IASNOVA
1. Sunderbans Reserve Forests
India has designated Sundarban Reserve Forests as the wetlands of International Importance, making it the 27th site in India.
Important facts about Sunderbans-
– It is the largest tidal halophytic mangrove forest in the world.
– Sundarbans has now become the largest Ramsar Site in India.
– It was made a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.
– Large number of Royal Bengal Tigers.
– The critically endangered northern river terrapin, the endangered Irrawaddy dolphin, and the endangered fishing cat – all are found in Sunderbans.
Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance
– It is an intergovernmental treaty that provides the framework for the conservation and wise use of wetlands and their resources.
– Question came in past prelims – Which convention is concerned about “wise use of wetlands”?
– It was adopted in the Iranian city of Ramsar in 1971 and came into force in 1975.
– 27 Ramsar Sites in India, including Sundarbans
– Chillika lake was designated the first Ramsite in India in 1981.
The Montreux Record
– It is a register of wetland sites on the List of Wetlands of International Importance where changes in ecological character have occurred, are occurring, or are likely to occur as a result of technological developments, pollution or other human interference.
– It is maintained as part of the Ramsar List.
– Sites from India included in this are Keoladeo National Park, Rajasthan and Loktak Lake, Manipur.
2. Kelp Forests
– According to a recent study, Climate change could lead to decline of underwater kelp forests.
– Kelp Forests are large brown algae seaweeds.
– They grow in “underwater forests” (kelp forests) in shallow oceans.
– Kelps live further from the tropics than coral reefs, mangrove forests, and warm-water seagrass beds.
– Known for their high growth rate.
– Kelp forests are recognized as one of the most productive and dynamic ecosystems on Earth.
– Considered as Keystone Species.
– Important source of Potash and Iodine.
– Ocean warming and ocean acidification – major threats.
3. Cheetah being Reintroduced in India
– The National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) has reported to the Supreme Court that African cheetahs, to be translocated in India from Namibia, will be kept at Nauradehi wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh .
– Project Cheetah was launched in 2009 and expert committee short listed some sites where Cheetah could be reintroduced.
– These were Kuno-Palpur and Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, Velavadar National Park in Gujarat and the Shahgarh bulge in Rajasthan .
– African cheetah – Vulnerable
– Asiatic Cheetah – Critically Endangered
4. Indus Dolphin
– Declared as Punjab’s State Aquatic Animal
– IUCN status – Endangered
– They are freshwater, and functionally blind species of dolphins which rely on echolocation to navigate communicate and hunt .
– Small, isolated population of about 30 in India’s Beas River
5. NEW DELHI DECLARATION ON ASIAN RHINOS 2019
– During 2nd Asian Rhino Range Countries (i.e. India, Nepal, Bhutan, Indonesia and Malaysia) meeting,it has been signed- The New Delhi Declaration on Asian Rhinos 2019
- Proposals-
– 1. To conserve and review the population of the Greater one-horned, Javan and Sumatran rhinos (three species of Asian Rhino) every four years to reassess the need for joint actions to secure their future.
– 2. Strategic actions including – Trans-boundary collaboration among India, Nepal, and Bhutan for one-horned rhino; engagement of the local communities; initiate proactive monitoring on potential adverse impacts of climate change; accelerate natural and conservation breeding of Sumatran rhino.
–Status of Great One horned Rhinoceros- Vulnerable as per IUCN
- Indian Rhino Vision 2020
– It has been implemented by Assam State
– Government with the Bodo autonomous council as an active partner and supported by WWF- India. The aim is to increase the number of Rhinos and provide long term viability of the one-horned rhino population.
– Special Rhino Protection Force – Assam
– In India it is found in Assam in – Kaziranga National Park, Manas National Park, Pobitora Reserve Forest, Orang National Park, Laokhowa Reserve Forest
6. Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN Yojana
– Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs approved Pradhan Mantri JI-VAN yojana- JAIV INDHAN- VATAVARAN ANUKOOL FASAL AWASHESH NIVARAN YOJANA
– The scheme under the Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas (MoP&NG) will provide financial support to Integrated Bioethanol Projects using lignocellulosic biomass and other renewable feedstock.
– Bio ethanol: It is an alcohol produced from fermentation of carbohydrate and cellulosic material of crops and other plants and grasses. It is generally used as an additive to increase octane number of fuel.
– Government had launched Ethanol Blended Petrol (EBP) programme in 2003, under which OMCs are to blend upto 10% of ethanol in Petrol.
7. ENVIRONMENTAL RULE OF LAW
– released by UNEP
– It’s the first ever global assessment of environmental laws.
8. REPEATED EARTHQUAKES IN PALGHAR
– The Palghar district in northern Maharashtra has been witnessing an unusual frequency of earthquakes since November, 2018
– National Centre for Seismology (NCS) has categorized the unusual tremors as an ‘earthquake swarm’
– Hydro-seismicity is being hypothesized as the reason for swarms in peninsular India i.e. Water from heavy rainfall enters the small fractures in the rocks creating pressure between them. With every 10 meter rise in groundwater, pore pressure increases by 1 bar. This pressure is released in the form of earthquake swarms.
