Friday, July 1, 2016

Environment CSE (P) 2016

Environment Current Events
2016
Prelims

2015 United Nations Climate Change Conference

COP 21 was held in Paris, France from 30 November to 12 December 2015. It was the 21st
yearly session of the Conference of the Parties with a proposal of achieving zero GHG emissions
growth by 2060-80.
he conference reached its objective for the first time to achieve a global agreement on
reduction of climate change in the Paris Agreement, which was adopted with acclamation by
nearly all states.
On the sidelines of summit 189 parties had submitted their Intended Nationally Determined
Contributions (INDCs) on climate actions.
The agreement will become legally binding if at least 55 countries representing 55% of
global greenhouse emissions become a party to it through signature followed by ratification,
acceptance, and approval or through accession in New York from 22 April 2016 to 21 April 2017.
It is expected to take effect in 2020.
HIGHLIGHTS:
According to the organizing committee, the expected key result was to limit the global
warming by 2100, compared to pre-industrial to below 2 degrees Celsius.
A 5C goal will require a zero level in emissions sometimes between 2030 and 2050 according
to some scientists.
No detailed timeplan or country-specific goals for emissions were stated in the final version of
the Paris Agreement.
A zero level should be reached during the second half of the century.

India- India launches global solar alliance of 120 countries PM Narendra Modi has launched an
international solar alliance of over 120 countries with French President Francois Holland.
Indian Govt is investing an initial $30mn in setting up the alliance headquarter in India. The
eventual goal is to raise $400m from membership fees and international agencies.
Companies involved in project Areva, Engie, Enel, HSBC France and Tata Steel
India pledges to Paris summit offered to draw 40% of its electricity from renewables by 2030 as
India is projected to be the worlds most popoluous city by 2030.

Indias has a target to install 175 GW of renewable energy by 2022.

1.
Swachhta Mission to be implemented in 10 prominent wildlife sanctuaries, Tiger reserves
and National Parks
Aim: make visitors to use Jute bag.
Focus: Keeping the Wildlife Sanctuaries, Tiger reserves and National Parks pollution-free and
Ensure cleanliness & Waste Management.
disallow use of dustbin and plastic bags inside the reserves and Sanctuaries.

The ten places recognized for Swachh Bharat mission:

Gir National Park, Gujarat

Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary, Andhra Pradesh

Flamingo Sanctuary, Maharashtra

Tiger Reserve:

Kanha Tiger Reserve, Madhya Pradesh

Tadoba Andhari Tiger Reserve, Maharshtra

Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Karnataka

Periyar Tiger Reserve, Kerala

Sariska Tiger Reserve, Rajasthan

Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Tamil Nadu

Jim Corbett Tiger Reserve, Uttarakhand

The sanctuaries are covered over app 1.61 Lakh Sq.km and about 32 lakh visitors visit the
sanctuaries every year.
Swachh Bharat Campaign in Sanctuaries is held during 1st June to 15th June 2016. It has been
decided to continue to implement for the whole year if it is launched successfully.

2.

Darjeeling zoo to receive snow leopard from Londons Dudley Zoological Gardens

-Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in West Bengals Darjeeling

Source: from two-year-old male snow leopard named Makalu from Dudley Zoological
Gardens (DZG) in Britain.

Aim: global conservation breeding programme

This is listed as endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Darjeeling zoo to
receive snow leopard from Londons Dudley Zoological Gardens

-Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park (PNHZP) in West Bengals Darjeeling

Source: from two-year-old male snow leopard named Makalu from Dudley Zoological
Gardens (DZG) in Britain.


Aim: global conservation breeding programme. This is listed as endangered on the IUCN
Red List of Threatened Species.
3.

NHAI to reduce damage to KARNALA Bird Sanctuary

Aim: to mitigate the impact of a road project on the Karnala Bird Sanctuary (KBS).
The sanctuary on the Mumbai-Goa highway has a moist, mixed deciduous forest and falls under
the Thane wildlife division of West Mumbai Wildlife Circle. It also forms part of the Western Ghat
bio-geographic zone.
4.
FIRST MAMMAL to go extinct--- Australian rodent; The rodent also known as mosaic-tailed
rat, was only known to live on Bramble Cay a small coral cay, just 340m long and 150m wide off
the north coast of Queensland.
5.
Norway Becomes Worlds First Country to Ban Deforestation- This comes in the aftermath
of the recommendations of Parliaments Standing Committee of Norway on Energy and
Environment to take Action Plan on Nature Diversity.
6.
World Oceans Day June 8--- to remind everyone of the major role the oceans have in
everyday life and to educate the public of the impact of human actions on the ocean.

The day was witnessed since 1992 by Canada at the Earth Summit in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
It was officially recognized by the United Nations in late 2008.

The theme for this year 2016 is Healthy oceans, healthy planet,

UN is making a special effort this year to BAN PLASTIC Pollution

7.

Gangetic River Dolphin to be City Animal of Guwahati

-The animal, locally known as Sihu would be the city animal of Guwahati.

