What is the News? Earth Trust Organization in West Bengal uses Water Hyacinth stems in preparing the biodegradable paper and other environmentally friendly daily-use products. What is Water Hyacinth? Water hyacinth scientifically known as Eichhornia crassipes Mart. (Pontederiaceae) is an aquatic weed common in water bodies across South Asia including India. It is not an… Continue reading How a noxious aquatic weed was used to make eco-friendly products, generate employment in rural Bengal
Tag: down to earth
India’s rivers are heating up due to climate change, shows study
Contents1 What is the News?2 About the study3 What are the key findings of the study?4 What is Dissolved Oxygen? What is the News? According to a study, climate change may turn India’s rivers into hostile environments for aquatic life by 2070-2100. About the study The study covered seven Indian basins: Ganga, Narmada, Cauvery, Sabarmati,… Continue reading India’s rivers are heating up due to climate change, shows study
Theri Desert: There is a desert in Tamil Nadu and the dunes are red
Contents1 What is the News?2 What are Theri Deserts?2.1 Characteristics2.2 Mineral Composition3 How did Theri desert form? What is the News? There are a couple of theories regarding the formation of Theri Desert, the most plausible being the role of south west monsoonal winds. What are Theri Deserts? Theri Desert is a small desert situated… Continue reading Theri Desert: There is a desert in Tamil Nadu and the dunes are red
World Mental Health Report: Business as usual for mental health simply will not do: WHO
What is the News? The World Health Organization(WHO) has released the World Mental Health Report. What are the key findings of the World Mental Health Report? Mental Health Issues: Almost a billion people or one in 8 people worldwide were living with some form of mental health issue in 2019. For some, this resulted in… Continue reading World Mental Health Report: Business as usual for mental health simply will not do: WHO
Climate frontline: Barents Sea around Svalbard, Franz Josef Land warming 7 times faster than globe, says study
Contents1 What is the News?2 Where is the Barents Sea?3 What is Atlantification?4 What is the impact of warming Arctic ice? What is the News? According to a study, the region around the northern Barents Sea in the Arctic region has been warming two to two-and-a-half times the average warming of the Arctic region and… Continue reading Climate frontline: Barents Sea around Svalbard, Franz Josef Land warming 7 times faster than globe, says study
Lumpy skin disease epidemic in Saurashtra; 39 animals dead: Govt
What is the News? Around 1,229 cattle across five districts of Gujarat have been infected with Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD). What is Lumpy Skin Disease(LSD)? Lumpy skin disease(LSD) is an infectious disease in cattle caused by a virus of the family Poxviridae also known as Neethling virus. First Case: Lumpy skin disease was first seen… Continue reading Lumpy skin disease epidemic in Saurashtra; 39 animals dead: Govt
Biomass co-firing: Why India’s target for coal power plants is challenging
News: The unavailability of biomass pellets of agricultural residues is halting the implementation of co-firing biomass with coal in thermal power plants. Contents1 What is Biomass co-firing?2 What are the steps taken to improve Biomass co-firing?3 What are the benefits of Biomass co-firing?4 What are the challenges faced in Biomass co-firing in India?5 What should… Continue reading Biomass co-firing: Why India’s target for coal power plants is challenging
New evidence emerges on how Mayas fortified maize, built indoor toilets
What is the News? A study has thrown light on how Maya people fortified their maize with the chemical process known as ‘nixtamalisation’. What is Maya Civilization? Click Here to read about it What is the Nixtamalisation technique used by Mayas? Nixtamalisation is a method by which the ancient peoples of Mesoamerica like the Maya… Continue reading New evidence emerges on how Mayas fortified maize, built indoor toilets
Proposed WTO reform aims to bully developing nations: Civil society members
News: The ‘WTO Reform’ proposal has been pushed in the 12th Ministerial Conference (MC12) of the World Trade Organisation (WTO). However, the proposed reforms are said to weaken the position of the developing countries. What are the issues in the proposed WTO reforms? As per some experts, the reforms may undermine the participation and say… Continue reading Proposed WTO reform aims to bully developing nations: Civil society members
NASA, USGS release detailed geological map of the moon
Contents1 What is the News?2 How was the Unified Geologic Map of the Moon created?3 What information does the map provide?4 What is the significance of this map? What is the News? The United States Geological Survey(USGS) in partnership with NASA and the Lunar Planetary Institute has released ‘The unified Geologic Map of the Moon’. … Continue reading NASA, USGS release detailed geological map of the moon
