Oceans and Coasts

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July 29, 2022 New study from the University of East Anglia challenges the widely held view that restoring areas such as mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass can remove large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere
Mediterranean seagrass (Image: David Luquet, CNRS-Sorbonne University)
June 22, 2021 Policy matters this fortnight
Yamuna flows under (Image source: IWP Flickr photos)
June 16, 2021 The World Ocean Day this year has come with a dire warning, of the threat posed to coral reefs, important for ocean health as well as the livelihoods of millions of people!
Coral reefs in the Andaman Islands (Image Source: Ritiks via Wikimedia Commons)
May 25, 2021 The Arabian Sea is also turning into a hotbed of cyclonic storms
Cyclone Tauktae intensified into an ‘extremely severe cyclonic storm’ and made a landfall on coastal Gujarat leaving a trail of destruction behind. (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
December 11, 2019 Policy matters this week
Polythene bags and solid waste left behind as water recedes in the Ganga river. (Source: India Water Portal on Flickr)
India creates history, sets up first floating water quality testing lab in the Indian Ocean
News this fortnight Posted on 26 Aug, 2022 09:46 AM

India launches a floating wet lab for water quality tests in the Indian Ocean

View of India Ocean at the southern tip of the country (Image source: IWP Flickr photos)
Heavy metals being discharged into coastal waters
Assessing heavy metals in the coastal environment is a critical challenge Posted on 21 Aug, 2022 11:37 PM

In recent years, the impact of the wastes discharged in the Bay of Bengal has been significant due to high effluent inflow from secured sources. It was observed that the heavy metal concentrations in the Bay coast sediments were considerately high and varied among sampling points.

Heavy metal contamination causes significant harm to marine ecology and aquatic life, including humans (Image: Priyadarshi Chaudhuri)
Collaborative management for sustainable livelihoods in the Sundarbans
The impacts as perceived by the community Posted on 15 Aug, 2022 07:42 PM

Sundarbans delta is the largest mangrove forest reserve in the world with distinct species of wild flora and fauna. It is a source of livelihood for several communities residing in the vicinity. The indigenous plants, extraction of honey and catching fish from rivers, lakes and rivulets have good economic value in surroundings markets.

Catching fish from rivers, lakes and rivulets have good economic value in surroundings markets (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Carbon removal using ‘blue carbon’ habitats “uncertain and unreliable”
New study from the University of East Anglia challenges the widely held view that restoring areas such as mangroves, saltmarsh and seagrass can remove large amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the atmosphere Posted on 29 Jul, 2022 12:17 PM

Restoring coastal vegetation – so called ‘blue carbon’ habitats – may not be the nature-based climate solution it is claimed to be, according to a new study. 

Mediterranean seagrass (Image: David Luquet, CNRS-Sorbonne University)
Panel takes note of two project proposals that could affect Yamuna floodplains
Policy matters this fortnight Posted on 18 Jul, 2022 12:51 PM

NGT panel raises concern about two project proposals that could affect Yamuna floodplains

34 percent of India's coastline suffers from erosion, West Bengal worst affected
News this fortnight Posted on 18 Apr, 2022 10:00 AM

West Bengal's coastline suffers the worst erosion while Goa's remains stable

Coast along the southern tip of the country (Image source: IWP Flickr photos)
New Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022 announced
Policy matters this fortnight Posted on 02 Mar, 2022 02:07 PM

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules, 2022: Centre notifies guidelines on EPR for plastic packaging

Plastic waste is causing havoc on drains and water bodies (Image source: IWP Flickr Album)
Process of obtaining green nod simplified to allow ease of doing business: Govt
Policy matters this fortnight Posted on 05 Jan, 2022 01:04 PM

Environment Ministry reports reduction in environmental clearance time from 150 to 90 days

Ease of doing business at the cost of environment (Source: IWP Flickr Photos) Photo for representation only.
First digital flood inventory (IFI) in geospatial format created for India
News this fortnight Posted on 22 Nov, 2021 06:56 PM

India’s first digital flood inventory (IFI) in modern geospatial format created

First digital flood inventory (IFI) in geospatial format created (Image source: IWP Flickr Photos). Image for representation only
300 organisations from across the globe call for no climate finance for hydropower
News this fortnight Posted on 06 Oct, 2021 10:06 PM

Hydropower is not fit for climate finance according to 300 organisations worldwide

Gambhir dam near Ujjain (Source: IWP Flickr photos)
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