8.
World Environment Day--Theme: "Go Wild for Life (Zero Tolerance for the Illegal Wildlife
Trade)".
Angola is host nation for 2016 which seeks to restore its elephant herds.
9.
World Environment Day Tiger Express flagged off:---he Tiger Express has been launched
with the aims to create awareness about our national animal tiger. It is one of the best innovative
tourism product ever launched by Indian Railways.

10. Haryana Government launches Asias first Gyps Vulture Reintroduction Programme

@ Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, Pinjore of the state.

Two Himalayan Griffons-released by Lal Khattar jointly with Union Environment Minister
Prakash Javadekar.

Status: ENDANGERED

Upon this move the country will have four crore vultures in the next 10 years. The
Himalayan Griffon is closely related to the critically endangered resident Gyps species of vultures
but is not endangered. These vultures were wing-tagged and leg-ringed for identification.

11. India among top five in 2015 in green energy spending

--In new investments, and in the top four as regards creating jobs in the green energy sector.
12. NGT imposes Rs.50 lakh fine on East Coast Railway---for operating a illegal railway siding
without consent of the Odisha State Pollution Control Board (OSPCB) at Jakhapura railway station
near Kalinganagar in Odishas Jajpur district.
13.
Arunachal tiger reserve bags biodiversity award-Pakke Tiger Reserve of Arunachal
Pradesh has awarded with the India Biodiversity Award 2016

Importance: Horn bill Nest Adoption Programme of the Pakke Tiger Reserve

14. India becomes 5th largest producer of e-waste in world: ASSOCHAM-KPMG study

Wastages roughly 18.5 lakh metric tonnes of electronic waste and telecom equipment
accounting for 12%.

Sources:

India emerged as the Second largest mobile market with 1.03 billion subscribers.

About 100 crore mobile phones in circulation, nearly 25 per cent end up in e-waste
annually.
15.
Himachal Pradesh launches artificial propagation programme of mahseer fish for
conservation

---Aim: to prompt the fisheries department asked to make an artificial propagation

programme for its rehabilitation and conservation.

Reasons for the action: Himachal Pradesh fisheries department observed that the strength
of the golden mahseer is lessening due to various causes, including construction of dams,
barrages, pollution, indiscriminate fishing of brood and juvenile fish, introduction of exotic
species and habitat deterioration.

Golden Masher---> Golden mahseer is a Local words means The Big Mouth is longest-living
freshwater fish. It is also known as the tiger of Indian rivers.

16. Rare sighting: Brown bears return to Kargil---J&K Wildlife Department has spotted eight
Himalayan brown bears in Kargils Drass Sector, where the 1999 war had bring about destruction
with their habitats.
17. Major Causes of AIR POLLUTION:WHO reported that India is home to four of the five cities
in the world with worst air pollution.

4 most polluted cities out of top 5: Delhi, Gwalior, Allahabad, Patna, Raipur.

Dirtiest----> ZABOL (Iran)

Delhi ranks 9th:

80 per cent of worlds city dwellers breathing bad air: United Nations reported

Major causes of AIR PLLUTION:

Causes of air pollution:

Diesel-fuelled vehicles

Heating and cooling of big buildings

Waste management

Agriculture and the use of coal or diesel generators for power

18. Uttar Pradesh State Government approved bicycle highway between Taj and lion safari

200 km long done to promote Eco-Tourism in the surroundings of the Taj Mahal.

places covered ---

Raja Bhoj ki Haveli

Bateshwarnath Temple
Mela Kothi Jarar
Naugava ka Quila
Other rural areas
Ends at lion safari in Etawah
Germany and Denmark already implemented the Cycle highway in their country.

19. Fossils of first plant-eating marine reptile found

Atopodentatus found which is unique strangely toothed and had a bizarre hammerhead-shaped
body.
Lived 242 million years ago in what is found in southern China, The fossil, discovered in 2014,
Having a Flamingo like beak
Apocalypse:

Atopodentatus helps us to unveil a bigger story about the worlds largest mass extinction
252 million years ago.

The existence of animals displays us that life recovered and diversified more quickly than
previously thought.

20. Telangana Government to set up rehabilitation centre at the cost of Rs 2.21 crore for
monkeys--- pilot project at Chincholi, Hyderabad. The state capital Hyderabad is estimated to
have a population of around 2,000 monkeys.
21.
Manamadurai Rameswaram rail track to become first green corridor--and zero toilet
discharge section. Nearly 114 km route between Rameswaram and Manmadurai in Tamil Nadu

All the trains passing on that particular route would have bio-toilets which will prevent
open discharge of waste on rail tracks.

There are about 14 stations between Rameswaram and Manmadurai. About 16 passenger
trains use the track everyday.

---Future Implementation :

Kanalus Dwarka Okha and Porbunder Wansjalya train routes in Gujarat will have zero toilet

discharge sections.

Jammu Katra route will also be made a zero discharge section.

