Environment

Ozone is a gas that occurs both in the Earth’s upper atmosphere and at ground level. Ozone can be “good” or “bad” for your health and the environment, depending on its location in the atmosphere. Ground-level or “bad” ozone is not emitted directly into the air, but is created by chemical reactions between oxides of … Read more

A tropical deciduous forest would grow in a place that is warm all year and the trees would lose their leaves at some point every year. Main characteristics of tropical deciduous forests are: These are the most wide spread forests of India. They are also known as the monsoon forests. They spread over areas of … Read more

Joint Forest Management (JFM) is an approach wherein state forest departments support local forest dwelling and forest fringe communities to protect and manage forests and share the costs and benefits from the forests with them. The Government of India consolidated the intervention on participatory forest management through the National Forest Policy, 1988, and then through … Read more

Single-use plastics, often also referred to as disposable plastics, are commonly used for plastic packaging7 and include items intended to be used only once before they are thrown away or recycled. These include, among other items, grocery bags, food packaging, bottles, straws, containers, cups and cutlery. Figure 1.1 introduces the main polymers used to manufacture … Read more

Conservation of Critical Environmental Resources – To protect and conserve critical ecological systems and resources, and invaluable natural and man-made heritage, which are essential for life-support, livelihoods, economic growth, and a broad conception of human well-being. Intergenerational Equity – To ensure judicious use of environmental resources to meet the needs and aspirations of the present … Read more

Different methods are used for treatment of solid waste and the choice of proper method depends upon refuse characteristics, land area available and disposal cost they are as follows Incineration Compaction Pyrolysis Gasification Composting Incineration It is a controlled combustion process for burning solid wastes in presence of excess air (oxygen) at high temperature of … Read more

Organic farming is an agricultural system that works in harmony with nature. It largely excludes the use of synthetic inputs (such as fertilizers, pesticides, hormones, feed additives etc.) and rely upon crop rotation, crop residues, animal manures, off-farm organic waste, mineral grade rock additives and biological system of nutrient mobilization and plant protection. Organic farming … Read more

India State of Forest Report 2019 has been prepared by Forest Survey of India (FSI). It is a biannual report. The report is prepared after mapping of forests and trees through satellite. Key highlights of the report are as follows: the forest area has increased by 3976 kilometers and the area of trees by 1212 … Read more

The National Green Tribunal has been established on 18.10.2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010 for effective and expeditious disposal of cases relating to environmental protection and conservation of forests and other natural resources including enforcement of any legal right relating to environment and giving relief and compensation for damages to persons and property … Read more

In Delhi, the average maximum temperature for December was less than 20°C until December 27. This has happened only four times in the last 118 years, and the IMD has said this month would most likely become the second coldest December for Delhi since 1901. A cold-day condition is said to prevail when the maximum … Read more

Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) are a group of industrial chemicals primarily used for cooling and refrigeration. HFCs were developed to replace stratospheric ozone-depleting substances that are currently being phased out under the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer. Many HFCs are very powerful greenhouse gases and a substantial number are short-lived climate pollutants with … Read more

Forests fires are as old as the forests themselves. They pose a threat not only to the forest wealth but also to the entire regime to fauna and flora seriously disturbing the b io-diversity and the ecology and environment of a region. During summer, when there is no rain for months, the forests become littered … Read more

The AQI is an index for reporting daily air quality. The concept of index is to have one Number one colour description for the common man to judge the air quality within his vicinity.  The index constituted part of the Government’s mission to introduce the culture of cleanliness. Institutional and infrastructural measures were being undertaken in … Read more

The Living Planet Index (LPI) is a measure of the state of global biological diversity based on population trends of vertebrate species from around the world. It does this in much the same way that a stock market index tracks the value of a set of shares or a retail price index tracks the cost … Read more

A carbon market allows countries, or industries, to earn carbon credits for emission reductions they make in excess of what is required of them. These credits can be traded to the highest bidder in exchange for money. The buyers of carbon credits can show the emission reductions as their own and use them to meet … Read more

Impact of climate change on Flora: All the plants/tree species requires a specific temperature for their life processes like germination of seed, growth, flowering, fruiting etc. Changes in temperature have changed this cycle. Trees which are unable to adjust to this change are becoming endangered and might get extinct if not saved. Because of the … Read more

Geo-demographic load: India Supports 17% population of the world with only 2.4% area of the world. This ever increasing population is putting great pressure on the natural resources of the country. Climate change Deforestation Habitat loss and fragmentation Overexploitation leading to shortening of Earth Overshoot day. Natural Calamities. Invasive species like water hyacinth, Congress grass, … Read more

