About Namami Gange Programme
Focus: GS III- Environment and Ecology Why in News? Namami Gange Programme was launched in June 2014 for a period up to 31st March, 2021 to rejuvenate River Ganga and its tributaries with a budgetary outlay of Rs.20,000 crore. Considering the need and spread of the Programme, Government of India has further approved Namami Gange […]
Forever Chemicals
Context: An Oxford University-led recent study found alarming levels of toxic PFAS also known as “forever chemicals” in ice around Svalbard, Norway which pose a risk to the region’s wildlife. Relevance: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: What are PFAs? What harm do PFAs cause? How can these chemicals be removed from […]
What Is Green Steel?
Context: Ministry of Steel seeks to reduce carbon emissions in steel industry through promotion of Green Steel. Relevance: GS II: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: What is Green Steel? Methods of Production: Substituting primary production processes: Low-carbon hydrogen: Direct Electrification: Significance of Green Steel for the Indian Steel Industry Status of Steel Production […]
Keoladeo National Park
Context: The Rajasthan Government has proposed to construct a zoo inside Keoladeo National Park, a World Heritage Site popularly known as Bharatpur bird sanctuary, to display a range of wetland species. Relevnace: GS III: Environment and Ecology Dimensions of the Article: Purpose of WESCE Rejuvenation of Biodiversity Funding Planned Facilities inside Keoladeo National Park Keoladeo […]
Marine Protected Areas Are Underfunded
Context: According to experts, Marine Protected Areas (MPA) lacks sufficient funding poses challenges to the benefits that they can potentially provide in the long term. Relevance: GS Paper 3: Environment, Conservation, Environmental pollution and degradation, Environmental impact assessment Dimensions of the Article: Key points: What are Marine Protected Areas (MPAs)? Issues with MPAs Significance of […]
Trees Make Cities Cooler
Context With the return of El Nio, this summer could be even worse than the hottest on record for Europe in 2022, which resulted in over 20,000 additional deaths throughout western Europe. Relevance GS Paper-3: Biodiversity and Environment Mains Question What is Urban Heat? How trees could improve our mental and physical health, cool cities, and […]
Saved Water Will Matter Later
Context: As a result of glaciers melting quickly due to rising temperatures, the Ganga and Yamuna rivers’ very existence is in danger, and the flow of water from their sources is increasing at an accelerated rate. Relevance GS Paper-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation Mains Question There will be “water wars” between China and India as […]
The Need to Reconsider Himalayan Hydropower Projects
Context: Relevance: GS Paper-3: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment. Mains Question Given the recent crisis in the Himalayan region, hydropower projects there should be reevaluated. Discuss (150 words) Highlights: Himalayas as a Source of Water: The Hidden issues of Hydropower The Hydropower Alternatives: Conclusion: • All active and ongoing projects, particularly those where […]
Ethanol Blending And Ethanol Fuel
Context: Recently, Petrol blended with 20 per cent ethanol was rolled out, at select petrol pumps in 11 states and union territories as part of a programme to increase use of biofuels to cut emissions as well as dependence on foreign exchange-draining imports. Relevance: GS-III: Environment and Ecology, GS-III: Industry and Infrastructure Dimensions of the […]
World Wetlands Day
Focus: GS III: Environment and Ecology Why in News? The State Governments and Union Territory administrations celebrated World Wetlands Day (WWD) at all 75 Ramsar sites this year with over 200 events. What are wetlands? Importance of Wetlands Wetlands play a number of functions such as: Wetlands are also considered the most biologically diverse of […]