22. Rare sighting of Amur Falcon at the Umred Karhandla Wildlife Sanctuary near the Pench Tiger
Reserve at Nagpur

STATUS: LEAST CONCERN

It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and Northern China. It has one of the longest and most
fascinating migratory paths in the avian kingdom circuiting North-eastern State of Nagaland,
before passing through a staggering 22,000 km from there to South Africa then onto Mongolia
and back to Nagaland.

It breeds in south-eastern Siberia and North-eastern China somewhere the Amur River
distributes the Russian Far East and China. Amur Falcon falls under Least Concern category in
IUCN List.
23. World Wildlife Fund released report titled "Protecting People through Nature"
Report:
In 96 countries, around 229 natural and mixed World heritage sites including Western
Ghats are facing Threats.
Indian sites, namely Manas Wildlife Sanctuary, Sundarbans National Park, and the serial sites
of Western Ghats are threatened by harmful activities such as mining.
Endangered species such as Asian elephants and vulnerable Indian bison in Western Ghats
are threatened.
Extractive Threats: Threats due to oil & gas extraction and mining activities.

Sundarbans National Park and Manas Wildlife Sanctuary are facing non-extractive threats.

The non extractive threats include dams, water use (unsustainable water use), Wood
harvesting, Aquaculture (overfishing), Roads & Railways, Shipping lanes and Service lines.

WWF established in 1961; HQ: Switzerland. Headed by Marco Lambertini.

24. New Reef system found at AMAZON

25. Kohima declared Smoke-free City
26. Sikkim crowned as Indias First Fully Organic State
--By implementing organic practices. As per the guidelines laid down in National Programme for
Organic Production,
75,000 hectares of agricultural land was gradually converted to certified organic land by
implementing organic principles.
In this regard, entry of chemical inputs for farmland was restricted and their sale banned. Farmers
therefore had no option but to go organic.
It will also boost the tourism industry in the tiny landlocked Himalayan state.

27. New Centre for Ganga River Basin Management and Studies launched in New Delhi
El Salvador declares drought emergency for first time ever---Residents near by the capital
city of San Salvador have protested because of water shortages in recent weeks.
-

River and water reserve levels have reached a critical state.

28. The Union Cabinetchaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi gave its nod for India adopting
the statute of the South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN) which will help in checking
cross border wildlife crimes.
SAWEN for combating wildlife crimes:
SAWEN is a platform for its eight member countries to cooperatively work together in the fight
against the burgeoning wildlife crime and its statute lays down an action plan for them to adopt
and adhere in the next six years to check wildlife crime.
SAWEN comprises eight countries in South Asia, Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India,
Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

29. World Bank initiated Climate Action Plan

HQ: Washington DC
Aim: to help nations to create an additional 30 gigawatts of renewable energy, early warning
frameworks and in creating climate smart agriculture investment plans for at least 40 nations.--to be accomplished within 2020
The plan has been made on the sidelines of landmark Paris Climate Agreement in New York in
order to protect the planet for future generations.
Key features of plan:
Increase sources of renewable energy.
Decrease in high-carbon energy sources.
Develop green transport systems.
Build sustainable, livable cities for growing urban populations.
The World Bank Action Plan is centered around helping nations to shape their national
strategies and influence private sector investment.

30. Government notifies new hazardous waste management rules

--Rules emphasizes Governments priority for Ease of Doing Business and Make in India, but with
responsible concerns for sustainable development.
Items Banned in the Rules:
Waste edible fats and oil of animals
Household waste
Critical Care Medical equipment
Tyres for direct re-use purpose

 Solid Plastic wastes including Pet bottles

Waste electrical and electronic assemblies scrap
Other chemical wastes especially in solvent form.

31. Ballast water conveying obtrusive species to Indian coasts

---Researchers expect that ballast water carried by ships is giving a vehicle to get non-native
intrusive species over the Indian Coast.
-- The survey has found 10 invasive species in the biodiversity rich intertidal habitats of the Kerala
coast including one seaweed, one species of bryozoan, one species of mollusc and seven species
of ascidian.

32. Worlds initiatory White Tiger Safari inaugurated in Heart of India---at Mukundpur in Satna
district of Madhya Pradesh
--the safari is housing 3 white tigers, including one male named Raghu and two females,
Vindhya and Radha and 2 Royal Bengal tigers. In the coming months it will house 9 white tigers.
--Governmnet also plans to establish a breeding centre for the white tigers in nearby
Govindgarh.
---The first white tiger was spotted in Madhya Pradeshs Vindhya region, in which the Satna
district falls, in 1915. It died in 1920.
In 1951, a white tiger cub, named Mohan, was captured. It became the forebear of all known
white tigers in the world after the Rewa princely states ruler Maharaja Martand Singh arranged
its breeding.
33.

Sand-eating Micrixalidae tadpoles species found in Western Ghats

---These species named Micrixalidae belongs to the so-called Indian Dancing Frog family.
Discovered from the deep recesses of stream beds
-Description: The tadpoles lack teeth; but have well-serrated jaw sheaths which helps them
avoid large sand grains while feeding.Sand-eating Micrixalidae tadpoles species found in Western
Ghats.
They have skin-covered eyes, which helps them to burrow through gravel beds.
It lives in total darkness that they are of fossorial nature and comes out after fully developing
into a young frog.

