Biomining Subject: Environment Section: Pollution Context- Urban local bodies need a comprehensive policy for reuse of reclaimed land. Concept- The Union Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs recognised that the unlined dumpsites in India are creating various irreversible environmental hazards. The major sources of pollution are: Puddles of leachate flowing through the adjacent […]
Pollution From Dumpsite Fires Subject: Environment Section: Pollution Context- ‘Unscientific’ disposal, treatment of waste behind massive fire at Ghazipur landfill, say experts. Concept- A massive fire broke out at the Ghazipur landfill on the afternoon of March 28, 2022 near East Delhi Municipal Corporation (EDMC). Toxins from the fire will spread into adjoining […]
The U.N. climate report’s emissions pathways – decoded Subject: Environment Section: Climate Change Context- The U.N. climate science panel report released on Monday lays out several paths for greenhouse gas emissions that could limit climate change or, alternatively, see it spiral out of control. Concept- The United Nations’ climate science body, the Intergovernmental […]
Oligotrophic Ecosystem Subject: Environment Section: Ecosystem Context- Cave ecosystems are understudied in India. Caves have a microclimate of their own. The cave-dwelling fauna could be more sensitive to minor changes and climate change could exacerbate local extinctions, according to scientists. Concept- What are Oligotrophic Ecosystems: Oligotrophic environments are those that offer little to […]
Opium Poppy Cultivation Subject: Agriculture Section: Crops Context- Taliban order ban on poppy cultivation. Concept- The Taliban announced on Sunday a ban on the cultivation of narcotics in Afghanistan, the world’s biggest opium producer. The cultivation of poppy has been strictly prohibited across the country. Afghanistan is the world’s largest producer of opium, […]
Hydroelectric Power Projects In Manipur Subject: Environment Context- Manipur’s push for dams threatens local ecology and communities. Concept- In 1983, a hydropower project called the Ithai barrage on Manipur (or Imphal) river that uses Loktak as the reservoir came up. As of March 2022, the Loktak multipurpose project is Manipur’s only functional hydropower […]
Rights To Nature Subject: Environment Context- Chile poised to grant rights to Nature; could become 2nd such country besides Ecuador. Concept- On March 25, 2022, the plenary body of Chile’s Constitutional Convention formally approved the Rights of Nature within its proposed constitutional text. Two articles reflect elements of the proposals include: Article 4 […]
‘Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework’ for CoP15 Subject: Environment Context- The 15-United Nations Geneva Biodiversity Meetings concluded March 29, 2022, with negotiators from around 164 countries working out the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework before CoP15, which is scheduled to be held in China in August. Concept- The 15th meeting of the Conference of the […]
India’s First Steel Slag Road Subject: Environment Context- Surat has become the first city in the country to get a processed steel slag (industrial waste) road built as part of a joint-venture project by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), Central Road Research Institute (CRRI), Union Ministry of Steel, government think-tank […]