July 2019 Environment

Sakshi Education

12 beaches selected for 'Blue Flag’ challenge
The Union Environment Ministry has selected 12 beaches in India to vie for a ‘Blue Flag’ certification.

These beaches are at Shivrajpur (Gujarat), Bhogave (Maharashtra), Ghoghla (Diu), Miramar (Goa), Kasarkod and Padubidri (Karnataka), Kappad (Kerala), Eden (Puducherry), Mahabalipuram (Tamil Nadu), Rushikonda (Andhra Pradesh), Golden (Odisha), and Radhanagar (Andaman & Nicobar Islands).
India's first garbage cafe launched
India's first garbage cafe was launched Ambikapur Municipal Corporation in Ambikapur in Chhattisgarh.

Under this program, any person fetching a kilo of plastic waste to the garbage cafe will be assured of a full meal while those collecting at least 500 grams will get breakfast.

The city of Ambikapur has been ranked second cleanest city in India after Indore.
5.0 magnitude earthquake hits southern part of Iran
A 5.0 magnitude earthquake has hit the southern part of Iran, said the US Geological Survey.

The earthquake was registered today, earliy in the morning at 04:29 Indian time. The epicenter of the quake was located 23 kilometers northeast of the city of Bandar Lengeh in the province of Hormozgan, at the depth of 10 kilometers.

There is no information about any damages, or victims, caused by the earthquake.

Iran is located in a seismically active zone and often suffers from powerful earthquakes. The deadliest earthquake in the country occurred in 856 AD in the northern part of the country killing some 200,000 people.
Rare butterflies spotted in Kotagiri slopes
Members of a Nilgiris-based conservation group spotted two butterflies, usually found in the Devala-Nadugani belt, in the Kotagiri slopes, where they are rarely seen.

The Wynter Blyth Association (WBA) members were on a weekly butterfly walk in Kotagiri when they spotted the elusive Dark Pierrot (Tarucus ananda) and the Pointed Lineblue (Lonolyce helicon).

What was interesting about the find was the fact that the last sighting of the Dark Pierrot in the Coonoor and Kotagiri slopes was in 1978 by Larsen B Torben.
India’s first dragon blood-oozing tree
Researchers discover Dracaena cambodiana in Assam’s West Karbi Anglong dist.

Assam has added to India’s botanical wealth a plant that yields dragon’s blood — a bright red resin used since ancient times as medicine, body oil, varnish, incense and dye.

A trio of researchers has discovered Dracaena cambodiana, a dragon tree species in the Dongka Sarpo area of West Karbi Anglong. The team’s report has been published in the latest issue of the Journal of the Botanical Research Institute of Texas.

In India, the Dracaena genus belonging to the family Asparagaceae is represented by nine species and two varieties in the Himalayan region, the northeast and Andaman and Nicobar Islands. But Dracaena cambodiana is the only true dragon tree species.
Kaziranga animals ‘reclaim’ abandoned quarries on corridors
Stone-crushing machines confined animals fleeing floods to small patch in foothills till SC ban came into effect

Animals of the Kaziranga National Park (KNP) are ‘reclaiming’ their migratory paths that were blocked for years by illegal stone quarries in the hills beyond a highway along the southern periphery of their habitat.

The Assam Forest Department banned stone mining activities in the hills of the Karbi Anglong district south of KNP on April 30 after the Supreme Court ordered their closure on April 12.

The hills of Karbi Anglong south of the highway have been the natural refuge of animals whenever much of KNP goes underwater during the monsoon every year. This year’s flood has tilled 24 July, 2019 morning killed 205 animals, including 18 one-horned rhinos.

Most drowned while 16 hog deer and a sambhar were run over by vehicles while trying to cross the highway for the relative safety of the hills.

Officials of the park’s Burapahar Range spotted tiger pug marks close to a quarry near the Silimkhowa village. The quarry is along the Maloni animal corridor, but the animals fleeing floods were confined to a small patch at the foothills after the stone-crushing machines came up at the quarry about four years ago.

At least five of several stone quarries on the hills are visible from the highway.

