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Contents
Star(*) marked topics are important as they were in news after May 2017.
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Timeline
Agenda 21
Non-binding
Voluntary
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Basel Convention
Formally called: The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes
and Their Disposal
It is an international treaty
It is a UN Treaty
Open for signature in 1989
Effective from 1992
Signatories : 53
Parties : 183
What it does?
Aims to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations, and specifically to prevent transfer of
hazardous waste from developed to less developed countries
The Convention is also intended to :
minimize the amount and toxicity of wastes generated,
to ensure their environmentally sound management as closely as possible to the source of
generation, and
to assist LDCs in environmentally sound management of the hazardous and other wastes they
generate
It does not address the movement of radioactive waste.
Its objective was to stop dumping of hazardous waste from developed countries in developing nations.
Brundtland Report
Formally called: Our Common Future: Report of the World Commission on Environment and Development
In 1987
Gave concept of "sustainable development"
The Brundtland Commission's characterization of 'sustainable development' is development that meets the
needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
The prominence given to 'needs' reflects a concern to eradicate poverty and meet basic human needs, broadly
understood.
The concept of sustainable development focused attention on finding strategies to promote economic and social
development in ways that avoided environmental degradation, over-exploitation or pollution, and side lined less
productive debates about whether to prioritize development or the environment.
CBIT is an outcome of the UNFCCC's Paris agreement in 2015 and expected to address the issue of transparency
Objectives:
To help developing countries monitor and report the progress on their climate actions
Strengthening of national institutions of participating members in transparency related activities with respect to
the Nationally Determined Contributions
To bring transparency in the financial help, technology transfer and capacity building support by the developed
countries to developing countries. Both have to provide relevant information
Design:
The fund will be set up by the GEF, with financial support from the developed nations like US, UK, Canada etc.
World Bank has been requested to act as the trustee for the fund, who was also a trustee in the initial hand
holding of GEF
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Significance:
Many developing countries lack the necessary capacity to monitor and report their progress on the front of
INDCs
This fund helps developed countries to take on board the developing countries in developing their domestic
capacities leading to transparent mechanisms in reporting the progress
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It is a UN convention
It is a convention to Combat Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought
and/or Desertification, particularly in Africa
Opened for sign in 1994 in Paris
Became effective from 1995 (Canada withdrew. First to do so)
Parties : 196
HQ : Bonn, Germany
It is the only convention which stem out from direct recommendations of Rio Agenda 21
It is the only internationally legally binding framework set up to address the problem of desertification
CMS is an international treaty concluded under aegis of United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP),
concerned with conservation of wildlife and habitats on a global scale.
It is commonly abbreviated as Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) or the Bonn Convention.
CMS aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.
It was signed in 1979 in Bonn (hence the name), Germany and entered into force in 1983.
Its headquarters are in Bonn, Germany.
Since its entry into force, its membership has grown steadily to include over 120 Parties from Africa, Central and
South America, Asia, Europe and Oceania.
CMS is only global and UN-based intergovernmental organization established exclusively for conservation
and management of terrestrial, aquatic and avian migratory species throughout their range.
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Under Kigali Amendment, in all 197 countries, including India have agreed to a timeline to reduce the use of
HFCs by roughly 85% of their baselines by 2045.
NOTE: HFCs (Hydrofluorocarbons) are not Ozone Depleting Substances but still they are included in Montreal
Protocol via Kigali Agreement because they are potent global warming substances.
Kyoto Protocol *
It is an international treaty
Negotiated under UNFCC
Adopted in 1997 in Kyoto, Japan
Came into force in 2005
Parties : 192 (Canada withdrew)
It gave binding targets to Annex I countries
The Kyoto Protocol implemented the objective of the UNFCCC to fight global warming by reducing greenhouse
gas concentrations
The Protocol is based on the principle of common but differentiated responsibilities: it puts the obligation to
reduce current emissions on developed countries on the basis that they are historically responsible for the
current levels of greenhouse gases in the atmosphere.
The Protocol’s first commitment period started in 2008 and ended in 2012
By 2008-2012, Annex 1 countries have to reduce their GHG emissions by an average of 5% below their 1990
levels (for many countries, such as the EU member states, this corresponds to some 15% below their expected
GHG emissions in 2008).
A second commitment period was agreed on in 2012, known as the Doha Amendment to the protocol.
The amendment includes new commitments for parties to the Protocol who agreed to take on commitments in a
second commitment period and a revised list of GHGs to be reported on by Parties.
India has ratified the second commitment period of Kyoto Protocol.
Paris agreement (2015) is not an amendment to Kyoto Protocol but a separate instrument altogether.
Target under this protocol applies to following GHGs:
o Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
o Methane (CH4)
o Nitrous Oxide (NO2)
o Sulphur Hexafluoride (SF6)
o Two groups of gases :
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Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
Perfluorocarbons (PFCs)
Kyoto Protocol includes "flexible mechanisms" which allow Annex 1 economies to meet their GHG targets by
purchasing GHG emission reductions from elsewhere. These can be bought either from :
o financial exchanges (International Emissions Trading Scheme) or
o from projects which reduce emissions in non-Annex 1 economies under the Clean Development
Mechanism (CDM),
o or in other Annex-1 countries under the Joint Implementation (JI)
Only CDM Executive Board-accredited Certified Emission Reductions (CER) can be bought and sold in this
manner.
Significance of Convention
It is implemented in context of sustainable development agenda with objective to protect human health and
environment from anthropogenic emissions and releases of mercury and mercury compounds.
It addresses interim storage of mercury and its disposal once it becomes waste, sites contaminated by mercury
as well as health issues.
It protects most vulnerable from the harmful effects of mercury. It also protects the developmental space of
developing countries. Therefore, protects interest of the poor and vulnerable groups.
It further urges enterprises to move to mercury-free alternatives in products and non-mercury technologies in
manufacturing processes. This will drive R&D, and promote innovation.
Why in news?
The Union Cabinet has approved proposal for ratification of Minamata Convention on Mercury and depositing
instrument of ratification enabling India to become Party of Convention.
The approval entails ratification of convention along with flexibility for continued use of mercury-based
products and processes involving mercury compound up to 2025.
