Environmental Studies

Scorching Temperatures Grip India. Northern, Central, and Northeastern India are experiencing unprecedented heatwaves, with temperatures shattering records. Delhi, the capital, witnessed a scorching 52.9°C, though the India Meteorological Department (IMD) suggests it might be an anomaly. Regardless, the situation is dire. Greenhouse Gas Emissions The primary culprit behind this scorching …

Introduction Rangelands, vast swathes of grasslands, shrublands, and savannahs, are crucial ecosystems supporting livestock grazing, biodiversity, and ecological balance. However, rangeland degradation is a growing concern globally, with significant implications for India. Rangeland Degradation: Causes Overgrazing: Excessive livestock numbers exceeding the carrying capacity of the land lead to depletion of …

GS Paper II (Governance, Constitution, Social Justice and International Relations): India’s foreign policy: India’s role in the Antarctic Treaty System and its strategic interests in the region. International relations and security: Challenges of environmental protection in Antarctica and the role of international cooperation. GS Paper III (Science and Technology): India’s …

GS Paper III (Environment & Ecology): The syllabus emphasizes climate change mitigation strategies, and carbon farming is a prominent concept in this domain. GS Paper III (Agriculture): You can link carbon farming practices to sustainable agriculture and improved soil health. Essay Paper: Carbon farming can be a compelling point for …

Introduction Methane (CH4) is a potent greenhouse gas, contributing significantly to global warming. While natural sources contribute a portion, microbial activity plays a crucial role in methane production and consumption, influencing the overall atmospheric concentration. Sources of Methane Emissions: Natural Sources: Wetlands: Decomposition of organic matter in anoxic wetland soils …

Introduction The Mediterranean Sea, known for its idyllic weather and rich history, can also unleash powerful storms. Medicanes, a portmanteau of “Mediterranean” and “hurricane,” are tropical-like cyclones that occasionally form over this basin. While less frequent and intense than their tropical counterparts, medicanes pose a significant threat to coastal communities …

Concept Heatwaves, periods of abnormally high temperatures exceeding seasonal norms, are a growing concern in India. These scorching events pose a significant threat to public health, agriculture, and overall economic well-being. The Scorching Reality: Frequency and Intensity on the Rise India experiences heatwaves primarily between March and June, with the …

Introduction: The National Agroforestry Policy 2014 was introduced by the Government of India to promote sustainable agroforestry practices across the country. Key Objectives: Encourage widespread adoption of agroforestry to enhance income generation and livelihood security for farmers. Facilitate ecological sustainability by promoting the integration of trees with agriculture. Strengthen the …

  Concept: Cicadas are insects belonging to the hemipteran order, renowned for their loud, intricate, and species-specific acoustic signals or songs. Cicada Diversity: India and Bangladesh boast the highest generic diversity of cicadas globally, closely followed by China. Most cicadas inhabit the canopies of natural forests with towering trees. One …

TABLE OF CONTENTS News Concept of NDRF Key Features of NDRF   News: Tamil Nadu on Wednesday filed a suit in the Supreme Court accusing the Union government of treating the people of the State in a “step-motherly” fashion by delaying the release of disaster relief funds of nearly ₹38,000 …

Concept TABLE OF CONTENTS Introduction Key Features of Shrimp Cultivation: Contribution to Economy and Employment: Government Initiatives and Regulations Introduction • Shrimp cultivation, also known as shrimp farming or aquaculture, is the practice of cultivating shrimp for commercial purposes. • Cultivation of shrimps is a significant economic activity, particularly along …

Our dependence on fossil fuels like coal, oil, and natural gas comes at a hidden cost. When burned for electricity generation, industrial processes, or transportation, these fuels release harmful pollutants into the atmosphere. The primary polutars behind acid rain are sulfur dioxide (SO2) and nitrogen oxides (NOx). Imagine a power …

January is usually the month when Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh are covered in snow. This winter, however, these areas have been extremely dry. Places like Gulmarg and Pahalgam, which are well-known skiing destinations, have been unable to provide opportunities for the winter sport. Himachal Pradesh, a state known for its …

  It is an initiative launched by the Government of India with the aim of achieving water security for all by the year 2047. It is a roadmap for sustainable water management in India, focusing on five key areas: The initiative was launched in 2023 and is being implemented by …

A landslide, also known as a landslip, is a rapid downward movement of a mass of rock, earth, or debris on a slope. It’s a type of mass wasting, which refers to any downslope movement of soil and rock under the influence of gravity. Why in NEWS: An IIT-Delhi team …

  According to estimates from the Power Ministry, India will see an increase in investments in renewable energy (RE) projects of more than 83%, reaching approximately $16.5 billion in 2024, as the nation concentrates on energy transition to lower carbon emissions. this is consistent with India’s desirable goal of generating …

What is COP The way the world organises its collective response to the global challenge of climate change is through Conferences of the Parties (COPs). At the 1992 Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit, world leaders came together to establish the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). In order …

Air pollution in Delhi is a major environmental and health concern. The city’s air quality is consistently among the worst in the world, and it is estimated that air pollution causes over 20,000 premature deaths in Delhi each year. There are a number of factors that contribute to air pollution …

The ‘Loss and Damage’ fund was formally agreed to be established in 2013 at 19th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. It was created to provide financial and technical assistance to economically developing nations to mitigate the loss and damage they incur due …

  Biodiversity refers to the variety of living species on Earth, including plants, animals, bacteria, and fungi. While Earth’s biodiversity is so rich that many species have yet to be discovered, many species are being threatened with extinction due to human activities, putting the Earth’s magnificent biodiversity at risk. Biosphere …