  Thermal power plants are the major source of energy in India. Nearly 65% of energy production comes from thermal plants. The energy is generated through coal heating process and then running turbine. But the energy generation is not a eco friendly exercise. Thermal power plant affect the environment in following way: Air Pollution:      Particulate … Read more

E-waste or electronic waste refers to all waste from electronic and electrical appliances which have reached their end- of- life period or are no longer fit for their original intended use and are destined for recovery, recycling or disposal. It includes computer and its accessories monitors, printers; typewriters, mobile phones and chargers, remotes, batteries, LCD/Plasma … Read more

Waste is everybody’s responsibility. A waste reduction strategy can be incorporated by each of us whether at home or at work by following the4 Rs principle. This will not only reduce the amount of solid waste going to landfill, but turn waste into a resource & also save our fast depleting natural resources. Reduce:At home … Read more

Agroecology goes beyond a one-dimensional view of agroecosystems – their genetics, agronomy, edaphology, etc., – to embrace an understanding of ecological and social levels of co-evolution, structure and function. Instead of focusing on one particular component of the agroecosystem, agroecology emphasises the interrelatedness of all agroecosystem components and the complex dynamics of ecological processes that … Read more

The biodiversity available at equator is highly unmatchable and it one of the riches area in terms of quanta and different types of flora and fauna. But this potential is difficult to translate into commercial extraction as Lack of pure strands as compared to taiga region. Every inch is filled with different kinds of tree. … Read more

The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an intergovernmental treaty developed to address the problem of climate change. The Convention, which sets out an agreed framework for dealing with the issue, was negotiated from February 1991 to May 1992 and opened for signature at the June 1992 UN Conference on Environment and Development … Read more

Historically, interaction between the various actors involved in UEM processes has been very weak and ineffective. While laws to effect such involvement existed, it was not exercised both on the part of local governments (adequate information was not provided), as well as other actors and citizens themselves (there was no commitment to participate). Information that … Read more

Dams/reservoirs and wetlands to store water Improvement in agriculture through modifying cropping patterns and introducing drought-resistant varieties of crops Watershed management Water rationing Management of rangeland with improvement of grazing patterns, introduction of feed and protection of shrubs and trees Cattle management Proper selection of crop for drought-affected areas Development of water resource system with … Read more

The Way Forward  Renewable energy, which includes solar and wind, contribute 1% to our energy mix. Both are clean, sustainable and abundant sources of energy. The problem for both not becoming very popular has been the high cost of power. With technological improvements it has now reached levels where it is commercially viable to generate … Read more

Soil Health Card (SHC) is a Government of India’s scheme promoted by the Department of Agriculture & Co-operation under the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare. It is being implemented through the Department of Agriculture of all the State and Union Territory Governments. A SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of … Read more

  Flagship species: A flagship species is a species selected to act as an ambassador, icon or symbol for a defined habitat, issue, campaign or environmental cause. By focusing on, and achieving conservation of that species, the status of many other species which share its habitat – or are vulnerable to the same threats – … Read more

Runoff concentration is managed by structural measures such as contour banks in upland areas, or strip cropping on floodplains. These systems involve a total change in the way a farm is managed.  Runoff systems must be carefully planned. Flow between properties and across roads and railway lines must be coordinated and suit those affected by … Read more

Wildlife Protection Act 1972 was passed on August 21, 1972, but was later implemented on September 9, 1972. This act prohibits the capturing, killing, poisoning or trapping of wild animals It extends to the whole of India except the State of Jammu and Kashmir. Objectives Prohibition of hunting Protection and management of wildlife habitats Establishment … Read more

Impacts of global warming Hotter days  2015 was the hottest year on record, the previous record was broken in 2014, and 2016 is expected to set a new record for the third year in a row. In the past few years records have being broken for longest heatwaves and the Bureau of Meteorology has added … Read more

Disaster risk management:steps Prevention Activities and measures to avoid existing and new disaster risks (often less costly than disaster relief and response). For instance, relocating exposed people and assets away from a hazard area. Mitigation The lessening or limitation of the adverse impacts of hazards and related disasters. For instance, constructing flood defences, planting trees … Read more

Maiti Movement Maiti is derived from the term ‘mait’ which in Uttarakhand means married woman’s parental home. And this movement does not cost any money, but to plant a sapling by a newlywed girl while she leaves her home on the day of marriage. The groom gives some money to bride’s parents for the care … Read more

In the ecosystem, green plants alone are able to trap in solar energy and convert it into chemical energy. The chemical energy is locked up in the various organic compounds, such as carbohydrates, fats and proteins, present in the green plants. Since virtually all other living organisms depend upon green plants for their energy, the … Read more

