UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 5 July 2026

by Vajiram & Ravi - 5 July 2026

Vajiram & Ravi provides Daily UPSC Prelims Current Affairs for 5 July 2026, tailored for aspirants. We cover all relevant news and events crucial for the exam, ensuring you stay updated & well-prepared.

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

July 5, 2026
Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuaries

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary Latest News

A large-scale eviction drive is underway at the Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam's Nagaon district with the administration clearing alleged encroachments spread across hundreds of bighas of cultivated land. 

About Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary

  • It is located on the southern part of the Brahmaputra River in the Nagaon District of Assam.
  • It forms an integral part of the Laokhowa-Burachapori ecosystem and is a notified buffer of the Kazairanga Tiger Reserve.
  • It is a part of the Brahmaputra valley.
  • The sanctuary is surrounded by human-dominated areas on all sides except for the north. 
  • Flora: The vegetation composition of Laokhowa can be broadly categorized into alluvial grassland, alluvial forest, moist  deciduous forest, and tropical semi-evergreen forest.
  • Fauna 
    • The sanctuary is home to the great Indian-one horned rhinoceros, elephants, royal Bengal tigers, Asiatic water buffaloes and more than 225 species of birds.
    • Some of the birds spotted here are the spot-billed pelican, little and large cormorant, egret, open-billed stork, brahminy kite, pond heron, etc.

Source: IT

Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary FAQs

Q1: Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctuary is located in which state?

Ans: Assam

Q2: What is Laokhowa primarily famous for?

Ans: Great Indian One-Horned Rhinoceros

Matcha Tea

July 5, 2026
Matcha Tea

Matcha Tea Latest News

Recently, an Assam tea estate sold India’s first commercially-produced matcha tea, marking a significant shift from conventional teas.

About Matcha Tea

  • Matcha is a finely ground green tea powder made from specially processed, shade-grown tea leaves of Camellia sinensis.
  • Origin: It originated through cultural exchanges between China and Japan during the premodern period.
  • It developed from earlier powdered tea practices in China that were later introduced to Japan by Zen Buddhist monks.

How is it produced?

  • It is made after shading tea leaves for three to four weeks before harvest. 
    • Blocking 90% of sunlight from the leaves boosts their chlorophyll and amino acid levels, and gives them a distinct colour and flavour.
  • The young leaves are harvested and steamed, then dried and de-stemmed into a flaky leaf called tencha.
  • The tencha is slowly stone-ground into the fine powder we know as matcha.
  • The shade-growing process gives matcha its characteristic bright green colour and rich umami flavour.
  • Unlike regular green tea, where the leaves are steeped and discarded, matcha is whisked into water and consumed entirely, providing higher levels of antioxidants, amino acids, and natural caffeine.

Source: TH

Matcha Tea FAQs

Q1: What plant is Matcha tea made from?

Ans: Camellia sinensis

Q2: What compound gives Matcha its umami taste & calm energy?

Ans: L-theanine – increased due to shading, prevents conversion to bitter compounds

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