ARAVALLI BIODIVERSITY PARK-OECM SITE TOPIC: Environment Context- On the occasion of World Wetlands Day(February 2) the Aravalli Biodiversity Park was declared India’s first “other effective area-based conservation measures” (OECM) site. Concept- What is the OECM tag? OECM is a geographically defined area other than a Protected Area, which is governed and managed in […]
MANGROVES TOPIC: Environment Context- As per WWF, around 300-400 million people world-over depend on wetlands for their livelihoods or protection against floods and other storms. Yet, it is estimated that the world has lost 87% of its wetlands since 1900s because of development activities which have also pushed many species to the brink […]
SECOND HATCHERY FOR OLIVE RIDLEY TO BE SET UP OFF COAST IN VILLUPURAM TOPIC: Environment Context- The Villupuram Forest Department will soon be establishing its second artificial hatchery for the endangered Olive Ridley turtles along the district’s coastline as part of its conservation initiative to protect turtle nests. Concept- Olive Ridley Turtles: The […]
ARTIFICIAL SNOW IN WINTER OLYMPICS TOPIC: Environment Context- Artificial snow needs to be pumped to pull off the Olympics in Beijing. Concept- How artificial snow is made? The making of artificial snow is quite similar to Mother Nature’s process. However, in the man-made version, snow guns are heavily relied upon. The snow gun’s […]
SARISKA TIGER RESERVE TOPIC: Environment Context- The tiger population in Sariska Tiger Reserve has gone up to 25, while the resources are being provided to create water holes and develop grasslands for ungulates as a prey base. Concept- Sariska Tiger Reserve Sariska Tiger Reserve is located in Aravali hills and forms a part […]
Plastics Topic: Environment In news: After years of largely neglecting the build-up of plastic waste in Earth’s environment, the U.N. Environment Assembly will meet in February and March in the hopes of drafting the first international treaty controlling global plastics pollution. About: The plastic crisis: “Plastics are the largest, most harmful and most […]
GOLDEN LANGUR TOPIC: Environment Context- Neighbours of a golden langur habitat in western Assam’s Bongaigaon district have opposed a move by the State government to upgrade it to a wildlife sanctuary. Concept- Kakoijana Reserve Forest is one of the better-known homes of the golden langur (Trachypithecusgeei) found only in Assam and Bhutan and […]
WETLANDS TOPIC: Environment Context- The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands has designated Khijadiya Bird Sanctuary near Jamnagar in Gujarat and Bakhira Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh as wetlands of international importance. Concept- With the addition of these two wetlands, the number of Ramsar Sites in India has gone up to 49, the highest for […]
BPA Topic: Environment About: BisphenolA (BPA) is a chemical compound and one of the simplest and best-known bisphenols. It is produced by the condensation of phenol and acetone, with an estimated 4 million tonnes of produced worldwide in 2015. It is a colourless solid which is soluble in organic solvents, but poorly soluble […]
Forever chemicals Topic: Environment About: Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are synthetic organofluoride chemical compounds that have multiple fluorine atoms attached to an alkyl chain. PFAS are known as “forever chemicals” because they never break down and remain present in the human body. People consume the chemical after it leaks into the ground […]