Australia Adds 13 Species to Threatened List amid Crisis
Another 13 animals and plants were added to Australia's list of threatened species, sparking renewed calls for the federal government to quickly overhaul the country's nature laws.
The species newly listed as at risk include the pig-nosed turtle (listed as vulnerable), the Dalhousie catfish (critically endangered), Pugh's sphagnum frog (endangered) and the Coffs Harbour Fontainea, a rainforest tree (critically endangered). Other species are freshwater fish, lizards, flowering shrubs, a daisy and an orchid species.
It increases the number of species recognised as threatened with extinction in Australia to 2,224. The Australian Conservation Foundation (ACF) said that each of the new animal additions had been affected by habitat destruction or degradation, and the climate crisis was worsening their plight.
Aug 10, 2024
New Plant Species Ceropegia Shivrayiana Discovered at Vishalgad
A new flowering plant called Ceropegia Shivrayiana was discovered in the Vishalgad area of Kolhapur, Maharashtra. This discovery was detailed in a research paper, highlighting the biodiversity and ecological importance of Vishalgad Fort.
The plant was found by a team which spent the past six years studying the plants at Vishalgad Fort.
The name Ceropegia shivrayiana honours Chhatrapati Shivaji Maharaj, reflecting the region's cultural heritage. Researchers believe that naming the plant after Shivaji pays tribute to his appreciation for the ecological importance of forts and their surroundings.
Aug 09, 2024
Three Indian Ocean structures named Ashoka, Chandragupt and Kalpataru
Three underwater geographical structures located in the Indian Ocean were awarded names proposed by India.
Named after the rulers of the Mauryan dynasty are the Ashoka seamount and the Chandragupt ridge. Kalpataru ridge is the third structure for which the International Hydrographic Organization (IHO) and UNESCO's Intergovernmental Oceanographic Commission (IOC) awarded names originally proposed by India.
In all, there are now seven structures in the Indian Ocean named mainly after Indian scientists or bear names proposed by India in this region of the Indian Ocean.
All the three recently named structures were discovered by oceanographers from the National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research (NCPOR), Goa. These are located along the Southwest Indian Ridge area of the Indian Ocean and were discovered during an international survey exploration programme.
Aug 08, 2024
Government Declares New Peacock Sanctuaries in Karnataka, Kerala
The Central Government declared Adichunchanagiri in Karnataka and Choolannuar in Kerala as Peacock Sanctuary.
Declaring Adichunchanagiri and Choolannuar as Peacock Sanctuaries is an important move to protect peafowl (peacocks) and their habitats. Sanctuaries offer a safe space where these birds can live and thrive without human disturbance.
The Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change has taken several steps to boost peacock conservation. These include setting up breeding and conservation centers aimed at increasing the peafowl population. Peacocks, which are India's national bird, are important for biodiversity and cultural heritage. Their conservation helps maintain ecological balance and preserves India's natural heritage.
As Big Cat Population Plummets, Chhattisgarh Approves Country's Third Largest Tiger Reserve
With its tiger population plunging in recent years, Chhattisgarh cleared a long-pending proposal to notify a new tiger reserve – the third largest in the country.
The Guru Ghasidas-Tamor Pingla Tiger Reserve, which integrates an existing national park with a wildlife sanctuary, is Chhattisgarh's fourth reserve for the big cats. It spans 2,829 square kilometres across four northern districts of the state.
The decision came after the Chhattisgarh High Court, while hearing a PIL in July, granted four weeks to the state government to clear its stand on declaring that area a tiger reserve.
The state cabinet merged the regions of the Guru Ghasidas National Park and the Tamor Pingla Sanctuary, located in the districts of Manendragarh-Chirmiri-Bharatpur, Koriya, Surajpur and Balrampur, to create the new reserve.
Aug 06, 2024
SC Panel: Bar Pvt Vehicles in Sariska Reserve, Raise Tiger Protection Force
To protect tigers and their habitats in Sariska Tiger Reserve (STR), Rajasthan, from adverse impacts of vehicular traffic, the Central Empowered Committee (CEC) of the Supreme Court recommended a ban on entry of private vehicles by March 2025 and the creation of a special tiger protection force.
The STR sees heavy traffic of unregulated vehicles as a large number of devotees visit the numerous temples inside the reserve, including the famous Pandupol temple that is located 22 km inside the core area.
The CEC has recommended using electric shuttle buses in lieu of ban on private vehicles and said that other options of transportation such as tramway, elevated road, motorable twin tunnel or ropeway could be considered based on feasibility studies.
+91-85588-96644
