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EnvironmentFLASH
for
CS (Prelims) - 24

Introduction:
“EnvironmentFLASH’’ is a compilation of all the links posted on IASEC dedicated
Environment Channel. All the links are also attached, if time permits it is advisable to read from
them also and try to find the topics which are already asked by UPSC in previous years, focus in
depth on those topics.
If you find any discrepancies in the compilation, you can write to us we will rectify it.

Best wishes 🙏
TABLE OF CONTENT: 40. Greater Scaup Duck[Sadangman]: 38
1. Forest Conservation Amendment Act of 41. Humboldt’s Enigma: 39
2023: 4 42. Hindu Kush Himalaya: 40
2. Eco-sensitive Zones: 5 43. Global Biodiversity Framework Fund: 41
3. Global Stocktake Report: 6 44. Brumation: 42
4. Loss and Damage: 7 45. Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023: 43
5. COP 28 and it’s outcomes,initiatives: 9 46. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission: 44
6. Green Credit Program,Global Green Credit 47. Tiger Reserves,Critical Tiger Habitats,Critical
Scheme,Green credit rules: 13 Wildlife Habitats: 45
7. Carbon dioxide removal: 14 48. Arctic Ocean “Blue Ocean Event”: 48
8. India’s Emission Intensity: 16 49. Impact of Climate Change on Ocean’s: 48
9. Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme 50. 4th Coral Mass Bleaching Event: 49
(IFWCS): 16 51. Coral Reef Breakthrough: 51
10. Echidnas: 17 52. High Seas Treaty: 51
11. Western Tragopan: 18 53. Global Declaration for River Dolphins: 52
12. Pangolins: 18 54. Belem Declaration: 54
13. Ghol Fish: 19 55. Yaounde Declaration: 54
14. United Earth Amazonia Prize: 20 56. Ecocide: 54
15. Black Tiger’s of Simlipal: 20 57. Gujarat’s ban on the invasive Conocarpus: 55
16. Genetic Rescue: 21 58. Climate Tipping Points: 56
17. Damselfly Species: 22 59. Permafrost: 57
18. UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution: 22 60. Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation: 57
19. Saltwater Crocodiles: 23 61. The Fujiwhara effect: 58
20. Wild Life Licensing Rules 2024: 24 62. Large ozone hole detected over Antarctica: 59
21. What does the law say about owning wildlife 63. MethaneSAT: 60
artefacts: 25 64. Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring
22. Kerala want centre to amend WPA,1972: 25 Infrastructure: 61
23. Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 65. Impact of Climate Change on size of animals: 61
2024: 26 66. Evolution of Snakes: 62
24. Elephants communicate underground by 67. Hangul: 63
generating seismic waves: 27
68. Great Indian Bustard: 63
25. UN Declares 2024 As Year Of Camelids: 27
69. White Sambar: 64
26. Central Asian Flyway: 28
70. Hollock Gibbon: 64
27. Shirui Lily festival: 29
71. State of Rhino Report 2023: 65
28. Cloned rhesus monkey: 29
72. State of India’s Birds 2023 Report: 66
29. Biodegradable water bottles: 31
73. Blue Sheep In Gangotri National Park: 66
30. Laughing Gull: 31
74. Marmots: 67
31. Senegal’s pink lake: 32
75. Himalayan Gentian: 67
32. Snow Leopard: 32
76. Red Sand Dunes in India: 67
33. International Big Cats Alliance: 34
77. Great Pacific Garbage Patch: 68
34. Acid rain: 35
78. Homosexuality in Animals: 69
35. Atmospheric river and Pineapple express: 36
79. Golden langur: 69
36. Dusted Apollo Butterfly: 37
80. Indian Gharial: 70
37. Butterfly species endemic to Western Ghats: 37
81. Vaquita Porpoise: 71
38. Paintbrush Swift Butterfly: 37
82. Music Frog: 71
39. Namdapha flying squirrel: 38
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83. Dancing Frog: 72
84. Purple Frog: 72
85. Budgett’s Frog: 73
86. Black Carbon: 73
87. Orans: 74
88. Green Cement: 74
89. Green Ammonia: 75
90. Green Steel: 76
91. Green Coal: 76
92. Carbon Bomb: 77
93. Ecomark Scheme: 77
94. India's Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017:
78
95. New Ramsar Sites: 78

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1. Forest Conservation Amendment Act of 2023:
➢ Context: Impact of Forest Conservation Amendment Act of 2023 on rights of
indigenous communities,who are the rightful inhabitants of forest lands.
➢ The Centre’s recent attempt to amend the Forest Conservation Act was ostensibly to bring
“clarity” as there were large tracts of recorded-forest land that had already been
legally put to non-forestry uses, but conformed to a State’s criteria of a ‘deemed
forest.’.
➢ The law further aims to determine how forests can be utilised for economic gain, and the
manner in which it seeks to achieve this goal is outlined in the legislation.
➢ Key provisions of FCA Amendment of 2023:
➢ The Amendment Act introduces a Preamble
to the Forest (Conservation) Act. This
Preamble officially acknowledges India's
commitment to achieving Net Zero
Emission by 2070, meeting the Nationally
Determined Contribution (NDC) targets
by 2030, and expanding India's forest and
tree cover to one-third of its land area.
➢ The forest law will now apply exclusively
to areas categorised under the Forest
Act,1927 and those designated as such on
or after October 25, 1980. The Act will not
be applicable to forests that were
converted for non-forest use on or after
December 12, 1996.
➢ Certain exemptions to encourage
afforestation and plantation outside forests. For instance:
➢ 0.10 ha of forest land has been proposed to provide connectivity for habitation and
establishments located on the side of roads and railways
➢ up to 10 ha of land proposed for security-related infrastructure, and up to 5 ha of forest
land in Left Wing Extremism Affected Districts for public utility projects.
➢ These exemptions include strategic projects related to national security within 100
km of the International Borders, Line of Actual Control (LAC), Line of Control
(LoC), etc.
➢ State government requires prior approval of the central government to assign forest land
to any entity not owned or controlled by the government.
➢ Act restricts the de-reservation of forests or the use of forest land for non-forest
purposes. Such restrictions may be lifted with the prior approval of the central government.
➢ Act specifies certain activities that will be excluded from non-forest purposes, meaning
that restrictions on the use of forest land for non-forest purposes will not apply:
➢ Zoos and safaris under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972.ecotourism facilities,
silvicultural operations and
➢ Development of forests and wildlife such as establishing check posts, fire lines, fencing,
and wireless communication
➢ The delegated legislation-making power of the Central Government has been expanded
and it is now been bestowed with the power to issue “directions” to any central
government authority, State Governments, Union territories, or to any organisation,
entity or body recognized by them”.

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 ➢ Concerns regarding the amendment:
➢ Recent revisions to the legislation have removed the necessity for consent form Gram
Sabhas. State governments can proactively engage in specific activities within this
framework through the inclusion of grama sabhas, particularly in matters of land
acquisition for various purposes, by establishing State-level steering committees. But
numerous State governments might hesitate on this aspect, as they hold a preconceived notion
that Adivasi grama sabhas are ‘anti-development’.
➢ Regarding Compensatory Afforestation amendment does not specify the type of trees that
should be planted, leaving room for discretion.
➢ Act created a contradiction to the pre-existing definition of forest defined by the
Supreme Court of India in a 1996 order, stating any patches of trees recorded as forest in
any government records, irrespective of ownership, recognition, and classification, would
automatically become a deemed forest.
➢ SC modifies judgement on eco-sensitive zones around protected forests - The Hindu
Recent SC Decision on FCA Amendment:
➢ The states and Union territories (UT) must act according to the definition of ‘forest’ as laid down in
the landmark TN Godavarman Thirumalpad v. Union of India judgement issued in 1996.
➢ As per the Godavarman judgement, ‘forest’ has to be understood in terms of its dictionary meaning.
➢ Apex court also issued directions regarding proposals on the establishment of zoos and safaris. “Any
proposal for the establishment of zoo/safaris referred to in the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972,
owned by the government or any authority in forest areas other than protected areas shall not be
finally approved save and except with the prior permission of this Court”

Deemed Forests:
Deemed forests were conceived as areas those has not been notified under the legislation, but are
recorded as forests in government records. These are lands that have characteristics of forests,
irrespective of ownership. Once forests are “deemed”, they cannot be de-reserved or utilised for
non-forest purposes without prior approval of the Centre. Deemed forests, comprising about 1% of India’s
forest land In Godavarman case the Court ordered the setting up of expert committees in each state to identify
deemed forests to remove any ambiguities.

2. Eco-sensitive Zones:
➢ Ecologically sensitive zones (ESZ) are
intended to protect ‘protected areas’
– national parks and wildlife
sanctuaries – by transitioning from
an area of lower protection to an area
of higher protection. ESZs are
effectively insulating layers where
humans and nature can be at peace
with each other.
➢ The 2002 Wildlife Conservation
Strategy envisaged lands within 10 km
of the boundaries of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries to be notified as
ecologically fragile zones under Section 3(2)(v) of the Environment Protection Act
1986 and its Rules 5(viii) and (x). The MoEFCC was to take steps to protect the

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 environment by regulating and (if required) prohibiting industries, operations and
processes.
➢ Based on the forest rangers’ inventory of land-use and wildlife corridors within 10
km of each protected area, a committee consisting of the Wildlife Warden, an
ecologist, and an official from the local government was to determine the extent of
each ESZ. The Chief Wildlife Warden was to then list the activities that were to be
prohibited, to be restricted with safeguards and to be permitted. Finally, the state
government would submit this, the geographical description of the area as a proposal to
the MoEFCC for notification.
➢ Areas beyond 10 km can also be notified by the Union government as ESZs, if they hold
larger ecologically important “sensitive corridors”.
➢ Analysis | Why has the creation of eco-sensitive zones provoked protests? - The Hindu
➢ SC modifies judgement on eco-sensitive zones around protected forests - The Hindu

SC Decision:
In June 2022, the SC ordered that ESZs of a minimum of one kilometre should be declared around protected
forests, national parks, and wildlife sanctuaries across the country but again Supreme Court modified its
previous judgement regarding Eco-Sensitive Zones (ESZ) around protected forests, stating that ESZs
cannot be uniform across the entire country, and instead need to be tailored to the specific protected
area but court made it clear that “mining within the national park and wildlife sanctuary and within an
area of one kilometre from the boundary of such national park and wildlife sanctuary shall not be
permissible”.

3. Global Stocktake Report:

➢ The Paris Agreement’s Global Stocktake process is designed to assess the global
response to the climate crisis every five years, with the first-ever Stocktake concluded at
last year's UN climate conference (COP28) in December
➢ Established under Article 14 of the Paris Agreement, the Global Stocktake is designed
“to assess the collective progress towards achieving the purpose of [the Paris]
Agreement and its long-term goals”.
➢ Those goals include:
➢ Cutting greenhouse gas emissions to limit global temperature rise to well below 2
degrees C (3.6 degrees F) and ideally 1.5 degrees C (2.7 degrees F).
➢ Building resilience to climate impacts; and
➢ Aligning financial support with the scale and scope needed to tackle the climate crisis.
➢ In the Paris Agreement, Parties agreed that the Stocktake should inform countries in
updating and enhancing their climate actions and support, and in strengthening
international cooperation for climate action. It should also inform countries’ new climate
plans (known as “nationally determined contributions,” or NDCs) which will be fully
updated next in 2025.
➢ The Global Stocktake’s technical phase ended with an overarching Synthesis Report
highlights progress that has been made since the Paris Agreement:
➢ Global temperatures are now expected to rise by 2.4-2.6 degrees C by the end of the
century, compared to 3.7-4.8 degrees C in 2010.
➢ It also makes clear that greater ambition and urgency are needed on all fronts to combat
the climate crisis.

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 ➢ Underscores a persistent “emissions gap,” noting that current climate commitments are not in
line with pathways needed to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees C.

4. Loss and Damage:

➢ “Loss and damage” is a general term used in UN climate negotiations to refer to the
consequences of climate change that go beyond what people can adapt to; for
example, the loss of coastal heritage sites due to rising sea levels or the loss of homes and lives
during extreme floods. This also includes situations where adaptation options exist, but
a community doesn’t have the resources to access or utilise them.
➢ To date, there is no official definition of loss and damage under the UN.
➢ Loss and damage can be “averted” and “minimised” by curbing greenhouse gas
emissions (mitigation) and by taking preemptive action to protect communities from
the consequences of climate change (adaptation).
➢ Addressing loss and damage is the crucial third pillar of climate action.
➢ History of L&D:

When the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was first
1991 being drafted in 1991, the island nation of Vanuatu (on behalf of the Alliance of Small
Island States) proposed creating an insurance scheme to provide financial resources to
countries impacted by sea level rise.However, the proposal was rejected, and the issue of loss
and damage.

Loss and damage first appeared in a negotiated outcome of the UN climate talks
2007 in 2007 as part of the Bali Action Plan.

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COP 19, 2013 At COP 19 in Warsaw, representatives of member countries formed the Warsaw
International Mechanism on Loss and Damage to avert, minimise and address loss and
damage. The Warsaw Mechanism was mandated to share knowledge, strengthen
dialogues among stakeholders, and mobilise expertise to enhance action and support
for loss and damage. But neither the Warsaw Mechanism nor any other established
mechanism delivered funding to help countries manage loss and damage.

COP 25, 2019 Santiago Network for L&D was set up, but the developed countries didn’t commit any
funds. Role: Facilitating access to knowledge, resources, and technical assistance needed to
address climate risks comprehensively. It plays a crucial role in addressing climate change
impacts in developing countries.

COP 26, 2021 Glasgow Dialogue on finance for L&D was established to continue discussions over the next
three years on the fund.

COP 27, 2022 At COP27, countries agreed for the first time to put loss and damage funding
arrangements on the formal agenda. This culminated in a historic decision to establish a
“loss and damage fund,” which governments aimed to operationalize the following year.
Countries also resolved key questions around the SNLD’s governance structures, paving the
way for its full operationalization in 2023.

COP 28,2023 ➢ On day one of COP28, after months of intense and contentious negotiations, countries set
the loss and damage fund in motion and agreed on critical details, like selecting the
World Bank as its host.
➢ Over the following two weeks, countries pledged almost $700 million to start filling
the fund.
➢ The Santiago Network on Loss and Damage was also operationalized, with the UN
Office of Disaster Risk Reduction and UN Office for Project Services as its hosts and
the U.S. pledging an additional $2.5 million.

loss and damage funding discussions at COP27 and in the final decision at COP28, which states
that “funding arrangements, including a fund, for responding to loss and damage are
based on cooperation and facilitation and do not involve liability or compensation.”.
Outside of the UNFCCC, there have been additional important
developments for financing loss and damage. These include the G7 and V20’s Global Shield
Against Climate Risks initiative.

Vulnerable people and countries need to get better protection against such climate-related
risks. They are calling on the industrialised countries for support. That is why the G7 and the V20
(Vulnerable Twenty, an alliance of countries particularly vulnerable to climate change) have
agreed to set up a Global Shield against Climate Risks. The Shield saw its official launch at COP27
on 14 November 2022. It assists countries that are particularly affected by climate change in improving
their financial protection against climate risks.

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 5. COP 28 and it’s outcomes,initiatives:
➢ Recently, the 28th Conference of Parties (COP28) to the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) was held in Dubai, United Arab Emirates.
➢ COPs are gatherings which are held within the framework of the United Nations Framework
Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), a multinational treaty established in 1992.
➢ The COPs are the main decision-making body of the UNFCCC. They adopt decisions
and resolutions on various aspects of climate action, such as mitigation, adaptation,
finance, technology, and transparency.
UAE Consensus COP28 calls for transitioning away from fossil fuels in energy systems, in a just,
orderly, and equitable manner, accelerating action in this critical decade, to achieve
net zero by 2050.

Nuclear Energy During the 28th Conference of the Parties to the U.N. Framework Convention on
Climate Change today, more than 20 countries from four continents launched
the Declaration to Triple Nuclear Energy
Endorsing countries include the United
States, Armenia, Bulgaria, Canada, Croatia, Czech Republic, Finland, France, Ghana,
Hungary, Jamaica, Japan, Republic of Korea and others. INDIA has not joined

Global Cooling Pledge Global Cooling Pledge was signed during the ongoing COP28 climate
summit:
● The pledge commits the countries to reduce their cooling emissions by at
least 68% by 2050 and outlines several strategies to tackle them.
● Signed by: 63 countries including the US, Canada and Kenya. INDIA has not
signed the pledge yet.
● Cooling emissions are essentially emissions generated from refrigerants
used in appliances like ACs and refrigerators and the energy used for
cooling.
● Cooling emissions currently account for about 7% of global greenhouse gas
emissions.

Sources of cooling emissions

Global Cooling Pledge at COP28: How refrigerators and ACs contribute to
global warming | Explained News - The Indian Express

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Coal Transition ➢ It aims to share expertise, design new policies including through best
Accelerator practices and lessons learned and unlock new sources of public and private
financing to facilitate just transitions from coal to clean energy.
➢ It was launched by France, together with Canada, European Commission,
Indonesia, Malaysia, Senegal, United Kingdom, United States, Vietnam, and
several organisations including the PPCA.
➢ INDIA has not joined it.
➢ 3 pillars of CTC:
➢ A strategy to decrease the cost of capital for the investment in clean
energies developed by World bank.
➢ A Coal Transition Commission that will propose options and solutions to
unlock new sources of public and private financing for transition.
➢ A “gold standard” to measure and assess the climate and financial risks
attached to private sector investments in new coal assets, to be developed
by the OECD, with the support of the IEA.

Global Renewables ➢ The Pledge stipulates that signatories commit to work together to triple the
and Energy Efficiency world’s installed renewable energy generation capacity to at least 11,000
Pledge GW by 2030.
➢ It also calls for collectively double the global average annual rate of energy
efficiency improvements from around 2% to over 4% every year until 2030.
➢ The pledge lacks legal sanctity and has not been included in the main negotiating
texts for the COP-28 agreement.
➢ led by the European Union, the UAE and the US
➢ India, along with China and Russia, did not sign the pledge.
➢ The reasons for India’s non-participation were not officially provided, but some
pointed out potential issues with the language in the text.
COP28 climate meet | India not among 118 nations that pledged to triple
green energy - The Hindu

Coalition for High ➢ CHAMP is a commitment taken by national governments on a new way of
Ambition Multilevel working in partnership with their subnational governments, and in
Partnerships particular, on a new way of approaching the development and
(CHAMP) implementation of their next Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
in time for COP30 in 2025.
➢ INDIA has not signed the pledge.

Global Drought ➢ According to the report, ‘Global Drought Snapshot,’ launched by the UN
Snapshot Report Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) at the outset of COP28
climate talks in the UAE.
➢ Mentioned that drought causes more economic loss and affects more
sectors of societies.
Drought data shows an unprecedented emergency on a planetary scale: UN -
Times of India

ALTERRA FUND ➢ Launched by UAE

➢ Aims to attract $250 Actions of investment by 2030. The fund will allocate $25
Action to climate strategies and $5 Action to incentivize investment flow into the
Global South.
➢ The fund has four key pillars: 1) Energy Transition; 2) Industrial

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 Decarbonization; 3) Sustainable Living; 4) Climate Technologies Top of
Form

G7 climate club ➢ Led by Germany and Chile, along with 36 member countries including Kenya,
the European Union, Switzerland and others.
➢ INDIA is not a member
➢ To support accelerating climate action and increasing ambition to achieve
global net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by or around mid-century, with a
particular focus on decarbonising industry.
➢ First proposed by Germany during a G7 summit meeting (2022).
➢ Interim Secretariat: Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and
International Energy Agency (IEA).

