Merged File

Index
Sr. no. Topic Page no.
1 India ratified the Paris Climate change agreement 1
2 Majuli named world's largest river island 1
3 India's Forest Rights Act of 2006 2
River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) 3

4 Authorities Order, 2016
International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) is 3
5 conducting its 25th World Conservation Congress in
Hawaii
6 Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) 4
7 Sugarcane Waste Yields Carbon for use in Batteries 5
8 Government Declares BS-VI Rollout From 2020 5
9 Environment Ministry to Allow Hydropower Projects In 5

Bhagirathi ESZ
10 Quarrying destroys Laggar Falcon habitat in Madurai 6
11 Amendment to 1987 Montreal Protocol 7
12 The NGTs notice on implementation of the Biological 7

Diversity Act
13 Aviation Climate Accord 8
14 IGI is Asia-Pacifics first carbon neutral airport 9
15 Giant Panda no longer endangered 9
16 Project to increase wild tiger population in India, Bhutan 10
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17 The helmeted hornbill is being hunted to extinction 10
18 Indias first Green corridor inaugurated 11
19 Smooth-coated otter sighted in Krishna mangrove 11
20 National Mission on Bio-economy launched 12
21 India takes a significant step to control emission from 12

climate-damaging refrigerants, makes producers fall in line
22 NEERDHUR 12
23 Kashmir's Red Stag to get IUCN's 'critically endangered' tag 13
24 Andaman gets training in seaweed farming 13
25 Air Quality Index (AQI) 13
26 New Green Urban Transport Scheme on the anvil with 14

Central assistance of Rs.25,000 cr.
27 Australias Great Barrier Reef sees largest coral die-off ever 14
28 The 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress held in 14

New Delhi
29 Environment Ministry Constitutes Four-Member Team for 15

Conservation of Loktak Lake
30 New Delhi Declaration, Asian Regional Plan adopted at 16

AMCDRR 2016
31 Asia Pacific countries resolve to adopt Urban Plus 17

approach to take planning beyond city limits
32 De-carbonization of Indian Railways Mission 17

Electrification
33 Surya Jyoti Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated Micro Solar 17

Dome (MSD)

2
34 REDD+ 18
35 Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste 18
36 Ban on imports of plastic items from China 19
37 Research Project in Gujarat 19
38 E-Pashuhaat 20
39 Stubble Burning 21
40 Bio-mining helps in tackling garbage problem 21
41 India's first LNG-powered bus rolls out in Kerala 22
42 First 2G (Second Generation) Ethanol Bio-refinery in India 22

to be set up at Bathinda
43 Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX 2016-17) 24
44 Cancel allotments of salt pans in Sambhar Lake: National 25

Green Tribunal
45 NGT bans open waste burning 26
46 Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco- 27

Sensitive Zone in Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai
47 Ammonia detected first time in troposphere 27
48 Giraffes, rarer than elephants, put on extinction watch list 28
49 An IUCN team visited the Bhitarkanika national park 28
50 Parliamentary panel recommends replacing pine trees with 29

broad-leaved trees
51 Goa hosts symposium on falling oxygen levels in oceans 29
52 Hope Island is a graveyard for Olive Ridleys 30

3
53 Antlers could end up in medicines 31
54 3 day bird festival held at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary 32
55 New Ginger species with medicinal properties found in 32

Andaman
56 Survey spots 163 species of birds 33
57 DGFT prohibits import of fur and reptile skin 33
58 Rare birds sighted in Polachira wetlands 34
59 West Bengals endangered Hilsa gets a lifeline 34
60 Cabinet Approves Ratification Of Kyoto Protocol's 2nd 35

Commitment Period On Climate Change
61 Notifications on wetlands baffle green activists 35
62 Centre to ban use of 18 pesticides harmful to humans and 37

animals
63 Tribe offers clues to hidden wonders of medicinal plant 38
64 181 Irrawaddy dolphins counted in Odisha census 38
65 Barren volcano became live 38
66 Cargo ships collide at Ennore port 39
67 ISRO collaborates with lifeguard agency to examine killer 40

tides
68 A New Technology to Convert Waste To Energy Might Help 40

India Deal With Its Mounting Garbage Woes
69 Ban Disposal of Micro-Plastic Into Sea, Fishermen Forum 40
Urges Centre
70 Nilambur teak set to enter elite club of products with GI tag 41
71 Cleaning of Rivers Under NamamiGange Mission 41

4
72 Central Pollution Control Board proposes buffer zones 42
around landfill sites
73 Pests eat away 35% of total crop yield, says ICAR scientist 42
74 Two endangered plant species spottedspotted 43
75 Chemicals banned in 1970s discovered in deep ocean fauna 44
76 Indias first floating elementary school inaugurated on 45

Manipurs Loktak Lake
77 Graded response system to tackle pollution partially comes 45
into force in Delhi, NCR towns
78 Union Government issues Notification of Prevention of 45
Cruelty to Animals (Pet Shop) Rules, 2016
79 Mauritius Prez inaugurates salt tolerant plant garden in TN 46
80 20 nations sign framework agreement of International 47

Solar Alliance
81 Maha becomes first state to adopt Fly Ash Utilisation Policy 47
82 A.P. tops in energy efficiency 48
83 Fishing cat found moving in mangrove 48
84 Antarticas Ross Sea declared as worlds largest Marine 49

Protected Area
85 New species of Pika discovered in Sikkim 49
86 National waterways project threatens Gangetic dolphins: 50

Conservationists
87 Invasive Giant African Land Snail sighted at Goa University 50

5
India ratified the Paris Climate change It aims at producing 40% of its
agreement installed electricity capacity by 2030
Important facts from non-fossil fuels.
This would mean India will have to
India ratified the Paris Climate
shift significantly from coal-based
change agreement and India is 62nd
power generation to renewable
nation to join.
energy sources
The Paris Agreement requires all
India to increase its forest cover by
Parties to put forward their best
five million hectares along with an
efforts through Intended Nationally
improvement in the quality of green
Determined Contributions (INDCs)
cover of an equal measure by 2030.
A major goal of the Paris agreement,
therefore, is to keep global
temperature increase well below Majuli named world's largest river
2 degrees Celsius and to pursue island
efforts to limit it to 1.5 degrees Majuli Island on the Brahmaputra in Assam
Celsius. was declared the largest river island in the
The developed countries have world, toppling Marajo in Brazil, by Guinness
pledged $100 billion a year in World Records.
climate finance for developing
countries by 2020 with a commitment About Majuli
to further raise it in the future.
It was formed due to course changes
Once the countries with 55% of
by the river Brahmaputra and its
emission signs, the climate regime
tributaries, mainly the Lohit.
will become legally binding on all
The island is formed by the
signatories after a period of 30 days.
Brahmaputra river in the south and
Top polluters
the KherkutiaXuti, an anabranch of
1. China - 28% the Brahmaputra, joined by the
2. US - 16% Subansiri River in the north.
3. EU - 10% The island has been the hub of
4. India - 6% Assamese neo-Vaishnavite culture,
Indias commitments under INDC:- initiated around 15th century by the
revered Assamese saint
Reduction of emission per unit of SrimantaSankardeva and his disciple
GDP by 33-35% from 2005 levels Madhavdeva.
over 15 years.

6
Among the birds seen here are the 2006, also called Forest Rights Act,
greater adjutant stork, pelican, the Tribal Rights Act.
Siberian crane and the whistling teal. India's Forest Rights Act of 2006 gives
Threat indigenous people and forest dwellers
the right to manage and govern
The island is under threat due to the their traditional forests and
extensive soil erosion on its banks. resources.
Local environmental activist According to act, any infrastructure
JadavPayeng has planted a 550 or development project that
hectare forest, known as Molai Forest requires forest land to be cleared
to combat erosion on the island. needs the consent of the gram
Mission SACReD sabha, or village council.
Tribal rights granted under act:-
The department of environment and forest
has launched a project, 'Sustainable Action for Rights to hold and live in the forest
Climate-Resilient Development in Majuli' land under the individual or common
(SACReD, Majuli), on the river island, to occupation for habitation or for self-
achieve the carbon-neutrality goal. cultivation for livelihood
Mitigation through forestry activities and Right of ownership, access to collect,
biodiversity conservation will be the use and dispose of minor forest
starting points for the carbon-neutral agenda. produce,
Community rights such as nistar;
Habitat rights for primitive tribal
groups and pre-agricultural
India's Forest Rights Act of 2006 communities;
According to a new citizens report on the Right to protect, regenerate or
implementation of the FRA released by CFR- conserve or manage any community
LA, in the ten years that this law has been in forest resource
force, just 3% of the 85.6 million acres of the The Act also provides for diversion of forest
minimum forest area (excluding the five land for public utility facilities managed by
north-eastern states and Jammu and the Government with the recommendation
Kashmir) that falls under FRA-based of Gram Sabhas.
governance has been brought under its
purview. Section 3(1)(h) of Forest Rights Act
Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional The rights of settlement and

Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest conversion of all forest villages into
Rights) Act, 2006:- revenue villages have been
recognized as one of the forest rights
Scheduled Tribes and Other of forest dwelling Scheduled Tribes.
Traditional Forest Dwellers
(Recognition of Forest Rights) Act,

2
The conversion would include the At District Ganga Committees in
actual land use of the village in its each of the Ganga Bank Districts
entirety, including land required for will carry out the assigned tasks as an
current or future community uses, Authority at the district level
like, schools, health facilities, public Other main features
spaces etc.
NMCG will take action only in the
event when required action is not
taken by CPCB.
A special focus of the revamped
structure would be to maintain
required ecological flows in the river
Ganga with the aim of ensuring water
River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection quality and environmentally
and Management) Authorities Order, sustainable development.
2016 For taking up fast track creation of
Cabinet approves the River Ganga sewerage treatment infrastructure in
(Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Ganga basin, an innovative model
Authorities Order, 2016. based on Hybrid Annuity has also
been approved.
Salient Features:
In order to ensure transparency and
Order will provide for Creation of the cost effectiveness, a provision for
National Council for River Ganga concurrent audit, safety audits,
(Rejuvenation, Protection and research institutions and financial
Management), as an Authority for framework has been made.
overall responsibility for Ganga Action Plan
superintendence of pollution
The Ganga Action Plan (GAP) Phase-I was
prevention and rejuvenation of
launched in 1985.
river Ganga Basin.
Setting up of an Empowered Task Force Later GAP Phase-II was initiated in 1993
with the objective of improving the water
Creation of National Mission for
quality of river Ganga
Clean Ganga (NMCG), as an Authority
with powers to issue directions and In May, 2015, the Government approved
also to exercise the powers under the the NamamiGangeprogramme as a
Environment (Protection) Act, 1986 comprehensive mechanism to take up
and to enable it to carry out efficiently initiatives for rejuvenation of river Ganga and
its mandate. its tributaries as a Central Sector Scheme with
At the State level, it is proposed to hundred per cent funding.
create the State Ganga Committees
in each of the defined States

3
International Union for Conservation Genetic Engineering Appraisal
of Nature (IUCN) is conducting its 25th Committee (GEAC)
World Conservation Congress in The Genetic Engineering Appraisal
Hawaii Committee (GEAC) is the apex body
This Congress held once every four years. constituted in the Ministry of Environment
and Forests under 'Rules for Manufacture,
The Congress aims to improve how we
Use, Import, Export and Storage of
manage our natural environment for
Hazardous Microorganisms/Genetically
human, social and economic development,
Engineered Organisms or Cells 1989',
The Congress is the place where IUCNs more under the Environment Protection Act,
than 1,300 Member organisations exercise 1986.
their rights, influence the global conservation
The Rules of 1989 also define five competent
agenda and guide IUCNs work plan for the
authorities i.e.
four years to follow.
The Institutional Biosafety
About IUCN
Committees (IBSC),
International Union for Conservation Review Committee of Genetic
of Nature (IUCN) composed of both Manipulation (RCGM),
government and civil society Genetic Engineering Approval
organizations. Committee (GEAC),
IUCN provides public, private and State Biotechnology Coordination
non-governmental organizations Committee (SBCC) and
with the knowledge and tools that District Level Committee (DLC) for
enable human progress, economic handling of various aspects of the
development and nature conservation rules
to take place together. Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
It is the global authority on the status (GEAC) examines the scientific merits of
of the natural world and the measures releasing genetically modified seeds into the
needed to safeguard it. environment,
IUCN experts are organized into six
Responsibilities
commissions dedicated to:-
o Species survival, Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee
o Environmental law, (GEAC) provides:-
o Protected areas,
o Social and economic policy, Approval of activities involving large
o Ecosystem management, scale use of hazardous
o Education and microorganisms and recombinants
communication. in research and industrial production
from the environmental angle.

