NOVEMBER

“Ocean-grabbing” a danger to world’s fisheries: UN November 1, 2012 No comments As per a UN expert on right to food, ‘Ocean-grabbing’ is as serious a threat as ‘land-grabbing’. What is “Ocean-grabbing”?  An aggressive industrial fishing by foreign fleets. How and to whom is it threatening?  Ocean grabbing is mainly concerned with the interest of smaller fishermen, local communities and sustainable fishing.  It is a threat to food security in developing nations  Excessive and aggressive fishing threatens the fish ecosystem and makes this practice unsustainable.  It depletes the fishing zones at a faster rate. What is “land-grabbing”?  Land grabbing is the contentious issue of large-scale land acquisitions: the buying or leasing of large pieces of land in developing countries, by domestic and transnational companies, governments, and individuals.  Countries such as China and Saudi Arabia have bought up agricultural land in poorer countries such as Ethiopia and Ghana. What is “water-grabbing”?  Water grabbing involves the diversion of water resources and watersheds by domestic and transnational companies, governments, and individuals, which deprives local communities who depend on the water and ecosystems for their livelihoods.  The ability to take over water is usually associated with processes of commoditization and privatization of water that transform water from a public good to a private commodity, with access often controlled by ability to pay. What are the suggestions made by UN to contain “Ocean grabbing”?  Create exclusive artisanal fishing zones for small-scale fishers and clamp down on incursions by industrial fleets  Support small-scale fishers’ cooperatives and help them rise up the value chain  Put co-management schemes in place to manage fishing resources locally  Refrain from undertaking large-scale development projects, e.g. sand extraction, that adversely affect the livelihoods of small-scale fishers  Make fisheries and small-scale fishers an integral part of national right to food strategies. Negative Impact of Nutrients On Coastal Ecosystems October 29, 2012 No comments Salt Marshes along the U.S. Eastern seaboard and other highly developed coastlines have witnessed deterioration of salt marsh. The disintegration has accelerated in recent decades, with some losses caused by sea-level rise and development. As per recent studies, nutrients like nitrogen and phosphorus originating from septic systems, sewerage, and soil fertilizers on land flow with rainwater down to the coastal ocean is responsible for this disintegration. What is the importance of Salt Marshes? Salt marshes form critical interface b/w the land and sea. They provide habitat for fish, birds, and shellfish; protect coastal cities from storms; and they take nutrients out of the water coming from upland areas, which protects coastal bays from over-pollution. Losses of healthy salt marsh have accelerated in recent decades, with some losses caused by sea-level rise and development. Scientists oppose TECs recommendations of 10–year ban on field trials of GM crops October 29, 2012 No comments Scientists have opposed the recommendations made by the Technical ExpertCommittee (TEC) appointed by the Supreme Court of India which has recommended a moratorium of 10 years on all field trials of transgenic food crops and field trials of transgenics in those crops for which India is a centre of origin or diversity. Why this opposition? As per scientists opposing the suggestion, ban on the field trials and commercialization of transgenic crops could harm Indian farmers the most as they need to elevate production of food grains to meet the demands of increasing population with reduced availability of fertile land. As per them, TEC has exceeded its mandate and made many sweeping recommendations on diverse issues without bearing in mind the scientific rigor of the methods used in India which are similar to those in the most advanced countries. Scientists are of the opinion that interventions using GM technology will play a significant role in providing the necessary means to enable farmers to produce more using fewer resources. Italian court convicts scientists who were not able to give earthquake warning October 26, 2012 No comments An Italian court sentenced six scientists and a government official 6-year imprisonment on the charges of manslaughter. The scientists were accused of not being able to give adequate warning of an earthquake that killed more than 300 people in L’Aquila in 2009. All the convicts who were member of National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks, were accused of negligence and malpractice in assessing the danger and informing the city about the risks. What is the case? The scientists on National Commission for the Forecast and Prevention of Major Risks were accused of giving "incomplete, imprecise and contradictory" information on the danger a few days before earthquake. They were accused of negligence in evaluating the tremors that preceded L’Aquila earthquake. As per scientific opinion given by prosecutors, the dozens of lower level tremors seen months before the quake were typical of the kind of preliminary seismic activity seen before major earthquakes. However, Defense lawyers said earthquakes could not be forecasted and even if they could, nothing could be done to prevent them. NTCA to build a national data base for tigers October 25, 2012 No comments The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) will establish a national data base for tigers, and each one of the big cats will have a unique identification number and code. The initiatives of providing UID will aid in better bio-monitoring of tigers.

OBJECTIVE: Providing UID will enhance monitoring and also give the exact estimate of the tiger population in the country. Camera trap will be used to photograph the tigers from both sides to avoid variation in stripes and a UID allotted to each of them. E-eye Project in Corbett National Park October 25, 2012 No comments E-Eye Project: A pilot surveillance project being piloted in Corbett National Park in which live electronic surveillance is done with the help of cameras with video recording facility mounted on towers.  The project will help in tracking the movement of animals, human interference and checking poaching. These cameras will generate alerts to the control room in the park and the NTCA office located at Delhi, as the tigers cross the boundary. These cameras capture thermal and normal image of body mass regardless of forest density and severe weather conditions and therefore, can monitor the area during night or day. Expert committee suggests 10-year moratorium on GM food crop field trials October 25, 2012 No comments The 5-member, Technical Expert Committee appointed on the directions ofSupreme Court, has recommended a 10-year moratorium on field trials of allGenetically Modified (GM) food crops. The panel, in its interim report, suggested that the field trials should not be done till an independent committee of experts and stakeholders examines and assesses the potential hazard of herbicide tolerant crops and their suitability toIndia. What is the concern of environmentalists?  The environmentalists are concerned about the potential damage GM crops can cause to human health, to livestock and to biodiversity and the likelihood of field trials to contaminate regular crops. Alternatives to Endosulfan available October 23, 2012 No comments The Persistent Organic Pollutants (POP) Review Committee to theStockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants approved the assessment of 100 chemical alternatives to insecticide and acaricideEndosulfan. The committee also suggested its non- chemical alternatives. Which of the approved alternatives are used in India? Among the approved alternatives which are used in India, some are:-

 Malathion  Aldicarb  Carbofuran  Cabaryl  Fipronil  Methyl parathion  Pyrethrin

Vulture population rises in India November 15, 2012 No comments As per a recent report by the Bombay Natural History Society(BHNS) rapid decline in the number of critically endangered Indian vultures has stopped. India’s vulture population has risen for the first time in last 20 years, after a sharp decline in their numbers by more than 99%. Vulture numbers decreased in India from 4 crore in the early ’80s to less than 1 lakh in 2011. Why Vulture numbers were fast declining in India?  Diclofenac, a painkilling drug administered to cattle, is the main cause of mass extinction of vultures.  Vultures, which have a digestive system robust enough to even digestdisease- causing pathogens found in rotting meat of dead, do not have a critical enzyme that breaks down diclofenac and die of renal failure after eating carcasses of cattle administered the drug.  Vultures feeding on cattle either die from acute kidney failure within a few days or lose their ability to reproduce. ‘Diclofenac’ is a painkilling drug administered to cattle. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has put vultures on its list of ‘critically endangered’ species. The three most common species of vultures and there approx. numbers in the India are:

1. Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), also known as the Indian vulture (44,000) 2. White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus) (11,000) 3. Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris) (1,000)

No resolution achieved during Antarctic Ocean sanctuary talks at CCAMLR November 4, 2012 No comments No resolution could be reached during the talks at the Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR), at Hobart inAustralia. The commission is made up of 24 countries and the European Union.

What is CCAMLR?  Commission for the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR) was established in 1982.  The Convention on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, also Commission on the Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources, and CCAMLR, is part of the Antarctic Treaty System.  Its aim is to conserve marine life in the face of rising demands to exploit krill, a shrimp-like creature which is an important source of food for species in the Antarctic.  The commission permits fishing carried out in a sustainable manner and takes account of the effects of fishing on other components of the ecosystem.  Headquartered in Tasmania, Australia.  CCAMLR is an international commission with 25 Members, and a further 10 countries have acceded to the Convention.  Based on the best available scientific information, the Commission agrees a set of conservation measures that determine the use of marine living resources in the Antarctic. The key institutional components of CCAMLR are:  the CAMLR Convention which entered into force on 7 April 1982  a decision-making body, the Commission  a Scientific Committee which advises the  Commission using the best available science  Conservation measures and resolutions  CCAMLR’s Membership and provisions for international cooperation and collaboration  a Secretariat based in Hobart, Tasmania, that supports the work of the Commission. What was the objective of the conference?  The conference was held to reach agreement on creating new marine sanctuaries to protect thousands of polar species across Antarctica. CCAMLR had been considering proposals for two critical areas in Antarctica’s Southern Ocean.  They included 1.6 million square km of protection for the Ross Sea, the world’s most intact marine ecosystem, and 1.9 million square km of coastal area in the East Antarctic, backed by Australia and the EU. Who opposed the move?  Blocking countries included major fishing countries, with China, Japan, South Korea and Russia among them. Orissa slaps a penalty of Rs 23,904 crore on ‘errant miners’ November 4, 2012 No comments The Orissa steel and mines department has imposed a penalty of Rs 23,904 crore on 27 miners in the mining circle of the mineral-rich Keonjhar district for extraction of ore beyond the permissible limits. Companies which have been slapped with penalties include Tata Steel, Aditya Birla-owned Essel Mining and the state-owned Orissa Mining Corporation. Tata Steel has been asked to pay Rs 6,265 crore. Others who have been charged are Essel Mining (Rs 4,530 crore), RP Sao (Rs 3,872 crore), Sarada Mines (Rs 2,845 crore), KJS Ahluwalia (Rs 2,022 crore), Serajuddin & Co (Rs 1,983 crore). Uttarakhand tops in “Environmental Performance Index (EPI)” November 1, 2012 No comments Uttarakhand (scored 0.8123) topped the list of best-performing States and Union territories in terms of environmental performance. As per the Environmental Performance Index (EPI) released by Planning Commission: · Uttarakhand is followed by Himachal Pradesh (0.7316), Chandigarh (0.7270),Sikkim (0.7149), and Andhra Pradesh (0.7147). · Best states in terms of air quality: Mizoram, Kerala, Goa, Sikkim, Tripura,Puducherry and Andaman and Nicobar (all with average score of 1) · Paradoxically, except for Uttarakhand, all the States meet the prescribed national ambient air quality standard in respect of the sulphur dioxide of 20 micrograms per cubic metre. · More than 10 States do not meet the national standard of 30 microgram per cubic metre for Nitrogen dioxide.

· Except for Goa, Kerala, and Mizoram, no State meets the 60 microgram per cubic metre national standard for particulate matter.

· Himachal Pradesh is the only state with 100 % sewage treatment capacity, in the remaining States it ranges from 0 (13 States) to less than 20 % (8 States) and more than 50 per cent in 4 States.

· Total fecal coliform count is as much as 92 % in most of the States.

· States leading in forest conservation and expansion of green cover are Chandigarh, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Madhya Pradesh. Environmental well-being is one of the considerations for transfer of funds to the States under the Gadgil formula. Indicators taken under consideration to arrive at water quality: · Sewage disposal

· water quality of rivers

· dissolved oxygen

· total coliform count

· percentage of water exploitation

The indicators considered for measuring the ambient air quality performance: · sulphur dioxide

· nitrogen oxide

· particulate matter

India, Pak talk towards resolution of Sir Creek Issue December 5, 2012 No comments India and Pakistan recently concluded a meeting with an aim to resolve Sir Creek dispute. Besides, issues on Siachen and Kashmir are other territorial troubles b/w the two nations were also discussed. Image Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk Both countries agreed on certain issues including:  De-linking maritime boundaries from land.  Marking from seaward to the point where both these sides agree.  Declaring non-defined area (Sir Creek and the approaches) as free zone or the maritime sensitive zone, or turn the area into the a jointly administered maritime park. Sir Creek Issue

Etheostoma Obama: Freshwater Fish named after Barack Obama December 5, 2012 No comments Etheostoma obama, or the spangled darter, is a newly discovered species of relatively skinny orange and blue speckled freshwater fish that has been named after US President Barack Obama due to Barack Obama’s "global vision of environmental protection and conservation". Scientists have discovered 5 new species of freshwater fish called Darters (belongs to perch family) in river drainages in eastern North America and named after four US presidents (Barack Obama, Bill Clinton, Teddy Roosevelt and Jimmy Carter) and a vice- president (Al Gore). The other leaders were also picked for their environmental bona fides. No plans to dump nuclear waste in Kolar mines: NPCIL December 1, 2012 No comments Nuclear Power Corporation of India Ltd. (NPCIL) Removing the fears of the people of Kolar in Karnataka, the NPCIL submitted in the Supreme Court that no decision had been taken to dump nuclear waste in the inoperative Kolar Gold Mines of Bharat Gold Mines Ltd. 200 nations meeting in Doha for talks on global warming November 29, 2012 No comments Around 200 nations are meeting in Qatar capital Doha for the annual talks over global warming. The twenty years old talks over reducing greenhouse gas emissions have not yet fulfilled their main purpose. The negotiators at Doha will focus on extending the Kyoto Protocol which was adopted in 1997, and is set to expire this year.

MAY 2013-

EU to Restrict ‘Bee-Harming’ Pesticides May 2, 2013 No comments The European Commission will restrict the use of Neonicotinoid chemicals in pesticides which is linked to reduce bee population by researchers. Neonicotinoid chemicals in pesticides are believed to harm bees and as per the European Commission they should be restricted to crops not attractive to bees and other pollinators What is a Neonicotinoid chemical?  Neonicotinoid pesticides are new nicotine-like chemicals and act on the nervous systems of insects, with a lower threat to mammals and the environment.  They are water soluble and hence are absorbed by soil which in turn make a plant toxic. Restricted Pesticides:  Clothianidin  Imidacloprid  Thiamethoxam Objective this restriction:  To control decline in bee population as it is believed that bees are responsible for pollinating around one-third of the world’s crop production.  To protect bees which contribute over 22 Billion Euros annually to European agriculture.

India’s over one-fourth land hit by desertification: Report April 30, 2013 No comments As per a recent report by the Environment Ministry submitted to the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, more than one-fourth of India’s geographical area is undergoing the process of desertification despite ongoing efforts to tackle the problem. Key findings of the Report:  India which has a total geographic area of 328 million hectares is grappling with Desertification, Land Degradation and Drought (DLDD) on 7,91,475 sq km of the territory covering almost all states and union territories of the country.  The total area undergoing the process of land degradation in the country is estimated at 105.48 million hectares, which forms 32.07% of India’s total land.  Major challenges remain in the area of land use planning, management of waste and degraded land, and efficient use of water resources.  India has drylands area of 228.3 million hectares (about 69.6% of total area). A number of measures have been taken through different channels like Integrated Watershed Management Programme, National Rural Drinking Water Programme, MNREGA, National Rural Livelihood Mission, Green India Mission to address the problem. What is Desertification?  Desertification is a type of land degradation in which a relatively dry land region becomes increasingly arid, typically losing its bodies of water as well as vegetation and wildlife. What are the causes of desertification? There are a number of factors which work individually or in combination causing desertification. The immediate cause is the removal of most vegetation. This is driven by a number of factors such as:

 Drought  Climatic shifts  Tillage for agriculture  Overgrazing  Deforestation for fuel or construction materials What is the role of vegetation, livestock and wildlife in preventing desertification? Vegetation plays a vital role in determining the biological composition of the soil. As per studies, the rate of erosion and runoff decreases exponentially with increased vegetation cover. Unprotected, dry soil surfaces blow away with the wind or are washed away by flash floods, leaving infertile lower soil layers that bake in the sun and become an unproductive hardpan. Alternatively, it was found that the movement and migration of large herds of livestock and wildlife has an integral role in the preservation of vegetation and soil fertilization, and that the removal of livestock and wildlife (largely by human influence) has been the main driver of increasing desertification. Ahmedabad becomes first city in South Asia to launch a heat wave preparation and warning system April 27, 2013 No comments Ahmedabad became the First city in South Asia to create a comprehensive early warning system and plan to prepare for extreme heat events fuelled by climate change. Ahmedabad’s Heat Action Plan: The plan describesboth immediate and long-term actions to reduce the healtheffects of heat on vulnerable populations. It includes:  Preventative training and awareness camps for medical professionals and slum community.  Heat-health protection trainings for school children, outdoor workers, and other vulnerable groups.  Coordinated action by government agencies at the municipal, state, and national levels to ensure successful implementation of the plan and warning system.  Proper intimation to population when risk of heat related illness exist or imminent . Major contributors / collaborators in the Heat Action Plan:  Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation (AMC)  Indian Institute of Public Health,Gandhinagar  Public Health Foundation of India  Natural Resources Defence Council  Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai  Rollins School of Public Health of Emory University  Georgia Institute of Technology  Climate and Development Knowledge Network (CDKN) Expert committee: “exact co-relation between radiation of communication towers and health of wildlife is so far not established” April 26, 2013 No comments In August 2010 an expert committee under the chairmanship of Dr. Asad Rahmani (Director Bombay Natural Society) was constituted by Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests (MoEF) to study the probable effects of communication towers on wildlife including Birds and Bees. The Expert committee submitted it report to the MoEF. The key findings of the report were as follows:

 The report confirmed that the EMRs (Electro-Magnetic Radiations) from the mobile phone and communication towers have an adverse effect on the health of human beings.  The precise co-relation between EMR and health of wildlife is so far not established.  Albeit existent literature describes undesirable effects of EMR on the biological systems of living beings, more research is called for to evaluate the proper affects of EMR on free-living floral and faunal species, including birds and bees in India.

Supreme Court allows the functioning of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant May 9, 2013 No comments The apex court has allowed the functioning of Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant (KKNP) with a view of ‘safe and secure’ plant by issuing 15 guidelines on commissioning, safety, security and environmental issues.

Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant is a nuclear power station in Koodankulam inTamil Nadu with a capacity of generating 2000 MW with 2 reactors but this was agitated by Anti- Nuclear activists due to fear of radiation and Fukushima nuclear disaster occurred in Japan in 2011. Advantages of KNPP  It’s a technologically proven design,  Inbuilt safety features to minimize the risk of any radiation leaks,  The location is least earthquake prone area,  Its height ensures safety from potential tsunamis. Issues raised in protests  The coolant water and low-grade waste from the KKNPP are going to be dumped in to the sea which will have a severe impact on fish production and affect the food security of southern Tamil Nadu and southern Kerala.  Functioning of KKNP will remit Iodine 131, 132, 133, Cesium 134, 136, 137 isotopes, strontium, tritium, tellurium and other such radioactive particles into air, land, crops, cattle, sea, seafood and ground water which in turn lead to risk of diseases and defective births. Wildlife biologist Aparajita Datt wins Whitley Award “Green Oscars” for her “Hornbill” project May 9, 2013 No comments Ms Aparajita Datta, a wildlife biologist has won Whitley Award for a project to conserve “Hornbill” bird in Arunachal Pradesh State. Aparajita Datta is the Winner of the 2013 Whitley Award donated by WWF-UK. ‘Green Oscars’  Whitley Awards – known as ‘Green Oscars’ are organized by ‘Whitley Fund for Nature ‘to recognize the conservators for their outstanding study in the field of conserving the nature, forest and environment. Objectives of project to conserve Hornbill:  Hornbills are ecologically important as seed dispersers.  The project’s inclusive approach transforms hunters into passionate guardians of nature.  Expand the Hornbill Nest Adoption Programme from 9 to 14 villages and give local people a sense of ownership.  Set up a pilot forest restoration project.  Establish The Hornbill Nyishi Festival to popularize the role played by local tribes in conserving hornbills across the region. Other Achievements of Dr. Aparajita Datta  Publish various papers on tree species, forest logging, seed survival of bird and new bird species since 1998.  Conserve and improve the status of the bird’s populations and spreading awareness of threat to ecological system.  Organize a study and create awareness to conserve hornbills in the Indian Eastern Himalayas at the Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF), an NGO established in 1996. Winners of 2013 Whitley Award awarded with a prize share worth £295 000: 1. Daniel Letoiye: Restore grasslands for the coexistence of Grevy’s Zebra and free- ranging livestock, Kenya 2. Zafer Kizilkaya: create first community-managed marine protected area in Gökova Bay, Turkey. 3. Eugene Simonov: save the Amur River basin and wetlands in China,Russia and Mongolia. 4. Ekwoge Abwe: Protection of the endangered great apes of Ebo Forest. Cameroon 5. Aparajita Datta: conserve Hornbill bird, Arunachal Pradesh, India 6. Zahirul Islam : Conserve sea turtle community, Bangladesh 7. John Kahekwa: Protect last eastern lowland gorillas, Congo 8. Cagan Sekercioglu: Conserve Turkey from the environment crises and succeeded in getting Turkey’s first bird nesting island built on the lake. Fact Box: Top 15 countries with gigantic Oil Reserves May 6, 2013 No comments Following sanctions over Iran on its oil-trade, oil prices have experienced volatility. Many fear that it would lead to high oil prices. However, Saudi Arabia has said that it would raise oil supply to keep the oil prices low but many doubt that the kingdom has as much oil as it claims. As per a report by UBS, global oil reserves stand at 1.38 trillion barrels and are expected to last another 46.2 years. Below are the summary of key data from the report which ranked 15 countries with the highest oil reserves along with their oil supply and the years of remaining reserves. Note: The data in parenthesis represents the percent of global reserves and global supply. Years of Bombay HC remaining Rank Country Oil Reserves Oil Supply reserves directs 11.75 million 265 billion Barrels daily 1. Saudi Arabia barrels (19.1%) (13.2%) 72.4 years 2.47 million 211 billion Barrels daily 2. Venezuela barrels (15.3%) (2.8%) 234.1 years 137 billion 4.13 million 3. Iran barrels (9.9%) Barrels (4.7%) 88.4 years 2.7 million 115 billion Barrels daily 4. Iraq barrels (8.3%) (3.1%) 128.1 years 2.75 million 102 billion Barrels daily 5. Kuwait barrels (7.3%) (3.1%) 110.9 years 3.23 million 98 billion Barrels daily 6. UAE barrels (7.1%) (3.6%) 94.1 years 10.33 million 77 billion Barrels daily 7. RussiaFederation barrels (5.6%) (11.6%) 20.6 years 46 billion 834,000 8. Libya barrels (3.4%) barrels (0.9%) 76.7 years 1.61 million 40 billion Barrels daily 9. Kazakhstan barrels (2.9%) (1.8%) 62.1 years 2.4 million 37 billion Barrels daily 10. Nigeria barrels (2.7%) (2.7%) 42.4 years 3.92 million 32 billion Barrels daily 11. Canada barrels (2.3%) (4.4%) 26.3 years 10.59 million 31 billion Barrels daily 12. USA barrels (2.2%) (11.9%) 11.3 years 1.64 million 26 billion Barrels daily 13. Qatar barrels (1.9%) (1.9%) 45.2 years 4.19 million 15 billion Barrels a day 14. China barrels (1.1%) (4.7%) 9.9 years 2.8 million 14 billion Barrels a day 15. Brazil barrels (1%) (3.2%) 18.3 years Maharashtra govt to release water into Jayakwadi dam May 2, 2013 No comments Bombay High Court has ordered the Maharashtra government to release water from upstream reservoirs into the Jayakwadi dam in the region. Jayakwadi dam  The Jaikawadi project is a large irrigation and multipurpose project.  Its water is used primarily to irrigate agricultural land in the drought-prone Marathwada region of the state.  Provides water for drinking and industrial usage to nearby towns and villages and to the municipalities and industrial areas of Aurangabad and Jalna district.  Jayakwadi dam is located on Godavari river at the site of Jayakawadi village in Paithan taluka of Aurangabad district in Maharashtra state ofIndia.

