STAR RATING OF GARBAGE FREE CITIES
Why in news? The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and announced the results of Star rating of garbage free cities for the assessment year 2019-2020. A total of six cities have been certified as 5-Star, 65 cities as 3-Star and 70 cities as 1-Star. While announcing the results of the Star Rating of […]
SAFEGUARDING THE DELTA
Why in news? Cauvery delta region has been announced by Tamil Nadu as protected special agricultural zone, which includes 8 districts of the state. The delta, which produces 33 lakh tonnes of grains in 28 lakh acres, has seen multiple protests for a decade over methane, hydrocarbon, oil and natural gas projects, which required acquisition […]
CAT CONUNDRUM
Why in news? Recently court accepted the plea and ordered the introduction of Cheetahs from Namibia to India, after they became extinct way back in 1947 Backgrounder The same court observed in its 2013 order restraining the Environment Ministry from importing African cheetahs into Kuno, Madhya Pradesh, that there are many seriously threatened Indian species […]
PURIFYING WATER: ON DRAFT NOTIFICATION ON RO SYSTEMS
The Environment Ministry’s draft notification to regulate the use of membrane-based water purification systems primarily concerns the manufacturers of reverse osmosis (RO) water filters but effectively bars domestic users from installing RO systems The association of water filter manufacturers challenged this order and the litigation led to this pan-India notification, where the intent is to conserve water […]
ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT NOTIFICATION (EIA), 2020 EXTENDED
Why in news? Notice period for draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification(EIA), 2020 is extended till 30th June. What is Environment Impact Assessment? Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. UNEP […]
INDIA REDUCES ENERGY INTENSITY OF OUR ECONOMY
Why in news? India has pledged in COP-21 that we will bring down energy intensity of economy by 33 to 35% compared to 2005 levels by 2030. Now, with our energy efficiency initiatives India has already reduced the energy intensity of economy by 20% compared to 2005 levels Details: The findings of the report reflect […]
WATER WISDOM DURING A PANDEMIC
Introduction The World Water Day on March 22 was observed more online than in-person this year, considering the Pandemic More than any previous year, there was a recognition of the importance of water in handwashing and personal hygiene practices. Theme of Water Day 2020: “Water and Climate Change” Water is the primary medium through which climate change […]
FAC ON DIBANG VALLEY PROJECT AND AMRABAD TIGER RESERVE
Why in news? The environment ministry’s Forest Advisory Committee (FAC) has deferred its decision on granting forest clearance to: Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh’s Dibang Valley The exploration of Uranium in Telangana’s Amrabad Tiger Reserve Details An FAC subcommittee report on April 21 recommended that the Etalin Hydroelectric Project, which will involve clearing 270,000 trees, be […]
MASSIVE REVAMP OF FOREST MINISTRY UNITS
Why in news? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has introduced a massive restructuring plan that entails merging the 10 regional offices of the MoEF&CC and 19 centres of the Forest Survey of India (FSI), National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB) and Central Zoo Authority (CZA) into just […]
INDIAN GREY WOLF SIGHTED
Why in news? A group of conservationists studying and camera-trapping leopards in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary has stumbled upon an Indian grey wolf (Canis lumpus pallipes). Why is it significant? This is reckoned to be its first-ever documentation of Indian grey wolf in Chamarajanagar district. What is significant is that this indicates the presence of all four […]