Montreal Protocol *
Also called : Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer
It is a protocol to Vienna Convention for the Protection of Ozone Layer
It is an international treaty
It aims to protect the ozone layer by phasing out the production of numerous substances that are responsible for
ozone depletion.
Came into force in 1989
Ratifies : 197 (Universal treaty)
Due to its widespread adoption and implementation it has been hailed as an example of exceptional
international co-operation
It is legally binding
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As a result of the international agreement, the ozone hole in Antarctica is slowly recovering. Climate projections
indicate that the ozone layer will return to 1980 levels between 2050 and 2070. so, it can be termed as a
successful treaty.
What it does?
o The treaty is structured around several groups of halogenated hydrocarbons that have been shown to play
a role in ozone depletion. All of these ozone depleting substances contain either chlorine or bromine
(substances containing only fluorine do not harm the ozone layer).
o It aims at phasing out :
Chlorofluorocarbons
Hydro chlorofluorocarbons
o Hydro Fluorocarbons are being considered to be included under it (HFCs do not harm Ozone but are
harmful as a Greenhouse gas.)
Nairobi Declaration
Paris Agreement
It is an agreement under UNFCC
It deals with greenhouse gases emissions mitigation, adaptation and finance starting in the year 2020.
Opened for signature on 22 April 2016 (Earth Day)
It has not entered into force yet.
Aims:
o Holding the increase in the global average temperature to well below 2 °C above pre-industrial levels and
to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5 °C above pre-industrial levels, recognizing that
this would significantly reduce the risks and impacts of climate change;
o Increasing the ability to adapt to the adverse impacts of climate change and foster climate resilience and
low greenhouse gas emissions development, in a manner that does not threaten food production;
o Making finance flows consistent with a pathway towards low greenhouse gas emissions and climate-
resilient development
The contribution that each individual country should make in order to achieve the worldwide goal are
determined by all countries individually and called "nationally determined contributions" (NDCs)
These targets will not be binding as it is not possible to enforce them.
NDCs will be revised after 5 years in 2023
When will it enter into force?
o It will enter into force (and thus become fully effective) only if 55 countries that produce at least 55% of
the world's greenhouse gas emissions (according to a list produced in 2015) ratify, accept, approve or
accede to the agreement
India has signed it. India's contribution in global greenhouse gas is 4.10% in 2105.
India’s proposed targets:
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1. Reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 33 to 35% by 2030 from 2005 level.
2. Achieve about 40% electric power installed capacity from non-fossil fuel based energy resources by 2030
with help of transfer of technology and low cost international finance.
3. Create an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through additional forest and
tree cover by 2030.
Ramsar Convention *
It is an international treaty
It aims conservation and sustainable utilization of wetlands
The convention provides the framework for national action and international cooperation for the conservation
and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
It was signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971
India is one of the 169 signatories to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
There are 2,241 Ramsar sites across the world
In India 26 sites are Ramsar site, which are spread across India from Wular Lake in Jammu and Kashmir to
Ashtamudi Wetland in Kerala, and from Deepor Beel in Assam to Nal Sarovar in Gujarat.
The Ramsar Convention is the only global environmental treaty that deals with a particular ecosystem
The Convention uses a broad definition of the types of wetlands covered
in its mission, including lakes and rivers, swamps and marshes, wet grasslands and peat lands, oases, estuaries,
deltas and tidal flats, near-shore marine areas, mangroves and coral reefs, and human-made sites such as fish
ponds, rice paddies, reservoirs, and salt pans.
Montreux Record:
o Montreux Record under the Convention is a register of wetland sites
o It is a list of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred,
are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human
interference.
o It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
o The Montreux Record was established by Recommendation of the Conference of the Contracting Parties
(1990).
o Sites may be added to and removed from the Record only with the approval of the Contracting Parties in
which they lie.
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Rio Declaration
It is the declaration made after United Nations Conference on Environment and Development, 1992 (Rio de
Janeiro Summit, 1992)
It reaffirms the Declaration of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment, adopted at
Stockholm on 16 June 1972, and seeks to build upon it.
It has a goal of establishing a new and equitable global partnership through the creation of new levels of
cooperation among States, key sectors of societies and people.
It recognises the integral and interdependent nature of the Earth
It had 27 principles.
Rotterdam Convention
Formally called : Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent Procedure for Certain Hazardous
Chemicals and Pesticides in International Trade
It is a multilateral Treaty
It is a UN Treaty
Opened for signature in 1998
Became effective in 2004
Signatories : 72
Parties : 155
Aims to promote shared responsibilities in relation to importation of hazardous chemicals.
What it does?
o The convention promotes open exchange of information between importers-exporters of hazardous
chemicals.
o Calls on exporters of hazardous chemicals to use proper labelling, include directions on safe handling, and
inform purchasers of any known restrictions or bans.
o Signatory nations can decide whether to allow or ban the importation of chemicals listed in the treaty
o Exporting countries are obliged to make sure that producers within their jurisdiction comply.
Convention has a list of substances which can change and evolve over time
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Stockholm 1972
Conference : United Nations Conference on the Human Environment
It was first declaration of international protection of the environment
Held in Stockholm, Sweden from June 5–16 in 1972.
The meeting agreed upon a Declaration containing 26 principles concerning the environment and
development;
One of the seminal issue that emerged from the conference is the recognition for poverty alleviation for
protecting the environment.
Indira Gandhi attended it
The conference let to increased interest and research collaboration which paved the way for further
understanding of global warming, which has led to such agreements as the Kyoto Protocol and the Paris
Agreement, and has given a foundation of modern environmentalism.
The United Nations Environment Programme has been established by the United Nations General Assembly in
pursuance of the Stockholm Conference.
UNFCC
United Nation Framework Convention on Climate Change
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Environmental Organizations
Adaptation Fund was setup in 2001 under the Kyoto Protocol of the UNFCCC.
The fund is used to finance projects that help countries more prone to the harmful effects of climate change
adapt to it.
The fund is managed by Adaptation Fund Board which consists of 16 members and 16 alternates. The board
meets twice a year
Birdlife International *
It is a global partnership of conservation organisations that strives to conserve birds, their habitats and
global biodiversity, working with people towards sustainability in the use of natural resources
It is world’s largest conservation partnerships for conservation of birds and their habitats.