34. New Snake species discovered in Western Ghats

Location: in Kolhapur and Sindhudurg
The new snake species belong to burrowing category which live mostly underground.
The snake is named after Pune-based herpetologist Neelimkumar Khaire to pay tribute to his
contribution to the knowledge, appreciation and conservation of snakes in India.
The scientific name of the species is Melanophidium khairei while its common name is Khaires
Black Shieldtail

 The researchers have been under this study for more than 15 years since 2001 and the
occurrence of this species was identified 144 years ago.
New snake species also been discovered in GUJARAT__-The new snake genus, Wallaceophis is
named after Alfred Russel Wallace for his pioneering work on biogeography, and for codiscovering the theory of natural selection. The species has been named gujaratensis

35. New species of tree frog named Ghatixalus magnus discovered in Western Ghats
A new species of tree frog was discovered and another species of bush frog was rediscovered in
the Western Ghats.
The team discovered a new species of Rhacophorid tree frog of the genus Ghatixalus. The new
species is named Ghatixalus magnus after its large size making it the biggest known tree frog
from the Western Ghats.
Raorchestes flaviventris:
The team has also rediscovered a frog that had been evading for the past many decades.
Raorchestes flaviventris is a species of rhacophorid bush frog described from the Western Ghats
by George Albert Boulenger in 1882.

36. New tree frog genus named Frankixalus discovered in north-eastern India
--Indian biologist Sathyabhama Das Biju (Frogman of India) with his team has discovered a new
genus of tree hole-breeding frogs named Frankixalus
Importance---This genus lives in pools of water in the trunks of canopy trees especially in tree
holes.
These frogs eat their mothers eggs for sustenance.

37.

38. New bird species Zoothera salimalii discovered in India

A team of scientists from India, Sweden, China, the US and Russia discovered a new bird
species, dubbed Himalayan Forest Thrush in northeastern India and adjacent parts of China.
Locally named: Zoothera salimalii as an honour to Salim Ali, who made significant
contributions to ornithology in India.
The species breeds from Sikkim and Darjeeling in India and extends into northwest Yunnan in
China.
This is found in rocky habitats and has longer bill, shorter wings and shorter legs.

39. Four new crab species are located in Kerala

Location: Kerala Coast
(i)

Hermit crabs from Diogenidae family

--left-handed hermit crabs because the left claw is larger than the right. narrow bodied animal

lives inside a shell shaped like an elephant tusk.

(ii) Paguristes luculentus It is a hermit crab species and represents the 9th of the genus from
Indian waters.
luculentus (meaning colourful) refers to the livid living colour of the crustacean. It was collected
off the coast of Kollam.
(iii)Diogenes canaliculatus It is light brown in colour and named after the longitudinal furrows
on the outer surface of the arm of the left chelate leg.
Hermit crab from Paguridae family
The Paguridae family is known for right-handed hermit crabs.
(iv)Pagurus spinossior It is right handed crab and is tan in colour. The name spinossior refers to
the strong armature on the clawed legs of the species. It was collected from Neendakara, Kollam.
Crab from Pinnotheridae family
The Pinnotheridae family is known for tiny soft-bodied crabs.
(v) Afropinnotheres ratnakara A new species of pinnotherid crab, was found inside the brown
mussel (Perna perna) at Kovalam. The species was named ratnakara which means Indian Ocean in
Sanskrit as the genus was reported for the first time from the Indian Ocean.

40. Asia most exposed to disasters, Africa most vulnerable: Study

---Asia has the largest number of people affected by natural disasters, but African countries are
the most vulnerable to them, largely because of political instability, corruption, poverty and
inequality, a new global assessment shows.
- Over 1.4 billion people in South Asia such as India, Bangladesh and Pakistan face at least one
major threat from nature. In the case of Bangladesh, 100% of its population is exposed,
compared to 82% for India and 70% in Pakistan.
41. Sundarbans becomes no-pollution zone
---to minimise carbon impression in the Sundarbans islands to ensure least possible damage to
the ecosystem of the Sundarbans during this polling season
42. Agasthyamala included among UNESCOs new 20 Biosphere Reserves
Agasthyamala the biosphere reserve shared by Kerala and Tamil Nadu has been placed in the
new 20 Biosphere reserves list released by UNESCO.
Location: Western Ghats, in the south of India
Agasthyamala:
The Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve (ABR) was established in 2001 and is spread across the
two states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
The Agasthyamala biosphere reserve includes peaks reaching 1,868 metres above sea level.
It consists mostly of tropical forests.
The site is home to 2,254 species of higher plants including about 400 endemic Species.
A number of tribal settlements with a total population of 3,000 are located in the
(Agasthyamala) biosphere reserve

 UNESCOs new list.

