Editorial: Hazardous ideas for the Himalayas
Context: China and India have been competing with each other to build hydroelectric dams in an ecologically fragile and seismically vulnerable area. Relevance: GS Paper 3: Environmental conservation; Environmental pollution and degradation; Environmental Impact Assessment Mains Questions: By planning hydropower projects, India and China are placing the Himalayan region at great risk. Discuss. 15 Marks […]
RARE MYRISTICA SWAMP TREEFROG FOUND
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? Myristica swamp treefrog, a rare arboreal species endemic to the Western Ghats that bears the scientific name Mercurana myristicapalustris , has been recorded for the first time north of the Shencottah gap in the Vazhachal Reserve Forest in Kerala’s Thrissur district. Details These frogs are rare and […]
USING CAMERA TRAPS MORE ETHICALLY IN WILDLIFE RESEARCH
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, GS-IV Ethics Introduction The question of ethicality in use of camera traps is – what is to be done when the cameras unintentionally capture images of people – local villagers or even suspected poachers? A new paper published by an international team of researchers notes that the privacy of people […]
CLIMATE AMBITION SUMMIT
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The United Nations, United Kingdom and France co-hosted the Climate Ambition Summit 2020, held virtually, which marked the fifth year of adoption of the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. The UN General Secretary highlighted that the international community might be able to reach the carbon neutrality which […]
NGT ON STRENGTHENING ELEPHANT CORRIDORS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has directed the Odisha government to prepare an action plan on 14 identified elephant corridors for providing stress-free migration to jumbos from one habitation to another in the State. Details The Odisha State government had proposed 14 corridors, however, despite the passing […]
SC: MARADU BUILDERS TO PROVIDE A “CONCRETE PLAN”
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The Supreme Court asked the Maradu Towers builders’ lawyers to file their written submissions for a detailed hearing. Background In 2006 Maradu Panchayat granted permission for the construction for five waterfront apartments overlooking the scenic canals of Kochi backwaters. But, just nine months after granting permission, the […]
SHIVALIK ELEPHANT RESERVE, DEHRADUN AIRPORT PROJECT
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? Environmental activists and local residents protested outside Dehradun’s Jolly Grant Airport against the government’s decision to fell over 10,000 trees in the Shivalik Elephant Reserve, Thano forest for expansion of the airport. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF) had recently asked the Uttarakhand government […]
CPCB ON ENVIRONMENT PLAN FOR RAILWAY STATIONS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has “insisted” that the Ministry of Railways devise a modern environmental management plan to control air, water and noise pollution at major railway stations. Details The CPCB had called for the formation of a joint committee comprising Railway and State government/local […]
HIMALAYAN ATMOSPHERIC TURBULENCE
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? Weather predictions becoming more certain and help in preventing air traffic disasters may now be easier and, especially in the Himalayas region because of atmospheric turbulence parameters specific to the Himalayas region. Details Scientists have estimated turbulence parameters in the lower troposphere over the central Himalayan region […]
KRISHNA-GODAVARI (KG) BASIN AND METHANE
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Introduction The methane hydrate deposit in the Krishna-Godavari (KG) basin is a rich source that will ensure adequate supplies of methane, a natural gas. Methane hydrate is formed when hydrogen-bonded water and methane gas come into contact at high pressures and low temperatures in oceans. It is estimated that one […]