LEATHERBACK TURTLES Subject : Environment Context : Proposals for tourism and port development in the Andaman and Nicobar (A&N) Islands have conservationists worried over the fate of some of the most important nesting populations of the Giant Leatherback turtle in this part of the Indian Ocean. Concept : Leatherback sea turtle (Dermochelyscoriacea) is […]
Mandarin duck or the (Aix galericulata) Subject: Environment Context: Considered the most beautiful duck in the world, the Mandarin duck made an appearance in Assam’s Tinsukia last week after more than a century. Concept: It was found in Maguri-Motapungbeel (or wetland) in Assam’s Tinsukia district. It is a “small-exotic looking bird” native to […]
Turbidity Subject: Environment Context: Debris and silt across Ganga after Uttarakhand flood raised turbidity of water impacting water supply in Delhi. Concept: It is the degree to which the water loses its transparency due to the presence of suspended particulates. It is considered good measure of quality of water. Turbidity is a measure […]
Hedyotis Sithiravaraiensis (Karumthumbai or Senthumbai or Sakkaraithumba) Subject: Environment Context: Chennai-based botanists have foundNew plant species with possible medicinal properties discovered. Concept: It is a critically endangered species majorly due to unregulated commercial collection of the plant by the locals It is a critically-endangered species of the Rubiaceae family in Pakkamalai in the […]
Mangar Bani Subject: Environment Context: A study by CEDAR, the 219 species found in the Mangar landscape include 130 resident species, 53 winter migrants, 12 summer migrants, and 16 passage migrants. Concept: Mangar Bani is a sacred grove in Aravallis region. Mangar is a central part of a continuous north-south stretch of Aravalli […]
Asiatic lion Subject: Environment Context: An Asiatic Lion entered into a hotel area in Gujrat from nearby Girnar jungle. Concept: Asiatic lion (Pantheraleopersica) Asiatic lions are slightly smaller than African lions. Males have only moderate mane growth at the top of the head so that their ears are always visible. The most striking […]
Biological Oxygen Demand, Chemical Oxygen Demand, Total Suspended Solid Subject: Environment Context: The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change said that 100 of 156 drains in catchment of river Yamuna ‘are not meeting standards’ on a plea in the SC which is hearing on “remediation of […]
Nagpur-Mumbai Super Communication Expressway and sanctuaries/Tiger reserves Subject: Environment Context: It is being built as the fastest highway in India designed for a top speed of 150 kmph. Concept: The focus is on co-existence, with five “wildlife bridges” and a network of underpasses being built. MSRDC, that is building the highway, joined forces […]