What is the News? Environmental groups in Karnataka have criticized the Bedti-Varada Interlinking Project in Karnataka calling it unscientific and a waste of public money. What is the Bedti-Varda Interlinking Project? The Bedti-Varada project was envisaged in 1992 to supply drinking water. The plan aims to link the Bedti, a river flowing west into the Arabian… Continue reading How can you make a westward-flowing river flow east: Activists on Bedti-Varada interlinking
Tag: down to earth
Biodiversity loss to raise India’s bankruptcy risk 29%
What is the News? According to a study by British economists, loss of biodiversity will downgrade the Sovereign credit ratings of several countries including India increasing their bankruptcy risk. What are Sovereign credit ratings? Sovereign credit ratings are an independent assessment that determines the creditworthiness of a country. It can give investors insights into the… Continue reading Biodiversity loss to raise India’s bankruptcy risk 29%
How a noxious aquatic weed was used to make eco-friendly products, generate employment in rural Bengal
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
India’s rivers are heating up due to climate change, shows study
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, Tungabhadra, Musi and Godavari. Method used: It used machine learning to predict the historical, present and future river water temperatures… 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
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 in the Thoothukudi district of Tamil Nadu. Characteristics The desert consists of Red Sand Dunes (The red… 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
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 five to seven times the warming in the rest of the world. Such intense warming has never been observed in the… 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. What is Biomass co-firing? Biomass co-firing is the practice of substituting a part of the fuel with biomass at coal thermal plants. Coal and biomass are combusted together in boilers that have been… 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