It was earlier known as International Committee for Bird Preservation.
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Its global office is in UK with 6 regional offices - Africa, the Americas, Asia, Europe and Central Asia, the Middle
East and the Pacific.
It publishes a quarterly magazine, World Birdwatch, which contains recent news and authoritative articles
about birds, their habitats, and their conservation around the world.
It is the official Red List authority for birds, for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.
It also published important bird areas (IBA) inventory.
It is an intergovernmental organisation that promotes conservation of tropical forest resources and their
sustainable management, use and trade
Founded in 1985
HQ : Yokohama, Japan
It is an international body set up by the terms of the International Convention for the Regulation of Whaling
(Signed in Washington, 1946)
Aims to provide for the proper conservation of whale stocks and thus make possible the orderly development of
the whaling industry
In 1982 the IWC adopted a moratorium on commercial whaling.
Japan, Russia etc. oppose this moratorium
The IWC allows non-zero whaling quotas for aborginal subsistence and also member nations may issue
'Scientific Permits' to their citizens.
What it does?
o designate specified areas as whale sanctuaries;
o set limits on the numbers and size of whales which may be taken;
o prescribe open and closed seasons and areas for whaling; and
o prohibit the capture of suckling calves and female whales accompanied by calves.
The ISA was launched at the 2015 Paris Climate Change Summit by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and
French President Francois Hollande.
It seeks to empower solar-rich countries located between the tropic of Cancer and the tropic of Capricorn to
make collaborative efforts to harness solar energy to generate the electricity.
Under this alliance, 121 countries that fall within the tropics have been invited. Most of these countries fall
within Asia, Africa and South America.
The ISA Framework Agreement entered into force in December 2017 making ISA treaty based International
Intergovernmental Organization with
headquarters at Gurugram, India.
As of now the ISA Framework Agreement has been signed by 48 countries.
Three Objectives:
o To force down prices by driving demand,
o To bring standardization in solar technologies and
o To foster research and development.
Its major objectives include global deployment of over 1,000GW of solar generation capacity and mobilisation of
investment of over US $1000 billion into solar energy by 2030.
India and France have launched a programme with $1 trillion Potential Solar Programme under the
International Solar Alliance (ISA). It is a solar finance programme that aims at helping developing countries to
fully harness their solar resources for a clean energy future. The solar finance programme aims at lowering the
cost of finance and facilitates the flow of more than 1 trillion dollars investment to members of the ISA.
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SAWEN
SAWEN - South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network
India has decided to become a member of SAWEN
SAWEN is regional inter-governmental wildlife law enforcement support body launched in January, 2011 in
Paro, Bhutan
It aims at working collectively as a strong regional inter-governmental body to combat wildlife crime by
attainting common mutual goals and approaches for combating illegal trade in the region.
SAWEN’s regional network comprises of eight South Asia countries: Afghanistan, India, Pakistan, Nepal,
Bhutan, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and Maldives
India's motive: By becoming member of SAWEN, India will strengthen its ties with the member countries for
controlling the trans-boundary wildlife crimes through coordination, communication, collaboration,
cooperation and capacity building in the region.
Context: South Asian region is very vulnerable to wildlife crimes and illegal traffic due to presence of precious
biodiversity. It is mainly due to presence of large markets as well as traffic routes for wildlife products in the
region. SAWEN was established for mutual collaboration for harmonising as well as enforcing the wildlife
protection in the region for effective conservation of such precious biodiversity.
It is an UN agency
It coordinates UN's environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally
sound policies and practices.
It was founded as a result of the UN Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference) in 1972
HQ : Nairobi, Kenya
Its activities cover a wide range of issues regarding the atmosphere, marine and terrestrial ecosystems,
environmental governance and green economy.
UNEP has also been active in funding and implementing environment related development projects
UNEP has aided in the formulation of guidelines and treaties on issues such as the international trade in
potentially harmful chemicals, transboundary air pollution, and contamination of international waterways
UNEP is also one of several Implementing Agencies for the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the
Multilateral Fund for the Implementation of the Montreal Protocol
The International Cyanide Management Code, a program of best practice for the chemical’s use at gold mining
operations, was developed under UNEP’s aegis.
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It is a statutory body
It is an advisory body advising the Government of India on animal welfare laws, and promotes animal welfare in
the country of India.
The Animal Welfare Board of India was established in 1960 under Section 4 of The Prevention of Cruelty to
Animals Act,1960.
The Board consists of 28 Members, who serve for a period of 3 years.
It works to ensure that animal welfare laws in the country are followed and provides grants to Animal Welfare
Organisations.
The Board was initially within the jurisdiction of the Government of India’s Ministry of Food and Agriculture. In
1990, the subject of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals was transferred to the Ministry of Environment and
Forests, where it now resides.
It frames a range of rules on how animals ought to be humanely treated everywhere. It has also frequently
litigated to have stricter laws to ensure animals were not unduly harassed or tortured.
The government passed the biodiversity act to conserve and promote sustainable use of biological diversity and
to regulate the access to biological resources of the country with equitable share in benefits.
It sets up National Biodiversity Authority (NBA), State Biodiversity Board (SBB) and Biodiversity Management
Committees.
Besides, it aims to respect and protect knowledge of local communities traditional knowledge related to
biodiversity and secure sharing of benefits with local people as conservers of biological resources and holders of
knowledge and information relating to the use of biological resources.
Besides, it also has provisions for notifying heritage sites by State Government in consultation with local body.
CAMPA
What is Compensatory Afforestation?
Compensatory afforestation means afforestation done in lieu of diversion of forest land for non-forest use.
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In the absence of permanent institutional mechanism more than Rs.40,000 crores have accumulated with the said ad-
hoc Body i.e. CAMPA. Hence the Bill.
Related info:
Gharial is listed as Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List
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CRZ is the zone along the coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters along the
coastline specially demarcated for regulated development activity.
The demarcated zone consists of coastal stretches influenced by tidal action (in the landward side) up to 500
metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL.
The regulations in this zone are governed by the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), 2011 issued under the under
Section 3 of the Environment Protection Act, 1986.
