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?
Category: Factly: Environment
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to the Environment. You can find all relevant Environment related updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
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
PM launches Project Lion, Project Dolphin on I-Day
News: Prime minister has announced the launch of Project Dolphin and Project Lion to protect these species in their natural habitat in a holistic manner. Facts: Project Lion: The project is aimed at conservation of India’s Asiatic Lions.It will focus on habitat development, engaging technologies in lion management and addressing the issues of disease in… Continue reading PM launches Project Lion, Project Dolphin on I-Day
Google partners Central Water Commission for flood forecasting initiative
News: Central Water Commission(CWC) along with Google has launched a flood forecasting initiative. Facts: Flood Forecasting Initiative: It aims to provide alerts to the public regarding flood situations in the region.It also offers current water level in the flood affected regions in the country and colour-coded maps indicating flooded areas. Additional Facts: Central Water Commission… Continue reading Google partners Central Water Commission for flood forecasting initiative
Scientists develop indigenous system for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters
News: Scientists at Gayatri Vidya Parishad-Scientific and Industrial Research Centre have developed the Air Unique-quality Monitoring (AUM) system with the support of the Department of Science and Technology(DST) Clean Air Research Initiative. Facts: Air Unique-quality Monitoring(AUM) system: It is an indigenous system for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters that can identify, classify and… Continue reading Scientists develop indigenous system for real-time remote monitoring of air quality parameters
Explained: How severe was the Mauritius oil spill?
News: A Japanese ship struck a coral reef off Mauritius spilling about 1,000 tonnes of fuel oil and triggering a state of environmental emergency.This oil spill took place near Blue Bay Marine Park Reserve, a wetland of international importance. Facts: Oil Spill: It is the contamination of seawater due to an oil pour as a… Continue reading Explained: How severe was the Mauritius oil spill?
Ice stupas help ghost villages of Ladakh become habitable again
News: Ministry of Tribal Affairs in collaboration with the Himalayan Institute of Alternatives, Ladakh (HIAL) is implementing the ‘Rehabilitation of Abandoned Villages through Ice Stupas’ project in Ladakh to make the villages habitable again as people are migrating due to water scarcity. Facts: Ice Stupas: It is a form of glacier grafting technique that creates… Continue reading Ice stupas help ghost villages of Ladakh become habitable again
