Category: Geography
-
Sacred Parasnath/Marang Buru Hill
Old friction between Jains & Santals Context: The Jharkhand High Court directed the state government to strictly enforce a long-standing ban on the sale and consumption of meat, alcohol, and other intoxicants around Parasnath Hill — a sacred site for both the Jain and Santal Adivasi communities in Giridih district. This order rekindles a century-old…
-
Weather Balloons
NOAA slashes its weather balloon launches Context: In a significant shift driven by budget cuts, the United States’ National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) is reducing its use of traditional weather balloons. More on News These balloons, crucial for accurate weather forecasting, are being phased out in favor of AI-powered alternatives developed by a Silicon…
-
Heatwave Conditions in Andhra Pradesh and Telangana
Why do Andhra Pradesh and Telangana get so hot during the summer? Context: The Andhra Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (APSDMA) warned of heatwave-like conditions expected to continue, particularly in northern districts: Srikakulam, Vizianagaram, Paravathipuram-Manyam, East Godavari, and Kakinada. More on News On May 12, 17 districts in Andhra Pradesh recorded temperatures above 41º C.…
-
Asteroid 2024 YR4
Asteroid YR4 might miss the earth. Will it miss the moon, too? Context: A newly discovered asteroid, 2024 YR4, has captured scientists’ attention for its potential collision with the Moon in 2032. Detected by the ATLAS telescope in Rio Hurtado, Chile, in December 2024, the asteroid initially raised alarms due to its close proximity and…
-
Earth’s Magnetic Field
Magnetic flip-flop Context: In 2022, Scientists unveiled a soundtrack at Solbjerg Square, Copenhagen, converting Earth’s magnetic signals from 32 locations into sound to showcase the planet’s magnetic field and its fluctuations over the past 100,000 years. More on News In 2024, a new soundtrack recreated the Laschamps geomagnetic excursion (41,000 years ago), when Earth’s…
-
India’s Heatwave Crisis
It is time to protect India’s workers from the heat Context: In the first week of April 2025, Delhi recorded temperatures above 41°C — a dangerous threshold that signals more than just an early summer. More on News This isn’t a rare heatwave; it’s the beginning of a deadly new normal, driven by the…
-
Vembanad Lake
Breathing life into Vembanad lake Context: Vembanad, India’s longest lake and Kerala’s largest, is facing a serious ecological crisis. Once a thriving ecosystem, the 96.5 km-long lake, part of the Vembanad-Kol Ramsar wetland, is now shrinking and choking under the weight of pollution, encroachment, and mismanagement. More on News The lake is gasping for breath…
-
Urban India and Climate Change
India’s Urban Future is at a Crossroads Context: As summer heat intensifies across India, major cities are facing mounting pressure from water shortages, rising electricity demand, and increasing climate-related stress. More on News Cities like Bengaluru and Hyderabad have seen a spike in water tanker bookings, while power outages loom due to surging air-conditioner usage. …
-
Places in News: Rwanda
Context: Rwanda has recently been in the global spotlight following its agreement with the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC) to draft a peace deal aimed at ending violence in eastern DRC, with the US playing a key mediating role. About Rwanda Location: A landlocked country located in East-Central Africa, just south of the Equator.…
-
Bengal Roof Turtles
Species in News : Endangered species of turtles reintroduced in Ganga river Context: In a groundbreaking wildlife conservation effort, 20 critically endangered red-crowned roofed turtles have been reintroduced into the Ganga River in western Uttar Pradesh, marking the species’ return to the waterway after a three-decade absence. About Bengal Roof Turtles Scientific Name: Batagur kachuga…
-
Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF)
Non-Profits, Indigenous People Raise Concerns over proposed Tropical Forest Finance Facility Context: Non-profit organisations and indigenous peoples’ groups have raised major concerns over the upcoming Tropical Forest Finance Facility (TFFF) — a financial mechanism proposed to help developing countries conserve their tropical forests. More on News The TFFF is designed to offer substantial financial incentives…
-
Annual Groundwater Quality Report 2024
Context: The Central Ground Water Board (CGWB) has raised alarms in its Annual Groundwater Quality Report 2024, revealing a troubling picture of contamination that threatens the health and sustainability of urban water resources across India. Groundwater Contamination in India 20% of groundwater samples in India have nitrate levels exceeding the safe limit of 45mg/l,…
-
Places in News.
1. Places in News: Panama Canal Context : Climate change led to drought in Panama. The Panama Canal is an artificial 82-kilometre waterway in Panama. runs through a narrow strip of land called the Isthmus of Panama It connects the Atlantic Ocean with the Pacific Ocean. It is bordered on the land by two countries:…
-
Deep-Sea Dilemmas
Context: In recent years, discussions about China’s dominance at sea have often focused on its possession of the world’s largest navy, coast guard, and maritime militia. More on News However, an equally important factor deserves attention: China also boasts the largest marine research and oceanographic fleet globally. With 64 active vessels in 2024, a dramatic…
-
Ken-Betwa River Linking Project
Context: Prime Minister Narendra Modi recently laid the foundation stone for the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project on December 25, 2024, coinciding with the 100th birth anniversary of former Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee. More on News: A memorandum of agreement for implementing the project was signed on March 22, 2021, between the Ministry of Jal…
-
Plant Cover and Warming in the Antarctic Peninsula
Context – Warming in the Antarctic Peninsula. A new study shows that plant cover on the Antarctic Peninsula has increased more than tenfold in recent decades due to rising temperatures. More on News: This study, published in Nature Geoscience marks the beginning of a “dramatic transformation” in this remote region. Climate Change Impact: Warming…
-
WMO’s Report Claims 2023 Driest for Global Rivers
Context: The World Meteorological Organization’s (WMO) State of Global Water Resources report, revealed that 2023 was the driest year for global rivers in the past 33 years. Key Findings of the Report according to WMO: Drier-than-Average River Discharge Impact of Rising Temperatures: 2023 was the hottest year on record, with increased temperatures and dry…
-
Hurricane Milton
Context: Hurricane Milton has reached Category 5 status with maximum sustained winds of 160 mph as it approaches Florida. More on News: The storm poses significant threats, including potential storm surges of up to 12 feet and rainfall totals between 5 to 15 inches, impacting areas already recovering from Hurricane Helene. A senior official…
-
Slag Made from New Sedimentary Rock
Context: Researchers documented a new type of sedimentary rock formed from coastal slag deposits in the U.K., showcasing how human waste can lead to unusual geological formations. More on News: The Anthropocene era signifies significant human impact on the Earth’s landscape, with industrial waste and construction debris drastically altering the environment. This includes changes…
-
The Amazon River Faces Historic Drought
Context: The Amazon River, renowned as the world’s largest river, is facing an unprecedented crisis as climate change-induced droughts continue to dry up its vast stretches. More on News: According to the Brazilian Geological Service, water levels in parts of the Amazon are at historic lows, with some areas 25 feet below average. This…