4
Approval of proposals relating to Government Declares BS-VI Rollout
release of genetically engineered From 2020
organisms and products into the The Union transport ministry will notify the
environment including experimental introduction of BSVI emission norms for all
field trials (Biosafety Research Level vehicles from April 2020, overriding a
trial-I and II known as BRL-I and BRL- demand from auto manufacturers to push its
II). rollout by five years.
Prelims related Facts
About BS-VI
Standards are set by the Central

Pollution Control Board under the
Sugarcane Waste Yields Carbon for use Ministry of Environment & Forests
in Batteries and climate change
Researchers from Punes National Chemical Objective is to regulate the output of
Laboratory (NCL) and Indian Institute of air pollutants from internal
Science Education and Research (IISER) have combustion engines and Spark
used a simple, cost-effective and quick ignition engines equipment, including
process to convert sugarcane bagasse into motor vehicles.
anode-grade porous, conducting, activated Standards are based on European
carbon material for use in Li-ion batteries. regulations (Euro norms).
Current norms in India are BS IV in
Some prelims related facts:- (use of
33 cities and BS III in the remaining
sugarcane molasses in other areas)
country
Anode-grade carbon is generally These norms specify the maximum
produced through decomposition at permissible emission limit for carbon
nearly 1000 degree Celsius. monoxide (CO), Hydrocarbons
Coke can either be fuel grade (high (HC), Nitrous oxides (NOx) and
in sulphur and metals) or anode Particulate matter (PM)
grade (low in sulphur and metals). Technologies to be introduced to make
The raw coke directly out of the coker vehicles BS IV compliant:-
is often referred to as green coke.
SCR (selective catalytic
In this context, "green" means
reduction) module to reduce oxides of
unprocessed. The further processing
nitrogen
of green coke by calcining in a rotary
Vehicles must be fitted
kiln removes residual volatile
with DPF (diesel particulate filter)
hydrocarbons from the coke.
for Particulate Matter (PM) reduction

5
Environment Ministry to Allow Environment (Protection) Act,
Hydropower Projects In Bhagirathi ESZ 1986.
Despite being termed as "destructive" for The width of the ESZ could go up to
water resources by the union ministry, the 10 kms around the protected area.
Uttarakhand government has stuck to its Prohibited activities includes:-
zonal master plan of the Bhagirathi eco- o Commercial mining,
sensitive zone (ESZ) that proposes to open o Setting of saw mills and
up the fragile area for hydropower industries causing pollution,
projects above 2 MW, mining, and roads. o Commercial use of firewood
o And major hydro-power
This decision is important considering the
projects
2012 notification of the government
o tourism activities like flying
2012 notification over protected areas in an
aircraft or hot air balloon,
In 2012, Centre declared the 100-kilometre o Discharge of effluents and
stretch along the river Bagirathi, from solid waste in natural water
Gaumukh to Uttarkashi, an ESZ (Eco-sensitive bodies or terrestrial area
Zone). Regulated activities includes:-
o Felling of trees,
Notification prohibited new hydro-electric
o Drastic change in agriculture
power plants and expansion of existing plants
systems
on this stretch, except micro or mini-hydel
o Commercial use of natural
power projects up to 2 megawatts (MW),
water resource
It also banned all types of mining of minerals Permitted activities includes:-
except for the domestic needs of residents o Ongoing agriculture and
horticulture practices by local
Eco-Sensitive Zones communities,
o Rainwater harvesting, organic
Eco-Sensitive Zones are areas notified
farming,
by the MoEFCC around Protected
o Adoption of green technology
Areas , National Parks and Wildlife
o Use of renewable energy
Sanctuaries.
sources.
Purpose of declaring ESZs is to create
some kind of shock absorbers to
the protected areas.
Quarrying destroys Laggar Falcon
They also act as a transition zone
habitat in Madurai
from areas of high protection to areas Indiscriminate sand quarrying on the Vaigai
involving lesser protection river bed, and granite quarrying in many
Government is empowered to declare parts of Madurai, have spelt disaster for many
Eco-Sensitive Zones are declared raptor species and today, only two Laggar
undersection 3(2)(v) of the

6
Falcons survive on the rock cliffs of Most developed countries will start
Arittapatti near Melur in the district. reducing HFCs as early as 2019.
The move could prevent up to 0.5
About Laggar Falcon
degrees Celsius in global warming
Laggar Falcons are an indigenous above pre-industrial levels by the end
raptor species with white and grey of the century
plumage. HFCs
They occur in the Indian HFCs although pose no harm to the
subcontinent from extreme south-
ozone layer because, unlike CFCs and
east Iran, south-east Afghanistan, HCFCs, they do not contain chlorine
Pakistan, through India, Nepal, but are thousands of times more
Bhutan, Bangladesh and north-
dangerous than carbon dioxide in
west Myanmar causing global warming.
They can hunt and fly at speeds of up HFCs could warm the world by an
to 180 kmph. additional half a degree Celsius by the
In the IUCN list the bird is listed as end of the century.
Nearly Threatened These gases were once identified as a
Reasons of declining population:- suitable alternative to replace ozone-
Destruction of habitat due to stone depleting
quarrying. hydrochloroflurocarbons (HCFCs)
that the Montreal Protocol targets for
Felling of palm trees, which is a
elimination.
nesting spot of many raptor species.
Montreal Protocol treaty
Pesticide use(Some of the scientist
dont take it as one of the reasons) Montreal Protocol treaty was first
signed on Sept. 16, 1987
Aim was to reduce the production
Amendment to 1987 Montreal Protocol and consumption of ozone depleting
In Kigali agreement, nearly 200 countries substances in order to reduce their
secured a deal to phase down global abundance in the atmosphere.
climate-warming hydrofluorocarbon It has undergone eight revisions, in
(HFC) by amendments to Montreal Protocols. 1990 (London), 1991 (Nairobi), 1992
(Copenhagen), 1993 (Bangkok), 1995
About Kigali agreement
(Vienna), 1997 (Montreal), 1998
Countries that ratify the Kigali (Australia), 1999 (Beijing) and 2016
Amendment, commit to cut the (Kigali, adopted, but not in force).
production and consumption of HFCs
by more than 80 percent over the
next 30 years

7
The NGTs notice on implementation of The Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980;
the Biological Diversity Act The Air (Prevention and Control of
National Green Tribunal (NGT) had recently Pollution) Act, 1981;
asked for action against top State officials The Environment (Protection) Act,
who had failed to respond to an application 1986;
filed before the tribunal for effective The Public Liability Insurance Act,
implementation of the Biodiversity Act, 2002. 1991;
The Biological Diversity Act, 2002
National Green Tribunal (NGT)
NGT has not been vested with powers to
The NGT was established on October 18, hear any matter relating to the Wildlife
2010 under the National Green Tribunal (Protection) Act, 1972, the Indian Forest
Act 2010, passed by the Central Government. Act, 1927 and various laws enacted by
States relating to forests, tree preservation
The stated objective were:- etc.
To provide a specialized forum for effective Biodiversity Act, 2002:-
and speedy disposal of cases pertaining to:-
Act was India's attempt to realize the
Environment protection, objectives of United Nations
Conservation of forests and Convention on Biological Diversity
For seeking compensation for (CBD) 1992.
damages caused to people or property Salient features
due to violation of environmental
laws or conditions specified while The act provides for:-
granting permissions.
To regulate access to biological
The Chairperson of the NGT is a retired Judge
resources of the country with
of the Supreme Court, Head Quartered in
equitable share in benefits arising out
Delhi. Other Judicial members are retired
of the use of biological resources
Judges of High Courts.
To conserve and develop areas of
Powers:- importance from the stand point of
biological diversity by declaring them
The NGT has the power to hear all civil as biological diversity heritage sites.
cases relating to environmental issues and The act provides for both centralised as well
questions that are linked to the as decentralised institutional mechanisms
implementation of laws listed in Schedule I of for conservation and sustainable use of
the NGT Act. These include the following: biodiversity. Institutions are:-
The Water (Prevention and Control of National Biodiversity Authority at the

Pollution) Act, 1974; apex level
The Water (Prevention and Control of State Biodiversity Board at
Pollution) Cess Act, 1977; intermediate level

8
Biodiversity management The giant panda has just been downgraded
committees at local level from Endangered to Vulnerable on the
To create National, State and local global list of species at risk of extinction.
biodiversity fund.
Giant panda bear or simply panda, is a bear,
native to south central China
Aviation Climate Accord IUCN Red List of Threatened Species

The worlds first agreement to curb
IUCN Red List of Threatened Species has
aviations greenhouse gas pollution has
evolved to become the worlds most
been struck by 191 nations in a landmark
comprehensive information source on the
United Nations accord.
global conservation status of animal, fungi
Some important facts about the deal:- and plant species.
It applies to passenger and cargo It provides information about range,

flights. population size, habitat and ecology, use
Deal aims at reducing the growing and/or trade, threats, and conservation
climate impact of plane travel actions that will help inform necessary
The new system will be voluntary conservation decisions.
until 2027 IUCN Red List is produced by the Red List
Partnership:
IGI is Asia-Pacifics first carbon BirdLife International;
neutral airport
Botanic Gardens Conservation
The Indira Gandhi International Airport here
International;
has become Asia-Pacifics only and one of the
Conservation International;
worlds few airports to achieve a carbon
International Union for Conservation
neutral status.
of Nature (IUCN);
Carbon Neutral status NatureServe;
Microsoft;
A company is carbon neutral if it maintains an Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew;
equal balance between the carbon dioxide
Sapienza University of Rome;
released into the air.
IUCN Species Survival Commission;
Texas A&M University;
Wildscreen; and
Giant panda no longer Endangered Zoological Society of London
The International Union for Conservation of Conservation status lists of IUCN
Nature (IUCN) announced the positive change
to the giant pandas official status in the Red Extinct:-
List of Threatened Species.
Extinct

9
Extinct in the wild As a purpose-driven company, Discovery is
Threatened committed to taking bold steps to protect
endangered species.
Critically Endangered
Endangered Project Tiger
Vulnerable
Project Tiger is an ongoing Centrally
Lower risk
Sponsored Scheme of the Ministry of
Nearly Threatened Environment, Forests and Climate
Conservation Dependent Change providing central assistance
to designated tiger reserves.
The tiger reserves are constituted on
a core/buffer strategy. The core
areas have the legal status of a
national park or a sanctuary, whereas
the buffer or peripheral areas are a
mix of forest and non-forest land,
Project to increase wild tiger managed as a multiple use area.
population in India, Bhutan The Project Tiger aims to foster an
In order to protect and increase wild tiger exclusive tiger agenda in the core
population, nearly one million acres of areas of tiger reserves, with an
protected habitat in India and Bhutan will be inclusive people oriented agenda in
covered under a new private conservation the buffer.
efforts i.e. project C.A.T. The National Tiger Conservation
Authority (NTCA) is a statutory body
Project C.A.T - Conserving acres for of the Ministry, with an overarching
Tigers:- supervisory / coordination role,
performing functions as provided in
Discovery announced Project C.A.T., a
the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
partnership with World Wildlife Fund to fund
and conserve nearly 1 million acres of
protected land across India and Bhutan to The helmeted hornbill is being hunted
help protect wild tigers. to extinction
The helmeted hornbill is being hunted to
A century ago 100,000 tigers roamed the
extinction
wild, but habitat destruction and poaching
has reduced the number to just 4,000 today. By the close of 2015, the species had
progressed from vulnerable to critically
Discovery will also aid WWFs ambitious goal
endangered - leapfrogging two threat levels
to double the number of tigers in the wild
to the highest possible risk category.
globally by 2022.

10
It only occurs in intact tropical forests in Appendix II contains species that, although
Indonesia, Malaysia, Brunei Darussalam, not threatened with extinction now, might
Thailand and Myanmar. become so unless trade in them is strictly
regulated.
The species may get protection under The
Convention on International Trade in Appendix III contains species that are
Endangered Species (CITES) very soon. protected in at least one country that has
asked other CITES parties for help in
Reasons of danger controlling trade.
Helmeted hornbills had been
traditionally hunted in the past by
Borneos indigenous tribes in Africa,
but never at levels that posed any
conservation risk. Indias first Green corridor
A surge in demand for hornbill Red
inaugurated
The 114-km-long Manamadurai
Ivory has pushed the avian species to
Rameswaram stretch of Southern Railway
the brink
became Indias first Green corridor.
Its this soft, ivory-like substance
thats carved by craftsmen in China Train would have bio-toilets and there
into luxury ornaments, statues and would be zero discharge of human waste
jewellery. on tracks in the section.
The Convention on International Trade in
Endangered Species (CITES) (Other places Last year, Indian Railway had developed the
of applications of CITES) environment friendly IR-DRDO Bio-
toilets, in association with Defence Research
CITES (the Convention on and Development Organisation (DRDO).
International Trade in Endangered
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) is an How does bio-toilet work?
international agreement between
Anaerobic digestion process is
governments.
applied for the digestion of human
Its aim is to ensure that international
excreta in the bio-toilets.
trade in specimens of wild animals
A collection of anaerobic bacteria
and plants does not threaten their
that has been adapted to work at
survival.
temperatures as low as -5C and as
CITES places species into three
high as 50C act as inocula (seed
appendices based on their
material).
conservation status and risk from
Regenerative type anaerobic bacteria
trade.
in liquid form poured into the
Appendix I contains species threatened with
retention tanks in the bio-toilets and
extinction
the bacteria will help in

11
disintegrating human waste into spot-billed pelicans, spoonbills,
liquid and bio-gases (mainly and painted storks
Methane CH4 & Carbon Dioxide CO2).
The liquid would be chlorinated
and discharged with no harm to the National Mission on Bio-economy
environment. launched
In order to boost rural economy by
utilising bio-resources, a National Mission
Smooth-coated otter sighted in on Bio-economy was launched by the
Krishna mangrove Institute of Bio-resources and Sustainable
Smooth-coated otter Development (IBSD).
(Lutrogaleperspicillata) was sighted for the
first time in the mangrove forest adjacent to The mission focuses on sustainable utilization
of:-
the Krishna Wildlife Sanctuary in Krishna
district. Renewable biological resources for
Presence of the otter is a key indicator for rise food,
of the mangrove cover. Bio-based products and
Bio-energy through knowledge-based
Importance of sighting approaches
Until now, there was no sighting of

the otter in the KWS
India takes a significant step to control
IUCN conservation status of the emission from climate-damaging
Smooth-coasted Otter, distributed refrigerants, makes producers fall in
throughout South Asia and South East line
Asia is, vulnerable. India recently made it mandatory for
Presence of the otter is a key indicator manufacturing companies to control
for rise of the mangrove cover. emission of the climate-damaging
Godavari-Krishna mangroves refrigerant through technological
intervention and incineration.
The ecoregion covers an area of 7,000
square kilometers (2,700 sq mi), in India has taken this step after Kigali
discontinuous enclaves extending agreement to phase out HFCs.
from the state of Orissa in the north
to Tamil Nadu in the south. Companies, which manufacture HCFC-22,
Mangroves are an important coastal will have to "internalise the cost" of this
habitat for much wildlife such as the environmental action and create "sufficient
saltwater crocodiles. storage facility" to capture and incinerate
It also provide habitat to aquatic HFC-23 so that it is not released into
birds such as egrets, flamingoes, atmosphere.

