MONSOON IN SUNDERBANS LIKELY TO GET LONGER, WARN CLIMATE EXPERTS
Why in news? The monsoon in Sunderbans is likely to last longer and get more intense, according to a fact sheet titled The Sunderbans and Climate Change More about the report Climate specialists have predicted that as climate change progresses, monsoon seasons in the Sundarbans will become longer and more intense. Conversely, drought conditions will also […]
INDIA’S BIRD POPULATION SUFFERS LONG-TERM DECLINE
Why in news? The State of India’s Birds 2020 (SoIB) assessment raises the alarm that several spectacular birds, many of them endemic to the subcontinent, face a growing threat from loss of habitat due to human activity, widespread presence of toxins, including pesticides; hunting and trapping for the pet trade More about the report Over […]
WAYANAD TIGER RESERVE
The Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS), though home to more than half the number of tigers present in Kerala, may not be notified as a tiger reserve as the proposal lacks public support. The ‘Status of Tigers in India’ report released last year had estimated the tiger population of Wayanad as between 75 and 80 individuals. […]
TIME RUNNING OUT TO REDUCE GREENHOUSE GAS EMISSIONS
Why in news? The Future of Earth, 2020,’ which was released here on Thursday by the South Asia Future Earth Regional Office, DIVECHA Centre for Climate Change, Indian Institute of Science lists Failure of climate change mitigation and adaptation Extreme weather events Major biodiversity loss and ecosystem collapse Food crises Water crises as the five […]
BUSTARD IN GLOBAL CONSERVATION LIST
India will be moving to include the Asian Elephant and the Great Indian Bustard in the list of species that merit heightened conservation measures. The list will be debated at the 13th Conference of Parties (COP) of the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS), India is home to several migratory […]
PERUMBAKKAM LAKE
The black-tailed godwit, a near-threatened bird species had arrived at the lake The Great Trigonometrical Survey, a Survey of India initiative to survey the whole land mass of India was started from the measurement of a small section of plain land with Perumbakkam Hill on the southern end by Major Lambton in 1802 CE.
MADRAS HIGH COURT DISMISSES GI TAG FOR BASMATI RICE PLEA
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? A 2016 case challenging the exclusion of 13 districts in the State from a map submitted by the Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA) seeking Geographical Indication tag for basmati rice grown in the Indo Gangetic Plain was dismissed by Madras High Court. Details […]
SPECIES IN NEWS: SWAMP WALLABY
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology Why in news? The swamp wallaby is likely the only mammal pregnant and lactating all life long, researchers have said. How is it possible? Female wallabies and kangaroos have two uteri and two separate ovaries. At the end of a pregnancy in one uterus, a new embryo develops in […]
BLACK CARBON LEVELS SPIKE AT HIMALAYAN GLACIERS
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? Black carbon concentrations near the Gangotri glacier rose 400 times in summer due to forest fires and stubble burning from agricultural waste, and triggered glacial melt, says a study by scientists at the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology (WIHG). Details The team of scientists from WIHG- […]
EURASIAN OTTER FOUND IN CHILIKA LAKE
Focus: GS-III Environment and Ecology, Prelims Why in news? Researchers conducting a study in Odisha’s Chilika Lake have found the presence of a viable, breeding population of a fishing cat in the brackish water lagoon. It is a globally endangered species that is elusive and found in very few places in south and southeast Asia. […]