- Forest fire : In tropical forests where fires occur every dry season (savannah woodlands, monsoon forests and tropical pine forests) - Tree species exhibit adaptive traits such as thick bark, ability to heal fire scars, resprouting capability and seed adaptations - impact on Biodiversity: source of emitted carbon, contributing to global warming which could lead to biodiversity changes. At the regional and local level, they lead to change in biomass stocks, alter the hydrological cycle with subsequent effects for marine systems such as coral reefs, and impact plant and animal species' functioning. Smoke from fires can significantly reduce photosynthetic activity and can be detrimental to health of humans and animals.
source: http://www.fao.org/
- Red sanders smugglers - Red sanders/ Red sandal / saunder wood (pterocarpus santalinus)- Endangered species (IUCN) - used in Making oriental musical instruments ( shamisen, koto, erhu) - wood & bark are source of Tannin;
- whale sharks (Rhincodon typus) - largest living non-mammalian vertebrate - Vulnerable (IUCN/ Schedule I); Places: Mesoamerican Reef, Coastal East Africa, Gulf of California, Coral Triangle
- downsizing Kolleru wildlife sanctuary - P.A.Azeez commitee Report -
- Bathymetry is the study of the "beds" or "floors" of water bodies, including the ocean, rivers, streams, and lakes. Bathymetry is the foundation of the science of hydrography, which measures the physical features of a water body. Hydrography includes not only bathymetry, but also the shape and features of the shoreline; the characteristics of tides, currents, and waves; and the physical and chemical properties of the water itself.
- Polavaram Project
To interlink Godavari (Polavaram) & Krishna (Vijaywada); Entire project falls on Andhra; Ordinance to amend Andra Pradesh reorganization Act - villages from Telangana transferred to Andhra - whether it is a constitutional amendment - Art.3 vs Art.123;
- Bailadila iron ore mine - Dantewada - Chattisgarh - large scale mechanized open cast mine in India - by NMDC limited; Other operating mines: Donimalai (Kudremukh/ Karnataka) Iron ore, Panna diamond mine;
- Typhoon Neoguri - Trophical cyclone - Japan's Okinawa islands;
Note (1): Map Japan islands - North to South - Hokkaido- Honshu - Shikoku - Kyushu - (Okinawa);
Note (2): Refer Trophical Cyclone and Temperate Cyclone in Geo NCERT XI;
Note (3): Kyushu (Nagasaki), Honshu (Fukishima, Tokya, Kyoto,Nagoya, Hiroshima (North South));
- Coastal Erosion - Type of Coasts:
- “Status and Trends of Caribbean Coral Reefs” - Report by UNEP coauthored by Global Coral Reef Monitoring Network, IUCN;
Note: Cause of Coral Bleaching;
Note(2): Coral Triangle Initiative by WWF - countries(6) - Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Papua New Guinea, Timor Leste and the Solomon Islands.
Source: http://oceanservice.
