News Snippets

Bats dying of heat stroke: Experts fear mass population collapse, zoonotic diseases

Live bats don’t cause harm as they’re immune to viruses, but their carcass coming in contact with domestic animals may increase …

Increasing Costa Rica’s riparian forests can improve its water quality, carbon storage

Reforesting 20 hotspots can provide large increases in water quality for 50,679 people dependent on rivers 

Hyper-local weather advisories help Bengal farmers cut costs

Frequency and severity of droughts have intensified in the region due to rising temperature, heat waves and irregular rainfall patterns in the …

Geneva Biodiversity Conference: Countries debate ‘aspirational goals‘ amid unprecedented biodiversity loss

The crucial global framework to stop biodiversity loss is already delayed by two years due to the pandemic

Why we need a road map for ecological restoration in India

Identifying priority areas for restoration, enhancing biodiversity and preventing natural disasters should comprise areas of focus

Evidences dating back to the 1500s to be used for projections on climate change, biodiversity

The scoping study will be conducted over three years and analyse impact up till 2050

How psychosocial support is highly neglected in humanitarian emergency response

Mental health and psychosocial support is essential to improve the well-being of children affected by humanitarian emergencies

Indian researchers may improve wave forecasts

Indian National Centre for Ocean Information Services-led team research may help in coastal management, mitigation of adverse impacts 

WWF Global Futures pushes ‘nature-based solutions’ agenda

They are not only a distraction from reducing consumption and decarbonising all sectors of the domestic economy, but also promise to intensify …

Cess excess: How India’s states remain deprived of what revenue Centre collects

Collection of cesses, surcharges strong tool for central govt to generate revenue, but at cost of states’ share

Payment for Ecosystem Services: Palampur in Himachal has a model in place

The first payment for eco-system services in India, which reduces water conflict by institutionalising a legal partnership structure, merits a …

Three experts to lead key assessment of invasive alien species

The assessment will offer governments and decision-makers the best available evidence

New tax regime under GST discourages aerated beverage consumption

Under GST regime, aerated beverages will attract a total tax of 40 per cent, which is likely to increase prices

More allocation for women, children not enough

Although anganwadi centres have been expanded to empower women, the budget does not meet anganwadi workers’ demands

Indians spend most on public transport, communication

More than 60% of rural and urban families use bus as their main mode of public transportation, shows the NSSO survey of expenditure on …

Five Delhi hospitals to pay Rs 202 crore for defaulting on EWS services

More hospitals are expected to be penalised for failing to provide free treatment to patients from economically weaker sections

Islamic banking with a twist

A cooperative in Bihar offers interest-free loans, but only to its poor members

Malawi, Tanzania to track climate change to reduce burden of diseases

Increasing temperatures and more intense rainfall, floods in recent years have increased incidence of malaria and other diseases

There’s no evidence indicating dominant link between warmer climates and COVID-19 spread: WMO

However, even secondary factors like weather and air quality can significantly impact the number of infections and deaths from the COVID-19 pandemic

Similipal Tiger Reserve needs to be saved from forest fires. Here’s how much it is worth

A Union government report published July 2019 pegged the stock benefits provided by the reserve at nearly Rs 50,000 crore

Union Budget 2021-22: India's nutrition programme put on a diet

The budget has proposes Mission Poshan 2.0 to improve nutritional status of the country but has reduced funds  

Why mushrooms should be included under ICDS and MDM scheme

Mushrooms in one’s daily diet will eventually promote a healthy body, behaviour and brain power

Weaving insect wildlife back into the tapestry of life

The fate of insects is entwined with that of people and of many other vertebrates

As told to Parliament (July 24, 2019): Survey reveals 54,130 manual scavengers in 18 states

All that was discussed in the House through the day