Global ➢ It was introduced at the World Climate Action Summit at COP 28.
Decarbonization ➢ The GDA focuses on three primary pillars:
Accelerator ○ Scaling the energy system of the future.
○ Decarbonizing the present energy system.
○ addressing methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse gases.
➢ Under the GDA, 50 companies, representing over 40 per cent of global oil
product production have signed on to the Oil and Gas Decarbonization
Charter (OGDC).
➢ Additionally, and separate to the OGDC, the GDA includes the launch of the
Industrial Transition Accelerator (ITA), which will accelerate
decarbonization across key heavy-emitting sectors and encourage
policymakers, technical experts and financial backers to work
hand-in-hand with industries to unlock investment and rapidly scale the
implementation and delivery of emissions-reduction projects.
➢ Under the leadership of the COP28 Presidency, UNFCCC, and Bloomberg
Philanthropies, the ITA Secretariat will be hosted by the Mission Possible
Partnership (MPP).
COP28: Initiative to speed up energy transition, reduce emissions, ET Auto

Fossil Fuel, Oil and ➢ The Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter (OGDC) was recently launched at
Gas Decarbonization the 2023 Conference of Parties (COP28) in Dubai by the COP28 President Dr.
Charter (OGDC) Sultan Al Jaber and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
➢ The charter aims to accelerate climate action with voluntary commitments
from major oil and gas companies to reduce their greenhouse gas
emissions.
➢ Initially, 50 companies signed the OGDC, responsible for over 40% of global
oil production. The companies include both major national and international oil
corporations.
➢ India’s state-owned oil company ONGC signed on to the Oil and Gas
Decarbonization Charter. As one of India’s largest oil producers, ONGC’s
commitment signals an increased prioritisation of emissions reductions from the
country’s nationally owned fossil fuel companies.
➢ Under the OGDC, signatories made several key commitments:
● Achieve net-zero carbon emissions from their operations by 2050.
● End routine flaring by 2030.
● Reduce methane emissions to near-zero by 2030.
● Invest in renewables and low-carbon technologies.

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 ● Enhance measurement and reporting of emissions.
➢ Additionally absent is any commitment to reduce oil and gas production
volumes. Research shows ending new oil and gas projects is vital to limit
warming to 1.5°C, yet signatories pledge no cuts.
➢ The charter focuses on methane intensity rather than absolute reductions. But
intensity can fall even while total methane emissions rise. The IPCC says a 75%
cut in methane is needed by 2030.

Leadership Group for ➢ Recently, India and Sweden launched Leadership Group for Industry
Industry Transition Transition (LeadIT) 2.0 during the COP28 World Climate Action Summit,
(LeadIT 2.0) hosted in Dubai.
➢ LeadIT is a global initiative that aims to accelerate the transition of
challenging sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals, aviation, and
shipping to low-carbon pathways.
➢ LeadIT, boasting 38 members, encompasses countries and companies. Notably,
India is an active participant.
➢ LeadIT members subscribe to the notion that energy-intensive industries can
and must progress on low-carbon pathways, aiming to achieve net-zero
carbon emissions by 2050.
➢ Three core areas of LeadIT 2.0:
○ Inclusive and Just Industry Transition: Ensuring that industry transitions are not
only efficient but also equitable, promoting fairness and inclusivity in the process.
○ Low Carbon Technology Development and Transfer: Placing renewed emphasis on
the development and seamless transfer of low-carbon technologies, crucial for
achieving sustainable practices across industries.
○ Emerging Economy Technology Transfer: Facilitating the expedited transfer of
innovative solutions to emerging economies, assisting in their transition to more
sustainable practices.
India and Sweden co-host the Phase-II of Leadership Group for Industry Transition at
COP-28

Global River Cities ➢ The Global River Cities Alliance (GRCA), led by the National Mission for
Alliance (GRCA) Clean Ganga (NMCG), was launched at COP28 in Dubai.
➢ The National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG), which implements the
government’s flagship Namami Gange programme, has launched the Global
River Cities Alliance (GRCA).
➢ The GRCA is a unique alliance to propagate river-sensitive development in
cities around the world.
➢ Expanding the reach of the River Cities Alliance formed by NMCG in
association with NIUA with 142 Indian River cities as members, river cities of
Den Haag, from the Netherlands, Adelaide from Australia, and Szolnok of
Hungary joined the Global River Cities Alliance.
➢ RCA had signed a Memorandum of Common Purpose (MoCP) with 124
member Mississippi River Towns and Cities Initiative of the US. This is first
of its kind alliance in the world.
➢ It extends the River Cities Alliance, initially established by NMCG in 2021.
➢ Includes over 275 river-cities worldwide across 11 countries (India,
Australia, Japan, Bhutan, Egypt, etc), along with international funding
agencies (World Bank, AIIB, ADB)
India-led Global River Cities Alliance launched at COP28 | India News - The
Indian Express.

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6. Green Credit Program,Global Green Credit Scheme,Green credit rules:
➢ To take ahead the 'LiFE' - 'Lifestyle for Environment' movement announced by the Prime
Minister in 2021, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change introduced
Green Credit Programme (GCP) in 2023.
➢ GCP is an innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary
environmental actions across diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals,
communities, private sector industries, and companies.
➢ Such a market-based system already exists for carbon, at the national as well as
international level, that allows trade in carbon credits. Companies, or nations, can
claim carbon credits if they take action to reduce their carbon footprint. These credits
can they be traded for money. Companies unable to achieve their emission standards pay to
buy these credits and improve their performance.
➢ Green Credits programme attempts to replicate this mechanism for other
environmental actions, like water conservation or soil improvements..
➢ As a starting point, it is envisaged that private companies would buy these green
credits as part of their CSR obligations.
➢ More recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change further
notified Green Credit Rules under Environment Protection act,1986.
➢ The Rules define 'green credit' as a single unit of an incentive provided for a specific
activity that delivers a positive impact on the environment. In addition to industries,
companies or other entities that are legally required to meet certain environment-positive
obligations, the Rules also incentivise other persons and entities to voluntarily
undertake environment-positive activities by trading green credits on the proposed
domestic market platform.
➢ However, green credits that are generated or procured to fulfil any legal obligation
cannot be traded. This marks a pivotal shift from the conventional focus on carbon
emissions to a more holistic approach by incentivising a host of environmentally beneficial
activities.
➢ The Indian Council of Forestry Research and
Education (ICFRE) serves as the GCP Administrator,
responsible for program implementation, management,
monitoring, and operation.
➢ The notification lists out eight sectors, or activities,
that can qualify for generating credits:
➢ Tree plantation-based green credit to promote
activities for increasing green cover through tree
plantation and related activities.
➢ Water-based green credit to promote water
conservation, water harvesting and water use
efficiency/savings, including treatment and reuse of
wastewater.
➢ Sustainable agriculture-based green credit to promote
natural and regenerative agricultural practices and
land restoration to improve productivity,Soil health and
nutritional value of food produced and
➢ Waste management-based green credit to promote
sustainable and improved practices.

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 ➢ Air pollution reduction.
➢ Mangrove conservation and restoration-based green credit to promote measures for the
conservation and restoration of mangroves
➢ Ecomark-based green credit encourages manufacturers to obtain eco-mark labels for their
goods and services and
➢ Sustainable building and infrastructure-based Green Credit encourage the construction of
buildings and other infrastructure using sustainable technologies and materials.
➢ The Green Credit Registry and trading platform, being developed by ICFRE along with
experts, would facilitate the registration and thereafter, the buying and selling of Green
Credits.
➢ The generation of Green Credit under Green Credit Rules, 2023 is independent of the
carbon credit under Carbon Credit Trading Scheme 2023.
What is the Green Credits scheme, which PM Modi mentioned at COP28 | Explained News - The
Indian Express

7. Carbon dioxide removal:

➢ Carbon dioxide removal, or CDR, is using technologies, practices, and approaches to
remove carbon dioxide from our atmosphere through deliberate and intentional
human action.
➢ This includes traditional methods like afforestation, as well as more sophisticated
technologies like direct air carbon capture and storage (DACCS).
➢ Natural processes, like the growth of a natural forest, are not CDR methods.
➢ CDR also includes durable and efficient storage of extracted carbon dioxide in natural
reservoirs like soil and vegetation, or in manufactured products like carbonated
drinks.
➢ Different methods of CDR:

Afforestation/reforestation
➢ At present, the most efficient and scalable GHG-removal strategy is the
massive planting of trees through reforestation or afforestation — a
“natural climate solution” (NCS) that extracts atmospheric carbon
dioxide through photosynthesis and soil carbon sequestration.
➢ According to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
(IPCC), afforestation is a relatively cheaper method of CDR, costing
approximately under $240 per tonne of CO2. The storage time can
last from decades to centuries.

Biochar ➢ Biochar is the substance produced by burning organic waste from

agricultural lands and forests in a controlled process called
pyrolysis. Although it resembles common charcoal in appearance,
the production of biochar reduces contamination and is a method
to safely store carbon.
➢ The resulting char can be mixed with existing soil, acting as a
fertiliser.
➢ Pyrolysis involves the burning of wood chips, leaves, dead plants,
etc. with very little oxygen, and the process releases a significantly
small quantity of fumes. Biochar is a stable form of carbon that
cannot easily escape into the atmosphere.

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Bioenergy with carbon capture ➢ Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage, or BECCS, is similar to
and storage (BECCS)
Direct air carbon capture and ➢ Direct air carbon capture and storage, or DACCS (also called DACS),
storage(DACCS)
Enhanced rock weathering
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biochar in the sense that it also uses biomass to produce energy
while preventing the release of carbon dioxide into the
atmosphere.
➢ However, BECCS involves bioenergy production, often through
combustion to generate electricity or heat. The resulting CO2
emissions from this combustion are captured and stored
underground, preventing them from contributing to the greenhouse
effect.
➢ BECCS sequesters photosynthetically fixed carbon as
post-combustion CO2.
➢ Biochar, on the other hand, is made by burning organic material
and the carbon is stored in the resulting charcoal-like substance.
➢ According to a research paper published in 2022, BECCS delivers
immediate and permanent CDR, but its efficiency can be impacted by
changes in land use, thereby significantly delaying the CDR process.
extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere at any location.
➢ This captured CO2 is then permanently stored in deep geological
formations or used for other applications.
➢ DACCS uses electricity to remove CO2 from the air. Air is drawn into
the mechanism using industrial filters, and then either passed through
a chemical solution that removes the gas, or exposed to a chemical
agent that converts it into a compound which can be heated to release
CO2 for further capture and storage.
➢ The captured CO2 is then compressed under high pressure and pumped
into deep geological formations. The gas can also be used in
industries, like carbonated drinks.
➢ DACCS is also the most expensive form of CDR
➢ This CDR method involves
pulverising silicate rocks to
bypass the conventionally
slow weathering action.
➢ First, mineral-rich rock such
as basalt is crushed to form
a thin powder, which is
spread over fields and
grasslands, reacting with CO2
and water in the atmosphere
to form carbonates.
➢ These lock away the C02 and over time leach from the fields,
moving through rivers and streams before finally ending up at the
bottom of the ocean.
➢ Dubbed the mother rock, basalt is a volcanic mineral and one of the
most abundant on the planet. This makes it the obvious one to scale,
especially as it is so rich in both the elements needed to capture
carbon – calcium and magnesium silicates – as well as nutrients
such as phosphorus and potassium for crops.
Ocean alkalinity enhancement ➢ Ocean alkalinity enhancement is a CDR method that involves adding
alkaline substances to seawater to accelerate this natural sink.
➢ Alkaline substances in the ocean can convert dissolved, inorganic
CO2 in water into bicarbonates and carbonates, which are stable
forms of carbon with extensive lifetimes. The CO2 deficit thus
created is balanced by absorbing more of the gas from the atmosphere
into the water.
➢ It also comes with certain risks, like potential for increased GHG
emissions from mining, transport, and deployment.
➢ Weathering of alkaline materials can also release byproducts like
trace metals, impacting fragile marine ecosystems.
READMORE:
Why carbon capture is no easy solution to climate change - The Hindu
COP28: What is Carbon Dioxide Removal? | Explained - The Hindu

8. India’s Emission Intensity:

➢ Emission intensity of the economy refers to the total amount of greenhouse gases
emitted for every unit increase of gross domestic product (GDP).
➢ It is different from absolute emissions, Absolute emissions metrics indicate the total
amount of greenhouse gases (GHGs) emitted into the atmosphere over a specific period.
➢ India reduced its GDP emission intensity by 33 per cent between 2005 and 2019,
achieving the target 11 years in advance, according to a government report.
➢ India created an additional carbon sink of 1.97 Action tonnes of CO2 equivalent
during this period.
➢ However, the country's total emissions (including the Land Use, Land-Use Change
and Forestry sector) have increased by 4.56 per cent with respect to 2016.
➢ According to the third national communication:
➢ The energy sector accounted for the maximum share of anthropogenic emissions (75.81
per cent)
➢ followed by agriculture (13.44 per cent)
➢ Industrial Process and Product Use (8.41 per cent), and
➢ Waste (2.34 per cent).
India's emission intensity reduced by 33% between 2005 and 2019: Govt report

9. Indian Forest & Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS):

➢ Context: Amid rising international concerns on deforestation and illicit trade in timber,
the Government of India has launched its own national forest certification scheme -
The Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme (IFWCS).
➢ IFWCS aims to offer an alternative to private foreign certification agencies that have
been operating in India.
➢ It seeks to ensure greater integrity, transparency, and credibility in certifying
sustainable forest management and wood-based products.
➢ The scheme covers three main areas for certification:
➢ Sustainable forest management.
➢ Sustainable management of trees outside forests (like plantations).
➢ Chain of custody, which guarantees the traceability of forest products throughout their supply
chain, ensuring ethical sourcing and handling.
IAS Exam Congress
 ➢ Nodal Agencies:
➢ The scheme will be overseen by the Indian Forest and Wood Certification Council, which
will act as a multistakeholder advisory body.
➢ Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal will act as the scheme operating agency
and will be responsible for overall management of the Scheme.
➢ The National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the Quality Council of
India will accredit the certification bodies which will carry out independent audits and
assess adherence of various entities on the standards prescribed under the scheme.
➢ Trees Outside Forests Standard: A separate Trees Outside Forests Standard is now
introduced as a part of the Scheme. ‘Trees outside Forests’ means trees growing outside
recorded and notified forests, in farm lands of an individual farmers or group of
small farmers or plantation area on private land of institutions and industries, etc.
and include all trees on the hedges and bunds, trees in different models of agroforestry,
silvo-pastoralism, urban and rural forestry systems and block plantations.
➢ The certification is expected to enhance trust and transparency in processes related
to forest management and wood-based products. The IFWCS can provide market
incentives to various entities that adhere to responsible forest management and
agroforestry practices in their operations.
➢ Centre launches forest certification scheme to counter foreign agencies | India News - The
Indian Express

10. Echidnas:
➢ Echidnas, part of the monotreme group, are unique
mammals laying eggs instead of giving live birth.
➢ Also known as spiny anteaters, they sport sharp spines
on their bodies and primarily feed on ants and
termites.
➢ Echidnas are found in Australia and New Guinea, and
they have several distinctive features and behaviours that
make them interesting subjects of study.
➢ Short-beaked echidnas are one of just five species of
monotreme surviving in the world, alongside the
platypus and three worm-eating long-beaked echidna
species found on the island of New Guinea.
➢ Australia has just one species, the short-beaked
echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), which roams virtually the entire continent. But it has
five subspecies, which are often markedly different. Tasmanian echidnas are much hairier
and Kangaroo Island echidnas join long mating trains.
➢ Scientists believe echidnas began as platypuses who left the water and evolved
spines. That’s because platypus fossils go back about 60 million years and echidnas only a
quarter of that.
➢ Things that make Echidnas Remarkable:
➢ These ancient mammals lay eggs through their cloacas (monotreme means one opening) and
incubate them in a pouch-like skin fold, nurturing their tiny, jellybean-sized young
after hatching.
➢ From deserts to snow, echidnas are remarkably adaptable, There are few other creatures
able to tolerate climate ranges as broad. You can find echidnas on northern tropical
IAS Exam Congress
 savannah amid intense humidity, on coastal heaths and forests, in arid deserts and
even on snowy mountains.
➢ The echidna still has rudimentary electroreception. It makes sense the platypus relies
on its ability to sense electric fields when it’s hunting at the bottom of dark rivers,
given electric fields spread more easily through water. It’s likely echidnas use this ability
to sense ants and termites moving through moist soil.
They sense electric fields, tolerate snow and have ‘mating trains’: 4 reasons echidnas really are
remarkable

11. Western Tragopan:

➢ Himachal Pradesh’s State bird – Western
Tragopan (Tragopan-melanocephalus) – has
been facing habitat loss in parts of the country.
➢ But because of authorities’ efforts, there has
been a gradual increase in the population of
this rare species at the State’s Sarahan
pheasantry, the conservation breeding
centre.
➢ It is also known as the western horned tragopan,
is amongst the rarest of all living pheasants.
➢ Due to its beautiful plumage and large size, this bird is locally known as ‘jujurana’ or
‘king of birds’.
➢ Distribution: It is endemic to the northwest Himalaya, within a narrow range from
Hazara in north Pakistan through Jammu and Kashmir and Himachal Pradesh, to
the western part of Garhwal.
➢ The upper part of Great Himalayan National Park’s (GHNP) forest zone holds the
world’s largest known population of western tragopan.
➢ It feeds mostly on leaves, shoots and seeds, but also consumes insects and other
invertebrates.
➢ Habitat loss, hunting pressure and anthropogenic disturbances which includes livestock
grazing, minor forest produce collection like medicinal herbs etc are threat to the bird.
➢ IUCN Status : Vulnerable.
Facing existential crisis, Western Tragopan sees a glimmer of hope in Himachal Pradesh for its
survival - The Hindu

12. Pangolins:
➢ Pangolins are nocturnal mammals that dig burrows
and feed on ants and termites.
➢ It acts as both predator and prey, feeding on
insects and also preyed upon by other animals.
Other than regulating the population of insects, the
pangolin is an ‘ecosystem engineer’ that builds
burrows that help circulate soil organic matter,
increase soil moisture and aeration, and affect
plant community succession.

