaloes reach reproductive maturity at around 1.5 years, while females generally attain reproductive maturity at about 3 years of age.

Major Threats

The major threats to the species include habitat loss, hunting, diseases and parasites, as well as interbreeding with domestic buffaloes. Interbreeding is particularly significant because it can threaten the genetic purity of wild populations.

Conservation Status

• IUCN Red List: Endangered

• Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I