General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - December 2018

Dec 2018

Nov 09, 2019

7 Killed As Cyclone 'Bulbul' Disrupts Normal Life In Bengal

Cyclone 'Bulbul', which barrelled through the coastal districts of West Bengal before hurtling towards Bangladesh, claimed at least seven lives in different parts of the state.
The severe cyclonic storm, which brought in its wake heavy rain coupled with gale wind uprooted hundreds of trees and snapped cables in the city and its adjoining areas in North and South 24 Parganas and East Midnapore, bring life to a near-halt.

Nov 08, 2019

Bihar Govt. To Ban Diesel-Run Autorickshaws In Patna From 2021

With air pollution turning severe in Patna over the last few days, the Bihar government decided to ban diesel-run autorickshaws from 2021 in the State capital and its adjoining areas.
Earlier, the government had also declared a ban on all commercial and State-owned vehicles older than 15 years.
The government also decided to launch an intensive drive to conduct pollution tests on private vehicles.

Mexico Mammoths: Human-Built Woolly Mammoth Traps Found In Tultepec

At least 14 woolly mammoth skeletons have been uncovered in Mexico in traps built by humans about 15,000 years ago.
The two pits in Tultepec north of Mexico City are the first mammoth traps to be discovered.
Early hunters may have herded the elephant-sized mammals into the traps using torches and branches.
The recent discovery of more than 800 mammoth bones could change our understanding of how early humans hunted the enormous animals.
Mexico's National Institute of Anthropology and History (INAH) says more traps could be uncovered in the area north of Mexico City.

Nov 07, 2019

NGT Issues Ultimatum To Ban Certain RO systems

The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has given "last opportunity" to the Union Environment Ministry to issue notifications pertaining to prohibition on the use of RO (reverse osmosis) systems, which result in wastage of almost 80% of water.
The NGT was referring to an order passed by it in May 2019, where it had directed that "wherever RO is to be permitted, condition of recovery of water to the extent of more than 60% is required".

Xi, Macron Call Climate Pact 'Irreversible' After U.S. pullout

Chinese leader Xi Jinping and French President Emmanuel Macron declared that the Paris climate pact was "irreversible", showing a united front after Washington formally withdrew from the accord.
The joint declaration came at the end of Mr. Macron's second visit to China, which started in Shanghai and included talks on trade and the Iranian nuclear issue.
The French leader also said that there was a need for dialogue to resolve months of unrest in Hong Kong — ignoring Beijing's prior warning that such sensitive topics should not be on the agenda.
But Mr. Xi and Mr. Macron found common ground on climate change.

Volanic Eruption Creates New Island in Tongan Archipelago

An undersea volcanic eruption in the Tongan archipelago has sunk one island and created another three times larger.
Taaniela Kula, of the Tonga Geological Service, said the new Lateiki island is estimated to be about 100 metres wide and 400 metres long, and is situated about 120 metres west of its submerged predecessor.
It lies between Kao and Late in the Pacific kingdom's northern Ha'apai group of islands.
The upheaval followed an 18-day undersea eruption in October 2019, in an area prone to earthquakes and volcanic activity.

Nov 06, 2019

US tech to Convert Rice Stubble into Biofuel

The United States Trade Development Authority (USTDA) signed up to allocate a grant of $300,000-500,00 to Indian engineering firm, The Virgo Group, to carry out a 'scoping study' for setting up a plant near Bhatinda that will convert the stubble from harvested rice fields into green biofuel.
The scoping study will determine how much biofuel can be extracted from the rice stubble.
Based on the study, Virgo's Bhatinda plant will customise Rapid Thermal Processing technology from Envergent Technologies - a subsidiary of US technology giant Honeywell - to convert agricultural waste into biocrude, reducing air pollution and creating a new fuel source.
The project is being strongly supported by the Punjab government, which signed an agreement with Virgo on February 11, 2019 for facilitating the plant, including with concessional land.
Chief Minister Amarinder Singh himself attended that signing. Also backing the project is US envoy to India, Kenneth Juster, who was at the signing in Bangkok.

BMC Gives Graded Tax Rebates for Waste Processing in Mumbai

The BMC has started rolling out its property tax rebates to housing societies segregating and composting waste and recycling greywater.
The rates vary 5-15% depending on the extent of waste disposal and processing of greywater (all wastewater generated in households or offices from streams without fecal contamination, i.e. all streams except for toilet wastewater).
A committee will be formed in each ward, which would be expected to periodically inspect whether or not a housing society is following rebate conditions. The society's continued eligibility would depend on the panel's report.
The municipal commissioner cleared a proposal in August 2019 to give a 15% property tax rebate to housing societies for segregating their waste, processing wet waste on their premises, disposing dry waste through recyclers, and using harvested rainwater or greywater.
The scheme aims at disciplining citizens with regard to waste disposal and reducing the amount of garbage that piles up at the dumping grounds.
Societies that follow any one criteria will get a 5% rebate in property tax. Those fulfilling two will get a 10% rebate, and those following all three a 15% rebate. While the first two criteria involve waste management, the third pertains to rainwater harvesting or greywater processing.
At every ward, officials from the solid waste department (SWD) have started holding meetings with residents to inform them further about the scheme. The monitoring panels too have started being formed.

Nov 05, 2019

2 Air Purifiers Installed Near Taj Mahal to Combat Pollution

The Agra District Administration has installed two air purifier machines at the gates of the mughal era monument Taj Mahal to combat air pollution in the region.
Sharing details of the initiative, RK Rathi, Executive Engineer, Agra Municipal Corporation said, "An agency has been directed to do mechanised cleaning as well as deploy two air purifying machines at the gates of Taj Mahal. We are taking these measures to combat air pollution and provide relief to large number of tourists who visit here every day".
Taj Mahal is one of 'Seven Wonders of the World' built by Mughal Emperor Shah Jahan and draws millions of tourists from all parts of the world.

Share on

TCY Analytics (View Subscription Plans)

Subscribe to GK Updates

I want to receive

GK Tags

August GK, July GK, June GK, INTERNATIONAL AFFAIRS, ENVIRONMENT, BUSINESS AND ECONOMY, SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY, SPORTS, NATIONAL AFFAIRS, DEFENCE, PERSONS IN NEWS, DAYS AND EVENTS, AWARDS AND HONOURS, GOVERNMENT POLICIES AND SCHEMES, GENDER/ HEALTH/ EDUCATION, ART AND CULTURE, BOOKS AND AUTHORS, TOURISM AND HOTEL INDUSTRY AWARENESS, ART AND CULTURE, LAW AND CONSTITUTIONAL AFFAIRS

Start Discussion

On any topic

Take Tests

Compiled from GK updates

Login

Sign Up

Forgot Password

Download TCY App

Unlock All Services And Enjoy The Premium Benefits

US$ 10

US$ 13

US$ 15

US$ 17

US$ 19

US$ 20

US$ 21

US$ 22

US$ 23

US$ 24

US$ 25

US$ 26