Sea Urchins : Mass Death The Red Sea’s spectacular coral reefs face a new threat, marine biologists warn—the mass death of sea urchins that may be caused by a mystery disease. Sea urchins belong to a group of marine invertebrates called echinoderms, which means spiny-skinned animals. It includes other well-known marine creatures like starfish and […]
Category: Environment Current Affairs
Indian-Spot Billed Duck : Spotted
Indian-Spot Billed Duck : Spotted An Indian spot-billed with pale plumage was sighted at Manickapuram tank in Tiruppur district, Tamil Nadu, recently. Indian-Spot Billed Duck is a large dabbling duck that is a non-migratory breeding duck throughout freshwater wetlands in the Indian subcontinent. The name is derived from the red spot at the base of […]
Artificial Reef (AR)
Artificial Reef (AR): To promote sustainable practises, the Department of Fisheries has sanctioned 732 artificial reef units for 10 coastal states as a sub-activity under the “Integrated Modern Coastal Fishing Villages” of Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). Artificial Reefs (AR) is a manmade structure that may mimic some of the characteristics of a natural […]
Bolson Tortoises
Bolson Tortoises: Biologists are in a slow and steady race to help North America’s largest and rarest Bolson tortoise species. Bolson tortoises is the largest and rarest land reptile, as well as the rarest of the six Gopherus species native to the North American Continent. Adult males are generally smaller than females in this species. […]
Carrying Capacity Assessment
Carrying Capacity Assessment: Carrying Capacity Assessment is a tool for protecting hilly areas through sustainable tourism. It highlights the growth of tourism globally and its impacts, both positive and negative, on hilly regions. Carrying capacity refers to the maximum number of people a tourist destination can accommodate without harming the environment or the quality of […]
Pterygotrigla intermedica : New Species Of Marine Fish
Pterygotrigla intermedica : New Species Of Marine Fish The scientists of the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of vibrant orange-colored deep-water marine fish from Digha Mohana in West Bengal. Pterygotrigla intermedica is commonly known as gurnards or sea-robins and belongs to the family Triglidae. It is the fourth species of […]
Indian Skimmer : Recently Spotted
Indian Skimmer : Recently Spotted The endangered Indian Skimmer was recently spotted along the Ghaghra River at Dudhwa Tiger Reserve. Indian Skimmer is an odd bird which belongs to the family of skimmers, Rynchopidae. Scientific Name: Rynchops albicollis It gets its name from the way it feeds, flying low over the water surface and ‘skimming’ […]
Mithun : Food Animal Tag
Mithun : Food Animal Tag Northeast’s Mithun gets a ‘food animal’ tag from the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI). The Mithun or gayal (Bos frontalis) is considered a descendant of the Indian Gaur or bison. It plays an important role in the socio-economic and cultural life of tribes such as the Nyishi, […]
Rafflesia Flower : Risk Of Extinction
Rafflesia Flower : Risk Of Extinction Most species of the famously large Rafflesia flower are now at risk of extinction, new research warned recently. Rafflesia is a genus of parasitic flowering plants native to Southeast Asia. These plants are renowned for producing the largest individual flowers in the world, both in terms of size and […]
Green Nudge
Green Nudge: A study conducted in China has shed light on the positive environmental impact of implementing “green nudges” in online food delivery platforms. Green nudges are interventions that encourage people to act more sustainably. They are a relatively new policy tool that aims to encourage pro-environmental behaviour. By defaulting to “no disposable cutlery” and […]