Category: Environment

The Uttarakhand State Disaster Management Authority (USDMA) is actively working on a comprehensive action plan to study and monitor glacial lakes in the region. This initiative aims to establish early warning systems to prevent disasters such as glacial lake outburst floods (GLOFs). The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) has identified 13 glacial lakes in Uttarakhand,…

Tripura has achieved milestone in biodiversity documentation with the discovery of the Banded Royal butterfly (Rachana jalindra indra). This rare species was recorded for the first time in the state, specifically within the Sepahijala Wildlife Sanctuary. Wildlife officials announced this finding, which has been documented in the peer-reviewed journal Munis Entomology & Zoology. The discovery…

Scrub typhus is a bacterial infection that is currently spreading in Tamil Nadu. Districts such as Chennai, Kanchipuram, Tirupattur, Tiruvallur, Chengalpattu, Ranipet, and Vellore have reported numerous cases. The Public Health Department has issued an alert, urging immediate measures to control the outbreak. What is Scrub Typhus? Scrub typhus is caused by the bacterium Orientia…

Recent reports indicate a concerning rise in tularemia cases, also known as rabbit fever, in the United States. The disease, caused by the bacterium *Francisella tularensis*, has seen over a 50 per cent increase in reported cases. This rise is particularly notable among children aged 5-9, older men, and American Indians or Alaska Natives. The…

The decline of feline species worldwide, especially big cats like snow leopards, is alarming. Conservationists are increasingly concerned about their dwindling populations, primarily due to habitat loss, poaching, and climate change. Snow leopards inhabit high mountain ranges across Central and South Asia. Recently, finding occurred in Himachal Pradesh, India, where the elusive Pallas’s cat was…

The Gujarat government is preparing to launch India’s inaugural census of coastal and wader birds. This landmark event will occur at the Marine National Park and Sanctuary in Jamnagar from January 3 to 5, 2025. The census aims to enhance knowledge about bird populations and their habitats. It is a collaborative effort between the state…

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has recently amended the rules for selecting experts in the Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC). These changes aim to enhance transparency and address conflicts of interest among committee members. The amendments follow a Supreme Court order that called for a national policy on genetically modified (GM)…

Assam has recently reported increase in its elephant population. The latest estimate reveals a total of 5,828 elephants, marking a rise of 109 since the previous count in 2017. This data, released by Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, is based on a thorough survey conducted from February 20 to 27, 2024. The synchronised estimation involved…

A recent discovery in the Western Ghats has brought attention to the biodiversity of leaf litter ecosystems. Scientists from Goa, Karnataka, and Dehradun identified a new ant species named Tapinoma onaele in Kodagu district, Karnataka. This discovery marks the importance of leaf litter, which is often overlooked. The name ‘Onaele’ translates to ‘dried leaves’ in…

Chhattisgarh has launched a pioneering initiative that integrates the ecological services of its forests into the Green Gross Domestic Product (Green GDP). This innovative approach aims to tell the relationship between the environmental contributions of forests and the state’s economic growth. The initiative seeks to ensure sustainable economic development while preserving the environment for future…