12
The HFC-23 is a by-product in the It is listed under Schedule-I of the
production of a chemical (HCFC-22) Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act,
primarily used in air conditioning and 1972 and J&K Wildlife (Protection)
refrigeration is 14,800 times more Act, 1978.
damaging to the climate than carbon It has also been listed among the top
dioxide (CO2). 15 species of high conservation
priority by the Government of India.
Distribution
NEERDHUR They found Dachigam Sanctuary in
CSIR-NEERIs initiative to develop a domestic Jammu and Kashmir, with some
multi-fuel stove: NEERDHUR, an Improved scattered population in other parts of
Cook Stove (ICS) has been developed for:- the State and in Gamagal Sanctuary
of Himachal Pradesh.
Improved stove efficiency,
Emission reduction and intensive
stakeholder interactions
To address issues of adoption such as stove
cost, stove maintenance, fuel affordability,
and availability.
It is a multi-fuel (biomass, charcoal, agro

residue etc.) stove with hybrid operation Andaman gets training in seaweed
modes. farming
Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute
(CMFRI) is transferring seaweed cultivation
technology to the Andaman administration.
Kashmir's Red Stag to get IUCN's
'critically endangered' tag Seaweed cultivation is perceived as one of the
IUCN (International Union for Conservation most environmentally benign types of
of Nature) all set to declare Kashmir Red Stag mariculture.
or Hangul it a 'critically endangered' species.
Seaweed farming
Species is endangered by due to habitat
destruction, over-grazing by domestic Seaweed farming is the practice of
livestock, and poaching. cultivating and harvesting seaweed.
The Seaweeds are macrophytic algae,
Facts important for Prelims:- a primitive type of plants lacking true
roots, stems and leaves.
Hangul is known for its giant antlers
Seaweeds grow abundantly along the
bearing 11 to 16 points.
Tamil Nadu and Gujarat coasts and
Steps for conservation by government:-
around Lakshadweep and Andaman
and Nicobar islands

13
Uses:- And private sector participation in
urban transport projects will be
It provides valuable source of raw increased
material for industries like health
food, medicines, pharmaceuticals,
textiles, fertilizers, animal feed etc.
Seaweeds used for production of
Agar, Alginates & Carrageenan. Australias Great Barrier Reef sees
largest coral die-off ever
The 2,300-kilometre long reef the worlds
biggest suffered its most severe bleaching
Air Quality Index (AQI)
in recorded history, due to warming sea
Air Quality Index is a tool for effective
temperatures during March and April, with
communication of air quality status to people
the northern third bearing the brunt.
in terms, which are easy to understand.
How does coral bleaching works?
There are six AQI categories, namely Good,
Satisfactory, Moderately polluted, Poor, Very Bleaching occurs when abnormal
Poor, and Severe. environmental conditions, such as
warmer sea temperatures, cause
AQ sub-index and health breakpoints are
corals to expel tiny photosynthetic
evolved for eight pollutants (PM10, PM2.5,
algae, draining them of their colour.
NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb).
Algae are vital to the coral, which uses
New Green Urban Transport Scheme the organic products of
on the anvil with Central assistance of photosynthesis to help it grow.
Rs.25,000 cr The loss of algae makes the host
New Green Urban Transport Scheme vulnerable to disease and means it
will eventually die.
Green Urban Transport Scheme seeks to However, coral can recover if the
encourage growth of urban transport along water temperature drops and the
low Carbon path for substantial and algae are able to recolonise them.
measurable reduction in pollution.
Under this Scheme, there is provision of

promoting eco-friendly transportation The 1st International Agrobiodiversity
facilities, like:- Congress held in New Delhi
Delhi declaration of International
Non-motorised Transport Agrobiodiversity Congress called upon
infrastructure, nations to:-
Increasing access to public transport,
Accord top priority to the
Use of clean technologies,
agrobiodiversity conservation and
Adoption of Intelligent Transport
their sustainable use towards
Systems (ITS)

14
achieving targets of SDGs relating to Microbial and fungal genetic
poverty alleviation, food and resources
nutritional security, good health, Components of biodiversity that support
gender equity and partnership. ecosystem services, such as nutrient
To develop the necessary funding, cycling, pest and disease regulation,
legal and institutional mechanism pollination, pollution and sediment
to ensure and facilitate participation regulation, maintenance of the hydrological
of farm men and women, pastoralists cycle
and other tribal and rural
communities. Abiotic factors, such as local climatic and
To achieve efficiency, equality, chemical factors
economy and environmental Socio-economic and cultural dimensions
security in agricultural production including include traditional and local
systems and landscapes. knowledge of agricultural biodiversity,
To consider declaring soon a Year of cultural factors and participatory
Agrobiodiversity to draw processes.
worldwide attention and to catalyze
urgent action.
To actively invest in and incentivize
the utilization of agrobiodiversity.
To address malnutrition, increase the Environment Ministry Constitutes
resilience and productivity of farms Four-Member Team for Conservation
What is Agro-biodiversity? of Loktak Lake
The Ministry of Environment, Forest and
Agro-biodiversity is the variety and
Climate Change has constituted a four-
variability of animals, plants and micro-
member team for conservation and
organisms that are used directly or indirectly
management of Loktak Lake in Manipur.
for food and agriculture, including crops,
livestock, forestry and fisheries. The team will:-
It comprises the diversity of genetic Enumerate the steps required to be

resources (varieties, breeds) and species used initiated for declaring Loktak Lake as
for food, fodder, fibre, fuel and a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
pharmaceuticals. Identify the steps and actions to be
taken to increase the tourism
Dimensions of Agro-biodiversity:-
potential of Loktak Lake.
Genetic resources for food and agriculture, About Loktak lake
such as-
It is the largest freshwater lake in
Plant genetic resources Northeast India.
Animal genetic resources

15
Lake is known for its circular floating The regional plan aims to provide:-
swamps (called phumdis in the local
language). 1. Broad policy direction to guide the
implementation of the Sendai
KeibulLamjao National Park located at
Framework in the context of the 2030
the south western part of the lake.
sustainable development agendas in
It is the worlds only floating national
the region;
park and is home to the endangered
Manipuri brow-antlered deer, Sangai. 2. A long-term road map, spanning the
The lake is now endangered, with 15-year horizon of the Sendai
innumerable threats like pollution, Framework
decline in diversity of avifauna and
thinning of phumdis. 3. A two-year action plan with specific
Phumdis activities that are prioritised based on
the long-term road map
The term phumdis refers to
a collection of heterogeneous mass of About New Delhi declaration:-
vegetation, soil, and organic matter at
The New Delhi Declaration is a political
various stages of
statement setting out the commitment of
decomposition. Resembling miniature
participating governments towards:-
islands, these phumdis are found in
various forms, floating on the lake. Preventing and reducing disaster risk
Strengthening the resilience of
communities, nations and the Asian
New Delhi Declaration, Asian Regional
region
Plan adopted at AMCDRR 2016
The three-day Asian Ministerial Conference Recognizing the need to accelerate
on Disaster Risk Reduction (AMCDRR) 2016 the implementation of global
came to an end with the adoption of the New frameworks
Delhi Declaration and the Asian Regional People-centred and whole-of-society
Plan for Implementation of the Sendai approach towards DRR (Disaster Risk
Framework. Reduction)
It also emphasizes the need to enhance the
Asian Regional Plan for Implementation of capacity of communities and ensure
the Sendai Framework participation of all stakeholder groups
towards achieving resilience.
Asian Regional Plan is one of the main
outcome documents of the Asian Ministerial Sendai Framework for Disaster Risk
Conference on Disaster Risk Reduction Reduction
(AMCDRR).
The Sendai Framework is a 15-year,
It seeks to guide and support the national voluntary, non-binding agreement
implementation of the Sendai Framework

16
It recognizes that the State has the primary It also looks at integration of land use and
role to reduce disaster risk but that transportation planning, community
responsibility should be shared with other participation in urban planning and service
stakeholders including local government, the delivery.
private sector and other stakeholders.
It aims for the following outcome:-

De-carbonization of Indian Railways
The substantial reduction of disaster Mission Electrification
An International Conference on De-
risk and losses in lives, livelihoods
carbonization of Indian Railways i.e. Mission
and health and in the economic,
Electrification was held in New Delhi.
physical, social, cultural and
environmental assets of persons, Mission Electrification
businesses, communities and
countries. It is an initiative to reduce dependence on
diesel by electrifying nearly 90% of railway
tracks in the next five years.
Need for De-carbonization and

electrification of Indian Railway:-
As of now, Indian Railway consumes

2.6 billion liters of diesel annually, or
Asia Pacific countries resolve to adopt 3.2% of the total diesel consumption
Urban Plus approach to take planning of the transport sector in India.
beyond city limits Prioritizing De-carbonization of
Indian Railways could help India
Asia Pacific countries that account for over achieve its 2030 emissions reduction
55% of global urban population have goals.
resolved to adopt Urban Plus approach And an essential step in de-
under Delhi Declaration. carbonization of IR is to transition to
an electrified rail network, and away
Urban Plus approach deals with taking from a diesel-powered rail network.
urban planning and development beyond An electrified rail network can more
city limits to prevent unmanageable and easily transition to clean energy
unsustainable urban expansion. alternatives such as solar and wind
power.
The Implementation Plan further
recommended to review existing policies and Surya Jyoti Photo-Voltaic (PV)
draft new ones that will take forward the Integrated Micro Solar Dome (MSD)
aims of the New Urban Agenda.

17
It is a low cost and energy efficient Micro from forested lands and invest in low-
Solar Dome tested and developed, to capture carbon paths to sustainable development.
day light and concentrate the same inside a
dark room, particularly in urban slum or rural Developing countries would receive results-
areas which lack electricity supply. based payments for results-based actions.
Features:- REDD+ goes beyond simply deforestation

and forest degradation, and includes the
It is made of acrylic material which role of conservation, sustainable management
captures the sunlight and the light passes of forests and enhancement of forest carbon
through a sun-tube having a thin layer of stocks.
highly reflective coating on the inner wall of
the passage.
It also contains a lower dome made of Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste

acrylic. Government of India (GoI) has notified the
Bio-medical Waste (Management & Handling)
There is a shutter in the bottom of the lower Rules, 2016 under the Environment
dome which can be closed, if light is not (Protection) Act, 1986.
required in the daytime.
In supersession of the Bio-medical Waste
It gives an illumination equivalent of a (Management & Handling) Rules, 1998,
60W incandescent lamp. Government of India (GoI) has notified the
revamped Bio-medical Waste Management
REDD+ Rules, 2016.
The Coalition for Rainforest Nations, an
intergovernmental organisation seeking to Important Salient features of BMW
advance Reducing Emissions from Management Rules, 2016:-
Deforestation and Forest Degradation
(REDD+), has said the 2015 Paris Agreement Bio-medical waste has been classified
will only succeed if REDD+ is a fundamental in to 4 categories instead 10
element of the deal. to improve the segregation of waste at
source.
What is REDD+? The ambit of the rules has been
expanded to include vaccination
Reducing emissions from deforestation and
camps, blood donation camps,
forest degradation (REDD+) is a mechanism
surgical camps or any other
developed by Parties to the United Nations
healthcare activity
Framework Convention on Climate Change
Establish a Bar-Code System for bags
(UNFCCC).
or containers containing bio-medical
It creates a financial value for the carbon waste for disposal
stored in forests by offering incentives for The new rules prescribe more
developing countries to reduce emissions stringent standards for incinerator

