Subject: Environment Context: Fertilizers usage has been making climate change worse Concept: Widely-used synthetic fertiliser, ammonium nitrate and its chemical cousins ammonium sulfate, sodium nitrate and potassium nitrate are significant contributors to climate change. Fertilizers production is energy-intensive, requiring the burning of fossil fuels. After farmers apply these synthetic fertilisers to crops, chains of chemical […]
Subject: Environment Context: Scientists specialising in different aspects of the Himalayas discussed a range of areas like landslide disaster risk reduction, Himalayan seismicity, risk awareness, and mitigation, and journey of black carbon towards Himalayan cryosphere on the occasion of Himalaya Diwas. Concept: The discussions were part of an online celebration of ‘Himalaya Diwas’ by Wadia Institute of […]
Subject: Environment Context: Government has launched Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework (CSCAF 2.0) and Streets for People Challenge Concept: Climate Smart Cities Assessment Framework The objective of CSCAF is to provide a clear roadmap for cities towards combating Climate Change while planning and implementing their actions, including investments. In the last decade, an increasing frequency […]
Subject: Environment Context: The process of notifying critical wildlife habitats (CWH) in Maharashtra contained several violations of the Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006, found a report released by the Ashoka Trust for Research in Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) Concept: CWH is a provision under the Forest Rights Act, 2006 (FRA). The Act primarily focuses on recognising the […]
Subject: Environment Context: An approval given for confined field trials to two new Btbrinjal varieties for biosafety evaluation by the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) in seven States has left many curious about the government’s stand on genetically modified (GM) crops. Concept: GEAC Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) is the appraisal body that allows for […]
Subject: Environment Context: An illegal road coming up within the eco-sensitive zone of Grizzled Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary, without any permission from the Forest Department could pose a threat to the movement of wildlife Concept: ESZ: The basic aim of ESZ is to regulate certain activities around National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries so as to minimise […]
Subject: Environment Context: The Assam government has approved the addition of 30.53 sq km to the 884 sq km Kaziranga National Park. Concept: The additions are habitat corridors and would help provide connectivity to Orang and Nameri National Parks across river Brahmaputra from KNPTR besides the hills of KarbiAnglong to the south of the park, […]