India adds new species to its fauna: Zoological Survey of India (ZSI)
Context: India has added 557 new species to its fauna according to Animal Discoveries 2020, a document published recently by the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI). Relevance: Prelims, GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Environment and Ecology, Species in news, Government Policies and Initiatives/Organisations) Dimensions of the Article: About the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) […]
Assam’s Deepor Beel Wildlife Sanctuary and eco-sensitive zone notification
Context: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change notified the eco-sensitive zone of the Deepar Beel Wildlife Sanctuary on the south-western edge of Guwahati. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of the Environment and Ecology, Protected Areas) Dimensions of the Article: Deepor Beel Deterioration of the Beel Eco-Sensitive Zones Deepor Beel Dipor Bil, also spelt […]
Climate Crisis is a Child Rights Crisis report: UNICEF
Context: Recently, the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF) in collaboration with Fridays for Future launched a report named ‘The Climate Crisis Is a Child Rights Crisis: Introducing the Children’s Climate Risk Index’. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Degradation and its Impact, Environmental Impact Assessment), GS-II: Social Justice (Issues related to Children) Dimensions of the […]
Fukushima nuclear water to be released via undersea tunnel
Context: The operator of the wrecked Fukushima nuclear power plant said that there are plans to build an undersea tunnel so that massive amounts of treated but still radioactive water can be released into the ocean about 1 km away from the plant to avoid interference with local fishing. Relevance: GS-III: Science and Technology, GS-III: […]
Delhi’s new smog tower
Context: Recently, Delhi got a ‘smog tower’, a technological aid to help combat air pollution. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution, Environmental Conservation) Dimensions of the Article: What are ‘Smog Towers’? Why did Delhi need a ‘Smog Tower’? Limitations of the Smog Tower in Delhi What are ‘Smog Towers’? Smog towers are structures designed […]
IUCN Red List
The IUCN Red List brings into focus the ongoing decline of Earth’s biodiversity and the influence humans have on life on the planet. It provides a globally accepted standard with which to measure the conservation status of species over time. By 2019, 96,500 species had been assessed by using the IUCN Red List categories and criteria. Of these, more than […]
The rumbling hills of Himachal Pradesh
Context: As hydro power projects, dams and construction activities are increasing, landslides too are becoming common in Himachal Pradesh, especially in the tribal districts of Lahaul-Spiti and Kinnaur which have seen incessant rains. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation, Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Environmental Impact Assessment) Dimensions of the Article: Issues in Himachal Pradesh Role […]
India ratifies Kigali Amendment to the Montreal Protocol
Context: Five years after it fought hard to successfully negotiate favourable terms for itself, India decided to ratify a key amendment to the Montreal Protocol. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (International Treaties & Agreements, Environmental Pollution & Degradation) Dimensions of the Article: Conventions related to Ozone depletion Kigali Amendment About India’s ratification of Kigali Amendment […]
IPCC 2021 report on Climate Change
Context: Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) recently published its sixth assessment report (AR6) titled “Climate Change 2021: The Physical Science Basis”. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and degradation, Conservation of Environment, Climate change and its impact, International Institutions and Agreements for combating climate change) Dimensions of the Article: About the IPCC Highlights […]
India Plastics Pact initiative
Context: The India Plastics Pact is set to be launched soon in collaboration with Confederation of Indian Industries (CII) and World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF). Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of Environment) Dimensions of the Article: India Plastics Pact The Need for India Plastic Pact India Plastics Pact India […]