** There are 18 biosphere reserves in India out of which only nine, including the Nilgiris, Nanda
Devi, Nokrek, Gulf of Mannar, Sundarban, and Great Nicobar, had been included in the
UNESCOs network

43. UN appoints Red-the leader of angry birds as the Ambassador to Climate change
---The announcement was made as a part of the campaign launched to create awareness among
the people regarding climate changes through the renown characters.
It asks people to make the angry birds happy by taking actions on climate change.
It is insisted to promote the hashtag #AngryBirdsHappyPlanet in the social media to spread the
awareness.
Red will go on a virtual tour starting from Paris ending at New York.
The countries which met in Paris will sign the agreement on climate change in April,22 in 2016.

44. 4th World Congress of Biosphere Reserves inaugurated in Lima

Focus on : The event will focus on Sustainable Development Goals and the Post Development
agenda of 2015.
Issues discussed:
Education for sustainable development.
The economic viability of nature conservation systems.
Human migrations and protection of natural resources.

45. Uttar Pradesh government to launch a campaign to protect sparrows---The programme will
be conducted at primary and secondary schools.
Name: The event has been named as Gauraiya Diwas.
Location: March 20 at Janeshwar Mishra park.

46. MOEFCC Has Classified Industries Based On Colour Based Index

Based on the Range of Pollution Index, industrial sectors have been categorized into four colours
category- Red, White, Green and Orange.

(i)
Red category: PI score of 60 and above. These are severe polluting industries. It includes
sugar, thermal power plants, paints.
(ii) Orange category: PI score of 41 to 59. They moderately polluting industries. It includes coal,
automobile servicing and washeries.
(iii)Green category: PI score of 21 to 40. They are significantly low polluting industries. Totally

there are 63 industries in it.

(iv)White category: PI score below and upto 20. They are non-polluting industries. These
industries do not require Environmental clearance for their functioning

47. Sea sponge probably the first animal to have evolved in Earth
-Courtesy: research in MIT
Scientists found trace of rare molecules from a fossil dated before Cambrian explosion which
occurred 540 million years agoEarth's first animal.
The rare molecule 24-Isopropylcholesterol was found to be present in sea sponges probably
making it to be the first evolved organism.
The theory was proved by a research which analysed which gene was responsible for producing
24-IPC and which organisms contained it. a special gene known as sterol methyl transferase
(SMT),can cause an organism to produce 24-IPC if present in correct number of copies was
found.--this gene was present in sea sponges and algae.
BUT< However an evolutionary tree further showed Sea sponges produced the gene much
earlier than Algae.

48. Committee formed in Nashik to Rejuvenate Godavari---leadership of Deepak Naik

49. Environment Minister launches envis portal
---Environment Information System (ENVIS) is a ministry initiative for integrating country-wide
efforts in environment -related information collection, collation, storage, and dissemination.
The ENVIS network presently consists of 69 centres, of which 29 are hosted by environment
departments of various state governments while 40 are operated by environment-related
government and non-governmental organisations.

50. Peacock, Indias National Bird, Could Be Termed Vermin In Goa

They cause brutal damage to crops like monkey and wild boars and therefore declared Vermin.
Peacock is a protected species under the Schedule 1 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
The step is taken after compiling the record of the complaints received from farmers of crop
destruction by these animals.

51. World Wetland Day

Theme: Wetlands for our Future Sustainable Livelihoods.
Wetland Day marks the date of the signing of the Convention on Wetlands, called the Ramsar
Convention, on 2 February 1971, in the Iranian city of Ramsar on the shores of the Caspian Sea.

52. Project Green Ports launched to Reduce Pollution

AIM: aimed at reducing the pollution levels at ports and managing the sewage treatment at
ports.

The project has two verticals viz. Green Ports Initiative and Swachh Bharat Abhiyan.
It will also look at the shortfalls of oil spill response facilities, which will prohibit the disposal of
garbage at sea.

53. Zinnia: The first ever flower grown in space

Event: finally bloomed in outer space. The flower was grown as part of an experiment
astronauts are conducting on how plants grow in microgravity.
Installed in early May 2014.The flowers appear similar to those grown on Earth, except for the
curled edges of the petals, which could be due to the zero-gravity conditions. This has also paved
the way for flowering crops such as tomatoes to be grown in space.
The system, according to scientists, uses red, blue and green LED lights to simulate sunlight,
making the successful growth of the flower.

54.

U.S. listed Indian Lion in endangered species

---The United States will place a breed of lion found in India and Africa in the endangered
species list in a bid to curb the dramatic decline of their population.
There are only about 1,400 of Panthera leo leo lions remaining, 900 in 14 African populations
and 523 in India.
The other subspecies of Panthera leo melanochaita likely numbers between 17,000 and
19,000. This subspecies is less vulnerable and is not currently in danger of extinction.
In the last 20 years, lion populations have declined by 43% due to habitat loss, loss of prey base
and retaliatory killing of lions by a growing human population.

55. Countrys biggest wildlife rescue centre commissioned in Maharashtra

--Gorewada Zoo and Wildlife Rescue Centre at Gorewada near Nagpur, Maharashtra.
The rescue centre will house sick, injured and rescued animals. There are four wards with a
burial ground on the same premises. The idea has been taken from Gir Forest National park and
Wild life sanctuary, Gujarat.