18
to reduce the emission of pollutants in The salient features of Hazardous and Other
environment; Wastes (Management &Transboundary
Inclusion of emissions limits for Movement) Rules, 2016 include the
Dioxin and furans; following:-
Pre-treatment of the laboratory
waste, microbiological waste, blood The ambit of the Rules has been
samples and blood expanded by including Other
bags through disinfection or Waste.
sterilisation on-site in the manner as The new rules distinguish
prescribed by WHO or NACO hazardous waste from others such
Establish a Bar-Code System for bags as waste tyre, paper waste, metal
or containers containing bio-medical scrap and used electronic items.
waste for disposal The rules recognize the latter as a
resource for recycling and reuse
Ensure treatment and disposal of
liquid waste in accordance with the supplementing industrial processes,
Water (Prevention and Control of thereby reducing the load on the
countrys resources.
Pollution) Act, 1974.
Procedure has been simplified to
merge all the approvals as a single
window clearance for setting up of
hazardous waste disposal facility and
import of other wastes.
Ban on imports of plastic items from
China The import of metal scrap, paper
Government has comprehensively revised its waste and various categories of
regulation on hazardous materials through electrical and electronic
Hazardous and Other Wastes (Management equipments for re-use purpose has
&Tranboundary Movement) Rules, 2016. been exempted from the need of
obtaining Ministrys permission.
Plastic waste, including PET bottles has Hazardous waste includes material
been included in the Schedule-VI, now the like lead acid battery scrap, used oil,
item is prohibited for import from all waste oil and spent catalysts.
countries. The state authorities have also been
asked to register the workers
Apart from the Hazardous Rules as stated
involved in recycling.
in the part (a) & (b) above, the BIS
States must also submit annual
standards, applicable to domestic goods,
reports regarding implementation of
are also applicable to imported goods.
these rules to environment ministry.
Hazardous and Other Wastes Other banned items:-
(Management &Tranboundary Movement)
Among other items banned for import are
Rules, 2016
waste edible fats and oil of animals,

19
household waste, tyres for direct re-use Radiation technology
purpose, solid plastic wastes, including PET
bottles, waste electrical and electronic Ionizing radiation emitted by
assemblies scrap and other chemical wastes radiation source such as Cobalt-60
especially in solvent form. interacts with the critical molecules
like DNA, proteins and water present
in the cell and result in the
inactivation of microorganisms.
Research Project in Gujarat As a result of Irradiation, besides
Under a Memorandum of Understanding pathogens, other unwanted
(MoU), Ahmedabad Municipal Corporation constituents like weeds, chemicals,
(AMC) and Bhabha Atomic Research Centre etc. are also degraded, making the
(BARC) have commenced the sludge safer for use.
implementation of 100 tons per day
irradiation facility for dry Sewage Sludge
Hygienisation at Ahmedabad. E-Pashuhaat
BARC is providing all technical and Under the scheme National Mission on Bovine
scientific support. BARC is already operating Productivity e-pashuhaat portal has been
a demonstration sludge hygienisation facility developed for connecting breeders and
in Vadodara since 1994 and supplying farmers regarding availability of bovine
hygienised sewage sludge to local farmers. germplasm.
BARC has also undertaken project and Through this portal, farmers will be aware
demonstrated the use of radiation grafted about the availability of quality disease
materials for cleaning textile dye effluents free bovine germplasm with different
agencies in the country. The portal will lead
How sludge can become usable:- to propagation of high genetic merit
germplasm.
Sewage Sludge generated at various
sewage treatment plants in towns and Aims and Objectives:
cities produce highly infectious
sewage sludge which could spread E-Trading Market portal for livestock
diseases. germplasm and additional related
However, it is also a good source of services.
carbon and other elemental Will connect farmers with breeders -
nutrients useful for growth of Central, State, Co-operative, Milk
plants. Federations, and private agencies.
Radiation technology can be utilized Real time authentic certified
to hygienise sludge and make it safer information on availability of
and a useful product for farmers and germplasm.
other land applications. Germplasm

20
Germplasm are living genetic Benefits of keeping residues:-
resources such as seeds or tissues
that are maintained for the The adequate crop residue is one of the most
important factors for healthy and productive
purpose of animal and plant
breeding, preservation, and other soils.
research uses. Crop residue can:-
These resources may take the form of
seed collections stored in seed banks, Provide a protective layer for soil
trees growing in nurseries, animal erosion by wind or water
breeding lines maintained in animal Increase the organic matter and water
breeding programs or gene banks, etc. holding capacity of the soil
Some important facts:- Provide feed and forage for earth
worms.
India has the largest bovine
An improved C:N ratio under residue
population in the world.
retention increases and maintains
The Indigenous bovine breeds are higher microbial activity, ensuring
sturdy, endowed with the quality of more rapid organic matter
heat tolerance, resistance to diseases decomposition and nutrient release to
and ticks with the ability to thrive the soil
under extreme climatic conditions Advantages of stubble burning:-
and survive with low inputs.
However, most of the indigenous have It can also help prevent catastrophic fires by
low genetic potential for milk reducing fuel loads.
production and are suited for draught
animal power. It provides ease of tillage, seeding and other
field operations can be enhanced by burning
But, some breeds have potential to be
excess crop residue.
highly productive under optimal
nutrition and farm management Disadvantages of stubble burning:-
conditions alongwith selective genetic
breeding. It decreases readily assimilated
carbon sources for microbes.
It decreases soil ammonium levels
Stubble Burning and available soil phosphorus.
The Indian state of Punjab has two growing It causes increased erodibility, lower
seasons: one from May to September and organic matter levels and reduced
another from November to April. In water intake and retention
November, farmers in Punjab typically sow Paddy stubble burning causes an
crops such as wheat and vegetables. They alarmingly dangerous increase in air
often set fire to their fields to clear them pollution by thick blanket of smog.
before planting, a practice known as stubble Hazy weather is caused due to the
burning. increased pollution levels
21
It causes serious threat to human Biomining is an approach to the
health including breathing problems, extraction of desired minerals from
allergies and asthma attacks. ores.
Microorganisms are used to leach
out the minerals, rather than the
Bio-mining helps in tackling garbage traditional methods of extreme heat
problem or toxic chemicals, which have a
The authorities S. Kannanur Town Panchayat deleterious effect on the environment.
have adopted the bio-mining method to solve The most important mineral-
the garbage problem that had been plaguing decomposing microorganisms are the
it for several years. iron- and sulphur-oxidizing
chemolithotrophs.
The garbage bio degradable and non-bio-
degradable that got accumulated over the
years at the dumping yard without being
India's first LNG-powered bus rolls out
segregated posed a huge challenge.
in Kerala
To tackle this problem, the bio-mining The LNG-driven bus was rolled out as part of
method was adopted on the advice of the the Centre's plans to use LNG, considered to
department. be a cleaner and safer fuel which emits 50
per cent less carbon, for mass
How it was done? transportation.
Under the bio-mining process About LNG

unclassified waste was divided into
various segments. LNG (liquefied natural gas) is
After that, one litre of effective micro- obtained by cooling natural gas at
organism liquid was mixed with 200 atmospheric pressure to
litres of water for 1,000 kilograms of approximately -162 C, resulting in a
garbage and sprayed on each fuel that is colorless, odorless and
segment. non-toxic.
Through this method the bio- LNG is an environmentally friendly
degradable wastes were removed fuel with less number of Nox,
from the segments and converted Sox and particulate matters, as
into organic manure. compared to any other automotive
Around 70 tonnes of organic manure fuel. Co2 emission is also lesser than
were produced from the accumulated Diesel.
waste by adopting the bio-mining LNG engines run quieter than diesel
process. engines.
What is bio-mining:- Unlike crude oil and crude-derived
liquid fuels, LNG spills do not
require any remediation of soil,

22
groundwater or surface waters involved in the formation of fossil
because it evaporates immediately fuels, such as coal and petroleum,
and dissipates quickly into the from prehistoric biological matter.
atmosphere. Biofuels can be derived directly from
LNG is one of the least expensive plants, or indirectly from agricultural,
transportable fuels. commercial, domestic, and/or
industrial wastes.
It is important to note that the
First 2G (Second Generation) Ethanol structure of the biofuel itself does not
Bio-refinery in India to be set up at change between generations, but
Bathinda rather the source from which the fuel
The Bathinda Bio-refinery will be utilizing is derived changes.
agriculture residues for production of 100 KL 1 generation bio-fuels
st
per day or 3.20 crorelitres per annum of

ethanol which may be sufficient to meet the First generation biofuels are
26% of the ethanol blending requirement of produced directly from food crops.
the State. The biofuel is ultimately derived from
the starch, sugar, animal fats, and
One of the major outputs of this Bio-refinery vegetable oil that these crops provide.
shall be Bio-fertilizer approximating 30,000 Corn, wheat, and sugar cane are the
tonnes per annum which shall be most commonly used first generation
incorporated into the soil for improving soil biofuel feed stock.
fertility. 2nd generation bio-fuels
The Government of India is encouraging Second generation biofuels, also
production of Second Generation (2G) known as advanced biofuels, are fuels
Ethanol from agricultural residues to provide that can be manufactured from
additional sources of remuneration to various types of biomass.
farmers, address the growing environmental Difference between 1st generation and 2nd
concerns and support the Ethanol Blended generation bio-fuels
Petrol (EBP) programme for achieving 10%
Ethanol Blending in Petrol. First generation biofuels are made
from the sugars and vegetable oils
Bio-fuels found in arable crops, which can be
easily extracted using conventional
A biofuel is produced through
technology.
contemporary biological processes of
carbon fixation through living In comparison, second generation
organisms, such as agriculture and biofuels are made from lingo-
anaerobic digestion. cellulosic biomass or woody crops,
agricultural residues or waste.
While fossil fuel is produced through
geological processes such as those

23
A series of physical and chemical occurs over thousands or millions of
treatments might be required to years.
convert lignocellulosic biomass to Additionally, fossil fuels are made
liquid fuels. entirely of hydrogen and carbon
3 generation bio-fuels
rd atoms while biofuels contain carbon,
hydrogen, and oxygen
Recently, it became apparent that Bio-ethanol
algae are capable of much higher
yields with lower resource inputs Bioethanol fuel is mainly produced by
than other feedstock. And algae the sugar fermentation process.
became the source of 3rd generation The main sources of sugar required to
bio-fuels. produce ethanol come from fuel or
The diversity of fuel that algae can produce energy crops.
results from two characteristics of the Second generation (2G) ethanol
microorganism:- draws on previously unused (ligno-)
cellulosic plant parts, such as straw or
First, algae can produce an oil that can
corn cobs.
easily be refined into diesel or even
Ethanol is a high octane fuel and has
certain components of gasoline.
replaced lead as an octane enhancer
Second property is that it can be in petrol.
genetically manipulated to produce
By blending ethanol with gasoline we
everything from ethanol and butanol
can also oxygenate the fuel mixture so
to even gasoline and diesel fuel
it burns more completely and reduces
directly.
polluting emissions.
The list of fuels that can be derived from
algae includes:
Biodiesel
Butanol Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX 2016-
Gasoline 17)
Objectives
Methane
Ethanol The objectives of the Winter Fog
Vegetable Oil Experiment (WIFEX) are to develop
Difference between Bio-fuels and fossil better now-casting (next 6 hours) and
fuels:- forecasting of winter fog on various
time and spatial scales.
The biggest difference between a
Help reduce its adverse impact on
biofuel and a fossil fuel is the time
aviation, transportation and economy,
period over which the fixation occurs.
and loss of human life due to
In a biofuel, fixation occurs in months
accidents.
or years. In a fossil fuel, fixation
Scientific objectives

24
The main scientific objective of this project is Tribunal
to study:- The National Green Tribunal has ordered the
Rajasthan government to cancel the
The characteristics and variability of
allotments of salt pans in Sambhar salt lake
fog events and associated dynamics,
that fall within the wetland.
Thermodynamics and fog
microphysics, As per the claims, the illegal business of brine
With the aim to achieve better understanding extraction at Sambharlake has led to
of fog life cycle and ultimately improve overexploitation of water resources in the
capability in fog prediction. area.
Fog Wetland (Conservation and Management)

Rules, 2010

Fog is a visible mass consisting of
cloud water droplets suspended in the The Centre created the Central Wetland
air or near the Earths surface. Regulatory Authority (CWRA), headed by the
The presence of heavy and extended Secretary, Ministry of Environment.
period fog in the northern regions of
India is one of the major weather Activities prohibited in wetlands include
hazards. reclamation, constructing permanent
structures within 50 m, setting up or
Fog is basically a low-lying cloud
expanding industries, throwing waste, etc.
where accumulation of water takes
place from local water bodies. 12 activities including fishing, boating,
Fog rarely lasts longer after sunrise dredging, etc. are restricted without prior
and has no major ill effect other than permission from the state government.
reducing visibility.
But it becomes harmful when this fog Rules apply also to areas rich in genetic
is mixed with other pollutants to form diversity and areas of outstanding natural
smog. beauty, besides protected areas.
Formation of Smog:-
An Environment Impact Assessment (EIA) is
Air pollutants from cars like sulphur dioxide, compulsory before undertaking any activity
nitrogen dioxide and various industrial in a wetland area.
pollutants like carbon monoxide, volatile
Rules cover all wetlands and wetland
organic compounds, ozone and particulate
complexes larger than a specified area 5
matter mix with fog to form a dense layer in
hectares for high-altitude regions, 500
the atmosphere called smog.
hectares elsewhere.
Wetlands
Cancel allotments of salt pans in
Wetland encompasses a broad range
Sambhar Lake: National Green
of ecosystems characterized by bodies

25
of water like lakes, ponds, rivers or Along with Phulera and Deedwana,
marshes, and their surrounding bio- the wetland is the most important
networks. wintering area for flamingoes
They are breeding grounds for fish The brine of this lake is unique, as it
and fowl, they store and recharge has got low potassium content.
groundwater, and act as buffers
against storms and floods.
Wetlands are natures measures NGT bans open waste burning
against both droughts and floods The National Green Tribunal (NGT) on
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands Thursday imposed a complete ban on
burning of waste in open places and
India is one of the 169 signatories to announced a fine of Rs. 25,000 on each
the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, incident of bulk waste burning and Rs. 5,000
signed in Ramsar, Iran, in 1971. in case of simple burning.
It is an intergovernmental treaty that
provides the framework for national It further held that non-biodegradable
action and international cooperation waste and non-recyclable plastic should
for the conservation and wise use of be segregated from the landfill sites and
wetlands and their resources. used for construction of roads and
There are 2,241 Ramsar sites across embankments in all road projects.
the world.
Effects of open waste burning
There are 26 wetlands across India
from Wular Lake in Jammu and Some of the pollutants contained in the
Kashmir to Ashtamudi Wetland in smoke from open burning of garbage can
Kerala, and from DeeporBeel in include:
Assam to NalSarovar in Gujarat.
Sambhar Lake Dioxins
Furans
Sambharlake in Rajasthan is the Arsenic
largest salt water lake in India. Mercury
It is located in the districts of Nagaur PCBs
and Jaipur and it also borders the Lead
Ajmer district. Carbon monoxide
The water from two major ephemeral Nitrogen oxides
streams namely Mendha, Runpangarh Sulphur oxides
along with numerous rivulets and Hydrochloric acid
surface runoff feed the lake. Some of these pollutants can also end up in
Sambhar has been designated as a the ash that is left behind from open burning
Ramsar site in the year 1990. Several of garbage.
migrating birds visit the waterbody
during the winter.

