General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - January 2021

Jan 2021

Mar 30, 2021

New Species of Red Algae Seen in West, South East Indian Coast

Two new species of seaweed have been discovered by a group of marine biologists from Central University of Punjab, Bathinda. Named Hypnea indica (after India) and Hypnea bullata (because of the blisterlike marks on its body – bullate), the seaweeds are part of the genus Hypnea or red seaweeds.
They grow in the intertidal regions of the coast, namely the area that is submerged during the high tide and exposed during low tides.

Centre Limits States' Role in Forest Matters

According to the Union Environment Ministry, state governments cannot impose any additional environmental or conservation directions for infrastructure projects in forest areas other than what has already been stipulated by the Centre while granting forest clearance to a project.
As per experts, the move will further centralise powers to monitor infrastructure projects and constrain state governments' decision-making in issues related to forest and wildlife conservation.
Under the Forest Conservation Act, 1980, every time forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes such as mining or industry, the project developer is supposed to identify land for own use and pay for planting forests over an equal area of non-forest land, or when that is not available, twice the area of degraded forest land. Presently, this money gets collected under the compensatory afforestation fund under the Union Environment Ministry and is used for conservation and wildlife management purposes.

Mar 29, 2021

Microplastics in Sewage Become 'Hubs' for Drug-resistant Bacteria

As per a new study, ultra-fine plastic particles can become 'hubs' for antibiotic-resistant bacteria and pathogens to grow once they wash down household drains and enter wastewater treatment plants.
According to the scientists, including those from the New Jersey Institute of Technology (NJIT) in the U.S., these plastic particles less than five millimeters in length, called microplastics, allow the formation of a slimy layer, or biofilm, on their surface which allows bacteria and antibiotic waste to attach and mingle.
The research noted that certain strains of bacteria have elevated antibiotic resistance by up to 30 times when living on microplastic biofilms that form inside sludge units at municipal wastewater treatment plants.

Mar 28, 2021

NGT Panel Finds Damage to 30% Mangroves in Andhra's Kakinada

A joint committee constituted by the National Green Tribunal (NGT) to look into the cutting of mangrove forests in the coastal area of Kakinada in Andhra Pradesh's East Godavari district for a housing project, has confirmed destruction of nearly 30% of the mangrove area at the site. The committee also directed the district administration not to proceed with the township project and to take "remedial measures" for "rejuvenation of mangroves".
In its report submitted to the southern bench of the NGT, the committee observed that out of the total extent of mangroves spread over 116 acres, work has been taken up on 58 acres for "Navaratnaalu-Pedalanadirki Illu" (nine jewels-house sites for the poor) programme, thereby affecting mangroves in an extent of 30% of the filled-up area. The house sites' distribution programme was launched on December 25, but the preparatory work like identification of sites and levelling of sites began in March 2020.
The mangrove area also falls under Coastal Regulatory Zone-I area (CRZ-I), which is ecologically sensitive and the geomorphologic features of this zone play a role in the maintaining the integrity of the coast. As per CRZ notification 2011, no new construction shall be permitted in CRZ-I.

Mar 27, 2021

IIT Delhi to Build Atmospheric Observatory

The Indian Institute of Technology, Delhi (IIT-Delhi) announced that it is setting up an atmospheric observatory to do research, track atmospheric problems like air pollution, and suggest solutions to mitigate pollution, erratic monsoon and extreme weather events associated with climate change.
The observatory will be established in its research campus in Sonepat at a cost of Rs. 125 crore. The IIT said that Sonipat, which is located "upwind" of Delhi NCR, is an ideal location for measurements not only of the transport of dust and air pollution, but also various meteorological, radiation and cloud observations as these are key to understanding daily variations in weather and long-term climate changes.
This first of its kind observatory in the heart of the Indo-Gangetic belt will enable researchers to make new discoveries and help find sustainable solutions to some of the country's pressing problems such as severe air pollution, erratic monsoon and extreme weather events associated with climate change.

Mar 26, 2021

Campaign for Conservation of Butterflies in Rajasthan

Wildlife enthusiasts and environmental activists in Rajasthan have joined hands for a campaign for conservation of butterflies with a national appeal for care of the host plants to invite the insects with brightly coloured wings at home. The significance of butterflies in the pollination process was highlighted at an event held earlier this week.
Rajasthan gave 1,328th species to the country's list of butterflies last year with the discovery of Spialia zebra in Dungarpur district. The species flies at a high speed and is only 2.5 cm wide. It has been seen for the first time in India.

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