What is the issue? The dam was not getting sufficient water to meet the needs of surrounding regions. According the state government it was facing ‘practical difficulties’ in conveying the water to the Jayakwadi dam and there was also low reserves in the upstream reservoirs.

After the HC order the water would be released from the Karanjwan, Gangapur, Bhandardara and Mula dams in the Nashik and Ahmednagar districts. Kerala against creation of buffer zone in any populated area suggested in Western Ghats Report May 13, 2013 No comments Kerala Cabinet will oppose declaration of any populated area on the Western Ghats in the State as ecologically sensitive area. The Kerala government clarified that it was not opposed to protection of environment or buffer zones. However, it wanted the buffer zone to be brought down to zero kilometers, if the area is populated. Depending on the presence of population, the buffer zone should bezero to 12 km from the sensitive area. Western Ghats Report: Background: The Western Ghats was declared as an ecological hotspot in 1988. A large number of plants, amphibians, birds, reptiles, mammals are endemic to this region. This area has a number of protected areas including 2 biosphere reserves, 14 national parks and several wild life sanctuaries. Besides, many regions are declared as reserve forests.

In recent times, due to anthropogenic pressures the intactness of the Western Ghats is getting fragmented day-by-day. Most of the ecosystem, which is outside protected area is now in danger. The habitat of plants and animals is also threatened due to large-scale deforestation and destruction of forests.

Initially, the report on Western Ghats was prepared by the committee led by ecologist Madhav Gadgil that had called for declaring the entire Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). Following this, a high-level working group headed by Planning Commissionmember K Kasturirangan was set up to analyze the suggestions made by the Gadgil panel. It stipulated the following key recommendations:  Only 37% of the biodiversity-rich Western Ghats — about 60,000 sq km of the total 1,64,000 sq km spread over the states of Gujarat,Maharashtra, Goa, Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu be notified as Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA).  Blanket ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, setting up thermal power projects, townships and area development projects in the 60,000 sq km area, along with a cautious approach to setting up hydropower units.  It identified close to 60 % of the Western Ghats region as “cultural landscape”, dominated by human settlements, agriculture and plantations. It has not recommended any regulatory mechanism for this area.  The remaining 41% of the area has been classified as “natural landscape”, of which 37% is biologically rich, containing protected areas, world heritage sites, tiger and elephant corridors.  Declare 22 ESAs in Kerala with buffer zone of 12 km.  Mining moratorium in Sindhudurg and Ratnagiri districts of Maharashtra as they are ESAs.  Athirappilly hydropower project in Kerala: The proposed project must be revaluated in terms of generation of energy and whether the plant load factor makes it viable against the loss of local populations of some species. The Gadgil report had opposed the project.  200 MW Gundya hydropower project in Karnataka: With the project being located in the ESA, the working group advised “extreme caution”, including re-assessment of the ecological flow in the downstream areas, local damage to all forests and how it can be mitigated. The Gadgil report had opposed the project. What is a buffer zone in the context of environment protection? A buffer zone is created to enhance the protection of areas under management for their biodiversity importance. The buffer zone of a protected area may be situated around the periphery of the region or may be a connecting zone within it which links two or more protected areas, therefore increasing their dynamics and conservation productivity. A buffer zone is intended to avert the effect of negative environmental or human influences, whether or not it embodies great natural or cultural value itself.

What is ESA? Ecologically Sensitivity is the ability of a landscape to cope with environmental stresses – stresses like various human induced developments and their impacts; future impacts due to climate change; essentially the ecological resilience and how it might vary from landscape to landscape.

ESA for Western Ghats: “An ecological sensitive area (ESA) is a bio-climatic unit (as demarcated by entire landscapes) in the Western Ghats wherein human impacts have locally caused irreversible changes in the structure of biological communities (as evident in number/ composition of species and their relative abundances) and their natural habitats”

What is the difference b/w ESAs and Protected Areas? Protected areas in contrast to ESA’s: Extensive, standard, heavy and rigid restrictions, no scope for adaptive management, largely focused on flagship species and their habitats, leaves out small, unique habitats. ESA’s may have protected areas embedded in them, of various extents, could focus on small special habitats, flexible, adaptive regime of regulation for eg: example wholeHimachal Pradesh and Sikkim. Acidification on the rise in Arctic Ocean May 12, 2013 No comments As per a new scientific report, the concentration of carbon dioxide in the Arctic Ocean is rapidly escalating which is making its water more acidic.

It was assessed by the Arctic Monitoring and Assessment Programme (AMAP) that the ocean chemistry of the region is undergoing widespread changes.

Key findings of the report:  The rising acidification may bring major changes in the marine ecosystem, but say there is huge uncertainty over what those changes will be.  Even if CO2 emissions stopped now, it would take tens of thousands of years for Arctic Ocean chemistry to revert to pre-industrial levels.  Acidification is specifically rapid in Arctic as its water is cold which aids fast absorption of atmospheric CO2 and the recent decreases in summer sea ice have exposed more sea surface to atmospheric CO2.  The susceptibility of Arctic region is aggravated by increasing flows of freshwater from rivers and melting land ice, as freshwater is less effective at chemically neutralizing the acidifying effects of CO2.  Acidification is fast in surface waters and more slowly in deep waters.  Slow mixing of river water with the seawater forms a sort of freshwater lens on the top of the sea in some places, and freshwater lowers the concentration of ions that buffers pH change. The loss of ice also is allowing fast uptake of CO2.  The pH of seawater has decreased about 0.02 per decade since the late 1960s in the Iceland and Barents seas.  Average acidity of surface ocean waters worldwide is now about 30% higher than before the Industrial Revolution.  The possible major changes to the makeup of Arctic marine ecosystem may prove harmful to key prey species like sea butterflies. Other species may thrive. It may also harm the development of fish eggs. What is Ocean Acidification? Ocean acidification is the name given to the ongoing decrease in the pH of the Earth’s oceans,

caused by the uptake of anthropogenic carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere. About 30– 40% of the carbon dioxide released by humans into the atmosphere dissolves into the oceans, rivers and lakes. To maintain chemical equilibrium, some of it reacts with the water to form carbonic acid. Some of these extra carbonic acid molecules react with a water molecule to give a bicarbonate ion and a hydronium ion, thus increasing the ocean’s “acidity” (H+ ion concentration). Absorbed CO2 in seawater (H2O) forms carbonic acid (H2CO3), lowering the water’s pH level and making it more acidic  This increases the hydrogen ion concentration in the water, and limits organisms’ access to carbonate ions, which are needed to form hard parts like those found in calcifying organisms which include organisms such as coccolithophores, corals, foraminifera, echinoderms,crustaceans and molluscs. Government mulls to ban trade of peacock feathers May 9, 2013 No comments The government is considering banning the trade of peacock feathers to protect the national bird. The population of peacock is said to be declining because of its poaching for feathers, which fetch a good price in national and internationalmarkets. In 1991, World Wide Fund for nature had revealed that India was left with only 50% of the total peacock population that existed at the time of Independence. As per experts, the number has come down further since 1991 because of habitat loss and poaching. With the rising demand of feathers (morpankh) having outstripped naturally shed feathers available, the environment ministry has decided for a complete clamp down on sale, purchase and transport of peacock feathers. Why the population of Peacocks is declining?  Peacock killing is prohibited under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, however, it allows for trade of naturally shed peacock feathers. The loophole in the law has been misused and had lead to rampant killing of the bird across India for highly lucrative feather business. What the Environment Ministry is demanding?  The Environment Ministry seeks amendment in the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 to make trade of body parts of peacocks an offence equivalent to punishment for killing other non-endangered species.  Under the amended law, a person caught selling or purchasing peacock feathers or trophies could be jailed for up to two years. However, possessing peacock feathers by citizens will not be a crime. Vice-President inaugurates iCED in Jaipur May 9, 2013 No comments Vice-President of India Hamid Ansari inaugurated the International Centre forEnvironment Audit and Sustainable Development (iCED) in Kant Kalwar on the outskirts of Jaipur, Rajastahan. About iCED  It is Rs 250 crore mega project commissioned by the CAG of India, after the International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions (INTOSAI) chose India as the centre for imparting environmental and sustainable development audit.  It is amongst the first government buildings in India to have a 5 star green rating as per Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment norms.  The project, spread over 16.5 acres, has been developed on the GRIHA(Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment) principles and is based on the sustainable design concept.  The Institute aims to harness India’s expertise in conducting over a 100 environment audits in the last 20 years to provide extensive training and an international forum for experience sharing in this field. iCED is also the Global Training Facility for The International Organization of Supreme Audit Institutions which is an organization of Supreme Audit Institutions worldwide.

India, US & Australia will collaborate to develop climate-resilient crops May 31, 2013 No comments Three nations- India, the United States and Australia have come together to collaborate on developing new climate-resilient varieties of rice and wheat, two of the “big three” primary crops essential to feed the world. The key agencies/organizations which are part of this effort are the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) is backing a new public-private research partnership b/w the Australian Centre for Plant Functional Genomics (ACPFG) and India’s Vibha Agrotech. How it will be done?

The effort will put to use the unique specialties of ACPFG (gene technologies and expertise in cereal stress tolerance) and Vibha Agrotech’s field evaluation and rice transformation capabilities to develop new rice and wheat varieties with greater tolerance to drought and salinity, allowing farmers more stable production in the event of sudden drought and evolving salt water intrusion. The new lines will be evaluated under representative field conditions and the most successful will be transferred into the varieties that farmers grow. Initially, the work will begin in Australia and India, but the technologies will be made available to developing countries in South Asia and globally where climate stresses impact cereal yields, so that farmers can be more confident that they will have a good harvest, even as climate change creates more unpredictable growing environments. What are Big Three Crops? Big Three crops are: 1. Rice

2. Wheat

3. Maize

Why this endeavor? As the climate is changing it has become imperative to develop varieties of key crops which can sustain this change as well as provide high yield in the event of adverse climatic conditions like drought and salinity. With expanding population and reduction in the availability of land for agricultural purpose there will be the necessity to introduce such crops to mitigate global hunger and address food security. Frozen plants from Little Ice Age revived May 31, 2013 No comments Scientists were amazed to find that the 400-year-old plants known as bryophytes showed new growth under laboratory conditions. The researchers are studying Teardrop Glacier region high in the Canadian Arctic which is receding at rates that have sharply accelerated since 2004, at about 3-4m per year. The area had been under ice cover since the Little Ice Age- a widespread climatic cooling that ran roughly from AD 1550 to AD 1850. But changes in theenvironment have led to melting of glaciers which has given researchers an opportunity to explore the hitherto unknown forms of organisms. The current revival of life in bryophytes would help us understand how ecosystems recover from the planet’s cyclic long periods of ice coverage.

What are Bryophytes? Bryophyte is a traditional name used to refer to all embryophytes (land plants) that do not have true vascular tissue and are therefore called “non-vascular plants”.Some bryophytes do have specialized tissues for the transport of water; however since these do not contain lignin, they are not considered to be true vascular tissue. Fact Box: Green Energy Corridor Project; Government plans to invest Rs 43,000 Crore in the project May 28, 2013 No comments Rs 43,000-cr ‘green energy corridor’ plan for renewable energy The Government plans to launch a Rs 43,000-crore ‘Green Energy Corridor’ project to facilitate the flow of renewable energy into the national grid. The project will be implemented with the assistance of Germany who has promised provide developmental and technical assistance of €1 billion for the project. The government has taken lessons from the massive power grid failure that hit the North, East and North-East regions of the country on July 30-31 in 2012 which called for attention to strengthen the electricity distribution network in the country. What is “Green Energy Corridor Project”? The Green Energy Corridor Project is an upcoming project which aims at synchronising electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid. The Project: Objective: Synchronising electricity produced from renewable sources, such as solar and wind, with conventional power stations in the grid.  Cost: Rs 43,000-crore  The whole project has been divided into two parts: 1. Inter State: To be developed by State utilities 2. Intra State: To be developed by Power Grid Corporation of India (PGCIL) Germany, who has expertise in making smart grids that integrate renewable energy into national grid will be assisting India in this project. Germany has promised provide developmental and technical assistance of €1 billion for the project What is the problem in integrating electricity generated from renewable energy to conventional power grids? The problem is Voltage Fluctuations. The conventional grids face difficulty in absorbing renewable electricity because of its varying voltage and supply. The planned transmission system would be made dynamic to handle the variations leading to an integrated grid across the nation. What is the current status of electricity generation in India? At present, India has 27,541.71 MW of installed renewable capacity excluding hydro power stations. The country has a total installed capacity is of 2,23,625.60 MW. Gold nanoparticles to aid efficient drug delivery and diagnostics May 27, 2013 No comments Scientists from Indian Institute of Chemical Technology (IICT), Hyderabad, have synthesized eco-friendly gold nanoparticles using bio-resources which could be used as carriers for delivering anti-cancer drugs and also for diagnosing thedisease. How it was done?  Scientists used leaves of some herbal plants like Bhringaraj ( Eclipta alba ) to extract the bio-compatible nanoparticles. This plant extract contains some anti-cancer bio-molecules which are conjugated with gold nanoparticles during synthesis. How it can help?  The gold nanoparticle is bio-compatible, easy to synthesise and multiple cancer drugs could be loaded. It could reduce the toxicity of the anti-cancer drug, increase its efficacy and ensure better retention of the drug in the blood system. When conjugated with gold nanoparticle, the anti-cancer drug could stay for more time in the tumour and enhance the therapeutic efficacy. Although gold nanoparticles can also be produced by chemical methods, the inherent problem in that approach was of toxicity. The bio-compatible nanoparticles have shown promising results and inhibited cancer cells proliferation in lung and breast cancer cell lines. With the addition of a fluorescent molecule, it could be used to detect the position of the tumour. Union Government approves National Oil Spill Contingency Plan June 4, 2013 No comments In order to mitigate the impact of oil spills on the marine environment the Union Government has approved the National Oil Spill Contingency Plan (NOSDCP). The central objective behind this plan is to reduce the impact of all oil spills on the environment by setting specific standards for oil spill equipment stockpiles, establishing time frames for oil spill response and enhancing collaboration among partner agencies.

Massive efforts were put in by the various resource agencies and stakeholders for cleaning of oiled mangroves at Sikka and Sarmat in the Gulf of Kutchchh, capping of gas leak from the ONGC well off Kakinada, and response to the fire onboard M.V Amsterdam Bridge off the Mumbai harbour. The government feels the need for periodical review of contingency plans in order to ensure speedy and efficient mobilisation of critical resources in the event of any oil spill exigency. Madhya Pradesh govt to listen to oustees of the Omkareshwar dam project June 2, 2013 No comments The MP government has decided to hear out the issues of the oustees of the Omkareshwar dam project who have been protesting standing in waist to neck-deep water, for the last two weeks as part of their jal satyagraha. Why this protest? The jal satyagraha was started by the oustees in May 2013 to at Ghogalgaon village in M.P.’s East Nimaar region to protest against the state government’s decision to raise the water level in the dam to 193 metres from 189 without ensuring prior relief and rehabilitation, including land for land, to the oustees. As per State’s official release, some affected families, having already received monetary compensation in lieu of land, have been misled into demanding land for land and have not moved from the dam site. But as per court orders, only those displaced families who have not received any compensation money from the banks are eligible for land in lieu of land and those protesting should keep that in mind before assessing the validity of their movement.

The Omkareshwar Project: The 520 MW Omkareshwar project is one of the several big dams in the Narmada Valley, built by the Narmada Hydroelectric Development Corporation, a joint venture between NHPC Ltd and the government of Madhya Pradesh. IFC provides $5 million funds to NSL Renewable Power June 2, 2013 No comments NSL Renewable Power which develops and operates renewable energy projects across India, will be provided funding of of $5 million by the International Finance Corporation (IFC) – a member of the World Bank Group (not to be confused with World Bank). This financing will support the company to double its power generation capacity over the next 18 months. This is for the second time the company is receiving funds from the IFC after getting a $20-million equity investment that IFC had made in the company in 2011. About NSL Renewable Power: NSL Renewable Power develops and operates renewable energy projects using biomass, wind, hydro, and solar technologies. It has an operational capacity of 185 MW across India.

What is the difference b/w World Bank and World Bank Group? The World Bank was created at the 1944 Bretton Woods Conference, along with three other institutions, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF). The World Bank and the IMF are both based in Washington DC, and work closely with each other.

Difference: World Bank Group is a large group which comprises of five institutions collectively: 1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) 2. International Development Association (IDA) 3. International Finance Corporation (IFC) 4. Multilateral Investment Guarantee Agency (MIGA) 5. International Centre for Settlement of Investment Disputes (ICSID) Whereas, World Bank is comprised of only two institutions: 1. International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) 2. International Development Association (IDA) Archaeopteryx regains Bird status June 1, 2013 No comments Fossil creature Archaeopteryx that lived about 150 million years ago is back on its perch. It has again been brought in the class of Birds. Background:  Archaeopteryx fossil was discovered in 1861 in Germany.  It possessed part-bird, part-reptile traits with broad wings and feathers like a bird, but it also had three-fingered claws, sharp teeth and a long bony tail similar to a dinosaur.  Classified as most primitive bird and as a transition b/w feathered dinosaurs and modern birds.  Some fossil discoveries of feathered dinosaurs in northeastern Chinaover the past two decades have challenged Archaeopteryx’s place in bird evolution.  In July 2012, Chinese scientists excavated Xiaotingia zhengi, a previously unknown chicken-sized dinosaur. They carried out a statistical analysis of its anatomical traits that placed it in a group of bird-like dinosaurs called deinonychosaurs.  Recently an international team led by the Royal Belgian Institute of Natural Sciences used more sophisticated statistical method to confirm the creature as Bird. World Oceans Day observed on June 8, 2013 June 8, 2013 No comments World Ocean Day was observed across the globe on 8 June 2013.

The theme for this year is: Together, we have the Power to Protect the Oceans. Although World Ocean Day was introduced in 1992 at Rio de Janeiro, it was in 2008 when United Nations General Assembly decided to designate June 8 as the World Oceans Day from 2009 onwards with its resolution number 63/111, Paragraph 171.