26
Fine particulate matters can cause various The objective of notifying Eco-Sensitive
respiratory problems including persistent Zones is to create a buffer as further
coughs, wheezing and physical discomfort. protection around Protected Areas (PAs)
such as National Parks and Wildlife
Chemicals contained in smoke, when mixed sanctuaries.
with rainwater, can speed in the deterioration
of manmade materials such as concrete, Sanjay Gandhi National Park
metal products and paint
Sanjay Gandhi National Park is spread over
Exposure to dioxins and furans has been three districts Palgar, Thane and Mumbai
linked to: Suburb and falls within the Tehsils of Kurla,
Borivalli and Thane.
Certain types of cancers
Liver problems Fauna of national park
Impairment of the immune
The National Park is home to a number of
system, the endocrine system, and
endangered species of flora and fauna,
reproductive functions
notable among them are:-
Effects on the developing nervous
system and other developmental large mammalian species such as
events leopard, wild boar, four-horned
antelope, black-naped hare, wild cat,
jackal and porcupine
And many bird species such as lesser
grebe, Purple Heron, Smaller Egret,
Lesser Whistling Teal, Pariah Kite.
Many reptiles, including snakes as
Indian Cobra and Viper are also found
in the National Park.
Ammonia detected first time in

Environment Ministry issues final troposphere
notification on Eco-Sensitive Zone in Researchers have discovered ammonia in
Sanjay Gandhi National Park, Mumbai Earth's lowest atmospheric layer, a new study
Government has declared an Eco-Sensitive said.
Zone area of 59.46 sqkms in Sanjay Gandhi
National Park in Mumbai suburb, of which The detected ammonia was most
19.25 sq km is forest land and 40.21 sq km is concentrated in the upper layer of the
non-forest land. troposphere above India and China,
countries that have experienced population
The Eco-Sensitive Zone has a minimum extent and economic booms in recent years.
of 100 metres and maximum extent of up to 4
km from the Park boundary.

27
The gas (NH3) is most likely coming from The giraffe, the tallest land animal, is now at
livestock farming and fertilization in those risk of extinction due to nearly 40 percent in
countries, the researchers said. just 30 years decline in population.
Significance of the discovery:- Scientists put it on the official watch list of

threatened and endangered species
Plants and crops need ammonia to worldwide, calling it vulnerable.
grow, but too much of it can harm the
environment and human health. Thats two steps up the danger ladder from
The gas may act as a cooling agent its previous designation of being a species of
and help compensate for the human- least concern.
caused greenhouse gas effect.
The giraffe is the only mammal whose status
Ammonia can act as an aerosol, or
changed on the list this year. Scientists blame
teensy particles suspended in the
habitat loss.
atmosphere. Aerosols often act as
"cloud seeds" around which cloud Causes of decline
droplets can form.
Aerosols are the smallest particles Shrinking living space is the main culprit in
known to contribute to cloud the declining giraffe population, worsened by
formation. poaching and disease.
About Troposphere
People are moving into giraffe areas
The troposphere starts at Earth's especially in central and eastern Africa.
surface and goes up to a height of 7 to
Other species that required attention:-
20 km (4 to 12 miles, or 23,000 to
65,000 feet) above sea level. The status of two snake species worsened.
It includes up to 80 percent of Earth's
atmosphere. The ornate ground snake, which
Almost all weather occurs within this lives on the tiny island of Saint Lucia,
layer. deteriorated from endangered to
Nearly all of the water vapor and dust critically endangered.
particles in the atmosphere are in the The Lacepedes ground snake of
troposphere. That is why most clouds Martinique, which was already
are found in this lowest layer, too. critically endangered, is now
Air is warmest at the bottom of the considered possibly extinct.
troposphere near ground level. The Victoria stonebasher, a
freshwater fish in Africa, went from
being considered endangered to least
Giraffes, rarer than elephants, put on concerned with a stable population.
extinction watch list An African plant, the acmadenia
candida, which was declared extinct,

28
has been rediscovered and is now It is a place for mass nesting of Olive
considered endangered. Ridley turtles.
Another freshwater fish, It has also 24 species of crabs and two
ptychochromoidesitasy, which species of horseshoe crabs.
hadnt been seen since the 1960s, has Theses Mangrove forests are good
been rediscovered in small numbers habitat for King Cobra, Indian
in Africas Sakay River and is now Python and Water Monitor Lizard.
considered critically endangered.
Parliamentary panel recommends

An IUCN team visited the Bhitarkanika replacing pine trees with broad-leaved
national park trees
An IUCN team had visited the Bitarkanika A parliamentary panel has recommended
national park, located in Kendrapara district, systematic replacement of chir pine trees
last November. in forests with broad-leaved trees due to 55
per cent rise in forest fire spots in 2016 from
IUCN makes recommendations on whether a last year.
site should be included in the World Heritage
List or not. The Committee also suggested procuring
sweeping machines to clear roadsides of
IUCN is reviewing nine World Heritage chir pine needles and dry leaves in
nominations with natural criteria, vulnerable areas.
including two extensions and seven new sites,
which are proposed for 2017. Reason:-
About Bhitarkanika National Park Chir pine needles, are highly

inflammabledue to its high resin
Bhitarkanika National Park is the content, are a prominent factor in
country's second largest mangrove occurring and spreading of forest
forest after the Sundarbans in fires.
neighbouring West Bengal.
In 2016, Uttarkhand alone witnessed
Bhitarkanika is also a Ramsar a nearly 700 per cent rise in forest fire
wetland site, having been declared so spots. In 2015, the state recorded 207
in 2002. fire spots, but the figure rose to 1501
The park figured on the tentative list in 2016.
of future heritage sites of Unesco in Fires destroyed nearly 4000 hectares
2009 and made its way to the final of forest covering over 13 districts in
list in 2014. the hill state. It killed 9 people and
The park has the largest number of injured 17.
saltwater estuarine crocodiles in
the world.

29
Goa hosts symposium on falling oxygen Impacts of falling oxygen level
levels in oceans
The symposium, organised by Goa-based Large fish in particular do not survive
CSIR-National Institute of Oceanography in areas with low oxygen content
(NIO), in association with UNESCO-Scientific Fish that rely on dissolved oxygen
Committee on Oceanic Research at Dona Pula will grow more slowly, peak at a
will be attended by over 25 foreign experts smaller body size, and produce fewer
and 75 Indian researchers. offspring.
Recent estimates suggests that ocean area

devoid of oxygen is expanding, which has Hope Island is a graveyard for Olive
implications for the global climate. Ridleys
Carcasses of Olive Ridley turtles were
It will provide a platform for cooperation
washing ashore on Hope Islands beaches
among the attending participants across the
recently.
globe to advance a more focused and effective
research on ocean de-oxygenation. Even as the destination for a majority is
Gahirmatha in Odisha, the sandy stretches of
Reasons of falling oxygen level
Hope Island of the Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
According to the research reports, the have turned into a breeding area for a few
amount of oxygen in the world's oceans has hundred turtles every year.
reduced by 2 percent,
The main cause for death of turtles has been
The reasons of which are:- trawling of mechanized boats.
Under the influence of climate change, The Fisheries Department tried to encourage
warmer water is less efficient at the mechanised boat owners to fit a Turtle
trapping gases like oxygen Excluder Device (TED) to their trawl nets to
Warmer water is also lighter and allow the animals to pass, 10 years ago.
expands more, so less oxygen is Of the 422 boats, few have opted for the
making its way down to the lower device due to lack of sensitisation.
depths of the ocean
For each degree of ocean warming, The turtles are protected under the
oxygen concentration goes down by 2 Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1986.
percent
Olive Ridley turtle
The rising temperatures cause
layers of ocean water to stratify so The Olive Ridley turtles are the
the more oxygen-rich surface waters smallest and most abundant of all
are less able to mix with oxygen-poor sea turtles inhabiting warm waters
waters from the deeper ocean. of Pacific, Atlantic and Indian Ocean.
Dumping fertilisers in the sea

30
The olive ridley is predominantly This is an effort to ensure olive ridley turtles
carnivorous, especially in immature breeding and to cut off intruding fishing
stages of the life cycle. vessels.
In India, the Gahirmatha beach and
These rescue efforts have been launched at
the Rushikulya and Devi river
the three major nesting sites of the
mouths of Odisha are famous as the
turtles:-
worlds largest Olive Ridley
rookery. Gahiramatha Marine Sanctuary
The Olive Ridley sea Devi river mouth
turtle, LepidochelysOlivacea, which Rushikulya beach
nests along the Odisha coast, is an Gahirmatha marine sanctuary
endangered species.
The Olive Ridley is classified as It is Located within the close vicinity
Vulnerable according to the of the Bhitarkanika National Park and
International Union for Conservation is Odisha's only Turtle Sanctuary.
of Nature and Natural Resources The marine sanctuary stretches from
(IUCN), and is listed in Appendix I of Dhamra river mouth (in north) to
CITES. Mahanadi river mouth (in south).
Hope Island
Hope Island is a small tadpole shaped

Antlers could end up in medicines
Island situated off the coast of
State Board for Wildlife (SBWL) has
Kakinada, India, in Bay of Bengal.
decided to approach to the center for
The area between Kakinada coast and
amendments to the Wildlife Protection Act,
Hope Island is known as Kakinada
1986 for using the antlers for medicinal
Bay.
purposes.
Hope Island protects the city of
Kakinada from the strong storm Tonnes of antlers are kept in the stores of
surges coming from the Bay of Bengal. Department of Museums and Zoos as the sale
Hope Island acts as a sort of natural and use of antlers are banned in India under
break water the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The northern part of the island is
called the "Godavari point" Antlers can be used for the creation of
Operation Oliva Ayurvedic medicines, used for invigorating
spleen, strengthening bones/muscles and
The Indian Coast Guard recently launched boosting blood flow.
Operation Oliva in Odisha with a mission to
save the endangered olive ridley turtles. The authorities were destroying the fallen
horns of deer by setting them on fire, which
makes them unusable for the medicinal
purposes.

31
Whats the proposal? DarojiKaradiDhama, near Hampi, on January
5, 6 and 7.
Antlers are the extensions of the skull
of the deer. All the three deer DarojiKaradiDhama sanctuary:-
varieties found in Kerala, including
spotted deer, sambar, and barking Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary is located
deer, shed their antlers annually. in Ballari district in Karnataka.
The proposal, which was originally It is the biggest sloth bear sanctuary
mooted a few years ago, was to collect in Asia, with rich flora and fauna.
the antlers annually shed by the It has also been a haven for migratory
ungulates after the breeding season birds including Great Indian Bustards,
and use for medicinal purposes. flamingos, and bar-headed geese.
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 The bears are threatened due to
illegal mining in fragmented areas of
The Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, the adjoining forests.
has included antler in the definition
of wildlife trophy.
A wildlife trophy is defined as the
whole or any part of any captive
New Ginger species with medicinal
animal or wild animal.
properties found in Andaman
Wildlife and wildlife trophies are Scientists of the Botanical Survey of India
considered as owned by the (BSI) have found a new species of Zingiber
government. (commonly referred as Ginger) species
The Act also prescribes imprisonment Zingiberpseudosquarrosum, new to
up to three years and fine of RS. science, from the Andaman and Nicobar
25,000 for offences involving wildlife Islands.
trophies.
Section 39 of the Act also states that The species was already used by the local
no person shall, without the Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups
previous permission in writing of (PVTGs) of the Andaman for its medicinal
the Chief Wildlife Warden or the value.
authorised officer acquire or keep in
The fresh extract [juice] of fleshy tuberous
his possession, custody or control or
roots is used to treat abdominal pain and
transfer to any person, whether by
anti-helminthic troubles.
way of gift, sale or otherwise or
destroy or damage such property. Uses by tribals:-
3 day bird festival held at Daroji Sloth The tribes of the Andaman and
Bear Sanctuary Nicobar Islands have interesting
The third edition of the Karnataka usage of other species of Zingibers.
HakkiHabba (bird festival) celebrated at

