General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - August 2024

Aug 2024

Aug 20, 2024

China Approves $31 Billion for 11 New Nuclear Reactors across Five Sites

China approved the construction of 11 new nuclear reactors across five sites, with a total investment of approximately 220 billion yuan ($31 billion). This marks a record number of permits as the government intensifies its reliance on nuclear energy to reduce carbon emissions. The State Council's approval includes reactors in Jiangsu, Shandong, Guangdong, Zhejiang, and Guangxi. The construction is expected to take about five years.
State-owned entities such as China General Nuclear Power Corp. (CGN), China National Nuclear Corp. (CNNC), and State Power Investment Corp. are the primary players in these new projects. CGN received approvals for six reactors across three sites, CNNC for three reactors, and State Power Investment Corp. for two units.

Aug 15, 2024

German Scientists Discover Plastic-Eating Fungi for Waste Reduction

Scientists in Germany identified plastic-eating fungi that could offer a glimmer of hope in tackling the problem of millions of tonnes of waste polluting the world's oceans every year.
But they warn that their work is likely to be only a small part of solving plastic pollution, and say there is still a need to reduce food packaging and other debris from entering the environment where it can take decades to degrade.
An analysis at Lake Stechlin in north-eastern Germany into how microfungi thrive on some plastics with no other carbon source to feed on has clearly demonstrated that some of them are capable of degrading synthetic polymers.

Three more Indian Wetlands get Ramsar Tag

Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary, Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu), and Madhya Pradesh's Tawa Reservoir were granted the Ramsar site tag, taking the tally of such wetlands of International Importance to 85 in India, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav said.
Nanjarayan Bird Sanctuary is an important place for wintering and breeding grounds for migratory birds. It hosts nearly 130 bird species apart from those of reptiles, fish, and plants. Tawa Reservoir was formed by the construction of the Tawa Dam. Kazhuveli is a stopover and breeding ground for about 40,000 migratory birds as well as home to over 200 species.

Aug 13, 2024

Assam Launches Mobile App 'Haati' to Reduce Human-Elephant Conflict

In the Indian state of Assam, where human-elephant encounters have become increasingly dangerous, a new mobile app called Haati was launched to help reduce the number of fatalities arising out of incidents involving wild elephants.
Assam, which is known for its large elephant population, as per reports, has been grappling with rising incidents where both humans and elephants have been killed. The reason behind this is the shrinking habitat and encroachment on the animals' natural corridors.
As per report, the Haati app serves as an early warning system, alerting people when wild elephants are nearby, so they can take necessary precautions and get out of the way.
The app does more than just warn people. It also includes a feature where victims or their families can fill out a form to apply for compensation from the government in cases of injury or death due to elephant attacks.

Aug 12, 2024

Neelakurinji: The Endangered Purple Bloom of the Western Ghats

The Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana), a remarkable flowering shrub native to the montane grasslands of southwest India, was added to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. This iconic plant, known for its mass blooming once every 12 years, was classified as Vulnerable according to the IUCN criteria.
This marks the first time Strobilanthes kunthiana has undergone a Global Red List assessment.

Aug 11, 2024

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.

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