GSI lists geo-tourism sites in NE
Context: The Geological Survey of India (GSI) has identified certain geological sites across the Northeast for promotion of geo-tourism as some States in the region prepare to ‘unlock’ from September 2021. Relevance: Prelims, GS-I: Geography (Geographical Features and their Location) Dimensions of the Article: About the Geological Survey of India (GSI) About the places notified […]
Pensilungpa Glacier retreat due to warming
Context: A recent study has found that the Pensilungpa Glacier located in Ladakh’s Zanskar Valley is retreating due to increase in temperature and decrease in precipitation during winters. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography, Distribution of Key Natural Resources, Water Resources, Important Geophysical Phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate change and its impact) Dimensions of the […]
Sunderbans is now drowning in plastic
Context: Cyclone-ravaged Sunderbans is now drowning in plastic as plastic accumulating in the isolated islands of the fragile ecosystem are cause for great concern. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Environmental Pollution and Degradation, Conservation of the Environment and Ecology), GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography, Indian Geography) Dimensions of the Article: Sunderbans Flora and Fauna of the […]
Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) weakens
Context: The Atlantic Ocean’s current system (AMOC) could be weakening to such an extent that it could soon bring big changes to the world’s weather according to a recent study. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important geographical phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Impact of Climate Change) Dimensions of the Article: What are Ocean Currents? Factors responsible […]
Last patches of tropical lowland forest in Assam
Context: A recent study by researchers has highlighted the importance of the last fragments of tropical lowland forests in Assam by showing interactions between plants and fruit-eating birds in them. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography – Forest Resources and Natural Vegetation), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Environment and Ecology) Dimensions of the Article: Tropical […]
Typhoon ‘In-fa’ in China
Context: Typhoon In-fa made landfall in China forcing the city of Shanghai and neighbouring coastal regions to cancel all flights and shutter businesses. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical geography – Climatology, Important Geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Disaster Management Dimensions of the Article: Typhoon In-Fa Tropical Cyclones and their Structure Why tropical cyclones don’t form in the eastern […]
Monsoon revival sees rise in extreme rainfall events
Context: Rainfall amid the monsoon’s revival since mid-July 2021 has seen significant variation across the country. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Climatology, Important geophysical phenomena), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Climate Change and its Impact) Dimensions of the Article: Monsoon in India Recent extreme rainfall events Cause of Extreme Rainfall Events Click Here to read about Monsoon in […]
On Krishna and Godavari River Management boards
Context: The Union Ministry of Jal Shakti sent a notification on the jurisdiction of the Krishna and Godavari River Management Boards over projects and assets in the fields of irrigation and hydropower. Relevance: GS-II: Polity and Governance (Constitutional Provisions, Tribunals, Inter-State relations, Functions & responsibilities of the Union and the States, Issues and challenges of […]
Reservoir levels remain below normal in 5 states
Context: The southwest monsoon may have covered the whole of India, but the level of water in reservoirs remained below normal in five states: Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, Rajasthan, Nagaland and Madhya Pradesh. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Water Sources), GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of water and other resources) Dimensions of the Article: Introduction to Water Crisis […]
Space tourism race and suborbital flight explained
Context: British businessman Richard Branson beat rival Jeff Bezos to reach the edge of space, giving space tourism an official kickstart. But experts and space enthusiasts are in doubt whether the height to which he travelled can be termed ‘space’. Relevance: GS-I: Geography (Physical Geography), GS-III: Science and Technology Dimensions of the Article: Layers of […]