Norms Eased for Research Into Genetically Modified (GM) Crop
Context: Recently, the Department of Biotechnology (DBT) has issued guidelines easing norms for research into Genetically Modified (GM) crops and circumventing challenges of using foreign genes to change crops profile. Relevance: GS III- Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Highlights of the Guidelines What is genome editing? How is gene editing different from GMO […]
Phytoremediation With Hyperaccumulators
Context: A study published in the JNKVV (Jawaharlal Nehru Krishi Vishwavidyalaya) research journal concluded that heavy metal pollution of soil is “emerging at a speedy rate” in India due to industrialisation. Relevance: GS II- Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: How does soil get contaminated? What are hyperaccumulator plants? How can phytoremediation with hyperaccumulators […]
National Policy on Biofuels
Context: The Union Cabinet has approved amendments to the National Policy on Biofuels, 2018, to advance the date by which fuel companies have to increase the percentage of ethanol in petrol to 20%, from 2030 to 2025. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: National Policy on Biofuels What is Ethanol fuel? Ethanol […]
India’s Vulnerability to Drought
Context: A United Nations report has revealed that many parts of India fall under the list of regions that are vulnerable to drought globally. The report also stated that India’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) reduced by 2 to 5% between 1998 and 2017 due to severe droughts in the country. Globally, droughts in the same […]
Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021
Context: A senior parliamentarian has expressed concern over the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021, which is in the final stages of consultations in the Joint Parliamentary Committee. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology (Conservation of Environment and Ecology) Dimensions of the Article: Biological Diversity (Amendment) Bill, 2021 The need for amending Biodiversity Act 2002 Concerns with […]
Ramgarh Vishdhari – India’s 52nd Tiger Reserve
Context: Ramgarh Vishdhari Wildlife Sanctuary is now notified as a tiger reserve after a nod by the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). Relevance: GS III- Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: About Ramgarh Vishdhari TR About the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Project Tiger Project Tiger Reserves of India About […]
National Mission for Clean Ganga
Focus: GS III- Environment Why in News? The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) has organised the 6th Edition of the monthly ‘Webinar with Universities’ series on ‘Igniting Young Minds, Rejuvenating Rivers’. The theme for the webinar was ‘Waste Water Management.’ About National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) was registered as a society […]
Pantanal Wetlands
Context: The world’s largest wetland, the Pantanal in South America, is at the risk of collapse due to legal land-use decisions and proposals. Relevance: GS III- Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: About Pantanal Significance of Pantanal About Pantanal The Pantanal is a natural region encompassing the world’s largest tropical wetland area, and the […]
State of the World’s Birds Report
Context: The State of the World’s Birds, an annual review of environmental resources published recently by nine natural sciences and avian specialists across the globe, has revealed that the population of 48% of the 10,994 surviving species of birds is declining. Relevance: GS III- Environment and Ecology ( Conservation, Environmental Pollution & Degradation) Dimensions of […]
Level of Ethanol Blending
Context: The level of ethanol blending in petrol in India has reached 9.99%. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology, GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure Dimensions of the Article: What is Ethanol fuel? Ethanol Blended Petrol Programme (EBP) Roadmap for Ethanol Blending in India by 2025 Advantages of Ethanol Blending What is Ethanol fuel? Ethanol fuel is ethyl […]