Saving India’s wild ‘unicorns’ Subject: Environment Section: Species in news RhoDIS (Rhino DNA Index System) India programme: Initiated by the Veterinary Genetics Laboratory of the University of Pretoria by creating a database using the unique DNA profile of individual rhinos. In 2016, the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), Government of […]
Researchers call Australia carbon credit scheme a ‘catastrophe’ Subject: Environment Section: Climate Change Carbon Credit Scheme of Australia: The scheme covers almost 42 million hectares, an expanse larger than Japan, making it one of the world’s most extensive natural carbon offset initiatives. Since 2013, it’s claimed that these forests have absorbed over 27 […]
On sustainable building materials Subject: Environment Section: Sustainable development Context: India is witnessing an unprecedented construction boom, with over 3,00,000 housing units erected annually. This growth brings economic opportunities and improved living standards but also poses significant environmental challenges. Details: The building sector, a major energy consumer, accounts for over 33% of India’s […]
How much should develop countries pay for climate action? Subject: Environment Section: Climate change Context: At a two-day meeting that concluded in Copenhagen, Denmark, on March 22 — the first minister-level climate meeting for this year — some technical work to arrive at the NCQG was finalized. More on news: The 2022 climate […]
The need to curb black carbon emissions Subject: Environment Section: Climate change Context: At the COP26 climate talks in Glasgow in November 2021, India pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2070. According to the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, India had installed a renewable energy capacity of over 180 GW by 2023 […]
What are the new rules for elephant transfer Subject: Environment Section: Species Why in the news? The center has notified Captive Elephant (transfer or transport rule) to liberalized conditions under which the elephant may be transferred within or between states Provision for transfer and transport of elephant under Wildlife Protection Act (WPA) 1972: […]
Uttarakhand to translocate four tigers to Rajasthan says official Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: The Uttarakhand government has approved the relocation of four tigers to Rajasthan, responding to a request from the western state’s authorities. This decision comes amidst similar discussions for tiger translocation to Odisha. Details: The Principal Chief Conservator […]
Ministry of Environment tightens rules on bioplastics Subject: Environment Section: Pollution Context: The Environment Ministry has introduced stricter regulations for labelling disposable plasticware as ‘biodegradable’. Details: Products must meet the new standard of leaving no microplastics behind to be considered biodegradable. There are two main technological solutions to tackle plastic waste pollution:biodegradable and […]
Right whales may never breed after run-ins with fishing gear Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: In late January 2024, federal regulators discovered a deceased North Atlantic right whale near Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts. Details: This incident highlights the grave threat fishing gear entanglement poses to the critically endangered North Atlantic right whale […]
India’s sharks and rays: an ancient species on the brink of extinction Subject: Environment Section: Species in news Context: A report by TRAFFIC and WWF-India have highlighted rampant shark killing and trade in eastern India, especially West Bengal, despite regional underrepresentation in seizure data. Details: The TRAFFIC-WWF report, titled “Netted in illegal wildlife […]