[Environment and Ecology] Major Conferences, Conventions, Protocols in Environment and Ecology

A Conference is consulting together formally; a type of negotiations, there is only broad theme. In a conference the principle bodies are established for further deliberations if any required on the broad theme for which the conference is called for.

A Conventionis a meeting or gathering to formulate or deliberate on a generally accepted

[Environment & Biodiversity] Critically Endangered Species

Critically Endangered Species of Animals

·         The Red List of 2012 was released at the Rio +20 Earth Summit.

·         It contains 132 species of plants and animals in India listed as critically endangered.

·         The Critically Endangered list included 18 species of amphibians, 14 fishes and 10 mammals. There are also 15 bird species in the category.

·         This article gives you an overview of birds, amphibians and mammals which are critically

[EnB] Environment and Biodiversity Basics Notes

Environment and Biodiversity Basics :

·     The average temperature of the earth is 16ºC.

·   The most unique feature of the earth is its buffering action due to which a neutral pH (pH7)is maintained in the soil and water bodies.

· The diversity of living organisms is comprised of five kingdoms of life. Monera,

[Geography] Classification of Natural Vegetation in India

To study the present state and economic importance of the natural vegetation of India, it is necessary to note the distinction between flora, vegetation and forest.

[Geography] Soil Erosion, Causes and Measures to Prevent Soil Erosion

• When things erode, they wear away due to some force acting on them. Just look at any coastline and you will notice how the constant pounding force from wind and waves causes

[Demography] Demographic Change and the Environment

• Though there is a fair understanding of the ways in which India's population is changing as well as of the social and economic implications of these changes, little attention has so far been

[Environment] Climate Changes Summits and Conventions

Although climate change is a vast topic, it should be covered systematically. Climate Change topic can be divided into the following sub-topics:

• What is climate change

[Himachal GK] Hazard Profile of State Himachal Pradesh

State of Himachal is prone to various hazards both natural and manmade. Main hazards consist of earthquakes, landslides, flash floods, snow storms and avalanches, draughts, dam failures, fires – domestic and wild, accidents – road, rail, air, stampedes, boat capsizing, biological, industrial and hazardous chemicals etc.

[Polity] Wildlife Protection Act 1972

India is the first country to have made provisions for the protection and conservation of environment in it’s constitution. On 5th June 1972, environment was first discussed as an item of international agenda in the U.N. Conference of Human Environment in Stockholm and thereafter 5th June is celebrated all over the world as “World Environment Day“.

[Polity] Land Acquisition Bill

What is Land Acquisition ?

• Land acquisition in India refers to the process of land acquisition by the central or state government of India for various infrastructure and economic growth initiatives.

[Environment & Biodiversity] Wetlands and their Role in Ecological Conservation in India. Discuss!

A wetland is an area of land whose soil has high water content either permanently or seasonally. Wetlands include swamps, marshes and bogs, among others. The water found in wetlands can be saltwater, fresh water, shallow water or brackish water. These accounts for 18.4% of India's total geographical area.Wetlands are one of the most productive eco-system, comparable to tropical evergreen forests in the biosphere and play a significant role in the ecological sustainability of a region.

[Current EnB] India’s Tigers population increases by 30% since 2011

As per tiger census report 2014, the population of tigers in India has increased from 1,706 in 2011 to 2,226 in 2014.

This tiger census report was released by Union environment minister Prakash Javadekar.

Key facts of tiger census report 2014:

[Environment] Montreal Protocol: Role in Protecting Earth’s Environment. Comment

A layer exists consisting of Ozone Gas (O3) is found at the height of 20 to 60 km from the Earth’s surface. It is essential for living beings as it prevents the ultraviolet (UV) rays of the sun coming to the Earth UV protects living things from the dangerous effect of UV rays. But due to industrialization and pollution depletion of O3 in notices which poses a danger to all living things.

[Environment] Plastics Recyclability

Since plastic is cheap and versatile, its abuse presents a serious environmental menace. It is derived from petrochemicals, so is inherently unsustainable. It degrades slowly (taking up to 500 years) and in the process releases persistent organic pollutants that can be ingested by organisms in the biosphere, contaminating not just the atmosphere but also the food chain.

[Environment] Coral reefs – recent findings

Coral reefs are underwater structures made from calcium carbonate secreted by corals. Coral reefs are colonies of tiny living animals like calcareous algae, gastropods, green algae, sino bacteria, oyester, mollusca etc found in marine waters. Coral reefs are often called “rainforests of the sea” as they form some of the most diverse ecosystems on Earth. Despite occupying less than 0.1% of the world’s ocean surface, they provide a home for 25% of all marine species!

[Himachal GK] Status of Air Pollution in Himachal Pradesh

Air Pollution

Prior to the Air Pollution Control Act of 1955, little headway was made to initiate this air pollution reform. U.S. cities Chicago and Cincinnati first established smoke ordinances in 1881. In 1904, Philadelphia passed an ordinance limiting the amount of smoke in flues, chimneys, and open spaces. The ordinance imposed a penalty if not all smoke inspections were passed. It wasn't until 1947 that California authorized the creation of Air Pollution Control Districts in every county of the state.

[Himachal GK] Biodiversity of Himachal Pradesh

Layout Maps of Bio Diversity Activities in Himachal Pradesh:

1. Block Management Committees BMC constituted in Himachal Pradesh

Map Source: Aryabhatta Geo Informatics  Space Application Centre, Panthaghati, Shimla, Himachal Pradesh.

[UPSE CSE Prelims] Essential Books For UPSC Civil Services Examination : Prelims (GS/CSAT)

Essential Books For UPSC Civil Services Examination : Prelims (GS/CSAT)

Paper I : General Studies ( GS)

History, Culture, Freedom Struggle :

[UPSC CSE Mains] Books for UPSC Civil Services Mains Examination General Studies and Optional Subjects

Recommended and Must Needed Books for Civil Services Mains Examination (UPSC CSE) General Studies and Optional Subjects

[UPSC Mains GS3] Paper III : GS3: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Paper III : GS3: Technology, Economic Development, Bio diversity, Environment, Security and Disaster Management

Important Books

New Arrival : IAS Mains General Studies - Technology Economic Development Bio Diversity Environment, Security & Disaster Management (Paper 3) - Arihant