In this zone, Government imposes restrictions on setting up and expansion of industries or other projects.
It is mandatory for getting clearances from ministry and local authorities to start any development project in
CRZ.
This Act recognizes forest dwellers' rights and makes conservation more accountable.
The Act basically does two things:
a. Grants legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities, partially correcting the
injustice caused by the forest laws, and
b. Makes a beginning towards giving communities and the public a voice in forest and wildlife conservation.
The law recognises three types of rights:
a. Land Rights: Land rights are given to people, who have been cultivating land prior to December, 13,
2005.
b. Use Rights: The law provides for rights to use and/or collect the minor forest produce things like tendu
patta, herbs, medicinal plants etc “that has been traditionally collected, use of grazing grounds and water
bodies and use of traditional areas by nomadic or pastoralist communities i.e. communities that move
with their herds, as opposed to practicing settled agriculture.
c. Right to Protect and Conserve: The law gives rights to protect and manage the forests to people of
village communities.
The Act also categorises forests into three categories:
a. Reserve forest: These forests are the most restricted forests and may be constituted by the State
Government on any forest land or waste land which is the property of the Government or on which the
Government has proprietary rights. In reserved forests, most uses by local people are prohibited, unless
specifically allowed by a Forest Officer in the course of settlement.
b. Protected forest: The State Government is empowered to constitute any land other than reserved
forests as protected forests over which the Government has proprietary rights. Under ‘Protected Forests’,
the Government retains the power to issue rules regarding the use of such forests and retains the power to
reserve the specific tree species in the protected forests. This power has been used to establish State
control over trees, whose timber, fruit or other non-wood products have revenue-raising potential.
c. Village forest: ‘Village forests’ are the one in which the State Government may assign to ‘any village
community the rights of Government to or over any land which has been constituted a reserved forest’.
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MIKE
MIKE stands for Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants
Comes under CITES
It was started in South Asia in 2003 with the following objective:
o To measure levels and trends in illegal hunting of elephants.
o To determine changes in these trends overtime.
o To determine the factors causing or associated with these changes and to try and assess in particular to
what extent observed trends are a result of any decisions taken by the Conference of the Parties to CITES.
In India, Project Elephant has been formally implementing MIKE
Data are collected from all sites on monthly basis in specified MIKE patrol form and submitted to Sub-Regional
Support Office for South Asia Programme in Delhi who are assisting Ministry in implementation of the
programme
The plan aims to support climate adaptation in agriculture through the development of climate-
resilient crops, expansion of weather insurance mechanisms, and agricultural practices.
h. National Mission on Strategic Knowledge for Climate Change:
To gain a better understanding of climate science, impacts and challenges, the plan envisions a new
Climate Science Research Fund, improved climate modelling, and increased international
collaboration.
It also encourages private sector initiatives to develop adaptation and mitigation technologies
through venture capital funds.
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Project Elephant
It is a centrally sponsored scheme
Launched in 1992
Objectives:
o To protect elephants, their habitat & corridors
o To address issues of man-animal conflict
o Welfare of captive elephants
It provide financial and technical support to major elephant bearing states in the country for protection of
elephants, their habitats and corridors. It also seeks to address the issues of human-elephant conflict and
welfare of domesticated elephants.
Main activities of the Project are as follows:
o Ecological restoration of existing natural habitats and migratory routes of elephants;
o Development of scientific and planned management for conservation of elephant habitats and viable
population of Wild Asiatic elephants in India;
o Promotion of measures for mitigation of man elephant conflict in crucial habitats and moderating
pressures of human and domestic stock activities in crucial elephant habitats;
o Strengthening of measures for protection of Wild elephants form poachers and unnatural causes of death;
o Eco-development and Veterinary care.
Snow Leopard is globally endangered species as well as the most important flagship species of the mountain
region
Project aims to conserve biodiversity with community participation
The project will be operational in five Himalayan States viz. Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh,
Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh with active support from wildlife institute of India and the Mysore
based Nature Conservation Foundation.
The project stresses on a landscape approach to conservation wherein smaller core zones with relatively
conservation values will be identified and conserved with support and the larger landscape will be managed in
such a way that it allows necessary development benefits to the local communities.
The project thus places greater importance to careful and knowledge-based management planning of the
landscapes.
Species such as Snow Leopard, Asiatic Ibex, Tibetan Argali, Ladakh Urial, Chiru, Takin, Serow and Musk Deer
will particularly benefit from this project.
Snow Leopard:
Snow leopard (Panthera uncial) is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of Central and South Asia- including
Himalayas, and Russia’s remote Altai mountains.
Snow Leopard is upgraded to the category of ‘vulnerable’ in the recent assessment. The change in status comes
45 years after snow leopard was first declared endangered in 1972. However, experts have warned that snow
leopard species still faces serious threats from poaching and habitat destruction.
Snow Leopard is found in 11 countries such as Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic,
Mongolia, Pakistan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. These countries formed the Global Snow Leopard
Forum (GSLF) and signed the Bishkek Declaration to acknowledge its importance as the indicator of the
health and sustainability of mountain ecosystems.
It is the State animal of Himachal Pradesh.
Project Tiger
Related info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tiger_reserves_of_India . Please go through the list once. Try to see all places in
maps (most have wiki pages). Focus on mountains, rivers, state boundaries etc. UPSC asks map based questions
from this area. (Atleast cover major one's and last 5 added in the list)
Rhino Conservation
The greater one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis) is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of
Threatened Species.
Rhinoceros unicornis has been listed in CITES Appendix I since 1975
Close to 85% of the total population occurs in India, with about 75% in the state of Assam.
Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 is a partnership between:
o the Assam Forest Department,
o the Bodoland Territorial Council,
o the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF),
o the International Rhino Foundation (IRF), and
o the US Fish and Wildlife Service.
The goal is to attain a wild population of at least 3,000 greater one-horned rhinos in the Indian state of Assam
by the year 2020.
