ENVIRONMENT CURRENT UPDATES - 2

Rajasthan seeks Centre's nod for shifting 2 tigers (The Hindu)

Why in news?
Two tigers may soon be relocated from the renowned
Ranthambhore National Park to the Mukundara Hills Tiger
Reserve in Rajasthan, which has been waiting for the big cats
since its establishment in 2013.
Key Points:
The State government has sought the Centre's nod for the
shifting exercise.
The Mukundara Hills, located in the Hadoti region of south-
eastern Rajasthan, is the third notified tiger habitat in the
State, after Ranthambhore and Sariska.
Though it was established to cater to the spill over tiger
population from Ranthambhore, the majestic cat is still missing
from its wildlife population that boasts of panthers, sloth bear,
cheetal, sambhar, blue bulls, chinkara, wild boars, langurs, and
jackal, among other species.
Tigers to make a comeback in Buxa reserve (Indian Express)
Why in news?
The Buxa Tiger Reserve has been identified for the tiger augmentation programme by the National Tiger
Conservation Authority (NTCA).
The tigers from the forest reserves of Assam, which have a similar flora and fauna, will be introduced in Buxa. The
reserve is located very close to Assams Manas Tiger Reserve, and some experts believe that animals from Manas
often come to Buxa using Bhutan as a corridor.
Buxa Tiger Reserve:
It Notified as a tiger reserve in 1983, consists of moist, deciduous and evergreen forests. It stretches to a length
of 50 km from west to east and 35 km from north to south.
Northern boundary of Buxa Tiger Reserve runs along the international border with Bhutan. The Sinchula hill
range lies all along the northern side of BTR and the eastern boundary touches that of the Assam state.
The Phipsu Wildlife Sanctuary of Bhutan is contiguous to the north of BTR.
Manas National Park lies on east of BTR. BTR, thus, serves as international corridor for Asian elephant migration
between India and Bhutan.
Uninhabited Lakshadweep island Parali I vanishes, 4 others shrinking fast (Livemint)
Why in news?
According to study, one of the biodiversity-rich uninhabited islands, part of Lakshadweep has vanished due to
coastal erosion and another four such territories in the sea are shrinking fast.
Parali I island, part of Bangaram atoll, which was 0.032 km in 1968 has been eroded to an extent of 100%,
resulting in its inundation.
Key Points:
The study said the complete erosion and inundation of Parali I was pointing to the gravity of issues associated
with coastal erosion within the atoll.
On an overall assessment of the changes in the aerial extent of islands using RS/GIS, it has been noticed that all
the five islets of Bangaram atoll had undergone coastal erosion.

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 The results are indicative of the urgent
measures to be implemented on each
islet of the atoll to check further erosion.
It is also recommended to check the
feasibility of a bio protection strategy
using mangroves, in addition to the
conventional physical protection
measures.
The data obtained were processed using
Remote Sensing (RS) and Geographic
Information System (GIS) softwares.
Since the absence of this island (Parli I)
is noticed in both observations carried
out in 2003 and 2007, it is assumed that
the island has been subjected to
complete erosion during 1968-2003 periods and an assessment of the exact year of its inundation requires data
analysis for a span of 35 years extending from 1968.
The magnitude of such events was higher in Parali group, evidenced by the complete erosion and inundation of
the island Parali I.
Way Forward:
It is now widely recognised that islands and coastal areas are going to get eroded and inundated due to rising sea
levels because of increasing global temperature.
Indias coasts and islands, which are densely populated, are highly vulnerable with the sea levels predicted to rise
further, we should start preparing for building defenses to protect our coastlines and islands.
The magnitude of net erosion was higher in Parali I island (100%), which resulted in its inundation. Apart from
Parali I, net erosion was higher in Parali II (80%), followed by Thinnakara (14.38%), Parali III (11.42%) and
Bangaram (9.968%).
India could embrace CO2 capture technology:
Why in news?
India will explore the
possibility of introducing
technologies for capturing
carbon dioxide emitted while
burning coal and other fossil
fuels.
Mr. Kumar is leading an Indian
delegation at an international
conference on Carbon
Capture Utilisation and
Storage (CCUS) in Alabama.
Key Points:
A lot of advanced research in
the area, of late, has been
focussing on capturing carbon
dioxide emissions from
sources like coal-fired power
plants, to either reuse or store
it so it will not enter the