32
For instance, Shompen and Nicobari As many as 163 species of birds and 107
tribes use various plant parts of species of butterflies were recorded at this
another species of Zingiber years birds and butterfly survey at the
(Hornstediafenzlii ) as bee repellent Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary.
and, tranquiliser.
The survey was organized by Warblers and
Rhizome extracts and leaf pest are
Waders, Thiruvananthapuram, in association
applied on body during extracting
with the Forest department.
honey from honeycomb.
Botanical Survey of India Some of the birds and butterflies recorded
were endemic to the Western Ghats.
The Botanical Survey of India (BSI) was
established in 1890 with the objectives of New findings
exploring the plant resources of the country
and identifying plant species with economic Osprey (fish eagle), listed in the IUCN red
virtue. category, Great Indian Hornbill, Grey-headed
Bulbul, Black and Orange Flycatcher, Scally
In 1954, the Government reorganised the BSI Thrush, Booted Warbler, Paddyfield Warbler,
with the objectives of:- Blue Rockhill, and Rock Pipit are some among
the birds newly spotted in the sanctuary.
(1) Undertaking intensive floristic
surveys and collecting accurate The rarely sighted Malabar Hedge Hopper,
and detailed information on the Malabar Tree Nymph, Malabar Rose, and
occurrence, distribution, ecology Tamil Grass Dart are among the newly
and economic utility of plants in spotted butterfly species.
the country;
(2) Collecting, identifying and Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary
distributing materials that may be
of use to educational and research This sanctuary occupies the forest
institutions; and land between theCheruthoni and
(3) Acting as the custodian of Periyar rivers.
authentic collections in well Elephants, sambar deer, wild dogs,
planned herbaria and jungle cats, wild boar etc. are seen
documenting plant resources in here apart from various species of
the form of local, district, state snakes including cobra, viper, kraits
and national flora. and numerous non-poisonous ones.
Birds include grey jungle fowl,
Malabar grey hornbill, several
species of woodpeckers, bulbuls,
flycatchers, etc.
Survey spots 163 species of birds
DGFT prohibits import of fur and

33
reptile skin The Directorate General of Foreign
The Directorate General of Foreign Trade Trade (DGFT) is the agency of the
(DGFT) has issued a notification amending a Ministry of Commerce and Industry of
trade policy to prohibit the import of skins the Government of India.
of reptiles and fur of chinchillas, minks Agency is responsible for
and foxes. administering laws regarding foreign
trade and foreign investment in India.
Policy of India before notification DGFT provides a complete searchable
database of all exporters and
Before notification, Indias import
importers of India.
policy allows import of raw hides,
skins, leather, fur skins of reptiles, It is also responsible for execution of
mink, fox and other fur skins (whole, the import and export Policies of
with or without head, tail or paws). India.
DGFT can prohibit, restrict and
But they are subject to Indias Wild
Life (Protection) act, 1972 and regulate exports and imports.
CITES(the Convention on DGFT is the licensing authority for
International Trade in Endangered exporters, importers, and export and
Species of Wild Fauna and Flora). import business.
Animal Welfare Board of India
(AWBI) is Indias nodal body for
animal welfare. Rare birds sighted in Polachira
CITES wetlands
The 27th annual waterfowl census in the
CITES is an international agreement Polachira wetlands in Kollam district carried
between governments and it aims to out by Warblers and Waders (WW) counted
ensure that international trade in 3,117 water birds of 43 species.
specimens of wild animals and plants
This year, 15 Eurasian spoonbills were
does not threaten their survival.
sighted at Polachira, this bird is a new winter
CITES is an international agreement
visitor to the Polachira wetlands.
to which States (countries) adhere
voluntarily. One of the main threat to wetland is,
States that have agreed to be bound unauthorised pumping of water, leading to
by the Convention ('joined' CITES) are shrinkage of wetland.
known as Parties.
Although CITES is legally binding on Polachira wetland
the Parties but it does not take the
Polachira is a wetland spread over
place of national laws.
600 hectares located in Kollam
Directorate General of Foreign Trade
District of Kerala.
(DGFT)
Polachira is a favorite destination for
migratory birds.

34
The famous 'Anathavalam'(elephant Cabinet Approves Ratification Of Kyoto
shelter), where one can watch or even Protocol's 2nd Commitment Period On
travel on domestic elephants, is Climate Change
located near Polachira. The Centre gave its nod to ratify the second
Polachira consists entirely of paddy commitment period of the Kyoto Protocol
fields where farmers can cultivate that commits countries to contain the
paddy three times a year emission of greenhouse gases (GHGs).
(MoonupoovuNilam).
Greenhouse gases, such as carbon dioxide
(CO2), methane (CH4), nitrous oxide (N2O),
West Bengals endangered Hilsa gets perfluorocarbons (PFCs), hydrofluorocarbons
a lifeline (HFCs), and sulfur hexafluoride (SF6),
The state is planning to include provisions
Till now, 75 countries have ratified the
under penal codes that will allow the
second commitment period
arrest of anyone buying and selling the
variety weighing less than 500gms (also Kyoto protocol
called juveniles).
The Kyoto Protocol is an international
The Hilsa fish is on the brink of extinction agreement linked to the United Nations
because of:- Framework Convention on Climate
Change, which commits its Parties by setting
Migration barriers,
internationally binding emission reduction
Pollution and
targets.
Over-fishing
With the introduction of the proposed The detailed rules for the implementation of
provision, hilsa might very soon become the the Protocol were adopted at COP 7 in
first fish to get legal protection. Marrakesh, Morocco, in 2001, and are
referred to as the "Marrakesh Accords." Its
The hilsa that is also known as the Indian
first commitment period started in 2008 and
Shad migrates to the Bay of Bengal every
ended in 2012.
monsoon for breeding.
Features of Kyoto protocol
Existing provisions for protection of the
fish Kyoto protocol recognizes that developed
countries are principally responsible for
Five Hilsa sanctuaries were also declared on
the current high levels of GHGs.
the Hooghly river from Farakka to Sagar,
covering a stretch of 250 km and fishing on Kyoto Protocol places commitments on
this has been banned between June-August developed nations:-
and October-December.
To undertake mitigation targets
To provide financial resources and

35
Transfer of technology to the 1. Central Wetlands
developing nations Regulatory Authority
To compensate for the sting of "binding One of these notifications is to announce the
targets," the protocol provided several constitution of Central Wetlands Regulatory
mechanisms to developed countries, like:- Authority (CWRA).
Emissions trading It will be the nodal agency for identification,

Clean development mechanism conservation and protection of wetlands- for
Joint implementation a term of just two months.
2 commitment period
nd
2. Terms and constitution of
Its second commitment period was CWRA
adopted in 2012. But, only 65 The authority will be constituted under the
countries have so far ratified, which Environment Protection Act instead of under
falls short of 144 countries needed the Wetland Rules.
for mechanism to come into force.
Importance of notification
The Doha amendments, made in 2012,
had extended the legal obligation of National Green Tribunal (NGT) is hearing an
developed countries to take targeted application seeking directions to the
greenhouse gas emission cuts until government to identify all wetlands in the
2020 country as specified in the Wetlands Rules
It should be noted that a new climate (Conservation and Management) 2010.
change agreement for the post-2020
period, called Paris Agreement 2015, The Wetlands (Conservation and
has already entered into force and Management) Rules, 2010
replaced the Kyoto Protocol.
Rules provided for the creation of a Central
Under the Paris Agreement, every Wetlands Regulatory Authority (CWRA)
country including developed
countries have the freedom to decide Rules prohibited activities like:-
for itself what action it will take.
Reclamation of wetlands,
Setting up of new industries
Notifications on wetlands baffle green And expansion of existing industries,
activists solid waste dumping, manufacturing
Two recent notifications on wetlands issued or handling or storage or disposal of
by the Union environment ministry on hazardous substances,
December 14 have puzzled legal activists who Discharge of untreated waste and
have been campaigning for protection of effluents from industries, cities, towns
wetlands. and other human settlements,
Any construction of permanent
nature and any other activity that is

36
likely to have an adverse impact on cooperation for the conservation and wise
the ecosystem of wetlands. use of wetlands and their resources
What constitutes a wetland?
Under the three pillars of the Convention,
Wetlands mean:- the Contracting Parties commit to:
An area of marsh, peatland or water, Work towards the wise use of all
natural or artificial, permanent or their wetlands;
temporary, Designate suitable wetlands for
With water that is static or flowing, the list of Wetlands of
fresh, brackish or salt International Importance (the
And all inland and coastal waters such Ramsar List) and ensure their
as lakes, reservoirs, tanks, effective management;
backwaters, lagoons, creeks, estuaries Cooperate internationally on
and man-made wetlands. transboundary wetlands, shared
But it does not include river channels wetland systems and shared
and paddy fields. species.
Other programs to conserve the wetlands
National Wetlands Conservation Program of Centre to ban use of 18 pesticides

India:- harmful to humans and animals
Acting on advice of an expert committee, the
Started in 1987
Centre will ban use of 18 out of 66
It has been financially supporting
pesticides in India as it involves risk to
wetland conservation activities all
humans and animals.
over India.
Under the Programme 115 wetlands Though these pesticides are banned or
have been identified for conservation restricted in other countries, it continues to
and management till date. be used in India. Some of these pesticides are
Ramsar Convention:- highly toxic to honey bees and birds.
India is also a party to the Ramsar Convention Anupamverma Committee report

under which 26 wetlands from India are
included in the list of wetlands of The decision to ban these pesticides is
international importance. taken after considering recommendations
of an expert committee, headed by former
The Convention on Wetlands, signed in national professor of the Indian Agricultural
Ramsar, Iran, in 1971, is an Research Institute (IARI) AnupamVarma.
intergovernmental treaty.
The committee, constituted in July 2013, had
Convention provides the framework for reviewed use of 66 pesticides which are
national action and international banned or restricted in many countries.

37
Some hazardous pesticides not in banned Phenyl mercury acetate -
list (PMA)
Nichotinesulphate 1997
Paraquat Dichloride is a highly DDT 1989
hazardous herbicide, which is already Chlorobenzilate 2003
banned in Kerala, but is used in rest of Aldicarb -
India. Dieldrin 1990
The use of paraquat is banned or Trichloro acetic acid 2003
disallowed in at least 32 countries Maleic Hydrazide 2003
including members of European
Union due to its adverse health
effects.
Glyphosate, a widely used herbicide is Tribe offers clues to hidden wonders
also not on the ban list, even though of medicinal plant
the World Health Organisation Scientists at the Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical
recently classified it as a carcinogenic Botanic Garden and Research Institute
chemical. (JNTBGRI) have confirmed the multiple
List of the pesticides banned for use in therapeutic properties
agriculture in India as on 2012 of Neurocalyxcalycinus used by the
Cholanaickan tribe to treat inflammations and
Name of Pesticide Year since wounds.
Banned
Dibromochloropropane 1997 Cholanaickan tribe is one of the particularly
(DBCP)
vulnerable groups in Kerala.
Endrin 1997
Pentachloronitrobenzene 1998 Uses of drug
(PCNB)
Pentachlorophenol (PCP) 1998 The drug has application in wound-
Toxaphene 1998
healing, burn-healing, anti-cancer,
Ethyl parathion 1997
analgesic, anti-inflammatory,
Chlordane 1997
Heptachlor 1996 Immuno- enhancing, platelet-
Aldrin 1996 augmentation and anti-oxidant
Paraquat-di-methyl 1997 effects.
sulphate The presence of high Vitamin-E
Nitrofen 1997 content and potent cytoprotective
Tetradien 1997
activity in cell lines in the plant
Calcium cyanide 1995
species, have also enhanced the
Copper acotoarsenite 1995
prospects of developing an anti-
Ethyl mercury chloride 1995
cancer drug.
Menazon 1995
Sodium methane 1995
The fresh leaves of N.calycinus, known
arsonate in local parlance as pachachedi.
BHC (HCH) 1997

38
Barren volcano became live
181 Irrawaddy dolphins counted in Indias only active volcano, the Barren
Odisha census Island volcano in the Andaman and
As many as 181 endangered Irrawaddy Nicobar Islands is again spewing lava and
dolphins have been sighted in Odisha, ash, according to a team of scientists from the
according to a census carried out by the State Goa-based National Institute of Oceanography
Forest and Environment department. (NIO).
Humpback dolphins (34), bottlenose dolphins Volcano had started showing activity in 1991
(31) and five pantropical spotted dolphins after lying dormant for over 150 years.
were also sighted.
About Barren island
Irrawaddy Dolphin
The Barren Island, about 140 km
Irrawaddy dolphins can grow to a from Port Blair, is a tourist
length of 2.3 m and attain a weight of destination and surrounded by waters
130 kg. ideal for scuba diving and is home to a
This species is closely related to the wide variety of aquatic life.
killer whale, a much larger, oceanic The island is open to visitors, with
dolphin that can grow to 8m and prior permission, and as the name
weigh in excess of 6 tonnes. suggests is uninhabited and devoid
Its range extends from the Bay of of any significant vegetation.
Bengal to New Guinea and the Its the only active volcano along a
Philippines. Besides the Irrawaddy chain of volcanoes from Sumatra to
River, it is also found in Indias Myanmar.
Ganges, and Southeast Asias Mekong
River.
Irrawaddy dolphins are classified as
Vulnerable in the IUCN Red List of
Cargo ships collide at Ennore port
Threatened Species.
Collision of the ships at Ennore port has
It is not a true river dolphin and
resulted into the oil spill.
prefers to live in estuaries and
brackish water near coasts. A rapidly spreading oil spill off the Ennore
Irrawaddy river coast has impacted the livelihoods of
fishermen, threatened the aquatic
It is a river that flows from north to south
biodiversity along the coast.
through Myanmar. It is the country's largest
river and most important commercial 3 Super Suckers and submersible pumps
waterway. were deployed to remove the oil spill. The
Coast Guard also sprayed Oil Spill Dispersants
for removal of oil slick.