Importance: The day focuses on raising global awareness of the current challenges faced by the international community in connection with the oceans. World Environment Day Observed globally with the theme: “Think. Eat. Save- Reduce Your Foodprint” June 7, 2013 No comments World Environment Day was observed in India and across the globe on June 5. The day was dedicated by the UN Conference on Human Environment in 1972 for the cause of spreading awareness about environment protection. The United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) disseminates environmental awareness through the celebration of World Environment Day to get citizens’ support for environment protection across the globe. This year’s World Environment Day theme: “Think. Eat. Save- Reduce Your Foodprint“ The campaign bespeaks minimizing waste of food at all stages of the food chain, from farm to fork. This is to increase awareness about the environmental consequences of our food choices and find solutions to reduce our environmental “foodprint”, as food production has heavy impact on environmental resources. Agriculture is responsible for 70% of fresh water consumption, 80% of deforestation, and 30% of greenhouse gas emissions. It is the cause of land-use change, biodiversity loss, and responsible for large-scale soil, water and air pollution. The campaign is also to remind each one of us that despite producing enough food for everyone, 90 crore people still go hungry world over. It is time we took pledge to make a difference, individually as well as collectively, to reduce food loss or wastage and move towards a world where everyone has enough to eat and no one is malnourished or undernourished. ONGC adopts six monuments under Campaign Clean India June 7, 2013 No comments The Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has agreed to the initiative of Ministry ofTourism for permitting ONGC for adopting six monuments under Campaign Clean India. The six monuments/tourist destinations are: Taj Mahal at Agra, Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Red Fort in Delhi, Golkonda Fort Hyderabad and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

ONGC is adopting these monuments as part of their corporate social responsibilities and it is the endeavor of Ministry of Tourism that Campaign Clean India is carried out for maximum number of monuments/tourist destinations so that tourists instill the feelings and spirit of cleanliness and respect for such monuments. What is “Campaign Clean India”? The “Campaign Clean India” is a programme being run by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at undertaking both sensitization and action at field level on bringing our tourism destinations and their surroundings to an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene. The Campaign will ensure that these levels are sustained through ownership and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders. The campaign will be part of Government’s strategy of the 12 th five year plan for improving the quality of services and environs in and around tourist destinations across India. Uttarakhand CM opposes declaring Gomukh-Gangotri as eco- sensitive zone June 7, 2013 No comments Uttarakhand Chief Minister Vijay Bahuguna has urged the Centre to review the recent notification declaring the 100 km stretch from Gomukh to Uttarkashi as an eco-sensitive zone. The declaration is being opposed by the locals in that area who are saying that if the notification is implemented it would adversely affect theinfrastructure development in the border district. As per the Chief Minister, the locals are hopeful that the power projects under construction or planned there would help in developing the backward economy of the region. Besides, he is also of the view that if the notification is implemented then it will impede Border road projects which is also needed to be constructed at the earliest keeping in mind the infrastructure development being carried out byChina close to the Indian border.

V K Duggal appointed as nodal officer for relief & rescue operations in Uttarakhand June 24, 2013 No comments The government appointed former top Union home secretary V K Duggal as the nodal officer for relief and rescue operations in flood hit Uttarakhand, saying lack of proper coordination was hindering its mitigation efforts. The relief and rescue operations are going on in the flood-ravaged areas of Uttarakhand with the combined efforts of the Army units along with Airforceand ITBP. There was an impression that lack of coordination among different agencies involved in the relief and rescue operations was hampering the government’s mitigation efforts. Cabinet approves IWMP as a flagship programme June 23, 2013 No comments In order to make Centrally-sponsored programmes condensed, the Cabinet has approved Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) as a flagship programme of the government. Why IWMP? Around 60% of cultivated area across India is rain-fed. Besides, these areas are also blighted by poverty, water scarcity, low productivity, malnutrition and prone to severe land degradation. The watershed development programme has been adopted as a tool to address problems of the rain- fed or degraded areas in the country. Key Points of IWMP: Launched in 2009-10 by the integration of various area development programmes of the Department of Land Resources, including the Drought Prone Areas Programme (DPAP), the Desert Development Programme (DDP) and the Integrated Wastelands Development Programme (IWDP).

 The 12th Plan allocates the programme an additional Rs. 29,296 crore.  Cost sharing ratio of Central Government : State Government = 90 : 10  9% of the project cost is earmarked for development of livelihoods for asset-less people  10% of the project cost is for productivity enhancement and development of micro- enterprises for small & marginal farmers.  An average size of project under the IWMP is about 5,000 ha which is cluster of micro-watersheds.  A portion of institution &capacity building (5% of the total project cost) has been provided to set up institutional mechanism at State, District, Project and Village levels and to build capacities of stakeholders.  It also entails involvement of primary stakeholders in the form of grassroots community organisations. Expected Benefits of IWMP: The benefits include increase in availability of surface water & groundwater, changes in cropping pattern from one to two crops annually, increase in fodder availability and increase in milk yield, increase in agriculture What are Flagship Programmes? Flagship programmes derive their origin from the term flagship which is the main or most important ship of a country’s navy and is symbolic of the main thrust of the nation’s developmental policy. Major Flagship programmes of the Government of India are:  Bharat Nirman: The objective of the Bharat Nirman Programme is to give top priority to rural infrastructure by setting time-bound goals under various schemes to develop rural housing, rural roads, irrigation, rural drinking water and rural electrification. The Programme imposes a responsibility on sub-national governments to create these facilities in a transparent and accountable manner.  National Rural Health Mission: The main aim of NRHM is to provide accessible, affordable, accountable, effective, and reliable primary health care, especially to poor and vulnerable sections of the population. The programme sets standards for rural health care and provides financial resources from the Union Government to meet these standards.  Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Programme: The Act was notified on 7 September 2005 and is aimed at providing livelihood security through employment for the rural poor.  Sarva Siksha Abhigyan: This programme was started with the objective of providing elementary education for all children in the age group of 6–14 years by 2010.  Mid-day meal Scheme: The MDM Scheme launched in 1995 aims to give a boost to universalization of primary education by increasing enrolment, retention, and attendance and  simultaneously impacting upon nutritional status of students in primary classes.  Integrated Watershed Management Programme (IWMP) Renewable energy transmission corridors to be set up in Tamil Nadu June 15, 2013 No comments Two major high-capacity transmission corridors, exclusively meant for renewable energy, are being set up in Tamil Nadu. The projects which is being executed by the Tamil Nadu Transmission Corporation (Tantransco) is estimated to a cost Rs. 4,400 crore and are capable of evacuating at least 2,000 megawatt (MW) each. Where are these projects being executed? One corridor covering about 700-km is from Kayathar of Tuticorin district to Sholinganallur and the other with a length of about 400-km, b/w Thappagundu of Theni district to Salem. The first corridor is likely to be commissioned by March next while the other line, with a length of about 400 km, is expected to be ready by 2014 end.

Why these projects? These projects are aimed at addressing concerns of investors in the wind energy sector regarding inadequate evacuation facilities in the State and to cater to its future needs. Two more factors have compelled the authorities to take up these transmission projects. Firstly, the centres of electricity consumption are located at a considerable distance from the centres of wind energy. Secondly, to some extent, the transmission line meant for evacuating power from the proposed Kudankulam Nuclear Power Station is being used to transmit from windmills. Once the Kudankulam Station is commissioned shortly, that line can no longer be relied upon.

Who is funding the projects? The transmission projects are being funded by the Rural Electrification Corporation and Power Finance Corporation, both agencies of the Central government. Number of Royal Bengal Tiger in Sudarbans exceeds 2011 census estimates June 13, 2013 No comments As per a new study conducted in collaboration with World Wildlife Fund For Nature (WWF) and Wildlife Institute of India, the number of Royal Bengal tigers in the four ranges of the Sundarban Tiger Reserve (STR) and the adjoining South 24 Parganas districts is 103 which is more than the estimates of the 2011 census. As per Study:  Of the 3,500 sq km of the Indian side of Sundarbans, about 40-45 per cent is water. This leaves about 2,000 sq km for the tigers. There was presence of a tiger in every 20 sq km of the delta.  The density of tiger population varied for a tiger from 14 sq km to 18 sq km in a mainland forest.  Sundarbans is still a healthy habitat despite shortage of the prey base for the animal. Factbox : Sunderbans  Largest single block of tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.  It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site spanning across parts ofBangladesh and the Indian state of West Bengal.  Bangladesh controls 2/3rd of the Sundarbans  India manages 1/3rd which is in West Bengal  Sundarbans National Park is a National Park, Tiger Reserve, and a Biosphere Reserve located in the Sundarbans delta in the Indian state of West Bengal.  Sundarbans South, East and West are three protected forests in Bangladesh.  It is densely covered by mangrove forests, and is one of the largest reserves for the Bengal tiger.

Man-made factors to blame Uttarakhand Floods: Environmentalists July 6, 2013 No comments The devastating floods of Uttarakhand which ravaged the region by killing thousands and leaving hundreds of other stranded has more man-made factors and less natural cause behind it. As per Environmentalists the uncontrolled development and poor disaster planning has aggravated flood damage. How is it a man-made disaster? As per experts indiscriminate development in hill towns and along rivers has blocked the natural flow of water and exacerbated flood damage. They place the blame on successive governments who have prioritized large scale infrastructureconstruction and neglected disaster prevention. The unbridled growth of tourismaccompanied with proliferation of roads, hotels, shops and multistory housing in ecologically fragile areas and above all mushrooming hydroelectricity dams that disrupt water balances are the underlying causes of this catastrophe. It was not unprecedented that Uttarakhand region witnessed such heavy rainfalls as the records show that Uttarakhand has recorded single-day rainfall in excess of 400mm several times, including 450mm in 1995 and 900mm in 1965. Cloudbursts, floods and rapid swelling of fast-flowing rivers aren’t uncommon. But this time the floodwaters, loaded with tens of thousands of tonnes of silt, boulders and debris from dam construction, found no outlet. The routes they took in the past, including ravines and streams, were blocked with sand and rocks. The waters deluged towns and villages, submerging some buildings under several feet of mud, asphyxiating life. It is highly probable that the floods were exacerbated by Glacier Lake Outbursts Floods (GLOFs) which inundated the Kedarnath temple. GLOFs, or the explosive bursting of glacier lakes, are thought to be a result of human-induced climate change, which is causing rapid melting of glaciers in the Himalayas, themselves warming at twice the global rate. Lack of an early warning system, effective evacuation plans and a responsive disaster management system added to the calamity. Modestly priced radar-based technology to forecast cloudbursts would have saved lives. But it wasn’t installed.

There was failure on the level of local governance too. Sloppy, unregulated construction of roads and bridges was permitted on crumbling, landslide-prone ridges and steep slopes, overlooking the region’s delicate geology and high earthquake vulnerability. Large scale deforestation and construction of hundreds of buildings in the flood plains of rivers have taken place. Riverbeds were recklessly mined for sand. As construction debris accumulated, land contours and flows of streams and rivers changed.

Indiscriminate construction of hydroelectric dams was the biggest mistake. These involve drilling huge tunnels in the hills by blasting rocks, placing enormous turbines in the tunnels, destroying soil-binding vegetation to build water channels and other infrastructure, laying transmission lines and carelessly dumping excavated muck. Many dams have been built on the same river so close to one another that they leave no scope for its regeneration. Curb sale of adulterated milk: Supreme Court to State govts July 5, 2013 No comments Expressing concern over the sale of adulterated milk in the country, the Supreme Court has directed the governments of Haryana, Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and Delhi to file their response stating what action they are taking to curb the menace of milk adulteration, after the Centre submitted that it is for the state governments to take action on the issue. The direction from the court came during a hearing on a PIL filed by a group of citizens led by Swami Achyutanand Tirth of Uttarakhand, who have alleged that synthetic and adulterated milk and milk products are prepared using urea, detergent, refined oil, caustic soda and white paint, which, according to studies, are “very hazardous” to human life and can cause diseases like cancer. The court would later on expand the ambit of the PIL to include all the states in the country on the issue.

According to a survey conducted by Food Safety and Standards Authority ofIndia (FSSAI):  Over 68% of milk in the country does not conform to the standards set by the FSSAI.  Over 68% of the “non-conforming” milk was found in urban areas, 66% of which was loose milk.  Most common ways of adulteration was found to be the addition of water, and the main reason for deviation from the standards was addition of glucose and skimmed milk powder. It had also found that some samples contained detergent.  Over 83% of the non-conforming milk in rural areas was found to be loose milk. India imposes ban on testing of cosmetics on animals July 2, 2013 No comments In a remarkable decision intended to prevent cruelty to animals, India has decided to ban the testing of cosmetics and its ingredients on animals. This has made India the first country in South Asia to impose such a ban. The decision was taken at a meeting of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS) Cosmetics Sectional Committee, chaired by the Drugs Controller General of India and is in line with the European Union’s stand. The step follows appeals from various quarters, including that from the National Advisory Council Chairperson Sonia Gandhi and campaigner for animal rights Maneka Gandhi and the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA), to prevent cruelty to animals. What is the ban? Any cosmetic product which performs animal testing will face action as per provisions of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act and the Animal Cruelty Act. Infringement of the Drugs and Cosmetics Act by any person or corporate manager or owner is liable for punishment for a term which may extend from 3-10 years and shall also be liable to fine which could be Rs.500 to Rs.10,000, or with both. The law also makes it mandatory to use modern non-animal alternative tests, replacing invasive tests on animals. It implies that any manufacturer interested in testing new cosmetic ingredients or finished products must first get the approval from India’s regulator Central Drug Standards Control Organization. A manufacturer will be given approval to test only after complying with the BIS non-animal standards. Animal Testing Status: Companies around the world are switching to effective, modern non-animal tests and more than 1,200 companies have already given up animal-testing methods. But many still are carrying out with the same old procedures of subjecting animals to painful tests. Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS): NASA launches satellite to study Sun’s atmosphere July 2, 2013 No comments The U.S. space agency NASA launched a satellite to uncover the secrets of the Sun’s lower atmosphere. NASA’s Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) was launched aboard an Orbital Sciences Pegasus XL rocket off the California coast. About IRIS mission: Interface Region Imaging Spectrograph (IRIS) is a $182 million mission which will continue for two years. It aims to observe the movement of solar material. It will try to know how it gathers energy and heats up as it makes its way through a mysterious region in the sun’s lower atmosphere. IRIS will help in knowing not only the causes the ejection of solar material, including solar wind, but also solar eruptions that can disrupt human technology.

What is this mysterious region? This is a region b/w the sun’s photosphere and corona where most of the sun’s ultraviolet emission is generated, which impact the near-Earth space environmentand Earth’s climate. Great Barrier Reef in ‘poor’ health, admits Australia July 12, 2013 No comments As per the report released by the Environment Ministry of Australia, the conditions at the Great Barrier Reef were “poor” as it faces UNESCO threats to downgrade its heritage status over concerns about pollution and development. What has been the major cause of decline in Great Barrier Reef’s health? The report shows that the reef’s health has declined since 2009 due to cyclones and floods, despite progress on reducing agricultural runoff. Despite decrease in nitrogen (by 7%); pesticides (by 15%); sediment (by 6%); and pollutants key to outbreaks of devastating crown-of-thorns starfish that prey on corals (by 13%), the reef is in trouble.

As per the report, intense flooding in 2010-2011 followed by powerful cyclone Yasi had badly damaged the world’s largest coral reef, degrading water quality and depleting overall cover by 15% and full recovery of the reef will take decades.

A study published in 2012 had revealed that coral cover had more than halved due to storms, predatory starfish outbreaks and bleaching linked to climate change over the past 27 years. Intense tropical cyclones were responsible for much of the damage, accounting for 48%, with the coral-feeding starfish linked to 42%.

It is noticeable that UNESCO has warned to downgrade the reef’s world heritage status to declare it at-risk in 2014 if there is no significant action on rampant coastal and resources development seen as a danger to its survival. Experts highlight potential of cassava as biofuel crop July 12, 2013 No comments Experts participating in the International Conference on Tropical Roots and Tubers organized by the Central Tuber Crops Research Institute (CTCRI) and theIndian Society for Root Crops (ISRC) have highlighted the evolving potential of cassava as feedstock for the production of bioethanol as fuel. What is Cassava?

Cassava is a crop cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions for its edible starchy, tuberous root, a major source of carbohydrates. It is the third-largest source of food carbohydrates in the tropics, after rice and maize. Cassava is a major staple food in the developing world, providing a basic diet for over half a billion people. It is one of the mostdrought-tolerant crops, capable of growing on marginal soils. Nigeria is the world’s largest producer of cassava. How “Cassava” can be used as a bio-fuel? Cassava has a high energy content, low maintenance and ability to grow under a wide range of climatic conditions, cassava. All these qualities render it a potential for production of bio-ethanol. The technology for cassava alcohol, patented by the CTCRI in the 1980s, requires refinement for commercial scale production.

Bioethanol based on the lignocellulosic residue of cassava and sweet potato could be combined with starch-based options to make biofuel production cost effective. The high productivity of cassava crop in India would make production of bioethanol cost- competitive. The step to bring comparatively less fertile land in the semi-arid areas of Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh and high rainfall regions in the north-eastern region under cassava cultivation would ensure supply of raw material for ethanol production. Himachal Pradesh becomes country’s first ‘smoke-free’ State July 6, 2013 1 Comment Himachal Pradesh has been declared the first “smoke-free” State in the country in compliance with Section 4 of the Cigarettes and Other Tobacco Products Act (COTPA), 2003. The State has achieved 85.45% compliance with the relevant parameters. The State government intends to eliminate tobacco products and has hiked taxes on bidis and cigarettes from 11 and 18% to 22 and 36%, respectively in the 2013-14 Budget. What is the scope COTPA 2003?  The Act is applicable to all products containing tobacco in any form i.e. cigarettes, cigars, cheroots, bidis, gutka, pan masala (containing tobacco) khaini, mawa, mishri, snuff etc. as detailed in the Schedule to the Act.  The Act extends to the whole of India including the state of Jammu and Kashmir. What does Section 4 of COTPA provide for? Section 4: Prohibition Of Smoking In Public Places The Government of India passed new rules on May 30, 2008 for effective realization of the objectives of smoke free environments as stipulated under the Indian law.

 No person shall smoke in any public place  “Public Place” means any place to which the public have access, whether as of right or not, and includes auditorium, hospital buildings, railway waiting room, amusement centres, restaurants, public offices, court buildings, work places, shopping malls, cinema halls, educational institutions, libraries, public conveyances and the like which are visited by general public but does not include any open space.  Mandates display of board containing the warning “No Smoking Area- Smoking Here is an Offence”  Hotels & Restaurants should ensure physical segregation of smoking and non- smoking area. Hotels having thirty rooms or a restaurant having seating capacity of thirty persons or more and in the airports, a separate provision for smoking area or space may be made. Ghaziabad, Allahabad most polluted in Uttar Pradesh: Survey July 6, 2013 No comments In a recent survey conducted by Delhi-based Centre for Science andEnvironment (CSE) it was found that Ghaziabad and Allahabad are the two most air polluted cities in Uttar Pradesh. As per the survey:  Pollutants of the size of 10 micron was found in Ghaziabad, Allahabad, Kanpur and Bareilly, which was four times the acceptable size of particulates in urban areas.  Air pollution levels were thrice as high as the prescribed limits in Lucknow, Firozabad, Agra, Mathura, Khurja, Saharanpur, Moradabad and Gajraula.  Unnao has come out as the cleanest air quality despite a heavy presence of tanneries in the town.  Nitrogen-di-oxide pollutant is found to be increasing dangerously in Meerut, Gorakhpur, Ghaziabad and Kanpur. It is the highest in Meerut and lowest in Rae Bareilly.  Khurja and Ghaziabad have dangerous levels of sulphur-di-oxide mixed in the air.  The presence of multi-pollutants was found in cities like Mathura, Khurja and Ghaziabad.  The leading cause of pollution was found to be the manifold increase in the number of vehicles.  The growing use of diesel was a major contributor to the growing air pollution levels. The emissions were leading to serious ailments anddiseases like cancer. Campaign Clean India adopts Taj Mahal July 28, 2013 No comments The World Heritage Site, Taj Mahal has been adopted by ONGC as part of its corporate social responsibilities through the “Campaign Clean India” being run under Ministry of Tourism. Taj Mahal a world heritage site and is one of the Seven Wonders of the World. It is the Crown Jewel among the tourist destinations in India and naturally is a priority destination under the Campaign Clean India programme. Background of Campaign Clean India: At the initiative of Ministry of Tourism, the Archeological Survey of India (ASI) has agreed to the initiative for permitting ONGC for adopting six monuments under Campaign Clean India. The six monuments/tourist destinations are: Taj Mahal at Agra, Ellora Caves in Maharashtra, Elephanta Caves in Maharashtra, Red Fort in Delhi, Golkonda Fort Hyderabad and Mahabalipuram in Tamil Nadu.

ONGC is adopting these monuments as part of their corporate social responsibilities and it is the endeavor of Ministry of Tourism that Campaign Clean India is carried out for maximum number of monuments/tourist destinations so that tourists instill the feelings and spirit of cleanliness and respect for such monuments. What is “Campaign Clean India”? The “Campaign Clean India” is a programme being run by the Ministry of Tourism aimed at undertaking both sensitization and action at field level on bringing our tourism destinations and their surroundings to an acceptable level of cleanliness and hygiene. The Campaign will ensure that these levels are sustained through ownership and involvement of private and public sector stakeholders. The campaign will be part of Government’s strategy of the 12 th five year plan for improving the quality of services and environs in and around tourist destinations across India. Two US Jets drops bombs on Great Barrier Reef Marine Park July 25, 2013 No comments The two AV-8B Harrier jets launched from aircraft carrier USS Bonhomme Richard dropped four unarmed bomb in the World Heritage listed Marine Park off the coast of Queensland state when the training exercise went wrong. The four bombs were dropped in more than 50 meters of water away from coral to diminish possible damage to the reef. Originally, the jets were to drop the ordnances on the Townshend Island bombing range but they cut off the mission as controllers stated that the area was not clear of hazards. The pilots did the emergency jettison as they were low on fuel and could not land with their bomb loaded.

