SYNOPSIS OF ENVIRONMENTAL CURRENT AFFAIRS (JAN 19TH TO 24TH)

 Jan 19

 More regional centers to monitor environmental projects

According to information revealed in an affidavit filed by MoEF in Supreme Court, the government is planning to open 4 more regional centers to strengthen monitoring of environmental projects in different sectors, including mining. The new centers will be located at Chennai, Dehradun, Nagpur and Ranchi. Already 6 regional centers are working at Bangalore, Bhubaneswar, Bhopal, Shillong, Lucknow and Chandigarh.

Jan 20

Chilika for UNWTO project.

Chilika, Orissa, has been chosen as one of the 8 global sites for development of sustainable tourism and livelihood of local communities to maintain its status as a destination for migratory birds by United Nations World Tourism Organization (UNWTO). At Chilika, the only site in Asia to be selected, UNWTO would help develop strategies for protection of migratory birds through creation of innovative tourism and livelihood products.

 Jan 21

No El Nino, still warm 2013

According to NASA and US governments’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, 2013 one among the warmest years, since the temperature records began in 1880. Important fact is that in 2013, there was no El Nino. Usually due to El Nino, a weather event leading to warming of Central Pacific, the average temperatures are boosted every year.

 Jan 22

At Davos, Switzerland, top leaders at the World Economic Forum have emphatically made it a top priority to push to reshape the Global economy and cut Global warming by shifting to cleaner energy sources.

Jan 23

Green Rain In Mumbai

At Dombivili, Mumbai, environmentalists and conservationists were forced to take note of the Green Rain and the larger pollution problem in Mumbai. Air pollutants reacting with rain water may have resulted in Green Rain, thus causing water and soil pollution. There are a total of 450 industrial plants in and around the area, majority of which deal in chemical and hazardous wastes. Local people regularly complain of foul smell and choking gases emission from these plants.

Jan 24

The International Crops Research Institute for Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT), has identified 40  Germplasm of chickpea, resistant to extreme weather conditions like drought, high temperatures and salinity. The latest finding is the result of 14 year effort by a team led by Dr. Hari D. Upadhyay, head of Genebank at ICRISAT. Chickpeas are rich in Protein, Starch, Fibers, Minerals, Vitamins and is an important legume in the world