39
Over 140 tonnes of sludge (mixture of oil, The thick oil also washes ashore
water, ocean material) was removed during creating reservoirs on the beaches of
the ongoing clean-up operation. toxic chemicals.
Because the oil forms a film on the
There is a vast difference between quantity of
surface, it reduces the amount of light
oil spilled and sludge recovered due to the
and oxygen passing into the water.
fact that the oil gets coagulated and becomes
Bio-remediation
puffy when it is mixed with water, sand etc.
Bioremediation is a natural
The Indian Oil Corporation (IOC) is provided
process where very small living
special bio-remediation material for
organisms called microbes are used
treatment of the collected oil sludge for safe
to clean up the contaminated soil.
disposal.
The special microbes are added with
Effects of Oil spills nutrients for treating the collected
sludge.
Bunker oil is heavy oil. With weight Research and Development (R&D)
and density, it will become like a tar center of India recently deployed a
ball, and sink to the sea bottom and non-hazardous bio-remediation
settle on the sea bed. process named "Oilivorous-STM"
This will restrict the oxygen supply which was developed by the Centre to
to marine life. Once fishes come into deal with such onshore oil spills.
contact with the oil, their respiratory Microbes are the oldest form of life on
system will get affected and they will the earth and millions of them can fit
die. into the eye of a needle.
Turtles need to come up to the surface In this process, identified microbes
to breathe while in the sea. eat away the oil and sludge, leaving
Sometimes, they ingest surface water the soil completely oil-free and
while taking in air. If oil ingested, can harmless.
become cause of their death.
Oil spill is remain in eco system can
led to poisoning marine life all the ISRO collaborates with lifeguard
way up the food chain and causing agency to examine killer tides
irreparable damage to humans as well ISRO), in collaboration with a private
as to the marine ecosystem. lifeguard agency appointed by the Goa
There is heavy concentration of government to safeguard its beaches, is at
nine heavy materials such as zinc, present studying the phenomenon of 'killer
lead and arsenic in spilled oil, which rip tides'.
are non-biodegradable and cannot be
removed by bioremediation. Study is named as Ripex 2017.
Rip tides

40
Rip tide, also known as an ebb jet or The National Fisherfolk Forum (NFF) has
tidal jet, is a strong tidal flow of urged the central government to ban the
water within estuaries and other disposal of micro-plastic into the sea.
enclosed tidal areas.
Harmful effects of micro plastics in the sea
This strong sea current pulls the
water away from the shore, often Micro plastics have been defined as
catching swimmers and people synthetic organic polymer particles
enjoying the sea in the shallows with a size less than 5 mm.
unawares and can drag them into the Microplastics are easily ingested by
sea. fish, mussels and other sea animals
They are one of the most common Chemicals in plastics and also chemicals
causes for drowning in the shallow which attach themselves to plastic in the
waters off Goa's popular coastline natural environment could cause:-
Poisoning
Infertility
A New Technology to Convert Waste To Genetic disruption in marine life,
Energy Might Help India Deal With Its And potentially all the above effects in
Mounting Garbage Woes humans if ingested in high quantities.
Plastic pyrolysis, a technology by which Nilambur teak set to enter elite club of
plastic is broken down into smaller products with GI tag
molecules of pyrolysis oil and gas to Nilambur teak, internationally known for its
generate energy. superior quality and elegant appearance, will
soon be added to the list of Kerala
Anhydrous pyrolysis can also be used to
produces with the Geographical Indication
produce liquid fuel similar to diesel from
(GI) tag.
plastic waste, with a higher cetane value and
lower sulphur content than traditional diesel. GI registration of Pokkali rice, one of the
first Kerala produces to get the GI tag,
Using pyrolysis to extract fuel from end-of-
meanwhile, has been renewed.
life plastic is a second-best option after
recycling, is environmentally preferable to Other Kerala products with GI registration
landfill, and can help reduce dependency on include Vazhakulam Pineapple, Wayanadan
foreign fossil fuels and geo-extraction. rice varieties Jeerakasala and Gandhakasala,
Tirur Betel vine, Central Travancore Jaggery
and ChengalikodanNendran, a banana variety.
Ban Disposal of Micro-Plastic Into Sea, Geographical Indications of Goods
Fishermen Forum Urges Centre
(Registration and Protection Act)

41
The Indian Parliament passed the Cleaning of Rivers Under
Geographical Indications of Goods NamamiGange Mission
(Registration and Protection Act) in The NamamiGangeprogramme is an
December 1999. umbrella programme to ensure effective
The act aimed at providing a abatement of pollution and conservation
registration and also protection of of the river Ganga and all its tributaries.
GI of the goods in India.
Under the current NamamiGangeprogramme,
This Act is administered by the
other than river Ganga, pollution abatement
Controller General of Patents, Designs
work is taken up on certain critical
and Trade Marks, who is also the
tributaries like Ramganga, Kali and Yamuna
Registrar of Geographical Indications.
as a first priority.
Conditions of GI tag
Its implementation has been divided into:-
The GI tag is an indication which is
definite to a geographical territory. Entry-Level Activities (for immediate
It is used for agricultural, natural visible impact)
and manufactured goods. For a Medium-Term Activities (to be
product to get GI tag, the goods need implemented within 5 years of time
to be produced or processed or frame)
prepared in that region. Long-Term Activities (to be
It is also essential that the product has implemented within 10 years)
special quality or reputation. The works are executed by the State Project
Benefits Management Groups (SPMGs) of the
respective States through the designated
This identity helps in preventing
Executing Agencies.
misuse of a registered GI.
Moreover, the legal protection of GI The NGRBA has resolved that no untreated
boosts exports. municipal sewage or industrial effluent will
GI tag not only helps the countrys be discharged into river Ganga by year 2020.
export market but also helps in
promoting economic prosperity of the Construction and beautification of Ghats
producers. are included under Entry Level Activities of
The registration of GI is valid for a NamamiGange. As on 30th Sep., 2016,
period of 10 years each which can be schemes for 118 Ghats have been approved in
renewed from time to time. If the GI is the five main-stem Ganga states.
not renewed then it will be removed
from the register.
Central Pollution Control Board
proposes buffer zones around landfill
sites

42
Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) has About 30-35% of the annual crop yield in
now proposed guidelines to keep and India gets wasted because of pests, according
maintain a buffer zone around landfill sites to to ICAR.
prevent people living in areas around
landfill sites from impact of high pollution Among such pests, nematodes (microscopic
from them. worms many of which are parasites) had
recently emerged as a major threat to crops
Some of the ways that are being attempted to in the country.
deal with huge amount of solid waste disposal
are:- According to ICAR, Nematodes, consisting of
roundworms, threadworms and eelworms,
Composting, are causing loss of crops to the tune of almost
vermin-composting, 60 million tonnes or 10-12 % of crop
biogas, production every year.
Refuse derived fuel (RDF),
Potato Cyst Nematode was first discovered in
Pelletization,
the Nilgiris and had now spread to various
waste-to-energy measures
parts of the country.
Why buffer zone
What are Nematodes?
Landfill sites encompass waste
processing/disposal facilities, which Nematodes are roundworms that are
become sources of pollution in terms found in every environment on Earth.
of air, water, land and noise pollution While some species are harmful
besides emitting foul smell. parasites, others play a vital role in
Buffer zone also acts as barrier, nutrient cycling and medical research.
absorber and to some extent as Nematodes constitute one of the most
remedial measures against the important and abundant groups
fugitive emissions of pollutants within the animal kingdom and are
observed during handling of waste. highly capable of surviving in any
To promote responsible land environment.
management and conservation Features of Nematodes:-
To encourage new technological
interventions depending on the Nematodes can be very small, at a
processing facilities millimeter or less, or can reach
lengths of up to three feet.
Their bodies don't have an internal
skeleton, instead they have a cuticle,
Cuticle is an exoskeleton that doesn't
Pests eat away 35% of total crop yield, grow with the worm and so is
says ICAR scientist
periodically cast off in a shedding
process called molting.

43
Most species of roundworm have both Impatiens, also called jewel weeds, are
males and females and reproduce seen in pristine forests where moisture
sexually. content and relative humidity are high.
They all have a complete digestive
The Eravikulam National Park and the
system.
Mankulam forest division are surrounded by
Plant parasitic Nematodes
sholas.
Plant-parasitic nematodes are
Two new species of balsams (impatiens)
recognized as one of the greatest
have been discovered by the officials from the
threat to crops throughout the world.
shola forests on the periphery of the park.
Nematodes alone or in combination
with other soil microorganisms have Eravikulam National Park
been found to attack almost every
part of the plant including roots, It is located along the Western Ghats
stems, leaves, fruits and seeds in the Idukki district of Kerala.
The nematodes that attack peanuts It is the first national park in kerala.
and cause damage are root-knot, It is an ideal place for seeing the
lesion, sting, ring, stunt and potato-rot biodiversity of high elevation shola-
nematodes. grassland ecosystem.
Potato cyst nematodes Eravikulam National Park is a
UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The most important nematodes threat Twenty six species of mammals have
to potato production is undoubtedly been recorded in the park including
caused by the potato cyst nematodes, the largest surviving population of
which cause severe damage wherever Nilgiritahr, also called the endangered
they are present. mountain goat of South India.
Two species of cyst nematodes infect Shola forests
potatoes- Globoderarostochiensis (the
"golden" nematode) and G. pallida. The Sholas are a mosaic of mountane
It is called a cyst nematode because evergreen forests and grasslands.
the greatly swollen, egg-filled adult They are found only in high altitude
female is referred to as the "cyst (>1500 metres) regions within the
stage". tropics, and are limited to the
southern part of the western ghats.
They are characterized by undulating
Two endangered plant species spotted grassland patches, interspersed with
In a major breakthrough in eco-conservation, thickets of stunted evergreen tree
forest officials in Munnar have spotted two species.
critically endangered impatiens plant species
on the peripheries of the Eravikulam National
Park.

44
Chemicals banned in 1970s discovered In fatty tissue, the concentrations can
in deep ocean fauna become magnified by up to 70 000
Scientists have found high levels of human- times higher than the background
made pollutants, including chemicals that levels.
were banned in the 1970s, lingering in the Stockholm Convention on Persistent
tissues of marine creatures that dwell in the Organic Pollutant
deepest oceans of the Earth.
It is an international environmental
Researchers found extremely high levels treaty, signed in 2001 and effective
of Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) in from May 2004, that aims to eliminate
the organisms fatty tissue. or restrict the production and use of
persistent organic pollutants (POPs).
These include polychlorinated biphenyls
(PCBs) and polybrominateddiphenyl ethers
(PBDEs) which are commonly used as
Indias first floating elementary school
electrical insulators and flame retardants.
inaugurated on Manipurs Loktak Lake
PCBs were banned in the 1970s, but these Loktaklake, the largest freshwater lake in the
pollutants are resistant to the degradation by country, has now become home to first of its
environment, thus stays in environment for kind loktak floating elementary school.
long time.
The school aims to provide education to drop
The pollutants may have found their way to outs students, who were rendered homeless
the trenches through contaminated plastic due to the recent evacuation of phumdis.
debris and dead animals sinking to the
The Loktak Lake is referred as the lifeline of
bottom of the ocean.
Manipur as it is highly productive and many
Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) lives depend on the lake for endurance.
Persistent organic pollutants (POPs) The lake is also an Important Bird Area as its
are organic compounds that are a potential breeding site for waterfowl and is
resistant to environmental a staging site for migratory birds.
degradation through chemical, The lake is also a source of livelihood for the
biological, and photolytic rural fisherman who lives in the surrounding
processes. areas and on phumdis, also known as
Because of their persistence, POPs phumshongs.
bio-accumulate with potential
significant impacts on human health
and the environment.
POPs are lipophilic, which means Graded response system to tackle
that they accumulate in the fatty pollution partially comes into force in
tissue of living animals and human
Delhi, NCR towns
beings.
45
Environment Pollution Control and 1960, to prevent infliction of unnecessary
Prevention Authority (EPCA) on recently pain, or suffering on animals.
enforced the notified graded action plan
for the moderate to poor category, which
enforced a ban on garbage burning and
firecrackers, closing brick kilns, mechanized
sweeping of roads were some measures that
were enforced.
Objectives:-
The plan also recommends that during 'very
poor' air quality, diesel generators must be The objective of these rules is to make pet
banned and parking fee increased by three to shops accountable and to prevent cruelty
four times. inflicted on animals kept in such pet shops.
The graded action plan will be Following are the proposed rules under
implemented if PM2.5 levels stay over 300 the notification:-
micrograms per cubic metre and PM10 I. It will be mandatory for all pet shop
levels stay above 500 micrograms per owners to register themselves with
cubic meter.
the State Animal Welfare Board of the
Supreme Court-mandated EPCA respective State Governments/Union
(Environment Pollution Control Authority) Territories.
has been given the power by the Centre to II. Such shops will be registered only
enforce the plan. after inspection by the
representatives of State Board, a
Such graded systems to control air pollution veterinary practitioner and a
were implemented in other cities of the representative of Society for
world, including Beijing and Singapore, where Prevention of Cruelty to Animals.
depending on pollution levels, vehicular III. The rules define space requirement
traffic was shut down. for birds, cats, dogs, rabbits, guinea
pig, hamster, rats and mice in the pet
shops.
IV. It defines the basic amenities, power
Union Government issues Notification
of Prevention of Cruelty to Animals back-up, general care, veterinary
(Pet Shop) Rules, 2016 care and other operational
The Government has issued the notification requirement for animals kept in pet
for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Pet shops.
Shop) Rules, 2016. V. It is mandatory to maintain proper
records of sale, purchase, death of
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate animals in pet shop, sick animals etc.
Change has the mandate to implement the VI. Every pet shop owner is required to
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (PCA) Act, submit yearly report to the State