The water level had fallen by 162 cm. during the last 24 hours. But heavy rainfall in eastern Assam and Arunachal Pradesh could result in another wave of flooding for Kaziranga in the next few days.
Large-scale burning of grasslands detrimental to invertebrates: study
Study from Eravikulam National Park says ‘prescribed’ strategy to conserve threatened ungulates adversely impacts many species

A recent study on “prescribed burning” of large tracts of grassland for the conservation of threatened ungulates in the Eravikulam National Park (ENP), a biodiversity hotspot in the Western Ghats, reveals that such burning is detrimental to endemic invertebrates, including grasshoppers.

Grasshoppers are sensitive to grasslands management and an indicator of grasslands quality, health and restoration success.

Traditionally, the grasslands of the park are managed by prescribed “cold” burning (cold season burning) with the help of the local tribal community.

Burning is practised on 90 sq. km. of the park by dividing it into 50 hectare grids to ensure palatable fodder for the Nilgiri tahr and has been practised since the British colonial time, Dr. Easa, a member of the team said. However, the impact of burning of Nilgiri tahr habitats on other biota has never been documented

The recovery plan for the animal stresses the need for systematic monitoring of the impact of fire on its habitats in the ENP.

Though prescribed burning was experimentally introduced in the Parambikulam Tiger Reserve (PKMTR) recently, another habitat of the Nilgiri tahr, it was practised on a smaller scale (10 m. × 10 m.).

There are 130 species of grasshoppers reported in Kerala, of which 54 species were found in PKMTR and 18 species were found in the ENP, he said. It is suspected that prescribed burning in the park for the past many decades is a major cause for the decline of grasshoppers.
Fresh tiger census likely to be out on July 29
Normally, the census is made public by environment minister, but sources said this time PM could do the honours.

The much-awaited tiger census is likely to be released on July 29, Global Tiger Day, two officials independently confirmed.

The results of the census, conducted once in four years, has been delayed for over 7 months because of the intervening Lok Sabha elections, data collection anomalies from the States as well as a first-ever initiative to coordinate the counting exercise with neighbouring Bangladesh and Nepal to avoid double-counting of the animal.

Since 2006, the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) an Environment Ministry funded body has been tasked with coordinating the exercise. That year, the once in four years exercise calculated that India had only 1,411 tigers. This rose to 1,706 in 2010 and 2,226 in 2014 on the back of improved conservation measures and new estimation methods.

The survey divided into four phases began last winter.

India accounts for most of the 3,500-odd tigers that are scattered among Bangladesh, Bhutan, Cambodia, China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Russian Federation, Thailand, and Vietnam.

As part of an agreement in 2010 among these countries, there is a goal to double the global tiger count by 2022.
Earth is warming at faster pace than in last 2,000 years: study
Researchers used data compiled from nearly 700 temperature indicators

World temperatures rose faster in the late 20th century than at any other time in the last 2,000 years, according to a study released on 24 July, 2019.

Climate variability the fluctuation of surface temperatures over time — has long been the subject of debate.

While average global temperatures are currently around 1°C hotter than pre-industrial times, there have been a number of periods of cooling and warming over the centuries. This had led sceptics of manmade global warming to suggest that human activity is not the main driver of climate change.

Researchers used data compiled from nearly 700 temperature indicators tree rings, sediment cores, coral reefs and modern thermometer readings to provide a comprehensive timeline of the planet’s recent climate history.

The findings are clear: at no point in modern human history did temperatures rise so quickly and so consistently as in the late 20th century the period where the world’s post-war, fossil fuel-powered economy reached unprecedented heights of production and consumption.

A paper, published in the journal Nature, examined regional temperature trends over time.

A second paper, in Nature Geoscience, examined rates of surface warming, averaged over sub-periods each a few decades long.

The study found that pre-industrial temperature fluctuations were largely driven by volcanic activity.

But it also concluded that humans had never witnessed such rapid global warming as in the latter part of the 20th century.
Researchers have discovered a new vine snake species in the southern Western Ghats
Researchers from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru have discovered a new vine snake species in the southern Western Ghats.

The species 'Pro ahaetulla antiqua' is believed to have evolved around 26 million years ago. It was first discovered in 2011. It looks similar to Ahaetulla dispar which is a small-sized vine snake with similar morphological characters. The vine snake species are not only a new species but also belong to a new genus.

The unique features of the snake was studied by the researchers from Indian Institute of Science, Bengaluru along with Chennai Snake Park, Chennai and Bombay Natural History Society, Mumbai.

