Recently, an unexpected guest caused a bit of a stir in the Najafgarh wetland bordering Haryana – a greater flamingo. Known scientifically as Phoenicopterus roseus, this vividly coloured bird is considered the state bird of Gujarat. Typically found in regions within the middle east, including Iran, Turkey, Dubai, Oman, and Afghanistan, they are also commonplace in south and southwest Asia. The habitat of choice for these birds are shallow waters of lagoons, lakes, estuaries, and muddy beaches.
India houses two of the six species of flamingos found globally, the tallest – the greater flamingo, and the smallest – the lesser flamingo (Phoeniconaias minor). The greater flamingos are distinguished by their black-tipped light pinkish beaks, yellowish eyes, and pinkish-white body colour. In the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, they are categorized as “least concern (LC)”.
India’s Production-Linked Incentive Scheme: A Boost for EVs and Batteries
Addressing the need for sustainable transportation, the Indian government introduced a modified production-linked incentive (PLI) scheme. This scheme targets the manufacturing sectors of electric vehicles (EVs) and advanced chemistry cell batteries. Companies, including the likes of Tesla, are set to benefit greatly from this offer.
The PLI scheme forms a critical part of India’s ‘AatmaNirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ or Self-Reliant India initiative. It emphasizes boosting domestic manufacturing capabilities and nurturing global champions in strategic sectors. The scheme also encourages foreign companies to establish manufacturing units in India, thereby promoting employment and revenue generation.
Unraveling the Climate-Covid-19 Connection
According to the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), cooler and drier climates may have played a significant role in facilitating Covid-19 transmission. However, these findings do not conclusively determine the virus’s spread pattern entirely dependent on weather conditions. The WMO, an intergovernmental organization, consists of 192 Member States and Territories. India has been an active member of the WMO since 1949.
Protecting the Baobab Tree: A Step towards Preserving Biodiversity
The High Court of Madhya Pradesh recently issued a command to halt the cutting down of Baobab trees in the Dhar district. This historic decision followed protests from local tribal communities who venerate these ancient trees for their heritage and historical value. The Baobab tree, a deciduous plant native to Africa, is known as the ‘World Tree in Africa’ and is placed under the Biological Diversity Act, 2002, in India.
A Heatwave Warning: Climate Change’s Role In Rising Temperatures
A study by the World Weather Attribution (WWA) indicates a stark increase in the likelihood of intense and humid heatwaves, attributed mainly to climate change. The heatwave that impacted regions like east and north India, Bangladesh, Laos, and Thailand in April, was reportedly made 30 times more probable due to climate change. Heatwaves are primarily analysed through the heat index – a measure of temperature and relative humidity levels. According to the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD), a rise of 5°C to 6°C over the standard maximum temperature of a station is considered a heatwave condition. An increase of 7°C or more is labelled as a severe heatwave condition.