- Justice Rajesh Walia - one man commission (2008) - finally report submitted - embankment breach in the kosi river - triggered flood; Note (1): Bihar Border with (States: UP, Jharkhand, West Bengal) and (International: Nepal, Bangladesh);
- The Chopra Committee, which studied the impact of receding glaciers on hydroelectric power projects (HEPs), has in its report objected to the construction of HEPs in regions between 2,200 to 2,500 metres above the sea level (paraglacial regions). Himalyan Rivers are - Glacier fed, Spring-fed, Monsoon fed;
Note (1): Largest HEP Dams in India in terms of Power Generation;
- Tehri HEP Dam - 2400 MW - Bhagirathi River - Uttarakhand;
- Koyna HEP Dam - 1960 MW - Western Ghats-
- Srisailam HEP Dam - 1670 MW - Krishna River - Andhra Pradesh;
- Nathpa Jhakri Dam - 1500 MW - Satluj River - Himachal Pradesh;
- Sardar Sarovar Dam - 1450 MW - largest Dam (& Gravity Dam) - Narmada River - Gujarat;
- Bhakra Nangal Dam - 1325 MW - Second largest reservoir - Sutlej River - Himachal Pradesh;
- Indirasagar Dam - Multipurpose project - 1000 MW - Narmada River - MP;
- Nagarjuna Sagar Dam - Krishna River - AP;
- Idukki Dam - Kuravanmala & Kurathimala - Kerala;
- Hirakud Dam - Mahanadi River - Odisha;
Note (2): Impact of the 24 proposed HEP in Alakalanand & Bhagirathi river;
Note (3): Science of "How stuff works"
- Coastal Regulation Zone. Note (1): The coastal stretches of seas, bays, estuaries, creeks, rivers and backwaters which are influenced by tidal action (in the landward side) upto 500 metres from the High Tide Line (HTL) and the land between the Low Tide Line (LTL) and the HTL as Coastal Regulation Zone;
Note (2): Classification:
- CRZ 1 - Ecologically sensitive area;
- CRZ 2 & CRZ 3 - Construction activities permitted based on Vulnerability;
- CRZ 4 - Islands;
Note (3): The distance from the High Tide Line shall apply to both sides in the case of rivers, creeks and back waters and may be modified on a case by case basis for reasons to be recorded while preparing the Coastal Zone Management Plans. However, this distance shall not be less than 50* (*This provision has been struck down by the Supreme Court ) 100 metres or the width of the creek, river or backwater whichever is less.
- Sagarmala Project formulated: Sagarmala project has been formulated to promote port led development of hinterland along with integrated development of port connectivity through Road, Rail, Inland Waterways and Coastal Shipping. The project envisages developing India’s ports to levels comparable with the best ports across the globe in terms of infrastructure, efficiency and quality of service. Note (1):Major and Minor Ports of India.
Port modernization: This includes (i) transforming existing ports into world class ports by modernization of port infrastructure and existing systems, and (ii) enhancing the capability of Port Community System.
Efficient evacuation systems: These include (i) incentivising freight transport through coastal mode, and (ii) setting up a coastal shipping promotion fund for the development of coastal shipping.
Coastal economic development: Encouraging economic activity in coastal regions by development of coastal economic regions and promotion of coastal tourism.
Achievement of the above components will be driven by two broad initiatives: (i) development of coastal economic regions, and (ii) policies to promote coastal shipping and operations in ports.
For the institutional framework, a Sagar Mala Company will be established at the national level and will be chaired by the Secretary (Ministry of Shipping). To develop each coastal economic region, a Special Purpose Vehicle would be formed with equity participation from the concerned state government and the Sagar Mala Company.
- National Waterways;
- Integrated National Waters Transportation Grid: An Integrated National Water Transportation Grid is proposed to be set up to develop 4503 km of National Waterways and establish effective connectivity of river terminals with road, rail and ports. An estimated 159 million tonnes of cargo will be diverted to Inland Waterways from road and rail with the completion of the project.
- Ginger Cultivation & Polluted Malanad; Rivers Varada, Kumudvati, Tunga and Bhadra are being polluted because of uncontrolled, ill-advised farming; Note (NCERT): Propagation of Ginger is done using?
