IMD HEATWAVE ALERT: DELHI, PUNJAB, HARYANA
Why in news? Severe heatwaves are likely to impact parts of northwest, central and peninsular India in next four to five days, while many parts of northeast India will experience very heavy to extremely heavy rainfall during the same period: India Meteorological Department (IMD). Under the influence of converging strong south-westerly winds from the Bay of […]
BIOMEDICAL WASTE DISPOSAL POSES A HUGE CHALLENGE
Why in news? The Covid-19 pandemic has presented a unique challenge where the country has to deal with an unestimated amount of such waste exclusively from Covid hospitals, quarantine centres and home quarantine facilities. How is it being handled now? The Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) had issued detailed guidelines in April on handing Covid-linked […]
WORLD TURTLE DAY
Why in news? The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), along with the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) celebrated World Turtle Day on 23rd may 2020. In order to conserve turtles and other wildlife, NMCG has taken up several initiatives including establishing conservation centers and creating public awareness about the subject. World Turtle Day World Turtle […]
15% CUT IN FUNDS FOR TIGER RESERVES ACROSS COUNTRY
Why in news? In what might come as a double whammy for tiger reserves across the country this year, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to slash funds by 15% for each state. Worrying Situation The prime tiger tourism season from March to June 15 has fallen flat due to the lockdown. Conservation […]
ECOLOGICALLY SENSITIVE AREAS OF WESTERN GHATS
Why in news? The Union Minister of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) held a Video Conference to discuss issues relating to notification of Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) pertaining to Western Ghats. Details of Declaring Western Ghats as ESA To conserve and protect the bio diversity of Western Ghats while allowing for sustainable and inclusive […]
STAR RATING OF GARBAGE FREE CITIES
Why in news? The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) and announced the results of Star rating of garbage free cities for the assessment year 2019-2020. A total of six cities have been certified as 5-Star, 65 cities as 3-Star and 70 cities as 1-Star. While announcing the results of the Star Rating of […]
SAFEGUARDING THE DELTA
Why in news? Cauvery delta region has been announced by Tamil Nadu as protected special agricultural zone, which includes 8 districts of the state. The delta, which produces 33 lakh tonnes of grains in 28 lakh acres, has seen multiple protests for a decade over methane, hydrocarbon, oil and natural gas projects, which required acquisition […]
CAT CONUNDRUM
Why in news? Recently court accepted the plea and ordered the introduction of Cheetahs from Namibia to India, after they became extinct way back in 1947 Backgrounder The same court observed in its 2013 order restraining the Environment Ministry from importing African cheetahs into Kuno, Madhya Pradesh, that there are many seriously threatened Indian species […]
PURIFYING WATER: ON DRAFT NOTIFICATION ON RO SYSTEMS
The Environment Ministry’s draft notification to regulate the use of membrane-based water purification systems primarily concerns the manufacturers of reverse osmosis (RO) water filters but effectively bars domestic users from installing RO systems The association of water filter manufacturers challenged this order and the litigation led to this pan-India notification, where the intent is to conserve water […]
ENVIRONMENT IMPACT ASSESSMENT NOTIFICATION (EIA), 2020 EXTENDED
Why in news? Notice period for draft Environment Impact Assessment Notification(EIA), 2020 is extended till 30th June. What is Environment Impact Assessment? Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. UNEP […]