About The Great Barrier Reef: The Great Barrier Reef (GBR) is the world’s largest coral reef system composed of over 2,900 individual reef sand 900 islands spanned over 2,600 kilometers over an area of approximately 344,400 square kilometers. The reef is located in the Coral Sea, off the coast of Queensland, Australia. Importance of GBR:  It has the world’s biggest single structure made by billions of tiny living organisms known as coral polyps. It is a rich ecosystem bearing a great diversity of life.  A major part of the reef is protected by the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park, which helps to limit the impact of human use, such as fishing and tourism.  The reef ecosystem faces threat from other environmental pressures which include runoff, climate change accompanied by mass coral bleaching, and cyclic population outbreaks of the crown of thorns starfish.  It is a very popular destination for tourists, especially in the Whitsunday Islands and Cairns regions. Tourism is an important economic activity for the region generating over $3 billion annually and is a significant part of local groups’ cultures and spirituality.  It was selected as a World Heritage Site in 1981. India and ADB Sign an Agreement for Gujarat Solar Power Transmission System July 24, 2013 No comments With the rapid growing electricity demand, and increasing reliance on imported sources of fossil fuel the Government of India and the Asian Development Bank (ADB) signed an agreement for a $100 million ADB loan (A LIBOR based loan from ADB’s Ordinary Capital Resources which has a term of 25 years including 5 years of grace period) to develop a transmission system that will distribute 500 megawatts of solar power from the Charanka Solar Park in Gujarat. ADB is committed to generating 3,000 MW of solar power by 2013 under its Asia Solar Energy Initiative. Key Objectives of the Project:  Using an inventive Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, the project will create job opportunities, improve social services and contribute to poverty reduction locally.  It will also support power distribution companies in Gujarat and other Indian power utilities to meet part of their energy needs through solar energy.  It will not only benefit Gujarat, but will also help develop the PPP solar park model under the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission.  An associated Technical Assistance (TA) funded by the Department for International Development of the United Kingdom and administered by ADB will provide professional training in energy-related skills and livelihood opportunities to local people. At least half of the participants will be women. Note: The Indian Government is aiming to generate 20,000 MW of solar power by 2022. It has launched the Jawaharlal Nehru National Solar Mission (JNNSM) in 2010, which is expected to generate 1,000 MW by 2013 byexpanding grid-connected solar power generation. Supreme Court issues notice to Centre, States on disaster management July 24, 2013 No comments After the devastating tragedy that struck upon Uttarakhand and which resulted in numerous deaths the Supreme Court issued notice to Uttarakhand and six other states for their alleged failure in implementing the Disaster Management Act in order to handle natural calamities. The court has sought response from the Centre, the states and the Union Territory of Andaman & Nicobar Islands on a PIL alleging that governments have failed to implement the Disaster Management Act that was passed in 2005.

Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Odisha, West Bengal and Gujarat are the six other states who have received this notice. The court held that it was extremely pathetic that even after 8 years of the act, the Centre and the various state governments had failed to implement its provisions and presently there is no uniform policy in the country for granting compensation to the victims of disaster. Research links Climate Change to Human Conflict August 6, 2013 No comments As per a latest study from University of California, Berkeley which analysed 60 studies on climate change, by 2050, human conflict could rise by 50% due to the rising temperatures. The study covered all major types of violence and revealed large and clear changes in human behavior in response to climate. The research examined human behavior in relation to climate over the past 12,000 years in order to find a link between hot weather and aggression. It was found that intergroup conflict soared by 14% and interpersonal violence rose 4% for each temperature rise.

As per the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), over the past century, the Earth’s average temperature has risen by 1.4°F. Although this appears minute, small average temperature changes translate to large and potentially dangerous shifts in climate, which researchers have now revealed also creates hostile environments. The researchers examined studies from a wide variety of fields including climatology, archaeology, economics, political science, and psychology to make the study accurate and valid. It examined various aspects of climate, such as rainfall, drought, and temperature and cross- analyzed with various forms and degrees of violence in broad categories. The factors were divided into the following groups with specific links to historical events: personal violence and crime like murder, assault, rape, and domestic violence; intergroup violence and political instability like civil wars, riots, ethnic violence, and land invasions; and instructional breakdowns like abrupt and major changes in governing institutions or the collapse of entire civilizations. The studies found that aggression aggravates as high as 16% in anything hostile from horn- honking to domestic violence, assault, rape, and murder during periods of hotter climates. A temperature rise of just 2°F, in fact, could increase intergroup conflicts, such as civil wars, by over 50%. How did the researchers discern that heat makes us angrier, especially in designed studies? In one of the studies, researchers deliberately caused traffic at a high temperature at a crossing in Phoenix in order to see whether drivers without air conditioning were more likely to honk angrily than drivers in climate-controlled vehicles. Results showed that, indeed, those that were hotter honked more. Pacific Marshall Islands under threat of climate catastrophe August 3, 2013 No comments The Marshall Islands has sought support to ward-off a future Pacific “climate catastrophe” that, it says, will expunge it from the map without critical action on global warming. The government of the Marshall Island has called for decisive action on climate change and has insisted US Secretary of State John Kerry to attend the 16-member Pacific Islands Forum to be hosted by Australia in September 2013 where a major climate declaration is likely to be made. Marshall Island seeks to present Majuro Declaration to the United Nations General Assembly to help renew global efforts on emissions reduction as the Pacific region battles rising seas and growing numbers of so-called climate refugees.

The tiny Pacific atoll of 55,000 people, which is located at an average of just two metres above sea level, was already feeling the heat of global warming with an unprecedented seven-month drought in the north and a devastating king tide earlier this year triggering disaster declarations.

The Marshalls government was already ferrying food and drinking water to 13 outer island communities due to drought-linked shortages that were threatening the export of copra, the dried- out flesh of coconuts from which oil is extracted, which underpinned its economy. The island is also facing immigration as climate refugees from neighbouring Kiribati and Tuvalu are taking refuge in the island. The government fears a two-metre sea level rise predicted by the World Bank before the end of the century. Where are the Marshall Islands? The Marshall Islands, officially the Republic of the Marshall Islands, is an island country located in the northern Pacific Ocean. Geographically, the country is part of the larger island group of Micronesia, with the population of 68,480 people spread out over 34 low-lying coral atolls, comprising 1,156 individual islands and islets. The islands share maritime boundaries with the Federated States of Micronesia to the west, Wake Island to the north, Kiribati to the south-east, and Nauru to the south. The most populous atoll is Majuro, which also acts as the capital. E-surveillance to monitor various tiger habitats July 31, 2013 No comments India plans to start electronic surveillance of some of the tiger habitats using high definition cameras as the tiger deaths each year are increasing mainly due to poaching and poisoning. With the E-surveillance the pilot study in the Kalagarh range of the Corbett National Park was quite satisfactory so the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has decided to expand E-surveillance to Assam’s Kaziranga Natonal Park, Madhya Pradesh’s Ratapani Wildlife Sanctuary and the Ramnagar division surrounding Corbett. How will tiger E-surveillance help? The surveillance involves putting into use high resolution thermal and infrared cameras mounted on towers to capture image of objects weighing more than 20 kg in a range of 3-5 km and generate alerts if the boundary is crossed. It will also keep an eye on unauthorized people entering into the tiger habitat areas and tigers straying into human habitat. It is a fool-proof anti- poaching system that gathers information, does processing, filtering and then sends alerts. Ford becomes the first automaker to join India Greenhouse Gas Reporting (GHG) Program July 30, 2013 No comments Detroit giant Ford has became the first automaker to join a voluntary greenhouse gas reporting program (a carbon reporting programme) newly established in India. The company already participates in similar programs in the United States,China, Canada, Mexico, Brazil and Argentina. Voluntary reporting provides overall transparency regarding the company’s CO2 emissions and the company hold importance to reduce CO2 emissions at its global facilities, including two in Chennai, by 30% per vehicle by 2025. Ford’s role in this programme will be to assist in the establishment of credible and verifiable greenhouse gas inventories. What is “India Greenhouse Gas Program (India GHG Program)”:

It is the joint effort between the World Resources Institute(WRI), The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) and the Confederation of Indian Industry (CII). A voluntary initiative to standardize measurement and management of GHG emissions in India. Program Partners for India Greenhouse Gas Program (India GHG Program) 1. CII – Confederation of Indian Industry (CII) 2. TERI – The Energy and Resources Institute 3. WRI – World Resources Institute Founding Members for India Greenhouse Gas Program (India GHG Program) 1. Godrej & Boyce Mfg. Co. Ltd. 2. Hindustan Construction Co. Limited (HCC Limited) 3. ACC Cement 4. Ford Motor Company (Ford India) 5. Jet Airways (India) Limited 6. Mahindra Sanyo Steel 7. Tata Teleservices Limited 8. Bayer Group of Companies – India 9. Akzo Nobel 10. Shree Cements 11. United Technologies 12. Tata Chemicals 13. National Thermal Power Company (NTPC) Limited 14. Infosys Technologies 15. Ambuja Cement 16. ITC Limited 17. Cummins India 18. Yes Bank 19. National Peroxide Limited 20. Forbes Marshall 21. JK Tyres 22. Bangalore International Airport Limited (BIAL) 23. Gas Authority of India Limited (GAIL) Key Objectives of India Greenhouse Gas Reporting Programme :  To help companies in the country monitor their progress towards voluntary reduction goals consistently and credibly.  Aimed at promoting profitable, sustainable, and competitive business.  Under this programme, companies will be provided with tools and technical assistance to build inventories, identify reduction opportunities, establish annual and long-term reduction goals, and track their progress based on the most widely used emissions accounting and reporting standard in the world, the GHG (Green House Gases) Protocol.  The India GHG Program will also facilitate engagement of the business sector with policy makers, supporting progress and advancement towards national goals on carbon intensity and GHG emissions mitigation.  The program will build a pool of trained and certified GHG practitioners and GHG measurement and management professionals. What is : The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol)?

The Greenhouse Gas Protocol (GHG Protocol) is a global collaboration led by WBCSD and WRI. It is the most widely used international accounting tool for government and business leaders to understand, quantify, and manage greenhouse gas emissions.  GHG Protocol provides the foundation for sustainable climate strategies and more efficient, resilient and profitable organizations.  GHG Protocol standards are the most widely used accounting tools to measure, manage and report on greenhouse gas emissions.  It serves as the foundation for nearly every GHG standard and program in the world – from the International Standards Organization to The Climate Registry – as well as hundreds of GHG inventories prepared by individual companies.

 Offers developing countries an internationally accepted management tool to help their businesses to compete in the global marketplace and their governments to make informed decisions about climate change. Who Uses The GHG Protocol? Since the publication of the first edition of The Greenhouse Gas Protocol: A Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard (Corporate Standard) in 2001, more than 1,000 businesses and organizations worldwide have developed their GHG inventories using the GHG Protocol.  Some of the world’s largest companies are using the GHG Protocol’s Corporate Standard.  The 2007 Corporate Climate Communications Report of the Fortune 500 companies by corporateregister.com reported 63 percent of companies use the GHG Protocol.  GHG Protocol is considered the second most important climate program after Kyoto Protocol in the successful measurement and management of climate change.

Environment Ministry’s panel finds illegal sand mining in Gautam Buddh Nagar August 18, 2013 No comments The environment ministry team found facts of the widespread illegal sand mining in Gautam Buddh Nagar district of Uttar Pradesh. The team was set up by the ministry in the backdrop of the suspension of the district’s sub divisional magistrate Durga Shakti Nagpal who took on the illegal mining in the area. Steps suggested by the panel to prevent illegal sand mining:  The state must adopt and implement the rules set out for riverbed mining which lay down specification of mining depth, location of mining leases.  Those holding mining leases are required to have their mining plans approved by the state’s mining and geology department.  A cumulative impact assessment must be undertaken to assess pollution, adequacy of infrastructure. All the mining activity must have environmental clearance. It has been recommended that cumulative impact assessment of riverbed mining be undertaken before giving clearance, as well as stepping up monitoring. Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2013 introduced in Rajya Sabha August 14, 2013 No comments The Environment and Forests Ministry introduced in the Rajya Sabha major amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 that seek heavier penalties to check wildlife-related crimes and aim to make Indian laws consistent with theConvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of wild flora and fauna (CITES). Salient features of the Wildlife Protection Amendment Bill 2013:  The amended legislation aims to ban the use of animal traps except under certain conditions.  It also looks forward to engage gram sabhas and gram panchayats in management of protected areas, and to grant hunting rights to hunter-gatherer Scheduled Tribes of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.  Hunting in national parks and sanctuaries or the alteration of their boundaries should be punished with 5 to 7 years in jail and fine of Rs 5 to 25 lakh as compared to the previous 3 to 7 years in jail and Rs 10,000 fine.  The punishment would be 7 years in prison and Rs 30 lakh fine for repeat offenders compared to the previous 3 to 7 years of imprisonment and Rs 25,000 fine now.  The amendments are strict against crimes related to sale, purchase and transfer of animals, their parts or products listed in various schedules. Environmental activists oppose Mithi Virdi Nuclear Plant August 14, 2013 No comments Environmental activists in Gujarat are against the proposed Rs. 6,000 crore Mithi Virdi nuclear power plant in Saurashtra region’s Bhavnagar district to be set up by NPCIL (Nuclear Power Corporation of India Limited). They have written to the Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) that alleging the Coastal Regulatory Zone (CRZ) clearance by the State government was given without any site visits and documentation of ground realities. Why Environmental activists opposing the Mithi Virdi nuclear power plant? As per the activists, clearance for the project has been given by overlooking safety aspects, site clearance report, and without undertaking any site visits. They argue that the basics like population increase in the immediate vicinity of the proposed plant have not been taken into account. According to the activists CRZ clearance is an act of endorsing the illegal and unconstitutional act of NPCIL and Engineers India Limited (EIL). Activists earlier alleged that the EIL were not authorized to conduct an environment impact assessment for a nuclear power plant. China unveils first Giant Panda channel August 8, 2013 No comments China Network Television has launched an internet channel ipanda.comdedicated to the conservation of Giant Panda. The website will show live 24-hour high-definition (HD) Internet broadcasts of the daily activities of the 80 endangered Pandas at the Chengdu Research Base of the Giant Panda Breeding in the southwest Sichuan Province which is China’s premier panda breeding facility. Documentaries and a 30-minute panda-themed programme will also be broadcast everyday on the site ipanda.com. What is the status of Giant Pandas? Giant Pandas are one of the world’s most endangered species. About 1,600 pandas live in the wild, mostly in the mountains of Sichuan, while more than300 live in captivity. Sikkim is India’s greenest state August 23, 2013 No comments As per an official data, Sikkim is India’s Greenest State with a forest cover 47.3% of its total geographical area and is more than double the national average of 21 %. The state government has fixed a target of bringing an additional 1,000 hectares of land under forest cover during the 12th Five Year Plan period (2012—17). A Comparison of Sikkim in Green terms:  The state has 500 sq km area under very dense forests which is 7.05%.  It has 2,161 sq km area under moderately dense which is 30.45%  698 sq km of its area is under open forests which is 9.84% The above figures are significantly higher than the national average of 2.54 % very dense forests, 9.76% moderately dense and 8.73 % open forests. Who owns the credit of keeping Sikkim green? Sikkim has achieved the distinction of being the greenest state in the country mainly due to various protection and conservation measures like Sikkim Green Mission, Ten Minutes to Earth and Smriti Vans. Extinction of large animals “Megafauna” damaged nutrient distribution system August 20, 2013 No comments

As per a latest studies, large animals acted as carriers of key nutrients to plants and animals over thousands of years. According to the findings, large animals which scientists call ‘Megafauna’ worked as key nutrient distributing arteries which spread vital nutrient substances like phosphorous which are essential for the growth of plants. The studies show that the extinction of the megafauna 12,000 years back wiped out one of the main means of transporting nutrients far from the rivers creating a nutrient deficiency which continues to affect plant and animal life in parts of the region today. What is ‘Megafauna’? As per researchers, South America was crowded with large animals which are named as ‘megafauna‘ a term for animals with a body mass of more than 44kg (the size of a large dog). How did Megafauna play role in distributing nutrients? Due to the large size of the megafauna, they eat and move more than small animals, they have a particularly important role in transporting nutrients into areas where the soil is infertile otherwise. For example:

In South America, most nutrients originate in the Andes mountain range and are washed into the forests through the river system. On dry land these nutrients are in short supply unless they are transported through animal dung and bodies. While small animals distribute nutrients over small distances large animals have a much greater range. These megafauna which ate in high quantity and absorbing more phosphorous acted as a key reserve of phosphorous which they transported dry areas through their excretory products or through their bodies after death, thus, playing a significant role in nutrient distribution. Government to set up an independent Coal Regulatory Authority August 19, 2013 No comments The Government has decided to set up an independent Coal Regulatory Authority. Proposed role of the Coal Regulatory Authority:  To specify by regulation methods of testing for declaration of grades or quality of coal.  To monitor and enforce closure of mines as per approved mine project plan towards closure of mine.  To ensure obedience of approved mining plans.  To specify the principles and methodology for determination of price of raw coal and washed coal or any other by product generated during the process of washing.  To call for information, record or other documents from the entities and publish statistics and other data in relation to the coal industry.  Specifying the standards of performance and norms of operational efficiency except in the area related to mines safety.  To adjudicate upon disputes between the parties and will also advise the Central Government in formulation of polices in coal sector, including allotment or earmarking of coal blocks for any purpose and promotion of competition, efficiency, economy and investment in coal industry. Scientist Vinod Prakash Sharma honored with Gujar Mal Modi award August 18, 2013 No comments

Scientist Vinod Prakash Sharma has been honored with the Gujar Mal Modi Award for Innovative Science and Technology2013 for his achievements in malaria research, control and prevention, including other vector borne diseases. He is leading the Safe Water Campaign of the NASI (The National Academy of Sciences, India). His work on popularization of science, creating awareness and science educationprogrammes of NASI are widely appreciated in the remote areas as well. Govt to set up world’s largest solar power plant in Rajasthan September 22, 2013 No comments The government has begun the process of building 4,000 MW ultra mega green solar power project near Sambhar lake in Rajasthan. The project which has been named as Sambhar Ultra Mega Green Solar Power Project is being set under the Department of Heavy Industry (DHI) in the 23,000 acre area of Sambhar Salts Limited (SSL), subsidiary of Hindustan Salts Limited (HSL) located in Rajasthan. It will be the world’s largest solar based power project First Phase Sambhar Ultra Mega Green Solar Power Project: In the first phase the project will generate 1,000 MW which will be commissioned in 3 years i.e. by the end of 2016. Partners in the development of the first phase are BHEL, Solar Energy Corporation of India, Power Grid Corporation, Satluj Jal Vidyut Nigam and Rajasthan Electronics and Instruments Ltd. The development of the later phases will be based on the experience gained during implementation of the first phase of project. Indian scientists undertake earthquake prediction research, measure the ‘Deccan Trap’ September 6, 2013 No comments Researchers from the Hyderabad-based National Geophysical Research Institute are conducting deep-earth study in the Koyna-Warna region ofMaharashtra with the aim to enhance understanding of seismic activities and improve earthquake prediction. What is special about this study? The study is first of its kind in India which involves drilling deep holes of up to 8 km into the earth to directly visualize and measure rock changes during earthquakes. NGRI recently concluded airborne gravity gradeometery studies to get a closer look at Earth’s interior, again a first of its kind in the country. Recently, when scientists drilled 1.5 km into the earth during a test of drilling technology they accurately measured the ‘Deccan Trap‘ in the study region. What are Deccan Traps? The Deccan Traps are large volcanic deposits located on the Deccan Plateau of west-central India and one of the largest volcanic features on Earth formed due to eruptions about 65 million years ago at the end of the Cretaceous period. How would this study help? As per scientists, the project would take 5 to 10 years during which they expect to have a better understanding of below-the-surface phenomena during and after an earthquake. The Koyna- Warna region is known for frequent seismic activity, linked to changes in water levels in water reservoirs present in the region. Researchers will try to determine how the changes in water- reservoirs exactly triggers earthquake. In addition to that, drilling will also allow them to plant underground earthquake detection devices which will lead to creation of highly efficient warning systems. Montreal Protocol helps reduce the size of hole in Ozone September 6, 2013 No comments According to experts at University of Canterbury, the hole in the earth’s stratospheric ozone layer over Antarctica is recovering slowly and should close completely in the latter half of this century. However, its effect on global climate change is still uncertain.