The Indian and Nepalese governments have taken major steps towards Indian rhinoceros conservation,
especially with the help of the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and other non-governmental organizations
Facts on threats:
The extent and quality of the rhino’s most important habitat, alluvial grassland and riverine forest, is considered
to be in decline due to human and livestock encroachment
The Indian rhinoceros once ranged throughout the entire stretch of the Indo-Gangetic Plain, but excessive
hunting and agricultural development reduced their range drastically to 11 sites in northern India and southern
Nepal
As a result of habitat destruction and climatic changes their range has gradually been reduced so that by the 19th
century, they only survived in the Terai grasslands of southern Nepal, northern Uttar Pradesh, northern Bihar,
northern Bengal, and in the Brahmaputra Valley of Assam
Controversy:
Government is trying to revoke visa of a BBC correspondent who has made a documentary showing that Forest
guards have killed more poachers than poachers have killed Rhinos.
Vulture Conservation
India has nine species of vultures in the wild.
These are :
o Oriental White-backed Vulture (Gypsbengalensis),
o Slender billed Vulture (Gyps tenuirostris),
o Long billed Vulture (Gyps indicus),
o Egyptian Vulture (Neophron percnopterus),
o Red Headed Vulture (Sarcogyps calvus),
o Indian Griffon Vulture (Gyps fulvus),
o Himalayan Griffon (Gyps himalayensis),
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Banni Grassland
It is arid grassland ecosystem in Kutch region of Gujarat.
It is known for its wildlife and biodiversity protected under reserved forest category.
It is believed to be the last known habitat of cheetah in India
Why in news? PM released a book named "Birds of Banni Grassland"
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It is one of the tiger reserves of India and the largest national park of Madhya Pradesh.
Present-day Kanha area is divided into two sanctuaries, Hallon and Banjar.
Kanha National Park was created in June 1955 and was made the Kanha Tiger Reserve in 1973.
Today it stretches over an area of 940 square km in the two districts Mandla and Balaghat.
It the largest National Park in Central India and was ranked in the top 10 Famous Places for Tourists.
It had inspired Rudyard Kipling for his famous novel Jungle Book.
The park has a significant population of Bengal tiger, Indian leopards, sloth bear, barasingha and Indian wild
dog.
It is in Western Ghats
It is covered with moist mixed deciduous forest
The sanctuary is particularly rich in climbers and as many as 11 species are recorded from KBS.
Among mammals, three species of primates (Common Langur, Bonnet Macaque and Rhesus macaque) are
occurring in the sanctuary. Barking Deer, Wild Pig, Jackals, Hyaena, Jungle Cat, Squirrel, Porcupine and Indian
Hare are also reported from the sanctuary.
KBS is particularly known for its rich avifauna and is home to over 146 species of resident and 37 species of
migratory birds that visit during winter.
Rare endemic birds of Western Ghats such as Malabar grey Hornbill, Ashy Minivet, three-toed Kingfisher and
Malabar Trogon are reported from Sanctuary.
Among other significant bird species the records of Malabar Whistling Thrush, long-billed Vulture, Indian
Scimitar Babbler and Shaheen Falcon are significant
Why in news? NH 17 Connection Mumbai and Goa passes through it. NHAI passed a project to safeguard
the sancutary
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Manas National Park is a national park, UNESCO Natural World Heritage site, a Project Tiger reserve, an
elephant reserve and a biosphere reserve in Assam, India
It is located in the Himalayan foothills,
It is contiguous with the Royal Manas National Park in Bhutan
The Manas river flows thorough the west of the park and is the main river within it. It is a major tributary of
Brahmaputra river
The Manas river also serves as an international border dividing India and Bhutan
Why in news? Tiger population increased by 50% in Manas
In the heart of the park, one can see thousands of birds descending during the migratory season. The island
disappears during monsoon season due to inundation only to emerge again in post-monsoon.
Nalbana means a weed covered island In the Odia language.
Nalbana was notified in 1987 and declared a bird sanctuary in 1973 under the Wildlife Protection Act
In 2002, The Bombay Natural History Society survey recorded 540 nests of the Indian river tern at the island,
the largest nesting colony in the southeast Asia
Periyar National Park and Wildlife Sanctuary (PNP) is a protected area near Thekkady in the districts of Idukki,
Kottayam and Pathanamthitta in Kerala
It is notable as an elephant reserve and a tiger reserve.
The park is a repository of rare, endemic and endangered flora and fauna and forms the major watershed of two
important rivers of Kerala, the Periyar and the Pamba.
The park is often called the Periyar Wildlife Sanctuary or Thekkady. It is located high in the Cardamom Hills and
Pandalam Hills of the south Western Ghats along the border with Tamil Nadu.
The first official action towards the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in Kerala was taken in 1934 by the
Maharaja of Travancore, Chithira Thirunal Balarama Varma, by declaring the forests around Periyar lake as a
private game reserve to stop the encroachment of tea plantations
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It is project of Jordan to turn desert land into farming land to produce food using sun and sea water.
The project seeks to demonstrate innovative application of technology to revolutionize our land systems in a way
that benefits the climate, people, and businesses.
It is funded by Norway and European Union.
It aims to provide fresh water, food and renewable energy in hot, arid regions as well as re-vegetating areas of
uninhabited desert.
It combines saltwater-cooled greenhouses with solar power technologies, and technologies for desert
revegetation.
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Simlipal National Park is national park and a tiger reserve in Mayurbhanj district of Odisha.
It is part of Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj Elephant Reserve.
Simlipal National Park derives its name from the abundance of semul (red silk cotton trees) that bloom here.
It was the second largest national park in India.
Its reserve is part of UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves since 2009.
The park has protected area of 845.70 square kilometres and has some beautiful waterfalls like Joranda and
Barehipani.
It is home to 99 royal Bengal tigers and 432 wild elephants.
Besides it is famous for gaurs (Indian bison), chausingha as well as an orchidarium.
Barasingha
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It has been listed vulnerable in the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) Red List of
Threatened Species.
Blackbuck *
Indian Blackbuck (Antilope cervicapra) is an antelope and is the only living species of the genus Antilope.
It is considered to be the fastest animal in the world next to Cheetah.
The horns of the blackbuck are ringed with one to four spiral turns and the female is usually hornless.
Habitat:
o Blackbuck inhabits grassy plains and slightly forested areas.
o Due to its regular need of water, it prefers areas where water is perennially available.
o It is found in Central- Western India (MP, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Punjab, Haryana, Maharashtra and
Odisha) and Southern India (Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, and Tamil Nadu).
