GRAP-IV in Delhi–NCR
Why is this in News? Relevance What is GRAP? GRAP Stages and AQI Thresholds GRAP Stage AQI Range Air Quality Category GRAP-I 201–300 Poor GRAP-II 301–400 Very Poor GRAP-III 401–450 Severe GRAP-IV >450 Severe+ / Hazardous What is GRAP-IV? Measures Enforced Under GRAP-IV Transport Restrictions Construction and Infrastructure Educational Institutions Offices and Workplaces Institutional Framework […]
Are methane emissions in India being missed?
Why is this in News? Relevance GS III – Environment & Climate Change GS III – Urban Development Methane: The Basics Landfills as Methane Factories India’s Methane Profile (Waste Sector Focus) The Core Problem: Measuring an Invisible Gas Model-based Estimation (Traditional) Ground-based Monitoring Satellite Monitoring: The Game Changer Types of Satellite Data Key Missions & […]
Western Tragopan
WHY IS IT IN NEWS? Relevance GS-III – Environment & Ecology WHAT IS THE WESTERN TRAGOPAN? a) Taxonomy b) IUCN Status c) Habitat d) Ecological role POPULATION STATUS & FRAGMENTATION a) Wild population b) Key threats THE MISSING LINK: IN-SITU CONSERVATION Experts repeatedly emphasise that ex-situ breeding cannot substitute for habitat protection. Key issues: COMMUNITY-BASED CONSERVATION: A PROMISING […]
Airborne Microplastics in India
Why is this in news? Relevance GS-3 (Environment) GS-2 (Health) Basic understanding: What are airborne microplastics? Key scientific concerns raised by Padma doctors Exposure and infiltration Role as carriers of pathogens Direct health impacts Emerging medical linkages highlighted 1. Cardiovascular risk 2. Diabetes and metabolic disorders 3. Insulin resistance 4. Immune and hormonal disruption Structural […]
Developing Nations Call for ‘Meat Tax’ on High-Income Countries
Why is it in News? Relevance GS 3 – Environment & Climate Change GS 2 – International Relations What Is a ‘Meat Tax’ Proposal? Why Agriculture Is Under Scrutiny What the Belém Declaration Seeks Who Are the Signatories? Rationale Behind the Demand a) Disproportionate Emissions b) Inequity in Climate Burden c) Rising Livestock Demand Unsustainable Why High-Income […]
Why India struggles to clear its air
Why Is It in News? Relevance GS3 – Environment / Pollution• National air pollution control architecture: CAQM, CPCB, SPCBs.• Sectoral sources: biomass, transport, industry, construction dust.• Meteorology–inversion dynamics in Indo-Gangetic Plain.• Failure of “end-of-pipe” measures; need for structural interventions.• Health impacts → DALY burden, economic productivity losses. GS2 – Governance / Federal Issues• Inter-state coordination failures (Punjab–Haryana–Delhi).• Institutional fragmentation → weak compliance.• Judiciary’s role vs executive capacity (EPCA to CAQM shift).• Behavioural […]
SC Panel Suggests Creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve
Why is it in News? Relevance GS-III: Environment & Ecology GS-I: Geography What is a Tiger Reserve? Background of the Case High Court Order (2023) Goa Government’s Objections CEC’s Intervention CEC Recommendations — Phased Tiger Reserve for Goa A. Phase 1: Core + Buffer from Low-Human Habitation Areas Core Zone (296.7 sq. km) Buffer Zone […]
Air Pollution Exposure in India
Core Findings Relevance: GS3 – Environment GS2 – Governance Geographical Pattern Seasonality Technical Notes
COP30 & Mutirão
Why is it in News? Relevance GS3 – Environment GS2 – Governance / International Relations What is Mutirão? Why is the Concept Symbolically Powerful? What Did COP30 Mean by a “Mutirão Approach”? Brazil framed mutirão as a governance method, not a slogan. Key elements: Essentially, mutirão = climate action as a continuous, participatory, community-driven process. Indigenous Angle — Why It Matters Relevance of Belém, […]
African grey parrot
Why is it in News? Relevance What is the African Grey Parrot? Conservation Status Why is the African Grey Parrot Easily Available in India Despite Being Appendix I? Key RTI Findings Regulatory Framework: What the Law Requires (But Isn’t Followed) A. Breeders of Species Licence Rules, 2023 To legally breed African grey parrots, applicants must […]