River and other Water bodies

1. Anang Tal Lake, Delhi, near Jog Maya temple & Qutub Complex built by Tomar King, Anangpal II in 1060
AD
2. Ansupa Lake (Odisha, Cuttack district): largest oxbow lake by River Mahanadi, Ramsar site
3. Ashtamudi Lake in Kollam, 2nd largest after Vembanad Lake, “Gateway to Kerala Backwaters” ,River
Kallada that originates in Kulathupuzha in the Western Ghats. wetland of international importance.
4. Bagmati River is a transboundary river between Nepal and India rises in the Shivapuri Hills to the north of
Kathmandu and flows southward through the city
○ Major tributaries – Bishnumati, Hanumante, Dhobikhola and Tukucha
○ The River ultimately joins the Narayani River, located in southern Nepal
○ The merged waters of Bagmati & Narayani eventually make their way southward & into the Ganges.
5. Bardasagar reservoir , Gujarat
6. Beas River from Rohtang Pass in Kullu, HP flows for some 470 kilometres to the Sutlej River in Punjab
○ Aka Arjikuja of the Vedas, or Vipasa to the ancient Indians, and the Hyphasis to the Ancient Greeks
○ Tributaries: Bain, Banganga, Luni, Uhlal, Awa, Banner, Chakki, Gaj, Harla, Mamuni, Parvati, Patlikuhlal,
Sainj, Suketi & Tirthan
7. Beki River aka Kurisu river originates in Bhutan, right bank tributaries of the Brahmaputra river flows through
the Manas National Park. India has built 60MW Kurichhu hydropower project over it in Bhutan.
8. Bhima River aka Chandrabagha River is a major tributary of the Krishna, originates in the Bhimashankar
hills in the Pune , flows through MH, KA, and TL
○ The river is rain-fed, and the volume of the river varies based on the monsoonal changes
○ Pandharpur is an important pilgrimage centre located on the right bank of Bhima River.
9. Bhoj Wetland consists of 2 lakes( the Bhojtal (Upper Lake) & the Lower Lake) in Bhopal. -Ramsar site in
2002. The Bhojtal was created by Paramara Raja Bhoj (1005-1055), ruler of Malwa across the Kolans River.
10. Brahmani River is a major inter-state east-flowing river amongst the peninsular rivers in India
○ Formed by the confluence of the Sankh and South Koel rivers near Rourkela in Odisha
○ Both the sources of the Brahmani River are on the Chota Nagpur Plateau
○ Bounded in the north by the Chhotanagpur plateau, in the west and south by the Mahanadi basin, and in
the east by the Bay of Bengal
○ One of the few rivers that cut across the Eastern Ghats and has formed a minor gorge at Rengali in
Odisha, where a dam has been built. The principal tributaries of this river are Sankh, Tikra, and Karo.
11. Chambal River originates at the Singar Chouri peak in Vindhya mountains (Indore, MP) -> RJ -> UP • Joins
Yamuna in Etawah District . Tributaries: Banas, Kali Sindh, Sipra, Parbati, etc • National Chambal Sanctuary
on tri-junction, Gharial , Ganges dolphin, red crowned roof turtle
○ Main Power Projects: Gandhi Sagar Dam, Rana Pratap Sagar Dam, Jawahar Sagar Dam, & Kota Barrage
12. Chanakha-Korata Barrage ,TL-MH project on the Penganga River [Ajantha ranges , Sahastrakund falls.
13. Chandra River is one of the two rivers (Bhaga River) that merge to form the Chenab River in the Lahaul HP
○ Rises in Lahaul and Spiti districts, HP. The beautiful Chandra Tal Lake has formed at its source
○ Upper & middle catchments are made up of a topography that has been carved out by glacial action
○ Fed by a number of glaciers, the biggest being the Shigri on its left bank, and the Samundari on its right.
14. Chungthang Dam is the largest hydropower project in Sikkim. This dam is part of the 1,200-megawatt (MW)
Teesta Stage III Hydro Electric Project, in which Sikkim govt is the majority stakeholder.
15. Cheruthoni Dam, Idukki District, Kerala, 138m tall concrete gravity dam on R Cheruthoni tributary of Periyar
16. Chheligada Irrigation Project in Odisha across river Badjhore, a tributary of Vansadhara
17. Chitte- Lui River = Mizoram
18. Chulliyar Dam, Kerala 1960, R. Chulliyar->R. Gayathripuzha->R. Bharathapuzha 2nd-longest in KL
19. Dal Lake in Srinagar surrounded by the Pir Panjal mountains , “Jewel in the crown of Kashmir” or “Srinagar’s
Jewel” , 2nd largest lake in Jammu & Kashmir.
20. Deepor Beel ,permanent freshwater lake, former channel of Brahmaputra under Ramsar Convention, bird
sanctuary & important bird area inhabiting many migrant species, Eco-sensitive zone.
21. Eastern Kolkata Wetlands - Ramsar Wetland, Complex of natural and human-made wetlands
 ○ The wetlands include salt marshes, and agricultural fields, sewage farms and settling ponds
○ The East Kolkata Wetlands host the largest sewage fed aquaculture in the world
22. Ennore Creek backwater along the Coromandel Coast , located in the zone comprising lagoons with salt
marshes & backwaters, submerged under water during high tide & forming an arm of the sea
23. Etalin Hydropower Project in Arunachal Pradesh over Dri & Tangon Rivers, situated in Arunachal Pradesh
24. Feni River originates in the Tripura - > Bangladesh -> Bay of Bengal.
25. Hasdeo river - Tributary of R.Mahanadi river , originates in CH-->OD, length 333 km, merge into Mahanadi
river on left near Mahuadih. Principal sub tributary of the Hasdo River is Gej River
26. Hokersar Wetland ,Srinagar aka ‘Queen Wetland of Kashmir’- Ramsar Siteis a natural perennial wetland
contiguous to the Jhelum basin. It gets water from the Doodhganga River (Tributary of Jhelum)
○ Only site with remaining reed beds of J&K, abode of 68 waterfowl species like Large Egret, Great Crested
Grebe, Little Cormorant, Common Shelduck, Tufted Duck and endangered White-eyed Pochard, coming
from Siberia, China, Central Asia, and Northern Europe.
27. Hussainagar Lake , Hyderabad, Telangana , One of the largest man-made lakes in the country On a
tributary of Musi river and connects the twin cities of Hyderabad and Secunderabad Built by sufi saint
Hussain Shah during the reign of Ibrahim Quli Qutub Shah in 1562 AD
28. Hygam Wetland Conservation Reserve (Baramulla district, J&K):Ramsar site, Hygam Wetland falls within
R Jhelum ○ Important Bird Area (IBA), high rate of siltation.
29. Jamrani Dam across river Gola, a tributary of river Ram Ganga, in the Nainital, UK, Included in
PMKSY-AIBP.
30. Kalasa Banduri drinking water project on Mahadayi River to divert water to the Malaprabha river (a tributary
of Krishna river)
31. Kiru Hydro-Electric Power Project over Chenab , J&K, 624MW run-of-river project + Beneficiary States:
J&K, HP, Punjab, Haryana, UP, UK, RJ, Chandigarh & Delhi.
32. Gandak river/ Narayani River, river in central Nepal & northern India -North bank tributary of Ganga River
Union of the Kali & Trisuli rivers (rise in the Great Himalaya Range in Nepal). Valmiki NP & TR Flows
southwest into India & then turns southeast along UP–BH border & across Indo-Gangetic Plain
33. Ghaggar River rises from the Shivalik Rangein northwestern Himachal Pradesh
○ It flows about 200 miles (320 km) southwest through Haryana state, where it receives the Saraswati River
○ Eventually dries up in the Thar Desert. Intermittent river that flows only during the monsoon season
○ Tributaries : Kaushalya River, Markanda, Sarsuti, Tangri, and Chautang.
34. Gira Waterfall, Gj is a seasonal waterfall in the Western Ghats emerges from the Kapri Tributary and drops
into the Ambika River. Ambika River origins in the Saputara Hills, major westward flowing river GJ &MH.
35. Glaw Lake in ArP considered sacred by the Mishmis, it is a good place to spot migratory birds from
Siberia.
36. Hindon River, tributary of the Yamuna, most polluted, originates from upper Shiwalik , purely rain-fed river.
37. Hirakud Reservoir (Odisha), Ramsar site, largest earthen dam in OD 19 moderating floods in the Mahanadi
delta
38. Ichamati River is a trans-boundary river that flows through India and Bangladesh.
39. Idukki Dam constructed across the Periyar River in Kerala. It was the Indo-Canadian project inaugurated by
the then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi in 1976.
40. Jangi Thopan Powari Hydroelectricity Project in HP - River Satluj, major impact to the forest of Chilgoza
pine
41. Kalasa Banduri Project- drinking water project, On Mahadayi River, KA. Building across Kalasa & Banduri,
tributaries of the Mahadayi to divert water to Malaprabha (Krishna)
42. Kaleshwaram Lift Irrigation Project in Telangana at Pranhita-Godavari River confluence
○ Claimed to be the world’s largest multi-stage and multi-purpose lift irrigation project.