As per researchers, the Montreal Protocol, which effectively banned chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs), had aided in reducing the size of the hole in the ozone layer. The protocol, which came into existence in 1989, is an internationaltreaty to phase out substances believed to be responsible for ozone depletion. The scientists are of the view that if the protocol is adhered to, the ozone layer is expected to recover by 2050. Uncertainty over the effect of Ozone Recovery Contrary to our expectations, stratospheric ozone depletion is also believed to have indirectly protected Antarctica from the worst of greenhouse gas-related warming. The creation of ozone hole acted to change the circulation of the Southern Hemisphere so that the strong winds linked to the jet streams moved towards the pole. However, scientists are uncertain about the effect of ozone recovery on the Antarctic climate. There are views that ozone recovery should act to move the winds back towards the equator, but greenhouse gases might counteract this effect on the jet- stream positions, which help to control the width of tropical and polar weather belts. MoE slaps Rs 200 crore penalty on Adani group September 5, 2013 No comments A committee, established by the Ministry of Environment and Forests, under the chairmanship of Sunita Narain, director general of Centre for Science and Environment, has slapped a penalty of Rs 200 crore on the Adani Group’sMundra Port and Special Economic Zone for inflicting harm to mangroves,creeks and the local environment at the project site. In addition to the fine, a part of the project could face suspension after a more detailed probe into the alleged violation of environmental clearance norms. The money from the fine will go into an environment restoration fund for the area. Why did the environment ministry impose fine on Adani Group? As per the report submitted by Sunita Narain panel, it was found the Adani Group infringed environmental norms in the country’s largest private port in Mundra and special trade zone that it operates in the Kutch district in Gujarat. The penalty has been slapped for damaging mangroves, creeks and the local environment at the project site. During its investigation the panel found widespread destruction of mangroves-75 hectares of mangroves have been lost in Bocha Island, which was declared as a conservation zone under the environmental clearance conditions. The panel stated in its report that “the company has not taken precautions to guard against blocking of creeks because of construction activities; satellite imagery shows signs of deterioration and loss of creeks close to the proposed North Port.”

IPCC report: Humans are dominant cause of Global Warming October 4, 2013 No comments

A latest report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) on global warming claims that it has evidence that since 1950 the atmosphere and oceans had warmed, and that scientists are now “95% certain” that humans are the “dominant cause”. As per the IPCC report:  Warming patterns has been replicated across the climate system, as the amount of snow and ice has diminished, the mean global sea level has risen and concentration of greenhouse gases has increased.  In the absence of strong measures, the global warming is likely to exceed 2C by the end of this century. This is the level at which the consequences become even more catastrophic and which world governments have agreed to try to avoid.  It is urgent to put a price on carbon emissions that was high enough to force power companies and manufacturers to reduce their fossil-fuel use. IPCC is working on “mechanisms” through which the market could be used to reduce carbon emissions.  The world had already burned more than half of the one trillion tonnes of carbon permitted if it is to have a reasonable chance of limiting the temperature rise by 2C.  Rapid industrialisation in the developing world is increasing global emissions so fast that the world is on course to use up its entire carbon budget within 25 years.  The effects of climate change include rising sea levels, more and hotter heatwaves, and changes to rainfall meaning dry regions get less and wet areas receive more. What skeptics have to say about climate change? As per the skeptics who play down the idea of climate change the phenomena is a problem but not so serious to be called a crisis. They point to an observation that there has been a slowdown in climate change in past 15 years. As per the observation, the temperature rise has slowed from 0.12C per decade since 1951 to 0.05C per decade in the past 15 years – a point seized upon by climate sceptics to discredit climate science.

However, environmentalist point that it was the effect of El Nino in 1998 which made it unusually hot and since then there have been a series of medium-sized volcanic eruptions that have cooled the climate. The oceans have also played a significant role in rearranging the earth’s heat by absorbing it. So, it just seems to have cooled. Ocean warming dominates the increase in energy stored in the climate system, accounting for more than 90% accumulated by the planet between 1971 and 2010. NGT bans digging of earth across the country October 2, 2013 No comments The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has banned digging of earth across India for making bricks and roads without prior environment clearance. It directed the Chief Secretaries of all states and union territories to ensure that its interim order is implemented. The tribunal issued notice to Uttar Pradesh seeking its response on a plea to direct the state government to stop extraction of earth for making bricks and roads, allegedly going on in violation of a Supreme Court decision and directions of the Environment Ministry to all states. Around a month back, the National Green Tribunal banned sand mining from river beds, without environment clearance, across the country. About National Green Tribunal (NGT) Established: October 18, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010. Aim: Effective and speedy 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 therewith or incidental thereto. The NGT is:  Specialized body equipped with the necessary expertise to handle environmental disputes involving multi-disciplinary issues.  Not bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.  Mandated to make and endeavor for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same. “Rock Wrens” – a species makes comeback from extinction through Conservation Project September 29, 2013 No comments New Zealand’s Department of Conservation (DOC) project yielded positive result as Rock Wrens, one of the oldest as well as the most distinct songbird species retuned from extinction. The relocation project of DOC involved relocation of 41 tiny alpine Rock Wrens from around Fiordland in the far southwest of New Zealand’s South Island to Secretary Island from 2008 to 2011. Now, the number of Rock Wrens has increased to 66. It is the only true alpine bird in New Zealand and one of the most ancient bird species in the world which evolved from a species present more than 80 million years ago. The Rock Wren and the Rifleman are the only two wren species surviving today. Three members of National Ganga River Basin Authority resign September 26, 2013 No comments Three expert members- Rajendra Singh, Ravi Chopra and Rashid Siddiqui resigned from the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) which was set up with the objective of protecting the Ganga from pollution and overuse. The members were disquieted over the fact that the National Ganga River Basin Authority has not met since April 2012, especially in the wake of continued government indifference on101st day of professor GD Agrawal’s fast for Ganga. Key points about the National Ganga River Basin Authority (NGRBA) Established: February 20, 2009 under Section 3(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which also declared Ganges as the “National River” of India. Authority: Financing, planning, implementing, monitoring and coordinating authority for the Ganges River, functioning under the Ministry of Environment of India. Mission: Protect the drainage basin which feeds water into the Ganges by protecting it from pollution or overuse. Ex-Officio Chairman: Prime Minister Other members: Union Ministers concerned and the Chief Ministers of states through which Ganga flows, viz., Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Jharkhandand West Bengal, among others. Who is G.D. Agarwal? G.D. Agarwal alias Swami Gyan Swaroopanand (80) is a noted environmentalist and former Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) professor. He has served as a secretary of the Central Pollution Control Board, the country’s premier anti-pollution body, and helped put together environmental legislation in India. He has been on a fast- unto-death for over 101 days now to save the Ganga River and is determined to continue his fast albeit he is physically worn out. He is notable for his successful fast in 2009 to stop the damming of the Bhagirathi River.

His major concern is the inadequate and ineffectual operation of the NGRBA. He is also against on-going construction of dams/barrages/tunnels on Ganga which would completely destroy the natural flow regimes and quality of the river water, inability of the regulatory agencies in checking discharge of urban and industrial wastes into the Ganga and complete lack of sensitivity of the government on these environmental issues. Established: February 20, 2009 under Section 3(3) of the Environment Protection Act, 1986, which also declared Ganges as the “National River” of India. Outdoor Air Pollution a Leading Environmental Cause of Cancer Deaths: IARC October 21, 2013 No comments As per the data from the WHO’s specialized cancer agency – InternationalAgency for Research on Cancer (IARC), exposure to outdoor air pollution causes lung cancer and increases the risk for bladder cancer. Air pollution is already known to increase risks for a wide range of diseases, such as respiratory and heart diseases. The data highlighted that air pollution exposure levels increased significantly in some parts of the world, particularly in speedily industrialising nations with large populations. The data pointed that 223000 deaths from lung cancer in 2010 were caused by air pollution. What are the main sources of outdoor air pollution? As per the data, the main sources of outdoor air pollution are transportation, stationary power generation, industrial, agricultural emissions and residential heating and cooking. Which pollutants causing air pollution are of major concern? Pollutants of major public health concern include particulate matter, carbon monoxide, ozone, nitrogen dioxide and sulfur dioxide. ‘Great Indian Bustard’ in critically endangered stage October 18, 2013 No comments

As per the 2013 ‘Threatened Bird’ list by the InternationalUnion for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the Great Indian Bustard is listed under the category of Critically Endangered birds. The Great Indian Bustard (Scientific name: “Ardeotisnigriceps”) was once widely spotted across 11 Indian states, but now only less than 250 birds are left all across India. The destruction of the habitat is a primary threat to the bird’s endurance. The Great Indian Bustard is endemic to the Indian subcontinent. The Great Indian Bustard lives in short-grass plains and deserts in large arid landscapes. Key reasons for the decrease in count of the Great Indian Bustard:- 1. Habitat destruction- The change of land use from grassland to farmland, thus shrinking the bird’s habitat. 2. Poaching. 3. Degradation and disturbance in existing grassland habitat 4. Hunting 5. Lack of importance for natural grassland conservation in policy, law and PA network due to incorrect perception on ecological value vis-a-vis forests 6. Lack of protection for many ‘lekking’ and nesting sites 7. Lack of cooperation between different departments/stakeholders in GIB habitats 8. Lack of awareness and support from local communities 9. Livestock overgrazing and feral dogs 10. Disturbance by photographers — there is now plenty anecdotal evidence to demonstrate that photography of the species causes substantial disturbance In a recent judgement, the Supreme Court had directed the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests to take steps for the recovery of the Great Indian Bustard. Status of the Great Indian Bustard  The Great Indian Bustard is now confined to only eight pockets in 6 Indian states — Rajasthan, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.  The largest population (~50%) can be found in Jaisalmer, Barmer, and Bikaner districts of Rajasthan  Great Indian Bustard is the State Bird of Rajasthan.  Bird may be already extinct in Madhya Pradesh. Apex court upheld Green Tribunal order on WGEEP report October 16, 2013 No comments The Supreme Court dismissed the Kerala government appeal which challenged the jurisdiction of National Green Tribunal (NGT) which directed the Kerala government to stick to the report of the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), headed by Madhav Gadgil, while granting environmental clearance. While the State wants both sustainable development and environmentprotection to go hand in hand the apex court and the NGT intends to provide protection to the Western Ghats as suggested in Gadgil committee report and wants the Kerala government to adhere to it, the State is of the view that the tribunal’s direction would hinder the development process in the State and therefore sought quashing of the order and an interim stay of its operation. What were the highlights of WGEEP panel report? In view of the environmental sensitivity and ecological significance of the Western Ghats region and the complex interstate nature of its geography, as well as possible impacts of climate change on this region, the Ministry of Environment & Forests Government of India constituted in 2010, a Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP) headed by Madhav Gadgil from IISC Bangalore. The Panel was asked to perform the following functions:  To assess the current status of ecology of the Western Ghats region.  To demarcate areas within the Western Ghats Region which need to be notified as ecologically sensitive and to recommend for notification of such areas as ecologically sensitive zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.  In doing so, the Panel shall review the existing reports such as the Mohan Ram Committee Report, Hon’ble Supreme Court’s decisions, recommendations of the National Board for Wildlife and consult all concerned State Governments.  To make recommendations for the conservation, protection and rejuvenation of the Western Ghats Region.  To suggest measures for effective implementation for declaring specific areas in the Western Ghats Region as eco-sensitive zones under the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986. Major Recommendations of WGEEP panel report:  Develop and conserve thoughtfully: Development plans should not be cast in a rigid framework, but ought to be tailored to prevalent locality and time specific conditions with full participation of local communities; a process that has been termed adaptive co- management.  Ecologically Sensitive Zones: Following the Pranob Sen committee’s criteria, WGEEP proposes that the entire Western Ghats region be declared as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). Within this Western Ghats ESA, WGEEP proposes to assign different regions, other than those covered by Wildlife Sanctuaries or National Parks to one of the following three zones; Ecologically Sensitive Zone 1 (ESZ1), Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 (ESZ2), and Ecologically Sensitive Zone 3 (ESZ3).  Community Participation: Ecological sensitivity is not merely a scientific, but very much a human concern. In particular, a great deal of locality specific understanding of what has been happening and what is desirable, is simply not part of any scientific databases and resides with local communities. Hence, set of regulations tailored to the needs of the locality should be put in place if the area were to be formally declared as being ecologically sensitive  ESZ assignment: The 2,200 odd grids spanning the entire Western Ghats be assigned to (1) Protected Areas, namely, Wild Life Sanctuaries and National Parks, and (2) ESZ1 (3) ESZ2 and (4) ESZ3 on the basis of composite scores of ecological significance derived from the database generated by WGEEP. treat Western Ghats regions of each state separately, Assigning ESZ1, ESZ2 and ESZ3 status only to grids outside existing Protected Area  Grass-roots involvement: It is inappropriate to depend exclusively on Government machinery for constitution and management of ESZs. Instead, WGEEP suggests that the final demarcation of the Zones (including those surrounding PAs, as also in context of the UNESCOHeritage Site proposal), and fine tuning of regulatory, as well as promotional regime, must be based on extensive inputs from local communities and local bodies, namely, Gram Panchayats, Taluk Panchayats, Zill Parishats, and Nagar Palikas, under the overall supervision of the Western Ghats Ecology Authority (WGEA), State level Ecology Authorities and the District Ecology Committees.  Western Ghats Ecology Authority: WGEA should be a statutory authority appointed by the Ministry of Environment and Forest, GOI under Environment (Protection) Act 1986 to focus on promoting transparency, openness and participation in every way for development and sustainability of these areas.  On Mining and other issues: An indefinite moratorium on new environmental clearances for mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zones 1 and 2, phasing out of mining from ESZ1 by 2015, Continuation of existing mining in Ecologically Sensitive Zone 2 under strict regulation with an effective system of social audit, No new red and orange category industries, which would include coal based power plants, should be permitted to be established in Ecologically Sensitive Zones 1 and 2. 39 Serial sites of Western Ghats in recently updated World Heritage Sites list The Western Ghats (Sahayadri in Hindi) is recognised as one of the world’s eight “hottest hotspots” of biological diversity. The list declared in 2012 by the United Nations contains total 39 sites where Kerala leads with 20 sites being inscribed in the heritage list followed by Karnataka with ten, Tamil Nadu five and Maharashtrafour. The list includes the individual sites listed in the following table. State Sites Kaas Plateau Koyna Wildlife Sanctury Chandoli National Park Maharashtra Rathnagiri National Park Kalakad- Tiger Reserve Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary Neyyar Wildlife Sanctuary Peppara Wildlife Sanctuary Kulathupuzha Range Palode Range Periyar Tiger Reserve Ranni Forest Division Konni Forest Division 10. Achankovil Forest Division 11. Srivilliputtur Wildlife 12. Tirunelveli North Forest Division 13. Eravikulam National Park    14. Grass Hills National Park 15. Karian Shola National Park 16. Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctury 17. Mankulam Range, 18. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary 19. Mannavan Shola 20. Silent Valley National Park 21. New Amarambalam Reserve Forest 22. Mukurti National Park 23. Kalikavu Range 24. Attapadi Reserved Forest Kerala-Tamil Nadu 25. Pushpagiri Wildlife Sanctuary Brahmagiri Wildlife Sanctuary Talacauvery Wildlife Sanctuary Padinalknad Reserved Forest Kerti Reserved Forest Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary    Kudremukh National Park Someshwara Wildlife Sanctuary Someshwara Reserved Forest Agumbe Reserved Forest Karnataka 10. Balahalli Reserved Forest Later the government appointed a High-Level Working Group led by K. Kasturirangan to study the report and provide suggestions.

K. Kasturirangan-led 10-member panel High-Level Working Group (HLWG) Presented its report on Western Ghats to MoEF (Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests) K. Kasturirangan-led 10-member panel High-Level Working Group (HLWG) prepared a report on Western Ghats which suggests for ban on development activities in 60,000 sq km ecologically sensitive area spread over Gujarat, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Objective: K.Kasturirangan panel was formed to study and advise Govt on the earlier report of ecologist Madhav Gadgil-led Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP). Some Facts:  Around 37% of the total area defined as the boundary of the Western Ghats is ecologically sensitive.  This area is of about 60,000 sq km and it spreads over the states of Goa, Gujarat, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra and Tamil Nadu. What were the key suggestions made by the K. Kasturirangan led HLWG?  K.Kasturirangan panel has moved away from the suggestions of the Gadgil panel.  The HLWG has suggested a prohibitive regimen on those activities which have the most interference and harmful impact on the environment.  The report notes, “environmentally sound development cannot preclude livelihood and economic options for this region, the answer (to the question of how to manage and conserve the Ghats) will not lie in removing these economic options, but in providing better incentives to move them towards greener and more sustainable practices”.  Promotion of Ecotourism along the ecologically-volatile Western Ghats to preserve the depleting natural wealth of the area  Economically empower the local population  Incentivize green growth in the Western Ghats i.e. supervising forests and bettering their productivity to ascertain inclusive growth and economical gains for local communities; integrating forest accounts into state and national economic assessments; initiating an ecosystem service fund to help villages around the forests; promoting sustainable agriculture and; encouraging ecotourism for local benefits.  Establish a Decision Support and Monitoring Centre for Geospatial Analysis and Policy Support in the Western Ghats, which will supervise changes and propose state government on policy reform and all such reports must be in the public domain.  High-resolution map, delimiting ecologically sensitive areas, down to each village settlement, must be put in the public domain so that people can be involved in taking decisions about environment.  The HLWG report draws upon the basic framework suggested by WGEEP to use remote sensing technologies to demarcate the ecologically sensitive areas of the Western Ghats but with two key differences:- First: it used satellite data, down to 24 m resolution, as against 9 km used by WGEEP. This finer resolution was possible because of the collaboration with NRSC/ISRO, which used datasets to distinguish vegetation types over the landscape of the entire Western Ghats.

Second: it distinguishes between the cultural and the natural landscape of the region. Using remote sensing technology, it has found that the cultural landscape – which includes human settlements, agricultural fields and plantations – covers 58.44% of the region.

The natural landscape ranges over the remaining 41.56 %.

Thus, HLWG moved away from the suggestions of the Expert Panel, which had recommended a blanket approach consisting of guidelines for sector-wise activities, which would be permitted in the ecologically sensitive zones. What were the key suggestions made by the Madhav Gadgil led WGEEP earlier? Earlier, the WGEEP had suggested that:

 Entire Western Ghats be declared as an ecologically sensitive area.  3 levels of categorization for the regulatory measures for protection would be imposed.  Establishment of the Western Ghats Ecology Authority for management of the Ghats.  A blanket approach comprising of road map for sector-wise activities, which could be permitted in the ecologically sensitive zones. Acidification and overexploitation pushing marine life to mass extinction: IPSO October 5, 2013 No comments

As per a report released by the InternationalProgramme on the State of the Ocean (IPSO)the increasing acidification of the oceans due to excessive absorption of carbon dioxide released mainly from burning fossil fuels and overfishing is exposing marine organisms to intolerable evolutionary pressure which may lead to their mass extinction. As per the report:  The oceans are more acidic now than they have been for at least 300 million years which may result into a mass extinction of key species. Carbon dioxide in the atmosphere is absorbed by the seas — at least a third of the carbon that humans have released has been dissolved in this way.  In absorbing carbon and heat from the atmosphere, the world’s oceans have shielded humans from the worst effects of global warming  Overfishing and pollution are also imperilling marine life, on which billions of people depend for their nutrition and livelihood.  This acidification is unprecedented in the Earth’s known history which has exposed organisms to intolerable evolutionary pressure.  Increased acidity is specially impacting coral as it dissolves the calcium carbonate skeletons that form the structure of reefs, and rising temperatures lead to bleaching where the corals lose symbiotic algae they rely on.  Current efforts of the world governments’ to curb carbon emissions are insufficient to save many reefs.  There is a time lag of several decades between the carbon being emitted and the effects on seas, meaning further acidification and warming of the oceans are inevitable, even if emissions are drastically reduced.  Corals are vital to the health of fisheries, because they act as nurseries to young fish and smaller species that provide food for bigger ones.  The current ocean acidification is the highest for 300 million years from geological records.  Governments should take measures to limit carbon concentrations in the atmosphere to no more than 450 parts per million of carbon dioxide equivalent.  At least 70% of the world’s fish populations are overexploited. To tackle this, local communities should be given more control over their fisheries and favouring small-scale operators over large commercial vessels.

Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) gets nod from CCEA November 5, 2013 No comments The new Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) aimed ataddressing the environmental concerns faced by textiles units has been given approval by the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA). What is IPDS? Integrated Processing Development Scheme (IPDS) is a government sponsored scheme to be implemented during the 12th Five Year Plan at a total cost of Rs 500 crore. Under this scheme, four to six brown field projects and three to five green field projects would be established to address the environmental issues faced by textile processing units. Projects under IPDS include:  Common Effluent Treatment Plant (CETP)  Infrastructure such as storm water management, necessary roads and pipelines for water & wastewater  Captive power generation on technology preferably renewable/green technology  Facility for testing and R&D centres. How would IPDS benefit the textile industry? The IPDS will help the textiles industry to become competitive on the global scale by adopting environmentally friendly processing standards and technology and by setting up new processing parks. It will support the upgradation of existing processing clusters/centres specifically in the field of water and waste water management and also promote research and development work in the textiles-processing sector. Odisha imposes fishing ban to protect nests of endagered Olive Ridley sea turtles October 27, 2013 1 Comment

The Odisha Government has imposed a seven-month fishing ban within 20 km from the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya inGamjam district for safeguard nests of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. The ban prohibits motor boats, trawlers and mechanised fishing boats in the region.

