Japan has officially resumed commercial whaling today (July 1) after more than 30 years. However, during the time period Japan continued whale hunting for scientific purposes. In December 2018, Japan had announced that it would withdraw from the International Whaling Commission (IWC) moratorium on whale hunting. Japan has Iceland and Norway as the only nations… Continue reading Vessels set sail as Japan resumes commercial whaling
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.
Europe heat wave: What caused record temperatures, why it is a concern?
Recently, France has recorded its all-time hottest temperature amid a European heat wave. Gallargues-le-Montueux in southern France recorded an all-time high of 45.9°C during the last week of June According to the World Meteorological Organization (WMO), heat wave in Europe is a result of warm air masses from Africa. There is no universally accepted definition… Continue reading Europe heat wave: What caused record temperatures, why it is a concern?
Tamil Yeoman declared state butterfly of Tamil Nadu
Tamil yeoman (Cirrochroa thais) butterfly species has been declared the state butterfly of Tamil Nadu. Tamil yeoman is a tawny-coloured creature with a dark brown outer ring. It is among the 32 butterfly species found in Western Ghats.It is endemic to Western Ghats It is also known as Tamil Maravan which means warrior.These butterflies could… Continue reading Tamil Yeoman declared state butterfly of Tamil Nadu
Mining polluted two major rivers in Goa, hit ecology: Study
According to a study conducted by the Marine Science Department of Goa University,iron ore mining in Goa has adversely impacted the sediments of major rivers in the state. Researchers have carried out detailed assessments of the impact of mining on the sediment cores of the three rivers- Bicholim,Mandovi and Terekhol. The study revealed that the… Continue reading Mining polluted two major rivers in Goa, hit ecology: Study
European heat wave? It’s the new normal
The countries across Europe are experiencing record-breaking heat waves.The heatwave has already caused flash floods and forest fires grounded planes and buckled train tracks and led to school closures and warnings over air quality. There is no universally accepted definition of a heatwave due to variations in climate conditions in different world regions.Typically though,they are… Continue reading European heat wave? It’s the new normal
Environment ministry okays two-year construction order for Polavaram project
The Union Environment Ministry has extended the construction period for the Polavaram Multipurpose Project in Andhra Pradesh by two years. The Polavaram project is a major multi-purpose irrigation project being constructed on the Godavari River and spread across three states – Andhra Pradesh,Odisha and Chhattisgarh. A dam is currently under construction in West Godavari and… Continue reading Environment ministry okays two-year construction order for Polavaram project
Plastic Crust– a new kind of sea pollution
Scientists from the Marine and Environmental Sciences Centre have discovered a new type of plastic pollution which has been dubbed as “plasticrusts”. The study has been published in the journal Science of The Total Environment Plasticrust is a layer of plastic encrusted onto ocean rocks. In 2016, researchers first observed blue and grey plastic patches… Continue reading Plastic Crust– a new kind of sea pollution
‘Impressive’ tortoise discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
Wildlife experts have discovered the Impressed Tortoise (Manouria impressa) in near Yazali of Lower Subansari district in Arunachal Pradesh. The new species of tortoise are elusive and have never been previously sighted in India. They are considered to be restricted to western Myanmar, pockets of habitat in Thailand, Laos, Vietnam, Cambodia, and southern China, and… Continue reading ‘Impressive’ tortoise discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
Device to trap ocean plastic waste relaunches
A floating device designed to collect plastic waste from the Great Pacific garbage patch has been re-deployed. The device, developed by the Netherlands-based engineering NGO Ocean Cleanup was first deployed in 2018. However, during the first run, the device broke under constant waves and wind. The Great Pacific Garbage Patch, also known as Pacific trash… Continue reading Device to trap ocean plastic waste relaunches
Vulnerable Ranganathittu bird sanctuary to get a solid makeover
In an effort to better conserve bird species, Ranganathittu bird sanctuary is being revamped and various measures such as soil stabilisation has have been taken. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary is located in the Mandya District of Karnataka. It comprises of six islets on the banks of Cauvery River. It was formed in 1648 when the then… Continue reading Vulnerable Ranganathittu bird sanctuary to get a solid makeover