56. Scientists find new species of horned dinosaur

LOCATION_--@same fossil beds in Chinas Xinjiang province where the robust and heavily built
Hualianceratops was discovered in 2002 by the same team.
Name of the NEW species: belonging to the ceratopsia family
Finding these two species in the same fossil beds reveals there was more diversity there than
previously recognised.
The ceratopsian dinosaurs already had diversified into at least four lineages by the beginning of
the Jurassic Period.
Hualianceratops lived approximately 160 million years ago

57. Phases in GANGA rejuvenation:

Cleaning work of Ganga divided into different segments:
Gomukh to Haridwar
Haridwar to Kanpur
Kanpur to border of Uttar Pradesh
Border of Uttar Pradesh to border of Jharkhand
Border of Jharkhand to Bay of Bengal

58. Glaciers in Mount Everest shrink 28% in 40 years: Report

--The shrinking glaciers have resulted in swelling glacial lakes and higher river levels.
Earlier in May, a group of international researchers had warned that the estimated 5,500 glaciers
in the Hindu Kush- Himalayan (HKH) region site of many of the worlds tallest peaks including
Mount Everest could reduce their volume by 70-99% by 2100.

59. 8 different biomes to be monitored through I-LTEO programme

--India has launched the Indian Long Term Ecological Observatories (I-LTEO) programme
AIM: scientifically monitor 8 different biomes (natural landscapes) across the country.
The initiative was launched on the sidelines of the Conference of Parties-21 (COP-21) of UNFCCC
in Paris.
It aims to identify and monitor targeted socio-ecological challenges and help build capacity within
India. The studies under the programme will indicate the need for imminent adaptation
measures.

Training Under this programme, students and young scientists will also be trained through
sustained long-term support for research in the area of climate change.
Own data base It will help the country to have its own scientific data-base in this key area
without depending on studies done abroad.
Coverage The new initiative will cover all the major biomass of the country from Western
Himalayas to Western Ghats, Eastern Himalayas to Andaman & Nicobar Islands, central India to
the Sunderbans and from Jammu & Kashmir to Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Scientific monitoring Long term scientific monitoring of the natural landscapes, water
resources, grasslands, mammals, birds, fishes and insects will also be carried out.
Climate affect The focus would be on the patterns of how changes in climate are affecting
natural and closely associated human systems of agriculture and pastoralism.
**The work on LTEO Programme is being done in a number of developed and developing
countries. India too was doing it but was restricted to only one place in the country a 50 hectare
plot at Mudumalai which has been monitored for over the past 30 years by the Indian Institute of
Science, Bangalore.

60. Uttar Pradesh Government launches first International festival on Birds

Purpose: To promote the collection of bird species in Uttar Pradesh
LOCATION: @National Chambal Sanctuary: It is a protected tri-state area that accommodates
critically endangered species such as Gharial (small crocodiles), the Red-crowned Roof Turtle and
the endangered Ganges River Dolphin.
Location: Along the Chambal River, falls in the tri-point of Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and
Uttar Pradesh.

61. FSI Indias forest & tree cover increased by 5081 sq km

---It is based on interpretation of LISS III sensor data of indigenous Resourcesat II satellite.
Forest & Tree cover Countrys total forest and tree cover is 42 million hectares (ha), which is
24.16% of the total geographical area.
Increased are---(i) Open Forest area : which is 14% of the geographical area. and (II) Very
Dense Forest --which is 61% of the geographical area.
States: Maximum increase Tamil Nadu has the maximum increase in forest cover >> Kerala >>
Jammu and Kashmir
Largest FC: Madhya Pradesh > Arunachal Pradesh? Chattisgrah
Highest FC: Mizoram> Lakshwadeep
Steps by GOI-several steps to combat pollution and has held four meetings with Environment Ministers of
states of the National Capital Region (NCR) and all concerned agencies of these
states.Government was planning to implement Bharat IV norms by 2017, Bharat V norms by
2019 and Bharat VI norms by the year 2021.
*Forest Cover Stands at Twenty One Per Cent of Total Geographical Area of the Country

62. Mission Innovation launched for accelerating clean energy revolution

Location---During United Nations Climate Change Conference 2015 (COP21) in Paris World
leaders of 20 countries
-

Tagline Accelerating the Clean Energy Revolution

To reinvigorate and accelerate global clean energy and to make clean energy widely
affordable
AIM: 20 countries committed to double their respective clean energy research and
development over the 5 years to 2020.
As part of Mission Innovation, each of the countries involved will seek to double its
governmental or state-directed clean energy research and development investment over the next
5 years.

