November Current Affairs 2020 : Environment

The Current Affairs will be useful for UPSC, UPPSC, and various examinations…

Panna National Park in Madhya Pradesh has been declared a UNESCO ‘Biosphere Reserve’.

• Annually, UNESCO appoints new biosphere reserve and removes other to promote the conservation of biodiversity, resolve the man-animal conflict at that sight and allow sustainable use of natural resources.

• The protection is granted not only to the flora and fauna, but also to the human communities who inhabit these regions, and their way of life.

• India’s first UNESCO based Biosphere Reserve is Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Tamil Nadu, 2000.

Panna Tiger Reserve gets status of ‘Biosphere Reserve’ due to tiger population back from Zero to 54 in ten years.

Note : Now, India have 12 Biosphere Reserve within the framework of UNESCO’s Man and Biosphere (MAB) programme.

Delhi Chief Minister Mr. Kejriwal said that this technique will reduce the use of fertilizers and increase the productivity of the Farm soil.

• By this technique crop stubble converted into compost/manure.

• The technology also called ‘PUSA Decomposer‘ because it’s developed under the guidance of PUSA Institute.

• It spray on the fields with crop stubble to ensure speedy Bio-decomposing of the stubble.

• It will improve soil fertility and decrease fertilizer consumption.

• It is cost-effective technology.

• Bio-decomposer technique to stop stubble burning and reduce air pollution.

• It is eco-friendly and environmentally use.

Recently, Cyclone Nivar hit the southeastern coast of India in Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry (in last week of November 2020).

Cyclone Nivar is a ‘Severe Cyclonic Storm’ category. (According to IMD)

• The Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts are experiencing heavy rainfall and strong winds.

• The winds speed was 120 & 130 km/hr.

• People living in low-lying areas have been evacuated.

• The NDRF has deployed 1200 personnel in affected areas of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Puducherry.

Note : Nivar was named by Iran according to the tropical cyclone naming convention.

Why in News ?

Recently, Bioluminescence or light emitting tide made an appearance at Mumbai’s Juhu Beach and Devgad, Velas and Murad along Maharashtra’s coastline.

• Heavy rainfall

• Fertilizer run off

• Discharge of sewage into the ocean.

• When luminescent marine life make a sea appear a deep shade of blue.

• It occurs due to microscopic marine plants/diaoflagellates produce light through chemical reaction in proteins.

• Wave disturb these unicellular microorganisms and make them release blue light.

• The smaller blooms may be harmless, but larger blooms may have impact the marine life.

• According to Gurudas Nulkar (Ecologist) – “It is a spectacle but in reality, it is ecological indicator of degraded water quality”.

Note : Bioluminescence has been an annual occurence along the west coast since 2016 during the months of November and December.

Ammonia levels in the rivers, in Delhi had reached 3 parts per million (ppm), which is 6 time more than permissible limit of 0.5 ppm.

• Industrial waste

• Fertilizer

• Synthetic fibre

•  Decomposition of Organic waste

• Effluent from dye units, Distilleries and other factories in Panipat and Sonepat districts in Haryana.

• Sewage from Haryana & Delhi households.

• It is toxic for aquatic animals.

• Ammonia in drinking water some time unpleasant taste and smell.

• The high level of ammonia concern for human health.

• its hazardous to Aquatic Ecosystems.

Environment, Forest & Climate Change Minister Shri Prakash Javadekar has said, India’s historic step towards achieving its commitments done at the Paris Agreement and the country is acting on its Naturally Determined Contribution.

Background :

Paris Agreement 2016 – A common target to limit global warming to less than 2 degree Celsius from Pre-Industrial levels.

Participants :

CEOs of companies like Reliance Industries Ltd, Tech Mahindra, Dalmia Cement, Ambuja Cement, Dr. Reddy’s, Sun Pharma and Adani transmission, among others, held a virtual discussion with Union Environment Minister Prakash Javadekar.

Benefits :

The Private players work with Government on GHG emission reduction and building Climate resilience as part of a sustainable development.