environment

Salkhan Fossil Park Joins UNESCO’s Tentative List of World Heritage Sites

Context: Salkhan Fossil Park has been included in UNESCO’s Tentative List for World Heritage Sites. About Salkhan Fossil Park (Sonbhadra Fossils Park) Location: Situated in Uttar Pradesh, within the Kaimoor Wildlife Sanctuary and the Vindhyan mountain range. Geological Significance: Contains...

Forest Conservation Act 1980, Objectives, Features, Amendments

Context: The Supreme Court has ordered all States and Union Territories to complete the identification of forests in their jurisdiction in letter and spirit. Forest Conservation Act 1980 The Forest Conservation Act 1980 is an important legislation enacted by the...

Rinderpest: Causes, Transmission, Symptoms and RHF Designation

Context: India has achieved a major milestone in global animal health with the ICAR-National Institute of High Security Animal Diseases (NIHSAD) in Bhopal being designated as a Category A Rinderpest Holding Facility (RHF). About Rinderpest Rinderpest, also known as cattle...

Russell’s Viper: Features, Habitat and Conservation Status

Context: Researchers have found that two existing drugs, varespladib and marimastat, can effectively treat Russell’s viper bites, which cause many deaths in India. About Russell’s Viper Scientific Name: Daboia russelii Named After: Patrick Russell, Scottish herpetologist Family: Viperidae (highly venomous)...

Gharial: Characteristics, Habitat and Conservation Status

Context: Nearly 174 baby gharials were released into the Gandak river in Bihar to mark the World Crocodile Day. Also Recently, the Madhya Pradesh Chief Minister released 10 gharials into the Chambal River at the National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary in...

Portulaca Bharat, Key Features and Conservation Status

Context: A New flowering plant species (Portulaca bharat) was discovered in the Aravali hills near Jaipur. About Portulaca Bharat (New Species) Taxonomy: Belongs to the subgenus Portulaca. Habitat and Discovery: Found exclusively in the Galtaji Hills of the Aravalli range...

Wildlife Protection Act 1972, Salient Features, Schedules, Amendment

The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 is a comprehensive law enacted to protect India's wildlife and biodiversity. The Wildlife Protection Act 1972 provides for the protection of wild animals and plants and regulates the hunting, trade, and commercial exploitation of wildlife....

List of Elephant Reserves in India 2025, Map and Conservation Status

India harbours the largest number of Asian elephants and has created several Elephant Reserves (ERs) under Project Elephant, initiated in 1992, to safeguard these majestic animals, their habitat, and corridors, and human-elephant conflict. As of recent statistics, 33 notified Elephant...

Why Kerala Wants Amendment in Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972

Context: Kerala wants the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, amended so it can be allowed to kill wild animals that foray into human habitats. Why Kerala Wants Amendment in Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Reasons Rising Human-Wildlife Conflict: Hotspots: 273 out of...

Eurasian Otter: Key Features, Distribution and Conservation Status

Context: The Eurasian Otter, long thought to be extinct in the Kashmir Valley, has been sighted again after nearly 30 years, marking a significant moment for local biodiversity. About the Eurasian Otter Eurasian Otter is also called the European Otter,...