Protection Status:
o Hunting of blackbuck is prohibited under Schedule I of the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
o It has been categorised least concerned in IUCN Red Data Book.
The Bishnoi community of Rajasthan is known worldwide for their conservation efforts to blackbuck and
Chinkara.
Why in news?
The Uttar Pradesh State Cabinet has approved Blackbuck Conservation Reserve in trans-Yamuna belt near
Allahabad. It will be first of its kind conservation reserves in India exclusively dedicated to blackbuck.
Blank-necked Crane
It lives at a 3,250-5,500 metre elevation in high altitude plains and montane valleys comprising of alpine and
desert steppe and pasture, distinguished by low vegetation cover and productivity.
This antelope is considered to be close to goat family.
Predators such as wolf, lynx, snow leopard, and red fox are predators of chirus and their young calves.
Protection Status:
o ‘Near Threatened’ in IUCN Red List.
o It has been enlisted in Schedule I of Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
o To enhance its protection, its prime habitats have been declared as Wildlife Sanctuaries viz. Karakorma
Wildlife Sanctuary and Changthang Cold Desert Wildlife Sanctuary.
Shahtoosh Shawls:
o Chiru for long time have been hunted for their underfur, which is renowned for its quality which is
traditionally woven into an extremely fine fabric to make Shahtoosh shawls.
o It takes three to five hides to make a single shawl.
o Moreover, the wool cannot be sheared or combed and to collect the fur, the animals have to be killed.
o At present, Shahtoosh shawls’ sale and possession is banned in India and in many countries.
Parliamentary Panel suggests Captive Breeding:
o The Parliament panel was of view that MoEFCC should conserve and breed Chiru goat, which can then be
given to shawl makers for collecting hair.
o This would increase number of these goats but would also add to sustainable livelihood opportunities of
people of Kashmir, who are lot dependant on the handicraft of embroidered shawls. I
o t also cited that China and Mongolia are breeding Chiru goats for its wool, which is very expensive.
o The cost of an embroidered shahtoosh shawl can run into crores of rupees.
MoEFCC rejects idea of Captive Breeding:
o Chiru is assessed as ‘Near Threatened’ by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
2017.
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o Their current low population can only be maintained with continued high levels of protection in its
natural.
o Any relaxation in protection regime of animal will lead to rapid population decline due to commercial
poaching.
o Chiru inhabits high-altitude Tibetan plateau and requires large expanse of land for its movement and
ranging patterns to fulfil its feeding and breeding requirements.
o Rearing it in captivity is extremely difficult. Besides, any attempt to do conservation breeding at very high
altitude regions of Ladakh may not be economical or feasible as humans cannot be posted there
continuously for more than 2-3 months.
o Moreover Chinese also have failed to keep Chiru in captivity due to its poor survival rates.
Egyptian vulture *
The Egyptian vulture ( Neophron percnopterus ) is classified under the ‘Endangered’ (EN) red list of the
International Union for Conversation of Nature (IUCN).
The species is popularly known as safed giddh (white vulture) in Hindi.
According to BirdLife International, a global partnership of organisations working for the conservation of birds,
the present global breeding population of the Egyptian vulture is estimated to be 12,000 to 38,000 individuals.
Habitat Niche : Egyptian vultures usually build their nests on the cliffs of mountains, roofs of buildings and on
tree-tops.
Food Niche of the species : The species rarely hunt its food — the birds mostly feed on dead carcasses of
animals, birds and reptiles. They eat eggs and sometimes, in the absence of animal carcasses, switch over to
household solid waste like rotten fruits and vegetables.
Why in news? A new breeding centre for the species has started in Punjab University Campus.
Eurasian Otter
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Golden Mahseer
Golden mahseer is known as the tiger of Indian rivers.
It has been declared endangered by the Washington-based International Union of Conservation of Natural
Resources.
The mahseer, the longest-living freshwater fish, is native to mountain and sub-mountain regions. It belongs to
the genus Tor.
The Pong Dam reservoir, around 250km from state capital Shimla and 190km from Chandigarh, supports an
ample population of the golden mahseer
It is found in the exclusively in north-western plains particularly parts of Rajasthan and also Pakistan.
It is one of the heaviest flying birds.
IUCN Status : critically endangered bird.
The reasons are depleting habitat, i.e. grasslands especially due to development of infrastructure intrusions.
It is the state bird of Rajasthan.
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Himalayan Wolf
Critically endangered
Found in Nepal
Invasive Species
An invasive species is a non-native organism that causes ecological harm after being introduced to a new
environment.
Once they enter a new ecosystem, they can outcompete native organisms for resources like food, especially if
they lack natural predators.
Some invasive species also carry diseases that kill native organisms and many will consume native plants and
animals.
Invasive species can ultimately cause the decline or extinction of native species, decreasing biodiversity in an
ecosystem.
Humans are responsible for the spread of a majority of earth’s invasive species, often carrying them to different
parts of the world on ships.
Irrawaddy dolphins *
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Kuji Mendha
It is a threatened breed of sheep found only in coastal Jagatsinghpur and Kendrapara districts of Odisha
It is declared ‘rare and singular species‘ by central government
Kuji Mendha sheep are fast breeders giving multiple birth. Sheep in other parts of Odisha are not known for
giving multiple birth. This characteristic makes them distinctive from other species
Kendrapara sheep are primarily used for production of mutton. The other product of economic importance is
their skin. They are well adapted to high ambient temperature, high humidity and heavy rains
Moss *
Mosses are a common flowerless plant found in all cities especially in damp (humid) or shady locations.
It generally absorb water and nutrients from their immediate environments, so it can reflect changes to
ecosystems.
So it can be used as potential bioindicators to monitor urban pollution and to measure the impact of
atmospheric change.
As a bioindicator, mosses respond to pollution or drought-stress by changing its shape, density or disappearing.
This characteristic will allow scientists to calculate atmospheric alterations and air pollution.
Drought-stress tends to occur in mosses found in areas with high levels of nitrogen pollution, which has negative
impact on health and biodiversity.
Nilgai
It is also called bluebuck
It is the largest Asian antelope (family Bovidae).