43. Kanwar Lake aka Kabartal jheel, is Asia’s largest freshwater oxbow lake and Bihar’s only Ramsar site
○ Formed due to the meandering of Gandak river, an important stopover along the Central Asian Flyway.
44. The Karmanasa River is a tributary of the Ganges, originates in Kaimur district of Bihar and flows through
the Indian states of UP and Bihar (along their boundary). Durgavati is a tributary of Karmanasa river.
45. Ken-betwa link project under National Perspective Plan for interlinking of rivers Ken river, MP to Betwa river,
UP, both tributaries of Yamuna. SPV- Ken-Betwa Link Project Authority
46. Kosasthalaiyar River lies partially in AP and majorly in TN. It joins the sea at Ennore Creek
47. Koyna River is a tributary of the Krishna in the western part of Maharashtra. It rises near
Mahabaleshwar, a famous hill station in the Western Ghats. Flows in North-South direction. Aka Life
Line of Maharashtra.
48. Krishna River originates near Mahabaleshwar (Satara) in Maharashtra, 2nd biggest river in
peninsular India after the Godavari River
○ 4 states MH (303 km), North KA (480 km) & rest of its 1300 km the Malprabha & Tungabhadra
○ Left Tributaries: Bhima, Musi journey in TL & AP. Right Bank Tributaries: Ghatprabha & Munneru
○ Hydro Power: Koyna, Tungabhadara, SriSailam, Nagarjuna Sagar, Almatti, Naryanpur, Bhadra.
49. Krishnaraja Sagar Dam in river Kaveri with its tributaries, Hemavati and Lakshmana Tirtha, type of gravity
dam, constructed during the rule of the Maharaja of Mysore, Krishnaraja Wadiyar IV, designed by Sir M.
Visvesvaraya, a famous Indian engineer
50. Kushiyara River branch of Barak River, Distributary in Bangladesh & Assam. Waters from Manipur, MZ &
As
51. Kuttamperoor River in Alappuzha, Kerala, west-flowing tributary of both the Pamba and the Achankovil
rivers
52. Lasko River = Uttarakhand.
53. Lake Victoria is the world’s second-largest freshwater lake in East Africa, bordered by Tanzania, Uganda,
and Kenya
○ It is a source of the White Nile River, which flows northward and eventually joins the Blue Nile in Sudan to
form the Nile River.
54. Loktak Lake - Freshwater lake in Manipur, famous for unique floating islands called Phumdis with multiple
plant species, The Keibul Lamjao NP is the last natural habitat of the “Sangai” the dancing deer of Manipur
○ Designated as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention.
55. Machchhu River = North flowing river of Saurashtra in Gujarat state Source: Hills ranges of Jasdan (Sardar
& Mandva in Rajkot district & Chotila in Surendranagar), GJ
○ Right Bank Tributaries: Jamburi, Benia, Machhori & Maha. Left Bank Tributaries: Beti & Asoi)
56. Mahandi River- CH ,OD , jh, mh & mp/ Source: Northern foothills of Dandakaranya in Raipur, CH
○ Main tributaries : Seonath, Hasdeo, Mand & Ib / Ong, the Tel & the Jonk
○ Hirakud Dam, Ravishankar Sagar, Dudhawa Reservoir, Sondur Reservoir, Hasdeo Bango & Tandula
○ 3rd largest of peninsular India after Godavari & Krishna, & the largest river of Odisha state
57. Manasbal Lake, Kashmir + Mughal garden, called the Jaroka built by Nur Jahan overlooks the lake.
58. Mullaperiyar Dam - Masonry gravity dam situated on the Periyar River in Thekkady, Idukki district, in Kerala
○ On the Cardamom Hills at the confluence of the Mullayar and Periyar rivers
○ The Periyar National Park is located around the dam's reservoir . Although the dam is located in Kerala, it
is operated and maintained by TN according to a 999-year lease agreement made during British rule.
59. Munneru River, last left tributary of Krishna, originates in Warangal, named after Rishi Maudgalya
60. Musi River, Telangana is a Krishna tributary on the Deccan Plateau. Dam- Himayat Sagar and Osman
Sagar.
61. Nagavali River aka Langulya in Southern Odisha & North Andhra bw Rushikulya and Godavari basins.
62. Nandakini River - 5 main tributaries of the Ganges River , joins the Alaknanda at Nandprayag
○ Origin below Nanda Ghunti on the Nanda Devi Sanctuary. Surrounded by the majestic Himalayan peaks,
including Nanda Devi, Trisul, and Kamet, Nanda Devi NP and the Valley of Flowers NP.
63. Namdapha river from Daphabum & meets the Noa-Dehing river
64. Narmada River - Largest west-flowing river in peninsular India , origin from Amarkantak Hill in MP , flows
through MP, MH, and GJ between Vindhya and Satpura hill ranges before falling into the Gulf of Cambay in
the Arabian Sea about 10 km north of Bharuch, Gujarat
○ It is one of the rivers that flow in a rift valley and acts as a divider between North India and South India
○ The river has numerous waterfalls, notably the Dhuandhar Falls, southwest of Jabalpur
○ Tributaries: Tawa (longest tributary) , Barna, Hiran, and Orsang rivers
65. Noa-Dihing River it is a tributary of Brahmaputra River
66. Palamu Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand forms a part of the Betla National Park. 3 rivers namely North Koyal,
Auranga and Burha flow through the valleys
67. Pala wetland(MZ) , Ramsar site, largest natural wetland revered by local Mara people
68. Pallikaranai, TN- Ramsar site.Pallikaranai Marsh Reserve Forest , one of the largest urban wetlands in
India. Central Asian Flyway. Freshwater marsh and partly saline wetland
○ Birds garganey, northern pintail, northern shoveler, common teal, western yellow wagtail, grey-headed
lapwing, common sandpiper, and wood sandpiper
○ Many Raptors like red-necked falcon, osprey, and greater- spotted eagle can be sighted here.
69. Pangong Tso lake - An endorheic lake spanning eastern Ladakh and West Tibet • Divided into 5 sublakes,
called Pangong Tso, Tso Nyak, Rum Tso (twin lakes) and Nyak Tso
○ Approx 50% lies within Tibet China, 40% in Ladakh& rest is disputed, Freezes despite saline water Land-
locked basin separated from Indus River basin by small elevated ridge
○ world's highest saltwater lake. Known to change colours, appearing blue, green, & red at different times.
70. Parkachik Glacier is one of the largest glaciers in the Suru River valley (part of the southern Zanskar
Ranges in the western Himalayas. Zanskar is a high altitude semi-desert lying on the North of the Great
Himalayan Range.
71. Penganga River, Ajantha ranges MH, tributary of the Wardha River (part of Godavari river basin)
○ Along border of MH & TL before converging into Wardha river
○ Tributaries: Adan, Kas, Arunavati Kayadhu & Pus ; Sahastrakund falls on this river.
72. Periyar River - longest river in Kerala, ‘Lifeline of Kerala’ as it is one of the few perennial rivers in the state
Sivagiri hills, Periyar NP, Tributaries of Periyar are Muthirapuzha, Mullayar, Cheruthoni, Perinjankutti.
73. Polavaram Irrigation Project ,multi-purpose, Godavari AP. facilitate inter-basin transfer Godavari-> Krishna
74. Pong Dam aka the Beas Dam in the HP, Artificial lake called the Maharana Pratap Sagar, after the great
ruler of Mewar.
○ Bird sanctuary for birds of numerous species including Bar-headed Goose & Red-necked Grebe.
75. Ponnaiyar/ Thenpennaiyaru/ Dakshina Pinakini, 2nd longest river in TN, Nandi Hills to BoB. Chief
Tributaries: The Chinnar (Markanda nadhi), Vaniyar &Pambaru rivers
76. Pavana River in Maharashtra originates from the Western Ghats, tributary of the Bhima River and merges
with the Mula River in Pune city.
77. Pulicat Lake , Nelapattu BS , black-headed ibis, Asian openbill, black-crowned night heron, & little
cormorant, northern pintail, common teal, little grebe, northern shoveler, Eurasian coot, Indian spot-billed
duck, grey heron, Oriental darter, black-winged stilt, garganey & gadwall. Flamingo Festival to promote
tourism.
78. Ratle Hydro Power Project (Ratle Dam), river Chenab in Kishtwar district of Jammu & Kashmir
79. River Cities Alliance (RCA) launched in 2021 as a dedicated platform for river cities across India to discuss
& exchange information for sustainable management of urban rivers
○ It includes cities from both Ganga basin & non-Ganga basin states
○ implemented by a partnership of the MoJal Sakthi & the MoH&U. DHARA 2023 is being organized for
Municipal Commissioners of member cities to come up with possible learning solutions for urban river
management
○ River Cities Alliance started with 30 cities in 2021 & currently has 95 cities as members across India
80. River doctrine
○ The Harmon doctrine: Every state is sovereign in its water resources & has right to do whatever it likes
within its territorial jurisdiction.
