General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - December 2018

Dec 2018

Mar 17, 2024

Tamil Nadu Tops Illegal Trade in Shark Body Parts

Tamil Nadu dominates the illegal trade in shark body parts, comprising nearly 65% of seizures between January 2010 and December 2022, as per an analysis by TRAFFIC and WWF-India. This alarming trend poses a significant threat to marine biodiversity, with Karnataka, Gujarat, Kerala, and Maharashtra also contributing to this illicit trade.
TRAFFIC and WWF-India conducted a comprehensive study titled 'Netted in illegal wildlife trade: Sharks of India'.
The confiscated shark products were intended for destinations such as Singapore, Hong Kong, Sri Lanka, and mainland China.

Mar 16, 2024

Union Minister Hardeep S. Puri Launches Ethanol 100 Fuel Initiative

Minister of Petroleum and Natural Gas, Hardeep Singh Puri in March 2024 launched Ethanol100, an alternate auto fuel in New Delhi. Mr. Puri said that the green fuels like ethanol100, which the Modi government has laid special focus on, will play a key role in sustaining the economic growth of the country.
Ethanol100, a cleaner and greener alternative to gasoline, is a blend of 92 to 94 percent ethanol, 4 to 5 percent motor spirit to provide colour to flame and 1.5 percent Co-solvent higher saturated alcohol. The fuel produces lower emissions of greenhouse gases, a reduction by around 63% on well to wheel basis. Ethanol100 will help to mitigate the impacts of climate change and improve air quality. Prominent two-wheeler manufacturers are already undertaking trials for Ethanol100 compliant vehicles.
As part of a pilot initiative, IndianOil is rolling out Ethanol100 at 183 retail outlets across ethanol-rich states of Uttar Pradesh, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Tamilnadu and Delhi. It plans to make Ethanol100 available at 400 retail outlets in these states in a phased manner.

Mar 14, 2024

New Scorpion Species with 8 Eyes and Legs Found in Thailand

Researchers made an exciting discovery, a previously unknown scorpion species with 8 eyes and 8 legs in Thailand's Kaeng Krachan National Park.
This newly discovered species belongs to the subgenus Euscorpiops and has been named Euscorpiops Krachan, after the national park where it was found.

Mar 09, 2024

Center Releases Regulations for Captive Exotic Wildlife

Center releases regulations requiring owners of exotic pets to register them with the state wildlife department under the Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024.
India, as a party to the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), has recently implemented stringent measures to regulate the possession and trade of exotic pets. The Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024, issued by the Union environment ministry on February 28, aim to enforce the provisions of the Convention and ensure the protection of endangered wildlife.

Mar 07, 2024

India's First Dolphin Research Centre Inaugurated in Patna

India's first National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC) was officially inaugurated by Bihar Chief Minister Nitish Kumar. This landmark facility, built at a cost of Rs. 30 crore, is situated on the banks of the Ganges River within the Patna University campus.
The NDRC's primary objective is to aid researchers and students in understanding the behaviour and ecology of freshwater dolphins, particularly the endangered Gangetic dolphin. These fascinating creatures inhabit the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of South Asia and were first documented in 1801.
The inauguration of the NDRC marks a significant step towards furthering our understanding and protecting the Gangetic dolphin. This crucial research centre has the potential to not only safeguard this endangered species but also contribute to a deeper comprehension of the Ganges River ecosystem as a whole.

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