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Biodiversity
Tourism threatens Galapagos Islands
Issue Date: Jul 31, 2007
The first place to become a World Heritage site, the Galapagos Islands, was recently declared under threat from "invasive
species" by the UN. Experts say the 19-island archipalego and its surrounding ocean were threatened by increasing tourism and growing
immigration.
The islands, off Ecuador's coast, are home to unique plant and animal life which have been protected by UNESCO through extended boundaries in
2001. According to the UN, increased international interest in the islands--Ecuador's most popular tourist
New whitefly found in Western Ghats
Issue Date: Jul 31, 2007
of the worlds major biologically diverse zones, the Eastern and Western Ghats of India are among the richest,
providing natural conservation to many unknown species of plants and animals. They chronicle many undisclosed stories of evolution.
Adding another feather to the biodiversity hotspot of the Western Ghats, entomologists have discovered a new genus of whitefly prompting a call for
revision of its closest genus Aleurolobus. The genus Aleurolobus is characterised by hordes of different whiteflies thriving on plants.
Online Green notes
Issue Date: Jun 30, 2007
http//www.greenfacts.org
This site under review is run by an eponymous Belgian non-profit organisation, created in December 2001 by individuals from a variety of backgrounds. It brings complex scientific reports on health and the environment to non-specialists.
As a contribution to the International Day for Biological Diversity, green facts has also launched an online summary of the second edition of the Global Biodiversity Outlook. The report communicates the latest scientific consensus findings on the environment both on land and in water.
Kerala draft forest policy lacks focus
Issue Date: May 15, 2007
Kerala released its draft State Forest Policy on March 21, 2007. The policy has critical implications, given most of Kerala's forests are in the Western Ghats--a biodiversity hotspot.
The draft outlines "a universally accessible state forestry reporting system" for greater accountability and transparency. It also plans to focus on the 'ecosystem approach' and has made provisions for ecological audits and other such innovative measures to bring about an order in the system. It envisages an iso 9001 certification for its forests.
Wallpapers, ringtones of endangered species gain popularity
Issue Date: May 15, 2007
Mobile phone wallpapers and ringtones of endangered species are becoming popular among cell phone users. The images and sounds, introduced in
December 2006 by us-based Center for Biological Diversity (cbd), are available for free
download on www.rareearthtones.org.
The initiative has already found many takers, with more than 60,000 people in over 50 countries using them. The website features free ringtones and
G8, developing countries launch Potsdam Initiative
Issue Date: Apr 30, 2007
in a recent meet in Germany's Potsdam city on March 16-17, 2007, g8 countries and five other major developing countries agreed to launch the Potsdam Initiative aimed at preventing biodiversity loss due to climate change.
Dying diversity: North profits from destruction of southern hotspots
Issue Date: Apr 30, 2007
Lukewarm spots
>> Biodiversity hotspots are regions of significant diversity threatened with destruction through commercial exploitation. There are 34 hotspots in
the world, accounting for just 1.4 per cent of the world's land. These regions support 60 per cent of species on earth. A hotspot contains at least
1,500 species of endemic vascular plants
News snippets
Issue Date: Mar 31, 2007
>> The Iranian government has banned the website www. baztab.com. The site linked to former Revolutionary Guards commander Mohsen Rezai, has recently published articles criticising the economic policies of president M Ahmadinejad's government and its decision to hold a conference questioning the veracity of the Holocaust. But it also has a record of being equally critical of Iran's reformists.
US postal service unveils four stamps
Issue Date: Dec 15, 2006
Pollination USA
The us Postal Service has unveiled four stamps as a part of the North American Pollinator Protection Campaign Symposium. The beautiful stamps, to be released next summer, consist of four images arranged in two alternate and interlocking patterns.
West Bengal's wetlands under threat
Issue Date: Sep 15, 2006
WEST Bengal chief minister Buddhadeb Bhattacharjee signed a much-hyped deal with the Salim Group of Indonesia for investments up to Rs 20,000 crore in infrastructure development on July 31. Billed the "New Kolkata International Development Project," the deal includes expressways, bridges, special economic zones, industrial hubs and health and knowledge cities.