○ Campione Rules: It outline the need to include the water of an aquifer (that is, underground water or
fossil water) while determining reasonable equitable share.
○ Helsinki rules, 1996: Principle of “reasonable & equitable utilization” of the waters of an international
drainage basin among the riparian states as the basic principle of international water law.
○ Berlin Rules 2004: It provides that basin states should manage the water of an international drainage
basin having due regard for the obligation not to cause significant harm to other basin states.
81. Sambhar Lake is India's largest saline wetland located in Rajasthan, ephemeral salt lake , Ramsar Site
○ Represents the depression of the Aravalli Range . This inland lake receives water from five rivers, namely
Samaod, Khari, Mantha, Khandela, Medtha, and Roopangarh.
82. Sankhya Sagar , MP, human-made reservoir on the outskirts of Shivpuri town within the Madhav NP,
Ramsar site , Madhav National Park , Maniyar river connect Jadhav Sagar. ‘Mugger’ crocodile.
83. Sarsa River rises in Shivalik foothills of HP enters into PJ & joins the river Sutlej .Parivar Vichora Gurudwara
84. Shellbug Wetland Conservation Reserve (Sri Nagar, J&K) - Ramsar site
85. Siang River - The Yarlung Tsangpo river starts from Mansarovar lake and flows easterly for more than 1,600
km across Tibet before bending towards the south-east around Namcha Barwa peak to enter India at Gelling
in Arunachal Pradesh, where the river is known as Siang
○ The Siang flows down the Himalayas in AP, enters the Assam valley, joins Lohit and Dibang and together
they become the Brahmaputra
○ China’s hydropower project on the Great Bend of Yarlung Tsangpo River just before the river enters India
as Siang.
86. Siyom river/ Yomgo ,tributary of the Brahmaputra ,Arunachal Pradesh, joins Siang, Mouling NP on east
bank.
87. South Lhonak Lake in Sikkim formed from the gradual melting of a Himalayan glacier , suddenly overflowed
into the Teesta river, creating flash floods that destroyed the Chungthang dam
88. Subansiri (518km) (also called “Gold River”) is a trans-Himalayan river and the largest tributary of the Upper
Brahmaputra River . It flows into India through the Miri Hills of Arunachal Pradesh.
89. Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is a run-of-river dam that aims to generate 2,000 MW of power by
harnessing the potential of the Subansiri River, which flows along the border of Arunachal Pradesh and
Assam . It is India’s largest hydel project under construction.
90. Suchindram Theroor Wetland Complex (Kanya Kumari, TN): part of ST Manakudi Conservation Res ○
Declared Important Bird Area at southern tip of Central Asian flyway of migratory birds ○ Man-made, inland
Tank and is perennial
91. Sunni Dam Hydro-Electric Project - river Satluj governed by Indus water Treaty
92. Sukapaika river originated from another river, the Mahanadi in Odisha - Taladanda Canal System
93. Sukhatal Lake ,Freshwater lake, Nainital, Uttarakhand surrounded by dense pine and oak forests. ◊ Aka
Khudariya Tal . Sukhatal is a feeder lake for Naini Lake.
94. Tampara Lake (Odisha): Ramsar Site , freshwater, species: Cyprinus carpio, common pochard (Aythya
ferina) & river tern (Sterna aurantia). Placed in the Wetland Atlas prepared by MoEFCC
95. Thane Creek (Maharashtra), Ramsar site- Ulhas River is the largest source of water for the creek ○ Creek is
a narrow, sheltered waterway, especially an inlet in a shoreline or channel in a marsh ○ Declared as Thane
Creek Flamingo Sanctuary, Central Asian Flyway & Important Bird Area (IBA)
96. Umiam Lake also known as Barapani Lake, is a lake in the state of Meghalaya, one of the biggest artificial
lakes in Meghalaya . The confluence of the two streams, Umkhrah and Umshvrpi, form the Wah Ro-ro
stream in the northwest of the town and joins River Umiam, the main source of water for the lake.
97. Vaigai River rises in the Varushanad Hills of the Western Ghats, major river in the fabled city of Madurai,
○ Main tributaries are Suruliyaru, Mullaiyaru, Varaganadhi, Manjalaru, Kottagudi, Kridhumaal, and Upparu
○ It finally empties into the Palk Strait near the Pamban Bridge in Ramanathapuram district
98. Vaigai Dam in Theni District primarily built to provide water for irrigation in the Madurai district and the
Dindigul district, as well as drinking water for Madurai and Andipatti.
99. Vembanad Lake, longest in India & largest in KL, At sea level, separate-Laccadive Sea by narrow barrier isl
○ Aka Punnamada Lake (in Kuttanad) & Kochi Lake, wetlands of intl importance by Ramsar Convention.
○ 2nd-largest Ramsar site only after Sunderbans, Vallam Kali aka Nehru Trophy Boat Race is a Snake Boat
Race held every year in Vembanad Lake- Kumarakom BS is located on east coast.
100. Vishnugad Pipalkoti Hydro Electric Project (VPHEP) on the Alaknanda River in Uttarakhand
101. Yashwant Sagar (Indore, Madhya Pradesh): vulnerable Sarus Crane in central India. Vast shallow
reed beds ->large winter migratory bird
102. Zaimeng Lake on Khongtheng mountain ranges.
 Acts, Institutions and Policies
1. Air Quality Index (AQI) is an index for reporting air quality on a daily basis
○ It is a measure of how air pollution affects one's health within a short time period
○ The CPCB & SPCBs has been operating National Air Monitoring Program covering 240 cities
○ The proposed AQI consider 8 pollutants (PM10, PM2.5, NO2, SO2, CO, O3, NH3, and Pb) for which
short-term (up to 24-hourly averaging period) National Ambient Air Quality Standards are prescribed
2. Amrit Sarovar Mission
○ Develope & rejuvenate 75 water bodies in each district (Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsa celebration)
○ 6 Ministries/Department namely: Dept of Rural Development, Dept of land resources, Dept of Drinking
Water and Sanitation , DePt of Water resources , MoPR, MoFECC
3. Amphibian Recovery Project by Wildlife Trust of India in the Munnar Landscape of Kerala
○ Focus on 5 species —Deccan Night Frog (Endangered), Resplendent Resplendent shrub frog
(Endangered), Kadalar Swamp Frog (Endangered), Anaimalai Flying Frog (Vulnerable), and
Meowing Night Frog (Near Threatened).
4. Animal Welfare Board of India under PCA, 1960, HQ: Ballabgarh in Faridabad, HR, 28 Member, tenure 3
year India’s apex body for ensuring that animals are not mistreated (search and seizure to the police if
she/he has the reason to believe that the offence of cruelty has been committed to the animal)
○ AWBI in 2017 and 2019, advised the Central govt to pass legislation prohibiting animals in circuses. •
○ CZA cancelled recognition of Great Golden Circus that use elephants
○ Board was initially within the jurisdiction of MoF&A In 1990, subject of PCAs transferred to MoEF.
5. Battery Waste Management Rules 2022 by MoEFCC replace Batteries (Management & Handling) Rules
2001 • All types of batteries: Electric Vehicle batteries, portable batteries, automotive batteries & industrial
Based on EPR, Polluter Pays Principle for non- fulfilment , funds collected utilised in the collection and
refurbishing or recycling of uncollected and non-recycled waste batteries
6. Biodiversity Heritage Sites (BHSs) - Nallur Tamarind Grove in Bengaluru- first Biodiversity Heritage Site of
India, declared in 2007 The State Government may, from time to time in consultation with the local bodies,
notify the areas of biodiversity importance as biodiversity heritage sites under BDA Act
7. Bombay Natural History Society founded on 15 Sept 1883, engaged in conservation & biodiversity
research BNHS is the partner of BirdLife International in India. It has been designated as a ‘Scientific &
Industrial Research Organisation’ by Department of S&T. Logo: The BNHS logo is the great hornbill.
8. Botanical Survey of India (HQ: Kolkata ) under MoEFCC was established in 1890 with the objectives of
exploring the plant resources of the country and identifying plant species with economic virtue
9. Central Pollution Control Board(CPCB) 1974 under the Water Act, 1974
○ Powers and functions under the Air Act, 1981
○ It serves as a field formation, provides tech services to MoEFCC
○ Principal Functions spelt out in the Water Act, 1974 & Air Act, 1981
10. Central Empowered Committee (CEC) on Environmental Issues by MoEFCC
○ The permanent CEC will replace an ad hoc CEC formed in 2002 for monitoring the implementation of
SC’s order in TN Godavarman vs. Union of India (1996) . Jurisdiction: Whole country
○ Deferment of State: If the State differs from CEC’s recommendation, it shall be referred to the Centre
whose decision shall be final and binding
○ Composition: Chairman and 3 Expert Members selected for 3 years(extendable once upto age of 60);
Chief Coordinating Officer a serving officer not below rank of DIG of Forests/Director in GO. All of them
should have experience in Environment, Forest and Wildlife.