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 ➢ They are easily recognized by their full armour of scales. A startled pangolin will cover
its head with its front legs, exposing its scales to any potential predator. If touched or
grabbed it will roll up completely into a ball, while the sharp scales on the tail can be
used to lash out.
➢ Pangolins use their noses to find ants in the first place, so it's nostrils open for hunting
and nostrils closed for eating.
➢ Also called scaly anteaters because of their preferred diet, pangolins are the most
trafficked mammal in the world—with demand primarily in Asia and in growing
amounts in Africa—for their meat and scales.
➢ Eight species of pangolins are found on two continents. They range from Vulnerable to
Critically Endangered.
➢ Four species live in Africa: Black-bellied pangolin,White-bellied pangolin , Giant Ground
pangolin and Temminck's Ground pangolin..
➢ The four species found in Asia: Indian pangolin, Philippine pangolin, Sunda pangolin
and the Chinese pangolin .
➢ In the red list of animals published by the International Union for Conservation of
Nature (IUCN), Indian Pangolin is listed in the Endangered (EN) category.
➢ The Chinese pangolin has been listed as “critically endangered”.
➢ In India, pangolins, both Indian and Chinese, are protected under Schedule 1 of the
Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 that prohibits its hunting, trade or any other form of
utilisation.
➢ All pangolin species are listed in Convention on International Trade in Endangered
Species (CITES) Appendix I.
➢ White Bellied Pangolin is world most trafficked mammal.
➢ Over 1,000 pangolins poached and trafficked in India between 2018 and 2022 - The
Hindu

13. Ghol Fish:

➢ Context: The black-spotted croaker, or the Ghol fish
— considered a fisherman’s lottery — was declared the
state fish of Gujarat.
➢ Black Spotted Croaker is scientifically known as
Protonibea diacanthus and its peak season is between
July to March.
➢ It is widely distributed at the West and East coast of
India and Sri Lanka.
➢ Black Spotted Croaker is abundantly found in Gujarat
and Maharashtra coasts.
➢ Gear used for its capture is Bottom trawls and Gill nets.
➢ They are named for the croaking sound they make when removed from water. This
sound is caused by the contraction of muscles attached to the air bladder, which acts as a
resonance chamber.
➢ From iodine, omega-3, DHA, EPA, iron, taurine, magnesium, fluoride, to selenium, it
is loaded with rich nutrients. What makes this fish to be called as ‘Sea Gold’ is a pouch
in its stomach, which has potent medicinal properties and has a high valuation in
the overseas market.
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 ➢ Benefits: Eye health,Toning Muscles,Prevent ageing,Improves IQ.
➢ Ghol fish is one of the most expensive marine fish in the world. However, the levels of
pollution has shifted these fishes from the shore to deep sea.
Why Are Ghol Fish So Rare And Expensive?,
Gujarat gets a state fish: Why ghol, the ‘fisherman’s lottery’, was chosen | Explained News - The
Indian Express

India is the third-largest fish and aquaculture-producing country. It accounts for 7.96% of the total global
fish production. The industry employs more than 28 million people in India. India is among the top 5 fish
exporting countries in the world. About 17% of India's agricultural exports are fish and fish products. In
2021-22, the country exported marine products of quantity 1.36 million MT. The value of exports for the same year
was US$ 7.76 Action.
Out of these, frozen shrimp is the largest exported marine product
contributing to more than 53% of the total quantity and about 75.11% of the total export US$ value. In
2021-22, the frozen fish, cuttlefish and squid contributed 6.08%, 3.61% and 4.94% of the total marine products
export value, respectively.

14. United Earth Amazonia Prize:

➢ The United Earth Amazonia Prize awarded to environmental champions of the
Amazon rainforest. It is aimed at giving visibility to exceptional environmental
contributions.
➢ It is dubbed as "Green Nobel" prize but is not related to the Nobel Foundation.
➢ The prize, aimed at giving visibility to exceptional environmental contributions, was
first awarded last year, with no prize money. The scope of the 2024 award will be
expanded to include Brazil’s neighbouring nations that share the rainforest.
‘Green Nobel’ prize to recognize environmental work in Amazon rainforest - The Hindu

15. Black Tiger’s of Simlipal:

➢ While truly melanistic tigers are yet to be recorded, pseudo-melanistic ones have been
camera-trapped repeatedly, and only, in Simlipal, a 2,750-km tiger reserve in Odisha,
since 2007.
➢ Melanism is a genetic condition in which an increased production of melanin, a
substance in the skin that produces hair, eye, and skin pigmentation, results in black (or
nearly black) skin, feathers, or hair in an animal.
➢ Many royal Bengal tigers of Similipal belong to a unique lineage with
higher-than-normal levels of melanin, which gives them black and yellow
interspersed stripes on their coats. These tigers are not entirely black, and are
therefore more accurately described as being pseudo-melanistic.
➢ According to research co-authored by Uma Ramakrishnan and her student Vinay Sagar
from the National Centre for Biological Sciences (NBCS), Bengaluru, a single mutation in
the gene Transmembrane Aminopeptidase Q (Taqpep) causes black tigers to develop
stripes that seem to have broadened or spread into the tawny background.
➢ As per the 2022 cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation, 16 individuals were recorded at
Similipal Tiger Reserve, out of which 10 were melanistic.

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 ➢ Wildlife conservationists and experts opine that the growing melanistic population
could be a result of inbreeding and limited genetic diversity that could put the big cat
population of the tiger reserve to a heightened risk of genetic dwarfing and isolation.
➢ Odisha is planning to start a melanistic tiger safari near Similipal Tiger Reserve
(STR).
What are Odisha’s famous black tigers, and why is the state planning a safari around
them? | Explained News - The Indian Express
Explained: Why ‘black tigers’ sound a warning
Similipal derives its name from ‘Simul’ (silk cotton) tree. It was formally designated a tiger reserve in 1956 and
brought under Project Tiger in the year 1973. It has been part of the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserve
since 2009. It is part of the Similipal-Kuldiha-Hadgarh Elephant Reserve popularly known as Mayurbhanj
Elephant Reserve, which includes 3 protected areas i.e. Similipal Tiger Reserve, Hadagarh Wildlife sanctuary and
Kuldiha wildlife sanctuary.
The highest peak in the Similipal hill range is Khairiburu (1,168
metres). Numerous waterfalls and perennial streams flow into major rivers, such as the Budhabalang, Baitarani
and Subarnarekha. Apart from the tiger and elephant the major mammals are leopard, sambar, barking deer,
gaur, jungle cat, wild boar, four-horned antelope, giant squirrel and common langur. Grey hornAct, Indian
pied hornAct and Malabar pied hornAct are also found here. The park also has a sizeable population of
reptiles, which includes the longest venomous snake, the King cobra and the Tricarinate hill turtle. The Mugger
Management Programme at Ramatirtha has helped the mugger crocodile to flourish on the banks of the Khairi and
Deo Rivers.

16. Genetic Rescue:

➢ Context: Recently, during a study, genetic rescue is proposed as a strategy to preserve
the tiger population in Ranthambore National Park.
➢ Genetic rescue is the process of increasing population growth. This is done by
introducing new genetic diversity through the migration of individuals into another
small population, a process known as gene flow.

IAS Exam Congress

 ➢ In practice, wildlife managers take individuals from a larger, healthier population
and bring them to a smaller one to introduce new variation and aid in population
growth.
➢ It is commonly used in conservation biology to counteract inbreeding depression.
This occurs when closely related individuals mate within a population, resulting in reduced
success in reproduction and offspring viability.
➢ Genetic rescue can have positive or negative effects, influenced by factors such as the
extent and duration of gene flow, as well as genetic and non-genetic factors.
➢ Ranthambore N.P is located in Sawai Madhopur district of Rajasthan at the junction of
the Aravali and Vindhya hill ranges. The park is bounded to the north by the Banas
River and to the south by the Chambal River.
Conservation not enough for the highly inbred Ranthambore tigers — they require genetic rescue

17. Damselfly Species:

➢ Context: Recently a new damselfly
species has been discovered in Kerala’s
southern Western Ghats.
➢ Researchers from MIT-World Peace
University in Pune named the insect
‘Armageddon reedtail’.
➢ The term ‘ecological armageddon’ is
used to describe the devastating decline
of insect populations around the world.
This phenomenon, also called insect
apocalypse, affects entire ecosystems
because insects pollinate, cycle nutrients and provide food for other animals.
➢ The species was discovered northeast of Thiruvananthapuram. It has a captivating dark
brown to black body with vibrant greenish-blue eyes, and half of its eight abdominal
segments are marked with delicate pale blue markings
Damselfly species found in Western Ghats named after climate impact on insects

18. UN Treaty on Plastic Pollution:

➢ The Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC) has been formed under the
United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to develop an internationally legally
binding instrument to end plastic pollution worldwide.
➢ The UNEA had passed the resolution 5/14 in March 2022 to formulate an international
legally-binding instrument to end plastic pollution worldwide including marine
pollution. The INC was established to negotiate the treaty.
➢ Its first meeting(INC-1) was held from November 28, 2022 to December 02, 2022 in
Punta Del Este, Uruguay.
➢ INC-2, held in Paris IN 2023, was not a success as the entire meeting debated on the rules
of procedure.
➢ INC-3 held in Nairobi focussed on the substantive contents of the treaty and debated on
the zero draft of the treaty:
➢ Iran declared formation of a coalition that included countries like Saudi Arabia,
Russia, Cuba, China, Bahrain, and potentially Brazil and India, although they were not

IAS Exam Congress

 explicitly mentioned. This group positioned itself as a counterpart to the so-called High
Ambition Coalition—a group of 57 nations for a robust instrument against plastic.
➢ The proposed zero draft had 10 placeholders to discuss the preamble, definitions, principles
and scope of the instrument, in addition to the institutional arrangements and final
provisions
➢ While blocs like the Pacific Small Island Developing States (PSIDS) and African nations
were in favour of strong ambitions, like-minded countries represented by Iran, along
with Saudi Arabia and India, spoke against an “over ambitious” text and raised
interventions against inclusion of language on polymers of concern and the “polluter pays”
principle.
➢ The financial mechanism for the implementation of the treaty was another point of
divergence. Some member states opposed the imposition of a plastic-pollution fee to be paid
by plastic polymer producers.
➢ The ban on trade in polymers, chemicals, plastic products, and waste, which was not covered
by the Basel treaty, was also blocked.
➢ No consensus was reached with the rules of procedure to be followed for the adoption of this
treaty.
Two upcoming INC sessions are scheduled to be held this year. The INC-4 will take place from
23 to 29 April 2024 at the Shaw Center in Ottawa, Canada, and subsequently the INC-5 from
25 November to 1 December 2024 in Busan, Republic of Korea.
https://www.downtoearth.org.in/news/waste/nairobi-inc-3-a-job-half-done--93081

19. Saltwater Crocodiles:

➢ Context: Saltwater crocodiles is the largest of the
23 species of ‘extant’ or living crocodilians. This
includes ‘true crocodiles’, alligators and caimans.
➢ The saltwater crocodile is the largest of all
crocodilians, and the largest reptile in the world.
➢ Female saltwater crocodiles are smaller in size than
their male counterparts, normally reaching a
maximum length of 2.5 to 3 m.
➢ They tolerate salinity and are found mostly in
coastal waters or near rivers. They are also found in freshwater near rivers and swamps.
➢ Saltwater crocodiles communicate using several sounds, including barking, hissing,
growling and chirps.
➢ The ‘saltie’ is today found in three locations in India:
➢ The Sundarbans
➢ Bhitarkanika National Park and
➢ The Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
➢ It is one of the three crocodiles native to the Indian Subcontinent, along with the mugger
crocodile (Crocodylus palustris) and the gharial (Gavialis gangeticus).
➢ IUCN List of Threatened Species: Least Concern
➢ CITES: Appendix I (except the populations of Australia, Indonesia and Papua New Guinea,
which are included in Appendix II).
➢ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I

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Bhitarkanika National Park (NP):
➢ The Bhitarkanika NP is essentially a network of creeks and canals which are inundated with waters
from rivers Brahmani, Baitarani, Dhamra and Patasala forming a unique ecosystem.
➢ The Gahirmatha Beach which forms the boundary of the sanctuary in the east is the largest colony
of the Olive Ridley Sea Turtles.
➢ A unique phenomenon observed in this NP is the Bagagahana or the heronry near Surajpore
creek. Thousands of birds colonise the creek for nesting and the aerial acrobatics performed prior
to the mating makes for an impressive sight.
➢ It is India’s second-largest mangrove ecosystem after the Sunderbans.
➢ of India's 58 recorded species of mangroves, 55 species are found in Bhitarkanika, a wider
mangrove diversity than in the Sundarbans.
Marginal increase: There are 1,811 saltwater crocodiles in Odisha’s Bhitarkanika, annual census
reveals

20. Wild Life Licensing Rules 2024:

➢ Context: The central government recently introduced Wild Life (Protection)
Licensing (Additional Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024, amending the wildlife
trade rules, 1983 resulting in significant changes in the licensing process and exclusions of
certain species.
➢ The rules from 1983 prohibited issuing licences to trade in a wild animal categorised
under Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972. The
licences were granted in exceptional cases with previous approval of the central
government.
➢ This condition has been changed in the new guidelines, which say no such licence
shall be granted if it relates to any wild animal specified in Schedule I to the Act,
except with the previous consultation of the Central Government.
➢ The significant change in the new guidelines is the removal of licensing restrictions
for species listed in Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
➢ The new rules also specify the factors that the authorised officers must consider while
granting licences:
➢ Such as the capacity of the applicant
➢ The source and manner of obtaining supplies
➢ The number of existing licences in the area, and
➢ The implications on hunting or trade of the concerned wild animals.
➢ The notification does not provide clarity on why licensing restrictions for Schedule II
species have been removed. Schedule II encompasses important species, such as
endangered mammals, birds, turtles, geckos, and snakes, and their exclusion from licensing
restrictions raises concerns
New amendments in wildlife trade rules enable issuing licences for certain Schedule II species

IAS Exam Congress

21. What does the law say about owning wildlife artefacts:
➢ Context: Recently a actor Varthur Santhosh was arrested on the sets of Big Boss Kannada,
for the possession of a tiger claw pendant.
➢ Under the Wildlife Protection Act of 1972, killing wild animals and selling or possessing
animal articles such as their claws, skin or horns is a criminal offence.
➢ Any artefact which is made with a part or a whole of a wild animal listed under the
Wildlife Protection Act is an animal article or a trophy. The possession of any such thing
needs an ownership certificate.
➢ Anybody who is in possession of these materials without an ownership certificate is
violating the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act.
➢ Possession of Schedule-1 animal articles is a non-bailable cognisable offence which
means the violator can be arrested and bail can be given only by a magistrate.
➢ The ownership certificate, however, does not grant one absolute ownership of the
artefact but only provides custodianship of the same.
➢ As per the law, one can be in legal possession of a wildlife article-
1. If the person had custody of the article before the enactment of the law in 1972
2. If the person declared the article during the moratorium given by various State
Governments after the enactment of the law.
3. If a person inherited the article from a blood relative or spouse.
➢ These are the only three ways you can inherit or own a wildlife article in your
possession. Anything other than these - even if somebody gifted it to you – is
considered a violation
➢ An ownership certificate doesn’t give one the right to gift, buy or sell a wildlife
article. Nor should a wildlife article be accepted as a gift or else the receiver would be in
illegal possession of the same.
➢ The ownership certificates are issued by the chief wildlife wardens of each state.
Each article with a certificate is marked and has a serial number. The address of the
location of the material is also recorded. The transportation of the same from one
location to another also requires permission from the chief wildlife warden.
➢ If one comes in possession of an artefact made of body parts of any such animal and
does not have an ownership certificate, the law requires them to inform an authorised
officer within 48 hours of possession.
Possession of tiger claw and other wildlife articles: What you need to know | Explained -
The Hindu
Watch this video:Explained: What the law says about owning wildlife artefacts | The Hindu

22. Kerala want centre to amend WPA,1972:

➢ Section 11 of the 1972 Act regulates hunting of wild animals. As per clause (1)(A) of
the section, the Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) of a state may — if satisfied that a wild
animal specified in Schedule I (mammals) has become dangerous to human life or disabled
or diseased beyond recovery — permit hunting or killing of such animal.
➢ The section gives powers to the CWLW to order killing of such a wild animal, if it cannot be
tranquillised or relocated after capturing.
➢ Now, Kerala wants to amend the Section 11 (1) (A) so as to devolve the
above-mentioned powers of the CWLW to Chief Conservators of Forests (CCF)

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 instead. Such an amendment, the state feels, would simplify procedures for dealing with
wild animals posing a threat to human life.
➢ Kerala also wants the Centre to declare wild boar as vermin, as per section 62 of the
Wildlife Protection Act.
➢ According to this section, the Union Government can notify any wild animal in
Schedule II of the Act (which protects it from hunting), as vermin for a period of
time in an area/state.
Why does Kerala want the Centre to amend the Wildlife Protection Act? | Explained News - The
Indian Express

23. Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024:

➢ Context: The Centre has notified a set of rules called the Captive Elephant (Transfer
or Transport) Rules, 2024 that liberalise the conditions under which elephants may be
transferred within or between states.
➢ Until August 2022, the Wildlife Protection Act 1972 explicitly prohibited the trade in
wildlife including both wild and captive elephants.
➢ The Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 stem from amendments to
the Wildlife Protection Act in 2022 exempting captive elephants from the
prohibition on wildlife trade.
➢ Circumstances for Transfer of Captive Elephants: Transfer may occur when:
● The owner is no longer capable of adequately maintaining the elephant's welfare.
● If it's determined that the elephant will receive better care in the new circumstances
compared to its current situation.
● The Chief Wildlife Warden may deem it necessary for the elephant's better upkeep based
on the specific circumstances of the case.
➢ Procedure Within the State:
● Before a transfer within a state, the elephant's health must be confirmed by a
veterinarian.
● The suitability of both the current and prospective habitats must be verified by the Deputy
Conservator of Forests.
● Approval or rejection of the transfer is at the discretion of the Chief Wildlife Warden
based on these assessments.
➢ Procedure Outside the State:
● Similar conditions apply for transferring elephants outside a state.
● Additionally, the elephant's genetic profile must be registered with the MoEF&CC before
the transfer.
➢ Requirements for Elephant Transfer:
● The elephant must be accompanied by a mahout and an elephant assistant.
● A health certificate from a veterinary practitioner confirming fitness for transport is
mandatory.
● Proper feeding and watering arrangements must be made during transport.
● Tranquillisers/sedatives shall be used to control nervous or temperamental elephants
upon prescription by the veterinary practitioner.
Centre notifies rules allowing transfer of ‘captive’ elephants - The Hindu

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24. Elephants communicate underground by generating seismic waves:
➢ The moment of unexpected discovery happened in 2019 along the coastline of the De
Hoop Nature Reserve, about 200 km east of Cape Town. Less than two metres away
from a cluster of fossil elephant tracks was a round feature, 57cm in diameter, containing
concentric ring features. Another layer was exposed about 7 cm below this surface. It
contained at least 14 parallel groove features. Where the grooves approached the rings,
they made a slight curve towards them. The two findings, were hypothesised, which
were connected with each other and appeared to have a common origin.
➢ Elephants, like another group of massive land creatures, dinosaurs, can be viewed as
geological engineers that create minor earth-moving forces on the ground they walk(ed)
on. This can be related also to a remarkable ability that elephants possess:
communicating by generating seismic waves. These are a form of energy that can travel
under the surface of the Earth.
➢ The lower threshold of human hearing is 20Hz; below that, low frequency sounds are
known as infrasound. Elephant “rumbles”, originating in the larynx and transmitted
into the ground through the limbs, fall within the infrasonic range.
➢ Elephants are the ideal candidates for seismic communication as they are very large, have
low frequency high amplitude vocalisations that propagate in the ground and maintain
a consistent signal over long distances and they are equipped to detect seismic signals, at
least in the trunk.
➢ Elephants communicate underground by generating seismic waves - The Hindu

25. UN Declares 2024 As Year Of Camelids:

➢ Camelids are a group of even-toed ungulate mammals.
➢ They are known for their remarkable adaptations to arid and high-altitude
environments. Camelids are characterised by their long, slender necks and legs with
padded feet.
➢ Camelids are modified ruminants or “pseudo ruminants.” Like ruminants, they use
foregut fermentation to break down cellulose in fibrous plant species. But in contrast
to ruminants, their forestomaches are made up of three compartments rather than
the true ruminants' (sheep, goats, cattle, deer) four.
➢ The United Nations has declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids. The
decision has been taken to highlight the significant importance of camelids in the lives of
people across the world.
➢ There are six living species of camelids:
➢ Dromedary camels,
➢ Bactrian camels,
➢ Wild Bactrian camels,
➢ llamas,
➢ Alpacas,
➢ Vicunas, and
➢ Guanacos.
UN Declares 2024 As Year Of Camelids. Here's Why

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26. Central Asian Flyway:
➢ Context: A UN convention on the conservation of migratory species of wild animals
(CMS) adopted India's initiative for Central Asian Flyway (CAF) and agreed for listing
14 additional migratory species from across the globe for conservation in the CMS
appendices.

