Changes to Forest Conservation Act Subject – Environment Context – The Union Government has proposed changes to Forest Conservation Act. Concept – It has proposed absolving agencies involved in national security projects and border infrastructure projects from obtaining prior forest clearance from the Centre. The FCA, which first came in 1980 and was […]

    Green hydrogen push for refining fertiliser sectors Subject – Environment Context – R K Singh: ‘Green hydrogen push for refining, fertiliser sectors; PLI for electrolysers in the works’ Concept – The government is working on plans to boost the use of green hydrogen in the oil refining and fertiliser production sectors, including a […]

    Biofuels Subject – Environment Context – The biofuels route to carbon neutrality Concept – The continued use of fossil fuels for addressing the world’s energy needs is leading to rapid depletion of natural resources and a simultaneous increase in environmental pollution. Biofuels are viewed as one of the solutions to this dual problem. […]

    Whale shark Subject – Environment Context – Carcass of fourth dead whale shark in 11 months found on Odisha beach Concept – Whale sharks are a protected species under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. They are also included in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s Red List. The whale shark is […]

    Tarballs on India’s west coast Subject – Environment Context – Tarballs hit the news headlines recently when they started appearing on well-known beaches of Mumbai and Goa. Concept – These aquatic pollutants, formed from weathering of crude oil floating on the ocean surface, have flooded Anjuna, Morjim, Colva and Mandrem beaches in Goa […]

    Sardine Run Subject – Environment Context – South Africa’s massive ‘sardine run’ leads fish into an ecological trap Concept – One of the world’s most spectacular marine migrations is the KwaZulu-Natal sardine run. The so-called “greatest shoal on Earth” takes place during the southern hemisphere’s winter. It involves the movement of tens to […]

    Positive Feedback Loop and Desertification Subject – Environment Concept – Positive feedback loop is a process where changing one quantity changes the second one, and the change in the second quantity, in turn, changes the first. Scientists fear a positive feedback loop may spiral the climate crisis out of control. Desertification is an […]

    Green Bonds Subject – Environment Context – India at the bottom of ethical funds with just 22 funds worth $2 bn: Report Concept – India, despite being the sixth largest economy and the third largest polluter, has the lowest number of ethical/sustainable/green bonds at just about 22 funds. Collectively called the ESG funds […]