- Tuna Fish - Note (NCERT XII) It is general that mango trees do not and cannot grow in temperate countries like canada and germany, snow leopards are not found in kerala forests and tuna fish are rarely caught beyond tropical latitude in the ocean; (Refer: Eurythermal & Stenothermal); Note (NCERT IX) - Popular Marine fish varities: Pomphret, Mackerel, Tuna, Sardines and Bombay duck;
- Typoon Matmo - China;
- Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS) train - With United Nations declaration of the current decade (2011-2020) as Decade on Biodiversity and India holding Chair of the Conference of Parties (COP 11) to Convention of Biological Diversity during 2012, Science Express was redesigned on the theme ‘Biodiversity’ and since 2012 it has been running as Science Express Biodiversity Special (SEBS). Partners: DST, MoEF, CEE, NCS&TC, VASCSC;
- Construction of the world’s tallest railway bridge with the tallest pillar — it’ll be 141 metres-high — has begun near Noney in Manipur; 111-km long Jiribam-Tupul-Imphal broad gauge railway line under construction that will connect Manipur’s capital Imphal with the country’s railway network. Note (1): Golden Quadrilateral - Delhi - (NH2) - Kolkatta - (NH6) - Chennai - (NH4) - Mumbai - (NH8) - Delhi (Pneumonics: 2648); Note (2): National Highways length wise - UP (7863 km)> Rajasthan(7806)> Karnataka (6294)
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- International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) - Non profitable organization- Agriculture Leadership Award 2014;
- Flash floods in Goalpara and Kamrup district, reported to be caused by a cloud burst over Garo Hills in Meghalaya - Assam Govt to form GoM to study NE flood; Refer: NDRF and SDRF; Note (1): What is flash flood? A flood that occurs in a short time (Usually less than six hours) of heavy or excessive rainfall, dam or levee failure. What is Climate System? Atmosphere + Hydrosphere + Cryosphere + Land Surface + Biosphere; What is the difference between climate change and climate variability? In essence, climate variability looks at changes that occur within smaller timeframes, such as a month, a season or a year, and climate change considers changes that occur over a longer period of time, typically over decades or longer. A key difference between climate variability and change is in persistence of "anomalous” conditions - when events that used to be rare occur more frequently, or vice-versa.
- Gomti river to be cleaned; Note (1): The river drains the area lying between river Ramganga and Sharda in the upper reaches and Ganga and Ghaghra at the lower reaches.
- ‘Save Kappatagudda’ campaign - Western Ghats - karnataka Govt. dropped declaring Kappatagudda hill as Wildlife sanctuary;
Note (1): Purpose for declaring ESZ - around NP & WS - is to create some kind of "Shock Absorber" for the Protected areas - serve as a transition zone; Note (2): Prohibition in ESZ - Commercial minning, Setting of saw mill, Setting Industries (if polluting environment), commercial use of firewood, Establishment of HEP, Production of Hazardous substance, Tourism, discharge of effluent; But Organic farming, Green Technology, Local Agri practice, Rain water harvesting are permitted;
- Nilgiri Tahr and Eravikulam National Park - Western Ghats; Note (1): Nilgiri Tahr - Goat Antelope - Endemic to Western Ghats - Listed in Schedule I of Indian WPA 1972 - Eravikulam National Park and Mukurthi National Park together support the highest population of Nilgiri tahr. State Animal of Tamil Nadu;
- Thammidikunta lake - Telengana;
- September 9 as ‘Himalaya Diwas’ – a day which would be celebrated across the State to spread the message of conservation of the Himalayan ecosystems - Officially declared by Uttarkhand Govt; This was the fifth year of the ‘Himalaya Diwas’ celebrations.
- Puducherry Bahour lake in peril - The inscriptions of Rashtrakuta King (X Century) in Bahour temple mentioned the lake as ‘Kadamba Eri’ or ‘Periya Eri’- describing the size and the presence of Kadamba trees. Inscriptions of Rajaraja, explains the tax system in the form of collection of paddy for the maintenance of the lake.
- Krishna Delta System - modernization - Pulichinthala Project;
- “Climate Resilient Infrastructure and Services in Panaji” by The Energy & Resources Institute (TERI) has revealed that the city is more gifted in terms of natural eco-systems and ecologically, making it much more vulnerable to concerns of sea level rise.