➢ This initiative aims to protect and restore the

favourable conservation status of migratory species
populations and ensure their ecological connectivity
along the Central Asian Flyway.
➢ Central Asian Flyway Countries: Afghanistan,
Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh,
Bhutan, China, Georgia, India, Iran, Iraq,
Kazakhstan, Kuwait, Kyrgyzstan, Maldives,
Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, Oman, Pakistan, Qatar,
Russian Federation, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka,
Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, UAE, UK (British Indian
Ocean Territory), Uzbekistan, and Yemen.
➢ India has also launched the National Action Plan
for the conservation of migratory species under the
Central Asian Flyway in collaboration with the
United Nations Environment Programme.
➢ Populations of over 240 species of migratory birds
are in decline in the Central Asian Flyway, with 48
species listed as Globally Threatened or Near
Threatened. Several migratory birds in this flyway are
also culturally important to the communities that have
co-existed with them for hundreds of years — the
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 White Stork in Uzbekistan, the Black-Necked Crane in Bhutan and the Steppe Eagle
in Kazakhstan.
➢ India’s Initiative: The 14 species which will be listed in CMS appendices include
○ Eurasian Lynx, Peruvian Pelican, Pallas’s Cat, Guanaco, Laulao Catfish, Balkan Lynx,
Lahille’s Bottlenose Dolphin, Harbour Porpoise, Magellanic Plover, Bearded Vulture,
Blackchin Guitarfish, Bull Ray, Lusitanian Cownose Ray and Gilded Catfish.
Central Asian Flyway recognised to protect over 600 migratory bird species
Convention on Migratory Species or Bonn Convention:
➢ It is an intergovernmental treaty under the UNEP- popularly known as Bonn Convention.
➢ It was signed in 1979 and in force since 1983,India is also a party to CMS since 1983.
➢ It aims to conserve terrestrial, marine and avian migratory species throughout their range.
➢ It lays the legal foundation to conduct conservation measures on a global scale.
➢ The legal instruments under CMS may range from legally binding Agreements to less formal MoU.
➢ Two appendices under CMS:
➢ Appendix I lists ‘Threatened Migratory Species’.
➢ Appendix II lists ‘Migratory Species requiring international cooperation’.
➢ India has signed a non-legally binding Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with CMS on
conservation and management of Siberian Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008), and
Raptors (2016).

27. Shirui Lily festival:

➢ Manipur celebrates four-day fest featuring dance, food, music, traditional games and much
fanfare, at its heart, is the beautiful Shirui Lily, a unique species of ground lily that is
found only in Manipur.
➢ It is special because it is a species of ground lily found exclusively in the Shirui Hills,
located about 18 km from the district headquarters of Ukhrul, which is home to the
Tangkhul Naga tribe.
➢ In other words, it cannot be transplanted anywhere else in the world.
➢ The Manipur government declared Shirui Lily as the state flower in 1989, today it is
considered endangered owing to intense tourist activities and invasion of an invasive
bamboo species.
Why Manipur celebrates an annual festival in honour of this rare and unique lily | North East India
News - The Indian Express

28. Cloned rhesus monkey:

➢ Chinese scientists have announced that they have cloned a Rhesus monkey that lived
to adulthood.
➢ Two-year-old ReTro has made it to adulthood and this is the first time the species has been
cloned.
➢ The scientists created ReTro using a slightly modified version of the approach used to
create Dolly the Sheep and other mammals like the long-tailed macaque, which was
the first primate to be cloned.
➢ They replaced the placenta of the cloned embryo with that produced by a different kind of
embryo to reduce developmental issues that can affect survival while using fewer embryos
and surrogate animals.

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 ➢ The usual technique for cloning, used for Dolly and others, is called somatic cell
nuclear transfer (SCNT). With this technique, the nucleus of a body cell is transferred
into an egg cell whose nucleus has been removed. However, this usually results in
extremely low birth and survival rates for cloned embryos.
➢ To solve this low rate of success, the researchers developed a technique where they
replaced the SCNT “trophoblast,” the outer layer of cells in a developing embryo,
with that from ICSI embryos. Trophoblasts later form a major part of the placenta.
Because of this, the embryos developed a “natural placenta,”.
➢ The scientists believe that this new technique could be used to produce cloned primates
that can be used in drug testing and behavioural research
Trophoblast:
Trophoblasts are cells forming the outer layer of a blastocyst, which provides nutrients to the embryo, and
develops into a large part of the placenta. They are formed during the first stage of pregnancy and are the
first cells to differentiate from the fertilised egg.

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI):

Intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is a procedure that involves injecting a single sperm into an egg
using a microscope needle. The egg and sperm are then kept in a laboratory for 2–5 days to develop into
embryos. ICSI is a form of in vitro fertilisation (IVF) that's used to treat infertility, especially for couples with
severe male factor infertility or who have had previous IVF failures

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Cloned rhesus monkey reaches adulthood for the first time: His name is ReTro | Technology News
- The Indian Express
Cloned rhesus monkey created to speed medical research

29. Biodegradable water bottles:

➢ In a major step towards reducing plastic pollution, the Defence Food Research
Laboratory (DFRL) in Mysuru, part of the Defence Research and Development
Organisation (DRDO), has introduced a groundbreaking product: India's first
biodegradable water bottle.
➢ These new water bottles are made from a material called poly lactic acid (PLA), which is
known for being biodegradable. This means they can break down naturally and won't harm
the environment like regular plastic does. Every part of the bottle, including the cap and
label, is designed to be compostable. This makes them a much more environmentally
friendly option compared to the usual plastic bottles we use.
➢ Polylactic acid, also known as PLA, is a thermoplastic monomer derived from
renewable, organic sources such as corn starch or sugar cane. Using biomass resources
makes PLA production different from most plastics, which are produced using fossil fuels
through the distillation and polymerization of petroleum.
Mysore-based Defence Food Research Laboratory develops biodegradable water bottles - The
Hindu

30. Laughing Gull:

➢ The laughing gull, a migratory bird originating
from North America, has been observed for the
first time in the country at the Chittari estuary in
Kasaragod district of Kerala.
➢ The laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) is a species
of bird belonging to the family Laridae.The name
“laughing gull” comes from its distinctive call,
which sounds like laughter.
➢ These birds are most commonly found along the
Atlantic and Gulf coasts of North America, as well as the Caribbean and parts of Central
America.
➢ IUCN: Least Concern
➢ This discovery elevates the total count of bird species discovered in India to 1,367. The
Kasaragod district alone contributing 400 species to the state’s total count of 554.
➢ The Chittari estuary refers to a coastal area where a river meets the sea, forming a
brackish water environment. It is located in the Kasaragod district of Kerala, India.
➢ Chittari estuary encompasses a wide variety species of birds including lesser
black-backed gull, slender-Acted gull, brown-headed gull, great crested, lesser
crested tern, Caspian tern and others.
In a first in the country, laughing gull from North America spotted at Chittari estuary in
Kasaragod - The Hindu

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31. Senegal’s pink lake:
➢ Lake Retba is also known as Lac Rose (meaning
“pink lake”). It is located in Senegal.
➢ Lake Retba is separated only by some narrow dunes
from the Atlantic Ocean.
➢ The lake has high salinity content (comparable
to that of the Dead Sea).
➢ Why is the colour of lake pink?
➢ Its distinct pink colour is caused by the
Dunaliella salina bacteria. This is attracted by the
lake’s salt content.
➢ The bacteria produces a red pigment to absorb the
sunlight, thus giving the lake its unique colour.
➢ The Dunaliella salina bacteria is harmless to humans, and swimming in the lake is possible.
➢ Due to high salinity, many living organisms are not able to survive (Exceptions being
a few microscopic algae and bacteria).
Senegal’s pink lake is on the verge of disappearing — how to protect it

32. Snow Leopard:

➢ Context: The National Board for
Wildlife meeting in New Delhi witnessed
the release of the report on the Status of
Snow Leopards in India by the Union
Minister of Environment, Forest, and
Climate Change (MoEFCC).
➢ The SPAI Program is the first-ever
comprehensive scientific exercise aimed
at assessing the population of snow
leopards in India.
➢ Wildlife Institute of India (WII) served
as the National Coordinator for the
SPAI, with support from snow leopard
range states and conservation partners, the
Nature Conservation Foundation (NCF),
Mysuru and World Wildlife
Fund(WWF)-India.
➢ As per the assessment, India has an estimated 718 snow leopards in the wild:
➢ Ladakh (477) has the highest number of snow leopard, followed by
➢ Uttarakhand (124),
➢ Himachal Pradesh (51),
➢ Arunachal Pradesh (36),
➢ Sikkim (21), and
➢ Jammu and Kashmir (nine).
➢ India has around 10-15% of global population of snow leopard.

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Conservation ➢ IUCN List of Threatened Species: Vulnerable.
Status ➢ CITES: Appendix I.
➢ Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule-I.

Conservation ➢ The Government of India has identified the snow leopard as a flagship species for
efforts the high-altitude Himalayas.
➢ India is also party to the Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP)
Programme since 2013.
➢ HimalSanrakshak: It is a community volunteer programme, to protect snow leopards,
launched in October 2020.
➢ Project Snow Leopard (PSL): It was launched in 2009 to promote an inclusive and
participatory approach to conserve snow leopards and their habitat.
➢ Snow Leopard is included in the list of 21 critically endangered species for the
recovery programme of the Ministry of Environment Forest & Climate Change.

Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme:

➢ The GSLEP is a first-of-its-kind intergovernmental alliance for the conservation of the snow leopard
and its unique ecosystem.
➢ GSLEP was created in 2013 when officials, politicians and conservationists arrived at a common
conservation strategy enshrined in the Bishkek Declaration (2013) to cooperate in the conservation of
this species and its habitat.
➢ It is led by the environment ministers of 12 countries in Asia that form the home range of the snow
leopard.
➢ These are Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan,
Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan.
➢ The total range spans two million square kilometres.
➢ The GSLEP Program’s secretariat is based in Bishkek, and is hosted by the Ministry of Natural
Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic.

Recently Kyrgyzstan officially declared the snow leopard its national symbol,
demonstrating its commitment to conservation and ecological balance.

India has 718 snow leopards; most of them live in unprotected areas: Centre

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33. International Big Cats Alliance:
➢ Context: The Union Cabinet approved the establishment of International Big Cat
Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India with a one-time budgetary support of
Rs.150 crore for a period of five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.

➢ ‘Big Cat’ is a term that is used in informal speech to apply to any large species of the
family Felidae. Usually, it applies to the members of the genus Panthera. These include:
1. Tiger (Panthera tigris)
2. Lion (Panthera leo)
3. Jaguar (Panthera onca)
4. Leopard (Panthera pardus)
5. Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)
➢ All these cats can usually make vocalisations known as ‘roars’. The lion has the
loudest roar, which can be heard 8-10 kilometres away. The snow leopard, at one time, was
not included in this group. It was classified as Uncia uncia. Later, it was re-classified as part
of Panthera.
➢ Two other cats — Puma (Puma concolor) and Cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) — are not
part of Panthera. But they are usually included in most listings of ‘big cats’.
➢ Out of 7 big cats, India is home to 5: Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard and
Cheetah.
➢ Membership:
➢ Membership to the alliance will be open to 96 range countries.
➢ These are the countries which contain the natural habitat of these big cats.
➢ The alliance is also open to other countries, conservation organisations, scientific
organisations, businesses, and corporates interested in supporting big cats.
➢ So far, 16 countries have given their written consent to be part of the IBCA.
➢ In addition, nine international organisations, including the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the World Wildlife Fund (WWF) International,
have given consent to join the alliance.

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 ➢ The grouping’s structure will consist of an Assembly of Members, Standing Committee
and a Secretariat, with its headquarters in India.
➢ Its Framework of Agreement (statute) has been drafted largely on the pattern of the
International Solar Alliance, the idea for which too was floated by Prime Minister Modi
in 2015.
➢ The statute of IBCA will be finalised by an International Steering Committee (ISC)
➢ IBCA would work towards mitigating adverse effects of climate change. It will advocate
for policy initiatives that align biodiversity conservation efforts with local needs and
contribute towards the attainment of United Nations-mandated Sustainable Development
Goals within member countries.
International Big Cat Alliance headquarters will be in India; Centre allocates Rs 150 crore

34. Acid rain:

➢ Acid rain is rain with high levels of acidic substances
like sulfuric acid or nitric acid.
➢ It forms when emissions of sulphur dioxide (SO2)
and nitrogen oxides (NOx) released from burning
fossil fuels, industries, and human activities mix
with water vapour and chemicals in the air.
➢ These acidic pollutants combine with water droplets
in the atmosphere and then fall to the ground as
rain, snow, fog, or dry particles.
➢ PH of Acid rain is : 4.2 to 4.4
➢ What are the effects of acid rain on environment?
➢ Damage to vegetation
➢ Harm to aquatic ecosystems
➢ Soil degradation
➢ Governments across the globe are also working
together to reduce acid rain. For example, in Asia,
the Acid Deposition Monitoring Network in East Asia (EANET) operates to address
this issue.

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 ➢ INDIA is not part of EANET grouping.
➢ EANET was established in 2001 as an intergovernmental initiative to create a
common understanding on the state of acid deposition problems in East Asia,
provide useful inputs for decision making at various levels, and promote cooperation
among countries.
➢ In 2021, EANET expanded its scope to cover wider air pollution issues with the adoption
of the Annex to the EANET Instrument. At the same time, the EANET Project Fund was
established to encourage collaboration outside of the EANET network and mobilise more
resources.
➢ UN Environment Programme Asia Pacific is the Secretariat and the Asia Center for Air
Pollution Research (ACAP) located in Japan is the Network Center for EANET.

35. Atmospheric river and Pineapple express:

➢ The atmospheric river is a long, narrow band of moisture-filled air that transports
significant amounts of water vapour from the tropics to higher latitudes.
➢ The Atmospheric River is often associated with mT (Maritime Tropical) air mass.
➢ When these rivers make landfall, they release this moisture as intense precipitation,
which can manifest as either rain or snow depending on the altitude and temperature.

➢ The term "Pineapple Express" specifically refers to an atmospheric river that originates
near Hawaii and makes its way to the West Coast of the United States.

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 ➢ This atmospheric river is driven by a strong southern branch of the polar jet stream and
transports humid, warm mT air from as far away as the Hawaiian Islands .
➢ El Niño years tend to bring a higher level of moisture and make atmospheric rivers
along the West Coast of the U.S. more frequent.
https://www.indiatoday.in/science/story/atmospheric-river-could-drop-8-trillion-gallons-of-rain-
over-california-what-is-it-2497721-2024-02-05

36. Dusted Apollo Butterfly:

➢ Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus), a rare high-altitude butterfly has been
sighted and photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh.
➢ The distribution range of Dusted Apollo extends from Ladakh to West Nepal and it flies
between 3,500 to 4,800 metres in the inner Himalayas.
➢ Another rare species Regal Apollo (Parnassius charltonius) was also photographed at
Manimahesh, which is protected under Schedule II of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
Dusted Apollo, a rare high altitude butterfly, sighted for first time in Himachal’s Chamba - The
Hindu
37. Butterfly species endemic to Western Ghats:
➢ A new species of silverline butterfly has been identified in the biodiversity hotspots in
India’s Western Ghats and described in a new research paper.
➢ This unique species, named Cigaritis conjuncta or the “conjoined silverline”, was first
spotted in 2008 but came under extensive research in 2021.
➢ The researchers found five male and four female specimens of the conjoined silverline
butterfly in Honey valley, Kodagu district of Karnataka.
New butterfly species endemic to Western Ghats discovered in Karnataka

38. Paintbrush Swift Butterfly:

➢ A species of butterfly that is rare in the western Himalayas, the paintbrush swift
butterfly has been photographed and documented for the first time in Himachal Pradesh’s
Chamba district.
➢ The State supports around 430 butterfly species or about 25% of the total number of
butterfly species found in India.
➢ The paintbrush swift (Baoris farri), a butterfly species of the Hesperiidae family, was
sighted and photographed in the second week of October this year during a field survey
conducted under the Wild Bhattiyat Project initiated by the Bhattiyat Forest Range of the
Dalhousie Forest Division of the Himachal Pradesh Forest Department in 2022.
Paintbrush swift butterfly is photographed for the first time in Himachal Pradesh - The
Hindu
Eight Indian States have declared State Butterflies in India.
➢ Maharashtra: Blue Mormon (First State to declare a State butterfly)
➢ Uttarakhand: Common Peacock
➢ Karnataka: Southern Birdwings (Largest Butterfly in India)
➢ Kerala: Malabar banded Peacock.
➢ Tamil Nadu: Tamil Yeoman
➢ Arunachal Pradesh: Kaisar-i-Hind
➢ Goa: Malabar Tree Nymph (Black & White Wing pattern)
➢ Sikkim: Blue Duke

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39. Namdapha flying squirrel:
➢ Context: Recently, a Namdapha flying squirrel has
resurfaced in Arunachal Pradesh after going missing
for 42 years.
➢ It is a rare nocturnal flying squirrel species found in
the Namdapha Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh,
India.
➢ It is distinct from the red giant flying squirrel
(Petaurista petaurista), another species in the same
ecosystem, primarily due to the prominent tuft of
hair on its ears.
➢ The difficulty in locating this species led to concerns that it might have been mistaken for
the red giant flying squirrel or, worse, faced extinction.
➢ IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
➢ Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022: Schedule I
➢ Namdapha is in fact the name of a river which originates from Dapha Bum (Dapha is
the name of hill, Bum means peak of hill) and meets Noa-Dihing river. This river flows
right across in a North-South direction of the National Park and hence the name
Namdapha has been given.
Missing for 42 years, flying squirrel resurfaces in Arunachal - The Hindu

40. Greater Scaup Duck[Sadangman]:

➢ Context: A rare species of duck, Greater Scaup,
was recently sighted in Loktak lake in
Manipur after a gap of over 90 years.
➢ The Greater scaup is locally known as
Sadangman. It is a medium-sized diving duck
species that belongs to the family of Anatidae.
➢ The greater scaup species is distributed in Asia,
Europe, the United States and Canada.
➢ It is a rare visitor to the Indian Subcontinent.
➢ The greater scaup species are highly migratory, breeding near arctic regions and
migrating to the warmer south from August onwards.
➢ IUCN Red List: Least concern
Rare species of duck sighted in Manipur’s Loktak lake after over 90 years | North East India News -
The Indian Express

