environment

DDA announced its Plans of Creating Four Diversity Parks

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) on 7 November 2012 announced its plans of creating four diversity parks that would span in a total area of 10000 hectares. Out of this 7000 hectares would be the a park that will span over the Yamuna Flood Plains and the second one that is proposed to be developed across the Tilpat Valley, adjoin the Asola-Bhatti Mines in an area of 80 hectares would be the over an area of 80 hectares.

The manmade biodiversity parks would help in regenerating the natural wilderness. Creation of such parks would be helpful in recharging the ground water level, purification of water, holding and controlling the situations of floods to a greater extent, controlling the mask of pollutant cover in the environment and lowering down the shield of growing temperature.

Before this, the Delhi University’s Centre for Environmental Management of Degraded Systems has helped in regeneration of the native flora surrounding the Yamuna and Aravalli Biodiversity Park, which played a great role in bringing back several varieties of migratory birds at Yamuna Park and ninety species Butterflies to the Aravalli Park.

The development Crocodile Park in the Yamuna Biodiversity Park development programs phase 2 is under process. Within seven years of starting the work for Aravalli Biodiversity Park, the vilayati kikar also called prosposis julifera (brought by British to create greenery) that is a threat to natural and endemic flora of the region has been replaced up to 70 percent.

The scientists were also successful in creation of a tropical rainforest in the mine-pits of the park that helps in retaining a shield of cool temperature round the park. The thick canopy of trees that is created by more than 50 species of orchids and the bats hanging on them in the vicinity of the naturally formed water bodies makes an ultimate view of scenic beauty in the Biodiversity Park.

GLOBAL WARMING SUMMIT MOTHER EARTH HAS BEEN CONDUCTED DURING APRIL 2010-BOLIVIA

the latest Environmental Performance Index (EPI),

India's planning commission has placed which among the following states on top

slot? [A]Andhra Pradesh [B]Gujarat [C]Himachal Pradesh [D]Odisha

Himachal Pradesh According to Planning Commission, the EPI is a measure of

environmental well-being and with the efforts made by the State, the scores

assigned and the ranking would change year after year. The criteria on which the

index was ranked took into account 16 indicators under five categories of air

pollution, forests, water quality, water management and climate change. The

planning commission is considering the environmental performance index under the

performance criteria for states under the Gadgil Formula and to assign a 2 percent

weightage for environment conservation.

The Ministry of Environment and Forest (MoEF) on 14 August 2012 issued an advisory to reduce the negative impact of Electro Magnetic Radiations emanating from the communication towers. Acting on the recommendations made by an expert panel, constituted to Study the possible Impacts of Communication Towers on Wildlife including Birds and Bees, the ministry issued numerous guidelines.

Some of the major directives issued by the MoEF are as follows:

1.  Regular Electro Magnetic Radiation (EMR) to be conducted in urban localities and ecologically sensitive regions.

2.  New mobile towers not to be set up within the 1 km radius of existing towers.

3.  Any study conducted on impact of EMR radiation on wildlife needs to be shared with Forest Department andDepartment of Telecommunications to facilitate appropriate policy formulations.

4.  The location and frequencies of cell phone towers and other towers emitting EMR, should be madeavailable in public domain.

5.  State governments are urged to spread awareness among the people about the negative impacts of EMR using different media.

ECO MARK FOR ENVIRONMENT FRIENDLY CONSUMER PRODUCTS

Negligence of the act is costing the State dear as several unique species of the flora-fauna and other distinctive possessions such as the majestic Ongole breed bull and the dwarf cow breed from Punganur are fast approaching the state of extinction. The extent of Pterocarpus santalinus(Red Sanders or Red Sandalwood), which is only found in the Seshachalam hill( AP) range in the State, is depleting due to unabated smuggling to China and other countries.

Similarly, the Ongole bull and Punganur cow breeds were being smuggled to South American countries like Brazil and others.

The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has already placed red sanders in its “Red List” (the list of species on the verge of extinction).

Similar is the position of Ongole bull, Punganur cow and several other distinctive possessions of Andhra Pradesh, official sources stated.

