Colistin banned in animal food industry

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare has issued an order prohibiting the manufacture, sale and distribution of colistin and its formulations for food-producing animals, poultry, aqua farming and animal feed supplements. Activists across the country has welcomed this move as a massive victory for the movement against antimicrobial resistance.  According to experts,the recent step… Continue reading Colistin banned in animal food industry

Madhya Pradesh yet to form tiger protection force

Madhya Pradesh is yet to constitute the Special Tiger Protection Force (STPF) even as the State has registered the most number of tiger deaths due to poaching since 2012. According to an agreement,the State Forest Department was supposed to raise,arm and deploy the force in the reserves within two years of the agreement. However,in the… Continue reading Madhya Pradesh yet to form tiger protection force

New species of shark squirts clouds of light

Scientists have discovered a tiny shark in the Gulf of Mexico with mysterious pouches near its front fins. The shark has been named as American pocket shark.It’s scientific name is Mollisquama mississippiensis. The shark uses the pouches to squirt little glowing clouds into the ocean. It’s only the third shark species out of more than… Continue reading New species of shark squirts clouds of light

Ethanol biorefinery to come up in Vidarbha

Bharat Petroleum Corporation Limited(BPCL) will set up Maharashtra’s first ever ethanol biorefinery in Vidarbha’s Bhandara district.The plant will manufacture ethanol from rice straw.  The Government of India is encouraging production of Second Generation(2G) Ethanol from agricultural residues to provide additional sources of  remuneration to farmers. The Bio-Refineries will also contribute to a cleaner environment due… Continue reading Ethanol biorefinery to come up in Vidarbha

7,000 species added to IUCN ‘Red List’

International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has updated its Red List. The list has assessed the extinction risk of almost 106,000 species. 27% of the assessed species are threatened and at a risk of extinction. More than 7,000 species from around the world were added to the endangered category of the Red List… Continue reading 7,000 species added to IUCN ‘Red List’

Dam Safety Bill gets nod from CCEA

Union Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs (CCEA) has cleared the Dam Safety Bill, 2019 The bill aims to put in place a systematic procedure to ensure that dams in India are made and maintained safely. The Bill provides for the constitution of a National Committee on Dam Safety. Functions of the Committee include: a) formulating… Continue reading Dam Safety Bill gets nod from CCEA

Extinction of Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican: SC forms panel to frame emergency plan

The Supreme Court has constituted a high powered committee to urgently frame and implement an emergency response plan for the protection of Great Indian Bustard and the Lesser Florican. The committee was formed on a plea which has contended that the population of the Great Indian Bustard and Lesser Florican has seen a sharp decline… Continue reading Extinction of Great Indian Bustard, Lesser Florican: SC forms panel to frame emergency plan

12 Indian beaches in the race to crest the ‘Blue Flag’ challenge

The Union Environment Ministry has selected 12 beaches in India to compete for the ‘Blue Flag’ certification. The 12 beaches include: 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). The Blue Flag certification… Continue reading 12 Indian beaches in the race to crest the ‘Blue Flag’ challenge

India is home to 1,256 species of orchid, says first comprehensive survey

The Botanical Survey of India has published Orchids of India: A Pictorial Guide- the first comprehensive census of orchids of India. According to the publication, the total number of orchid species endemic to India is 388. 757 (60%) of all orchids found in India are epiphytic, 447 are terrestrial and 43 are mycoheterotrophic. The Himalayas,… Continue reading India is home to 1,256 species of orchid, says first comprehensive survey

Speed restrictions and sound alerts mooted for protection of dolphins

The Ministry of Shipping has planned to safeguard the population of the Ganges River Dolphin in Vikramshila Gangetic Dolphin Sanctuary (VGDS) by restricting the speeds of vessels and blowing sirens and horns. The other measures suggested are a) fitting vessels with propeller guards and dolphin deflectors to minimise dolphin accidents and b) using non-toxic paints… Continue reading Speed restrictions and sound alerts mooted for protection of dolphins

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