The study was funded by the Department of Biotechnology, Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change (MoEFCC), DBT-IISc Partnership Programme and the Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund.

There are similar species in Africa and South America. The Asian vine snakes are distributed throughout Asia.
Dr. Harsh Vardhan launches new website of India Meteorological Department
Earth Sciences Minister Dr Harsh Vardhan Ministry is making a signification contribution to the betterment of the country through weather forecasting.

The weather department's forecasts help farmers in a big way.

The Minister was speaking at a function in New Delhi to mark the foundation day of Ministry of Earth Sciences.

Dr. Vardhan also launched a new website of India Meteorological Department www.mausam.imd.gov.in on the occasion.

The website will provide all information related to weather. The Minister said the weather department is doing a good job by providing information related to rain and floods.

Children must be involved in every task related to Earth Sciences to take forward the message to the remotest parts of the country. He contended that children can ensure success of any event.
Tree Plantation Programme launched Arunachal
Arunachal Pradesh Chief Minister Pema Khandu on 25 July 2019 launched the State-wide tree plantation programme – ‘Clean-Green Arunachal Campaign 2019’ – by kickstarting the campaign by planting 1 lakh tree saplings within the next 24 hours.

The campaign is being held as part of Van Mahotsav celebration has also set the target of planting 1 crore tree within the next five years.
CRPF celebrates 81st raising day
India Central Reserve Police Force, CRPF, on 27 July ,2019 paid tributes to those who laid down their lives for the nation, at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi on the occasion of its 81st Raising Day.

Minister of State for Home Nityananda Rai offered floral tributes at the Memorial. Speaking on the occasion, Mr Rai said CRPF lives and dies for the country.

He underlined the fact that CRPF leaves no stone unturned in winning the hearts of those who have turned against the nation to get them into mainstream before coming down heavily on anti-national elements.

The Minister expressed hope that in the period ahead, Jammu and Kashmir will be free from the scourge of terrorism.
Major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hits off eastern Indonesia
A major 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit off the remote Maluku islands in eastern Indonesia, but no tsunami warning was issued.

According to the US Geological Survey, the quake struck about 165 kilometres south-southwest of the town of Ternate in North Maluku province at 6:28 pm local time at a depth of 10 kilometres.
Flood situation worsens in Assam, Bihar
The flood situation has worsened in Assam and Bihar.

As many as 119 teams of the National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) have been deployed in flood-hit areas of the country, including Assam and Bihar, and a 24X7 control room has been set up in Delhi to closely monitor the situation in these regions.

NDRF teams are continuously engaged in assisting the local administration in rescue and relief work.

Flood water has now submerged 30 of the 33 districts of Assam, with 43 lakh people affected.

Four persons have lost their lives in the last 24 hours, taking the death toll to 15.

Ninety per cent of the Kaziranga national park has been submerged. Rescue and relief measures have been intensified by various agencies.

Chief Minister Sarbananda Sonowal visited Nalbari and Barpeta districts and reviewed the situation.

Union Jal Shakti Minister Gajendra Singh Shekhawat will undertake an aerial survey in Upper Assam today. He will also hold a review meeting with ministers and officials in Guwahati.

Other North Eastern states like Mizoram, Meghalaya and Arunachal Pradesh are also facing the fury of floods following incessant rain over the last few days.

In Bihar, the death toll due to floods mounted to 24 on 15 July, 2019. Over 25 lakh people are reeling from the deluge in 12 districts following incessant rains in neighbouring country Nepal.

Baghmati, Kamla Balan, Lalbakeya, Adhwara and Mahananda rivers are flowing above the danger level at various places.

Chief Minister Nitish Kumar undertook an aerial survey of the flood-hit areas.

26 teams of the National Disaster Response Force and the State Disaster Response Force have been deployed for relief and rescue operations in the affected districts.
Centre says, development of strategic infrastructure along with border areas undertaken in holistic manner
The development of the strategic infrastructure along the border areas is undertaken in a holistic and comprehensive manner to include the construction of roads, strategic railway lines and tunnels.

This is to ensure all-weather connectivity and enhance defence preparedness along the border.

A revised Long Term Roll on Works Plan of Border Roads Organisation for five years 2018-19 to 2022-23 has been formulated for construction and improvement of 272 roads of over 14,500 km length.

