News: India often confuse toilets with sanitation; but they are mere repositories to receive waste. Poor sanitation and water-related issues resulted in 1.04 million under-five child deaths in India. Also, poor sanitation costs India 5.2 per cent of its gross domestic product (GDP) annually. In this regard, in the last decade, a massive push for sanitation, provided millions of the population with access to… Continue reading What a waste: Reviving India’s sanitation systems
Tag: down to earth
Red Sanders falls back in IUCN’s ‘endangered’ category
What is the News? Red Sanders (Red Sandalwood) has again been listed in the ‘endangered’ category in the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Red List. What is Red Sanders? Red Sanders(Pterocarpus santalinus) is an Indian endemic tree species with a restricted geographical range in the Eastern Ghats. Conservation Status: IUCN Status: Endangered (Earlier… Continue reading Red Sanders falls back in IUCN’s ‘endangered’ category
Why did the Maya civilization collapse? We don’t know yet, but drought was likely not the cause: Study
What is the news? A recent study reveals that drought was likely not the sole reason for the collapse of the ancient Mayan civilization. What is Maya Civilisation? Maya civilization was a Mesoamerican civilization. The civilization originated in the Yucatan Peninsula. The civilization developed in the area that today comprises southeastern Mexico, all of Guatemala… Continue reading Why did the Maya civilization collapse? We don’t know yet, but drought was likely not the cause: Study
DNA from air may help identify, track animals in the wild: Studies
What is the news? Researchers have found that environmental DNA (e-DNA) can boost biodiversity conservation efforts across the world. What is Environmental DNA (e-DNA)? Environmental DNA or eDNA is DNA that is collected from a variety of environmental samples such as soil, seawater, snow or air rather than directly sampled from an individual organism. Example… Continue reading DNA from air may help identify, track animals in the wild: Studies
Don’t raise legal age of girls’ marriage to 21: Odisha body to parliamentary panel
What is the news? The Odisha State Commission for Protection of Child Rights (OSCPCR) has urged the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Education, Women, Youth and Sports to consider not raising the legal age of marriage of girls to 21. It instead urged the Committee to keep 18 as the minimum legal age for both boys… Continue reading Don’t raise legal age of girls’ marriage to 21: Odisha body to parliamentary panel
Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?
What is the news? Throwing all our waste into the volcano and burning is not feasible. The article explains the reasons. Why can’t we throw all our rubbish into a volcano and burn it up? Firstly, although lava at 1100oC can melt many materials in the trash — including food scraps, paper, plastics, glass and… Continue reading Why can’t we throw all our trash into a volcano and burn it up?
Climate crisis in Kerala: An integrated approach is needed to mitigate impact
News: Kerala has seen various instances of heavy rains, floods, landslides and droughts over the last few years. What are the natural disasters that Kerala is prone to? Landslides: These are triggered by the slope of an area, rainfall intensity, soil saturation capacity, soil depth and geological structure of a location. Flash Floods: Low-lying… Continue reading Climate crisis in Kerala: An integrated approach is needed to mitigate impact
Bioenergy crops create cooling effect on cultivated areas: Study
What is the news? According to a study, converting annual crops to perennial bioenergy crops can induce a cooling effect on the areas where they are cultivated. The study was undertaken to look at the biophysical climate effects of bioenergy crops to fully assess their role in climate mitigation. What are Bioenergy Crops? Bioenergy is… Continue reading Bioenergy crops create cooling effect on cultivated areas: Study
Food security policy formulation: What can India learn from other countries?
News: India has transformed itself from a food-deficient country characterised by the ship-to-mouth situation of the 1960s, to the present day, when vulnerable sections of the population have enhanced access to food. Many challenges still remain, and this is where India can learn from international experiences. Must Read: Food security in India and its challenges… Continue reading Food security policy formulation: What can India learn from other countries?
Half of global cropland expansion replaced natural vegetation and tree cover: Study
What is the news? According to a study, Cropland area across the world has increased by 9% between 2003-2019. About the study The study was conducted between the period 2003-2019. It defines cropland as land used for annual and perennial herbaceous crops for human consumption, forage (including hay) and biofuel. Perennial woody crops, permanent pastures… Continue reading Half of global cropland expansion replaced natural vegetation and tree cover: Study
