EIACP Programme Centre at Raipur has created a world record by taking a LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) pledge of over 12.38 lakh by people to conserve environment. ABOUT EIACP It is a project funded by Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEF&CC). It is one of the Central Sector sub-scheme being implemented in alignment with Mission LiFE. The Environmental Information System (ENVIS) is renamed EIACP (Environmental Information, Awareness, Capacity Building and Livelihood Programme). ENVIS came into existence as a planned programme in 1983. ENVIS EIACP serves as a one-stop platform for the dissemination of environmental information, informed policy formulation....Read More

Climate change and human intervention are threatening the Myristica swamps of Kerala. ABOUT MYRISTICA SWAMPS These swamps are found in the Sacred Groves or evergreen forest patches and are included in the littoral and swamp forest groups. They have evolved over millions of years and are comprised of old-growth trees. In India, these unique habitats occur in the Western Ghats and a smaller distribution exists in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. The 55-acre Kammadam Kavu is the largest in Kerala. This grove is home to a Myristica swamp over 2-3 acres. The Myristica swamp, like a mangrove, is found inside....Read More

Union Cabinet has approved to establish a Regional Office of the Universal Postal Union (UPU) in New Delhi. The approval enables India to play active role at multilateral organizations in postal sector with emphasis on South-South and Triangular cooperation. India will provide a Field Project Expert, staff and office set up for UPU’s regional office. ABOUT UNIVERSAL POSTAL UNION UPU is one of the oldest international organization worldwide established in 1874 by Treaty of Berne. Members- 192 countries, including India (India joined UPU in 1876). It is the primary forum for cooperation between the postal sector entities. It sets the....Read More

Seven of eight earth system boundaries (ESBs) that are critical for stability of the planet’s health and survival of species have already been crossed, a new research paper by the Earth Commission published in Nature journal said recently, suggesting that the very future of humanity may now be at risk from the climate crisis. About ESBs ESBs are scientifically quantified safe and just limits for climate, freshwater, biodiversity and different kinds of pollution. By operating within these limits, we can maintain a stable and resilient planet with accessibility to necessary resources. These are hard limits and even temporary overshooting of....Read More

As many as 35 hatchlings of the gharial, a crocodile species, were spotted at the Satkosia gorge by the Mahanadi River in eastern Odisha recently. The gorge is located within the Satkosia Tiger Reserve, which is designated as a United Nations Protected area. It is also designated as a Ramsar site in 2021. Odisha houses all three species of crocodiles- Gharial, Mugger and Saltwater ABOUT GHARIALS Scientific name- Gavialis gangeticus They are genetically weaker than saltwater crocodiles and muggers. Gharials are found majorly in Chambal River, a tributary of Yamuna River. Threats- Alteration of habitat, depletion of prey base, poaching....Read More

India will train ASEAN women personnel under India-ASEAN Initiative for women in UNPK operations to expand India-ASEAN defence cooperation. The training will include two different initiatives- Tailor-made courses for women peacekeepers of ASEAN member-states at Centre for UNPK in India. Under this, total 20 peacekeepers would be trained. ‘Table Top Exercise’ for women officers from ASEAN incorporating facets of UNPK challenges to be conducted. Women in Peacekeeping Forces For the first time, an all-female Formed Police Unit (FPU) was deployed in Liberia in 2007. As per UN, in 2020, out of approximately 95,000 peacekeepers, women constitute 4.8% of military contingents....Read More

The first-ever Urban Climate Film Festival is going to take place in New Town, Kolkata in first week of June 2023. 16 films from 12 countries are scheduled to be screened, along with Q&A sessions with filmmakers in order to spark conversations about building climate-resilient cities and invite inputs from the public. It aspires to employ the powerful medium of film to enlighten audiences about the environmental, social, and economic impacts of climate change on urban settlements.Read More

The Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal) will continue for an additional two years beyond its original 2025 end date, as per the recent National Level Steering Committee (NLSC) ABOUT ATAL BHUJAL YOJANA It is a Central Sector Scheme, launched in 2020, under Ministry of Jal Shakti. It demonstrates community-led sustainable groundwater management which can be taken to scale. It envisages people's participation through the formation of ‘Water User Associations’, water budgeting, preparation & implementation of Gram-panchayat-wise water security plans, etc. The identified over-exploited and water-stressed areas for the implementation of the scheme are Gujarat, Haryana, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Rajasthan,....Read More

More than 60000 birds of 88 Bird species were found in lake during annual summer survey of birds conducted by Chilika wildlife division of Odisha. The species grey-headed swamphen or purple swamphen were spotted the most number (8,386) followed by Asian Openbilled-stork, whiskered tern, little cormorant, little egret and others. ABOUT CHILIKA LAKE It is Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon. Located at the mouth of the Daya River, Chilka Lake is the largest coastal lagoon in India and also the second largest saltwater lagoon in the world after the New Caledonian barrier reef in New Caledonia. It is studded with....Read More

National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has established an 11-member Cheetah Project Steering Committee under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Rajesh Gopal, secretary general of Global Tiger Forum, has been appointed as its chairman. The decision was taken after six cheetahs, which were brought as part of the translocation project, died in the last two months. The panel will be in force for two years and hold at least one meeting every month. It will provide suggestions on community interface and their involvement in project activities. It will also provide suggestions on opening the cheetah habitat for eco-tourism....Read More