Environment and Ecology As many as 246 vultures were spotted in the first-ever synchronised survey conducted along the borders of Tamil Nadu, Kerala and Karnataka on February 25 and 26. The estimation was carried out in the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve (MTR) and the adjoining landscape consisting of the Sathya Mangalam Tiger Reserve (STR) in Tamil Nadu, the Wayanad Wildlife Sanctuary (WWS) in Kerala, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR) and the Nagerhole Tiger Reserve (NTR) in Karnataka. A total of 98 vultures were seen in MTR, two in STR, 52 in WWS, 73 in BTR, and 23 in NTR.
Environment and Ecology
Environment and Ecology Climate Change UN takes new measures to fight climate change The UN’s World Meteorological Organization has come up with a new Global Greenhouse Gas Monitoring Infrastructure that aims to provide better ways of measuring planet-warming pollution and help inform policy choices. The WMO’s new platform will integrate space-based and surface-based observing systems, and seek to clarify uncertainties about where green-house gas emissions end up. It should result in much faster and sharper data on how the planet’s atmosphere is changing. Govt-welfare oriented Govt schemes India reducing dependence in healthcare, says Modi “The cashless health insurance scheme (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana] has led to the healthcare savings of nearly Rs.80,000 crore for patients. Additionally, savings of Rs.20,000 crore have been achieved through buying of generic medicines by patients from the Jan Aushadhi Kendras, “The Prime Minister added.
Environment and Ecology
Environment and Ecology Kuno Park unsuitable to host all 20 cheetahs, not enough prey, says scientist The Kuno National Par (KNP) in Madhya Pradesh, which currently hosts 20 cheetahs brought in from Africa, does not have enough prey to sustain all the animals. Eight cheetahs from Namibia and 12 from South Africa were transported to India between September 2022 and February 2023 as part of an initiative to reintroduce the species to India, where the cheetah population had gone extinct in the early 1950s. Cheetah reintroduction plan National tiger conservation authority Cheetah Reintroduction Plan 1952 – Cheetah declared extinct in India. Intercontinented translocation project between India and Africa (Mainly from South Africa and Namibia) Introduced – Sep. 17, 2022 Kuno – Palpar National Park, Madhya Pradesh 8 - Cheetahs from Namibia 12 – Cheetahs from South Africa National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) Statutory body Under the Ministry of Environment forest and climate change Constituted under wildlife (protection) Act, 1972 Amended in 2006 For strengthening Tiger conservation
Environment and Ecology
Environment and Ecology TN allows quarrying near reserve forest TN government has rescinded the prohibition of quarrying and mining activities within one kilometre radius of reserve forests. As per a government order issued by Industries, Investment Promotion and Commerce Department in 2021, prohibition of mining, quarrying and crushing activities within one kilometre radial distance from the boundaries of Reserve Forests were prohibited Based on this, an amendment has been made in Tamil Nadu Minor Mineral Concession Rules, 1959 which removed 'reserve forests' from the line "national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, tiger reserves, elephant corridors and reserve forests".
Environment and Ecology
Environment and Ecology Invasive mussel in Ennore and Pulicat Mytella strigata or Charru mussels is an invasive mussel species native to South America. The species is spreading in the coastal waters of Tamil Nadu and Kerala due to the discharge of ballast waters from ships visiting the ports of Kattupalli and Ennore. The South American Mussel is locally known as kakka aazhi. Its spread is threatening the existence of the locally prevalent yellow clams (manja matti) and green mussels (pachai aazhi). RBI releases Report on Trend and Progress of Banking in India 2021-22 The report is a statutory publication in compliance with Banking Regulation Act, 1949. The report presents the performance of the banking sector, including co-operative banks and non-banking financial institutions. Key Highlights of report Consolidated balance sheet of Scheduled Commercial Banks (SCBs) registered double digit growth in 2021-22, after a gap of seven years. Gross non-performing assets (GNPA) ratio of SCBs has declined from 9 percent in 2017-18 to 5.8 percent at end-March 2022. Financial performance of urban co-operative banks showed improvement. Non-banking financial company (NBFC) sector improved in 2021-22. With strong capital buffers, adequate provisions, and sufficient liquidity, The reasons for declining NPA include Loan write-off by PSBs (public sector banks) Upgradation of loans in PVBs (private banks), reduced Share of large borrowings.
Environment and Ecology
Environment and Ecology Siberian rubythroat recorded in the Nilgiris A rare winter migrant, Siberian rubythroat (Calliope calliope), has been recorded in the Nilgiris recently The bird breeds in the coniferous forests of Siberia and is known to winter in Thailand, India, Indonesia and Bangladesh. The Siberian rubythroat is a ground loving song bird. The male has a red throat edged with a narrow black border and a broad white border. Females lack brightly coloured throat and borders. Note According to the data posted on the eBird website, the bird had been seen only once in Tamil Nadu, in Chennai.
GEOGRAPHY – Environment and Ecology
T.N. notifies Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary The Tamil Nadu government has declared an area in the reserve forests of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts as the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary. The sanctuary will include 686.406 sq. km of reserve forests in the Anchetty, Urigam and Jawalagiri ranges of the Hosur Forest Division, which covers the forest stretches of Krishnagiri and Dharmapuri districts. This would be part of a protected landscape contiguous to the forests that constitute the Cauvery North Wildlife Sanctuary shared between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. The declaration of the Cauvery South Wildlife Sanctuary has been made under Section 26A (1) (b) of the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. The declared landscape lends continuity to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve through the Malai Mahadeshwara Wildlife Sanctuary, the Biligiri Rangaswamy Temple Tiger Reserve of Karnataka and the Sathyamangalam Tiger Reserve in the Erode Forest Division of Tamil Nadu. Note Tamil Nadu has been a pioneer State in Protected Area management and development of forest resources and wildlife. The total area under the protected area management is 7,072.95 sq. km. which comes to 30.92% of the State’s Forest area. The Protected Areas in the State includes 5 National parks, 15 Wildlife sanctuaries, 15 bird sanctuaries and 2 conservation reserves besides 5 Tiger Reserves. Name of Wildlife Sanctuary Sanctuary Area in Ha District in which located Year in which started WILDLIFE SANTUARIES Mudumalai Wildlife Sanctuary 21776.00 Nilgiris 1940 Mundanthurai Wildlife Sanctuary (R.F. 35228.38+ R.L.22979.20) 58207.58 Tirunelveli 1962 Point Calimere Wildlife Sanctuary 1728.81 Nagapattinam 1967 Indira Gandhi Wildlife Sanctuary 84149.00 Coimbatore 1976 Kalakad Wildlife Sanctuary 22358.00 Tirunelveli 1976 Vallanadu Black Buck Sanctuary 1641.00 Tuticorin 1987 Grizzled Giant Squirrel Wildlife Sanctuary 48520.00 Virudhunagar 1988 Kanyakumari Wildlife Sanctuary 40239.55 Kanyakumari 2007 Sathyamangalam Wildlife Sanctuary 141160.94 Erode 2008, 2011 Megamalai Wildlife Sanctuary 26910.81 Theni and Madurai 2009 Point…