The ban on the 20 km span of the Dhamra-Rushikulya river mouth has been imposed in accordance with Sections 2, 7 and 4 of the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982. As per Fisheries Department, prohibitory orders are being enforced every year to ensure the safety of turtles. However, the fishermen are unhappy over the ban as the ban is affecting their livelihood. Olive Ridley Turtles:  Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea  Also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle  Found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific andIndian Oceans.  Global population of annual nesting females of these turtles reduced to 852,550 by 2008.  Considered endangered because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world.  Largest breeding ground for these turtles: The Gahirmatha Beach inKendrapara district of Odisha (India), now a part of theBhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary .  Bhitarkanika Mangroves designated a Ramsar Wetland ofInternational Importance in 2002.  World’s largest known rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles.  Two other mass nesting beaches on the mouth of rivers Rushikulyaand Devi. Prof. Ravi Chopra Expert panel to study the impact of Hydro- projects in Uttarakhand October 22, 2013 No comments A 17-member expert panel headed by Prof. Ravi Chopra has been constituted by the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) to investigate whether the environmental degradation caused by hydro-electric projects on Alaknanda and Bhagirathi rivers led to Uttarakhand floods. Tasks before the Prof. Ravi Chopra Expert Committee:  To examine the extent to which the projects were responsible for the Uttarakhand floods.  To examine the impact of the proposed 24 hydropower projects on the biodiversity of the region and investigate the degradation caused by functioning as well as on-going hydro- projects.  Recommend necessary environmental protective measures to extenuate the adverse environmental impacts in respect of ongoing projects for which environment elearance have been given includingtourism projects and also opine necessary changes in project parameters.  To draft a Himalayan Policy for Uttarakhand keeping in view the unique ecological, social and cultural characteristics of the state and suggest environment friendly development activities. It can be recalled, the in June 2013 Uttrakhand was struck by flash floods and landslides. The natural calamity took the lives of thousands of people and rendered many other stranded. Rescue operations were carried out with the help of Indian Army, Paramilitary Forces and Indian Air Force. The worst hit region of Uttarakhand was Kedarnath, which is a famous Hindu shrine and attracts lakhs of tourists every year. G. B. Pradhan is the new Chairperson of the CERC October 21, 2013 No comments Union Government of India appointed Gireesh B. Pradhan, former Secretary of Ministry of New and Renewable Energy, as the Chairperson of the Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC). What is CERC? Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC) is a statutory body functioning under section 76 of the Electricity Act 2003. Previously, it was constituted under the Electricity Regulatory Commissions Act, 1998. Functions of CERC:  Tariff regulation of electricity generating companies owned or controlled by the Central Government  Regulation of the inter-State transmission of electricity  Determine tariff for Inter-State transmission of electricity  Issue licenses to persons to function as transmission licensee and electricity trader with respect to their inter-State operations  Adjudicate upon disputes involving generating companies or transmission licensee  Specify Grid Code having regard to Grid Standards  Specify and enforce the standards with respect to quality, continuity and reliability of service by licensees  Fix the trading margin in the inter-State trading of electricity, if considered, necessary  Discharge such other functions as may be assigned under the Act. India wins significant support on the issue of emission cuts affecting farmers: Warsaw Climate talks November 15, 2013 No comments In a development favorable to the developing countries, India has managed to turn the focus of the ongoing climate negotiations in Warsaw ( Poland ’s capital) onadapting agricultural practices to climate change and not on costly emission reduction measures that would impact farmers directly. Surprisingly, India’s stance was backed by the United States too. It also found wide-ranging support from other countries, including the entire G77+China bloc. Why the decision of US is a surprise? The European Union and other developed countries have been sticking to ensure that climate negotiations focus on reducing emissions in the agricultural sector. On the other hands, developing nations like India, China and a large number of African countries point that emission reduction efforts in the agricultural sector would negatively impact farmers whose population is very large, and they are often the poorest in these developing countries. They also counter that the effort to reduce emissions should be focus on fossil-fuel-based activities that emit carbon dioxide — the biggest contributor to global warming. As paddy fields and livestock are some of the greatest causes of emissions, emission cut in the sector has major implications for India and China.

India and many other countries ensured that the talks remained centered onadaptation instead of mitigation (general term used for emission reduction) and only a report on this specific matter is produced for the countries to discuss in future. NGT issues notice to Ministry of Environment on idol immersion November 10, 2013 No comments The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has issued a notice to the Ministry ofEnvironment & Forest and Ministry of Water Resources regarding immersions of idols in rivers and water bodies of the country. The notice has been issued following a petition filed to the NGT by an environmentalist Subhas Datta demanding a “uniform, practical, pragmatic” and well-accepted “standard operating procedure” for immersions.

The petition seeks a high powered committee/apex body like the NGT to monitor immersions in the country. The petition also suggests that while coming up with a standard operating procedure for immersion of idols, opinions and suggestions from religious gurus, environmental experts, social activists and scientists be taken. The petition points to a recent order passed by the Allahabad High Court, which has imposed a “complete ban on immersion of idols in Ganga”, and questions how the practice can be permitted in West Bengal where the number of immersions is much higher than in Uttar Pradesh. Haiyan, most power typhoon ever, batters Philippines November 9, 2013 No comments The central islands of Philippines were slammed by category-five typhoon Haiyan. The typhoon has been recorded as the strongest recorded typhoon to make landfall. It forced millions of people to flee to safer places or take refuge in storm shelters. The category-five super typhoon with 275 kph (170 mph) wind gusts and 5-6 metre (15-19 ft) waves smashed the islands of Leyte and Samar. As per meteorological forecast, Haiyan is likely to pass close to the Philippines’ second-largest city Cebu, home to around 2.5 million people, and also strike the capital Manila. According to experts, super typhoons and cyclones with winds around 300 kph are so powerful they can blow apart storm-proof shelters due to the huge pressures they create, which can suck walls out and blow roofs off buildings. Typhoons in Philippines Philippines are frequently hit by typhoons. An average of 20 typhoons slam into the island nation every year. In 2011, typhoon Washi took lives of 1,200 people, displaced 300,000 and destroyed more than 10,000 homes. Typhoon Bopha last year shattered three coastal towns on the southern island of Mindanao, killing 1,100 people and inflicting damages estimated at $1.04 billion.  Before Haiyan, the world’s strongest recorded typhoon, cyclone or hurricane to make landfall was Hurricane Camille in 1969, which hit Mississippi with 190 mph winds. India’s climate negotiation strategy to put emission-cut burden on developed countries November 9, 2013 No comments The Union Cabinet approved the Union Environment and Forests Ministry and climate negotiators’ team strategy to reassert the significance of historical emissions in the new climate pact, which is to be discussed at Warsawbeginning November 11, 2013. Clearance was given to the non-negotiable lines for the team deciding that Indiawould ensure that in a pledge-based top-down agreement the burden to take emission cuts for meeting the 2 degree Celsius target lies majorly on the developed countries. What is the bottom-up approach in the context of climate change agreement? The 195 countries who have ratified the U.N. Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), have decided to exercise bottom-up approach under the new global climate pact to be signed in 2015. In this format each country volunteers targets for emission cut based on its capability instead of atop-down approach where targets are set through the negotiations for each country. Some nations have suggested that the volunteered targets can then be evaluated to see if they add up to meet the requirement of keeping the global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius. The U.S. has disagreed and demanded that increasing the volunteered targets should be left to the respective nation to decide and there should not be a formal mechanism forcing the country to do so. India’s strategy for Warsaw Climate talks and Climate Pact 2015:  To ensure that the global agreement should be along the bottoms-up approach but any gap between volunteered cuts of all countries and the cumulative global agreement should be met by the developed nations which have a historical obligation to combat climate change.  To not agree to processes extrinsic to the UNFCCC set up to fight climate change. India would not agree to sector-specific targets or targets for administrative entities lower than the Union government, such as city and town councils.  To ensure 2015 agreement is under the current U.N. convention and not in violation of any of its elements and principles for India to be part of it.  To work with the BASIC and the Like-Minded Developing Countries to ensure that the rich nations put a clear timeline to how and when they shall provide the promised U.S. $100 billion by 2020.  To not allow private investments in green technologies from developed world be sold as a replacement for inter-country transfers.  To reassert India’s stance on the controversial issue of HFCs refrigerant gases that harm the climate — which had recently found support fromChina and select other G20 nations.  India would see that any phase out of the gases is done under the principles of the UNFCCC which includes the principle of common but differentiated responsibility and equity. ‘Operation Oliver’ to conserve vulnerable turtles November 27, 2013 No comments

The Coast Guard in Odishahas launched ‘Operation Oliver’ as part of its annual mission to ensure the safe mid-sea visit of breedingOlive Ridley sea turtles inGahirmatha marine sanctuary area of the State. The operation is being conducted in collaboration with the forest department in order to keep watch and vigil on illegal fishing along the turtle concentration zone.

The authorities have also deployed a state-of-the-art CG ship and a dornier aircraft for the exercise for surveillance on trespassing and keep an eye on illegal fishing in Gahirmatha marine sanctuary. The coast guard has organized interactive sessions with fishermen communities to sensitize them on the legal embargo on fishing during Ridleys’ nesting season. It is worth recalling that the Odisha Government recently imposed a 7-month fishing ban within 20 km from the river mouths of Dhamara, Devi and Rusikulya in Gamjam district to protect nests of endangered Olive Ridley sea turtles. The ban on the 20 km span of the Dhamra-Rushikulya river mouth has been imposed in accordance with Sections 2, 7 and 4 of the OrissaMarine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982. These prohibitory orders are now enforced every year to ensure the safety of turtles. Olive Ridley Turtles:  Scientific name: Lepidochelys olivacea .  Also known as the Pacific ridley sea turtle.  Found in warm and tropical waters, primarily in the Pacific andIndian Oceans.  Global population of annual nesting females of these turtles reduced to 852,550 by 2008.  Considered vulnerable because of their few remaining nesting sites in the world.  Largest breeding ground for these turtles: The Gahirmatha Beach inKendrapara district of Odisha (India), now a part of theBhitarkanika Wildlife Sanctuary.  Bhitarkanika Mangroves designated a Ramsar Wetland ofInternational Importance in 2002.  World’s largest known rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtles.  Two other mass nesting beaches on the mouth of rivers Rushikulyaand Devi. Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary is located in Orissa and is only marine wildlife sanctuary of Orissa. This sanctuary boasts of possessing the world’s largest known rookery of Olive Ridley sea turtle. Olive Ridley is classified as Vulnerable according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature And Natural Resources (IUCN), and is listed in Appendix I of CITES. These turtles are best known for their behavior of synchronized nesting in mass numbers, termed arribadas. The winter season is the mating and breeding season of these turtles. So accordingly, the fishing activities inside the Gahirmatha Marine Sanctuary and 20 kms off the shore are banned for 7 months starting from November 1 to May 31 every year. The ban is enforced under the Orissa Marine Fishing Regulation Act, 1982 and Orissa Marine Fishing Rules, 1983 to protect the endangered Olive Ridley Sea turtles. COP-19 climate talks at Warsaw concludes November 25, 2013 No comments The 19th Conference of Parties (COP-19), to the Kyoto Protocol concluded inWarsaw, Poland. The UN Conference on Climate Change 2013 concluded with negotiating countries reaching a compromise on how to combat global warming. They came out of the long standing impasse by approving a way out for a new global climate treaty to be signed in Paris in 2015. What was the purpose of COP19 talks at Warsaw? Al these deliberations are focused towards reaching a new global climate treaty which will replace the 1997 Kyoto Protocol, which sets targets for developed nations to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions. The Kyoto Protocol is valid till 2020. Keeping this in view.the global agreement has to be agreed on by 2015 and in force by 2020, which made it imperative that delegates thrash out a large part of the draft version this year (2013) for consideration at next year’s COP-20 in Lima, Peru. What is the outcome of COP-19 talks at Warsaw? Delegates to COP19 agreed that all nations should work to cut emissions from burning coal, oil and gas as soon as possible, and ideally by the first quarter of 2015. Major decisions adopted at this conference include decisions on further advancing the Durban Platform, the Green Climate Fund and Long-Term Finance, the Warsaw Framework for REDD Plus, the Warsaw InternationalMechanism for Loss and Damage and other decisions Greenpeace to protest arrests of activists by Russia November 16, 2013 No comments

Greenpeace India will hold a protest across 30 cities in India from Saturday, demanding the release of their 30 counterparts arrested by the Russian authorities in the Arctic region in September 2013. Russian authorities arrested these activists who were protesting peacefully in the Arctic against the drilling in the region. The authorities seized the Greenpeace ship Arctic Sunrise in September and slapped charges of piracy against the 30 activists on board. About Greenpeace International: Greenpeace is a non-governmental,non-profit environmental organization with offices in over 40 nations and with its headquarters in Amsterdam, the Netherlands. Goal : To ensure the ability of the Earth to nurture life in all its diversity” Focus: Campaigning on global issues such as global warming, deforestation, overfishing, commercial whaling, genetic engineering, and anti-nuclear issues. Greenpeace uses direct action, lobbying and research to achieve its goals. India against forcing developing countries to review their voluntary emission cuts: Warsaw Climate talks November 15, 2013 No comments Taking a stance in direct confrontation with the developed countries, India, Chinaand other nations in the Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) group took the position formally that the new climate pact must not force developing countries to review their volunteered emission reduction targets. Furthermore, the LMDC made it clear that it was not in favour of eliminating the existing differentiation between developing and developed countries when it came to taking responsibility for climate action. The ongoing climate talks at Warsaw are expected to bring out elements of the new climate agreement which is to be signed by 2015. What is the issue of volunteering emission targets? There is a general agreement that the new agreement would allow each country to volunteer their emission reduction targets. However, as per the EU suggestions which is also supported by other allied groups, there should be a process of reviewing targets of all countries and seeing if they collectively add up to the level that keeps global temperature rise below 2 degree Celsius. It further opines that any gap in meeting the target emission cuts should be distributed between all countries, rich or poor, based on several parameters which are often called theEquity Reference Framework. The U.S. is in favor of similar consultations but only ‘peer pressure’ and not compulsion to convince countries to do more in case the global target is not met. Loopholes: Developing countries are skeptical that if review of volunteered emission targets is allowed then the developed countries may deliberately to offer lower targets initially and then get the responsibility of filling the ‘emission gap’ distributed evenly between all nations which, according to developing countries, goes against the principle of equity and common but differentiated responsibilities based on historical responsibility. Like-Minded Developing Countries (LMDC) stance: The LMDC is not in support of the Equity Reference Framework in its current form as the group finds that it redistributes the burden of fighting climate change more on the shoulders of the developing countries. The group noted that the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) under which the new agreement is to be signed requires developed countries to take the lead in fighting climate change and not the developing countries. The coldest place on Earth is in East Antarctica December 13, 2013 No comments NASA satellites discovered a desolate and remote ice plateau in East Antarctica, the coldest place on earth. The remote region plunged as low as minus 94.7oC (minus 135.8oF). This beat the previous record of -89.2 degrees Celsius measured at the Russian Vostok Research Station in East Antarctica on July 21, 1983. The Scientists made the discovery while examining 32 years of global surface temperatures recorded by viz. remote sensing satellites, the new Landsat 8, a joint project of NASA and the US Geological Survey (USGS), etc. The super-cold temperatures are due to, air being caught and held for a while. If the skies are clear for a few days, the ground radiates remaining heat into space, creating a layer of super- chilled air above the snow. Here, Antarctica air is dry, ground chilly, and the skies cloudless. The cold air swoops down off a dome and gets trapped in a chilly lower spot. That’s why, by causing the air to be stationary for extended periods, while continuing to radiate more heat away into space, one can get the absolute lowest temperatures. Can humans exist at minus 94.7oC? The number of human activities becomes extremely difficult at such low temperatures.

 The human skin does not keep the body warm at such temperatures. In the winters, the thick snow and long hours of darkness considerably affect vision. In summers, the strong ultraviolet radiation from the hole in the ozone layer can cause great damage to the eyes unless special protection is used.  It would become extremely difficult to pass urine in East Antarctica if the temperature was recorded 26 degrees Celsius lower, because the freezing point of urine is minus 120 degrees Celsius. This should make it obvious why there is little to no habitation of the region. Note: Antarctica is Earth’s southernmost continent, containing the geographic South Pole. It is the coldest, driest, and windiest continent, and has the highest average elevation of all the continents. PFBTA: Newly discovered greenhouse gas ’7,000 times more potent than CO2′ December 13, 2013 No comments Researchers at University of Toronto have discovered a new greenhouse gas that is 7,000 times more powerful than carbon dioxide to cause greenhouse effect which causes warming of the Earth.

As per the scientists, the newly discovered gas, PerFluoroTriButylAmine (PFTBA), has been in use by the electrical industry since the mid-20th century. The discoverers have claimed that PFTBA which does not occur naturally has thehighest radiative efficiency of any molecule detected in the atmosphere up to now. The study showed that PFTBA was 7,100 times more powerful at warming the Earth over a 100-

year time period than CO2. This gas remains in the atmosphere for about 500 years, and unlike

CO2 which is absorbed by forests and oceans, there are no known natural “sinks” on Earth to absorb it. Do we need to worry about PFTBA? Not at current levels. The current concentration of PFTBA in the atmosphere is very low as

compared to CO2 so it does not displace the focus of our concerns from the burning of fossil fuels such as oil and coal as the main drivers of climate change. However, higher concentration of the gas would contribute to a serious global warming. So we need to ponder over using such compounds in large quantity without first understanding their impact on climate change. Another Tiger Reserve to come up in Maharashtra December 2, 2013 No comments Maharashtra will have its fifth tiger reserve in Nagzira as the National Tiger Conservation Authority has given nod to the development of the conservation zone. The tiger reserve will be set up between Bhandara and Gondia districts. The Nagzira-Navegaon tiger reserve will be established to conserve tigers wandering outside the Tadoba reserve territory. The Nagzira sanctuary, which was of 150 square kilometer and the Navegaon National Park, was of 130 square kilometer, which has been increased to 700 square kilometer to form a new tiger reserve. Where are the other four tiger reserves in Maharashtra? The other four tiger reserves in Maharashtra are in:

 Melghat  Tadoba  Pench  Sahyadri About National Tiger Conservation Authority: The Centrally Sponsored Scheme “Project Tiger” was launched in April, 1973 with the objective “to ensure maintenance of a viable population of Tigers in India for scientific, economic, aesthetic, cultural and ecological values, and to preserve for all times, areas of biological importance as a national heritage for the benefit,education and enjoyment of the people.” The Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972 was amended keeping in view the needs of the Project Tiger for providing enabling provisions for constitution of the National Tiger Conservation Authority and the Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau. So, the National Tiger Conservation Authority was constituted from September 4, 2006 to strengthen tiger conservation. The functions are as follows:

 Ensuring normative standards in tiger reserve management  Preparation of reserve specific tiger conservation plan  Lay down annual/ audit report before Parliament  Instituting State level Steering Committees under the Chairmanship of Chief Minister and establishment of Tiger Conservation Foundation.  According approval for declaring new Tiger Reserves. The NTCA has constituted a multidisciplinary Tiger and Other Endangered Species Crime Control Bureau (Wildlife Crime Control Bureau) with effect from 6.6.2007. The WCCB comprises the officers from Police, Forest, Customs and other enforcement agencies to effectively control illegal trade in wildlife. Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) The announcement for creation of Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) was announced by the Finance Minister in Budget speech of 2008. A onetime grant of Rs. 50 Crore was provided to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) for raising, arming and deploying a Special Tiger Protection Force for 13 tiger reserves. The rest of the reserves were taken up later. Cyclone Lehar moving towards Andhra Pradesh November 28, 2013 No comments Andhra Pradesh is on high alert as very severe cyclone Lehar is gusting towards it. Currently, it is centered 650 km east-southeast on Machilipatttam in the State where it is likely to hit. It would be the second storm to hit Andhra in barely a week after the impact of cyclone Helen. The Army, the Navy and the Coast Guard have been alerted. Fishermen have been asked not to venture into the sea while those already in the sea have been asked to return. Himachal High court bans on food in plastic packs December 31, 2013 No comments The Himachal Pradesh High Court banned on the sale of potato chips, wafers and all junk food items packaged in plastic and non-biodegradable material from January 26, 2014. It directed the government to strictly enforce the ban on non-essential food items. The ban will not cover plastic drinking water bottles. The court vacated its stay on a notification issued by the Department of Science, Technology and Environment on June 26, 2013, to impose a ban on sale, storage, entry, supply and manufacture of these items in the state. As per the court order, the government has to ensure that  From March 31, milk and milk products, edible oils/fats, fruits, vegetables and meat products will be manufactured, transported, sold, packaged and distributed as per the Food Safety & Standards (Packaging & Labeling) Regulation, 2011.  No person is permitted to start or continue any food business without obtaining the required license.  Edible oils/fats are packed in tin containers and not plastic bottles or pouches.  The appointment of a Food Commissioner in four weeks.  All the municipal authorities in the state have to manage the plastic waste by undertaking Waste audit from beginning of the year. M. Veerappa Moily is the new Environment and Forests Minister December 28, 2013 No comments The current Minister for Petroleum and Natural Gas, Marpadi Veerappa Moily, has been assigned an additional charge of theEnvironment and Forests Ministry after the exit of Jayanthi Natarajan. Ministry of Environment & Forests ( MoEF) The MoEF is the chief agency in the administrative framework of the Central Government accountable for the planning, promotion, co-ordination and overseeing the implementation of India’s environmental and forestry policies and programmes. The main concerns of MoEF are implementation of policies and programmes pertaining to conservation of the country’s natural resources including its lakes and rivers, its biodiversity, forests and wildlife, ensuring the welfare of animals, and the prevention and abatement of pollution. Western Ghats: Nod for farming activities by Ministry of Environment & Forests December 22, 2013 No comments The Environment Ministry, following the ‘in principle’ acceptance of theKasturirangan panel report, issued a fresh order on easing norms on activities related to plantations and agriculture in Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA).  The Ministry elucidated that the recommendations made by the Kasturirangan panel, neither put any fresh restrictions on land use in the ESA nor do they in any way impact the continued occupation of land in possession of the local people and affect their day to day activities or normal livelihood.  The new order cleared that the boundary of the ESA and the regulatory regime — an emotive issue in some of the affected states — would be finalized after the draft notification for the same is placed in the public domain and comments on it from all stakeholders including state governments are received. What are the recommendations made by the Kasturirangan panel? The key suggestions made by the K. Kasturirangan panel:

