-Down to Earth At least 40 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania and Africa have been hit by the extreme Natural disasters  Extreme weather events have hit several parts of the world in the last few weeks: Europe and Asia have been ravaged by floods, North America by heat wave and Africa by drought. At least 40 countries in Europe, North America, Asia, Oceania and Africa have been hit by the devastating...

-NDTV.com The centre in its affidavit also said due to increased health expenses and low tax revenue it is beyond states' budget to pay compensation for lakhs of Covid victims. New Delhi: Families of Covid victims cannot be paid compensation as it applies to Natural disasters only, the government told the Supreme Court, adding that states cannot afford to pay ₹ 4 lakh to every victim. In a 183-page affidavit filed late...

-The Hindu The National Biodiversity Mission can help mend the dysfunctional relationship between humanity and nature On this World Environment Day (June 5), with the novel coronavirus pandemic raging across our vast country, we must reflect on the ways to rebuild our relationship with nature. India’s vast and rich biodiversity gives the nation a unique identity, of which we can be proud. The varied ecosystems across land, rivers, and oceans, feed our...

-Down to Earth Sumna is an uninhabited place, with only border roads personnel working there; no word yet on casualties A glacier burst at a remote place on the Indo-China border in Uttarkhand on the afternoon of April 23, 2021, according to a senior official. There is no word yet of any casualties. “A glacier has burst near Uttarakhand’s Joshimath on the India-China border,” Colonel Manish Kapil, commander, Border Road Task Force, was...

-Down to Earth Volcanic emissions reaching the stratosphere can have a cooling effect on global temperatures The sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from a volcanic eruption in the Caribbean reached India April 16, 2021 sparking fear of increased pollution levels in the northern parts of the country and acid rain. Sulphur dioxide reacts with water to form sulphuric acid which can come down with rainfall. “Sulphur dioxide (SO2) emissions from La Soufriere volcano eruption...