Environment

Farming, grazing of livestock, mining, and drilling combined account for more than half of all deforestation. Forestry practices, wildfires and, in small part, urbanization account for the rest. In Malaysia and Indonesia, forests are cut down to make way for producing palm oil, which can be found in everything from shampoo to saltines. In the … Read more DMPQ- What are the main Causes of deforestation?

The management of these energy sources involves slightly different perspectives than other resources. Coal and petroleum were formed from the degradation of bio-mass millions of years ago and hence these are resources that will be exhausted in the future no matter how carefully we use them. And then we would need to look for alternative … Read more DMPQ- Write an essay on the sustainable management of Coal and petroleum resources.

After four decades, CITES remains one of the cornerstones of international conservation. There are 183 member Parties and trade is regulated in more than 35,000 species. Representatives of CITES nations meet every two to three years at a Conference of the Parties to review progress and adjust the lists of protected species, which is grouped … Read more DMPQ- Mention the listing of species in categories with different levels of protection by CITES.

The hydraulic filling method is suitable for granular fill. Generally, this method is used when filling is carried out from an offshore source, either from a rehandling pit, as explained earlier, or from a trailer suction hopper dredger. In the case of pumping from a cutter suction hopper dredger, the fill material is dredged from … Read more DMPQ- Explain the Hydraulic filling method of Soil Reclamation.

There are three interrelated hierarchical levels of biodiversity namely, genetic diversity, species diversity and community or ecosystem diversity. Genetic diversity It describes the variation in the number and types of genes as well as chromosomes present in different species. The magnitude of variation in genes of a species increases with increase in size and environmental … Read more DMPQ- What are the different Types of biodiversity?

Secondary treatment is a biological treatment process used to stabilize the dissolved solids. Microorganisms (e.g., bacteria) feed on the organic solids (food) in the wastewater and convert the organics into a cellular or biological mass that can later be removed. These biological processes are aerobic processes. Oxygen must be provided for these aerobic organisms to … Read more DMPQ- What is Secondary Treatment of Waste Water?

Chipko movement, also called Chipko andolan, nonviolent social and ecological movement by rural villagers, particularly women, in India in the 1970s, aimed at protecting trees and forests slated for government-backed logging. The movement originated in the Himalayan region of Uttar Pradesh (later Uttarakhand) in 1973 and quickly spread throughout the Indian Himalayas. The Hindi word … Read more DMPQ- How does the Chipko movement emerge as a peasant and women’s movement for forest rights

The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), with its headquarters in Kolkata and 16 regional stations is responsible for surveying the faunal resources of India. Possessing a tremendous diversity of climate and physical conditions, India has great variety of fauna, numbering 89,451 species, which include protista, mollusca, anthropoda, amphibia, mammalia, reptilia, members of protochordata, pisces, aves … Read more DMPQ- Write a short note on the Fauna of India

Increasing Forest Area and Restoring Ecological Balance Moisture conservation: trees take water from the lower soil strata and bring it to the upper layers through long tap root system and, also, trees check evaporation of water;  Soil conservation: trees help in checking erosion by wind and water; Natural habitat conservation:Trees provide habitat to many birds … Read more DMPQ- Outline the objectives of Social Forestry.

India is geographically the second-largest country not to have multiple time-zones- the People’s Republic of China being the other. Adopting two time zones for India is something that the Government ought to consider and look to implement. Far too many people in India operate in a time zone that is not an appropriate diurnal cycle … Read more DMPQ:Should India Have more than one Time zone?

Pro-Active and Responsive facilitation by Interactive, Virtuous and Environmental Singlewindow Hub was recently launched by the Prime Minister of India.  It is a Single-Window Integrated Environmental Management System, launched on the occasion of World Biofuel Day.  It has been designed, developed and hosted by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), with technical … Read more DMPQ- PARIVESH

Govt. of India and  UNDP Sea Turtle Project: A significant proportion of world’s Olive Ridley Turtle population migrate every winter to Indian coastal waters for nesting mainly at eastern coast. With the objective of conservation of olive ridley turtles and other endangered marine turtles. Ministry of Environment & Forests initiated the Sea Turtle Conservation Project … Read more DMPQ- Sea turtle Project India.