46
Board regarding animals, sold, traded, Submerged plants, such as
bartered, brokered, given away, anacharis (Egeriadensa), are the
boarded or exhibited during previous key oxygenators of the
year, or any other information asked hydrophytic plants; they remove
for by the State Board. carbon dioxide while adding
In case of the violation of rules oxygen to the water, and this
process is essential to keeping the
Cancellation of registration of pet shop water clear.
And pet animals so confiscated, shall be Emergent plants grow up from
handed over to an Animal Welfare soil, too, and are often planted or
Organization, or a rescue centrerecognised by found along the shoreline of a
the Board. pond. Their roots are underwater,
but their shoots grow up out of
the water.
Green algae is another type of
Mauritius Prez inaugurates salt Hydro-Phytic plant
tolerant plant garden in TN
Genetic garden of naturally occurring salt-
tolerant plants called halophytes has been
20 nations sign framework agreement
inaugurated at the coastal town of
of International Solar Alliance
Vedaranyam in Tamil Nadu. The initiative was launched at the UN Climate
Plants are important in the context of Change Conference in Paris at the end of 2015
increasing salinisation of land, one of the by the President of France and the Prime
Minister of India.
adverse effects of climate change.
Halophyte plants The Framework Agreement of the

International Solar Alliance opened for
Halophytes tolerate salinity and could signatures in Marrakech, Morocco in
grow in saline affected regions. November 2016, and 121 countries have
Their seeds contain high oil (30 per joined.
cent) and protein (35 per cent) like
The aim of the countries by this initiative is
soyabeans and other oilseed crops
coming together with a view to encourage
and the salt content is less than three
innovative and affordable applications of
per cent.
solar technologies.
Four types of hydrophytic, or aquatic,
plants exist: emergent, floating, About International Solar Alliance
submerged and algae.
Floating plants do not need soil International Solar Alliance is an
and are not rooted to the bottom initiative by India wherein an alliance
of the pond. of 121 solar resource rich countries
lying fully or partially between the

47
tropic of Cancer and tropic of Fly ash is a byproduct from burning
Capricorn, have come together. pulverized coal in electric power
The alliance's primary objective is generating plants.
work for efficient exploitation of Fly ash consists of silica, alumina and
solar energy to reduce dependence iron oxide etc.
on fossil fuels. It is highly useful as a geo-technical
ISA has been envisioned as a material for construction of
specialized platform and will embankment and reclamation of low
contribute towards the common goal lying areas, filling of underground,
of increasing utilization and open mines, use in agriculture and
promotion of solar energy and solar reclamation of degraded / waste
applications in its member countries lands, etc.
The Framework provides for Fly ash has also been used for paving
membership open to the countries roads and as embankment and mine
between tropics (fully or partially) fills
who are also UN members. Fly ash contains aluminum oxide
The ISA structure will consist of two (Al2O3), calcium oxide (CaO) and
tiers in the form of an Assembly and silicon dioxide (SiO2)
Secretariat. Coal ash also contains heavy metals
The Framework will enter into force including arsenic, lead, mercury,
with ratification by 15 countries. cadmium, chromium and selenium, as
well as aluminum, antimony, barium,
beryllium, boron, chlorine, cobalt,
manganese, molybdenum, nickel,
thallium, vanadium, and zinc.
Maha becomes first state to adopt Fly
Ash Utilisation Policy They can also cause heart damage,
Maharashtra Cabinet approves a policy for lung disease, respiratory distress,
100 per cent use of fly ash generated from kidney disease, reproductive
thermal power plants and biogas plants for problems, gastrointestinal illness,
construction activities birth defects, and impaired bone
growth in children.
This fly ash will be used to make bricks,
blocks, tiles, wall panels, cement and other
construction materials. A.P. tops in energy efficiency
The World Bank has ranked Andhra Pradesh
It will save soil excavation and protect
as number one in Energy Efficiency
environment. Earlier, use of fly ash was
Implementation Readiness with an overall
allowed within 100 kms radius of power
score of 42.01 followed by Rajasthan (41.89),
plant, now it has been extended to 300 kms.
Karnataka (39.34) and Maharashtra (39.29).
Fly ash

48
Fishing cat found moving in mangrove On the foothills of the Himalayas
along the Ganga and Brahmaputra
river valleys
A fishing cat (Prionailurusviverrinus) was And in Western Ghats
sighted walking through the moderately
dense mangrove surrounding the
Gilalakalandiharbour near Machilipatnam.
The existing practice of catching several

species of fish seed in the mangrove cover is
likely to disturb the fishing cat near the
harbour.
About Fishing cats Antarticas Ross Sea declared as

worlds largest Marine Protected Area
The fishing cat Antarctica's Ross Sea has recently been
(Prionailurusviverrinus) is a medium- declared the world's largest marine
sized wild cat of South and Southeast protected area (MPA).
Asia.
The fishing cat is listed as Endangered The Commission for the Conservation of
on the IUCN Red List, which means Antarctic Marine Living Resources (CCAMLR),
that it faces a high threat of extinction comprising 24 countries, a landmark
in the wild. agreement was reached in a recent meeting
The Convention on International held in Australia.
Trade in Endangered Species (CITES)
About the agreement
lists the fishing cat on Appendix II
part of Article IV of CITES The Ross Sea is a deep bay of the
Fishing cat populations are Southern Ocean in Antarctica,
threatened by destruction of wetlands between Victoria Land and Marie
and declined severely over the last Byrd Land.
decade. In the west of the Ross Sea is Ross
Fishing cats live foremost in the Island with the Mt. Erebus volcano, in
vicinity of wetlands, along rivers, the east Roosevelt Island.
streams, oxbow lakes, in swamps and 1.55 million square kilometers of the
mangroves Ross Sea will be protected
Distribution Around 72 per cent of the marine
protected area will comprise a 'no-
In India, the presence of fishing cats has been take' zone, where all fishing will be
documented in:- banned, while other areas will allow
Mangrove forests of the Sundarbans, some harvesting of fish and krill for
scientific research

49
The sea is home to penguins, Weddell study based on genetic data and skull
seals, Antarctic toothfish and killer measurements
whales
Marine Protected Area They resemble tailless rats
A marine protected area (MPA) is essentially Unlike other mammalian species inhabiting
a space in the ocean where human activities such harsh environments, Pikas do not
are more strictly regulated than the hibernate. They prepare for winter by
surrounding waters - similar to parks we collecting and storing hay piles for their
have on land. T winter food.
MPAs may be established to protect

ecosystems, preserve cultural resources such
as shipwrecks and archaeological sites, or
sustain fisheries production. National waterways project threatens
Gangetic dolphins: Conservationists
They are created by delineating zones with Scientists and wildlife conservationists are
permitted and non-permitted uses within seeing red over the threat posed to Gangetic
that zone. river dolphins by the National Waterways
These places are given special protections for project.
natural or historic marine resources by local, The animal is protected under Schedule I
state, territorial, native, regional, or national of the Indian Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
authorities. and is a declared endangered species.
The development of the Ganga for shipping is

seen by wildlife conservationists as the
New species of Pika discovered in
single-largest threat to the survival of the
Sikkim
species.
A new species from the Pika family, a This is mainly due to construction of dams
mammal belonging to the hare family has and barrages on the river.
been discovered in the higher altitudes of the River Dolphin
Himalayas in Sikkim.
River dolphins are found in the Ganga
On comparing the DNA sequences from the
and the Brahmaputra and its
pellets with that of all known Pika species in
tributaries.
the world, it was found that these were
The International Union for
quite different.
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), a
Scientists have identified it as membership union of government
'Ochotonasikimaria', it was discovered by the and civil society organisations, listed
it as endangered in 1996.

50
Aside from losing habitat to increased The direct threats of invasive species:
developmental work on the river, the
dolphins also suffered due to preying on native species
depletion of prey base, accidental out-competing native species for
mortality in fishing nets and accidents food or other resources
with vessel propellers.
causing or carrying disease
preventing native species from

reproducing or killing their young
The indirect threats of invasive species:
Changing food webs: Invasive

species can change the food web in an
ecosystem by destroying or replacing
Invasive Giant African Land Snail
native food sources.
sighted at Goa University
Goa University campus has become a nursery Decreasing biodiversity: Invasive
of Giant African Land Snail (GALS), listed in species can alter the abundance
the worlds top 100 invasive species. or diversity of species that are
Ecologically, the species are dangerous as important habitat for native wildlife.
they reproduce faster and take over entire Altering ecosystem conditions:
ecosystems, this becoming a menace to crops. Some invasive species are capable of
It is an indicator of impact of gross human changing the conditions in an
interference in the natural ecosystem. ecosystem, such as changing soil
chemistry or the intensity of wildfires.
Invasive species:-
An invasive species can be any kind of

living organisman amphibian (like
the cane toad pictured left), plant,
insect, fish, fungus, bacteria, or even
an organisms seeds or eggsthat is
not native to an ecosystem and which
causes harm.
They can harm the environment, the
economy or even, human health.
Species that grow and reproduce
quickly, and spread aggressively, with
potential to cause harm, are given the
label of invasive.
51

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Index

Sr. no. Topic Page no.

1 India ratified the Paris Climate change agreement 1

2 Majuli named world's largest river island 1

3 India's Forest Rights Act of 2006 2

River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) 3

7 Sugarcane Waste Yields Carbon for use in Batteries 5

8 Government Declares BS-VI Rollout From 2020 5

9 Environment Ministry to Allow Hydropower Projects In 5

11 Amendment to 1987 Montreal Protocol 7

12 The NGTs notice on implementation of the Biological 7

14 IGI is Asia-Pacifics first carbon neutral airport 9

15 Giant Panda no longer endangered 9

16 Project to increase wild tiger population in India, Bhutan 10

Created with by ForumIAS.com - The Knowledge Network for Civil Services.

18 Indias first Green corridor inaugurated 11

19 Smooth-coated otter sighted in Krishna mangrove 11

20 National Mission on Bio-economy launched 12

21 India takes a significant step to control emission from 12

23 Kashmir's Red Stag to get IUCN's 'critically endangered' tag 13

24 Andaman gets training in seaweed farming 13

25 Air Quality Index (AQI) 13

26 New Green Urban Transport Scheme on the anvil with 14

27 Australias Great Barrier Reef sees largest coral die-off ever 14

28 The 1st International Agrobiodiversity Congress held in 14

29 Environment Ministry Constitutes Four-Member Team for 15

30 New Delhi Declaration, Asian Regional Plan adopted at 16

31 Asia Pacific countries resolve to adopt Urban Plus 17

32 De-carbonization of Indian Railways Mission 17

33 Surya Jyoti Photo-Voltaic (PV) Integrated Micro Solar 17

Created with by ForumIAS.com - The Knowledge Network for Civil Services.

35 Disposal of Bio-Medical Waste 18

36 Ban on imports of plastic items from China 19

37 Research Project in Gujarat 19

40 Bio-mining helps in tackling garbage problem 21

41 India's first LNG-powered bus rolls out in Kerala 22

42 First 2G (Second Generation) Ethanol Bio-refinery in India 22

43 Winter Fog Experiment (WIFEX 2016-17) 24

44 Cancel allotments of salt pans in Sambhar Lake: National 25

46 Environment Ministry issues final notification on Eco- 27

47 Ammonia detected first time in troposphere 27

48 Giraffes, rarer than elephants, put on extinction watch list 28

49 An IUCN team visited the Bhitarkanika national park 28

50 Parliamentary panel recommends replacing pine trees with 29

52 Hope Island is a graveyard for Olive Ridleys 30

Created with by ForumIAS.com - The Knowledge Network for Civil Services.

54 3 day bird festival held at Daroji Sloth Bear Sanctuary 32

55 New Ginger species with medicinal properties found in 32

57 DGFT prohibits import of fur and reptile skin 33

58 Rare birds sighted in Polachira wetlands 34

59 West Bengals endangered Hilsa gets a lifeline 34

60 Cabinet Approves Ratification Of Kyoto Protocol's 2nd 35

62 Centre to ban use of 18 pesticides harmful to humans and 37

64 181 Irrawaddy dolphins counted in Odisha census 38

65 Barren volcano became live 38

66 Cargo ships collide at Ennore port 39

67 ISRO collaborates with lifeguard agency to examine killer 40

68 A New Technology to Convert Waste To Energy Might Help 40

71 Cleaning of Rivers Under NamamiGange Mission 41

Created with by ForumIAS.com - The Knowledge Network for Civil Services.

74 Two endangered plant species spottedspotted 43

75 Chemicals banned in 1970s discovered in deep ocean fauna 44

76 Indias first floating elementary school inaugurated on 45

80 20 nations sign framework agreement of International 47