 Promotion of Ecotourism; economically empower the local population, Incentives green growth in the Western Ghats, etc.  Ban on mining, quarrying, sand mining, thermal power plants, building and construction projects on areas that are 20,000 sq m or more, township and area development projects with an area of 50ha and above and red category of industries in ESA.  Defined 37% of the Western Ghats landscape as ecologically sensitive. NGT banned burning of plastic, rubber across the country December 17, 2013 No comments The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned “unregulated open burning” of plastic, rubber or such other articles across the country. NGT directed all the municipal authorities to ‘set up, operationalise and coordinate the waste management systems within their limits All the plastic waste/scrap dealers and/or recyclers including the members of the PVC and Plastic Waste Dealers Association, respondent herein, shall be bounded from carrying on their business of separatism of plastic waste and its eventual transfer to recyclers or disposal contrary to and without registration under the Plastic Waste (Management and Handling) Rules, 2011. The NGT’s judgment came on a plea alleging illegal burning of plastic, rubber and related waste in various villages in North and North West Delhi. About National Green Tribunal National Green Tribunal Act, 2010 (NGT) is a federal legislation enacted by the Parliament of India, under India’s constitutional provision of Article 21, which assures the citizens of India the right to a healthy environment. The tribunal itself is a special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues. Scientists spot rare Indian Pitta after 60 years January 11, 2014 No comments

Indian Pitta, a bird endemic to the Himalayan foothills and Western Ghats, was spotted at Aravalli Biodiversity Park near Vasant Kunj in Delhi recently. As per ornithologists, Indian Pitta, a small and colourful bird which is mainly seen in closed-canopy forests, was spotted in Delhi after 60 years. Why sighting of Indian Pitta is special for scientists? The sighting of Indian Pitta or ‘Navaratna’ was last reported by ornithologist Usha Ganguli in her book-A Guide to the Birds of Delhi. But for scientists, the spotting of the bird in national capital after 60 years is special because it was seen in the mining pits which they have converted in to moist forests. As an experiment, scientists planted evergreen species in these despoiled pits of Aravalis which was a wasteland earlier. The bird discovered the type of atmosphere it needs at this location. Moclic software – can predict weather January 6, 2014 No comments Researchers from the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) designed the software Monitoring Climate Change (Moclic) by which anyone is able to determine their community, state or country’s weather activity for the days and months ahead. Characteristics of Monitoring Climate Change (Moclic) software  It is possible to organize, store and operate geo-referenced data from climate elements.  Can calculate bio and agro-climatic indicators, such as humidity, aridity, rain erosion and rainfall concentration.  The new software feeds on data from weather stations of any state or country, with which what happens in a small ranch regarding temperature, can be known more accurately. Presently, the software we are using till date uses global information.  Allows an agronomist to obtain annual rainfall records and relate them to the crops production figures for explanation of a possible event. The software is very simple and can be used by decision making characters, as governors, breeders, physicians, farmers, students or anyone whose repercussions could have economic politic or social effects. Study: Mangroves in Florida expanding poleward January 3, 2014 No comments According to a study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences (PNAS) journal, Mangrove trees, which are highly sensitive to cold, have expanded extremely on the pole ward side or on the Atlantic coast of Florida as the frequency of frosts has diminished. Mangroves are restricted to the tropical areas as they cannot tolerate the extreme cold events that are so very typical of the temperate zone. Thus, the massive expansion of mangroves in the temperate zone of Florida during the last three decades is a proof of climate change’s role.

 Over 28 years, the Florida coast, from Miami northwards, gained more than 3,000 acres of Mangroves.  The reason for this strange expansion/reduction in mangrove coverage boils down to extreme cold events — days colder than -4o C. The -4oC is the physiological temperature limit of mangrove survival. Usefulness of Mangrove trees  They form a biomass of trees that tolerate salt in tidal areas near freshwater estuaries on tropical coastlines.  Support great biological diversity, including numerous species of crustaceans, fish, birds and molluscs.  Both salt marshes and mangroves help contain flooding, store atmospheric carbon and contribute to the expansion of the land mass. Note: At present, Mangrove forests face deforestation from carbon production, aquaculture and urbanization, and are threatened by drainage from sewers, while salt marshes are threatened by waste-water pollution and rising sea levels. PETA’s Person of the Year: Dr Shashi Tharoor January 3, 2014 No comments

The Union Minister of State for Human Resource Development, Dr. Shashi Tharoor named as the Person of the Year by the animal rights body PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) – India for taking steps to advance animal protection. Mr. Tharoor recommended the National Council for Teacher Education (NCERT) to ban the use of animals, viz. for dissection, etc, in training teachers. By his initiative, in 2012, the Ministry of Environment and Forests issued a directive instructing all the institutes or establishments associated with teaching of medical, pharmacy and other courses in life sciences to follow UGC guidelines for discontinuation of dissection and animal experimentation in universities and colleges and introduce use of alternatives to animal experimentation. About People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) - India  Based in Mumbai, launched in January 2000.  Operates under the simple principle that animals are not ours to eat, wear, experiment on or use for entertainment.  Focuses primarily on the areas in which the greatest numbers of animals suffer the most: in the food and leather industries, laboratories and the entertainment industry.  Responsible for the ending of animal experiments by the West BengalBoard of Secondary Education in 2008. CCEA approved Capacity Building Scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for climate change January 24, 2014 No comments The Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) approved Capacity Building Scheme and Rajiv Gandhi Institute for climate change. Both the schemes will work for the state and centre to analyse the climate change and their impacts which can hamper the life of citizen. The whole project is cost Rs.290 crore. a) The Rajiv Gandhi Institute for Climate Change Studies and Action will be an autonomous body which will have four key functional areas. The areas are related to  Environmental-scientific assessments and modelling.  Economic and legal analysis.  Monitoring and policy making.  Training, capacity building and advocacy and database, documentation and inventory management. Soon, the Committee of Secretaries (CoS) will take a call on the structure of institute and the time period for its completion. The CoS would consists of secretaries in the ministries of environment and forest, finance, renewable energy,agriculture, water resources and earth science. b) The Capacity Building Scheme is designed to undertake and augment various activities including Coordination of National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) and State Action Plan on Climate Change. Note: The NAPCC consistes of 8 government-backed missions, was launched by the Centre in 2008. It includes government’s priority area to work in the field of solar energy, enhanced energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, conserving water, sustaining the Himalayan ecosystem, a “Green India” mission, sustainable agriculture and strategic knowledge platform for Climate Change. POSCO’s steel plant gets environmental clearance January 13, 2014 No comments India’s Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) has given environmental clearance to South Korean steel manufacturer POSCO for its Rs 52,000 crore steel plant in Odisha. The company who made the largest FDI investment in India has got the clearance after a long wait of eight years to begin with the project. POSCO intends to build the steel plant with an annual production capacity of 12 million tons. The approval has been granted a week ahead ofSouth Korean President Park Geun Hye’s visit to India. The company has been directed by the government to spend 5% of the total investment on “enterprise social commitments”, but, at present it is not clear what that would entail. As per MoEF, POSCO’s project comprised of two aspects – a steel plant and a port project. MoEF has delinked the two and granted approval for the steel plant. Environment clearance for the port is pending. The POSCO-India story: POSCO (formerly Pohang Iron and Steel Company), a multinational steel-making company headquartered in Pohang, South Korea. POSCO-India Private Limited is a planned Indian subsidiary of POSCO, an integrated steel producer with headquarters in Korea.  June 2005: South Korea’s Pohang Steel Co signs memorandum withOrissa Govt to set up Rs 51,000cr steel project, the biggest FDI in India.  Aug 2008: SC upholds “in-principle” clearance for use of forest land but directs environment ministry to probe alleged violations  Jan 2010: Ministry says clearance for diversion of forest land subject to implementation of Forest Rights Act  Aug 2010: Ministry of Environment and Forestry halts project, probes alleged violation of forest rights  Jan 31, 2011: Ministry of Environment and Forestry completes its probe of forest rights compliance, clears steel & power plants and captive port  Jun 14, 2011: Orissa government paused land acquisition at the proposed steel plant of POSCO in Dhinkia grampanchayat.  September 8, 2011: Orissa High Court rules that land acquisition is in public interest, allows non-private land acquisition by state government for POSCO India to proceed, orders a continued pause on the acquisition of private land till further ruling.  March 2012: In his Official visit to Seoul, South-Korea, Prime Minister Manmohan Singh assures South Korean President Lee Myung-bak in Seoul that the POSCO project will be implemented and there was progress on it.  Later March 2012: The National Green Tribunal suspended the environment clearance granted to POSCO’s proposed mega steel project in Orissa.  January 2014: MoEF gives clearance to the steel project part of POSCO’s project. Supreme Court directs Centre to set up National Regulator for granting all Green Clearances January 11, 2014 No comments The Supreme Court has directed the Centre to establish a national regulator for environmental clearances. The apex regulator will supervise grant of clearances and implementation of forest policy and environmental laws. The apex court has given the Centre time till March 31 to appoint the regulator and set up offices in “as many States” as possible under Section 3(3) of the Environment (Protection) Act 1986. Why does the Supreme Court want a national regulator for green clearances? It has come to the notice of the apex court that the current mechanism under the Environment Impact Assessment Notification dated September 14, 2006, issued by the Government with regard to processing, appraisals, and approval of the projects for environmental clearance is deficient in many respects. It, therefore, felt the need for a regulator at the national level with its offices in all the States which can conduct an independent, objective and transparent appraisal and approval of the projects for environmental clearances which can also monitor the implementation of the conditions laid down in the environmental clearances. How may this decision affect Centre’s power? The granting of environmental clearances has so far remained a suspect due to absolute Government control over Forest Advisory Committees, entrusted under the Act to oversee adherence to environmental norms. The latest decision will not only deprive the Centre of its arbitrary power to take decisions on projects, but would also ensure that those found guilty of violations are awarded sizeable penalties under the “polluter pays” principle. What is the reaction of MoEF over this decision? The MoEF has strongly objected to this direction as it believes that it would not be feasible for a single authority with limited number of experts to look into the diverse and inter-linked nature of issues involved in the grant of environment clearances to various categories of projects. It further says that the volume of work being dealt by six expert advisory panels could not be done by single regulator, instead, it may result in financial pressure on the government exchequer which otherwise could be utilized to strengthen the existing regulatory mechanism. Global Warming: Gangotri glacier is shrinking January 11, 2014 No comments As per report titled, ‘Estimation of retreat rate of Gangotri glacier’, the Gangotri glacier is receding like other glaciers in the Himalayas and its volume and size is shrinking between Gaumukh and Bhojbasa. The appraisal of retreat measured by using rapid static and kinematics GPS survey. The study is conducted by scientists from G.B. Pant Institute of Himalayan Environment and Development in Almora. Excerpts of the report – ‘Estimation of retreat rate of Gangotri glacier’  The retreat in the past decade was higher than it is in this decade. Still, there is some disintegration in the upper regions of the glacier which shows that some tectonic activities are going on in the region. This might be alarming but it is under study.  From year 2000 onwards, the average rate of retreat of the glacier per year has about 12 to 13 m..  Global warming is also the one of the factor for glacial retreat.  Recessional moraines and broad glacial terrace- like features provide sufficient evidence of the shrinking of the glacier in the recent past between Gaumukh and Bhojbasa.  The River Bhagirathi originates from the glacier retreated more than 1,500m in the last 70 years. About Gangotri Glacier  Location: Uttarkashi District, Uttarakhand  The glacier is one of the largest in the Himalayas with an estimated volume of over 27 cubic kilometers.  The glaciers originate at about 7100 m above the sea level and are 30.2 km long and width that varies between 0.5 and 2.5 km.  The River Bhagirathi is one of the main tributaries of the Ganga, originates from Gangotri glacier. Dr. Marco Lambertini: New Director-General of WWF International February 15, 2014 No comments Dr. Marco Lambertini appointed as the Director General of World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) International. He will begin his new role with the global conservation organization on May 1, 2014. Dr. Marco Lambertini  At present, he is the chief executive of Bird Life International.  Holds an experience of 25 years as a global conservation leader.  Began his association with WWF as a youth volunteer growing up in his native Italy. About World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)  An international non-governmental organization working on issues regarding the conservation, research and restoration of the environment.  Founded: April 29, 1961.  Headquarters: Gland, Vaud, Switzerland.  Mission: To stop the degradation of the planet’s natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature.  Focus: On the conservation of three biomes that contain most of the world’s biodiversity: oceans and coasts, forests, and freshwater ecosystems.  Also concerned with endangered species, pollution and climate change. National Green Tribunal (NGT) bans on burning tyres in Public Places February 12, 2014 No comments The National Green Tribunal (NGT) banned the burning of tyres at public places viz. roads, areas surrounded by residential buildings and also during protests by political and religious groups, as this leads to health hazards. As per the Western Zone Bench of NGT-Pune ruling: The local police shall take prompt check on burning of tyres and any negligence in the instructions given by NGT-Pune may entail penal aftermaths as specified in section 26 of the National Green tribunal Act, 2010. Any violation of the order may result in a penalty of up to Rs 10 crore, extendible to up to Rs 25 crores and/or imprisonment of 3 years. The decision came on a petition filed by the Sahyog Trust and other advocates against the Maharashtra Pollution Control Board (MPCB) and the state of Maharashtra. Why burning of tyres is harmful for environment? Burning tyres emit toxic soup of pollutants that contains harmful gases and chemicals viz. carbon dioxide, carbon monoxide, chromium, arsenic, zinc, barium, cobalt, copper, iron, aluminum, manganese and vanadium, etc. which are hazardous to the human beings as well as to the environment. Minuscule particles released during the burning can settle deep in the lungs. Tyres contain 25 % extender oils derived from benzene, 25% styrene, a derivative of benzene, and 25% 1,3 butadiene. – both benzene and 1,3 butadiene are suspected human carcinogens. (A carcinogen is any substance, radionuclide or radiation, that is an agent directly involved in causing cancer). About National Green Tribunal  A special fast-track court to handle the expeditious disposal of the cases pertaining to environmental issues.  Established on October, 2010 under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010.  Objective: 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 therewith or incidental thereto.  Shall not be bound by the procedure laid down under the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, but shall be guided by principles of natural justice.  New Delhi is the Principal Place of Sitting of the Tribunal and Bhopal, Pune, Kolkata and Chennai shall be the other four place of sitting of the Tribunal. Note: The National Green Tribunal ruling can only be challenged in the Supreme Court.

Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) February 5, 2014 No comments The Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction (SAVE) programme declared that it has plans to release up to 25 birds into a 30,000-sq-km drug-free “safe zone”. A project hopes to start releasing captive-bred birds into the wild by 2016, after experiencing the devastation wrought by a drug on Asian vulture populations. In order to ensure that the species affected do not disappear completely from the wild, SAVE identified a number of priorities viz.

 To establish a number of vast “safe zones” for the captive-bred birds to be released within. The areas have a radius of 100km and the consortium has identified six such areas – some of which cross national borders into Nepal, Pakistan and Bangladesh.  Establishment of a captive-breeding programme that would provide the birds to be released back into the wider environment, once it was safe to do so. Why Asian vulture population is declining?  Diclofenac, a painkilling drug administered to cattle, is the main cause of mass extinction of vultures.  Vultures, which have a digestive system robust enough to even digestdisease-causing pathogens found in rotting meat of dead, do not have a critical enzyme that breaks down diclofenac and die of renal failure after eating carcasses of cattle administered the drug.  Vultures feeding on cattle either die from acute kidney failure within a few days or lose their ability to reproduce. In 2006, India banned the use of veterinary drug “Diclofenac”, which is toxic to any vulture that feeds on the carcass of recently treated cattle, but SAVE in its study, stated that the drug continues to be sold and used illegally today. International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has put vultures on its list of ‘critically endangered’ species. The most common species of vultures in South Asia:  Long-billed vulture (Gyps indicus), also known as the Indian vulture.  White-backed vulture (Gyps africanus).  Slender-billed vulture (Gyps tenuirostris).  Red-headed vulture (Sarcogyps calvushave).  Egyptian vulture (Neophron percnopterus). About SAVE (Saving Asia’s Vultures from Extinction)  The consortium of like-minded, regional and international organizations, created to oversee and co-ordinate conservation, campaigning and fundraising activities to help the plight of south Asia’s vultures.  Objective: To save three critically important species from extinction through a single programme. SAVE partners:Bombay Natural History Society, Bird Conservation Nepal, RSPB (UK), National Trust for Nature Conservation (Nepal), International Centre for Birds of Prey (UK) and Zoological Society of London. India ranked 155th on Yale’s Environmental Performance Index (EPI) January 30, 2014 No comments India ranked 155th out of 178 countries with an index score of 31.23 points, in its efforts to address environmental challenges, in the 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI) issued by Yale University. Regardless of an improvement in overall performance, India ranks behind China (118), Pakistan(148) and Nepal (139). Among the BRICS nations, South Africa was placed at 72nd position, followed by Russia (73), Brazil (77) and China (118). About 2014 Environmental Performance Index (EPI)  Prepared by America’s Yale and Columbia universities in collaboration with the World Economic Forum (WEF) as well as with support from the Samuel Family Foundation and the McCall MacBain Foundation.  Released at the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Davos.  Objectives that provide the overarching structure of the 2014 EPI:Environmental Health and Ecosystem Vitality.  The 178 nations in the index represent 99% of the global population, 98% of the world’s total land area and 97% of the global GDP.  Ranking based on High -priority environmental indicators: health impacts, air quality, water and sanitation, water resources, agriculture, forests, fisheries, bio-diversity and habitat, climate and energy.  The overall list is topped by Switzerland followed by Luxembourg,Australia, Singapore and Czech Republic.  The least five performers: Somalia, Mali, Haiti, Lesotho,Afghanistan – all are grappling with civil unrest, significant economic development pressures, and political turmoil. The EPI ranks how well countries perform on high-priority environmental issues in two broad policy areas: Protection of human health from environmental harm and protection of ecosystems. Indian-origin men win Heinz Awards in US March 1, 2014 No comments Indian-origin men, Professor Abraham Verghese and Mr. Sanjeev Arora are among the five recipients who won the 19th Heinz awards 2013 and will be honored in Pittsburgh on April 3, 2014. Each winner will receive a cash award of $250,000 each as well as a medallion inscribed with an image of late US senator John Heinz. 19th Heinz Awards – 2013: Category and its’ recipients  Arts and humanities – Professor Abraham Verghese, a doctor and author based at Stanford University Medical School, USA was given the award in recognition of his best-selling authorship. In his first book, ‘My Own Country’, he wrote extensively about AIDS in rural areas of Tennesse. He belongs to Kerala.  Public policy – Dr. Sanjeev Arora, professor of medicine at the University of New Mexico in Albuquerque, was recognized for revolutionizing community healthcare using video conferencing technology. He belongs to Kota, Rajasthan.  Environment – Professor Jonathan Foley, director of the Institute on the Environment at the University of Minnesota where he has conducted research on the global environment and how to improve the efficiency of food production.  Human condition – Mr. Salman Khan, founder of online KhanAcademy in Mountain View, Calif., an educational nonprofit that offers free tutorials and exercises to students around the world.  Technology, the economy and employment – Leila Janah (an entrepreneur based in San Francisco, USA) was honored for founding the nonprofits Samasource and SamaUSA that uses an Internet to train and employ people in impoverished communities around the world. About Heinz Awards  Established in 1993 by Ms. Teresa Heinz, the chairwoman of the Heinz Family Foundation in honor of her late husband, Senator H. John Heinz III, the Pennsylvania Republican.  Headquarters:Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (separate from theinternational food company).  Annually awarded by the Heinz Family Foundation.  The Heinz Awards celebrates the accomplishments and spirit of the Senator by recognizing the extraordinary achievements of individuals in the areas of greatest importance to Senator John Heinz, who died in a midair aircraft collision in 1991.  Awards recognize outstanding individuals for their contributions in five areas: Arts and Humanities, Environment, Human Condition, Public Policy, and Technology, the Economy and Employment.