The Kashmir stag also called Hangul is a subspecies of Central Asian Red Deer native to northern India.It is the state animal of Jammu & Kashmir.In Kashmir, it’s found in Dachigam National Park at elevations of 3,035 meters.These deer once numbered from about 5,000 animals in the beginning of the 20th century.Unfortunately, they were threatened, due to … Read more DMPQ- What is Project Hangul.

PARIVESH is a web based, role based workflow application which has been developed for online submission and monitoring of the proposals submitted by the proponents for seeking Environment, Forest, Wildlife and CRZ Clearances from Central, State and district level authorities. It automates the entire tracking of proposals which includes online submission of a new proposal, … Read more DMPQ- PARIVESH (ENVT/SCHEMES)

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

It is a number used to communicate to the public how polluted the air currently is or how polluted it is forecasted to become. As AQI increases, an increasingly large percentage of the population is likely to experience increasingly adverse health effects.  Different countries have their own air quality indexes, corresponding to different national air … Read more DMPQ- Write short note on Air quality Index.

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?

Concept Definition Carbon sequestration Carbon sequestration is the process of removing carbon from the atmosphere and storing it in a fixed molecule in soil, oceans or plants. Carbon sink  An organism or landscape that stores carbon is called a carbon sink. Carbon source An organism or landscape that emits carbon is called a carbon source. Climate change adaptation … Read more Quick Revision-Concepts Related To Climate Change

Net metering: Net metering is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they add to the grid. For example, if a residential customer has a PV system on the home’s rooftop, it may generate more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours. If the home is net-metered, the electricity … Read more DMPQ: Explain the following terms: a) Net Metering b) Green coal technology

Trichoderma harzianum is a naturally occurring fungus, which is used as a biofungicide to protect mulberry (Morus alba L.) from root-rot and wilt diseases caused by other harmful fungi. A talc-based biofungiside (Raksha) has been developed using T. harzianum for the control of root rot diseases of mulberry. Raksha is applied after mixing with farm-yard … Read more DMPQ: Bio fungicide (Raksha).

: 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

Various Programmes of the government  related to prevention and control of pollution are : Environmental Statement (as part of Environmental Audit) Environmental Statistics and Mapping Development and Promotion of Cleaner Technologies Adoption of Cleaner Technologies in Small Scale Industries Waste Minimizing Programme for improvement of Quality of Automotive Fuels (Motor Gasoline and Diesel) for reducing … Read more DMPQ: What are the steps taken by Government of India to tackle Pollution in India?

The National Mission for Green India (GIM) is one of the eight Missions outlined under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC). It aims at protecting; restoring and enhancing India’s diminishing forest cover and responding to climate change by a combination of adaptation and mitigation measures. It envisages a holistic view of greening and … Read more DMPQ: Green India Mission.

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.

An inter-governmental negotiating committee for the elaboration of aninternational convention to combat desertification in countries experiencing seriousdrought and/ or desertification was recommended in 1992 U.N. Conference onEnvironment and Development.The U.N. General Assembly established a committee in1992 which helped formulation of the convention on desertification. The convention endorses and employs a bottom-up approach to international environmental cooperation.Theconvention … Read more DMPQ:Short Note on UN Convention on Desertification.

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.

. The industrialized world in the 1980s had led to increasing public resistance to the disposal of hazardous wastes – in accordance with what became known as the NIMBY (Not in My Back Yard) syndrome– and to an increase of disposal costs. This in turn led some operators to seek cheap disposal options for hazardous wastes … Read more DMPQ:Write a short note on the BASEL convention on trans boundary movement of Hazardous waste, 1989.

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 Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) scheme relates to provision of assistance for the following type of activities:   a) Financial assistance to animal welfare organizations for maintaining the stray animals in distress and for their treatment (financial assistance based on the number of animals kept for their fodder, water, minor treatment etc). b) … Read more DMPQ: What is the mandate of Animal welfare Board of India.

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.

