News: A report by the Central Groundwater Board (CGWB) has found excessive nitrates in groundwater in 440 districts (as of 2023). Key findings of the report About 56% of India’s districts suffer from the problem of excessive nitrates in the groundwater. The study defines excessive nitrates in groundwater as more than 45mg per litre. Out… Continue reading Nitrate Contamination of Groundwater
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.
Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
News: The Wildlife Institute of India-Dehradun is preparing to execute India’s first Fishing Cat Collaring Project at Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary. About Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary Location– It is part of the Godavari estuary, where the Coringa River merges with the Bay of Bengal in Andhra Pradesh’s Kakinada district. Between this area and the sea ” Hope… Continue reading Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary
Biodiversity Credit Explaination
News: A study published in the journal ‘Proceedings of the Royal Society B’ highlights major uncertainties in the functioning of the biodiversity credit markets. Biodiversity Credit Explaination About Biodiversity Credit Definition: World Economic Forum defines Biodiversity Credits as verifiable, quantifiable and tradeable financial instrument that rewards positive nature and biodiversity outcomes through the creation and… Continue reading Biodiversity Credit Explaination
Sea Otters
News: A new study reveals that sea otters at the Elkhorn Slough National Estuarine Research Reserve in California are consuming thousands of green crabs. This behavior plays a crucial role in preserving the ecosystem along the West Coast of the United States. About Sea Otters Scientific Name: Enhydra lutris They are aquatic members of the… Continue reading Sea Otters
Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
News: A study on avian diversity at the Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary (BBBS) has found that the number of avian species have declined by almost 72% in 27 years. About Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary It is a wetland situated on the boundary of Dhemaji and Lakhimpur districts in Assam. History: Created during the earthquake of 1950 Declared… Continue reading Bordoibam-Bilmukh Bird Sanctuary
Himalayan Birch Tree
News: A new study has found that climate change is altering the tree line landscape of the central Himalayas, leading to the replacement of Birch trees by Fir Trees. About Himalayan Birch Tree It is a fast growing, medium sized, deciduous tree that dominates the Himalayan region. Distribution: It is widely distributed in the upper… Continue reading Himalayan Birch Tree
Milkweed Fiber
News: The Ministry of Textiles is promoting research and development into innovative natural fibers, such as milkweed fiber. About Milkweed Fiber It is a unique natural fiber extracted from the seed pods of milkweed plants (Asclepias syriaca L). The plant is native to North America. In India, it is found as a wild plant in… Continue reading Milkweed Fiber
Arctic Tundra: Transitioning to a Carbon Source
News: The Arctic Tundra has shifted from being a carbon sink to a carbon emitter, as confirmed by a recent analysis in the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s (NOAA) Arctic Report Card. About Arctic Tundra The Arctic Tundra is a unique biome located in the northernmost parts of Earth, primarily north of the Arctic Circle.… Continue reading Arctic Tundra: Transitioning to a Carbon Source
Wroughton’s free-tailed Bat
News: Wroughton’s free-tailed Bat (Otomops wroughtoni) has been sighted for the first time in northern India at Delhi’s Yamuna Biodiversity Park. About Wroughton’s free-tailed Bat It is a highly rare species of molossid bat. Characteristics: This species is distinguished by its large size, prominent ears extending beyond the muzzle, and bicolored velvet-like fur. Habitat- The… Continue reading Wroughton’s free-tailed Bat
Hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS)
News: A study shows that hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS), a secondary aerosol, forms in cold urban environments such as Fairbanks, Alaska. This discovery provides new insights into aerosol chemistry under extreme conditions and its impact on air quality. About Hydroxymethanesulphonate Explaination It is a secondary aerosol which forms through chemical reactions involving formaldehyde and sulfur dioxide in… Continue reading Hydroxymethanesulphonate (HMS)
