Five Hawaiian crows, or 'alala', extinct in the wild since 2002, were released on Maui on Wednesday in a bid to restore the species. This marks the first 'alala release on Maui and follows previous reintroduction attempts on the Big Island. The birds were carefully selected and assessed for their survival skills.
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Ecologist Madhav Gadgil warns Western Ghats deterioration has reached a critical point, with landslides increasing tenfold. He blames continued mining and construction, despite his 2011 report recommending stronger ecological protections. Gadgil criticizes the subsequent Kasturirangan report for ignoring local communities and urges the government to implement his original recommendations.
Ein Gedi, once a popular Dead Sea beach in Israel, lies abandoned due to dangerous sinkholes and the receding shoreline caused by climate change and industrial water use. Regional cooperation, particularly between Israel and Jordan, is crucial to addressing this ecological disaster and saving the unique landscape.
Nearly all nations missed the UN deadline to submit new targets for carbon emissions reduction, including major economies like China, India, and the EU. Only 10 countries met the February 10 deadline, with most G20 economies absent. Submissions are crucial to assessing climate plans before the COP30 summit.
A powerful 7.1 magnitude earthquake strikes near the Tibet-Nepal border, killing at least nine people. It causes building collapses and shakes regions across Bihar and North India. The quake's epicentre is in Tibet, about 93 km from Lobuche, Nepal. Two aftershocks were also recorded.
November is recorded as the second most polluted penultimate month, with an average AQI of 375, just below 376 in 2021. Delhi saw eight 'severe' days, including two 'severe-plus' days, with no rainfall to alleviate pollution levels. The CPCB emphasizes stringent year-round actions to tackle local and regional emissions.
Jordan, one of the world's driest countries, signed an agreement on Sunday with French-led investors to build one of the world's largest desalination plants. In 2013, Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians signed a memorandum of understanding on that project, which included plans to build a desalination plant at the Red Sea.
Rich nations' unfulfilled promises on climate finance might force developing countries to reconsider climate targets. The Economic Survey highlights India's vulnerability and advocates focusing on adaptation over emission mitigation. Key measures include climate-resilient seeds, urban resilience, early warning systems, mangroves, sea walls, and water management. Developed countries falling short of their commitments make low-carbon transition challenging.
In the newly designated Ramgarh Vishdhari Tiger Reserve, two rare caracals were photographed, marking the first sighting in over two decades in this region. Caracals, now critically endangered in India, face severe habitat loss, with their range shrinking significantly since 1948. Rajasthan has reported the highest sightings of caracals since 2001.
Reptiles have existed for millions of years, demonstrating remarkable resilience and adaptations. The seven largest reptiles on Earth, including saltwater crocodiles, green anacondas, and Komodo dragons, play crucial roles in maintaining ecological balance. However, threats like global warming, pollution, and poaching jeopardize their survival, highlighting the need for intensified conservation efforts.
Between January and October 2024, the World Health Organization recorded roughly 7.3 million malaria cases and 1,157 deaths in Ethiopia.