Environment

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 DMPQ:Ocean Acidification is one of the key effect of global warming. What is Ocean Acidification and How does it affect the marine ecosystem ?

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (also known as CMS or the Bonn Convention, not to be confused with the Bonn Agreement) aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range. It is an intergovernmental treaty, concluded under the aegis of the United Nations Environment Programme, associated … Read more DMPQ:BONN Convention

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 DMPQ-Despite having large biodiversity in equatorial region, lumbering and livestock farming is still difficult. Comment.

It unites 183 countries in partnership with international institutions, civil society organizations (CSOs), and the private sector to address global environmental issues while supporting national sustainable development initiatives. The GEF provides grants for projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants. The GEF also serves as … Read more DMPQ: . Global environment facility.

Convention on biodiversity is a multilateral treaty which was opened for signature on 5th June at earth summit. It entered into force in 1993. It is a legally binding treaty when a party has ratified it. The convention has basically three goals: Conservation of biological diversity Sustainable use of the components Fair and equitable sharing … Read more DMPQ: What is convention on Biodiversity? Explain the Principle of Commons? (Envt.)

With an objective to conserve the Olive Ridley Turtles, the UNDP Sea Turtle Project was initiated by Wildlife Institute of India, Dehradun as the Implementing Agency in November 1999. The project is for 10 coastal state in India especially Odisha where it has contributed towards the preparation of a map of breeding sites of Sea … Read more DMPQ: UNDP sea turtle Project.

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 DMPQ- How climate change affect the fauna and flora of the country?

They do not contain harmful chemicals that would cause air pollution.  Components are replaced with others that are less dangerous and less harmful to the atmosphere.  The idea was carried forward by a network of CSIR labs.  The team came up with 3-4 formulations and looked at 30-40% of active materials which reduce particulate matter.  … Read more DMPQ- Recently ‘Green Crackers’ term was in the news. What do you understand by the term Green Crackers?

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 DMPQ: In the last decade NGT played a great role in rendering environment justice. In light of the statement, Suggest the role of NGT in last decade.

The Rio Declaration was adopted in the conference recognizing the universal and integral nature of Earth and by establishing a global partnership among states and enlisting general rights and obligations on environmental protection. The Rio Declaration is a statement of 27 principles for the guidance of national environmental behaviour and enlisting general rights and obligations … Read more DMPQ:Rio Declaration.

It is the UN programme working towards a better urban future. Its mission is to promote socially and environmentally sustainable human settlements development and the achievement of adequate shelter for all.  It reports to the United Nations General Assembly. United Nations Conference on Housing and Sustainable Urban Development (Habitat conference) is held once in bi-decennial … Read more DMPQ- Short note on UN Habitat

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 DMPQ- What are forest Fires? What are the causes of Forest fires?

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 DMPQ- What are the main characteristics of Tropical deciduous forest?

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 DMPQ- Highlight the economics of Climate Change.

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 DMPQ: The Indian Meteorological department confirmed that this month was coldest in Delhi since 1901. What are the Possible reasons for such cold waves?

: National Green Corps is a major initiative of MOEFCC for creating environmental awareness launched in 2001-02 which aims at building cadres of young children working towards environmental conservation and sustainable development .   It is operated through Eco-clubs set up in schools registered as members of  NGC, this programme exposes school children to in-depth field … Read more DMPQ: National Green Corps

  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 DMPQ: How thermal power plants are detrimental to the environment?

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 DMPQ- What do you understand by the term “ Carbon market”?

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 DMPQ-Urban environmental management (UFM)

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 DMPQ-Write a short note on UNESCO

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 DMPQ-What is natural pest and disease control?

Wetlands are areas of marsh or peatland with water that is static or flowing, fresh, brackish or saline, including areas of marine water the depth of which at low tide does not exceed 6 m.   Wetlands are transition zones between terrestrial and aquatic ecosystems. E.g. Mangroves, lake littorals (marginal areas between highest and lowest … Read more DMPQ: . What are wetlands? What is Ramsar convention?

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 DMPQ- Mention the Importance and relevance of Agroecology in detail.

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 DMPQ: Write a short note on Living Planet Index (LPI).

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 DMPQ- What is the importance of hydrologic cycle ?

  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 DMPQ- What are the objectives of Drought-prone Areas Programme?