Factly: Environment Archives

NGT slams MoEF over National Clean Air Programme

News: National Green Tribunal has slammed the Ministry of Environment over its report on the National Clean Air Programme(NCAP) which proposes 20-30% reduction of air pollution by 2024.It said that the stand of MoEF that pollution cannot be controlled except to the extent of certain percent is against Constitutional and statutory mandate. Facts: National Clean… Continue reading NGT slams MoEF over National Clean Air Programme

BIS prepares draft standard for water supply in states

News: Bureau of Indian Standards(BIS) has prepared a draft standard for the supply system of piped drinking water. Facts: Aim: To act as a benchmark for maintaining water quality and developing a uniform process for states opting to implement it. What does the draft contain? It lays down the requirements for water utilities, including procurement… Continue reading BIS prepares draft standard for water supply in states

NHAI launches ‘Harit Path’ to monitor plantation along national highways

News: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) has developed a mobile App called ‘Harit Path’. Facts: Purpose: To facilitate creation of Green Highways across the country by monitoring the location, growth, species details, maintenance activities, targets and achievements of each of its field units for each and every plant under all plantation projects. Additional Facts:… Continue reading NHAI launches ‘Harit Path’ to monitor plantation along national highways

Kerala to host dragonfly festival

News: World Wide Fund for Nature(WWF)-India State unit has joined hands with the Society for Odonate Studies(SOS) and Thumbi Puranam for the first-ever State Dragonfly Festival in Kerala called Thumbi Mahotsavam 2020. Facts: State Dragonfly festival: It is a part of a national dragonfly festival being organised by the WWF India, Bombay Natural History Society… Continue reading Kerala to host dragonfly festival

Swachh Survekshan 2020

News: Union Minister of Housing and Urban Affairs has released the results of Swachh Survekshan 2020. Facts: Swachh Survekshan: It is an annual cleanliness survey of urban India conducted by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs under the aegis of Swachh Bharat Mission- Urban(SBM-U). Objectives: a) To encourage large scale citizen participation and create… Continue reading Swachh Survekshan 2020

Explained: What does the govt’s move to increase bioethanol in petrol mean?

News: The government has set targets of 10% bioethanol blending of petrol by 2022 and to raise it to 20% by 2030 under the Ethanol Blended Programme (EBP). Facts: Ethanol Blended Petrol(EBP) programme: It was launched in 2003 by the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG). Aim: To achieve blending of Ethanol with Petrol… Continue reading Explained: What does the govt’s move to increase bioethanol in petrol mean?

Atlantic Ocean contains 10 times more microplastics than previously thought: Study

News: A study published in Nature Communications has estimated the amount of microplastic pollution in the Atlantic Ocean and put it at 11.6-21.1 million tonnes. Facts: Microplastics: These are plastic debris smaller than 5mm in length or about the size of a sesame seed. Sources: They can be divided into two main categories according to… Continue reading Atlantic Ocean contains 10 times more microplastics than previously thought: Study

Explained: What is Bhadbhut project?

News: Gujarat government has awarded the contract for the construction of Bhadbhut barrage project. Facts: Bhadbhut Project: It is a 1.7-km barrage project across the river Narmada and 25 km from the mouth of the river where it flows into the Gulf of Khambhat. Purpose: To prevent salinity ingress which refers to the process of… Continue reading Explained: What is Bhadbhut project?

Kenya’s coast is losing huge amounts of seagrass: UNEP

News: The UN environmental programme has released a report warning that fishing trawlers, seaweed farming and tourism off the coast of Kenya is threatening the survival of seagrasses. Facts: Seagrass: These are flowering marine plants that have adapted to survive in marine conditions. Where are they found? They are mostly found in shallow sandy bottom… Continue reading Kenya’s coast is losing huge amounts of seagrass: UNEP

Death Valley recorded the hottest temperature on Earth

News: Death Valley has registered a temperature of 54.4 degrees Celsius or 129.9 degrees Fahrenheit which could be the hottest temperature ever recorded on Earth. Facts: Death Valley: It is a desert valley in Eastern California,US in the northern Mojave Desert bordering the Great Basin Desert. It is one of the hottest places on Earth… Continue reading Death Valley recorded the hottest temperature on Earth

Post-Mains Strategy Session by Mr. Ayush Sinha | ForumIAS