11. Central Water Commission under MoJS is a premier Technical Org of India in the field of Water Resources
○ Entrusted with the general responsibilities for control, conservation and utilization of water resources
throughout the country, for purpose of Flood Control, Irrigation, Navigation, Drinking Water Supply and
Water Power Development . Headquarters: New Delhi.
12. Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) - statutory body formed under the Commission for Air
Quality Management in National Capital Region and Adjoining Areas, Act 2021
 ○ Powers to issue directions to these state governments on issues pertaining to air pollution
○ It has Exclusive jurisdiction over the NCR, including areas in Haryana, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and
Rajasthan, in matters of air pollution, and will be working along with CPCB and ISRO, apart from the
respective state government
13. Compressed Bio-Gas (CBG) Blending Obligation by MoP&NG
○ CBG in CNG (Transport) & PNG (Domestic) segments of City Gas Distribution (CGD) Sector
○ CBO is an obligation where mixtures of traditional and alternative fuels (like CBG) are blended in varying
percentages in order to displace petroleum
○ It will encourage investment (Rs. 37500 cr) and facilitate establishment of 750 CBG projects by 2028-29.
○ CBO Roadmap will be voluntary till FY 2024-2025 & mandatory blending obligation from FY 2025-26
○ CBO shall be kept as 1%, 3% and 4% of total CNG/PNG consumption for FY 2025-26, 2026- 27 and
2027-28 respectively + From 2028-29 onwards CBO will be 5%
○ Central Repository Body shall monitor and implement blending mandate.
14. Crop Residue Management Guidelines by MoA&FW enable efficient ex-situ management of paddy straw
generated in Punjab, Haryana, UP and Delhi.
○ Financial assistance (Govt 65% + 25% Industry + 10% own ) on the capital cost of machinery and
equipment.
15. Driving Holistic Action for Urban Rivers (DHARA) organized by the National Mission for Clean Ganga
(NMCG) in association with the National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA)
16. E-20 Target - Achieved the E10 target (10% ethanol blending in petrol), India aims to achieve E20 by 2025-
26. India wishes to learn from Brazil's success in achieving E-85 through Global Biofuels Alliance.
17. Eco Sensitive Zones (ESZ)/ Eco-Sensitive Area (ESA)
○ National Wildlife Action Plan (NWAP) (2002-2016) advocated the region around the Protected Areas
(PAs) to be very vital in preventing the isolation of patches
○ NWAP indicates that all identified areas around PAs and wildlife corridors to be declared as ecologically
fragile under the EPA, 1986
○ MoEF&CC has issued “Guidelines for Declaration of ESZ around National Parks and Wildlife
Sanctuaries” in 2011 with consultations among the states/UTs
○ 2011 Guidelines specify activities that are to be prohibited, regulated & permissible in ESZ
○ Prohibited(commercial mining, polluting industries, major hydroelectric projects etc) Regulated (Felling
of trees, Establishment of hotels and resorts, Drastic change of agriculture system, widening of roads,
introduction of exotic species etc)
○ Permissible(Rain Water Harvesting, Organic farming, Ongoing Agricultural Practices etc) Proposal for
ESZ should be prepared by states & forwarded to the MoEF&CC for further processing and notification
○ ESZ are monitored by Monitoring Committee, chaired by the District Collector as chairman
○ ESZ not affect ownership rights of people on land resources, it restricts land-use change
18. e-Green Watch Portal to facilitate automation, streamlining and effective management of processes related
to plantations and other forestry works taken up under CAMPA fund
19. Environment, Social, & Governance (ESG) Norms helps stakeholders understand how an organization is
managing risks & opportunities related to ESG criteria
○ ESG reporting in India started in 2009 with MoCA issuing the Voluntary Guidelines on CSR
○ SEBI through its ‘Listing Regulations’ in 2012 mandated the top 100 listed entities by market
capitalization to file Business Responsibility Reports (BRRs) from an ESG perspective. This was
extended to top 500 listed entities in 2015-16 & then to 1,000 listed entities from 2022-23
○ SEBI issued new sustainability reporting requirements under the Business Responsibility & Sustainability
Report (BRSR) in 2021. BRSR were brought out by amending SEBI (Listing Obligation & Disclosure
Requirements) Regulation, 2015 (LODR Regulations
20. Environment Pollution Control Authority (EPCA) constituted by Supreme court prepared Graded
Response Action Plan to combat air pollution in NCR . Notified under the Environment Protection Act.
21. The Export Inspection Council (EIC) under Section 3 of the Export (Quality Control and Inspection) Act,
1963.
22. Forest Advisory Committee(FAC) ,statutory body under the Forest (Conservation) Act 1980 ,MoEF&CC
Diversion of forest land for non-forest uses & advises govt on the issue of granting forest clearances
23. Forest Certification is a market mechanism to promote the sustainable use and management of forests and
to identify “sustainably produced” products for the consumer
○ It is a voluntary process whereby an independent third party (the “certifier”) assesses the quality of forest
management and production against a set of requirements (“standards”) predetermined by a public or
private certification organization. There are two types of forest certification:
○ Certification of Forest Management, which assesses whether forests are being managed according to a
specified set of standards; and
○ Certification of the Chain of Custody (CoC certification), which verifies that certified material is identified
or kept separate from non-certified or non-controlled material
○ Total forest area under certification has increased by 35% (or 120 million ha) since 2010.
○ 2 international standards:Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) & Programme for Endorsement of Forest
Certifications (PEFC)
24. Forest Conservation Act (FCA), 1980 = 1980 42nd CAA State --> Concurrent List Cente’s permission for
using forest land for “non forestry purposes” & Forest Advisory Committee to recommend such re-
classification . Zoos = forestry activity
25. Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2022 to implement the provisions of the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980
Replace the Forest (Conservation) Rules, 2003 to obtain prior approval from the Union Government for the
use of forest land for non-forest purposes as provided in 1980 act
26. Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006 under MoTA concerns the rights of forest-dwelling communities to
land and other resources, denied to them over decades as a result of the continuance of colonial forest
laws
○ Legal recognition to the rights of traditional forest dwelling communities
○ Rights under the Act is confined to those who “primarily reside in forests” & the claimant must be a
member of the ST scheduled in that area or must have been residing in the forest for 75 years
○ Gram sabha is designated to ascertain the claims of an individual
○ MoTA was mandated with operationalising the Act, while conservation remained under MoEFCC
○ Responsibility for implementation of the Act lies with State Governments/UT Administrations
○ Applicable in National Parks, Wildlife Sanctuaries, and Tiger Reserves
○ Types of Rights under Section 3 of FRA Act:
○ Individual Forest Rights (IFR): Right to hold and live in the forest land under the individual or
common occupation for habitation or for self-cultivation for livelihood.
○ Community Forest Rights (CFR): Seeks to restore all customary and traditional usufruct rights of
forest-dwelling communities
○ Dongria Kondh Adivasis used FRA in 2013 to protect their sacred lands in the Niyamgiri forest of
odisha and rejected the Vedanta’s bauxite mining proposal.
27. Forest Survey of India (FSI), 1981 & HQ: Dehradun, Uttarakhand under MoE. Main task is to undertake a
survey & assessment of the country's forest resources Responsible for assessment & monitoring of the
forest resources of the country regularly.
28. Geological Survey of India MoMines for conducting geological surveys & studies, set up in 1851, HQ
kolkata
○ To creating & updating of national geoscientific information & mineral resource assessment
○ These objectives are achieved through ground surveys, air-borne & marine surveys, mineral prospecting
& investigations, multi- disciplinary geoscientific, geo-technical etc
29. Graded Response Action Plan is an emergency response mechanism based on Delhi's Air Quality Index
level. Notified under the EPA 1986, Implemented by the CAQM .
30. Green Building refer to the use of environmentally friendly construction materials, processes, operation, and
maintenance, driven by incentives to reduce the cost of energy and waste management
○ Different from Energy-efficient, and Net-zero carbon buildings
 ○ Energy Conservation Building Code 2007 (revised in 2017) by the BEE establishes minimum energy
standards for new commercial buildings with a connected load of 100 kW or a contract demand of 120
kVA or more.
○ Eco-Niwas Samhita 2018 by MoP (Energy Conservation–New Indian Way for Affordable & Sustainable
homes) Samhita 2018 is for Residential Buildings.
○ Green Rating for Integrated Habitat Assessment (GRIHA) by The Energy & Resources Institute
(TERI) and MoNRE uses a five-star rating, valid for five years.
○ Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED): An internationally recognized certification
system for green buildings developed by the U.S. Green Building Council . Recently, India outperformed
USA and China in LEED net zero certifications.
○ Star Rating of Commercial Buildings by the MoP, for assessing energy usage in the building on a 1-5
scale (5-star labelled buildings being the most efficient)
○ Indian Green Building Council 2001, part of the CIII is a India's Premier certification body
■ Develop new green building rating programmes, certification services, & training programmes
■ Organises the Green Building Congress, its annual flagship event on green buildings
■ It is also among the five countries that are on the board of the World Green Building Council,
discussing global issues at COP and similar global platforms. Headquarters: Hyderabad.