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41. Humboldt’s Enigma:
➢ Given by Alexander von Humboldt's observations, it questions the conventional notion
that tropical regions, fueled by ample sunlight, are the primary centres of
biodiversity on Earth.
➢ What is Humboldt’s enigma?:
➢ The world’s tropical areas receive more energy from the Sun because of the earth’s
angle of inclination. So the tropics have greater primary productivity, which then facilitates
greater diversity: more ecological niches become available, creating more complex
ecosystems and greater biological diversity.
➢ Humboldt’s enigma proposes that biodiversity isn’t confined solely to Earth’s tropical
regions.
➢ It suggests that various regions beyond the tropics, such as mountainous areas, also
exhibit significant biodiversity.
➢ For example- In case of India, the biodiversity isn’t confined only to the tropical regions
of MP, Chhattisgarh and Western Ghats but also the regions like eastern Himalayas
also serve as regions of abundant biodiversity, where variations in climate and a diverse
geological makeup contribute to abundant biodiversity.
➢ Some scientists have even suggested this part of the mountain range is the second-most
diverse area of perching birds in the world. For river birds, the eastern Himalaya may
be the most diverse.
➢ What drives biodiversity?
● The history of the earth, its geography, and the climate are the main drivers of
mountain diversity.
● Different biodiversity at different locations results from changes in how these factors
have intermingled over time and space.
● Mountains host two processes that generate biodiversity.
○ First, geological processes, like uplifts, result in new habitats where new species arise,
so the habitats are ‘cradles’.
○ Second, species on some climatologically stable mountains persist for a long, so these
spots are ‘museums’ that accumulate many such species over time.
➢ Coastal tropical sky islands (mountains surrounded by lowlands), like the Shola
Sky Islands in the Western Ghats, are a good example.
➢ Here, old lineages have persisted on the mountain tops as climates and
habitats fluctuated around them in the lower elevations.
➢ This is why some of the oldest bird species in the Western Ghats, such as the
Sholicola and the Montecincla, are housed on the Shola Sky Islands.
● Sometimes, the same mountain can be a cradle for some species and a museum for
others, depending on the species’ ecologies: The northern Andes range – including
Chimborazo – is considered the most biodiverse place in the world. If we start from the
foothills of the Andes and climb, we’re going to encounter different temperatures and rainfall
levels that support everything from tropical evergreen biomes in the lower elevation to the
alpine and tundra biomes near the top. Such a large variation over short distances supports
the immense biodiversity found in mountain regions – and worldwide.
What is Humboldt’s enigma and what does it mean for India? | Explained - The Hindu

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42. Hindu Kush Himalaya:
➢ The Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH), one of the most biodiverse regions on Earth, is a
‘biosphere on the brink’
➢ Experts from The International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development
(ICIMOD) called for ‘bold action’ and ‘urgent finance’ to prevent collapse of nature in
High Mountain Asia.
➢ Four of the world’s 36 global biodiversity hotspots are in this region. Two of the
global 200 eco regions, 575 Protected Areas, 335 important bird areas
➢ Himalaya, Indo-Burma, Mountains of Southwest China, and Mountains of Central
Asia
➢ High Mountain Asia comprises of mountain ranges such as the Tian Shan, Kunlun Shan,
Pamir, Karakoram, Hindu Kush, and of course, the Tibetan Plateau and the Himalayas.
➢ HKH, which stretches 3,500 kilometres and spans eight countries, is home to most of
the snow and ice on Earth outside the poles. At least 12 rivers fan out in every direction
across the Asian continent from it:
1. Syr Darya and Amu Darya towards the now-dead Aral Sea
2. The Tarim toward the Taklamakan
3. The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra towards the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
4. The Yellow river towards the Gulf of Bohai
5. The Yangtze towards the East China Sea
6. The Mekong towards the South China Sea
7. The Chindwin, Salween and Irrawaddy towards the Andaman Sea
➢ The ‘Water Tower of Asia’ provides essential ecosystem services such as clean water
for a third of the world’s population. It is estimated to be warming at nearly two times
the average rate of warming in the Northern Hemisphere.
➢ ICIMOD is a regional intergovernmental organisation established in 1983 and
working towards a greener, more inclusive, and climate resilient Hindu Kush
Himalaya.

Hindu Kush Himalaya is a ‘biosphere on the brink’: ICIMOD

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43. Global Biodiversity Framework Fund:
➢ The Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF) has been officially ratified and
inaugurated during the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF)
held in Vancouver, Canada.
Establishment Ratified and inaugurated during the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment
Facility (GEF).

Purpose Channels financial resources to achieve goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global

Biodiversity Framework established by the Convention on Biological Diversity
(CBD), by the year 2030.

Financial Canada: 200 million Canadian dollars, United Kingdom: 10 million pounds.
Contributions

Alignment with Accelerates progress towards halting biodiversity decline by 2030.

Framework

Inclusivity and Allocates up to 20% for projects led by Indigenous communities.

Indigenous
Initiatives

Focus on Vulnerable Over a third of resources dedicated to support Small Island Developing States.
Nations
➢ The GEF was established on the eve of the 1992 Rio Earth Summit.
➢ It is a family of funds dedicated to confronting biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution,
and strains on land and ocean health.
➢ It has a unique governing structure organised around an Assembly, the Council, the
Secretariat, 18 agencies, a Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel, and the Evaluation
Office.
➢ It provides Financial Assistance for five major International Conventions:
➢ The Minamata Convention on Mercury (signed in 2013 and entered into force in 2017).
➢ The Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) (adopted in 2001 and
entered into force in 2004).
➢ The United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD ) (entered into force in
1993).
➢ The United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) (adopted in 1994).
➢ The United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) (signed in 1992
and entered into force in 1994).
➢ It has 184 member countries, including India.
➢ Its secretariat is based in Washington, D.C.
➢ The World Bank serves as the GEF Trustee, administering the GEF Trust Fund
(contributions by donors).
➢ The Council, the GEF's main governing body, comprises 32 members appointed by
constituencies of GEF member countries (14 from developed countries, 16 from
developing countries, and two from economies in transition).
➢ India has formed a permanent Constituency in the Executive Council of the GEF together
with Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Bhutan, Nepal and Maldives.
7th GEF Assembly: Member countries get together to ratify Global Biodiversity Framework Fund

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 44. Brumation:
➢ Brumation refers to a state of dormancy or reduced activity in reptiles, akin to
hibernation in mammals, typically occurring in colder months with limited food
availability and is a natural part of their cycle.
➢ Reptiles are cold-blooded vertebrates. (Vertebrates have backbones.) They have dry
skin covered with scales or bony plates and usually lay soft-shelled eggs.
➢ Reptiles retreat to sheltered areas like burrows or rock crevices, slowing metabolism
to endure extended periods without eating.
➢ Researchers have documented instances of brumation in various reptilian species,
including turtles, snakes, and lizards, each exhibiting unique behaviours to cope with
adverse conditions.
➢ It assists reptiles in surviving cold temperatures and food scarcity by conserving
resources until warmer conditions return. It enables improved feeding and reproduction
opportunities.
Aspect Hibernation Estivation Brumation

Definition It is a winter dormancy Estivation, or aestivation, It is winter dormancy state

state in warm-blooded is summer dormancy observed in cold-blooded reptiles
mammals characterised by prompted by high and amphibians, particularly in
reduced metabolism and temperatures and dry temperate regions, in response to
lowered body temperature conditions. cold temperatures.
in response to cold and
scarce food.

Examples Bears, bats, and certain Animals like amphibians, snakes, turtles, and lizards.
rodents. reptiles, and invertebrates,
including snails and
earthworms.

Brumation: Winter is coming for reptiles - The Hindu.

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 45. Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023:
➢ Recently, Parliament passed the Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023,
amending the Biological Diversity Act of 2002.
➢ The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 was enacted in response to India's commitments under
the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) of 1992.
➢ The CBD recognizes that countries have the right to control their biological
resources and sets the stage for regulating access to these resources based on
national legislation.
➢ To effectively manage biological resources and associated traditional knowledge, the Act
establishes a three-tier structure:
➢ The National Biodiversity Authority (NBA) at the national level
➢ State Biodiversity Boards (SBBs) at the state level
➢ Biodiversity Management Committees (BMCs) at the local level.
➢ India has ratified all 3 protocols:
➢ Nagoya protocol on benefit sharing
➢ Cartagena protocol on biosafety.
➢ Nagoya Kuala Lumpur supplementary protocol on liability
Provisions The Biological Diversity Act, 2002 Amendments to the 2002 Act

Access to The Act requires anyone seeking to access The Act modifies the classification of
Biological biological resources or associated knowledge in entities and activities that require
Resources India to obtain prior approval or inform the intimation, while also introducing
regulatory authority about their intent. exemptions to certain cases.

Intellectual Concerning Intellectual Property Rights (IPR), The Act suggests that approval will be
Property Rights the Act currently demands NBA approval before required before the actual grant of the
applying for IPR IPR, not during the application process.

Exempting It seeks to exempt registered AYUSH

AYUSH medical practitioners and people accessing
Practitioners codified traditional knowledge, among
others, from giving prior intimation to
State biodiversity boards for accessing
biological resources.

Benefit Sharing The Act mandates benefit sharing, which The Act removes the applicability of
involves sharing both monetary and benefit sharing requirements from
non-monetary benefits with those who research, bio-survey, and
conserve biodiversity or hold traditional bio-utilisation.
knowledge associated with it.
NBA determines the terms of benefit sharing
when granting approvals for various activities.

Criminal The Act imposes criminal penalties, including The Act, on the other hand,
Penalties imprisonment, for offences such as not decriminalises these offences and
obtaining approval or intimation for specific introduces fines ranging from one lakh
activities. to fifty lakh rupees instead

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Expansion of Requires NBA to have 10 ex officio members ● 16 ex officio members representing the
NBA apart from the Chairman. Ministries like Tribal Affairs,
5 non-official members to be appointed from Biotechnology etc.
amongst specialists (including legal) and ● 4 representatives from SSB.
scientist ● 5 non-official members amongst
specialists (including legal) and
scientists.
● 1 Member-Secretary (must have
experience in biodiversity
conservation), who will be the chief
coordinating officer of the NBA

People Biodiversity Register:

● The People's Biodiversity Register serves as a comprehensive record of various aspects of biodiversity,
including conservation of habitats, preservation of land races, folk varieties, and cultivars,
domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, and micro-organisms.
● Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) are created as per the Biological Diversity Act 2002
for promoting conservation, sustainable use, and documentation of biological diversity.
● Local bodies in the states and union territories constitute BMCs, which are entrusted with the
preparation of People's Biodiversity Registers in consultation with local communities.
● The National Biodiversity Authority and State Biodiversity Boards shall provide guidance and
technical support to the Biodiversity Management Committees (BMC) for preparing PBRs.

46. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission:

➢ Context: The Department of Fisheries, Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry &
Dairying, GoI is organising the 19th Working Party on Data Collection and Statistics
(WPDCS19) of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (IOTC) from 28th November to 2nd
December 2023. The meeting inaugurated today at Hotel St. Regis, Mumbai,
Maharashtra.
➢ It is an intergovernmental organisation mandated to sustainably manage highly
migratory (tuna and tuna-like) fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean.
➢ The Agreement for the Establishment of the Indian Ocean Tuna Commission was
adopted by the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations at the 105th
Session in Rome on 25 November 1993.
➢ The Indian Ocean is the second largest tuna fishery in the world.
➢ The IOTC currently has 31 contracting parties who are members of the IOTC and two
Cooperating non-Contracting Parties, Liberia and Senegal.
➢ Membership of the IOTC is open to:
➢ Indian Ocean coastal countries
➢ countries, or regional economic integration organisations, that are members of the UN
➢ countries that are members of UN special organisations
➢ countries that fish for tuna in the Indian Ocean
➢ India is a member of this organisation.
➢ Headquarters: Victoria, Seychelle

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 ➢ Tunas are elongated, robust, and streamlined fishes; they have a rounded body that tapers
to a slender tail base and a forked or crescent-shaped tail. They are related to mackerels
and are placed with them in the family Scombridae.
19th Working Party on Data Collection and Statistics of the Indian Ocean Tuna
Commission inaugurates today at Mumbai

47. Tiger Reserves,Critical Tiger Habitats,Critical Wildlife Habitats:

➢ Launched in 1973, Project Tiger introduced India’s Tiger Reserves.
➢ From an administrative category arbitrarily constituted and administered by the forest
bureaucracy, Tiger Reserves became a statutory category in 2006.
➢ From only nine Reserves in 1973 encompassing 9,115 sq. km, there are 55 in 18 States,
occupying 78,135.956 sq. km, or 2.38% of India’s total land area.
➢ Critical Tiger Habitats (CTH) cover 42,913.37 sq. km, or 26% of the area under
National Parks and Wildlife Sanctuaries.
➢ The first tiger census, in 1972, used the unreliable pug-mark method to count 1,827
tigers. As of 2022, the more reliable camera-trap method indicated there were
3,167-3,925. India’s tiger population is growing at 6.1% a year, prompting the government
to claim India is now home to three-quarters of the world’s tigers.
➢ In the 1972 – India enacted the Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA). It introduced new
spatial fixtures within notified forests, called ‘National Parks’, where the rights of
forest-dwellers were removed and vested with the State government. It also created
‘Wildlife Sanctuaries’, where only some permitted rights could be exercised.
➢ Earlier The government created the ‘Critical Tiger Habitat’ to vouchsafe a part of
India’s forests for tiger-centric agendas. Beyond each CTH would be a Buffer Area: a
mix of forest and non-forest land. But even though the latter had an inclusive,
people-oriented agenda, the overall ‘fortress conservation’ approach to protecting
tigers displaced people who had coexisted with tigers for generations, and became
ground zero for generations of conflict.
➢ Parliament amended WLPA in September 2006 to create the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA) and a tiger conservation plan. However, the CTH
remained inviolate; the Act modified forest-dwellers’ use of the forest – mostly tribals –
and planned to relocate them if required.
➢ The following four steps are involved in the notification of Tiger reserve in India:.
➢ State Proposal: The state of India which want to establish the tiger reserve sends a
proposal to the NTCA.
➢ In-principle approval: NTCA communicates in-principle approval, soliciting detailed
proposals from State under section 38V of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
➢ National Tiger Conservation Authority recommends the proposal to the State after due
diligence.
➢ The State Government notifies the area as a Tiger Reserve.
➢ Funding pattern: Centre provides financial assistance to States of 60% and 50% for
expenditure on all nonrecurring items and recurring items respectively. North-eastern and
Himalayan States are provided 90% central assistance in both cases.
➢ The government also enacted the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest
Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 – a.k.a. FRA. FRA recognised all
customary and traditional forest rights – individual as well as community – on all

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 forest land, including in Tiger Reserves. Under the Act, the habitation-level Gram
Sabha was to democratically determine and demarcate the forest rights that FRA
recognised and vested in them. The Gram Sabhas became the authority to protect,
conserve, and manage the forest, wildlife, and biodiversity within their customary and
traditional boundaries.
➢ Importantly, FRA introduced a ‘Critical Wildlife Habitat’ (CWH), akin to the CTH
under WLPA, with one difference: once a CWH had been notified, it couldn’t be
diverted for non-forestry purposes. The Adivasi movements had demanded this
clause during negotiations.
➢ Originally, Tiger Reserves were to be created in a democratic process, “on the basis of
scientific and objective criteria” and without any arbitrariness. The tiger conservation
plan was similarly required to “ensure the agricultural, livelihood, development and other
interests of the people living in tiger-bearing forests or a tiger reserve.”
➢ The problem is that all of India’s Tiger Reserves have been notified without meeting
these requirements. The government hasn’t obtained informed consent from
forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribe communities and other traditional communities.
The result: both tigers and forest-dwellers have been trapped in a tough spot, conducive to
the creation of conflict.
➢ WLPA prohibits all relocation except “voluntary relocation on mutually agreed terms
and conditions” satisfying requirements in the law. Once FRA recognises people’s
rights under FRA, the State acquires those rights according to the terms of the Right
to Fair Compensation and Transparency in Land Acquisition, Rehabilitation and
Resettlement (LARR) Act 2013:
➢ No relocation can happen without the consent of the affected communities. LARR also
requires the rehabilitation package to provide financial compensation as well as secure
livelihoods to those relocated.
➢ Next, under LARR, the government needs to compensate the relocated people to the
extent of including twice the market value of the land, the value of assets attached to
the land including trees and plants, a subsistence allowance for a year, a one-time financial
assistance for relocation, building materials, belongings, and cattle.
➢ The resettlement plan also includes the provision of alternative fuel, fodder, and non-timber
forest produce resources on non-forest land, electric connections, roads, drainage and
sanitation, safe drinking water, water for cattle etc.
Critical Tiger ● These are core areas of tiger reserves and are identified under the Wild Life
Habitat Protection Act (WLPA), 1972 based on scientific evidence.
● Such areas are required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of tiger conservation,
without affecting the rights of the Scheduled Tribes or such other forest dwellers.
● The notification of CTH is done by the state government in consultation with
the expert committee constituted for the purpose.

Critical Wildlife ● Critical ‘wildlife’ habitats (CWLHs), on the other hand, are defined only in the
Habitat Forest Rights Act, 2006.
● CWLHs are meant to be areas of national parks and wildlife sanctuaries that are
required to be kept as inviolate for the purpose of wildlife conservation (not just
tigers).
● Similar to CTH, the identification of CWLH is done based on scientific and objective
criteria, but it mandatorily requires settlement of forest rights under FRA.

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 ● Unlike CTHs, the notification of CWLHs can only be done with the consent of
the Gram Sabhas and affected stakeholders.
● Post notification, the forest rights in CWLHs can be modified or resettled subject to
certain conditions.
The government has trapped Project Tiger, now 50, in a tough spot | Explained - The Hindu
Community forest rights in critical tiger habitats under threat

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48. Arctic Ocean “Blue Ocean Event”:
➢ The Arctic has been experiencing climate heating faster than any other part of the planet.
➢ The ice which remains at the end of summer is called multiyear sea ice and is
considerably thicker than its seasonal counterpart. It acts as barrier to the transfer of
both moisture and heat between the ocean and atmosphere. Over the past 40 years this
multiyear sea ice has shrunk from around 7 million sq. km to 4 million. That is a loss
equivalent to roughly the size of India or 12 UKs.
➢ When the Arctic Ocean might first become ice-free in summer, sometimes called a
“blue ocean event” and defined as when the sea ice area drops below 1 million sq.
km.
➢ This threshold is used mainly because older, thicker ice along parts of Canada and northern
Greenland is expected to remain long after the rest of the Arctic Ocean is ice-free.
➢ But Arctic sea ice is an important component of the climate system. As it dramatically
reduces the amount of sunlight absorbed by the ocean, removing this ice is predicted
to further accelerate warming, through a process known as a positive feedback. This,
in turn, will make the Greenland ice sheet melt faster, which is already a major contributor
to sea level rise. The loss of sea ice in summer would also mean changes in atmospheric
circulation and storm tracks, and fundamental shifts in ocean biological activity.
Arctic Ocean could be ice-free in summer by 2030s, say scientists - The Hindu

49. Impact of Climate Change on Ocean’s:

➢ Since the Industrial Revolution kicked off in the 19th Century, human activities such as
burning fossil fuels have released high levels of greenhouse gases (GHGs) in the
atmosphere. Carbon dioxide, methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide are some of the
notable GHGs, which essentially trap heat in the atmosphere and contribute to
global warming. As a result, the average global temperature has risen at least 1.2
degree Celsius above pre-industrial times.

