February 13, 2025

Environment


India has recently added four new wetlands to the Ramsar Convention's list, increasing its total to 89 sites—the highest in Asia and third globally. The newly designated sites are: Sakkarakottai Bird Sanctuaryin Tamil Nadu Therthangal Bird Sanctuaryin Tamil Nadu Khecheopalri Wetlandin Sikkim Udhwa Lakein Jharkhand This marks the first Ramsar site for both Sikkim and Jharkhand. Tamil Nadu now leads among Indian states with 20 Ramsar sites. The Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, adopted in 1971 in Ramsar, Iran, provides a framework for national and international efforts to conserve and wisely use wetlands. World Wetlands Day is celebrated annually on February....Read More

Kuno National Park

The Cheetah family in Madhya Pradesh has grown, as two cubs were born to the cheetah Veera at Kuno National Park in Sheopur district on 4 February, with the addition of the cubs, the total number of cheetahs at Kuno has risen to 26. Kuno National Park is located in Madhya Pradesh’s Sheopur district and spans 748 sq km. It was initially a wildlife sanctuary established in 1981 and was upgraded to a national park in 2018. The park is part of the Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests and provides an ideal habitat for cheetahs. Cheetahs in India were declared extinct....Read More

Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ)

The Karnataka Cabinet Sub-Committee has approved the declaration of four forest areas as Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZs): Bhadra Wildlife Sanctuary, Bankapura Wolf Sanctuary, Uttaragudda Wildlife Sanctuary, and Arsikere Bear Sanctuary. ESZs are areas with unique environmental resources that require special conservation, as per the National Environment Policy (2006). ESZs are proposed by states based on MoEFCC 2011 guidelines. ESZs regulate local activities like agriculture and construction but do not prohibit them unless specifically stated. ESZs act as "shock absorbers" for ecosystems and serve as transition zones from high protection areas to areas with lesser protection.Read More

The Union Minister has approved 56 new watershed development projects under the Watershed Development Component of Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana 2.0 (PMKSY-WDC 2.0). Implemented by the Department of Land Resources (DoLR) under the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD). Projects will cover 10 states: Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Karnataka, Odisha, Tamil Nadu, Assam, Nagaland, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and Sikkim. Each project will cover around 5,000 hectares, with smaller areas in hilly regions. PMKSY-WDC 2.0 is a continuation of the Watershed Development Component of PMKSY 1.0, implemented from 2021 to 2026. The Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) started in 2009-10 and was....Read More

Pink Fire Retardant

Recent wildfires in Southern California have brought into light the use of pink fire retardant as authorities deploy aerial resources to combat the flames. Pink fire retardant is used to slow or extinguish wildfires, primarily made of ammonium phosphate-based slurry. The most common brand in the U.S. is Phos-Chek. The pink color aids visibility for firefighters in identifying treated areas. It includes salts like ammonium polyphosphate, which remain effective longer than water. It is deployed from aircraft like planes and helicopters for effective coverage.Read More

Bio-Bitumen

Current : Union Minister Nitin Gadkari inaugurated India's first bio-bitumen-based National Highway stretch on NH-44 in Mansar, Nagpur. This milestone, using lignin-based bio-bitumen technology developed by Praj Industries with CSIR-CRRI, NHAI, and Oriental, marks a significant advancement in roads. About Bio-bitumen: Bitumen is a dense, highly viscous, petroleum-based hydrocarbon, found naturally or obtained as a residue from crude oil distillation. Uses:Primarily used in road construction, roofing, and waterproofing due to its adhesive and waterproofing properties.Read More

Current Context : India conducted its first-ever satellite tagging of a Ganges River Dolphin in Assam. Tagging involves attaching a device, marker, or tag to an animal for identification or tracking. Aim : to study dolphins' migratory patterns, habitat utilization, and distribution. Implemented by the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) in collaboration with the Assam Forest Department and NGO Aaranyak. About Project Dolphin: Launched in 2020by MoEFCC to conserve Ganges River Dolphins and their ecosystems. Modeled after Project Tiger. About Ganges River Dolphin (Platanista gangetica): India’s National Aquatic Animal and an Endangered species (IUCN). Habitat: Freshwater systems like the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems in India, Nepal, and Bangladesh. India hosts 90% of the global....Read More

Current Context : Researchers at IIT Guwahati have developed a sustainable method to convert methane (CH₄) and carbon dioxide (CO₂) into biofuels using microbial and biocatalytic processes. Method: The process employs microbes and engineered enzymes to catalyze the conversion of methane and carbon dioxide into cleaner biofuels like ethanol and butanol​ Environmental Impact: Reduces reliance on fossil fuels. Mitigates methane and CO₂ emissions, both significant contributors to global warming. About Biofuels Biofuels are renewable energy sources derived from biological materials like plants, algae, and organic waste. Types: First-generation: Made from food crops (e.g., ethanol from sugarcane). Second-generation: Derived from non-food....Read More

Current Context : India showcased its Aravalli Green Wall project for restoring degraded forest lands at CoP-16. About Aravalli Green Wall Project Launched by Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change Objective: Restoration of degraded forest land across a 5 km buffer area around the Aravalli Range in Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat, and Delhi. Inspired by Africa’s Great Green Wall initiative. Focus Areas: Prevent eastward desertification and soil erosion. Enhance carbon sequestration, improve biodiversity, and water quality. Promote afforestation, agroforestry, and pasture development for sustainable livelihoods. About Aravalli range in India One of the oldest fold mountain systems in the world.....Read More

Current Context :Recently, Supreme Court  directed the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) to consider relaxing the restrictions on physical classes of schools, colleges and educational institutions in Delhi-NCR, which were imposed last week due to severe air pollution. About Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM): It is a statutory body established under the Commission for Air Quality Management in National Capital Region (NCR) and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021. Mandate: To coordinate, research, and resolve air quality issues in Delhi-NCR and surrounding regions (Punjab, Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh). Powers: Restrict activities causing pollution. Conduct studies and enforce measures to prevent....Read More

© 2025 Civilstap Himachal Design & Development