Mr.Jairam Ramesh has applauded the role of DRDO scientists in
developing the bio-toilets, which are based upon "bio-digester technology". He
suggested that the bio-toilets could be named ‘Bapu’, as the Father of the Nation
Mahatma Gandhi had always stressed on sanitation in rural areas of the country

INDIA’S FIRST BUTTERFLY PARK--- Bannerghatta Biological Park south of Bangalore,Karnataka, India.

BIOSPHERE LIES 6KM ABOVE SEALEVEL,10KM BELOW SEA LEVEL

In Iceland the first environment scheduled on environment performance index(in 2010)

Major source of sulphur di oxide emission is burning fossil fuel.

President Patil to Unveil New Logo for Rashtrapati Bhavan’s Green Initiative, Roshni

What is “Roshni”?

A green innovative concept with a vision to turn all urban habitats eco-friendly and sustainable.

Started on July 25, 2008, the programme aims to make the President’s Estate a model in green, energy efficient and zero waste model township for all other habitats across India.

Objectives:

Conserve water and promote its reuse and recycling.

Conserve energy and encourage use of new and renewable sources of energy.

Improve waste management systems and to promote the 3 R's viz; Reduce,Reuse and Recycle.

Control air & noise pollution.

Expand Green cover and conserve biodiversity.

Make residents of urban habitats more responsive to eco-friendly life styles.

Madhya Pradesh, the state with maximum forest cover area

As per latest India State of Forest Report 2011, amongst all the Indian states, MP has the maximum Forest Cover area in country.

As per latest India State of Forest Report 2011:

Geographical area of the country is under Forest and Tree cover: 23.81% i.e.78.29 million hectare

Madhya Pradesh has 11.24% of the total forest land in the country

Arunachal Pradesh with 67,410 kms under forest cover stands,second

Chhattisgarh with a forest cover of 55,870 kms, stands third

As compared to the data of 2009 there is a decline of 367 sq km in country’s forest cover

15 states registered aggregate increase of 5000sq km in their forest cover with Punjab at the forefront with an increase of 100sqkm

12 states/UTs (mainly the NE states) show a loss of 867sqkm forest

Decrease of 281 sq km in Forest cover of Andhra Pradesh is mainly related to harvesting of mature plantation of Eucalyptus & other species Fall in Forest cover of North East is attributed to the practice of shifting cultivation in this region

In terms of % of forest cover in compared to total geographical area, Mizoram tops the chart with 90.68% followed by Lakshadweep with 84.56%

*Some path-breaking chapters added in 2011 report are concerned with:

Assessment of bamboo resources

Production-consumption assessment of wood based on data stock in India’s forests Assessment of carbon stock in India’s forests.

Hangul

• Hope has kindled for the survival of the nearly extinct Kashmir antelope ‘Hangul’.  The preliminary findings of the census of Hangul conducted in Kashmir in March 2011 have shown an increase in their numbers.  
•  the conservation of Hangul in Srinagar recently revealed that census report of the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) has put the number of Hanguls at 218 in Dachigam and adjoining areas. 
• Critically endangered Hangul, a sub-species of red deer, is found only in Kashmir. Kashmir stag is distinct with its male species bestowed with magnificent antlers with 11 to 16 points and long hair on their necks while their female counterparts have none of these features. Nevertheless, both change their brownish fur with seasons and also with age. In the beginning of the 20th century the red deer existed in thousands. They lived in groups of 2 to 18 in dense riverine forests, high valleys, and mountains of Kashmir valley.   Unfortunately, their habitats were destroyed, their pastures over-grazed by domestic livestock, and  became victims of poaching.
• Hangul is confined today to Dachigam National Park at elevations of 3,035 meters on the outskirts of state’s summer capital Srinagar. 
• It is also proposed under the project to upgrade the natural domain of Hangul through reforestation and also initiate measures to conserve soil and improve water management and develop pastures. 

Amrita Devi And Gaura Devi

The ministry of environment and forests (MoEF) will institute national awards in the names of Amrita Devi and Gaura Devi, two women considered pioneers of India's environmental conservation movement. Incidentally, the awards are being initiated in the UN-declared the International Year of Forests (2011) to raise awareness on sustainable management, conservation and development of forests…. ‘The MoEF will institute national awards in their name to recognize the contributions of communities, particularly women, to the cause of forest protection and regeneration