Malavika Vyawahare

Scientists take to streets to protest unscientific claims, demand more funds

The organisers demanded that funds for research and development in India, which remains a paltry 0.8% of the GDP, be ramped up to at least 3% of the GDP and for education to 6%.

Nanorobots developed at IISC Bangalore hold promise for cancer treatment

Researchers at IISC Bangalore have developed a method of delivering payloads to specific parts of a living cell using nanorobots

ISRO successfully launches IRNSS-1I navigation satellite

IRNSS-1I is expected to replace IRNSS-1A, the first of the seven navigation satellites, that was rendered ineffective after its three rubidium atomic clocks failed.

Power failure may be the reason ISRO lost contact with GSAT-6A communication satellite

The GSAT 6A is a high power S-band communication satellite, just like its twin GSAT-6. The satellite was expected to help India in providing mobile communication through multi-beam coverage facility.

Heatwaves are developing across India, warns Met department

Heat wave conditions are expected to start forming by Friday in the national capital region centred on New Delhi, and Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, West Rajasthan, northeast Rajasthan and north Madhya Pradesh.

India seeking to set the clock right by legalising Indian Standard Time

At present, Microsoft software or iPhone users get the time sourced from US-based Network Time Protocol. Once IST becomes legal, users will not be allowed to use any other time other than the one generated by National Physical Laboratory.

Bathing in Ganga can expose people to high levels of faecal coliform bacteria

Pollution levels were high centred around holy sites, where high population density and activities add to the pollution load, shows Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) data.

Govt relaxes e-waste rules as deadline looms

The government lowers initial targets for existing electronics manufacturers and sets weaker targets for new manufacturers.

India proposes more stringent emission norms for brick kilns to check pollution in Indo-Gangetic plain

Brick kilns contribute significantly to particulate matter pollution in the Indo-Gangetic plain, which has the highest concentration of brick kilns.

Govt extends deadline for adhering to bio-medical waste disposal rules to next year

Biomedical waste includes syringes, needles, cotton swabs, vials that may contain bodily fluids and spread infections.

High risk of poor water quality in India’s river basins by 2050: UNESCO report

The already stressed ground water resources will face even greater pressure in north India.

Science minister victim of fake news on Hawking’s Veda comment

This is not the first time senior ministers have made controversial claims about modern inventions and discoveries made in ancient India not backed by scientific evidence or documentary proof.

Govt’s draft forest policy focuses on commercial use, climate change mitigation

The new policy seeks to replace a 30-year-old forest policy

Death of nine trekkers in Tamil Nadu forest fire was a tragedy waiting to happen

Rise in forest fires is emerging as a threat to environment and life across the country.

Centre’s clean air plan goes beyond Delhi, urban India and outdoor pollution

The action plan seeks to reduce air pollution by half in five years and aims to ensure all cities meet the national air quality norms.

Pollution to blame for heavy rain, cloud bursts in Indo-Gangetic plains: Study

The extent to which higher aerosol loading is impacting the monsoon rains in India is a subject of debate.

Experts predict dip in rains, but uncertain of effects of global warming on monsoon

A study published in Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences observed that there would be an increase in extreme rainfall events, but an overall decline in monsoon by the end of the century.

Summer arrives early, IMD forecasts intense heat this year

The IMD also says an early onset of summer means higher probability of heat waves developing earlier than expected.

Poison in the air: Invisible pollutants are causing visible health damage

Particulate matter levels, to a great extent, depend on the season and weather conditions, but the other pollutants are virtually perennial as their sources include thermal power plants, vehicles and industries.

Poison in the air: Not Delhi alone, pollution is a pan-India issue

An absence of up-to-date analysis and research have created a virtual black hole about air qulaity in other parts of India compares to Delhi-NCR.

Srinagar air quality worse than Delhi’s on some days, use of coal to blame: Study

Increased usage of domestic coal during winter accounts for 84 per cent of harmful emissions, says study

‘Warnings and precautions lower heat-related deaths’

Land degradation cost India 2.5% of its GDP in 2014-15

Land degradation resulted in the country incurring a loss more than 2% of the GDP for 2014-15, a draft report sponsored by the ministry of environment and conducted by The Energy and Resources Institute (TERI) said. “We have done a study assessing the economic impact of desertification, land degradation and drought on GDP,” JV Sharma, director, Forestry & Biodiversity Division at TERI, said.

India emerges as hotspot of pangolin trafficking to China, Southeast Asia

Pangolins are an endangered species and international trade in their parts is banned under CITES (the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) treaty.

Centre notifies draft rules for use of ₹50k crore afforestation funds

When forest land is diverted for non-forest purposes like development projects, the developers must deposit funds for not just afforestation of land equal to that being deforested but also compensate for the economic value of services provided by the lost forest area for 50 years.

Chandrayaan-2 launch in April, to aim for moon’s south pole

Chandrayaan-2 will be ISRO’s first inter-planetary mission to land a rover on any celestial body.

Delhi is not liveable because of catastrophic pollution: Jeffrey Sachs

Jeffrey Sachs, head of Columbia University’s Earth Institute in New York, is a speaker at the World Sustainable Development Summit being held in Delhi.

Number of forest fires jump by 38% in 13 years but national policy still lacking

Experts believe the threat of forest fires is increasing as the soil is unable to retain moisture, with a warming climate.

Tremors in Uttarakhand raise fears of powerful earthquake

The region, which lies on the boundary of the Indian tectonic plate and is prone to heavy seismic activity, experienced at least three tremors in December 2017.

On Republic Day, air quality data missing from most Delhi stations

Data showed that Delhi’s air quality was ‘poor’ on January 26 during the Republic Day parade, as guests squinted to catch a glimpse of the flypast on a foggy morning.