Environmental Issues

The National Health Mission has said the recent Zika virus outbreak in Rajasthan was under control after the detection of over 150 cases of infection, including those among pregnant women. Source  :  https://www.thehindu.com/todays-paper/tp-national/zika-outbreak-in-rajasthan-under-control-nhm/article25459232.ece

The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has constituted a three-member team of independent wildlife experts to probe how the man-eating tiger Avni (T1) was killed. After animal activist and Union Minister Maneka Gandhi criticised the killing of Avni (which was legally sanctioned by Maharashtra’s wildlife authorities) last Sunday, the NTCA …

Mamallapuram and Bommayarpalayam among sites chosen for study to provide solutions In the past two decades, Tamil Nadu has reportedly lost 41% of its shoreline to erosion. As an effort to protect the coastline, National Centre for Coastal Research is preparing a report to identify vulnerable areas and propose solutions …

Whitewash, single-use, vegan, plogging among key words “Single-use” was named the Collins Dictionary word of the year on Wednesday, following a four-fold increase in its usage since 2013, in a reflection of increased concerns about sustainability. It edged out “MeToo” and “whitewash” to top the list of 10 new and …

Centre’s efforts have been on cleaning the river, while neglecting steps to ensure its natural flow: activists The government has banned the construction of jetties, ports or “permanent hydraulic structures” in the Ganga, unless permitted by the National Ganga Rejuvenation Authority, according to a proposed ‘Ganga Act’, viewed by The …

On Tuesday, the city breathed easy, with residents bursting fewer crackers than usual during Deepavali. However, the Supreme Court order on bursting crackers for only two hours seemed to have been flouted by many residents, who enjoyed the festive spirit the entire evening. Thoraipakkam resident Prabhakar said that children in …

Reform agenda bearing fruit,says World Bank India jumped 23 ranks in the World Bank’s Ease of Doing Business Index 2018 to 77. In the 2017 report, the country was ranked 100. The Index ranks 190 countries based on 10 indicators across the life-cycle of a business, from “starting a business” …

‘Other States can use existing stocks this year’ The Supreme Court on Wednesday allowed States other than Delhi to use their existing stocks of crackers for Diwali next week. However, the Bench of Justices A.K. Sikri and Ashok Bhushan directed that only green crackers can be manufactured henceforth across the …

Action taken for not covering construction material The Noida Authority on Sunday fined a developer Rs. 5,000 for not adhering to the National Green Tribunal norms regarding construction. The developer was fined for not covering construction material at a site in Sector 63. The developer was warned of stricter action …

Caught in a four-decade, inter-State wrangle, the villagers of Umru come together to ensure a safe stopover for a flock of Amur falcons Umru village on the Assam-Meghalaya border lacks a road but that doesn’t stop its famous winter visitors — a flock of Amur falcons, the world’s longest travelling …