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 ➢ Notably, almost 90 per cent of the extra heat trapped by GHGs has been absorbed by
the oceans, making them steadily warmer over the decades.
➢ Apart from global warming, there are other factors which have led to a spike in ocean
temperatures. For instance, El Niño — a weather pattern that refers to an abnormal
warming of surface waters in the equatorial Pacific Ocean — has contributed to both
ocean warming and rising global surface temperatures.
➢ There is also less dust blowing off the Sahara Desert recently due to
weaker-than-average winds. Typically, the dust forms a “giant umbrella that shades”
the Atlantic water and reduces ocean temperatures.
Warming up to climate change: Why do global sea surface temperatures matter? |
Explained News - The Indian Express

50. 4th Coral Mass Bleaching

Event:
➢ According to the U.S. National
Oceanic and Atmospheric
Administration (NOAA), the world is
on the brink of a fourth mass coral
bleaching event, potentially the
worst in history. This event, fueled by
climate change and the El Niño
climate pattern, has already impacted
regions like the Great Barrier Reef and
the Caribbean.
➢ The GBR is the world's largest coral
reef system. It's located in the Coral
Sea off the coast of Queensland,
Australia.
➢ The GBR is home to 400 types of
coral, and 1,500 species of fish. It's
also home to endangered species such
as the dugong and the large green
turtle. The GBR is a UNESCO World
Heritage site and was inscribed in
1981.
➢ Factors for Coral Bleaching:
➢ Warmer water temperatures can
trigger coral bleaching, causing
corals to expel the algae (zooxanthellae) living in their tissues and turn white.
➢ Bleached coral isn't dead, but weakened and susceptible to starvation and disease. Persistent
stress can lead to coral death.
➢ Cold water temperatures, pollution, runoff, and extreme low tides can also induce coral
bleaching, highlighting the multifaceted nature of this phenomenon.
➢ Rising ocean temperatures, exacerbated by climate change and El nino.
➢ Ocean acidification – which is when the pH of the water drops as more carbon dioxide dissolves
in it – is another well-known cause

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 ➢ Coral bleaching matters because it threatens coral reef ecosystems, which are home to 25%
of marine species. The loss of coral reefs would devastate marine biodiversity and the
human communities that depend on these ecosystems for livelihoods, food security, and
coastal protection.
➢ Coral reefs have significant economic implications. They generate billions of dollars
annually through tourism, fisheries, and coastal protection. Degraded reefs are less able to
support these industries, threatening the livelihoods of communities that rely on them.
➢ Scientists and conservationists are exploring innovative approaches to protect coral
reefs:
➢ Cloud brightening over the Great Barrier Reef to reduce heat stress
➢ Establishing coral nurseries to propagate and transplant resilient coral species
➢ Cross-breeding heat-tolerant coral hybrids
➢ Cryopreservation to preserve coral genetic diversity
➢ Developing techniques to accelerate coral reproduction and growth
➢ Biorock is a novel technology to create an artificial coral reef ,it is a method that
applies safe, low voltage electrical currents through seawater, causing dissolved
minerals to crystallise on structures, growing into a white limestone (CaCo3) similar
to that which naturally makes up coral reefs and tropical white sand beaches.
➢ Degraded reef could be enriched by replaying healthy reef sounds, and increasing the
rate at which polyps settled in it.
Can ‘good sounds’ help coral islands recover from bleaching? - The Hindu
Fourth global mass coral bleaching? Great Barrier Reef severely affected, corals seen dying

Distribution of Corals in India

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 51. Coral Reef Breakthrough:
➢ Context: The International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI), has launched the Coral Reef
Breakthrough in partnership with the Global Fund for Coral Reefs (GFCR) and the
High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC).
➢ The Coral Reef Breakthrough is a science-based initiative with clear goals for the state
and non-state actors to collectively conserve, protect, and restore coral reefs, safeguarding
their vital contributions to humanity's future.
➢ The Coral Reef Breakthrough aims to secure the future of at least 125,000 km2 of
shallow-water tropical coral reefs with investments of at least USD 12 billion to
support the resilience of more than half a billion people globally by 2030.
International Coral Reef Initiative (ICRI) It is a global partnership between Nations and organisations that
strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world.The Initiative was founded in 1994 by
eight governments: Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, the Philippines, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the
United States of America. It was announced at the First Conference of the Parties of the Convention on
Biological Diversity,1994.ICRI has 101 members, including 45 countries (India is one of them).

52. High Seas Treaty:

➢ Context: The Blue Leaders High-Level Event on Biodiversity Beyond National
Jurisdiction took place in Belgium, encouraging nations to ratify the Marine Biodiversity
of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) treaty.

➢ The high seas comprise 64 per cent of the ocean surface, and about 43 per cent of the
Earth. These areas are home to about 2.2 million marine species and up to a trillion
different kinds of microorganisms, according to the Deep Ocean Stewardship Initiative
(DOSI).

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 ➢ The High Seas Treaty will work as an implementation agreement under the UNCLOS,
much like the Paris Agreement works under the UN Framework Convention on Climate
Change (UNFCCC).
➢ UNCLOS defined the rights and duties of countries in the oceans, the extent of ocean
areas over which countries could claim sovereignty, and the legal status of marine
resources.
➢ It also specified a set of general rules for a range of activities in the oceans including
navigation, scientific research, and deep-sea mining.
➢ The treaty established exclusive economic zones (EEZ), ocean areas up to 200
nautical miles (370 km) from the coastline, where a country would have exclusive
rights over all economic resources such as fish, oil, minerals, and gas. The high seas
are the areas beyond the EEZ of any country.
➢ The High Seas Treaty has main objectives:
➢ Demarcation of marine protected areas (MPAs), rather like there are protected
forests or wildlife areas;
➢ Sustainable use of marine genetic resources and equitable sharing of benefits
arising from them.
➢ Initiation of the practice of environmental impact assessments for all major
activities in the oceans; and
➢ Capacity building and technology transfer.
➢ Also calls for setting up of a Conference of Parties to oversee and enforce
compliance with treaty’s terms
➢ This aligns with the 30x30 target, it is a global commitment to protect at least 30%
of the planet for nature by 2030. It was agreed upon at the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) at the Conference of Parties (COP15) to the UN Convention on Biological
Diversity in 2022 and is included in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
➢ MPAs are where ocean systems, including biodiversity, are under stress, either due to
human activities or climate change. These can be called the national parks or wildlife
reserves of the oceans.Only about 1.44 per cent of high seas are currently protected,
according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)
➢ So far, 88 countries have signed the treaty, with Chile and Palau being the only two
to have ratified it. However, at least 60 ratifications are necessary for it to come into
force.
The High Seas Treaty: Key provisions, and the challenges it faces | Explained News - The
Indian Express

53. Global Declaration for River Dolphins:

➢ Context: In a ground-breaking development, 11 Asian and South American countries
recently signed a global declaration, the "Global Declaration for River Dolphins," aimed
at preserving the world's six remaining river dolphin species.
➢ Countries that adopted the declaration include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil,
Cambodia, Colombia, Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela.
➢ In September of last year, 154 river dolphins perished in Lake Tefé in the Brazilian
Amazon, reminding conservationists of the urgency required to protect threatened
freshwater cetaceans

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 ➢ The Six Surviving River Dolphin Species
include: Amazon, Ganges, Indus,
Irrawaddy, Tucuxi, and the Yangtze
finless porpoise.
➢ According to WWF, the declaration
focuses on halting and reversing the
decline of all river dolphin
populations, creating a network of
protected and well-managed river
habitats and promoting research on
these marine mammals. It also calls for
collaborating with local communities and
Indigenous people, as well as eradicating
unsustainable fishing practices, among
other issues.
➢ The Chinese river dolphin was deemed 'probably extinct' in 2007.
➢ As per the IUCN Red list, Yangtze finless porpoise are classified as Critically Endangered.
➢ Amazon, Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy and Tucuxi are labelled as Endangered.
➢ In India we can find three river dolphins:Gangetic,Indus,Irrawaddy
Nine countries sign global pact to protect endangered river dolphins.

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54. Belem Declaration:
➢ The Belem Declaration released during the Amazon Summit recognises Indigenous
knowledge as a condition for biodiversity conservation and calls for ensuring full
and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples in decision-making and public
policy formulation processes.
➢ Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) is an international organisation “aimed
at the promotion of sustainable development of the Amazon Basin”.
➢ Leaders from the eight countries across the Amazon, including Bolivia, Brazil,
Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela, failed to agree on the
goal to protect the rainforest at the ongoing Amazon Summit organised by the Amazon
Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO).
➢ Colombia had proposed that 80 per cent of the Amazon should be protected from
deforestation and degradation by 2025 but did not find support from all the members.
Belem Declaration: Amazon countries fail to agree on protection goals

55. Yaounde Declaration:

➢ In a historic gathering in Cameroon’s capital Yaoundé, African health ministers,
global malaria partners, funding agencies, scientists, civil society organisations and
other principal malaria stakeholders pledged to end malaria deaths, especially given
the tools and systems available.
➢ The 11 countries that signed the declaration are: Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the
Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ghana, Mali, Mozambique, Niger, Nigeria, Sudan,
Uganda and Tanzania. These countries carry roughly 70% of the global malaria burden.
➢ It was signed at the Yaoundé conference, co-hosted by the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the Government of Cameroon.
➢ In signing the declaration, they expressed their “unwavering commitment to the
accelerated reduction of malaria mortality” and “to hold each other and our countries
accountable for the commitments outlined in this declaration.”
Yaounde Declaration: Health ministers of 11 African countries commit to end malaria
deaths

56. Ecocide:
➢ There is no accepted legal definition of ecocide, but a panel of lawyers in June 2021 for
Stop Ecocide Foundation prepared a ‘historic’ 165-word articulation that, if accepted,
would locate environmental destruction in the same category as crimes against humanity.
Ecocide, they proposed, is the “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge
that there is a substantial likelihood of severe and either widespread or long-term
damage to the environment being caused by those acts.”
➢ In 2010, a British lawyer played a pivotal role by urging the United Nations'
International Criminal Court (ICC) to officially acknowledge ecocide as an
international crime.
➢ Currently, the Rome Statute of the ICC addresses four major offenses: genocide, crimes
against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression as a international crime.
➢ The provision related to war crimes is the sole statute that can hold a wrongdoer
accountable for environmental destruction, but only if it is intentionally caused during
times of armed conflict.

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 ➢ None of the existing international criminal laws protect the environment as an end
in itself, and that’s what the crime of ecocide does.
➢ The Federal Parliament of Belgium has made history by becoming the first country
in the European Continent to recognise ‘ecocide’ as a national as well as an
international crime.
➢ Ecocide is a crime in 12 countries, with nations mulling laws around criminalising
environmental damage that is wilfully caused and harms humans, animals and plant
species.
➢ What is India's Stance on Criminalising Ecocide?
➢ Ecocide as Law: Some Indian court judgments have referenced the term
'ecocide,' the concept has not been formally incorporated into Indian law.
➢ Chandra CFS and Terminal Operators Pvt. Ltd. v. The Commissioner of Customs
(2015): The court noted that certain sections of people have been continuing ecocide
by removing valuable timbers.
➢ T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad vs Union Of India & Ors (1997): Supreme Court
called attention to an “anthropogenic bias” and argued that “environmental justice
could be achieved only if we drift away from the principle of anthropocentric to
ecocentric.”
➢ However, India has yet to take concrete steps towards enacting legislation specifically
targeting ecocide.
➢ Existing Legal Framework: India's environmental legal framework includes statutes
like the Environmental (Protection) Act of 1986, The Wild Life (Protection)
Amendment Act, 2022, and the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016
(CAMPA).
➢ Despite these laws, there remains a gap in addressing ecocidal activities directly,
necessitating the incorporation of ecocide as a distinct criminal offence.
➢ Further, the National Green Tribunal, India’s apex environmental regulatory body,
does not hold jurisdiction to hear matters relating to the Wildlife (Protection) Act,
1972, the Indian Forest Act, 1927 and other State-enacted laws.
Explained | The global push to make ecocide a crime - The Hindu
Cockpit of Europe: Belgium leads continent in becoming first to recognise ‘ecocide’ as crime

57. Gujarat’s ban on the invasive Conocarpus:

➢ The Gujarat government last month banned a fast-growing decorative exotic species
of the Conocarpus plant, becoming the second state after Telangana to do so.
➢ Conocarpus is ill-advised on four counts:
➢ The pollen could cause asthma and cough;
➢ Its roots penetrate deep and damage underground sewage and freshwater pipelines as also
telecom wires.
➢ It is a water guzzler and an
➢ Invasive species that can overpower indigenous species over time.
➢ Conocarpus is a mangrove shrub found in shorelines and river beds in subtropical
and tropical regions. It is a rich green plant that is easy to manage and prune, low on
maintenance, grows up to 20 metres in height within a few months and is known to
expand through multiple trunks. Given the ease of maintenance, the cost of multiplying
it is reasonably low, making it a favourite of horticulturists and urban landscape designers.

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 Besides, cattle do not find it palatable, even though it is an effervescent plant that
withstands the dry heat of India’s western states.
➢ The carbon sequestration of Conocarpus is considered very high given that it is a
leafy tall shrub—a much-needed relief in urban concrete jungles these days, he adds.
➢ Conocarpus is not the first or the only exotic invasive species to be widely used by
horticulturists for urban forestry and landscaping. The most widespread is Prosopis
Juliflora, known as Gando Baval in Gujarati and Vilayati Kikar in Hindi.
https://www.indiatoday.in/india-today-insight/story/why-gujarats-ban-on-the-invasive-co
nocarpus-plant-may-be-futile-2444428-2023-10-04

58. Climate Tipping Points:

➢ According to IPCC, tipping points are ‘critical thresholds in a system that, when
exceeded, can lead to a significant change in the state of the system, often with an
understanding that the change is irreversible.’
➢ More recent assessments found that exceeding 1.5C of global warming risks crossing
several of these thresholds.

➢ Currently, as Earth has become 1.1 degree Celsius warmer than pre-industrial levels,
the tipping points at risk are the collapse of big ice sheets in Greenland and the
West Antarctic, the widespread thawing of permafrost, the death of coral reefs in
warm waters, and the collapse of one oceanic current in the North Atlantic.
➢ Once the planet passes the 1.5 degree Celsius threshold, tipping points, including the
death of boreal forests, mangroves, and seagrass meadows, will potentially be breached.

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 ➢ Among these, the report adds that tipping points for ice sheets of Greenland and West
Antarctica may already have been breached at current level of greenhouse gas emissions.
➢ A collapse of the Greenland and West Antarctic ice sheets could trigger long-term
global sea level rise of up to 10 metres, submerging many cities.
➢ Tipping points can trigger devastating domino effects, including the loss of whole
ecosystems and capacity to grow staple crops, with societal impacts including mass
displacement, political instability and financial collapse
Warming up to climate change: What are climate tipping points? | Explained News - The
Indian Express

59. Permafrost:
➢ Permafrost is essentially any ground that stays frozen — 0 degree Celsius or lower —
for at least two years straight. These permanently frozen grounds are often found in
Arctic regions such as Greenland, Alaska (the United States), Canada, Russia and
Eastern Europe.
➢ According to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), permafrost is
composed of “a combination of soil, rocks and sand that are held together by ice.
The soil and ice in permafrost stay frozen all year long.” However, although the ground
remains perennially frozen, permafrost regions aren’t always covered with snow.
➢ But as the Arctic is getting warmer nearly four times as fast as the rest of the planet
due to climate change, permafrost is thawing rapidly, which could destabilise not only
the industrial sites but also the contaminated areas.
➢ There's a huge amount of carbon stored in permafrost — an estimated 1,500
gigatons, or twice as much as the atmosphere contains. This carbon is the remnant of
plants and other organic matter that didn't fully decompose in the frozen soils over
thousands of years.
➢ Thawing permafrost in the Arctic could release radon, a radioactive gas that has the
potential to cause cancer, scientists have warned.
Thawing permafrost in the Arctic could unlock toxic waste buried for decades: New study
highlights risks | Explained News - The Indian Express

60. Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation:

➢ AMOC is a large system of ocean currents driven by differences in the density of
water, which determines their temperature.
➢ It acts as a conveyor belt, redistributing heat throughout the Earth’s climate system
by bringing it from the tropics in the Southern Hemisphere to Greenland and
carrying cold water back south.
➢ It transports warm surface waters from the tropics to the northern latitudes and
returns cold, deep waters from the North Atlantic back towards the equator.
➢ Atmospheric warming, and increases in rainfall and ice melt, both make surface ocean
water lighter, reducing its ability to sink at high latitudes and weakening the AMOC.
➢ A weakening of 24-39% is expected even before the tipping point is reached, something
that could happen as early as 2100.
➢ A study published in 2021 found that AMOC is already at its weakest in over 1,600 years.

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On the precipice.

61. The Fujiwhara effect:

➢ As per the National Weather Service (NWS), when two hurricanes (or cyclones,
depending on where you live), spinning in the same direction, are brought close
together, they begin ‘an intense dance around their common centre’ – this
interaction between two cyclones is called the Fujiwhara effect.

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 ➢ If one hurricane’s intensity overpowers the other, then the smaller one will orbit it
and eventually crash into its vortex to be absorbed. On the other hand, if two storms
of similar strengths pass by each other, they may gravitate towards each other until
they reach a common centre and merge, or merely spin each other around for a while
before shooting off on their own paths.
➢ In rare instances, the two ‘dancing’ cyclones, if they are intense enough, may merge
with one another, leading to the formation of a mega cyclone capable of wreaking
havoc along coastlines.
The Fujiwhara effect: When cyclones 'dance'

62. Large ozone hole detected over Antarctica:

➢ Context: Satellite measurements over Antarctica have revealed a massive ozone hole, or
"ozone-depleted area," stirring concerns. The European Space Agency's Copernicus
Sentinel-5P satellite captured this significant anomaly.
➢ The ozone layer, found in the stratosphere (good ozone), acts as a protective gas
shield that absorbs harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation, safeguarding us from the
adverse effects of excessive UV exposure.
➢ An ozone hole is a region of the stratosphere over Antarctica where the ozone layer
is exceptionally depleted. The ozone hole is not technically a “hole” where no ozone
is present. Scientists use the word hole as a metaphor for the area in which ozone
concentrations drop below the historical threshold of 220 Dobson Units.
➢ Mechanism Behind Ozone Hole:
➢ The opening of the ozone hole is a result of the Earth's rotation, which generates
specific winds over the enclosed landmass of Antarctica.The polar vortex, a band of
strong winds around the poles, plays a vital role in ozone hole dynamics.
➢ During winter, polar vortex forms due to temperature differences and acts as a
protective barrier, keeping polar air separate from warmer, lower-latitude air.
➢ This isolation creates a cold environment for polar stratospheric clouds (PSCs), which
trigger ozone-depleting reactions.
➢ The chemical reactions that occur on the surface of PSCs are responsible for the
activation of chlorine and bromine compounds. These compounds, particularly chlorine,
are catalysts in ozone-depleting reactions.
➢ The size and strength of the polar vortex directly impact ozone depletion. When it weakens
in spring, mixing with warmer air from lower latitudes gradually closes the ozone hole,
replenishing the ozone layer.
➢ Cause of the Ozone Hole in 2023:Scientists suspect that the substantial ozone hole
observed in 2023 may be attributed to volcanic eruptions in Tonga during December
2022 and January 2023.
➢ Read about montreal protocol,vienna convention,kigali amendment,quito
adjustment.
Large ozone hole detected over Antarctica: Is it a matter of concern? | Explained News - The
Indian Express

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63. MethaneSAT:
➢ Methane is an invisible but strong greenhouse gas, and the second largest contributor to
global warming after carbon dioxide, responsible for 30 per cent of global heating since
the Industrial Revolution.
➢ According to the United Nations Environment Programme, over a period of 20 years,
methane is 80 times more potent at warming than carbon dioxide.
➢ The gas also contributes to the formation of ground-level ozone — a colourless and
highly irritating gas that forms just above the Earth’s surface.
➢ fossil fuel operations, which account for about 40 per cent of all human-caused
methane emissions.
➢ The entity behind MethaneSAT is the Environmental Defense Fund (EDF) — a
US-based nonprofit environmental advocacy group. To develop the satellite, EDF
partnered with Harvard University, the Smithsonian Astrophysical Observatory, and the
New Zealand Space Agency.
➢ Essentially, MethaneSAT will orbit the Earth 15 times a day, monitoring the oil and
gas sector. It will create a large amount of data, which will tell “how much methane
is coming from where, who’s responsible, and are those emissions going up or down
over time”, according to a statement by EDF.
➢ The data collected by MethaneSAT will be made public for free in near real-time. This will
allow stakeholders and regulators to take action to reduce methane emissions.
➢ MethaneSAT is expected to fix the issue. Equipped with a high-resolution infrared
sensor and a spectrometer, the satellite will fill critical data gaps. It can track
differences in methane concentrations as small as three parts per billion in the
atmosphere, which enables it to pick up smaller emissions sources than the previous
satellites. MethaneSAT also has a wide-camera view — of about 200 km by 200 km —
allowing it to identify larger emitters so-called “super emitters”.

