- The butterfly population has been increasing in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in recent times.
- Recently, a new swallowtail butterfly was spotted in the state. It is called the Noble Helen.
- The species does not occur in India. Its origin is in China, Laos, Myanmar, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
- The butterfly has been disappearing in these countries and was recently spotted in India.
- The Government of India conducted the India Energy Week, 2023 in
February.
- The event was held in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
- On the sidelines of the celebrations, a methanol-blended diesel-powered
ship was launched.
- About the Low Carbon Cruise
- It was launched by the petroleum minister Shri Hardeep S Puri. The name
of the methanol-blended diesel-powered engine was MD15 because the
fuel of the ship contains 15% methanol. It is to run on an Inland Water
Vessel called “SB Gangadhar”.
- Methanol: It comes from ash coal and agricultural residues. The fuel is
less expensive than other marine fuels. It can be easily stored on shore
sides.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- Kol wetlands are located in Kerala. The Asian Water Bird Census recently
reported that the number of birds in the wetland has reduced significantly. The
number of water birds in the wetland has decreased from 15,959 in 2022 to
9,904. This is huge and the survey accuses unscientific construction in the region
of the decline.
Asian Water bird Census
- The 2023 census was the 23rd Asian Waterbird Census.
- It is a part of International Water Bird census conducted By Wetland
International.
- The census identifies and counts water birds and predominantly focuses on the
declining population of the birds in wetlands.
- It is a part of the International Waterbird Census. These censuses are conducted
by Wetland International.
- In India, the census was first conducted in 1987. The Bombay
Natural History Society assists Wetlands International in conducting
the survey in the country.
- The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), founded in 1883, is one
of the largest non-governmental organisations in India engaged in
conservation and biodiversity research.
Rare birds in the Wetland
- In the 2023 census, the ornithologists spotted some rare birds. And
therefore are more concerned about the expropriation of their home.
- Some of the rare birds spotted in the region are Amur Falcon, Wood
Sandpiper, and Cattle Egret, Painted Storks, Whiskered Tern,
Garganey, and Ibis.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- Microplastics, as the name implies, are tiny plastic particles, resulting from
the breakdown of consumer products and industrial waste. Officially, they
are defined as plastics less than five millimetres (0.2 inches) in diameter.
As a pollutant, micro-plastics can be harmful to the environment and
animal & human health.
- There are two categories of microplastics: primary and secondary.
- Primary microplastics are tiny particles designed for commercial use, such
as cosmetics, as well as microfibers shed from clothing and other textiles,
such as fishing nets.
- Secondary microplastics are particles that result from the breakdown of
larger plastic items, such as water bottles. This breakdown is caused by
exposure to environmental factors, mainly the sun’s radiation and ocean
waves.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- The first-of-its-kind financial instrument in the world, the Wildlife
Conservation Bond will direct investments toward the preservation of
black rhino populations.
- The Wildlife Conservation Bond is a first-of-its-kind, outcome-based,
financial instrument that channels investments to achieve conservation
outcomes measured in this case by an increase in black rhino populations.
- According to a World Bank announcement, the Great Fish River Nature
Reserve and the Addo Elephant National Park in South Africa are two
reserves where animal population growth rates will be taken into account
when calculating the five-year bond’s yields.
- If this initiative is a success, it may be expanded to include the preservation
of gorillas, tigers, lions, orangutans, and black rhinos in Kenya.
How it Works?
- The bond has tenor of 5 years and returns for the bond investors will
depend on the rate of growth in populations of the Black Rhino in
two South African reserves – the Addo Elephant National Park and
the Great Fish River Nature Reserve.
- The amount raised via this bond will be used towards conserving
the animals (medicine, food, protection, etc.) and the holders of the
bond will receive a payment from the Global Environment Facility
based on the targets for population growth.
- E.g. If the population goes through decline, no payment will be
made. If the population grows between 0-2%, some amount will be
paid, from 2-4% higher amounts will be paid and the highest payment
will be for a growth rate of more than 4%.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- The Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) is an initiative pioneered by
the United States of Emirates (UAE) and Indonesia.
- It includes UAE, Indonesia, India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, and
Spain. It seeks to educate and spread awareness worldwide on the
role of mangroves in curbing global warming and its potential as a
solution for climate change.
- Largest Mangrove Forest: Sundarbans in West Bengal are the largest
mangrove forest regions in the world. It is listed as a UNESCO World
Heritage Site.
- Importance as Carbon Sink: They can store ten times more carbon
per hectare as compared to terrestrial forests. They can store carbon
up to 400 % faster than tropical rainforests that are located on land.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- The Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI) scheme is a
government-led initiative aimed at increasing the mangrove cover along the coastline and
on saltpan lands.
- The scheme is primarily focused on the Sundarbans delta, Hooghly Estuary in West
Bengal, India and other bay parts of country, but also includes other wetlands in the
country.
- The objective of the scheme is to conserve and restore the mangrove ecosystem, which
is critical to mitigating the effects of climate change, preventing coastal erosion, and
sustaining local livelihoods. Under the MISHTI scheme, the government is providing
financial assistance to local communities to undertake mangrove plantation activities.
- The scheme also involves awareness campaigns to educate people about the importance
of mangroves and their role in protecting the environment.
- The plantation activities are carried out in a participatory manner, involving local
communities and NGOs, to ensure sustainability and community ownership of the
initiative.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- Farmers have taken action to restore mangrove agriculture under the
Sustainable Aquaculture In Mangrove Ecosystem (SAIME) project.
- For a number of years, environmentalists who expressed concern
about cleansing mangrove forests for shrimp harvesting focused on
unsustainable aquaculture.
- The farmers have now stepped up as part of the SAIME project to
contribute to the restoration of the mangroves while growing
shrimp.
- The SAIME program was launched in 2019, and NGOs Global Nature
Fund and Nature Environment and Wildlife Society are
conceptualizing sustainable shrimp farming.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change (MoEF) has
listed Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) under Schedule III of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, including it on the list of protected plants.
- This move is aimed at protecting the plant from being destroyed or
uprooted, which has become a major threat to the flowering areas.
- Why Neelakurinji needs protection?
- Neelakurinji is an endemic plant found in a small stretch in the Western
Ghats, from the Mangaladevi hills to the Nilgiris hills.
- The most popular Neelakurinji is Strobilanthes kunthiana which blooms
once in 12 years (It will be next seen in 2030).
- However, some other rare varieties of Neelakurinji are also found in the
Western Ghats region. The blooming of Neelakurinji is a major attraction
for tourists, who flock to the locations where it blooms.
- November 21, 2023
- By admin
- The Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha has seen an increase in its bird
population this year.
- Location and Importance of Bhitarkanika National Park
- The Bhitarkanika National Park is a prime location for birds of different
species and is located 130 km from Odisha’s capital city of Bhubaneswar.
- The Chilka and Bhitarkanika wetland spots in Odisha are some of the
favoured destinations for migratory birds during the winter months.
- It hosts many mangrove species, and is the second largest mangrove
ecosystem in India.
- Olive ridley turtles are the smallest and most abundant of all sea turtles
found in the world, inhabiting warm waters of the Pacific, Atlantic and
Indian oceans. They are best known for their unique mass nesting called
Arribada (Spanish term for Mass Nesting), where thousands of females
come together on the same beach to lay eggs.