UNEP’s Blue Carbon Initiative aims to develop a global partnership to advance the sound management of coastal and marine ecosystems in order to ensure that their carbon sequestration and storage functions are maintained, and emissions of greenhouse gases are avoided.  The initiative aims at achieving the following overall targets by 2025: Reversing the current trend … Read more

According to the economic survey, the farm incomes will be dropped by 12% on an average in the coming years with potential losses amounting to 18% of the revenue. The method to prevent the effect are: Fully irrigating Indian agriculture through technologies of drip irrigation, sprinklers, and water management—captured in the “more crop for every … Read more

When Carbon dioxide mixes with ocean water it lowers the pH and causes acidification. The level of atmospheric CO2 is increasing after industrial revolution . This increase in CO2 lowers the pH and hence the acidity.  When CO2 reacts with H2O it forms weak carbonic acid. It furtherreacts with water to release bicarbonate ions and … Read more

Agenda 21 is a non-binding and voluntary implementation plan of United Nations with regard to sustainable development. Agenda 21 is a comprehensive plan of action to be taken globally,nationally and locally by organizations of the United Nations System,Governments, and Major Groups in every area in which humanimpacts on the environment. Agenda 21, the Rio Declaration … Read more

India is facing the water crisis due to various factors and major reasons are decline in the per capita availability of water. As per the above stats the water crisis is deepening and is going to create huge problem. Recently Chennai faced a severe water crisis. IIT Chennai was forced to shutdown for two months.  … Read more

It is a global development agency with missions that include promoting sex education, literacy, clean water and equality for women. It is responsible for promoting peace, social justice, human rights and international security through International cooperation on educational, science and cultural programs. It has 195 member states and is based in Paris, France.It is known … Read more

The hydrologic cycle is important because it is how water reaches plants, animals and us! Besides providing people, animals and plants with water, it also moves things like nutrients, pathogens and sediment in and out of aquatic ecosystems. One of the ways that water moves through the cycle is through its ability to permeate, or … Read more

The objective of Mission Kakatiya is to enhance the development of agriculture based income for small and marginal farmers, by accelerating the development of minor irrigation infrastructure, strengthening community based irrigation management and adopting a comprehensive programme for restoration of tanks. Tanks have been the life line of Telangana owing to the state’s geographical positioning. … Read more

What is natural pest and disease control? Pests and diseases are part of the natural environmental system. In this system there is a balance between predators and pests. This is nature’s way of controlling populations. The creatures that we call pests and the organisms that cause disease only become ‘pest and diseases’ when their activities … Read more

  Disaster Prevention Disaster Prevention is the concept of engaging in activities which intend to prevent or avoid potential adverse impacts through action taken in advance, activities designed to provide protection from the occurance of disasters. Disaster Preparedness Disaster preparedness activities embedded with risk reduction measures can prevent disaster situations and also result in saving … Read more

Wastewater shares the policy and regulatory framework with water; however with some differences such as the role of bodies such as the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) becomes more critical. The CPCB, under the MoEF, is an advisory body to the government for prevention and control of water and air pollution and for improvement in … Read more

  Minimize adverse effects of droughts on the productivity of land, water and human resources Promote overall economic development and improve the socio-economic condition of poor and disadvantaged sections inhabiting the programme areas Capacity building and empowerment of village community, ensuring participation of Panchayati Raj Institutions and NGOs in programme implementation at grassroots level and … Read more

Different types of biofertilizers  Rhizobium Rhizobium is a soil habitat bacterium, which can able to colonize the legume roots and fixes the atmospheric nitrogen symbiotically. The morphology and physiology of Rhizobium will vary from free-living condition to the bacteroid of nodules. They are the most efficient biofertilizer as per the quantity of nitrogen fixed concerned. … Read more

Ex-Situ Conservation Conservation of plants and animals outside their natural homes Offsite Collections – 1500 botanical gardens and 800 zoological gardens – captive breeding program (species with less number of individuals – when number increases they are released in wild) – restock depleted population, reintroduce species in wild and restore degraded habitats Gene Banks – … Read more

Deserts have almost no precipitation, or rainfall. In fact, deserts are specifically defined as areas with an average annual precipitation of less than 10 inches per year. Deserts usually have really high daytime temperatures, low nighttime temperatures, and very low humidity. Desert soil is often sandy, rocky, or gravely. Plant life is highly specialized to … Read more

Abatement of GHGs, particularly CO2 , implies curtailment of energy consumption. Energy is a vital factor of production, and its replacement and/or reduction will entail a shift away from current production methods. If current systems employ efficient production techniques, a change in factor proportions will increase the cost of production, and have an adverse impact … Read more