Global Methane Pledge:

India did not joined the global methane pledge

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International Methane Emission Observatory:

➢ IMEO will provide the means to select actions and track pledges made by state
players in the Global Methane Pledge, a US and EU-led initiative by over thirty nations
to reduce methane emissions by 30% by 2030.
➢ The International Energy Agency’s (IEA) releases annual Methane Global Tracker
report.
Meet MethaneSAT, a satellite which will ‘name and shame’ methane emitters | Explained
News - The Indian Express

64. Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure:

➢ The U.N.'s World Meteorological Organisation has come up with a new Global
Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure that aims to provide better ways of
measuring planet-warming pollution and help inform policy choices.
➢ The WMO's new platform will integrate space-based and surface-based observing
systems, and seek to clarify uncertainties about where greenhouse gas emissions end up.
➢ It is embodied by WMO’s 60-year-old World Weather Watch and its acclaimed Global
Atmosphere Watch
➢ The three major greenhouses gases are carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide. Of
those, CO2 accounts for around 66% of the warming effect on the climate.
U.N. takes step towards new way of tracking greenhouse gases - The Hindu

65. Impact of Climate Change on size of animals:

➢ New research suggests that changes in animal size depend on two key ecological
factors:
➢ Competition for resources between species and
➢ the risk of extinction due to the environment.
➢ Cope’s rule suggests there is a tendency for many animal groups to evolve larger
body sizes over thousands and millions of year. Cope’s rule had clear exceptions.
Reptiles, for instance, shrank from the size of giant dinosaurs to hand-sized geckos and
sparrows.
➢ Polar bears have shrunk to two-thirds of their previous size in the past 30 years
alone. And it’s not just polar bears — many species of birds, amphibians, and mammals
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 have become smaller over the past century. Scientists think it’s because animals are
rapidly adapting to the changing climate.
➢ As the planet heats up, there is a natural selection towards animals becoming
smaller. This is especially true for animals in regions experiencing more dramatic
temperature rises, such as polar bears in the Arctic.
https://indianexpress.com/article/explained/explained-climate/why-big-animals-got-smaller-eve
n-before-climate-change-9116023/

66. Evolution of Snakes:

➢ The popular Darwinian theory of evolution states that all organisms evolve through
the process of natural selection. In other words, organisms inherit small changes over
many generations and these changes collectively enhance the organism’s ability to
compete, survive, and reproduce
➢ In addition to a constant rate of transformation, organisms also evolved at different speeds
and through varying degrees of complexity.
➢ One such evolutionary explosion happened about 100-150 million years ago, when
dinosaurs roamed the planet’s surface. An extraordinary evolutionary transformation
happened at this time: the nondescript lizards lost their legs to become one of the most
highly adapted predators in history, capturing almost every environmental niche on the
planet. We know them today as snakes.
➢ Snakes acquired legless bodies that could slither across diverse terrains, developed
complex chemical sensory systems to track prey, incorporated flexible jaws to
swallow large animals, and evolved an assortment of attack mechanisms, including
the production of lethal venoms.
➢ Snakes evolved almost three-times faster than lizards and other reptiles, allowing
them to take advantage of the new environmental niches.
➢ Along with snakes, many lizards also adapted to these rapid changes and developed
snake-like traits, including losing their limbs and elongating their bodies. The
Australian scincid lizard (Lerista), a member of the clade Squamata (which includes lizards
and snakes), provides perhaps the best example of such evolution.
➢ We have about 4,000 living species of snakes flourishing in a variety of geographical
conditions. Today, snakes are terrestrial dwellers, tree-climbers, burrowers, swimmers, etc.,
sporting a bevy of hunting strategies and dietary preferences.
➢ Snakes largely consumed small vertebrates while lizards preferred insects and
invertebrates – meaning snakes specialised their food selection whereas lizards have
tended to be non-specific.
➢ The hallmark of a snake is the elegant manner in which it glides over land or water. Snakes
can move this way thanks to their long spinal column and specially designed vertebrae.
They have over 300 vertebrae versus about 65 in lizards and 33 in humans. Also, all three
organisms have a backbone and almost the same genetic blueprint – yet varied body plans.
In snake genes, study finds they evolved 3x faster than other reptiles - The Hindu

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67. Hangul:
➢ The Kashmir Stag, also known as Hangul, initially
considered a subspecies of the European red deer, it
was recognized as a separate species in 2017.
➢ These species are classified as Critically
endangered by the IUCN red list. It can only be
found in a small area within Jammu and
Kashmir's Dachigam National Park.
➢ The hangul is classified as Critically Endangered
by the IUCN Red List, as its population has
declined drastically over the years due to habitat loss, overgrazing by domestic
livestock, poaching, predation, diseases and human-wildlife conflicts.
➢ The hangul has a matriarchal society, where the females lead the groups and choose
the mating partners. The breeding season occurs from September to October, when the
males compete for the females by roaring, fighting and displaying their antlers. The
gestation period lasts for about eight months, and the females give birth to one or two
fawns in May or June. The fawns stay with their mothers for about a year, until the next
breeding season.
➢ Project Hangul is a conservation and protection project for the Kashmir stag, also known
as the hangul. The project was started in 1970 by the Kashmir government, the IUCN,
and the WWF. In 2009, the project was renamed "Save Kashmir's Red Deer Hangul"
Mating calls of endangered hangul in Kashmir indicate record uptick in population - The Hindu

68. Great Indian Bustard:

➢ The GIB is an avian species, which was classified
as ‘Critically Endangered’ by the International
Union for Conservation of Nature in 2011 — there
are currently less than 200 GIBs in India and they
are mainly found in Rajasthan and Gujarat.
➢ The biggest threat to these birds is the overhead
power lines as frequent collisions have resulted
in the death of many GIBs.
➢ In its April 2021 decision, the SC noted the Ministry
of Power’s admission in an affidavit which said:
“The Great Indian Bustard (“GIB”) lacks frontal vision. Due to this, they cannot
detect power lines ahead of them, from far. As they are heavy birds, they are unable to
manoeuvre across power lines within close distances. Thus, they are vulnerable to
collision with power lines. In the case of low-voltage lines, electrocution is often the
cause of death due to smaller phase to phase separation distance. High voltage lines do not
cause death due to electrocution but cause death due to collision.”
➢ The court ordered the respondents — the Central government and the states of
Rajasthan and Gujarat, among others — to install bird diverters in areas where
overhead lines are already in place. Bird diverters are wheel shaped discs with panels,
which reflect sunlight and moonlight, that are attached to power lines to alert birds from a
distance to avoid collisions.

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 ➢ For undergrounding power lines, the court acknowledged that this would require
“technical evaluation on case ­to ­case basis”. To conduct this analysis, the court
constituted a three-member committee.
➢ Recently because of multiple petitions by Central govt and power companies SC created a
seven-member committee which has been tasked with suggesting conservation and
protection measures for the GIB, identifying areas in the 13,000 sq km ‘priority’ area
where power lines can be constructed as well as areas that are vital for the
conservation of the GIB. The committee has to submit a report by July 31 and the court
has lifted the blanket restriction against constructing underground power lines.
How Supreme Court is overseeing conservation of the Great Indian Bustard | Explained News

69. White Sambar:

➢ Recently A white sambar was photographed in the Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary
Karnataka during a research study on leopards
➢ This is the first recorded photographic record of a white form of sambar from this
landscape though a white form of sambar deer was previously recorded in Bandipur Tiger
Reserve in 2014.
➢ A release by the research team said leucism is a condition in which the pigmentation
of an animal’s skin is missing, causing white or pale skin. ‘’This condition can occur
naturally from birth due to a phenotype (a trait of any living being) that may have
formed from a defect in the animal’s development. It is different from albinism
which is a condition that arises due to a lack of melatonin in the animal’s skin, but
the animal has pink or reddish eyes. But in leucism the animal lacks the pink eyes,”
the release added.
➢ The sambar is also listed as a vulnerable species as per the IUCN Red List
Researchers discover ‘white’ sambar in Cauvery wildlife sanctuary - The Hindu

70. Hollock Gibbon:

➢ Context: The conservation status of India’s sole ape species, the hoolock gibbon, has
become a pressing global concern.
➢ Gibbons, known as the smallest and fastest of all apes, inhabit tropical and subtropical
forests in Southeast Asia.
➢ They have high intelligence, distinct personalities and strong family bonds similar to other
apes.
➢ They are found in forested areas of Northeast India, Bangladesh, Myanmar and Southern
China.
➢ Two distinct hoolock gibbon species are found in India’s north eastern region, the eastern
hoolock gibbon (Hoolock leuconedys) and the western hoolock gibbon (Hoolock hoolock).
➢ Gibbon populations and their habitats have significantly declined over the past century,
leaving small populations restricted to tropical rainforests.
➢ The Hoollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary contains India’s only gibbons – the hoolock
gibbons, and Northeastern India’s only nocturnal primate – the Bengal slow loris.
➢ IUCN: Western Hoolock Gibbon: Endangered
➢ Eastern Hoolock Gibbon: Vulnerable.
➢ Wildlife protection Act 1972: Schedule 1

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71. State of Rhino Report 2023:
➢ International Rhino Foundation (IRF) published the report, State of the Rhino, 2023
which documents current population estimates and trends for the five surviving
rhino species in Africa and Asia.
➢ Poaching still threatens all five rhino species and has increased in several regions that had
not previously been targeted.
➢ The Indian state of Assam is home to the largest population of greater-one horned
rhinos, with more than 90% in Kaziranga National Park.
➢ The Kaziranga National Park and Manas National Park in Assam, Pobitora reserve
forest in Assam (having the highest Indian rhino density in the world), Orang
National park of Assam, Laokhowa reserve forest of Assam having a very small
population and Royal Chitwan National Park in Nepal are homes for this endangered
animal.

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72. State of India’s Birds 2023 Report:
➢ Context: Recently, the State of India’s Birds (SoIB) 2023 was released, which highlighted
that despite thriving a few bird species, there is a substantial decline in numerous bird
species.
➢ The SoIB 2023 is a first-of-its-kind collaborative effort of 13 government and
non-government organisations, including the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS),
Wildlife Institute of India (WII), and Zoological Survey of India (ZSI), Wildlife Trust of India
(WTI), Worldwide Fund for Nature–India (WWF–India) among others which evaluates the
overall conservation status of the most regularly occurring bird species in India.
➢ Bird species that are “specialists’’– restricted to narrow habitats like wetlands, rainforests,
and grasslands, as opposed to species that can inhabit a wide range of habitats such as
plantations and agricultural fields – are rapidly declining.
➢ The “generalist’’ birds that can live in multiple habitat types are doing well as a group.
➢ Specialists, however, are more threatened than generalists. Grassland specialists have
declined by more than 50%.
➢ Birds that are woodland specialists (forests or plantations) have also declined more than
generalists, indicating a need to conserve natural forest habitats so that they provide
habitat to specialists.
➢ Migratory Birds, especially long-distance migrants from Eurasia and the Arctic, have
experienced significant declines by more than 50% – followed by short-distance migrants.
➢ READ MORE: Birds living in open habitat seeing declining trend, large number of common
species in trouble: report - The Hindu

73. Blue Sheep In Gangotri National Park:

➢ A BSF expedition preparing for a climb to the Everest and led by six-time summiteer
Loveraj Singh Dharmshaktu, has come back with startling findings in Gangotri
National Park (GNP) that Uttarakhand's wildlife authorities wanted to keep under wraps
for reasons best known to them.
➢ The soldiers found that the blue sheep, known locally as Bharal, in the list of
endangered species, were losing their eyesight.
➢ Gangotri National Park Protected Area in the state of Uttarakhand, is located in the upper
catchment of Bhagirathi river in Uttarkashi District. The origin of the Ganga River, the
Gaumukh glacier, is located inside the GNP.
➢ It forms a continuous landscape for conservation and wildlife protection along with
the Govind National Park in the west and Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary in the south.
The elevation ranges from 1,800 to 7,083 m amsl.
➢ A large variation in elevation and aspect result in diverse vegetation, grouped into five
major forests types: Himalayan moist temperate forest, Himalayan dry temperate forest,
subalpine forest, moist alpine scrub and dry alpine scrub
➢ So far, 15 species of mammal and 150 bird species have been documented from the
park which includes Snow leopard, Black bear, Brown bear, Musk deer,Blue sheep or
Bharal, Himalayan tahr, Himalayan monal , Koklassand Himalayan Snowcock .
https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/dehradun/why-blue-sheep-in-gangotri-national-park-ar
e-going-blind/amp_articleshow/61786496.cms

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 74. Marmots:
➢ Marmots are relatively large ground squirrels
with 15 species living in Asia, Europe, and
North America. They are the heaviest members
of the squirrel family.
➢ Marmot lives centre around their burrows.
They don’t migrate downhill to beat the
winter, opting to hunker 10 metres below the
frozen ground for as many as six to eight
months. Every generation inherits the burrow from the previous one. It takes much more
than a tethered dog to force such homebodies to vacate their burrows.
➢ South Asia or the Indian Subcontinent is home to the Himalayan Marmot and the
Long-tailed Marmot (both are Least Concerned in the IUCN Red List).
➢ Marmots are well suited for life in cold environments and have small fur-covered ears,
short, stocky legs, and strong claws for digging.
➢ In the den of marmots - The Hindu

75. Himalayan Gentian:

➢ Gentiana kurroo (also called Himalayan gentian or Trayman) is a perennial herb
with blue flowers. It is a medicinal plant that treats liver ailments, digestive
disorders, diabetes, asthma, and urinary tract infections (UTIs).
➢ It is native to the Himalayas region of India (UK, J&K, HP), Nepal, and Pakistan.
Therefore, it is primarily found in the Himalayan regions.
➢ The IUCN conservation status of Gentiana Kurroo is ‘Critically Endangered.
➢ These flowers typically bloom from mid-September to October .
Almost extinct, Himalayan plant with med value blooms again | Dehradun News - Times of India

76. Red Sand Dunes in India:

➢ The Red sand deposits are rare and have been reported only from three places in the
tropical regions in south Asia such as Theri Sands in Tamil Nadu, Erra Matti Dibbalu
in Visakhapatnam and one more site in Sri Lanka. They do not occur in equatorial
regions.

Theri Sand dunes ➢ The red dunes are called theri in Tamil. They consist of sediments dating back to the
Tamilnadu Quaternary Period and are made of marine deposits.
➢ They have very low water and nutrient retention capacity. The dunes are susceptible
to aerodynamic lift.
➢ The petrographical study (petrography is the study of composition and properties of
rocks) and X-ray diffraction analysis of the red sand dunes reveal the presence of
heavy and light minerals.
➢ These include:Ilmenite,Magnetite,Rutile,Garnet,Zircon,Diopside
Tourmaline,Hematite,Goethite,Kyanite,Quart, Feldspar,Biotite
➢ The present-day theris might have been formed by the confinement of beach
sand locally, after regression of the sea. When high velocity winds from the
Western Ghats blew east, they induced migration of sand grains and accumulation
of dunes.

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Erra Matti ➢ Erra Matti Dibbalu, which have been declared as one of the 34 national geo
Dibbalu,Andhra heritage sites, had formed during the last glacial maxima (LGM), estimated to
have occurred globally around 18,500 years ago.
➢ The coast line of the Bay of Bengal is estimated to have been about 50 km inwards
into the land during the LGM.
➢ Archaeological evidences of Stone Age tools from microlithic, mesolithic and
palaeolithic eras had also been found in the region
➢ Climatic changes with interglacial periods, change in coastline, vertical fall in the
sea level with the sea receding by about 100 metres, and continental shelf exposed
the sand
➢ During high and low tides, the sand is carried away by the wind for some distance
and deposited there. Though the sand dunes must have formed during the
interglacial period, some 18,500 years ago, the process might have started over
20,000 years ago.
➢ The red colour of beach sand is due to the presence of ferrous minerals (added to
water they acquire a rusty red colour over a period of time
Vizag’s Erra Matti Dibbalu cries for attention | Visakhapatnam News - The Hindu
There is a desert in Tamil Nadu and the dunes are red

77. Great Pacific Garbage Patch:

➢ The Great Pacific Garbage Patch is a collection of marine debris in the North Pacific
Ocean. Also known as the Pacific trash vortex, the garbage patch is actually two
distinct collections of debris bounded by the massive North Pacific Subtropical Gyre
➢ There are some water currents in the oceans that, driven by winds and the Coriolis force,
form loops. These are called gyres.
➢ The North Pacific Subtropical Gyre (NPSG) is one such, located just north of the
equator in the Pacific Ocean. It consists of the Kuroshio, North Pacific, California,
and North Equatorial currents and moves in a clockwise direction. These currents flow
adjacent to 51 Pacific Rim countries. Any trash that enters one of these currents, from any
of these countries, could become part of the gyre.