○ NEST Initiative by IGBC to promote sustainable and eco-friendly construction in the domestic housing
sector.
■ It would pave the way for individual house owners and the residential sector to adopt green building
features in a big way to help bring down electricity consumption and water usage and create a healthy
living space.
31. Green Hydrogen Standard by MoN&RE - well- to-gate emission of not more than 2 kg CO2 equivalent / kg
H2. The BEE shall be the Nodal Authority for accreditation.
32. Green Credit Initiative is a special programme which allows an individual or an entity to earn Green
Credit
○ It aims to leverage a competitive market based approach for incentivising environmental actions
of various stakeholders
○ This programme is voluntary in nature and a followup action of the ‘LiFE’(Lifestyle for
Environment) campaign
○ Cover eight types of activities — tree plantation, water management, sustainable agriculture,
waste management, air pollution reduction, and mangrove conservation and restoration
○ The initiative aims to encourage industries, companies, and other entities meet their obligations
under any law that is in force
○ The notification clarified that the Green Credit programme is independent of the carbon credit
provided under the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme, 2023 under the Energy Conservation Act,
2001.
33. Green Credits Programme by Green Credit Rules, 2023 under EPA 1986 by the MoEFCC
○ An innovative market-based mechanism designed to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across
diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals, communities, pvt sector industries & companies
○ In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities: water conservation and afforestation
○ Governance Structure: Steering Committee, Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education
(Administrator), and Technical Committees.
34. Hostile Activity Watch Kernel (HAWK) System by Karnataka Forest Dept, along with the Wildlife
Trust of India is a specialised software platform to monitor all aspects of forest and wildlife crime
35. ICAR-National Bureau of Fish Genetic Resources under ICAR for the conservation of fish germplasm
36. Indian Antarctic Act, 2022 To give effect to the Antarctic Treaty, the Convention on the Conservation of
Antarctic Marine Living Resources and to the Protocol on Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty
○ Committee on Antarctic Governance & Environmental Protection chaired by the Secretary of MoES
India is also a member of- Council of Managers of National Antarctic Programme (COMNAP): It
comprises the heads of each of the national Antarctic operating agencies and Scientific Committee of
Antarctica Research (SCAR):
 ○ It coordinates Antarctic research programs and encourages scientific cooperation
○ Maitri at Schirmacher Hills, Bharati at Larsemann Hills, Dakshin Gangotri -1st Indian established 1984
37. India Climate Energy Dashboard (ICED) 3.0 by NITI Aayog for near real-time data on the energy sector,
climate, and related economic datasets based on government-published sources
38. India’s first National Water-Body Census - information on the size, purpose, ownership, status, and
conditions of water bodies
○All natural and human-made, built on existing and publicly available satellite-derived datasets
○5 types: ponds, tanks, lakes, reservoirs, and water conservation schemes.
39. India's first Underwater Metro , Hooghly river, part of Kolkata Metro’s East-West Corridor
40. India-WRIS Portal , web-enabled Water Resources Information System by CWC, MoWR , MoJS & ISRO
India WRIS is, at present, receiving data from many central &state agencies like CWC, CGWB, IMD, NRSC,
Andhra Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh &Gujarat etc. on regular basis
○ The MoJS has established National Water Informatics Centre (NWIC) to maintain &update India WRIS.
41. India Cooling Action Plan (ICAP), MoEFCC, 20 year road map (2018-38), one of the first countries to
develop a comprehensive ‘Cooling Action Plan’, to fight ozone layer depletion adhering to the Montreal
Protocol
42. Indian Council of Forestry Research and Education is a Autonomous organisation or governmental
agency under the MoEFCC, Promote agroforestry of cultivating 36 specific species, including bamboo,
Leucaena leucocephala, or subabul (Invasive species) & eucalyptus (highly water-intensive)
○ Sub-Mission on Agroforestry (Har Medh par Ped) Scheme 2016-17 to encourage tree plantation on
farmland along with crops
43. Indian Forest and Wood Certification Scheme by MoEFCC offers voluntary third-party certification
designed to promote sustainable forest management and agroforestry in the country
○ Includes forest management certification, tree outside forest management certification, and chain of
custody certification
○ Parties involved: This includes state forest depts, individual farmers, or FPO engaged in agroforestry
and farm forestry, as well as other wood-based industries in the value chain
○ The Forest Management certification is based on the Indian Forest Management Standard
○ It will be overseen by the IFWC Council, which will act as a multistakeholder advisory body
○ Indian Institute of Forest Management, Bhopal will act as the scheme operating agency and will be
responsible for overall management of the scheme
○ National Accreditation Board for Certification Bodies under the QCI will accredit the certification bodies.
44. ‘In Our LiFEtime’ Campaign by National Museum of Natural History under MoEFCC & UNDP ◊ Objective:
To encourage youth (18 to 23 years) to become message bearers of sustainable lifestyles.
45. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture 2014-15 for holistic growth of horticulture covering
fruits, vegetables, mushrooms, spices, etc
46. Mission Sahbhagita by MoEFCC in 2022 to healthy &effectively manage the network of 75 wetlands of
national & international significance
47. National Agroforestry Policy, 2014: To encourage and expand tree plantation in a complementarity and
integrated manner with crops and livestock.
48. National Biodiversity Authority (Hq: Chennai) 2003 to implement India’s Biological Diversity Act (2002)
○ Statutory body that performs facilitative, regulatory and advisory functions on the issue of Conservation
and sustainable use of biological resources
○ Structure: A Chairperson & 10 Ex Officio members, 5 non official members)
49. National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources under ICAR, conserve seed germplasmin its National
Genebank HQ in New Delhi and has 10 regional stations
50. National Carbon Registry by UND is an open-source software that allows countries to effectively manage
national data and processes for trading carbon credits
○ It has been accredited as a digital public good (DPG) and can be integrated with national measurement,
reporting and verification (MRV) systems to meet international reporting requirements
○ Article 6 of Paris Agreement allows countries to voluntarily cooperate with each other to achieve
emission reduction targets set out in their NDCs
51. National Circular Economy Roadmap for reduction of Plastic waste in India by India and Australia to
foster research and industry partnerships between two countries and co develop a roadmap for India’s
transition to a circular economy in the Plastics sector.
52. Operation “Kachchhap” by The Directorate of Revenue Intelligence resulted in the recovery of the
955 live baby turtles, including species like the Indian Tent Turtle, Indian Flapshell Turtle, Crown River
Turtle, Black Spotted/Pond Turtle, and Brown Roofed Turtle.
53. Project Elephant - centrally sponsored scheme 1992 to provide financial and technical support to major
elephant bearing States in the country for protection of elephants, their habitats and corridors
○ Implemented in 16 States / UTs to ensure the long-term survival in their natural habitats by protecting
the elephants, their habitats and migration corridors
○ Implement MIKE (Monitoring of Illegal Killing of Elephants) programme of CITES in 10 ERs (Elephant
Reserve). It is mandated by COP resolution of CITES.
54. Project Nilgiri Tahr by Tamil Nadu to protect the endangered Nilgiri Tahr, a species native to Western
Ghats
○ It focuses on understanding the population, distribution, and ecology of Nilgiri Tahr, reintroducing
them to their historical habitats, addressing immediate threats to their survival, raising public
awareness, and developing eco-tourism activities.
55. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights (PPV&FR) Act 2001 under Article 27(3) (b) of TRIPS
○ The act conforms with International Union for the Protection of New Varieties of Plants (UPOV), 1978
○ World’s only IPR legislation: that grants intellectual property rights not only to the plant breeders but also
to the farmers by protecting new, extant and farmers’ varieties
○ Unlike UPOV, the Act facilitates the protection of not only new but even existing varieties.
56. Protection of Plant Varieties and Farmers' Rights Authority - Statutory Body (PPV&FR Act) works under
MoA&FW.
57. Salim Ali Centre for Ornithology & Natural History (SACON), HQ- Anaikatti, coimbatore, TN Public- NGO
partnership bw MoEF&CC, & Bombay Natural History Society under CoE Scheme & reg under Indian
Societies Registration Act. Chairman- secretary/additional secretary to MoEFCC
58. Secure Himalaya Project launched in 2017, funded by GEF, launched by MoEFCC & UNDP It supports the
govt’s efforts for the conservation of snow leopard & its habitat by developing & implementing a landscape-
based approach for Himalayan ecosystems
59. Solar Decathlon India conducted by the Indian Institute for Human Settlements & Alliance for an Energy-
Efficient Economy under Indo-US Science and Technology Forum, an autonomous bilateral organisation
jointly funded a competition for PG and UG students from Indian institutions to develop net-zero solutions.
Empower the next gen to combat climate change in the buildings sector.
