News: Royle’s pika of the Himalayan highlands which goes about its life unaware that scientists now view it as a sentinel of climate change. About Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei) Royle’s pika is also called the Himalayan mouse hare or hui shutu is a species of pika. Scientific name: Ochotona roylei Habitat: They commonly inhabit rocky mountain slopes,… Continue reading Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei)
Tag: down to earth
Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?
Source: The post “Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?’’ has been created, based on “Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?” published in “Down to Earth” on 17 January 2026. Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling? UPSC Syllabus:… Continue reading Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?
Freshwater Pufferfish
News: India’s first scientifically confirmed case of freshwater pufferfish poisoning highlights a hidden risk. About Freshwater Pufferfish Freshwater pufferfish belong primarily to the family Tetraodontidae. Distribution: They are naturally distributed across tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia (India, Thailand, Indonesia) and Africa, where they inhabit rivers, streams, floodplains, and lakes. Globally, about 190–193 valid… Continue reading Freshwater Pufferfish
Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain
Source: The post “Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain’’ has been created, based on “Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain” published in “Down to Earth” on 10 January 2026. Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Indian Economy Context: The… Continue reading Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain
Gray Slender Loris
News: Kerala and Tamil Nadu have begun efforts to restore habitats and strengthen monitoring of the grey slender loris. About Gray Slender Loris The gray slender loris is a small nocturnal primate. They belongs to the group of prosimians, which represents some of the oldest and most primitive primates. Scientific name: Loris lydekkerianus Sub- species: Malabar slender loris,… Continue reading Gray Slender Loris
Ozempic
News: A trend has been seen promoting a drink made by blending oats with water or juice, commonly referred to as “oatzempic.” About Oatzempic Oatzempic is oat-based drink that people consume in the morning, often on an empty stomach for weight loss, appetite control or other health outcomes. The name references Ozempic, a prescription drug… Continue reading Ozempic
Mishmi takin
News: The Mishmi takin is an elusive mountain ungulate found in the mist-covered Mishmi Hills of Arunachal Pradesh. It holds cultural, ecological, and symbolic importance for local communities. About Mishmi Takin The Mishmi takin is a goat-antelope native to Asia. It is a subspecies of takin. Habitat: The Mishmi takin thrives in diverse ecosystems, including pine… Continue reading Mishmi takin
Lightning an understated disaster in India
Source: The post “Lightning an understated disaster in India” has been created, based on “Lightning an understated disaster in India: Experts call for deeper understanding of atmospheric electricity” published in “Down to earth” on 24 December 2025. Lightning an understated disaster in India. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Disaster Management Context: Lightning is the deadliest natural… Continue reading Lightning an understated disaster in India
Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly
News: Armenia has revealed the official logo for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP17) to the Convention on Biological Diversity, featuring the Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly at its centre. About Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly It is a butterfly species belonging to the family Lycaenidae and the genus Polyommatus. The species is endemic to Southern… Continue reading Erivan Anomalous Blue Butterfly
Penguins
News: New scientific research has revealed that the overexploitation of sardines off southern Africa directly contributed to the deaths of more than 60,000 African penguins. About Penguins Penguins are flightless marine birds that belong to the order Sphenisciformes. They consist of approximately 18–21 species that inhabit only the Southern Hemisphere. Most penguin species live… Continue reading Penguins