The nilgai is indigenous to the Indian subcontinent.
It is the only one of the four Indian antelopes that is still abundant.
It is the largest of all Asian antelopes and is one of the most commonly seen wild animals in all of India.
IUCN Status : Least Concern
Why in news? Nilgai causes extensive damage to crops in gangetic plains. MoEFCC has asked state
governments to send proposals to declare wild animals vermin for specified period in a given area.
Ochotona sikimaria
It is new species of Pika, a mammal belonging to the rabbit and hare family
Found in the Himalayas in Sikkim
They are a keystone species and ecosystem engineers
They do not hibernate unlike other mammalian species inhabiting such cold climates.
Breeding Season:
It commences its journey from Indian Ocean towards Bay of Bengal during their mating season in October and
November every year.
A single female can lay up to 100 to 150 eggs in a pit dug on the beaches.
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Six weeks later these eggs hatches and the newly hatched turtles start the journey to their Indian Ocean habitat.
The destination for majority of the turtles for laying egg is Gahirmatha in Odisha.
The sandy stretches of Hope Island of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary also have turned into a breeding
area
Why in news?
Hope Island in Andhra Pradesh has become graveyard for Olive Ridley turtles.
The breeding cycle of this species got severe blow due to mechanised fishing boats scouring in the Bay of Bengal
coastline. These boats crush most of these turtles under it leading to their death.
It is an endemic and rare sub species of brow antlered deer found only in Manipur
It is the state animal of Manipur
Its habitat is restricted to the marshy wetland of Keibal Lamjao over the floating biomass in Loktak Lake
which is locally called ‘phumdi’
While walking on the floating biomass, Sangai often balances itself which looks as if it is dancing on the green
grassland and therefore popularly called as ‘dancing deer’ of Manipur
IUCN status : Endangered.
Sawfish *
Sloth Bear
Indian Sloth bears are a species of bear found only in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka.
It is nocturnal animal, locally known as KARADI, lives in open scrub forests having outcrop of rocks,
boulders and caves as shelter.
They have poor vision and hearing but good sense of smell.
Daroji sanctuary, Bellari, Karnataka established in 1994 is biggest sloth bear sanctuary in Asia.
Current status: IUCN RED list – Vulnerable, in CITES included in Appendix I and Schedule I of wildlife
protection act, 1972
White Tiger *
White tigers in India are nothing but a pigmentation variant of the Bengal tiger.
In India, white tigers are predominantly found in Rewa, Madhya Pradesh.
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In 2016, world’s first White Tiger Safari was inaugurated at Mukundpur in Satna district of Madhya
Pradesh.
The first white tiger in Madhya Pradesh’s was spotted in Vindhya region in 1915. However, the rare breed of the
big cat spotted for the first time died in 1920.
In 1951, a white tiger cub named Mohan was captured by Rewa Maharaja Martand Singh.
Later the tiger cub became the progenitor of all known white tigers in the world after the Maharaja arranged for
its breeding.
They have been reported in the wild from time to time in the Indian states of Assam, West Bengal, Bihar.
These tigers have white fur because of the lack of the pigment pheomelanin, which is found in Bengal tigers with
orange colour fur.
Why in news? White Tiger spotted in Nilgiris.
Aerosols
Aerosols are tiny particles made from super-fine solid particles and liquid droplets carried in the atmosphere
They often act as cloud condensation nuclei around which cloud droplets are formed.
Aerosols can also modify the size of existing cloud particles, and change how the clouds reflect and absorb
sunlight, leading to haze and much redder sunrises and sunsets.
Antlers
What are Antlers?
Antlers are the extensions of the deer’s skull. There are three deer varieties deer, sambar, and barking deer having
antlers and are found in Kerala. They shed their antlers annually. It is believed that antlers have medicinal values and
are mainly used for invigorating spleen, strengthening bones/muscles and boosting blood flow.
Why in news?
The Kerala SBWL had approved a request from the state-run Aushadhi to collect and use antlers shed by spotted deer
and sambars in zoos for preparing ayurvedic medicines. However, the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 prohibits (bans)
sale and use of antlers in India. Tonnes of antlers are kept in the stores of Department of Museums and Zoos as the
sale and use of antlers are banned. SBWL is seeking suitable amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act for using the
antlers for medicinal purposes.
Biochemical oxygen demand (BOD, also called biological oxygen demand) is the amount of dissolved
oxygen (DO) needed (i.e., demanded) by aerobic biological organisms to break down organic material present
in a given water sample at certain temperature over a specific time period.
The BOD value is most commonly expressed in milligrams of oxygen consumed per litre of sample during 5 days
of incubation at 20 °C and is often used as a surrogate of the degree of organic pollution of water.
BOD can be used as a gauge of the effectiveness of wastewater treatment plants.
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Depletion of DO causes stress on aquatic organisms, making the environment unsuitable for life. Further,
dramatic depletion can lead to hypoxia or anoxic environments.
BOD is also used extensively for wastewater treatment, as decomposition of organic waste by microorganisms is
commonly used for treatment.
Biodiversity
The term Biological Diversity was first coined by wildlife scientist and conservationist Raymond F. Dasmann in
1968.
This term became widespread in use during 1980s.
Biodiversity refers to the “totality of genes, species and ecosystems of a region”.
There are three levels of biodiversity :
1. Species diversity,
2. Ecosystem diversity and
3. Genetic diversity.
Biodiversity is unequally distributed on Earth and it varies across regions on the basis of climatic and
geographical factors.
On earth, highest biodiversity is found in tropics.
In comparison to Oceans, terrestrial biodiversity is much greater.
It is estimated that there are 8.7 million species on earth of which 2.1 million live in Oceans while rest are
terrestrial.
The terrestrial biodiversity is greater at equator in comparison to poles.
Around 90% of world’s biodiversity is found in tropical rainforests which occupy less than 10 percent of Earth’s
surface.
The marine biodiversity is highest along the coasts in the Western Pacific which is known for highest sea
temperature.
Around 70% of World species are found in 12 countries viz. Australia, Brazil, China, Columbia, Costa Rica,
Congo, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Madagascar, Mexico and Peru.
Bio-medical waste
What is Bio-Medical Waste?
