General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - August 2019

Aug 2019

May 15, 2024

SAIL-Bhilai to Set Up Chhattisgarh's First 15-Mw Floating Solar Plant

In a stride towards sustainable energy practices, the Bhilai Steel Plant (BSP), a key unit of the Steel Authority of India Limited (SAIL) situated in Chhattisgarh, is set to inaugurate the state's premier floating solar project. This venture marks a pivotal moment in Chhattisgarh's journey towards renewable energy and underscores BSP's commitment to reducing its carbon footprint while promoting eco-friendly initiatives.
The ambitious project, spearheaded by BSP, will see the installation of a 15 MW capacity floating solar plant within the expansive Maroda-1 reservoir located in Durg district. This reservoir, sprawling across 2.1 square kilometers with a water storage capacity of 19 cubic millimeters (MM3), not only caters to the water needs of the plant but also supports the adjoining township.

May 14, 2024

India Highlights Forest Conservation, Sustainable Management Initiatives at 19th Session of UNFF

India participated in the 19th Session of the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF), held at the UN Headquarters in New York in May 2024.
During the session, India highlighted the country's significant advancements in forest conservation and sustainable forest management, which led to a consistent increase in forest cover over the past fifteen years. Globally, India ranks third in the net gain, in average annual forest area, between 2010 and 2020.
India also highlighted the creation of the International Big Cat Alliance, another important step aimed at protecting and conserving the seven big cat species around the world through collaborative international efforts.
The UNFF 19 culminated in a declaration to take urgent and accelerated actions to halt deforestation and forest degradation and to prevent land degradation, including the implementation of the United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests and the achievement of the Global Forest Goals.

May 13, 2024

India-Oman Collaboration on Shark and Ray Research in Arabian Sea

In a significant move to bolster research and conservation efforts concerning sharks and rays in the Arabian Sea, India and Oman are set to embark on a joint initiative. This collaboration aims to enhance understanding, promote conservation, and facilitate capacity building in elasmobranch research, with a particular focus on the Arabian Sea region.
An upcoming workshop, to be hosted at the ICAR-Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute (CMFRI), will mark the commencement of this collaborative endeavor. This workshop, jointly organized by CMFRI and Oman's Marine Science and Fisheries Centre, will serve as the platform for initiating collaborative research activities and enhancing expertise in elasmobranch research.

May 10, 2024

CUSAT Researchers Discover New Marine Tardigrade Species; Name it after Chandrayaan Mission

Researchers from the Department of Marine Biology, Cochin University of Science and Technology (CUSAT) have discovered a new species of marine tardigrade, colloquially known as water bears -- a phylum of eight-legged segmented micro-animals.
This microscopic creature has been named as Batillipes chandrayaani, a homage to the Chandrayaan-3, the first-ever successful lunar south pole landing mission hosted by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in 2023.
This newly described species was found in the intertidal beach sediments of Mandapam coast, Tamil Nadu.
The present species is similar in size to other tardigrades, measuring around 0.15 millimeters (mm) in length and 0.04 mm in width characterised by four pairs of legs.
This novel species was discovered by Vishnudattan N.K, research scholar and senior Prof Dr S Bijoy Nandan, Department of Marine Biology as a part of an extensive marine biodiversity survey conducted along the Tamil Nadu coast.

May 09, 2024

India Surpasses Japan as 3rd Largest Solar Power Generator in 2023

India's remarkable surge in solar energy deployment propelled it past Japan, securing its position as the world's third-largest solar power generator in 2023. Solar energy continued its unprecedented growth streak, outpacing coal in global electricity generation for the 19th consecutive year.
In 2015, India ranked ninth in solar energy deployment, but by 2023, it produced 5.8% of its electricity from solar, up from 0.5% in 2015. This significant increase underscores India's commitment to clean energy and its pivotal role in mitigating climate change.
Ember's report highlights that solar energy witnessed a remarkable increase globally, with 2023's solar generation exceeding six times that of 2015. The top four solar growth countries, including India, accounted for 75% of this growth, emphasizing the widespread adoption of solar power worldwide.

Scientists Unveil World's Deepest Blue Hole in Mexico

Researchers revealed the Taam Ja' Blue Hole in Mexico's Chetumal Bay as the deepest known blue hole on Earth, descending to a staggering depth of 1,380 feet. Surpassing the previous record-holder, the Sansha Yongle Blue Hole, by 480 feet, this abyss presents a tantalizing opportunity for scientific exploration and the potential discovery of new marine life.
Initial depth readings of the Taam Ja' Blue Hole, taken in 2021, left much to conjecture, reaching only 900 feet with echo-sounders. However, a recent dive equipped with advanced technology, including a state-of-the-art CTD profiler, provided deeper insights into its dimensions. Despite their best efforts, researchers were unable to reach the bottom, encountering possible obstacles like underwater ledges or strong currents at 1,380 feet. This enigmatic depth raises questions about the structure and potential interconnectedness of underground cave systems within the blue hole.

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