Environment

India is the world’s second most polluted country. Fine particulate air pollution (PM2.5) in comparison to WHO guidelines shortens an average Indian’s life expectancy by 5.3 years. Records show that in 2019 over 1.6 million deaths were attributed to poor air quality. This ranged from strokes, diabetes, lung cancer and …

India and South Africa have finally signed a long-pending agreement to translocate 12 cheetahs to India, the Environment Ministry said in a statement on Friday. The cheetahs will be transported to India by February-end and reintroduced at the Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, where eight such cats were brought …

Single document detailing deaths to be prepared for more effective corrective measures The National Zoological Park, better known as Delhi zoo, has undertaken an analysis into deaths of 245 animals over 14 months from April 2018 to June 2019. “We were also surprised by the high number of deaths and …

Editor in Singapore charged with defamation The editor of a website in Singapore was charged with defamation late on Thursday for publishing a letter alleging corruption among the city-state’s leaders. Rights groups in Singapore denounced the “heavy-handed” response from the authorities. Source : https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-international/singapore-editor-charged-with-defaming-government/article25737890.ece

‘Few places in coastal T.N. may experience heavy rainfall’ As the northeast monsoon inches closer to coastal areas, several areas in Chennai received intermittent spells of rainfall since Wednesday morning. The onset of monsoon is likely to be announced on Thursday initially in the coastal areas and rain would then …

The fighter plane now has the capability to take off vertically, giving a shot in the arm for the IAF The Indian Air Force’s beast — MiG-29 — has gained in strength and ferocity after an upgrade, giving the force, battling a shortage of fighter aircraft, a much-needed boost, according …

Task force of ex-servicemen will help in crowd management, keep river clean In January 2019, when the Uttar Pradesh government organises the Kumbh Mela, it will have a special unit to help: a volunteer force of ex-servicemen.The Ganga Task Force (GTF), specially trained by the Ministry of Defence will help …

Several organisations roll out traditional methods to save trees affected by human activities in the city Using the knowledge of senior botanists, nature lovers initiated an experimental effort in Odisha’s Berhampur on Sunday to cure trees affected by human activities by using traditional ingredients. Berhampur Development Authority (BDA) chairperson Subash …

Fed-up with a growing mountain of stinking disposable nappies, a Dutch firm on Tuesday started building the country’s first recycling plant to turn poo into profit. Plastic from the nappies extracted by the facility in the central Dutch town of Weurt near Nijmegen will have a second life as household …

Petitioners, including Maneka Gandhi, seek better care for Bandula A campaign for the freedom of an old and feeble elephant chained in Colombo’s Dehiwala Zoo for the past 66 years has garnered support from New Delhi. Union Minister Maneka Gandhi, who is known for her activism for animal rights, has …