The National Green Tribunal has been established 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 and for matters connected there with or incidental thereto. … Read more DMPQ: . Explain the functions of National green tribunal.

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.)

:  United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) is an agency of United Nations and coordinates its environmental activities, assisting developing countries in implementing environmentally sound policies and practices. It was founded by Maurice Strong, its first director, as a result of the United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (Stockholm Conference) in June 1972 and has … Read more DMPQ:Write a short note on UNEP.

: The United Nations Conference on the Human Environment (also known as the Stockholm Conference) was an international conference convened under United Nations auspices held in Stockholm, Sweden from June 5-16, 1972. It was the UN’s first major conference on international environmental issues, and marked a turning point in the development of international environmental politics. … Read more DMPQ: Write a note on Stockholm conference.(ENVT)

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?

These restaurants are located strategically with a regular supply of safe food by collecting dead animals from local people. Vultures feed on the dead carcass. Vultures play an important ecological role through the rapid consumption of animal carcasses. Presently there are three ‘Vulture Restaurants’ in Gadchiroli forest division at Marakbodi, Madetukum and Nimgaon.   Aim: … Read more DMPQ: What are vulture restaurants? Describe their aims. (ECOLOGY)

Human-wildlife conflict refers to interaction between wild animals and people and resultant negative impact on people or their resources, or wild animals or their habitat.  According to data from the Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change, conflict with wild animals (mostly elephants and tigers), has killed more than 1,100 people across India between 2014 … Read more DMPQ: Man-animal conflict is on rise. What are the causes of Conflicts also mention the impacts of Man-animal conflict. (Envt)

  Since habitat loss, degradation and fragmentation are the root causes of the human-wildlife conflict, they need to be addressed to provide long-term solution to conflict Crop pattern needs to be Crops like sugarcane, Banana, should not be allowed to be grown near forest areas. These crops attract wildlife for food as well as good … Read more DMPQ: Man- animal conflict is a serious issue. Discuss the possible solution to address the issue. (Envt.)

Steps taken to prevent Illegal Sand Mining: Government has amended the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification 2006 to make environmental impact clearance mandatory for small-scale sand mines It also provided for the creation of two bodies—a District-level Expert Appraisal Committee (DEAC) to assess the environmental impact of mines and a District Environment Impact Assessment Authority … Read more DMPQ: What are the steps taken by the government of India to prevent illegal sand mining? (Envt.)

It is a study to evaluate and identify the predictable environmental consequences and the best combination of economic and environmental costs and benefits of the proposed project. On the basis of EIA, an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) is prepared, which is a description of the means by which the environmental consequences as pointed out in … Read more DMPQ: what is environment impact assessment? Why it is conducted? (Envt.)

The solution can be divided under two heads one short term and other medium and long term solutions. SHORT term solutions: Strict enforcement through heavy penalties on agriculture waste burning using based tools detecting fires Incentive to farmers for not buring crop residue. Coordination across states and NCR.   Long term solutions: Implement congestion pricing … Read more DMPQ: In recent years, the national capital Delhi and adjoining areas have experienced alarmingly poor air quality starting winter. What are the possible solutions to address this situation? ( envt.)

Climate Change It is the long term change in the statistical distribution of weather patterns over periods of time Though it has been happening naturally for millions of years, in recent years it has accelerated due to anthropogenic causes and has been causing global warming. UNFCCC defines climate change as – “a change of climate … Read more DMPQ: Write in brief about causes and solutions of climate change.

the understanding of laws in general and environmental laws in particular by the public is limited. This is partly because environmental laws are written using complicated language that is very difficult for the public to understand. many communities, organizations, and companies still operate for short-term gains, without consideration of long-term targets or impacts on the … Read more DMPQ: Why there is a need of environmental law ? Discuss in brief the problems in nuking and implementing the environmental laws.

Wind Energy India‘s wind power potential has been assessed at 48500 MW. The current technical potential is estimated at about 13 000 MW, assuming 20% grid penetration, which would increase with the augmentation of grid capacity in potential states. The state-wise gross and technical potentials are given below India is implementing the world’s largest wind … Read more DMPQ: Write in brief on non-conventional sources of energy