Indigenous bugs help tackle invasive pest
Why In news? Two types of ladybird beetles are among the three indigenous bugs found to be the biological weapons against a Caribbean origin enemy of The woolly whitefly. More about the pest Among the newest of 118 exotic pests troubling farmers in India, particularly fruit growers, is the woolly whitefly first described from Jamaica […]
Solar power
Why in news? Prime Minister recently restated the importance of solar power in restarting the economy and moving towards sustainable development. Government efforts towards solar power. inauguration of a 750 MW photovoltaic project at Rewa, in Madhya Pradesh India expanded its solar generation capacity 8 times from 2,650 MW in May, 2014 to over 20 […]
CYCLES4CHANGE CHALLENGE
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The Smart Cities Mission opened the registration for India Cycles4Change Challenge. India Cycles4Change Challenge India Cycles4change Challenge is an initiative of Smart Cities Missionto inspire and support Indian cities to quickly implement cycling-friendly initiatives in response to COVID-19. Cities are encouraged to collaborate with CSOs, experts, and […]
LACK OF AIR POLLUTION DATA PUTS INDIANS AT RISK
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? India is among seven countries that does not share air pollution data in a fully transparent manner despite it being termed as “the greatest environmental risk to health” by the World Health Organization (WHO). Highlights of a report The report highlighted that outdoor air pollution leads to […]
DREAMS AND DOUBTS OF A GREEN REVIVAL
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Introduction Teeming wildlife; cities breathing fresh air; and clearer rivers, were all small signs of hope amid a dire, once-in-a-century pandemic. There is now a term to describe this unique moment in human history: the anthropause. What is the ‘Anthropause’ period? Researchers in the UK are set to study the […]
2020 MAY BE A BUMPER HARVEST YEAR
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? India’s troubled agricultural sector, which employs about 60% of its workforce and contributes about 16% to its economic output, is set to record its best performance in recent years. Why is the agriculture sector expected to perform well? Monsoon Rains Substantial pre-monsoon showers in May 2020, […]
CPCB: POLLUTION IN TRIBUTARIES OF GANGA
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? An inter-ministerial meeting was held where pending issues of Environment/Forest clearance of National Projects of Central Water Commission, National Water Development Agency and Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana-AIBP were discussed. Union Minister of Jal Shakti requested the Central Pollution Control Board to strengthen the pollution monitoring system […]
UN REPORT: CLIMATE CHANGE AND DISEASE TRANSMISSION, ZOONOTIC
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? The United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) report says: Climate change can particularly affect diseases transmitted by insects. 75 per cent of all emerging infectious diseases are zoonotic. Details of Climate Change and Transmission of Diseases Warmer temperatures can increase […]
GOLDEN BIRDWING IS INDIA’S LARGEST BUTTERFLY
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? A Himalayan butterfly named Golden Birdwing is India’s largest, a record an unknown specimen had held for 88 years. Details With a wingspan of almost 20 centimeters, the female of the species is marginally larger than the Southern Birdwing (recorded in 1932). According to the authors, […]
WORLD BANK PROVIDES $400 MILLION FOR GANGA REJUVENATION
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Indian Economy Why in news? The World Bank and the Government of India signed a loan agreement to enhance support for the Namami Gange programme that seeks to rejuvenate the Ganga river. Details The Second National Ganga River Basin Project will help stem pollution in the iconic river and strengthen […]