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 ➢ Inside this gyre, just north of Hawai’i, lies a long east-west strip where some of the debris
in these currents has collected over the years. The eastern part of this is the Great Pacific
Garbage Patch. It is, per one estimate, 1.6 million sq. km big and more than 50 years old.
➢ The patch contains an estimated 45,000-1,29,000 metric tonnes of plastic, predominantly
in the form of microplastics
➢ 98% of the debris items had invertebrate organisms. They also found that pelagic
species (i.e. of the open ocean) were present on 94.3% of them and coastal species,
on 70.5%. That is, organisms found on coasts were getting by on small floating islands of
garbage (to humans) out in the Pacific Ocean.
In the Great Pacific Garbage Patch, coastal life piggybacks on plastic trash - The Hindu

78. Homosexuality in Animals:

➢ Homosexuality is not uncommon in the natural kingdom. Its incidence has been reported
in “over 1500 animal species” ranging from tiny insects and spiders to reptiles, birds, and
mammals. It has been observed in both males and females, and in both captivity and the
wild.
➢ Male Same-Sex Behavior (SSB) in Monkeys: The study focuses on male same-sex
mounting behaviour observed in rhesus macaques, a common monkey model, in Cayo
Santiago, an island east of Puerto Rico. 72% of observed male rhesus macaques engaged in
same-sex mounting. Only 46% participated in different-sex mounting.
➢ It challenges the notion that SSB contradicts principles of evolution due to its
non-reproductive nature.
For the first time, humpback whales spotted having sex: Why homesexuality is ‘natural’ in the
animal kingdom | Explained News - The Indian Express

79. Golden langur:

➢ There are an estimated 7,396 golden
langurs in India, the latest survey of
the primate has revealed.
➢ The comprehensive population
estimation of the endangered primate
was carried out in two phases by the
Primate Research Centre NE India
(PRCNE), Assam Forest Department,
Bodoland Territorial Council, Salim
Ali Centre for Ornithology and
Natural History (SACON), and
Conservation Himalayas.
➢ The entire distribution range of the golden langur (Trachypithecus geei) covers the
Manas Biosphere Reserve and all fragmented forests in the western part of Assam.
➢ It can be most easily recognized by the colour of their fur, after which they are
named. It has been noted that their fur changes colours according to the seasons.
The colour of the young also differs from adults in that they are almost pure white.
➢ The area they inhabit is restricted to the region surrounded by four geographical
landmarks: the foothills of Bhutan (north), Manas river (east), Sankosh river (west), and
Brahmaputra river (south).
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 ➢ Golden langurs are arboreal and diurnal creatures.
➢ Golden langurs are social and generally live in troops of about 8 (but sometimes up to 50)
with several females to each adult male.
➢ Herbivore in nature.
➢ Ripu Reserve Forest was home to the most (2,847) northern population golden
langurs, Kokrajhar district’s Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary had 838 individuals, the
most in the southern fragmented range of the primate.
➢ IUCN: Endangered
➢ CITES: Appendix I
➢ Wildlife Protection Act, 1972 : Schedule I
India’s golden langur population estimated at 7,396 - The Hindu

80. Indian Gharial:

➢ Context: The presence of Indian Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) in Greater Kaziranga
has been confirmed by the forest department after a gap of 75 years, officials said,
sharing the outcome of a latest survey conducted in January.
➢ Gharials (Gavialis gangeticus) are often mistaken for crocodiles or alligators. They are the
only species in the Gavialidae family: river-dwellers that eat only fish and some
crustaceans, and which split from all other crocodilians perhaps more than 65m
years ago.
➢ The Indian gharial, also known as the fish-eating crocodile or gavial, is a crocodilian that
lives in the Indian Subcontinent. It is one of the largest crocodilians.
➢ When male gharials reach sexual maturity, around the age of 10 or so, they grow a
bulbous growth on the tip of their snout that resembles a pot. It is from this ghara –
the Hindi word for a type of earthenware pot – that gharials got their name. Females
lay eggs in pitcher-shaped burrows in sandbanks and on the beaches of river islands,
where they guard them from predators.
➢ If danger appears, the fathers may enter the burrows to protect the family group.
After about 70 days of incubation, the eggs hatch into foot-long babies.
➢ Despite being about 16ft (4.9m) long and some of the heaviest reptiles on Earth –
weighing in some cases up to 680kg (1,500lb) – gharials are typically shy, and hide
from humans, so are not always easy to spot
➢ The gharial is the most aquatic of all crocodilians, as it never moves far from the water.
➢ Primary Habitat: Chambal river (a tributary of Yamuna).
➢ Secondary Habitat: Ghagra, Gandak river, Girwa river (Uttar Pradesh), the
Ramganga river (Uttarakhand) and the Sone river (Bihar).
➢ Efforts began in the 1970s, when the Indian government initiated a crocodile breeding
and management project with the support of the UN’s development programme and
Food and Agriculture Organization.
➢ The National Chambal Sanctuary was established in 1978 and the following year the
first captive-bred gharials were released into the Chambal River, which cuts through
ravines and hills in the three states of Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh and
Rajasthan.
➢ India has three species of Crocodilians namely:
1. Gharial (Gavialis gangeticus): IUCN Red List- Critically Endangered
2. Mugger crocodile (Crocodylus palustris): IUCN- Vulnerable.

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 3. Saltwater crocodile (Crocodylus porosus): IUCN- Least Concern.
➢ All three are listed on Appendix I of CITES and Schedule I of the Wild Life (Protection) Act,
1972.
https://m.economictimes.com/news/environment/flora-fauna/after-75-years-indian-gharial-spott
ed-in-greater-kaziranga-during-survey/amp_articleshow/107922110.cms
Rising tide: why the crocodile-like gharial is returning to India's rivers | Environment | The
Guardian
Odisha’s Kendrapara became the only district in India August 29, 2021 to be home to all three
species of crocodilians found in the country.
● The live baby gharial was caught in the fishing net of a fisherman in the Paika river
● Bhitarkanika National Park in the district is also the home of saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus
porosus)
● The Ramatirtha centre, meant for mugger crocodiles within the Similipal Tiger Reserve, initially
started with eggs and juveniles of muggers procured from Tamil Nadu. Since 1984, more than
600 muggers have been captive-bred and released in Similipa
Odisha’s Kendrapara now India’s only district to have all 3 species of crocodilians

81. Vaquita Porpoise:

➢ The vaquita porpoise is the
world's smallest marine
mammal and is believed to be
on the brink of extinction,
with 10 or fewer still living in
Mexico's Gulf of California,
their sole habitat. The biggest
threat to the species is not
habitat loss or genetic factors
but illegal "gillnet" fishing.
➢ The porpoises, which range
from 4 to 5 feet in length,
often become entangled and
die in the large mesh gillnets
used by poachers hunting the totoaba, an endangered fish highly valued in some
countries for its perceived medicinal properties.
➢ IUCN : Critically Endangered.
Extinction alert issued for Mexico’s threatened vaquita porpoise - The Hindu

82. Music Frog:

➢ Scientists have discovered a new species of 'music frog' in
Arunachal Pradesh. The speciality of this new species of
frog, Nidoran noa dihing, is that both the male and
female are vocal.Newly discovered frog has a unique
call pattern consisting of two-three notes,which is
quite similar to wild duck species.

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 ➢ The new species was named after the Noa-Dihing River, which is near where the
specimens were discovered and collected. The frog has a "robust" body, with males
measuring between approximately 1.8 inches and 2.3 inches long and females measuring
between about 2.4 inches and 2.6 inches long, they said.
➢ According to the scientists, the new species confirmed for the first time that the
Nidirana genus has been found in India. Nidirana species are known in Japan, Taiwan,
China, Vietnam, Laos and Thailand.
Scientists discover new species of ‘music frog’ in Arunachal - The Hindu

83. Dancing Frog:

➢ The dancing frogs that are endemic to the Western Ghats are the most threatened
amphibian genus of India, according to the Wildlife Trust of India, a nature
conservation non-profit. The organisation made the analysis based on the second edition
of the Global Amphibian Assessment released recently.
➢ Dancing frogs are a group of frogs in the Micrixalus genus. They are endemic to India's
Western Ghats. They are named for their unusual courtship behaviour, which
involves waving their hind legs.
➢ During mating season, male dancing frogs extend
their hind legs and wave their webbed toes to
attract females. They also wave their hind legs to
defend their territory from other males. This
behaviour is called "foot flagging".
➢ Dancing frogs live in shola grasslands, myristica
swamps, and evergreen forests. They prefer areas
with thick canopy cover of at least 70-80%. They
mainly live near slow-moving perennial streams.
➢ Of the 24 species of the frogs belonging to the
Micrixalus genus that were assessed, two were found
to be critically endangered and 15 were endangered, the report noted.
➢ It is also the fifth most threatened genus in the world with 92 per cent of its species
in the threatened category, the expert added.
➢ Micrixalus kottigeharensis (commonly called the Kottigehar Dancing Frog), for
instance, is threatened by invasive species like the mosquito fish, land use change,
variation in temperature and humidity, extreme weather events such as floods and excess
rainfall, infectious diseases, water pollution, light pollution, and infrastructure projects
such as dams.
Dancing frogs of Western Ghats among most threatened amphibians globally

84. Purple Frog:

➢ The Purple Frog is believed to be a ‘living fossil’
having co-existed with dinosaurs.
➢ It has similarities to the Sooglossidae family of
frogs in Seychelles.

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 ➢ It has been acknowledged by bio-geographers all over the world as one of the rarest kinds
and a ‘once in a century find’.
➢ Also called Mahabali frog
➢ The frog spends most of its life underground and surfaces only during the monsoon, for a
period of two weeks, for mating.
➢ Physical description: The purple frog has a bloated body with short stout limbs and is
dark purple to greyish in colour.
○ It has a small head in comparison to the body length, and an unusually pointed
snout.
○ Unlike other frogs, it has very short hind legs, which does not allow it to leap from
one spot to another.
➢ Habitat: It prefers loose, damp and well-aerated soil close to ponds and ditches or
streams.
➢ Range: It is endemic to select habitats in the Western Ghats in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
➢ Conservation Status: IUCN: Near Threatened | WPA: Schedule I
➢ Recently, the government of Tamil Nadu established the Tamil Nadu Endangered
Species Conservation Fund (TNESCF) to protect the purple frog and other lesser
known endangered species.
A special fund to save Purple Frog, a ‘living fossil’, in the Western Ghats - The Hindu

85. Budgett’s Frog:

➢ Researchers from the Indian Institute of Science’s (IISc.) molecular biophysics unit in
a study have identified that peptides (short protein) produced from Budgett’s frog
can combat enzymes of disease causing pathogens
➢ According to IISc., peptides (short proteins) produced from the skin of amphibians have
long been studied because of their ability to counter unfavourable conditions in the
environment, including harmful pathogens.
➢ Frogs are the first vertebrates to conquer the land and all other vertebrates like
reptiles, mammals, and birds came after the amphibians. Because of this the frogs
have developed a defensive mechanism through their skin. They generally combat the
microorganisms and other harmful things through their skins
➢ frog-secreted peptide inhibited two key enzymes called subtilisin carlsberg and
proteinase K., produced by pathogens.
➢ These enzymes play a pivotal role in promoting infections by degrading specific protective
proteins of the infected person.
Protein from Budgett’s frog can block enzymes of disease-causing pathogens: Study - The Hindu

86. Black Carbon:

➢ Black carbon is the dark, sooty material emitted alongside other pollutants when
biomass and fossil fuels are not fully combusted.
➢ It contributes to global warming and poses severe risks. Studies have found a direct link
between exposure to black carbon and a higher risk of heart disease, birth complications,
and premature death. Most black carbon emissions in India arise from burning biomass,
such as cow dung or straw, in traditional cookstoves.
➢ According to a 2016 study, the residential sector contributes 47% of India’s total
black carbon emissions. Industries contribute a further 22%, diesel vehicles 17%,
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 open burning 12%, and other sources 2%. Decarbonisation efforts in the industry and
transport sectors in the past decade have yielded reductions in black carbon emissions, but
the residential sector remains a challenge.
➢ In May 2016, the Government of India said the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana
(PMUY) would provide free liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) connections to households
below the poverty line. The primary objective was to make clean cooking fuel available to
rural and poor households and reduce their dependence on traditional cooking fuels.
India’s need to curb black carbon emissions | Explained - The Hindu

87. Orans:
➢ A recent state government notification has struck fear in Rajasthan community dwellers
about losing access to forest produce and livelihoods. Communities, particularly those in
western Rajasthan, are concerned about the state’s proposal to classify orans (sacred
groves) as deemed forests.
➢ A notification over the declaration of oran and ecological areas as deemed forest was
released on February 1, 2024. It stated that as per the directives of Supreme Court,
oran, Dev-vans and Rundhs as forest lands will be given the status of deemed forest.
The notification also calls for objections and issues by locals if any by March 3, 2024.
Villagers oppose declaring ‘orans’ as deemed forests, fearing loss of access and livelihood

88. Green Cement:

➢ JSW Cement is India’s first-ever cement manufacturer to
receive the coveted GreenPro Certification for Portland Slag
Cement (PSC) from the CII-IGBC (Confederation of Indian
Industry – Indian Green Building Council) and are GreenPro
Certified for three products, Portland Slag Cement (PSC),
Composite Cement (CC) and Ground Granulated Blast
Furnace Slag (GGBS).

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89. Green Ammonia:

Recently, the Ministry of Power has notified Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy for production
of Green Hydrogen or Green Ammonia using renewable sources of energy.
What are the Provisions of the Green Hydrogen/Green Ammonia Policy?
➢ Under the policy, the government is offering to set up manufacturing zones for production,
connectivity to the ISTS (Inter-State Transmission System) on priority basis, and free
transmission for 25 years if the production facility is commissioned before June 2025.
o This means that a green hydrogen producer will be able to set up a solar power plant in
Rajasthan to supply renewable energy to a green hydrogen plant in Assam and would not be
required to pay any inter-state transmission charges.
o Besides, producers will be allowed to set up bunkers near ports for storage of green
ammonia for export by shipping.
➢ Production target has also been raised five times from 1 million tonnes (m) to 5 mt by 2030.
o In October, 2021 it was announced that India is targeting initially around 1 million
tonnes annual green hydrogen production by 2030.
➢ Manufacturers of Green hydrogen and ammonia are allowed to purchase renewable power
from the power exchange or set up Renewable Energy (RE) capacity themselves or through
any other developer, anywhere.
➢ Further, it provides facility for producers to bank any surplus renewable energy generated
with discoms (power distribution companies) for upto 30 days and use it as required.
➢ Discoms may also procure renewable energy to supply green hydrogen producers but will
be required to do so at a concessional rate which will only include the cost of procurement,
wheeling charges and a small margin as determined by the state commission, under the new
policy.
o Such procurement would also count towards a state’s Renewable Purchase Obligation
(RPO) under which it is required to procure a certain proportion of its requirements from
renewable energy sources.
➢ To ensure ease of doing business a single portal for carrying out all the activities including
statutory clearances in a time bound manner will be set up by MNRE (Ministry of New
and Renewable Energy).

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90. Green Steel:

‘Green steel’, or the steel produced through processes that do not emit carbon dioxide,
essentially means using hydrogen as the ‘reducing agent’ (remover of oxygen) in steel
production.
It now emerges that much of Indian iron ore is unsuitable for making green steel. 66 per cent of
India’s (and Australia’s) iron ore is not suitable for being made into green steel.
Indian iron ore is low-grade. Low-grade iron ore can only be made into steel in blast
furnaces—huge cooking pots in which iron ore is melted and made to combine with coke, before
being poured into moulds for making steel slabs. For technical reasons, green steel making
requires the ‘electric arc furnace’ route; EAFs need high-grade ores, in which iron content is over
60 per cent.
Why green steel production will not happen in India anytime soon - The Hindu BusinessLine

91. Green Coal:

➢ National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC) Vidyut Vyapar Nigam Limited
(NVVNL) has recently commissioned a commercial ‘green coal’ plant in Varanasi,
Uttar Pradesh, to produce green coal or torrefied charcoal from waste. This plant is
the first-of-its-kind attempt in India to produce green coal from agricultural residue and
municipal solid waste (MSW).
➢ What is Green Coal?
➢ Green coal, also known as bio-coal, is considered a sustainable alternative to the
polluting conventional coal as it combines agricultural residue and MSW.
➢ Green coal has been drawing attention due to its ability to replace coal for energy and, thus,
mitigate the amount of CO2 from coal combustion. It is claimed that replacing a kilogram of
coal with the same quantity of green coal can mitigate two kg of CO2.
➢ How is it produced
➢ Green coal production from MSW involves segregation, mixing and heating processes.
➢ The process begins with converting raw waste into refuse-derived fuel (RDF). This is
followed by the thermal treatment of the waste at a temperature of 200-300°C inside a
‘charcoal reactor’, resulting in the formation of a solid fuel with properties similar to
normal coal

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92. Carbon Bomb:

What is the plan for ‘defusing’ carbon bombs?

➢ The network working towards this goal is called Leave It In the Ground Initiative
(LINGO).
➢ Its mission is to “leave fossil fuels in the ground and learn to live without them”.
➢ It believes the root of climate change is the burning of fossil fuels, and the 100% use
of renewable energy sources is the solution.
➢ it has listed carbon bomb projects from all over the world.
➢ This includes the Carmichael Coal Project owned by the Adani Group, Gevra
Coal Mines in Chhattisgarh owned by Coal India, and Rajmahal Coal Mines in
eastern Jharkhand owned by Eastern Coalfields.

93. Ecomark Scheme:

➢ Ecomark Scheme provides accreditation and labelling for household and consumer
products that meet specific environmental criteria while maintaining quality
standards as per Indian norms.
➢ Products accredited under the Ecomark Scheme will adhere to specific environmental
criteria, ensuring minimal environmental impact.
➢ It will build consumer awareness of environmental issues and encourage
eco-conscious choices. It will also motivate manufacturers to shift towards

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 environmentally friendly production. The scheme seeks to ensure accurate labelling and
prevent misleading information about products.
➢ The Central Pollution Control Board administers the Ecomark Scheme in
partnership with Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS), which is the national body for
standards and certification.

94. India's Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017:

➢ Context: Recently, the International Energy Agency (IEA), in its World Energy Outlook
2023, report has highlighted that India’s Energy Conservation Building Code (ECBC),
2017 sets it apart from other developing economies.
➢ The ECBC was first released by the Ministry of Power’s Bureau of Energy Efficiency
(BEE) in 2007, followed by an update in 2017.
➢ Currently, 23 states have notified rules to enforce ECBC compliance.
➢ The ECBC in India focuses on six key components of building design, including the
envelope (walls, roofs, windows), lighting systems, HVAC (Heating, ventilation, and air
conditioning) systems, and electrical power systems.
➢ These components have both mandatory and prescriptive requirements.
➢ The code applies to both new constructions and retrofitting existing buildings.
➢ Compliant buildings are assigned one of three tags in ascending order of efficiency, namely
ECBC, ECBC Plus, and Super ECBC.
➢ Implementation of energy efficiency building codes like ECBC is important as buildings in
India account for 30% of total electricity consumption, a figure that is expected to
touch 50% by 2042.
➢ READMORE: India’s Energy Conservation Building Code, 2017: Why the IEA called it a
‘notable exception’ among developing countries | Explained News - The Indian Express

95. New Ramsar Sites:

➢ Recently, the union Environment Minister said that five more Indian wetlands have been
added to the global list of wetlands of international importance under the Ramsar
Convention.
➢ Total Ramsar Sites: 80.

Ankasamudra Bird ➢ The Site is a human-made wetland built for storing monsoon run-off water
Conservation coming from the Tungabhadra River and providing irrigation to surrounding
Reserve,Karnataka drought-risk area
➢ It is an ecologically important wetland and rich in biodiversity.
➢ It supports more than 1% of the biogeographic population of Painted Stork and
Black-headed Ibis.

Aghanashini ➢ It is formed at the confluence of Aghanashini River with the Arabian Sea.
estuary,Karnataka ➢ The brackish water of the Estuary provides diverse ecosystem services
including flood and erosion risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation and
livelihood support.
➢ The wetland helps in traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields (locally
known as Gazni rice fields), bivalve shell collection and salt production.

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 ➢ In the estuary, farmers practice traditional farming to grow a salt-tolerant rice
called “kagga”, which is one of the specialities of the region.

Magadi Kere ➢ It is a human-made wetland which was constructed to store rainwater for
Conservation irrigation purposes.
Reserve,Karnataka ➢ The wetland harbours two vulnerable species, namely Common pochard and
River tern and four near-threatened species, namely Oriental Darter
Black-headed Ibis Woolly- necked Stork and Painted Stork
➢ It is also one of the largest wintering grounds for the Bar-headed goose.

Karaivetti Bird It is one of the largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu, and is a significant
Sanctuary,Tamilnadu source of groundwater recharge for the area.

The Longwood Shola ○ It derives its name from the Tamil word, "Solai", which means a ‘tropical rain
Reserve Fores,Tamil forest’.
Nadu ○ o The ‘Sholas’ are found in the upper reaches of the Nilgiris, Anamalais, Palni
hills, Kalakadu, Mundanthurai and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu.
○ o These forested wetlands serve as habitats for the globally endangered
Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing thrush and Nilgiri Blue Robin and vulnerable
Nilgiri Wood-pigeon.

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 This document is prepared by @littichokaa for IASEC

Best Wishes.! :)

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