63. India joins UK, Australia to help poor nations combat climate change
64. Union Government to roll out BS V norms from April 1, 2019

---Govt has advanced the date for implementation of the roll out of Bharat Stage (BS) stage V
and VI norms for four-wheelers by 3 years.
PAST: BS-V norms were to implemented from April 1, 2022 and BS-VI which aim at substantial
reduction in NOx/4C levels from April 1, 2024 but now its 2019 and 2021
Currently there are 4 standards of Bharat stage (BS) norms have been issued by government with
prescribed limit on the release of pollutants. Issued BS standards are as follows:
BS-I Euro 1 2000
BS-II Euro 2 2005
BS-III Euro 3 2010
BS-IV Euro 4 2015 (63 cities till 1 April 2015)

65. 5 New long-haired wasp species discovered in India

--Name of the five species : adikeshavus.
The Sanskrit word means first one to have long hairs.
Features:
They have long hair-like structures that extend from both of their wings.
These wasps have a keen preference for spider eggs. They are often found feeding on the
medium-sized eggs of common spiders.
Their slippery haired wings allow them to slip through the silk strands of the spider egg sacs
that are stored in leaf litter by spiders.
Each wasp has a uniform length of 1 to 2 milimetre and are found in clusters.
The discovery has inspired biologists to yield large number of parasitoids to destroy spider eggs.
66. Vulture reintroduction programme launched in Haryana
--Among them. two Himalayan Griffons, which were brought as sick birds.
The rest were all white-backed vultures, of which six were hatched in captivity at the centre and
are of two-three years of age. The other two were adult birds rescued from the wild about ten
years.
Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre, run by Haryana Wild Life Department and the Forest
Department

67. Ketoprofen non-steroid anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) that is used for veterinary purposes
has got banned by Tamil Nadu Govt in Erode, Coimbatore and The Nilgiris, the areas having
endangered vulture population.
Reason: Ketoprofen was used as an alternative of veterinary painkiller Diclofenac which was
banned by the Central Government as it was proved that presence of Diclofenac in carcasses of
the cattle led the vulture population to slow death.
Substitute: Meloxica

68. Green Indian Mission plans approved for 4 states

---Kerala, Mizoram, Manipur and Jharkhand
AIM: to protect restore and enhance Indias diminishing forest cover and to take adequate
measure to tackle with the issue of climate change.

69. Indias first Dolphin Community Reserve to come up in West Bengal---The reserve would be
set up in the Hooghly River between Malda and Sundarbans as per provisions of Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972.
70. Programme for the Conservation of Eastern Hoolock Gibbon Launched
Location--Arunachal Pradesh
Its a community and school-based education program on conservation of the endangered
Eastern Hoolock Gibbon.
@ Arunachals Lower Dibang Valley district in the state and at Sadiya sub-division under Assams
Tinsukia district.
BY: ENVIRON, an NGO based on North East(NE) associated with states environment and forest
department with Aitijya (The Heritage) as partner.

71. 200 New Species Discovered in Himalayas

--As per the report by World Wildlife Fund (WWF) 200 new species discovered in the Eastern
Himalayas which includes 133 plants, 26 species of fish, 10 new amphibians, one reptile, one bird
and one mammal.
Important among them are the following-- Snub-nosed monkey that sneezes when it rains
Vibrant blue dwarf walking snakehead fish which can breathe atmospheric air and survive on
land for up to four days.
Striking blue-eyed frog.
Lance-headed pit viper snake with an ornate yellow, red and orange pattern.
Fresh-water dracula fish with fangs.
Three new types of bananas.
72.
Nine new species of wild mushrooms discovered in Sikkim--Out of nine, Canthrellus
sikkimensis is edible and consumed by the local people.
Location: in the subalpine region, the Singba Rhododendron Sanctuary and adjoining areas of
North Sikkim.

73.
Worlds Oldest fossil sea turtle discovered--25 million years older fossil found in South
America.More than six feet long, the turtle, Desmatochelys padillai sp, lived around 120 million
years ago.
74.

First-ever Census on Indias Leopard presented---The census had been taken around tiger

habitants across the country except the North-East.Based on these numbers, we estimate Indias
total leopard population to be in the range of 12,000 to 14,000

75. NASAs SERVIR-Mekong project for Five Southeast Asian Countries

AIM: to strengthen regional environmental monitoring in five countries of Southeast Asia namely
Burma, Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam.
SERVIR: SERVIR is a Spanish term that means to serve.
SERVIR was developed in coordination with the Group on Earth Observations, an alliance of more
than 90 nations collaborating to build a global Earth-observing system to benefit societys needs.
PROJECT: It was launched in the Asian Disaster Preparedness Center in Bangkok, Thailand.

76. International climate office to be set up in Pune

AIM: for implementation of intra-seasonal, seasonal and inter-annual variability and predictability
of monsoon systems.