60. State of India’s Birds 2023 Report by Wildlife Institute of India (WII) and ZSI
○ Long-distance migrants have declined the most, by over 50%. Shorebirds that breed in the Arctic have
been particularly affected (declining by close to 80% )
○ Several bird species such as the Indian Peafowl, Rock Pigeon, Asian Koel and House Crow are showing
an increasing trend
61. Swachhotsav 2023 galvanize participation & leadership of women to realize the goal of ‘Garbage Free
Cities’. Launched by MoHUA on International Zero Waste Day (IZWD) 2023
○ 1st IZWD has been jointly facilitated by UNEP & UN Human Settlements Programme (UN-Habitat).
62. Van Agni Geo-Portal by Forest Survey of India to provide user-friendly interactive viewing of the forest fire
related data for continuous monitoring and tracking of large forest fires in near real-time basis
63. Wildlife Trust of India, Indian nature conservation organization 1998, Non-profit Org & registered charity
64. Wildlife Crime Control Bureau (WCCB)- operations Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972
○ Operation Save Kurma:-turtles and tortoises. Operation Turtshield-II:x illegal trade of live turtles ,
○ Operation Softgold: x Shahtoosh Shawl made from Chiru wool. Operation Clean Art: x Mongoose hair
○ Operation Birbil:x wild cat and wild bird species. Operation Freefly: on illegal trade of live birds
○ Operation Wildnet:x illegal wildlife trade over internet using social media platforms
○ Operation Wetmark: to ensure prohibition of sale of meat of wild animals in wet markets
65. Wildlife Institute of India- autonomous institution under the MoEFCC in Dehradun, UtK conducts
specialised research in areas of study like Endangered Species, Biodiversity etc.
66. Wildlife (Protection) Amendment Act, 2022 to incorporate more species under the CITES' Number of
schedules =4 ; Chief Wildlife Warden will manage & protect sanctuaries Scheduled Areas or areas where
FRA 2006 is applicable- consultation with the Gram Sabha concerned Any person having a certificate of
ownership for captive animals or animal products, can voluntarily surrender them to the Chief Wildlife
Warden. No compensation to be paid. To regulate or prohibit the import, trade, possession, or proliferation
of invasive alien species.
67. India’s 1st Winter Scientific Expedition to Arctic by MoES under Polar Science and Cryosphere Research
(PACER) scheme through National Centre for Polar and Ocean Research
○ Arctic research base Himadri in Svalbard, Norway since 2008 , mostly hosting scientists during summer
○ Unlike Antarctica, which is governed by the Antarctic Treaty, the Arctic region belongs to various national
jurisdictions.
68. Zoological Survey of India (Hq: Kolkata) 1916 to promote survey, exploration, and research to enhance the
knowledge regarding the flora and fauna of the British Indian Empire, India’s apex organization on animal
taxonomy has 16 regional centres spread, declared as a designated repository for the National Zoological
Collection as per National Biodiversity Act, 2002
○ Faunal Database 2023 compiled by ZSI:
■ Miniopterus phillipsi - a long-fingered bat in Meghalaya
■ Glischropus meghalayanus - a bamboo-dwelling bat in Meghalaya
■ Sela Macaque- new macaque species in Arunachal Pradesh (Sela pass)
■ Macaca leucogenys -a white-cheeked macaque in West Siang, Arunachal Pradesh
■ Ficedula zanthopygia - the yellow-rumped flycatcher, in Narcondam Island of the Andaman
 Protected Areas

1. Abohar WS, PJ The entire area is private or community- owned land of 13 Bishnoi villages.
2. Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve, south Western Ghats ,Mostly tropical forest , BR of UNESCO, Kani
tribes
○ Cardamom, jamune, nutmeg, pepper 3 WS -Shendurney, Peppara & Neyyar, Kalakad Mundanthurai TR
3. Amangarh Tiger Reserve in Uttar Pradesh, originally part of the Jim Corbett NP
4. Amchang WS in Assam comprise 3 reserve forests-Khanapara, Amchang, & South Amchang have
Brahmaputra River
5. Amrabad TR in Nallamala hills of Telangana, 2nd-largest TR, after Nagarjunasagar Srisailam TR (AP & TL) ,
Chenchu tribe, contains ruins of the ancient Nagarjuna Viswa Vidyalayam run by the great Buddhist scholar
Nagarjunacharya (150 AD)
6. Anamalai Tiger Reserve lies South of the Palakkad gap surrounded by TR on the East, Chinnar WS and
Eravikulum NP on the South West
○ Tribes -Kadars, Malasars, Pulaiyars, Mudugars and the Eravallan.
7. Anamudi Shola National Park in Kerala is surrounded by Eravikulam NP, Pampadum Shola NP, Chinnar
WS and Mathikettan Shola Park. It consists of southern subtropical hill forests, southern montane wet
temperate forests and moist deciduous forests.
8. Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary is a northernmost wildlife sanctuary in Kerala.
9. Arittapatti Biodiversity Heritage Site comprises Arittapatti village and Meenakshipuram village in TN
○ 1st biodiversity heritage site in the State declared as per provision under Section 37(1) of BDA 2002.
○ Laggar Falcon, the Shaheen Falcon and Bonelli’s Eagle, Indian pangolin, slender loris and pythons
Houses Anaikondan tank, built during the reign of Pandiyan kings in the 16th century. It also has
megalithic structures, rock-cut temples, Tamil Brahmi inscriptions, Jain beds etc
10. Asola Bhatti Sanctuary Southern Delhi Ridge of the Aravalli hill range on the Delhi-Haryana border
11. Ballavpur Wildlife Sanctuary/ Deer Park WB- Cheethals (Spotted Deer) & the Blackbucks Migratory water
birds- Lesser Whistlings, Pintails, & Teals Local vegetation of Sal, Akashmoni, Sishoo, Cashewnut, Amlaki,
Bahera & Haritaki
12. Bandhavgarh NP & TR in Madhya Pradesh spread over the Vindhya hills, highest tiger density
13. Bandipur Tiger Reserve (BTR)established in 1973 under Project Tiger, situated in 2 contiguous dt (Mysore
& Chamarajanagar) of KA & is located at the tri- junction area of the States Karnataka, Tamil Nadu & Kerala
○ surrounded by - Nagarahole TR North West (Kabini Reservoir separates the two); Mudumalai TR (TN) in
the South & Wayanad WLS (KL) in the South West. Part of the Nilgiri BR
○ Situated between Kabini river north & Moyar river in the south. The Nugu river runs through the park.
14. Bannerghatta National Park in KA, biological reserve, India's 1st butterfly enclosure, R. Suvarnamukhi.
15. Barda Wildlife Sanctuary , GJ proposed as part of "Project Lion @ 2047."
○ 2 waterways, the Bileshvary River and the Joghri River, and two dams, Khambala and Fodara
○ Ethnic races such as Maldharis, Bharvads, Rabaris, and Gadhvis live in this region
16. Bhimgad Wildlife Sanctuary in the Western Ghats, Karnataka shares boundary with Dandeli WS (N),
Bhagwan Mahaveer Sanctuary and Mollem National Park, north of Netravali Wildlife Sanctuary and east of
Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary, river Tillari, Malaprabha and Mhadei
17. Bhoramdeo Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh have 11th century Bhoramdeo Temple, shares a border with
Kanha National Park in MP, making it an important tiger habitat in central India.
18. Biligiri Rangan Hills ,Western Ghats & the Eastern Ghats & richest areas for biodiversity in India BRT
Wildlife Sanctuary, protected reserve under WPA of 1972 & also a tiger reserve
19. Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary in Uttarakhand named after Bindeshwar Mahadev Temple, an ancient Hindu
rock temple dedicated to Lord Shiva.
20. Burachapori Wildlife Sanctuary in Assam on the southern bank of Brahmaputra, part of the Laokhowa WS,
abundance of freshwater mangrove trees, comprises of a mosaic of wet alluvial grassland, riparian and semi-
evergreen forests dotted by wetland and river systems.
 ○ Species:Great Indian one-horned rhinoceros, tiger, leopard, wild buffalo, hog deer, wild pig, and
elephants. It includes the highly endangered Bengal Florican.
21. Butterfly EcoPark at Chottakhola, Tripura, Trishna WildLife sanctuary
22. Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal . Its northern boundary runs along the international border with Bhutan
○ Sinchula hill range along the north of BTR, and the eastern boundary touches that of Assam State
○ The fragile "Terai Ecosystem" constitutes a part of this reserve. Two rivers: Raidak and Jayanti
○ Forests classified as the ‘Moist Tropical Forest’ of Champion and Seth’s (1968) recent classification.
23. Changthang WS, Ladakh , Pangong Tso, Tso Moriri (highest lake on earth) & Tso Kar Lake ,Korzok
Monastery, Dark Sky Reserve. world's highest village, Korzok Village.
○ Important species: snow leopard, Kiang or Tibetan wild ass, Dark-necked crane, Tibetan wolf, wild yak,
bharal, brown bear the mormot
24. Chincholi Wildlife Sanctuary - Kalaburagi district, Karnataka is the first dry land WS in South India
○ Good dry deciduous & Moist deciduous forest in the core with Acacia & Teak plantations on fringes
○ Home to Lambani Tandas, a protected tribal community.