Note: Major Threats to Natural Resources of Panaj - Khazan land and mangroves, The Ourém creek is located in the east of Panaji in an area called Fontainhas, Sand dunes in and around Panaji,
- Pristine Karanji Lake Nature Park (KLNP) - on World Tourism Day 2014 (Sep) - Battery operated 'Green' Bicycles;
- Bird Migration - Amur Falcon- from Siberia to Somalia, Kenya, South Africa via India (Nagaland); Note: How Bird find direction while migrating (NCERT VII) - Sun, Moon, Magnetic field, Wind direction, Landmark; Note: It seems that these birds have a built–in sense of direction and know in which direction to travel. Some birds probably use landmarks to guide them. Many birds may be guided by the sun during the day and stars at night. There is some evidence that birds may use the magnetic field of the earth to find direction. And it is not only birds that migrate; mammals, many types of fish and insects are also known to migrate seasonally in search of more hospitable climates.
- A bio-accumulation study of organic pesticides in Goa’s Khazan ecosystems by TERI (The Energy & Resources Institute) has detected three organochlorine presticides – Lindane, DDT and Endosulfan – in waters, sediments and biota.
- The Ministry of Environment and Forests (MoEF) in its fresh counter affidavit before the National Green Tribunal (NGT) on Wednesday said that Vizhinjam International Seaport Ltd (VISL) in Kerala was cleared after following all due procedure required under the Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) Notification and the Coastal Zone Regulation (CRZ) , 2011.
Note (1): Coastal Regulation Zone -
CRZ-I:
- Ecologically Sensitive Areas: Mangroves, Sand Dunes, Coral reef, NP, Marine parks, Sea grass beds, Turtle nesting grounds; Activities permissible: No new construction except DAE project, Pipelines & Conveying system;
- Not Ecologically Sensitive: Between Low Tide Line & High Tide Line; Activities prohibited except Exploration & Extraction of Natural Gas, Salt Harvesting by solar evaporation, Desalination plant, Storage of Non-Hazardous Cargo, Construction of Trans-Harbour Sea links, roads or pillar without affecting tidal flow of water;
CRZ-II:
- Areas which are developed upto or close to the shoreline & falling within municipal limits;
- Activities permissible: Buildings are permissible on the landward side of the existing road, authorized structure or hazardous line where there are no authorised structures. Other activities such as desalination plants and storage or nonhazardous cargo are also permissible;
CRZ-III:
- Areas that are relatively undisturbed and areas that do not fall under either Category I or II and include rural areas and urban areas that are not substantially developed.
- Activities permissible:
- Between 0-200mts - No Development Zone - No construction - only Agri, Horti, Garden, Pasture, Park, forestry, DAE project, generating Non-Conventional, mining of rare mineral and other activities as in CRZ I & II allowed;
- Between 200 to 500 mts - construction and repair of houses of local communities, de-gasification of petroleum;
CRZ - IV
- Aquatic area from Low tide line upto territorial limits - no restriction the traditional fishing and allied activities undertaken by local communities; No untreated sewage, effluent or solid waste shall be let off or dumped;
Note (2): National Green Tribunal - Statutory body under under the National Green Tribunal Act 2010; The Tribunal 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. The Tribunal is mandated to make and endeavour for disposal of applications or appeals finally within 6 months of filing of the same.
- The government has decided to reconstitute the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) after the Supreme Court stayed decisions of its newly constituted standing committee in August for violating provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act. Note (1): National Board for Wildlife (2003) formerly Indian Board for Wildlife - Statutory body - headed by Honourable PM - under Wildlife Protection Act 1972;
- Sankey Lake (Karnataka)
- Strongest Earthquake - hit Sulawesi island in eastern Indonesia; Indonesia, the world’s largest archipelago, is prone to earthquakes due to its location on the Pacific “Ring of Fire,” an arc of volcanoes and fault lines in the Pacific Basin. Refer Map & NCERT Geo;
- Sixteen elements are required for mulberry growth. Three of the elements — carbon, hydrogen and oxygen — are provided by air and water. In the soil, plant roots absorb the remaining 13 elements nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), sulphur (S), magnesium (Mg), manganese (Mn), zinc (Zn), boron (B), copper (Cu), iron (Fe), molybdenum (Mo), and chlorine (Cl). Nutrient deficiencies result in reduced shoot growth, leaf size, chlorosis/necrosis of leaf and retarded growth of terminal buds.
