Category: Environment Current Affairs

Ozone-Depleting Substances: New Study A new study released June 11, 2024, has reported the first significant decrease in atmospheric concentrations of potent ozone-depleting substances (ODS) known as hydrochlorofluorocarbons (HCFCs). Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) are chemicals that cause the depletion of the stratospheric ozone layer. This layer is crucial for protecting life on Earth by absorbing the […]

Centre Has Proposed Eco-sensitive Areas: Karnataka, Maharashtra, and Goa, three of the six states where the Centre has proposed eco-sensitive areas (ESAs) to protect the Western Ghats have requested a reduction in the extent of these ESAs to permit development projects. In 2013, the government constituted a High-Level Working Group under the Chairmanship of Dr. […]

Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve: A rare four-horned antelope has been sighted for the first time in the Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve. Four-horned antelope, also known as Chousingha: It is a small bovid antelope found in Asia. Unique for its four horns, only males bear them, with one pair between the ears and another on the […]

Greater Spotted Eagles: A recent report revealed that the ongoing war between Russia and Ukraine has forced greater spotted eagles, a large raptor species, to change their migratory paths. It is a member of the subfamily Aquilinae, commonly known as “booted eagles”.  It was once classified as a member of the genus Aquila, but has been reclassified […]

High Seas Biodiversity Treaty: Grethel Aguilar, the director general of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), urged countries worldwide “to strive for a fully functional High Seas Biodiversity Treaty”. The high seas are those areas of the world’s oceans that are outside national jurisdictions. They constitute a huge chunk of the world’s oceans […]

Nitrous Oxide (N2O) Emissions: Planet-warming nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions grew by 40 percent between 1980 and 2020, according to a new report published by the Global Carbon Project. Nitrous Oxide (N2O) commonly known as laughing gas or happy gas, is a colorless, odorless, and non-flammable While nitrous oxide is not flammable, it will support combustion […]

Notified Disasters: The ongoing spell of extreme heat in many parts of the country has once again reopened discussions on the inclusion of heatwaves as one of the notified disasters under the Disaster Management (DM) Act, 2005. The Disaster Management Act, 2005, defines a disaster as a “catastrophe, mishap, calamity or grave occurrence” arising from […]

Nano-Fertilizer Plant At Kakinada: Coromandel International (an agriculture solutions provider) has opened a nano-fertiliser plant at its Kakinada complex in Andhra Pradesh. The nano fertilisers (such as Nano DAP and Nano urea) ensure optimal nutrient delivery and absorption by the plants, potentially replacing conventional fertilisers and increasing crop yield. Nano fertilisers are highly efficient types […]

Indian House Crows: The Kenyan government has announced an action plan to eliminate a million Indian House Crows (Corvus splendens) by the end of 2024. This decision stems from the birds’ significant negative impact on local ecosystems and their nuisance to the public, particularly in the Kenyan coastal region. The Indian House Crow is described […]

Four-Horned Antelope: A rare four-horned antelope has been sighted for the first time in Veerangana Durgavati Tiger Reserve (Sagar district), which was earlier known as Nauradehi Sanctuary. Four-Horned Antelope also called Chousingha, is a small bovid antelope. They are the smallest antelopes found in Asia. Scientific Name: Tetracerus quadricornis It is endemic to India and […]