Of these, 61 roads of a length over 3,300 kms have been identified as strategic.

Work has been completed on 2,300 kms. The roads, on completion, will enhance accessibility to border areas where the border infrastructure and forward connectivity is lacking.
Encephalitis: Supreme Court seeks response of Centre, Bihar,UP governments on PIL
The Supreme Court has sought the response of the Centre, Bihar and Uttar Pradesh governments on a PIL seeking urgent steps to control the outbreak of Acute Encephalitis Syndrome (AES) and provide necessary medical facilities to persons suffering from it.

A bench, headed by Chief Justice Ranjan Gogoi, issued a notice to the Health Ministry, Chief Secretaries and Secretaries of Health of Bihar and Uttar Pradesh governments.

The plea also sought prompt and free of cost treatment to all the children suffering from AES.

The plea, filed by a lawyer, sought direction to the Centre and state governments to create the necessary infrastructure for treatment of the children already suffering from the epidemic disease and prevent its further spread.

It also sought direction for the constitution of a committee of medical experts to find out the reasons for the loss of lives of more than 100 children and to fix responsibility of the persons whose negligence has resulted in the deaths.
Strong earthquake jolts Greek capital Athens
In Greece, a strong earthquake jolted capital Athens , knocking out phone and cellphone service and sending worried residents rushing into the streets. But there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

According to the Greek geodynamic institute, it was a 5.1-magnitude quake with an epicentre 23 kilometres northwest of Athens, followed by aftershocks.

State broadcaster ERT said the quake struck at around 1100 GMT at a depth of 13 kilometres.

Worried residents and office staff have crowded outdoor areas but the government denied it had ordered an evacuation .

The fire department rescued over a dozen people trapped in elevators in the capital.
Earth Alliance launched
Leonardo DiCaprio, Laurene Powell Jobs and Brian Sheth will launch Earth alliance to tackle climate change.

Caprio has merged his Leonardo DiCaprio Foundation into Earth Alliance.

The alliance will work globally to protect ecosystems, climate change, support renewable energy, and secure indigenous rights to the benefit of all life on earth.
India's 1st elephant rehabilitation centre
India's first elephant rehabilitation centre will be situated in Kottoor, Kerala. It is an ecotourism village.

It is being planned on the lines of the Pinnawala Elephant Orphanage in Sri Lanka.

It will have an elephant museum, mahout training centre, super-specialty hospital, a retirement home and crematorium for the animals, will house orphaned, injured and older elephants.
Assam temple turtles set free in the wild
Five species of rare turtles crammed in a small pool and fountain within the complex of a Shiva temple in central Assam’s Nagaon have been rehabilitated in a wildlife sanctuary about 45 km away.

A team from Nagaon Wildlife Division and green group Turtle Survival Alliance (TSA), in coordination with the Nagaon Shivasthan Temple Committee, recently released 67 turtles at the Burhachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Sonitpur district.

The turtles belong to five species — Indian flapshell, peacock softshell, Indian tent, brown-roofed and black softshell.
Tropical Storm Barry hits Louisiana in US
In the United States, Tropical Storm Barry began hitting Louisiana with wind and rain, building towards hurricane strength.

With the storm expected to blow ashore today as the first hurricane of the season, National Guard troops and rescue crews were posted around the State with boats, high-water vehicles and helicopters.

Utility repair crews with bucket trucks have moved into position in the region.

The storm could unload 25 to 50 centimetres of rain across Louisiana that includes New Orleans and Baton Rouge as well as Mississippi.

It is expected to roll in as a weak hurricane.

President Donald Trump has declared a state of emergency in Louisiana.
Mekadetu project to take land away
More than 60% of land needed for the Mekedatu Balancing Reservoir project will be in the core area of the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary.

Of the 52.52 sq. km needed for the project, 31.81 sq. km comes in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary,while another 18.69 sq. km is adjacent forest land.

The project will also see the displacement of the Iruliga tribals and other residents of five villages.
50 lakh trees to be planted by 2020: Jammu Kashmir
In Jammu and Kashmir, the Governor’s Administration has approved the launch of Green Jammu and Kashmir drive from July 8, 2019.

Under this major environment-friendly initiative 50 Lakh trees will be planted by June 2020.

In the 1st phase, the plantation activities will primarily be focussed in Jammu and kashmir.