Note (1): Mulberry thrives under various climatic conditions ranging from temperate to tropical located north of the equator between 28° N and 55°N latitude. The ideal range of temperature is from 24 to 28°C. Mulberry grows well in places with an annual rainfall ranging from 600 to 2 500 mm. Note(2):Mulberry cultivation in different states (in terms of Area): Karnataka >>AP>Manipur>WB; Note (3):Which of the following are the variety of Mulbery in India? Victoria-1, Kanva2, Goshoerami,Chak Majra, China white, Tr-10, S-36, S-54, BC-259....
Source: http://www.fao.org/
- High Level Committee on Environmental laws (Chair Mr. TSR Subramanian) - Thus, the Committee will review the following six laws: (i) Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972: The Act seeks to protect wildlife and control poaching and illegal trade in wildlife.
(ii) The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974: The Act seeks to prevent and control water pollution and establishes Boards to do so. (iii) Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980: The Act provides for the conservation of forests and restricts activities in certain forests. (iv) The Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981: The Act seeks to prevent and control water pollution and establishes Boards to do so. (v) Environment (Protection) Act, 1986: The Act provides for the protection and improvement of the environment and gives the central government certain powers in order to do so. (vi) Indian Forests Act, 1927.
The objectives of the Committee are to: (i) assess the status of the implementation of these laws, (ii) examine judicial pronouncements relating to these laws, and (iii) recommend specific amendments relating to these laws and draft the proposed amendments.
- Ecology vs Development
Instead of resorting to transparency, putting systems and mechanisms in place to regulate mining as suggested by Justice Shah Commission in its report on illegal mining, it is seen only worried over global market prices of low grade ore, which are down by around 50 per cent;
The report on research project on assessing quality of EIA, compliance of environmental clearance (EC) conditions and adequacy of environmental management plan (EMP) of mining industry in Goa was submitted to Government - Mr. Gadgil, who headed the Western Ghats Ecological Experts panel;
Note: Legislative Framework - EIA (Important for Prelims & Mains 2015 - also related to Land Acquisition Ordinance) - EIA notification of 2006
- The present legislative framework for protection of environment is broadly contained in the umbrella Environment Protection Act 1986; the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1974; the Water Cess Act, 1977; and the Air (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act, 1981.
- The law in respect of management of forests and biodiversity is contained in the Indian Forest Act, 1927; the Forest Conservation Act 1980; the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972; and the Bio Diversity Act, 2002.
- There are several other enactments, which complements the provisions of this basic enactment.
- The Projects which require prior environment clearance broadly include Hydroelectric Projects, Thermal Power Projects, Nuclear Power Project, Mining Projects both coal and non coal, Airports, Roads and Highways, Ports and Harbours and various Industrial Projects such as cement plant, Pulp and paper, metallurgical industries etc.
Category 'B' - State EIA
Category 'C' - full EIA - project have high impact on Environment
Difference Between EIA & SIA? What is Impact Assessment? Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) is a process of evaluating the likely environmental impacts of a proposed project or development, taking into account inter-related socio-economic, cultural and human-health impacts, both beneficial and adverse. UNEP defines Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) as a tool used to identify the environmental, social and economic impacts of a project prior to decision-making. It aims to predict environmental impacts at an early stage in project planning and design, find ways and means to reduce adverse impacts, shape projects to suit the local environment and present the predictions and options to decision-makers.Why is it Important? The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Ramsar Convention and the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS) recognize impact assessment as an important tool for helping ensure that development is planned and implemented with biodiversity in mind.