Bio-medical waste is any solid or liquid waste including its container and any intermediate product generated
during the diagnosis, treatment or immunization of human beings or animals or research activities.
Biomedical waste poses hazard due to two principal reasons:
1. toxicity and
2. infectivity.
Bio Medical waste consists of human anatomical waste like organs, tissues and body parts, waste sharps like
hypodermic needles, syringes, scalpels and broken glass, discarded medicines and cytotoxic drugs, liquid waste
from any of infected areas etc.
In 2016, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests had issued new Bio-medical Waste Management Rules,
2016 for proper discarding of the bio-medical waste.
Carbon Neutrality
What is carbon neutrality?
Carbon neutrality occurs when the net carbon emissions over an entire year is zero or when the entity absorbs or
offsets the same amount of emission that was generated.
For Ex. If a units emits 100 tonne of CO2 equivalent of GHGs in a year than to become carbon neutral it must
absorb or offset 100 tonne of CO2 emissions by measures like planting trees, installing solar panels etc.
CFCs are long-lived chemical compounds that eventually rise into the stratosphere, where they are broken apart
by the sun’s ultraviolet radiation, releasing chlorine atoms that go on to destroy ozone molecules.
CFCs have lifetimes from 50 to 100 years, so they linger in the atmosphere for a very long time.
Stratospheric ozone protects life on the planet by absorbing potentially harmful ultraviolet radiation that can
cause skin cancer and cataracts, suppress immune systems and damage plant life.
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The Antarctic ozone hole forms during September in the southern hemisphere’s winter as the returning sun’s
rays catalyze ozone destruction cycles involving chlorine and bromine that come primarily from CFCs.
When ozone destruction is ongoing, chlorine is found in many molecular forms, most of which are not
measured. But after chlorine has destroyed nearly all the available ozone, it reacts instead with methane to form
hydrochloric acid.
According to the study published in the journal Geophysical Research Letters, the Antarctic ozone hole
should continue to recover gradually as CFCs leave the atmosphere, but complete recovery will take decades.
Dead Zone is an area in water body that contains little or no oxygen (or they are hypoxic) in bottom and near-
bottom water.
Mostly they occur naturally but it can be caused by excessive nutrient pollution from human activities coupled
with other factors.
They are well-known off western coasts of North and South America, off coast of Namibia and off west coast of
India in Arabian Sea.
In recent times, warming of the atmosphere through climate change is predicted to lead expansion of ‘dead
zones’ in the ocean.
Why in news? Scientists have discovered a huge dead zone in Bay of Bengal.
Earth Day
April 22
Earth Day was first celebrated in 1970.
Earth Day celebrations are coordinated globally by the Earth Day Network
The aim of the day is to bring attention to environmental issues to spark changes that will result in a healthy,
sustainable environment. This includes addressing climate change and finding ways to protect the planet for
future generations
Theme for Earth Day 2016: Environmental & Climate Literacy
Eco-Sensitive Zone
It is created to act as a buffer for further protection around Protected Areas (PAs) such as National Parks
and Wildlife sanctuaries.
Activities around such areas are regulated and managed so as to protect the environment.
ESZ is notified under Section 3 of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 by the Union Ministry of
Environment and Forest.
ESZ Guidelines classify activities under three categories:
o Prohibited: Commercial Mining, Setting of Saw Mill, Setting of industries causing pollution,
establishment of major hydroelectric projects etc.
o Regulated: Felling of Trees, Establishment of hotels and resorts, erection of electrical cables, drastic
change of agricultural systems etc.
o Permitted: Ongoing agriculture and horticulture practices by local communities, rain water harvesting,
organic farming etc.
Many states are opposed to ESZ because of presence of minerals and resources side by side.
Local people in many areas are also opposed to ESZ for loss of livelihood due to restriction placed by it on
various activities
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Fly Ash
Fly ash is one of the coal combustion products and is composed of fine particles that are driven out of the boiler
with flue gases. Ash that falls at the bottom of the boiler is called bottom ash.
Fly ash includes substantial amounts of oxides of silica, aluminum and calcium. Element like Arsenic, Boron,
Chromium, lead etc. are also found in trace concentrations. It, thus, poses hazards to environment and health.
Due to the presence of these minerals it has certain unique properties. It can be used as construction material,
filling old mines, building railway embankments, and reclamation of low-lying areas
Gaj Yatra *
Facts:
As per the available population estimates, there are about 400,000 African elephants and 40,000 Asian
elephants across the globe.
Asian elephants are listed as “endangered” and African elephants are listed as “vulnerable” in the IUCN Red List
of threatened species.
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Scientists have developed a graphene-based sensor and switch that can detect air pollution inside homes.
The sensor detects individual carbon dioxide (CO2) molecules and volatile organic compound gas molecules
found in buildings, furniture and even household goods.
Ice Shelf
Ice Shelf is a floating extension of land-based glaciers which flow into the ocean.
As they already float in the ocean, their melting does not directly contribute to sea-level rise.
The breaking of ice shelves is a natural process but global warming is thought to have accelerated this
process.
In recent years, many ice shelves has disintegrated due to global warming.
Keystone Species
Keystone species determine the ability of a large number of other species to survive in the ecosystem. When they
become extinct, it has cascading effect on extinction of other species. Example of keystone species is bees as
pollination of fruits and flowers is dependent on them
Light Pollution
What is Light pollution?
Light pollution is artificial brightening of the night sky caused by man-made lightening sources
It has a disruptive effect on natural cycles and inhibits the observation of stars and planets.
It is also known as photopollution or luminous pollution
Why in news? China has set up a dark sky reserve in Tibet to limit light pollution
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Note: This can be used as a case study for community based conservation efforts.
Mission Innovation
It aims to accelerate global clean energy innovation with the following aims
o to make clean energy affordable
o to address climate change
o to create green jobs and commercial opportunities
It includes participating countries doubling their clean energy R&D investment
It is required to meet economic and energy security goals in timely manner
India is Founding Member of the Steering Committee and also a Member of the two sub-groups: Joint research
and Capacity Building and Private Sector Engagement
It was announced by the leaders of 20 countries that have a shared desire to accelerate global clean energy
innovation during COP 21 in Paris.
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