25. Chitrangudi Bird Sanctuary ( Ramanathapuram, TN): Bird Sanctuary ,winter migratory birds.
26. Corbett Tiger Reserve ,Nainital, UK comprises hills, marshy depressions, riverine belts, grasslands & lake
Rivers: Ramganga, Kosi & Sonanadi, Oldest, More than 75% of area dominated by Sal forests Pakhro Tiger
Safari -Pakhro Range located in Pakhro WS which is a part of Corbett National Park
27. D. Ering Memorial Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh comprises tropical evergreen, semi-evergreen,
and deciduous forests.
28. Debrigarh WS in Odisha near Hirakud dam (Mahanadi), Dry deciduous mixed forests.
29. Desert National Park near the towns of Jaisalmer & Barmer (Rajasthan) Flora/ Forest Type: Sewan grass &
shrub, thorns. Fauna: Great Indian Bustard, Desert Fox, Blackbuck Only place- GIB, State animal (Chinkara)
& State tree (Khejri) & State flower (Rohida) found naturally
30. Dholpur-Karauli Tiger Reserve ,Rajasthan (Ranthambore, Sariska, Mukundra Hills & Ramgarh Vishdhari)
31. Dibang Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal Pradesh lies in the Indo-Chinese transition zone.
○ Some endangered species are the Mishmi takin (the takin is the national animal of Bhutan), the
Asiatic black bear, Musk deer and the Blyth’s tragopan. Kman Mishmi, one of the 26 indigenous
tribes in ArP resides here.
32. Dudhwa TR in UP Nepal border, nearby Sanctuaries, viz. Kishanpur (R.Sarda) and Katerniaghat (R.
Geruwa). Suheli and Mohana flow in the Dudhwa NP, all are tributaries of Ghagra River .
33. Durgavati Tiger Reserve, MP Spread across Narisinghpur, Damoh & Sagar. Other TR: Kanha,
Bandhavgarh, Panna, Pench, Satpura, Sanjay-Dubri.
34. Eravikulam NP in Kannan Devan Hills , Western Ghats. South India's highest peak, Anamudi (2695 m), 3
major types of plant communities found in the park are: Grasslands, Shrub Land & Shola Forests
○ Neelakurinji flowers- 12 years (2030), holds the largest viable population of the endangered Nilgiri Tahr.
35. Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh, Chambal flows; Chaurasigarh, Chaturbhujnath
temple, Bhadkaji rock paintings, Narsinghjhar Hinglajgarh fort, Taxakeshwar temple
36. Geo-Heritage Sites - GSI= identification & protection of geo-heritage sites/national geological monuments
○ Marine Gondwana fossil park in CH; Siwalik vertebrate fossil park in HP; Stromatolite park in RJ; Pillow
lava in KA, Eparchaean unconformity & Tirumala hills in AP, Lonar Lake in MH, etc
○ 12 locations in the Northeast included in 32 approved geo- tourism/ geo-heritage sites.
○ Majuli, Assam - River “island”, among world’s largest, Majuli in river Brahmaputra
○ Sangetsar Tso, Arunanchal, Madhuri Lake formed due to damming of river during earthquake in 1950
○ Loktak Lake, Manipur ‘phumdis’ /‘phumsangs’ or huts of fishermen on them. Keibul Lamjao NP
○ Mawmluh Cave, MG - Stalagmite caves providing records of Holocene paleo-climate & paleo-monsoon
○ Mawblei or God’s Rock, Meghalaya - huge balancing sandstone rock slanting at angle of 45 degrees in
south-southeast direction on hill slope overlooking Wahrashi River valley
○ Stromatolite Park (SK), Naga Hill Ophiolite, ReiekTlang (MZ), Unnakoti & Chabimura (TP), Umananda
(AS) & Theriaghat (MG)
37. Great Himalayan National Park in Kullu regio, Himachal Pradesh, UNESCO World Heritage Site status mix
of lush coniferous forests, meadows, glaciers and mountain peaks.
 ○ Junction of 2major biogeographic realms: Indomalayan realm to south & Palearctic realm to north •
Fauna: Blue sheep, snow leopard, Himalayan brown bear, Himalayan tahr, & musk deer
○ Flora: Pines, spruces, horse chestnuts, alpine meadows
38. Gudavi Bird Sanctuary in Karnataka covered by moist deciduous forest species interspersed with grassy
patches. This wetland vegetation comprises marshy plants, and microphyte biota.
39. Guindy National Park is India’s eighth-smallest national park, one of the last remnants of the tropical, dry
evergreen forests of the Coromandel Coast . Tropical Dry Evergreen Forest is a unique forest that can only
be found in TN and AP.
40. Gundla Brahmeswaram Wildlife Sanctuary in AP between two important hill passes known as
"Mantralamma Kanuma" and "Nandi Kanuma."
○ Spreads over the Nallamallai hill range, South of the Nagarjunasagar-Srisailam Tiger Reserve
○ The Gundlakamma River stretches across the sanctuary.
41. Hasdeo Arand Forest located in northern part of Chhattisgarh
○ Coal deposits, The Hasdeo river, a tributary of Mahanadi, flows through it
○ Largest un-fragmented forests in Central India consist of pristine Sal (Shorea robusta) & teak forest
42. Hollongapar Gibbon Sanctuary, Assam is dominated by evergreen forest (Hollong tree, Nahar, shrubs and
herbs). Home to western Hoolock & only nocturnal primate in northeast, Bengal slow loris.
43. Ibisbill bird in the Himalayas, Central Asia &the Himalayas. Least Concern
44. Jaisamand Wildlife Sanctuary in Rajasthan
45. Jambughoda Wildlife Sanctuary , Gujarat
46. Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre (JCBC) Pinjore within Bir Shikargah WLS for the breeding &
conservation of Indian vultures & House sparrow in the State of Haryana
47. Jog Fall Development Projects = Karnataka where River Sharavathi plunges from a height of 830 ft.
48. Kadavur Slender Loris Sanctuary in TN by state govt under WPA, 1972, Endangered , S1, Appendix II
49. Kaimur Wildlife Sanctuary in Bihar comprises two landscapes — the hills, known as Kaimur plateau, and
the plains on the west. Plains are flanked by the rivers Karmanasa and Durgavati
50. Kalakkad-Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve, TN is a mixture of 3 main sanctuaries: Kalakad Sanctuary,
Mundanthurai Sanctuary, and a part of Kanyakumari Sanctuary.
○ Aka the “River Sanctuary”, with as many as 14 rivers originating from this Tiger Reserve.
51. Kali Tiger Reserve in KA, earlier Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, part of the Western Ghats, Kali River
52. Kaliveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu is the second-largest brackish water lake in South India after Pulicat.
53. Kambalakonda Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh has hilly with steep slopes
54. Kamlang Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh have Kamlang River that joins the Brahmaputra
○ Spread between Namdapha NP on its south and Lang River on its north. The local inhabitants are
Hishmi, Digaru and Mizo, home to all four big cats (tiger, leopard, clouded leopard and snow leopard)
55. Kanger Valley National Park in Chhattisgarh, Kanger River, Tirathgarh Waterfall is , consist rare Indian
mouse deer or spotted Chevrotain
56. Kanha TR- largest national park of MP in the Maikal range of Satpuras, first tiger reserve in India to officially
introduce a mascot, "Bhoorsingh the Barasingha".
57. Kanjirankulam Bird Sanctuary (Ramanathapuram, TN):Ramsar site, nesting site for several heron species
that roost in the prominent growth of babul trees there
○ Qualifies as an IBA as the threatened Spot-billed Pelican Pelecanus philippensis breeds here
○ The wetland supports IUCN RedList vulnerable avian species like Sterna aurantia (River Tern).
58. Karikili Bird Sanctuary TN- Ramsar site, Near-threatened oriental darter & spot-billed pelican
59. Katarniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary in the Upper Gangetic plain in UP provides strategic connectivity between
the tiger habitats of Dudhwa and Kishanpur in India and the Bardia National Park in Nepal
○ Its fragile Terai ecosystem comprises a mosaic of sal and teak forests, lush grasslands, and numerous
swamps, and wetlands
○ The Gairwa River, which flows in the KWS area, is declared a sanctuary for Mugger and Gharial
○ It is among the few places in India where freshwater dolphins, also known as Gangetic dolphins, are
found in their natural habitat.
60. Katepurna Wildlife Sanctuary in Maharashtra, Katepurna River, Species - Ain, Dhawada, Kalamb, Salai,
Haldu, Medshing, Tendu etc. Trees of Vad, Umber, Arjun, and Kalamb
61. Kawal TR in Telangana, catchment for Godavari & Kadam, richest teak forests & dense pristine areas free of
human disturbance, southern Tropical Dry Deciduous Forest.