Typically, the SIA process follows the iterative steps taken in the EIA process, although with a different emphasis to take account of the impacts on people - include basic characteristics of the affected population, current issues, political & civic institutions, social structures, cultural traditions and attitudes and socio-psychological attributes; As in EIA, SIA practitioners place considerable importance on mitigation, monitoring and impact management. In addition, post-project analysis is recognised as critical to gaining a better understanding of social impacts and how to manage them;
Steps in SIA: Public involvement - identification of alternatives - profile of baseline condition - scoping - projection of estimated effects - prediction of estimated effects - prediction & evalution of responses to impacts - estimate indirect & cumulative impacts - change to alternatives - mitigation - monitoring; (Interorganizational committee on Guidelines & Principles for SIA 1994)
Methods commonly used for predicting SIA: Trend extrapolations, Population multipliers,Consulting experts, Scenarios, Comparative studies;
Refer: International Association for Impact Assessment - International principles on SIA - It has identified principles relating to the integration of biophysical and social impacts;
Millenium Ecosystem Assessment - Four categories of services are distinguished: • Provisioning services: harvestable goods such as fish, timber, bush meat, fruits, genetic material. • Regulating services responsible for maintaining biological diversity itself, including natural processes and dynamics,such aswater purification, biological controlmechanisms, carbonsequestration, pollination of commercially valuable crops, etc. • Culturalservices providing a source of artistic, aesthetic,spiritual,religious,
Source: http://www.pib.nic.in/
- Mandekolu - Karnataka - Epicentre of Elephant-man conflict;
- Geographical Indication:
- Green Belt as per the Gurgaon-Manesar Final Development Plan - Haryana - HUDA - widen NH8;
- Sister city agreement between Kyoto and Varanasi signed during Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to Japan.
- Western Ghats of Karnataka receive high rainfall? (1600 km - Guj - Maha to Kerala)
Reason:
- Topography in Karnataka is broader than that in maharashtra rain bearing winds have to necessarily travel a longer distance;
- Slope of mountain - direct bearing on the possibility of precipitation - air parcel retain energy & speed - for long time @ gradual slope;
- Gentle slope - Greater area for sunlight absorption & heating - led to greater convection;
- Continuous mountain range - in maha & karnataka - unlike kerala greater barrier to rain bearing winds;
- Great Barrier reef to be in UNESCO's World Heritage Danger list;
- The Darjeeling Zoo, the highest altitude zoological garden in India, housing rare Himalayan animals such as red panda and snow leopard, has over 200 species of trees, shrubs, climbers, medicinal herbs, fungi and micro flora
- Nallamala forest @ Farahabad (Telengana) - Stretch goes through Nagarjunasagar-
- Cyclone Nilofar - West coast of India - Name by Pakistan (meaning: Water lilly or Lotus);
Note: There is a strict procedure to determine a list of tropical cyclone names in an ocean basin(s) by the Tropical Cyclone Regional Body responsible for that basin(s) at its annual/biennial meeting. There are five tropical cyclone regional bodies, i.e. ESCAP/WMO Typhoon Committee, WMO/ESCAP Panel on Tropical Cyclones, RA I Tropical Cyclone Committee, RA IV Hurricane Committee, and RA V Tropical Cyclone Committee. For the Indian ocean region, the host nations constitute of Bangladesh, India, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka and Thailand and the governing body is Regional Specialised Meteorological Centre, New Delhi.
- Gangotri glacier rapidly melting – rapidly disintegrating for last 3 years – reports almora based GB Pant Institute – monitoring since 1999; Observed disintegration in the snout of Gangotri glacier for last 3 years; The disintegration on the right side of the snout taking place at a rapid rates; The glacier has retreated more than 1,500 metres in the last 70 years; Global warming one of the major reasons for glacial retreat; Apart from the impact of climate change, the melting of the tributaries like Raktvarn, Chaturangi, Thelu Glaciers are also reason; Main tributary of Ganga – Bagirathi river originates from the Gangotri glacier;
- Manipur and Nagaland, the two border States whose lifeline passes through the Karbi Along district of Assam, remained cut off from the rest of the country. The 1000-hour blockade was imposed by the Joint Action Committee (JAC) on autonomous state.
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