General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - October 2019

Oct 2019

Jul 24, 2023

World's Biggest Permafrost Crater in Russia's Far East Thaws as Planet Warms

Batagaika crater, a one kilometre long gash in Russia's far East that forms the world's biggest permafrost crater, also known as 'mouth to hell', is melting as a result of the planet getting warmer day by day.
The crater began to appear in the 1960s as a result of deforestation in the area. The deforestation led to the loss of ground ice, which then caused the Earth to begin eroding.
The 'gateway to the underworld', as some locals in Russia's Sakha Republic also call it, has a scientific name: a mega-slump.

Jul 23, 2023

India Meteorological Department Introduces the Heat Index

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) introduced the Heat Index on an experimental basis. The Heat Index is designed to offer general guidance for regions in India where the combination of temperature and humidity results in a higher apparent temperature or "feel-like" temperature, causing discomfort to people.
The Heat Index takes into account the impact of humidity along with the temperature to provide a more accurate representation of how hot it feels. It helps people understand the level of discomfort they may experience due to heat and humidity. Currently, IMD is using a heat index equation similar to the one used by the National Weather Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) in the United States.
By introducing the experimental Heat Index, IMD aims to provide valuable information to the public about heat-related conditions, enabling them to take necessary precautions during hot and humid weather conditions.

Jul 19, 2023

Typhoon Talim Disrupts Hong Kong

Talim made landfall in Zhanjiang city, located in Guangdong province. China typically experiences its primary flood season from late July to early August. During this period, there is an upsurge in tropical cyclone and typhoon activity, particularly in the South China Sea and Western Pacific regions, with particular emphasis on the southern and south-eastern coastal areas of the country. Hong Kong hoisted the Tropical Cyclone Warning Signal No 8, the third-highest warning level first time this year.
The name 'Talim' has been used for four tropical cyclones in the Western Pacific Ocean. The name was contributed by the Philippines and is a Filipino word meaning 'a sharp or cutting edge'.
The four tropical cyclones are:
Typhoon Talim – 2005 in Taiwan, China, Tropical Storm Talim – 2012 in Taiwan, China, Typhoon Talim – 2017 in Ryukyu Islands and Kyushu, Japan and Typhoon Talim - 2023.

Jul 17, 2023

Nagaland Bans Single-use Plastic

The Nagaland government banned single-use plastic (SUP) in the state to eradicate the serious environmental and ecological challenges posed by the rampant use of plastic.
This is in compliance with the directives from the Central Pollution Control Board, Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate and subsequent directives from the Urban Development Department Nagaland (UDD) as per the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
The UDD said that the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of carry bags made of mod, virgin, or recycled plastic, irrespective of the thickness in microns, are prohibited.
It also banned the manufacture, import, stocking, distribution, sale, and use of earbuds with plastic sticks, plastic sticks for balloons, plastic flags, candy sticks, ice-cream sticks, and polystyrene (Thermocol) for decoration.
As per UDD, inspections would be conducted at regular intervals, and defaulters would be penalised heavily for the offence.

Assam Launches Project Gajah Kotha

In an effort to mitigate the escalating human-elephant conflict (HEC) issue, Assam launched the 'Gajah Kotha' campaign, involving more than 1,200 individuals and promoting coexistence. This campaign focuses on HEC-affected villages in eastern Assam, where it aims to educate residents about the behaviour, ecology, and cultural significance of elephants in the region, emphasising the importance of conservation. Spearheaded by Aaranyak, a prominent wildlife NGO based in Guwahati, in collaboration with the British Asian Trust and the Assam Forest Department, and with support from the Darwin Initiative, this initiative demonstrates their dedication to fostering a harmonious coexistence between humans and elephants.
With a flourishing elephant population of nearly 5,000 Asiatic elephants, Assam holds the second position in India in terms of elephant numbers, just behind Karnataka. Nonetheless, the region faces escalating conflicts as a result. The encroachment on natural habitats, fragmentation of forests, and insufficient management of elephant corridors have all played a role in exacerbating these conflicts, highlighting the vital importance of initiatives such as 'Gajah Kotha' in promoting a sustainable coexistence.

Jul 13, 2023

European Union Lawmakers Back a Major Plan to Protect Nature and Fight Climate Change

The European Union's parliament approved a major plan to protect nature and fight climate change in a cliffhanger vote.
In a test of the EU's global climate credentials, the legislature supported the general outlines of a European Commission plan in a 324-312 vote with 12 abstentions.
The bill is a key part of the EU's vaunted European Green Deal that seeks to establish the world's most ambitious climate and biodiversity targets and make the bloc the global point of reference on all climate issues.
The plans proposed by the European Commission, the EU's executive branch, set binding restoration targets for specific habitats and species, with the aim by 2030 to cover at least 20 per cent of the region's land and sea areas.

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