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 atmosphere.
CO2 has commercial and industrial uses, particularly for Enhanced Oil Recovery (EOR) in depleting oil fields.
Carbon dioxide can change the properties of oil and make it easier to extract.
The International Energy Agencys Green House Gas Research and Development initiative organises the annual
Post Combustion Carbon Conference, which is currently in session in Birmingham, in the State of Alabama.
Carbon capture and storage (CCS):
CCS is a range of technologies that hold the promise of trapping up to 90% of the carbon dioxide emissions from
power stations and industrial sites.
It involves collecting, transporting and then burying the CO2 so that it does not escape into the atmosphere and
contribute to climate change.
There are three main techniques:
1. The post-combustion process involves scrubbing the power plant's exhaust gas using chemicals.
2. Pre-combustion CCS takes place before the fuel is placed in the furnace by first converting coal into a clean-
burning gas and stripping out the CO2 released by the process.
3. The third method, oxyfuel, burns the coal in an atmosphere with a higher concentration of pure oxygen,
resulting in an exhaust gas that is almost pure CO2. (See below for further details).
Once the CO2 has been trapped, it is liquefied, transported sometimes for several hundred miles and buried,
either in suitable geological formations, deep underground saline aquifers or disused oil fields.
The last method is often used in a process called "enhanced oil recovery", where CO2 is pumped into an oil field
to force out the remaining pockets of oil that would otherwise prove difficult to extract.
New species of edible fish found in Pampa river (The Hindu)

Researchers exploring the waters of the Pampa river in Pathanamthitta have chanced upon a new species of
edible freshwater fish that could possibly be farmed on a commercial scale.
The new species that belongs to the Labeo genus is only the second one to be reported from Kerala.
Named Labeo filiferus, it has been collected from the stretch of the Pampa running through Edakadathy in
Pathanamthitta.
Key points:
The fishes in the Labeo genus are widely distributed in the inland waterbodies of India, Pakistan, Nepal,
Bangladesh, Sri Lanka, Burma, Malaysia, tropical Africa and Syria.
They are medium- sized elongate fishes with rounded abdomen, swollen snout, finged lips and a straight lateral line.
As many as 31 species of Labeo are reported to be present in India, with L.rohita, commonly known as Rohu,
extensively used in aquaculture.
The only other Labeo species reported from Kerala is L. dussumieri.
Labeo filiferus:
The Labeo filiferus characteristics are black coloured body and fins, smaller eyes, longer snout, prominent barbels
and elongated dorsal and anal fins.
It is 20 to 40 cm long and weighed four to five kilograms. Its eyes are brilliantly coloured with orange tinge.
It can possibly be farmed on a commercial scale. It is second fish belonging to Labeo genus to be discovered in
Kerala after L.dussumieri.
Mouse deer reintroduced into Amrabad forest (The Hindu)

In a novel and unique initiative attempted anywhere in the country, the TS Forest Department re-introduced the
mouse deer into the forests of Nallamalla in Amrabad Tiger Reserve.
Also called spotted Chevrotain, it is one of the endangered species usually found in deciduous and evergreen
forests of the country.

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 Two males and six females were released into a specially made reintroduction enclosure of over 2.14 hectares
in the Mannunur range.
These animals are nocturnal in habitat and because of their small size they are called smallest ungulates too.
Also called Jarini Pandi in Telugu, their number has been decreasing at an alarming rate in recent years because
of destruction of habitat and poaching.
Mouse deer:
Mouse deer (also known as Spotted Chevrotain) is one of the endangered species. It looks like weird mash-up of
a deer, mouse and pig.
It is not considered true deer, but shares suborder with deer (Ruminantia). It has its own family called Tragulidae.
It is nocturnal.
Because of their small size they are smallest ungulates (large mammals) in the world. It is found in deciduous and
evergreen forests throughout India.
Its population is on decline due to destruction of their habitat and poaching.
Wood is Good Campaign (PIB)

The government has launched Wood is Good Campaign under the

Partnership for Land Use Science (Forest-Plus), a partnership between
USAID and Indias environment ministry.
The idea is to promote wood as a climate-friendly resource and a
substitute to materials like plastic and steel because it is carbon neutral
unlike the others while leave a carbon footprint in their production.
The Partnership for Land Use Science (Forest-Plus):
Forest Plus is a joint programme by the United States Agency for
International Development (USAID) and Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) to
strengthen capacity for REDD (Reducing Emissions from Deforestation and Forest Degradation) implementation
in India.
The programme brings together experts from India and the United States to develop technologies, tools and
methods of forest management to meet the technical challenges of managing forests for the health of
ecosystem, carbon stocks, biodiversity and livelihood.
International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer 2017 observed globally (Livemint)

The International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer was observed globally on 16 September 2017 with
the theme 'Caring for all life under the sun'.
The Day commemorates the date of the signing of the 'Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone
Layer'. This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Montreal Protocol.
As part of the anniversary celebrations, the Ozone Secretariat launched a communication campaign Ozone
Heroes ahead of World Ozone Day.
Background:
In 1994, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 16 September as the International Day for the
Preservation of the Ozone Layer to commemorate the date of the signing of the Montreal Protocol on Substances
that Deplete the Ozone Layer that was signed in 1987.
On 16 September 2009, the Montreal Protocol along with Vienna Convention became the first treaty in the
history of the United Nations to achieve Universal Ratification.
Ozone Layer:
The Ozone layer is fragile shield of gas which protects Earth from harmful ultraviolet (UV) radiation of Sun and
thus helping preserve life on the planet.
It contains high concentrations of ozone (O3) in relation to other parts of the atmosphere. Stratospheric Ozone is

