Scientists Discover New Eel Species from Kerala, Bengal
A group of Indian scientists discovered a new species of eel from among specimens collected from the Kalamukku and Digha Mohana fishing harbours in Kerala and West Bengal respectively.
The newly discovered eel belongs to the Congrid eels group and was named Ariosoma indicum. The term Indicum means that it was found in India.
Apr 21, 2022
New Shrimp Species Discovered off Lakshadweep
Scientists from the ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources (NBFGR) discovered a new species of shrimp, which has been named Actinimenes koyas.
The species was collected at a depth of 1.0–2.0 m from the coral atoll of Agatti Island, which is part of the Lakshadweep group of islands, by a team comprising Purushothaman Paramasivam, A. Dhinakaran, T.T. Ajith Kumar and Kuldeep K. Lal.
This new species has been named 'Koyas' to honour the local community on the Lakshadweep islands as Koyas form an important ethnic community on the islands, who have made a significant contribution to the development and preservation of the heritage of the society.
Apr 20, 2022
India's First Portable Solar Rooftop System Unveiled in Gandhinagar
The first portable solar rooftop system in India has been inaugurated at Swaminarayan Akshardham temple complex in Gandhinagar, Gujarat. The 10 Photovoltaic PV Port system has been manufactured by New Delhi-based Servotech Power Systems Ltd and designed by the German development agency Deutsche Gesellschaft fur Internationale Zusammenarbeit (GIZ). The systems have been installed under the initiative of the Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy to develop renewable energy cities across India.
The PV Ports have been manufactured by New Delhi-based Servotech Power Systems Ltd (SPSL), a leading maker of high-end solar products like LEDs, oxygen concentrators and EV charging equipment under the Make in India project, it added. The PV Port system is highly cost-effective, requires low maintenance, has a long shelf life of 25-30 years, can be easily installed by a single person and is ideal for the Indian climate.
Apr 15, 2022
US Joins 90-odd Nation Coalition to Protect 30% Earth by 2030
The US officially announced to join the High Ambition Coalition (HAC) for Nature and People, a group of more than 90 countries, encouraging the adoption of the global goal to protect and conserve at least 30 per cent of the planet -- land and sea -- by 2030, commonly referred to as "30x30."
Scientists have issued repeated warnings that nature is in a state of crisis, threatened by habitat loss, pollution, overexploitation, invasive species, and climate change.
The announcement follows the Biden administration's launch this week of a $1 billion program, called the America the Beautiful Challenge, to advance its national 30x30 goal.
Apr 14, 2022
After Hyderabad, Mumbai Recognised As A 'Tree City Of The World'
Mumbai was recognised as '2021 Tree City of the World' by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (UN) jointly with Arbor Day Foundation.
Mumbai received recognition for its "commitment to growing and maintaining urban trees and greenery in building healthy, resilient and happy cities.
The United Nations' 'Tree City of the World' programme provides direction, assistance, and worldwide recognition for communities' dedication to its urban forest, and provides a framework for a healthy, sustainable urban forestry.
Meanwhile, tree activists expressed surprise over Mumbai bagging the 'Tree City of the World' tag as it has lost significant green cover in the last few years.