The Importance and Types of Biodiversity Biodiversity is a term that refers to the diversity or variety of plants, animals, and other living things in a specific region or area. It is vital to maintain a wide range of species in each ecosystem to preserve the web of life that sustains all living things, including […]
Biorock technology | Coral Restoration | UPSC – IAS Coral reefs are one of the most biologically diverse marine ecosystems on the Earth. Ecologically, coral reefs are important because they are the counterpart to the tropical rain forest in terms of species diversity and biological productivity in the Ocean. Coral reef enables the formation of
Jal Shakti Ministry to provide Safe Drinking Water | UPSC – IAS Recently, Union government has created a new ministry, Jal Shakti to provide safe drinking water to people. The Jal Shakti ministry has been formed on May 31, 2019 by reorganizing erstwhile ministries of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. Ministry of Jal
Invasive Alien Species by Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) | UPSC – IAS An invasive alien species is a species that is not native to a specific location (an introduced species), and that has a tendency to spread to a degree believed to cause damage to the environment, human economy or human health. An introduced
Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act | UPSC – IAS Compensatory Afforestation (CA) refers to afforestation and regeneration activities carried out as a way of compensating for forest land diverted to non-forest purposes. Here “non-forest purpose” means the breaking up or clearing of any forest land or a portion thereof for- The cultivation of tea, coffee, spices,
Global Warming and its Major effects on Environment and Human Health The “natural” greenhouse effect has been part of the basis of life on Earth since the early atmosphere formed. Without it, our planet would be a frozen mass, perhaps 30°C (54°F) colder than it is today. Over the last three decades, human-produced changes to the
Jerzego sunillimaye – Jumping spiders and their Significance | UPSC – IAS (New species of Arachnid found in Mumbai’s Aarey Colony) In a study published on Saturday by Russian peer reviewed journal Arthropoda Selecta, a teamled by arachnologists Rajesh Sanap, Dr. John Caleb and biologist Anuradha Joglekar announced that they had discovered a new species
Kelp Forests and Climate Change | UPSC – IAS Kelp forests are underwater areas with a high density of kelp. They are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on Earth. Smaller areas of anchored kelp are called kelp beds. Kelp forests occur worldwide throughout temperate and polar coastal oceans. They are
Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps) – Population Fall | UPSC – IAS A recent study suggests that, Great Indian Bustard population has been falling continuously, from around 1,260 in 1969 to less than 200 in 2018. About Great Indian bustard (Ardeotis Nigriceps) It’s among the heaviest bird with a horizontal body and long bare legs
Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ), 2018 – An Analysis | UPSC – IAS To conserve and protect the coastal environment, and to promote sustainable development based on scientific principles Ministry of Environment and Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, notified the CRZ Notification in 1991, subsequently revised in 2011. CRZ
The 24th Session of the of the Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change COP24 was held in Katowice, Poland. Agenda of COP24: The conference focused on three key issues:- Finalization of guidelines/ modalities/rules for the implementation of Paris Agreement. Conclusion of 2018 Facilitative Talanoa Dialogue (to help countries
Indian Human Microbiome Initiative | UPSC – IAS | PIB Indian Human Microbiome Initiative Project, led by The National Centre for Microbial Resource (NCMR) – National Centre for Cell Science (NCCS) has been put up for approval. What is Microbiome? | UPSC – IAS | PIB The collective genome of all micro-organisms contained within the
About Earth BioGenome Project | UPSC – IAS International biologists have launched an ambitious Earth BioGenome Project at an estimated cost of $4.7bn. Aim of the Project – It aims to sequence, catalog and characterize the genomes of all of Earth’s eukaryotic biodiversity over a period of ten years. Significance of Earth Biogenome project | UPSC
COP – 14 and Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration | UPSC – IAS Recently, Conference of the Parties (COP-14) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) was held, adopting Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration. Highlight of COP-14 Adoption of Sharm El-Sheikh Declaration on Investing in Biodiversity for People and Planet. Governments commit to mainstream biodiversity through, integrating biodiversity values
Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion | UPSC – IAS The quadrennial (four-yearly) review of the Montreal Protocol reveals a healing ozone layer, global warming reduction potential, and options for more ambitious climate action. Key findings of the Scientific Assessment of Ozone Depletion | UPSC – IAS Actions taken under the Montreal Protocol have led
Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action | UPSC – IAS The Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action, established at the CoP22 (UNFCCC), aims to mobilize climate actions quickly and to reap the benefits in efficiency and effectiveness through partnerships and coordination between different actors. It lists out some of the progressive steps taken and benefits
Blue Economy and its Components | UPSC – IAS As per the World Bank, Blue Economy is the sustainable use of ocean resources for economic growth, improved livelihoods, and jobs while preserving the health of ocean ecosystem. It covers several sectors linked directly or indirectly to the oceans such as – Fishing, minerals, shipping and
