India among top 10 countries gaining forest area in the world: FAO

News: Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has released the latest Global Forest Resources Assessment(FRA). Facts: The FAO has brought out this comprehensive assessment every five years since 1990.  Aim: To assess the state of forests, their conditions and management for all member countries. Key Takeaways: Highest Forest Area: The 10 countries that have recorded maximum… Continue reading India among top 10 countries gaining forest area in the world: FAO

UN World Wildlife Crime Report

News: The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime(UNODC) has released the World Wildlife Crime Report 2020. Facts: The first World Wildlife Crime Report was released in 2016 which represented the first ever report of this nature. Aim: To present wildlife crime situations with a focus on illicit trafficking of specific protected species of wild… Continue reading UN World Wildlife Crime Report

Lonar lake turned pink due to ‘Haloarchaea’ microbes: Probe

News: According to the Agharkar Research Institute, the colour of Lonar lake water turned pink due to a large presence of ‘Haloarchaea’ microbes. Facts: Haloarchaea or Halophilic archaea: It is a bacteria culture which produces pink pigment and is found in water saturated with salt. However,the colour of the lake is returning to original as… Continue reading Lonar lake turned pink due to ‘Haloarchaea’ microbes: Probe

Union Home Minister to launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan

News: Union Home Minister will launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan in the presence of Union Minister of Coal. Facts:  Vriksharopan Abhiyan: It is a tree plantation campaign organized by the Ministry of Coal. Purpose: It involves all Coal/Lignite PSUs carrying out large scale plantations in mines, colonies, offices and other suitable areas and the seedlings will also… Continue reading Union Home Minister to launch Vriksharopan Abhiyan

Mobile app KURMA helps save turtles in India

News: Union Environment Minister has hailed the KURMA mobile application as a unique tool for tracking and reporting Indian turtles. Facts: KURMA App: It is aimed at turtle conservation by providing users a database to identify a species but also provides the location of the nearest rescue centre for turtles across the country. Developed by:… Continue reading Mobile app KURMA helps save turtles in India

Maharashtra seeks alternative route for rail line through Melghat Tiger Reserve

News: Maharashtra has asked the Union government for an alternate alignment to be considered for the upgradation of the railway line passing through Melghat Tiger Reserve(MTR). Facts: Melghat Tiger Reserve: It lies in Amravati district in the state of Maharashtra bordering Madhya Pradesh.It is also a part of the Satpura-Maikal landscape. Vegetation: The forests are… Continue reading Maharashtra seeks alternative route for rail line through Melghat Tiger Reserve

Overharvesting turns ‘Himalayan viagra’ into a ‘vulnerable’ species

News: The world’s costliest fungus, Ophiocordyceps sinensis also known as Himalayan Viagra has entered the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s(IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species. Facts: Ophiocordyceps sinensis: It is a caterpillar fungus endemic to the Himalayan and Tibetan plateau and found in China, Bhutan, Nepal and India.  In India, it is primarily found… Continue reading Overharvesting turns ‘Himalayan viagra’ into a ‘vulnerable’ species

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