“Indira Paryavaran Bhawan” inaugurated by Dr. Manmohan Singh February 27, 2014 No comments Prime Minister Dr. Manmohan Singh inaugurated Indira Paryavaran Bhawan in New Delhi, which will house the Ministry of Environment and Forests and has a provision to accommodate its 600 officials. About Indira Paryavaran Bhawan Project of Ministry of Environment and Forests A Project for Construction of New office Building at Aliganj, Jor Bagh Road, New Delhi. India’s first on site Net Zero green building built by the adoption of Solar Passive design and energy efficient building material. The building is targeted to achieve LEED India Platinum Rating and GRIHA 5 star rating. Cost: Rs. 209 crore, include the cost of land, solar photo voltaic power generation and its evacuation system, three level mechanized basement parking system, air-conditioning system supported by geo-thermal cooling, IT services, audio and video system in auditoriums and committee rooms, furniture, provision for horticulture and other services including reuse of water by recycling the waste water and also to make the building friendly to physically challenged. Requirements of GRIHA 5-Star and LEEDS Platinum ratings  Effective Ventilation has been achieved by orientating the building in an East-West direction, separating different blocks with connecting corridors and having a large central court yard.  The design is such that 75% of natural daylight is utilized to reduce energy consumption.  The entire building has an access friendly design for differently-abled persons.  With an Installed capacity of 930 KW peak power, the building has the largest roof top Solar system among Multi storied buildings in India.  Total energy savings of about 40% has been achieved by adoption of energy Efficient Chilled Beam system of Air Conditioning. This is an innovative air conditioning system, where air conditioning is done by convection currents rather than air flow through diffusers and chilled water is circulated right up to the diffuser points unlike the conventional systems.  Green materials have been used like Fly ash bricks, regional building materials, materials with high recycled content, high reflectance terrace tiles and rock wool Insulation of outer walls.  Rapidly renewable Bamboo Jute Composite material has been used for door frames & shutters.  UPVC windows with hermetically sealed double glass, Calcium Silicate ceiling tiles having high recycled content and grass paver blocks in pavements and roads.  Reduction in water consumption has been achieved by use of Low discharge water fixtures, recycling of waste water through Sewage Treatment Plant, use of plants with Low water demand in landscaping, use of Geothermal cooling for HVAC system, rain water harvesting and use of curing compounds during construction. Study: Fertilization destabilizes Global Grassland Ecosystems February 23, 2014 No comments As per study led by University of Minnesota researchers, the fertilization of natural grasslands, either intentionally or unintentionally as a side effect of global farming and industry, is having a destabilizing effect on global grassland ecosystems. About the study on “Fertilization destabilizes Global Grassland Ecosystems”  First international experiment by using a network of natural grassland research sites around the world known as Nutrient Network (or NutNet).  Assessed the effect of fertilizer on 41 sites across 5 continents.  The experimental network included eco-systems from alpine areas ofChina to Serengeti in Tanzania.  Outcome: Found that plant diversity in natural ecosystems creates more stable ecosystems over time because of less synchronized growth of plants.  Also found that grassland diversity and stability reduces when fertilizers added.  In other words, the balance output of the ecological safety net on addition of fertilizer was upset across diverse grassland as the various organisms in those disappeared.  NutNet is a “grassroots campaign” that is supported by scientists who volunteer their time and resources.  Published in the international journal Nature. Vizag Zoo: Soon, India’s first breeding centre for wild dogs (Dhole) February 21, 2014 No comments

The Indira Gandhi Zoological Park (IGZP) or Vizag Zoo will be the first zoo in India to have a conservation breeding centre for the endangered wild dog or ‘Dhole.’ The Central Zoo Authority selected IGZP to have a breeding centre for Dholes. Project: will be completed in two to three months. Cost: Rs. 50 lakh. In India, the Dholes are protected under Schedule 2 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. (As per the schedule 2 of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972, permission is required to kill any individual unless in self-defense or if an individual is a man killer. About Dhole Also called the Asiatic wild dog or Indian wild dog. Scientific Name: Cuon alpinus. Order: Carnivora. Highly social and cooperative animal lives in large clans which occasionally split up into small packs to hunt. Highest number of wild dogs in captivity in India: 22. Classified as an endangered species by the IUCN: Due to ongoing habitat loss, depletion of its prey base, competition from other predators, persecution and possibly diseases from domestic and feral dogs.

IUCN Red List of Threatened Species: 15 bird species from India are in critically endangered list March 14, 2014 No comments The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Birds 2013 marked 15 species of birds from India as critically endangered (CR).  Critically Endangered (CR): The highest risk category of the IUCN Red List of threatened species, comprising those that are facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. Bird species falling under the Critically Endangered category in India:-  Migratory wetland species: Baer’s Pochard, Siberian Crane and Spoon-billed Sandpiper.  Non-migratory wetland species: White-bellied Heron.  Grassland species:Bengal Florican, Great Indian Bustard, Jerdon’s Courser and Sociable Lapwing.  Forest species:Forest Owlet.  Scavengers: Indian Vulture, Red-headed Vulture, White-backed Vulture and Slender- billed Vulture.  Himalayan Quail and Pink-headed Duck are now considered Extinct for all practical purposes. Uplisted (facing greater danger) species in 2013 IUCN list from  Least Concern to Near Threatened: River Lapwing and River Tern.  Least Concern to Vulnerable: Long-tailed Duck.  Cause: Decline of these species due to destruction of wetlands and riverine habitats. Major reasons of decline of bird species in India  Drastic modification, fragmentation, degradation and loss of habitat, environmental pollution (both industrial and due to increased pesticide usage), poaching and land use changes, etc.  Changes in cropping pattern due to various reasons, including implementation of irrigation schemes, increased pesticide usage, livestock-grazing, high levels of disturbance and developmental activities viz. mining and hydel projects resulted in marginal fall in their population.  Drastic loss of grassland habitat over the past decades has severely threatened species viz. Great Indian Bustard, Bengal Florican and Jerdon’s Courser.  Destruction of deciduous forests in central India has lead to the decline in Forest Owlet numbers.  Destruction of forests in the fragile Western Ghats and Himalaya continue to endanger the existence of many other species.  Use of chemical components as in the case of diclofenac’s effect of vulture species. About IUCN Red List of Threatened Species  Headquarters:United Kingdom.  Founded: 1964.  Parent organization: International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)  World’s most comprehensive inventory of the global conservation status of biological species.  Objective: To have the category of every species re-evaluated every five years if possible or at least every ten years.  Powerful tool to inform and catalyze action for biodiversity conservation and policy change, critical to protecting the natural resources we need to survive.  Provides information on population size and trends, geographic range and habitat needs of species.  Evaluates species in 9 categories through a criteria viz. rate of decline, population size, area of geographic distribution, and degree of population, distribution fragmentation, etc. Categories: Extinct (EX), Extinct in the Wild (EW), Critically Endangered (CR), Endangered (EN), Vulnerable (VU), Near Threatened (NT), Least Concern (LC), Data Deficient (DD) and Not Evaluated (NE). Mysterious four new man-made Ozone-Killing gases discovered March 13, 2014 No comments The scientists from the University of East Anglia, UK discovered traces of four new man- made gases in the atmosphere that are capable of destroying the ozone layer and intensifying global warming. Scientists stated that the new gases are manmade because they were not seen in the atmosphere until the 1960s. About four new man-made Ozone-Killing gases  Three of the gases are Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) and one is a Hydro- Chlorofluorocarbon (HCFC), which can also damage ozone.  The four new gases have been identified as CFC-112, CFC112a, CFC-113a, HCFC- 133a.  CFC-113a: An agrochemical intermediate for the manufacture of pyrethroids. (a type of insecticide once widely used in agriculture).  CFC-113a and HCFC-133a: Intermediaries in the production of widely used refrigerants.  CFC-112 and 112a may have been used in the production of solvents and used to clean electrical components.  Of the four species identified, CFC-113 seems to be most worrying, as it is an insecticide coming from a very small but growing emissions source somewhere as yet unidentified.  CFC and HCFC gases have been found to damage the ozone layer, which is essential to filter ultraviolet rays that can cause cancer in humans.  As per estimate, about 74,000 tonnes of these gases have been released into the atmosphere. The study was published in the journal Nature Geoscience.

Note: The ozone layer protect the planet from damaging ultraviolet rays that can cause skin cancer and eye cataracts. Mr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt: Eminent Gandhian and environmentalist selected for Gandhi Peace Prize 2013 March 5, 2014 No comments The noted Gandhian and environmentalist, Mr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt selected for the Gandhi Peace Prize for 2013.

About Mr. Chandi Prasad Bhatt

Born:1934. Indian Gandhian environmentalist and social activist. Founder of the Dasholi Gram Swarajya Sangh in Gopeshwar, which later became the mother organization to the Chipko Movement. Known for his work on subaltern social ecology, and considered one of India’s first modern environmentalist One of the pioneers of the Chipko movement for which he was awarded the Raman Magsaysay Award in 1982. Awards: Padma Bhushan, Padma Shri, Green legend-Greenies Eco Award-2010, Raman Magsaysay Award, etc. Note: Gandhi Peace Prize is an award that is bestowed to individuals and organizations for their contributions towards social, economic and political transformation through peace and other Gandhian methods. India’s Largest Solar Power Plant launched in Madhya Pradesh March 3, 2014 No comments Welspun Solar MP project, the largest Solar Power Plant of India launched atBhagwanpur in Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh. About Welspun Solar MP project  The 151-megawatt photovoltaic plant.  World’s 2nd largest & Asia’s Largest solar project (Single Plant).  Constructed by: Welspun Energy Ltd (WEL).  Location: Neemuch, Madhya Pradesh.  Inaugurated by Gujarat Chief Minister Narendra Modi.  Set up at a cost of Rs. 1100 crore on 305 hectares of land.  Supply power at Rs. 8.05 a kWh.  This Project will raise Indian solar capacity by 7%. About Welspun Energy Ltd (WEL)  Biggest developer of solar photovoltaic projects of India.  Headquarters:New Delhi.  Objective: To develop 1,000 MW of wind power projects by 2014. The energy arm of Welspun Group is an independent power producer with plans to build grid connected 750MW of solar power & 1 GW of wind power plants across India. “Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020”-Launched by WHO-India to protect Vulnerable Rhinos March 28, 2014 No comments WHO-India launched Indian Rhino Vision (IRV) 2020 programme to protect and increase the population of the one-horned rhinoceros (Rhinoceros unicornis). IVR 2020 is a partnership among the Government of Assam, the InternationalRhino Foundation, the World Wide Fund for Nature, the Bodoland Territorial Council, and the U.S. Fish & World Wildlife foundation. Purpose: To attain a population of 3,000 wild one-horned rhinos in seven of Assam’s protected areas by the year 2020. Procedure to protect & increase the population of Rhinos  The horns of rhinos will be trimmed before their translocation to Laokhowa- Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Nagaon district of the state.  The trimming will be done in a way that any damage is not done to their internal organs and the trimmed horns will grow back to their original shape within four to five months.  This action of trimming will also protect them from the poachers, who hunt them just to take away their horns. Note: Rhinos are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red list of Threatened Species. To achieve the targeted number, the programme needs an increase by 600 over the existing population available in the state in next 8 years. It means an annual increase of about 3 %. Environmentalist Ms. Almitra Patel March 24, 2014 No comments Environmentalist Ms. Almitra Patel is the member of Supreme Court Committeefor Solid Waste Management of India. She has a very strong technical background and experience in several engineering fields, good para-medical knowledge and on a wide variety of pollution-related issues. About Ms. Patel’s work in the field of environment & solid waste management practices  Honorary Tree Warden for Karnataka.  Founder Member of Swabhimana.  Fought a successful battle against poor solid waste managementand filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) to force the Union Government to put in place effective solid waste management rules in the country.  Designed and supervised construction of 41 low-cost homes, 22 poultry sheds and 2 large school buildings.  Designed and built a gender-friendly low-cost toilet to prevent blockage of sewers.  Convener, INTACH Waste Network.  Honorary Advisor / supporter / mentor of numerous students, entrepreneurs, individuals and NGOs in the fields of Environment, Solid Waste Management and Waste Water Management.  Award(s): Economic Times’ Achiever of the Year for Environment in Karnataka, Golden Jubilee Award for Environment from Bangalore City Corp’n, Kempegowda Award- winner for Environment, etc.  Publications: Vacuum Concrete, Track Down Your Induction Furnace Lining Problems, Strategies for Slum – Free cities : A Discussion Paper, etc. Note: Municipal Solid Wastes (Management and Handling) Rules 2000apply to every municipal authority that would be responsible for the collection, segregation, processing, transportation and disposal of solid waste. U.S. – India Energy Dialogue 2014 to advance clean energy access: Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE) March 23, 2014 No comments India and the USA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to create a joint implementation committee to regularly monitor and boost the PEACE (Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy) initiative in New Delhi. This new initiative PEACE was launched in 2013 under the India-US Energy Dialogue. Objective: To harness commercial enterprise to bring clean energy access to un-served and underserved Indian villages, capture lessons learned, and develop best practices. Reliable and cost-effective off-grid clean energy solutions can significantly improve the quality of life and economic conditions in rural households and communities. Focus Areas of Promoting Energy Access through Clean Energy (PEACE)  Sharing best practices and institutional and other approaches.  Finance.  Technology innovation, standards, testing, and certification.  Skill development and information sharing. Under the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue 2014, both the Governments finalized an initial plan of activities viz.  To create a new “PACEsetter fund” to support the development of early-stage, innovative clean energy solutions for un-served and underserved populations in India.  To cooperate on a study to recommend the design of a smart micro-grid pilot to test and validate a business model for scaling up smart micro-grids commercially.  Will work with stakeholders to develop a quality assurance framework, including control standards and performance benchmarks, that can serve consumers better in terms of safety, reliability, performance and cost comparison, and facilitate the delivery of high quality products to the market.  Off-Grid Alliance: To establish an alliance of businesses, not-for-profit organizations, and government to strengthen India’s off-grid ecosystem, bring existing efforts to scale, and attract new businesses and commercial enterprises. Note: The implementation of PEACE will be under the New Technology and Renewable Energy (NTRE) Working Group of the U.S.-India Energy Dialogue. “Great Eared Nightjar” spotted first time in Kollam’s Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary March 21, 2014 No comments

As per the annual bird survey at theShendurney Wildlife Sanctuary, a brood of the highly elusive nocturnal forest bird, the Great Eared Nightjar was spotted first time in Kollam, Kerala. Earlier, it was recorded from the Siruvani foothills in Tamil Nadu in May 1995. (The Great Eared Nightjar (Eurostopodus macrotis bourdilloni) belongs to the nightjar family. It gets its name from the two erect earlike tufts of feathers on its head, behind the eyes). About the Kollam’s Bird survey at Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary  Led by the team of the nature lovers’ forum Warblers and Waders.  For the survey, the sanctuary was divided into six sub-divisions viz. Kattilappara, Kallar-Rockwood, Umayar, Rosemala, Dharbhakulam, and Pandimotta.  194 bird species were recorded.  Objective: To update the checklist of birds in the sanctuary and study their status, abundance, and distribution in different habitats.  Noteworthy bird species recorded viz. Painted Bush Quail, Sri Lankan Frogmouth, White-Bellied Black Woodpecker, Great Indian Pied Hornbill, Black Baza, Blue-Bearded Bee- eater, Red-Winged Crested Cuckoo, Great-eared Nightjar, Lesser Fishing Eagle, Mountain Hawk Eagle, Booted Warbler, Blue Rock Thrush, Malay Bittern, Brown Fish Owl, Black-capped Kingfisher, Thick-billed Warbler, Speckled Piculet, Wayanad Laughing Thrush, and the Nilgiri Wood Pigeon.  Highest bird presence of 124 species was recorded at Kattillappara and the lowest of 51 at Dharbhakulam.  Important birds recorded during previous surveys but absent this time were the Osprey, Lesser Coucal, Long-tailed Nightjar, Grey Heron, and the Hair Crested Drongo. Note: The Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary ( established in 1984 and located in Kollam District, Kerala) is rich in biodiversity and the Warblers and Waders has been conducting bird surveys there in association with the Kerala Forest Department since 1995. It is a protected area in the Western Ghats, India and comes under the control of Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. ‘Net Metering’: An innovation to slash electricity bills May 3, 2014 No comments Over two years of its launch in Andhra Pradesh, ‘Net Metering’ system may soon be taken up by other states of India. What is ‘Net Metering’? Net Metering is an eco-friendly idea that encourages the power consumers to adopt the generation of solar power to manage their demand and supply of electricity. In this process, the consumers not only generate power for their own needs but also get paid for the excess power generated by their solarPhotovoltaic systems (PV systems). The excess electricity is send to the central grid which pays for the energy thus generated. How ‘Net Metering’ works? The electricity generated by the PV systems serves the immediate energy needs of your home and slashes your monthly electricity bill. Any extra power your home needs—day or night—is automatically supplied by PG&E. The excess electricity generated by your system, but your home does not use, is exported back to the electric grid.

Why is it called ‘Net Metering’? Net Metering system is a billing mechanism that credits solar energy system owners for the electricity they contribute to the grid. For example, if a residential customer owns a PV system, it may generate more electricity than the home uses during daylight hours. If the home is net- metered, the electricity meter will run backwards to provide a credit against what electricity is consumed at night or other periods where the home’s electricity use exceeds the system’s output. Customers are only billed for their “net” energy use. Generally, only 20-40% of a solar energy system’s output ever goes into the grid. What are the benefits of Net Metering? 1. Eco-friendly as it doesn’t generate harmful emissions 2. Reduces dependence on conventional energy sources 3. Provides electricity to power deficient homes 4. Encourages generation of solar energy by power consumers through incentives like negative bills and credits to surplus producers.

“SOLAR-JET”: An EU project makes “solar” kerosene from sunlight May 2, 2014 No comments A research project named “SOLAR-JET” funded by the European Union (EU)has produced the world’s first “solar” jet fuel from water and carbon dioxide (CO2). Scientists have for the first time successfully showed the entire production chain for renewable kerosene, using concentrated light as a high-temperature energy source. The project is still in nascent stage, with a glassful of jet fuel produced in laboratory conditions, using simulated sunlight. However, researchers hope that in future any liquid hydrocarbon fuels could be produced from sunlight, CO2 and water. How did the researchers produce jet fuel from sunlight? In the SOLAR-JET experiment, researchers used concentrated light – simulated sunlight – to convert carbon dioxide and water to Synthesis Gas (Syngas) in a high-temperature solar reactor containing metal-oxide based materials developed at ETH Zürich. The Syngas (a mixture of hydrogen and carbon monoxide)was then converted into kerosene by Shell using the established “Fischer-Tropsch” process. What is the significance of SOLAR-JET Experiment? This experiment aims to develop a technology through which we might one day produce cleaner and plentiful fuel for planes, cars and other forms of transport. This could significantly enhance energy security and turn one of the main greenhouse gases responsible for global warming into a useful resource. Polo, India’s only gorilla, breaths his last May 2, 2014 No comments

Polo (43), India’s only gorilla, listed as one of the world’ s critically endangered species, passed away at the Mysore Zoo (Sri Chamarajendra Zoological Gardens), Karnataka. The male Western Lowland Gorilla, which was gifted to Mysore zoo by Dublin zoo about 19 years ago, had been ill since over a month. Climate change may lead India to war: UN report April 6, 2014 No comments UN’s Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC), in its report evaluating affects of climate change on human health, settlements and natural resources issued a warning that if no actions are taken to limit the ill-effects of global warming, Asia may face pressure on water resources and food-grain production in the future, thereby mounting the risk of armed conflict amongst India, Pakistan,Bangladesh and China. Albeit the report doesn’t have any country-specific forecastings, the region-wise findings in the report have thrown many eye-opening conclusions for India. As per the Report, if steps are not taken to control the rise in temperature:

 India might lose up to 1.7% of its GDP if the yearly mean temperature rises by 1 degree Celsius compared to pre-industrialization level.  India might face extreme weather events, viz. flash floods inUttarakhand and cyclone Phailin in Odisha.  ‘Beach tourism’ in India, could be affected.  Increase in risk of armed conflict around the world as it aggravates poverty. Key indications/ findings from the report:  In most parts of the world, coming times experience more extreme weather events viz. floods, cyclones, cloud bursts, unseasonal excessive rains and drought, etc.  Amongst the most affected nations in Asia would be: Bangladesh, China, India, Maldives, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.  Climate change will be an influential factor in designing of national security policies.  By middle of the 21st century, stern pressure on fresh water resources in South Asia and China (Himalayan river basins) may develop into a basis for armed conflict in the region.  Coastal flooding will affect tourism in India.  Fall in food-grain production (wheat in India and Pakistan; wheat and maize in China)  Sea-level rise will affect coastal cities like Mumbai and Kolkata  Fishing community will be affected, as some marine fauna will face extinction by 2050  Himalayan Glaciers continue to shrink, affecting water resources downstream  Human health will be affected by climate change, mainly by exasperating health issues. UN IPCC Report: Climate Change 2014: Impacts, Adaptation, and Vulnerability (Source: http://www.ipcc.ch/)