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 not harmful, but its presence on land it is harmful.
Substances like Chlorofluorocarbons, halons, Carbontetrachloride are responsible for ozone layer depletion.
Montreal Protocol:
It is an international treaty designed to protect ozone layer by phasing out production of numerous Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODSs) that are responsible for ozone depletion. It was agreed on 26 August 1987 in
Montreal, Canada and entered into force on 26 August 1989.
The principal aim of the Montreal Protocol is to protect the ozone layer by taking measures to control total global
production and consumption of substances that deplete it.
It requires the control of nearly 100 chemicals in several categories. For each group of chemicals, the Treaty sets
out a timetable for the phase-out of production and consumption of those substances.
Implementation of the Montreal Protocol progressed well in developed and developing countries.
Vienna Convention for Protection of the Ozone Layer:
It is multilateral environmental agreement agreed upon at the 1985 Vienna Conference and entered into force in
1988. It is one of the most successful treaties of all time in terms of universality. It has been ratified by 197 states
(all UN members as well as the Niue, Holy See and the Cook Islands) as well as European Union.
It acts as a framework for the international efforts to protect the ozone layer. These are laid out in the
accompanying Montreal Protocol. However, it does not include legally binding reduction goals for the use of
CFCs, the main chemical agents causing ozone depletion.
Snow leopard no longer endangered-IUCN (The Hindu)
Why in news?
The conservation status of snow leopard has been
improved from endangered to vulnerable. The
decision was announced by the International Union for
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) the global standard for
assessing extinction risk. The status change followed a
three-year assessment process by five international
experts.
However, experts have warned that the species still
faces serious threats from poaching and habitat
destruction.
The elegant yet elusive creatures, which live in the
mountains of central Asia, were first listed as
endangered by the IUCN in 1972.
Key Facts:
Endangered Species: According to IUCN, species are
considered endangered, if they are fewer than 2,500 and experiencing high rate of decline.
Vulnerable Species: Species are fewer than 10,000 and its population has declined at least 10% over three
generations.
Snow leopard:
Snow leopard (Panthera uncial) is a large cat native to the mountain ranges of
Central and South Asia- including Himalayas, and Russias remote Altai
mountains.
It inhabits in alpine and subalpine zones at elevations from 3,000 to 4,500 m. In
the northern range countries, it is also found at lower elevations.
It is threatened by poaching for their fur, habitat destruction by infrastructure
developments and climate change.

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 It mostly feed on wild animals, but also prey on livestock. It usually hunts at dawn and dusk and can kill prey up
to three times their own weight.
It is National Heritage Animal of Pakistan and Afghanistan.
Recurving cyclones dried August rains (The Hindu)
Why in news?
A strange pattern of tropical
cyclones (TC) in the Western Pacific
appear to be the reason for the
drying up of monsoon rains in
August across India.
The India Meteorological
Department (IMD) had predicted
normal monsoon rains in August,
typically the second most bountiful
monsoon month after July.
Key Points:
During the monsoon months,
cyclones in the Western Pacific move
westwards towards India and aid
rain-bearing systems over the sub-
continent.
But during some years they recurve,
or start to swing north-east, and do
not give as much of a push to the
rains as they do in the good monsoon
years.
This re-curving frequently happens during the El Nino years but this time it inexplicably occurred when an El Nino
hasnt yet taken shape.
El Nino years are those when sea surface temperatures in the east equatorial Pacific rise, and often dampen the
monsoon.
Nearly 22% of the country faces drought-like conditions.
How El Nino impacts monsoon rainfall in India:
El Nino and Indian monsoon are inversely related.
The most prominent droughts in India six of them since 1871 have been El Nino droughts, including the
recent ones in 2002 and 2009
However, not all El Nino years led to a drought in India. For instance, 1997/98 was a strong El Nino year but there
was no drought (Because of IOD).
On the other hand, a moderate El Nino in 2002 resulted in one of the worst droughts.
El Nino directly impacts Indias agrarian economy as it tends to lower the production of summer crops such as
rice, sugarcane, cotton and oilseeds.
The ultimate impact is seen in the form of high inflation and low gross domestic product growth as agriculture
contributes around 14 per cent to the Indian economy.
Odisha govt rapped for delay in notifying Elephant Corridor (The Hindu)
Why in news?
The National Green Tribunal has expressed extreme disappointment over the lethargic pace of notifying elephant

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 corridors fixed paths which connect traditional
elephant habitats in Odisha.
Adjudicating the case filed by the Wildlife Society of
Orissa, NGT, Eastern Zone Bench, directed the Odisha
government to give a specific timeframe for completion
of processes before publication of the notification in
respect of the elephant corridors.
Key Points:
In 2010, the State government had identified 14
corridors, which would not only have helped the
elephants move without any disturbances, but also
increased chances of exchange of genetic diversity
interchange.
Later, another nine corridors were identified.
However, the government has been dilly-dallying in
notifying the corridors that would have given legal
sanctity for their preservation.
Elephant corridors:
Elephant corridors are narrow strips of land that allow
elephants to move from one habitat patch to another.
There are 88 identified elephant corridors in India.

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