Brazilian Velvet Ant: A study in the Beilstein Journal of Nanotechnology revealed that the Brazilian velvet ant (Traumatomutilla bifurca) has “ultrablack” body parts.These parts absorb over 99.5% of visible light, making them nearly invisible. The discovery highlights unique biological nanostructures with potential applications in technology.Velvet ants are not “ants,” they are a species of wasp […]
Category: Environment Current Affairs
Chhattisgarh’s Green GDP Initiative
Chhattisgarh’s Green GDP Initiative: Chhattisgarh has become the first Indian state to incorporate the ecological services of its forests into its economic framework by adopting the Green Gross Domestic Product (Green GDP) model. This initiative aims to link environmental contributions—such as clean air, water conservation, and biodiversity—to the state’s economic growth, ensuring sustainable development while […]
Elephant Population Rise
Elephant Population Rise: Assam’s latest Elephant Population Estimate 2024 reveals an estimated 5,828 elephants, marking a rise of 109 from the previous 2017 count. This synchronised estimation exercise highlights the stability of Assam’s elephant population despite challenges such as habitat fragmentation and human-elephant conflicts. Total Elephant Population Estimated at 5,828, an increase of 109 from […]
Stellaria bengalensis
Stellaria bengalensis: Researchers from the Centre for Advanced Studies in Botany, North-Eastern Hill University, Shillong discovered a new plant species and named it as Stellaria bengalensis. S. bengalensis is the annual herb plant of the genus Stellaria (family Caryophyllaceae). It was found growing on muddy soil slopes — at altitudes of 2,245-2,450 metres in the […]
Environment Summits of 2024
Environment Summits of 2024: In 2024, global environmental efforts faced a series of setbacks as key UN climate summits failed to deliver impactful resolutions. 2024 Climate Summits: Biodiversity (Colombia): Failed to finalize financing mechanisms for sustainable land-use practices, falling short of the $700 billion annual goal. Climate Change (Azerbaijan): Divisions over fossil fuel transition and […]
Central Groundwater Board
Central Groundwater Board: There are 440 districts in India with excessive nitrates in their groundwater as of 2023, an increase from 359 such districts in 2017, according to a report by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB). CGWB is a multi-disciplinary scientific organization of the Department of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation, Ministry of […]
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary : Survey
Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary : Survey A four-day faunal survey conducted at the Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary has added significant findings to the sanctuary’s biodiversity records. It is located in the southern part of the Western Ghats in the Kollam district of Kerala. It spans an area of approximately 172 sq.km. and forms part of the Agasthyamala […]
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary
Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary: Assam has introduced Anti-Depredation Squads (ADS) in areas surrounding the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary in Morigaon. Pobitora wildlife sanctuary is located in east region of Guwahati, Assam. It was established in 1998 with a total area of 48.81 square kilometres. The entire region around the sanctuary is a part of Brahmaputra flood plains. […]
Sanjay Gandhi National Park
Sanjay Gandhi National Park: In what comes as a cause of concern, a fire broke out just outside the Sanjay Gandhi National Park (SGNP) in Mumbai recently. SGNP, earlier known as Borivali National Park, is a large protected area near Borivali in the northern part of Mumbai. It is situated partly in Thane District and […]
Denmark Strait Cataract
Denmark Strait Cataract: The Denmark Strait cataract, an underwater giant, defies conventional understanding of waterfalls, influencing global ocean circulation and shaping ecosystems, despite its invisible and silent presence.It is the largest waterfall on Earth, situated in an underwater channel between Iceland and Greenland.With a vertical fall measuring 2,000 metres, it’s over three times the height […]
