Habitat loss may have triggered Nipah outbreak: WHO report

According to report by World Health Organisation (WHO), human-triggered factors like habitat loss due to deforestation and climate change set off infectious outbreaks such as recent Nipah cases in Kerala. Due to habitat destruction by human activity, flying fox (fruit ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

Worsening air quality major cause of premature deaths in India: Study

According recent research, worsening air quality in last two decades has emerged as one of major reasons for high numbers of premature deaths in India. The research was conducted by Indian Institute of Technology (IIT)-Delhi in collaboration with environmental NGO ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

22 May: International Bio-diversity Day

The International Bio-diversity Day is observed every year on 22 May to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The theme this year is ‘Celebrating 25 Years of Action for Biodiversity’. It marks 25th anniversary of entry into force of ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

Basel Convention on Hazardous Wastes

The Basel Convention on the Control of Transboundary Movements of Hazardous Wastes and their Disposal was designed to reduce the movements of hazardous waste between nations. It is aimed at protecting human health and the environment from the generation, management, ..

26th BASIC Ministerial Meeting of Environment Ministers held in Durban

The 26th BASIC Ministerial Meeting of Environment Ministers was held in Durban, South Africa. The grouping is a bloc of four countries – Brazil, South Africa, India and China. It was attended by from BASIC countries and Michal Kurtyka of ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

India’s freshwater stocks in danger: NASA

According first of its kind study of NASA, India is among hotspots where overuse of water resources has caused sharp decline in availability of freshwater. The study was conducted by scientists from NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Centre by using an ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

Sagar cyclonic storm: IMD issues advisory to 5 states and 1 UT

The India Meteorological Department (IMD) issued advisory to Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Karnataka, Goa, Maharashtra and Lakshadweep  archipelago (UT) over cyclonic storm ‘Sagar’. The cyclonic storm was developed as low pressure area in Arabian Sea which gained strength and intensified into ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

India emerges third largest solar market in the world in 2017

According to recently released report by Mercom Communications, India emerged as third largest solar market in world in 2017 behind China and United States. Mercom Communications India is arm of global clean energy consulting firm Mercom Capital Group. Key Highlights ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

4th meeting of SAWEN held in Kolkata, India

The fourth meeting of South Asia Wildlife Enforcement Network (SAWEN), an inter-governmental wildlife law enforcement agency was in Kolkata, West Bengal (India) from May 8-10, 2018. It was first meeting of SAWEN to be held in India since its inception ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018

More tests required for release of GM mustard: GEAC

The Genetic Engineering Appraisal Committee (GEAC) has demanded more tests for genetically modified mustard- Dhara Mustard Hybrid (DMH -11) for “commercial cultivation. It has called for ‘field demonstrations’ of GM mustard in an area of 5 acres at two or ..

Month: Current Affairs - May, 2018