77. Flamingo Sanctuary in Maharashtra---Thane Creek. Declared as per the provisions of Section
18 of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.. The adjoining MANGROVE areas of the either side of the
creek withh be the eco sensitive zone (ESZ) of the Sanctuary
This is Maharashtra;s SECOND Sanctuary after the MALVAN (marine) wildlife Sanctuary (declared
on 1987)

78. Inter state panel for wildlife protection

Member states: Kerala, TN, An Pradesh, telengana, puducherry and Karnataka
79. Inter linking of rivers
The Ministry of Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation has formulated a
National Perspective Plan (NPP) for Water Resources Development in the year 1980 envisaging
inter-basin transfer of water from surplus basins to deficit basins/areas
identified 30 links under the NPP.
So far, based on the concurrence of the concerned States, Detailed Project Reports (DPR) for
Ken-Betwa link (Phase-I & Phase-II), Damanganga Pinjal Links of NPP have been completed by
NWDA

80. Biggest Tiger reserve by area----NAGARJUN sagar Srisailam Tiger reserve (AP< telengana)>
Manas (Assam)> Indravati (Chattisgarh) Smallest by area: Bori Satpura TR in Madhya Pradesh
81. Largest Biosphere reserve ___: Great Rann of Kutch > Gulf of Mannar> Sunderbans
82. List of CRITICALLY engendered BIRDS of India

(i)

White bellied heron;

(ii)

Great Indian Bustard

(iii)

Forest Owlet

(iv)

Baers poachard

(v)
(vi)
(vii)
(viii)
(ix)

Spoon Billed Sandpiper

Siberian Crane
White rumped Vulture; Indian Vulture: Slender Billed vulture; Red headed Vulture
Bengal Florican
Himalayan Quail

(x)

Jerdons; Courser

(xi)

Pink headed Duck

(xii)

Sociable lapwing and (xiii) Bugun Liochichla

83. Critically Endangered MAMMALS in India

84. MARINE PARKS of India--(i)

Gulf of Mannar Marine National Park: Tamil Nadu

It stretches for 160 km between Thoothukudi (Tuticorin) and Dhanushkodi.

It consists of 21 small islands (islets) and adjacent coral reefs in the Gulf of Mannar in the
Indian Ocean.
It is the core area of the Gulf of Mannar Biosphere Reserve which includes a 10 km buffer zone
around the park.
The park has a high diversity of plants and animals in its marine, intertidal and near shore
habitats.
(ii)

Mahatma Gandhi Marine National Park: Wandoor on the Andaman Islands.

Area: 281.5 km
Consists of 15 islands and the open sea creeks running through the area.
There is a chance for ecotourism on the islands Jolly Buoy and Red Skin which are open during
some seasons offering glass bottom boats, scuba diving and snorkeling as a way to see the park's
coral reefs and marine life.
(iii)

Marine National Park, Gulf of Kutch--Gulf of Kachchh, Gujarat.

Area: 270 km2

First national marine park of India.
There are 42 islands on the Jamnagar coast in the Marine National Park, most of them
surrounded by reefs.
The best known island is Pirotan.
(iv)

Rani Jhansi Marine National Park-- Andaman and Nicobar Islands

Area: 256.14 km

85. World heritage sitesNatural sites

86. Eco regions of India

1)

Andaman Islands rain forests

2)

Brahmaputra Valley semi-evergreen forests

3)

Central Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests

4)

Central Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe

5)

Chhota-Nagpur dry deciduous forests

6)

Chhota-Nagpur dry deciduous forests

7)

Deccan thorn scrub forests

8)

East Deccan dry-evergreen forests

9)

Eastern highlands moist deciduous forests

10) Eastern Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows

11) Eastern Himalayan broadleaf forests
12) Godavari-Krishna mangroves
13) Himalayan subtropical broadleaf forests
14) Himalayan subtropical pine forests
15) Indus River Delta-Arabian Sea mangroves
16) Karakoram-West Tibetan Plateau alpine steppe
17) Khathiar-Gir dry deciduous forests
18) Lower Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests
19) Malabar Coast moist forests
20) Maldives-Lakshadweep-Chagos Archipelago tropical moist forests
21) Meghalaya subtropical forests
22) Mizoram-Manipur-Kachin rain forests
23) Narmada Valley dry deciduous forests
24) Nicobar Islands rain forests
25) North Western Ghats moist deciduous forests
26) North Western Ghats montane rain forests
27) Northeast India-Myanmar pine forests
28) North-eastern Himalayan subalpine conifer forests

29) Northern dry deciduous forests

30) North-western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows
31) North-western thorn scrub forests
32) Odisha semi-evergreen forests
33) Rann of Kutch seasonal salt marsh
34) South Deccan Plateau dry deciduous forests
35) South Western Ghats montane rain forests
36) Sundarbans freshwater swamp forests
37) Sundarbans mangroves
38) Terai-Duar savanna and grasslands
39) Thar desert
40) Upper Gangetic Plains moist deciduous forests
41) Western Himalayan alpine shrub and meadows
42) Western Himalayan broadleaf forests
43) Western Himalayan subalpine conifer forests

97. Disastrous tropical cyclones

Hudhud-2014-Andhra Pradesh, Odisha

Lehar-2013-Andhra Pradesh

Phailin-2013-Odisha

Madi-2013-Tamil Nadu

Helen-2013-Andhra Pradesh

Nilam-2012-Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh

Thane-2011-Tamil Nadu

Laila-2010-Andhra Pradesh

END