62. Kazhuveli Bird Sanctuary in Tamil Nadu adjacent to the Bay of Bengal along the east coast is one of the
major wetlands on the Coromandel Coast after Pulicat Lake
○ Connected to the Bay of Bengal by the Uppukalli Creek and the Yedayanthittu estuary and is visited for
nesting by migratory birds on the Central Asian flyway
○ The lake has a feeding ground for long-distance migrants from the cold subarctic regions of Central Asia
and Siberia including Black-tailed Godwits, Eurasian Curlew, White Stork, Ruff and Dunlin.
63. Kaziranga National Park, Assam. WHS, NP, TR, An Important Bird Area, first in the country to use satellite
phones. Diphlu River flows through it.
64. Kedarnath Wildlife Sanctuary aka Kedarnath Musk Deer Sanctuary,is located in the Rudraprayag and
Chamoli in UK. The largest protected area in the western Himalayas, covered with temperate forests.
65. Keibul Lamjao NP, ws (endangered Eld’s deer), only floating park, Loktak, Phumdi ,Ramsar site
66. Keoladeo National Park, RJ. man-made wetland, Ramsar site & also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Important wintering ground of Palaearctic migratory waterfowl ; Bharatpur bird sanctuary.
○ Siberian crane is one of the rare species that was spotted here till about the turn of the century
○ Tropical dry deciduous forest dominated by Acacia nilotica intermixed with dry grassland Context
67. Kishtwar High Altitude National Park in J&K, snow leopard, central crystalline belt of the great Himalayas,
catchment area of Kiber, Nanth and Kiyar Nallas, all drain southwest into Marwah River (Mariv Sudir) which
later joins Chenab.
68. Kole Bird Sanctuary in Thrissur in Kerala, Chalakudy River & Bharathapuzha River It gives 40% of Kerala's
rice requirement & acts as a natural drainage system. Central asian flyway
69. Koundinya Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh under Project elephant, River Kaigal & Kaundinya are
tributary of River Palar
70. Kuldiha Wildlife Sanctuary in Odisha spread across the Chota Nagpur Plateau region, connected with
Simlipal Reserve via Nato and Sukhupada Hill ranges.
71. Kumbhalgarh WS in Rajasthan divide Mewar and Marwar has Kumbhalgarh Fort , lies across the Aravalli
ranges. River Banas & small rivers such as Sukdi, Mithdi, Sumer and Kot (All tributaries of River Luni).
72. Lemru Elephant Reserve in Chhattisgarh , part of the Hasdeo Aranya forests, a very diverse biozone
that is also rich in coal deposits
○ Other PAN in CH: Achanakmar TR, Indravati TR, Sitanadi-Udanti TR, Kanger Valley NP &
Badalkhol Tamor Pingla ER
73. Lush Chail wildlife sanctuary located in Himachal Pradesh- catchment area of a tributary of the Giri River
74. Mahadeshwar hill WS in Karnataka contiguous to BRT TR, Sathyamangalam TR & Cauvery WS.
75. Mahananda Wildlife Sanctuary in Darjeeling between the Teesta and the Mahananda rivers.
76. Manas National Park and Tiger Reserve in Assamis contiguous with the Royal Manas NP in Bhutan ,
UNESCO Natural WHS, an elephant reserve & a biosphere reserve, Manas River(Brahmaputra).
77. Melghat TR , MH on the southern offshoot of the Satpura Hill Range in Central India, called Gavilgarh Hill
○ Catchment area for 5 major rivers: Khandu, Khapra, Sipna, Gadga, and Dolar, all are tributaries of Tapti
○ Tribes: The Korkus ,Gawli community, the Gond tribe, and several other smaller tribal communities.
78. Menar- “the bird village”,RJ, 2 lakes Brahma & Dhandh (Ramsar sites-Keoladeo & Sambhar)
79. Mhadei Wildlife Sanctuary ,Goa, Vazra Sakla Falls &the Virdi Falls
80. Mudumalai Tiger Reserve, Nilgiris tri-junction, - Part of Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, Wayanad WS West,
Bandipur NP North, Mukurthi NP &Silent Valley in the South
○ The Moyar River flows -natural boundary between Mudumalai & Bandipur Sanctuary
○ Elephant Grass" & teak & Rosewood . Flagship Species: Tiger & Asian Elephant
81. Mukundra Hills TR aka Darrah WS in RJ, situated in a valley formed by two parallel mountains viz.
Mukundra and Gargola, consist of 3 ws: Darrah ws, Chambal ws and Jaswant Sagar ws, eastern bank of the
Chambal River. Vegetation: Dry Deciduous Forest, Kala Dhok or Kaladhi, Khair, Ber, Kakan , Raunj etc.
82. Mukurthi National Park in Tamil Nadu is a part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve sandwiched between the
Mudumalai NP and the Silent Valley NP , conserve Nilgiri Tahr- Keystones species, UNESCO WHS, River:
Pykara and Kundah.
83. Myristica Swamps - freshwater swamp forest in the Western Ghats & A&N Island harbour endemic and
endangered plant species.
84. Nagarahole TR/Rajiv Gandhi NP,KA, lies in WG & part of the Nilgiri BR
○ vegetation consists mainly of moist deciduous forests with predominating trees of teak & rosewood
○ Nagarahole River joins Kabini R which also a boundary bw Nagarahole & Bandipur NP
85. Nagarjunasagar - Srisailam Tiger Reserve, Nallamala Hills, largest, Krishna river.
86. Nalabana Bird Sanctuary in the Chilika, island re-emerge after the monsoon Bar-headed geese, greater
flamingos, herons, black-tailed godwits & rare Great Knot.
87. National Chambal Sanctuary at the tri-junction MP,UP &RJ , Gharial, Ganges River dolphin
88. Nauradehi and Durgavati WS in MP - 3/4th Yamuna, and 1/4th in the Naramada basin.
89. Nawegaon Nagzira Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra comprises Nawegaon NP, Nawegaon WS, Nagzira WS,
New Nagzira WS and Koka WS. Connected with many tiger reserves like Pench, Kanha, Tadoba Andhari
Tiger Reserve, Indravati Tiger Reserve etc.
90. Neora Valley NP 1986 , Kalimpong, WB links Pangolakha WS in Sikkim & Toorsa Strict Reserve of Bhutan
○ The highest point of the park is Rachela Pass.
91. Nugu Wildlife Sanctuary situated north of Bandipur NP in Mysore, built across the Nugu River, a tributary
of the Cauvery . Vegetation in the forests is dry, deciduous and interspersed with patches of plantations.
92. Orang National Park north bank of the Brahmaputra inAssam, mini Kaziranga
93. Pakke Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh home to Nyishi community, it is a unique wildlife habitat,
bound by natural barriers.
94. Pangalokha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim connected to the forests of Bhutan and Neora Valley National
Park in West Bengal. The Pangolakha Range, extending below the Chola Range, separates Sikkim from
Bhutan.
95. Panna Tiger Reserve - Critical tiger habitat located in the Vindhyan mountain range in northern part of MP
○ Ken River flows from south to north through the reserve . The dominant vegetation type is dry deciduous
forest interspersed with grassland areas.
○ In the north, it is surrounded by teak forest, and in the east, it is surrounded by teak-Kardhai mixed
forest. The tree species Acacia catachu dominates the dry, steep slopes of the plateaus here
○ India has signed an MoU with Cambodia, which is seeking support for tiger reintroduction.
96. Parambikulam Tiger Reserve between Anaimalai Hills and Nelliampathy Hills, world’s largest and oldest
teak tree named “Kannimara”, Tribes: Kadar, Malasar, Muduvar and Mala Malasar
○ Western Ghats, Anamalai Sub-Cluster, including all of Parambikulam Wildlife Sanctuary, UNESCO WH
97. Periyar Tiger Reserve in the Western Ghats of Kerala , River Periyar & Pamba , Mannans and the Palians
tribes. Augment fish wealth by planting trees such as njaval and pattathali .
98. Pichavaram Mangrove ,TN . world's 2nd largest mangrove forest at estuaries of Vellar & Kollidam rivers
99. Pobitora WS has the highest density of one-horned rhinos & 2nd highest number of Rhinos after Kaziranga
100. Point Calimere WS TN, Ramsar site, focus on black antelopes (endangered & endemic)
○ It has mangroves, tropical evergreen forests, and grassland ecosystems
○ Fauna: Wild boar, macaque, black buck, chital, Great flamingo, Painted Stork, Little Stint,seagull,l
and Brown-headed gull are normally found in the sanctuary.
101. Pong Dam Lake Wildlife Sanctuary in Kangra district, Himachal Pradesh
○ Aka Maharana Pratap Sagar is a manmade reservoir formed due to the construction of Pong Dam on
the Beas River in the wetland zone of Shivalik Hills . Ramsar Site
○ One of the largest man-made wetlands in Northern India, serves as a sanctuary for the largest
population of migratory birds, along with a number of endemic species.
102. Ralamandal Wildlife Sanctuary in Indore, Madhya Pradesh has Red Flash, Plains Royal Blue,
Tri-coloured Pied Flat, Painted Lady and Rice Swift.
103. Ramgarh Vishdhari TR , RJ have Ranthambore TR (NE) & Mukundara Hills TR (South ), Mez, a
tributary of the Chambal River.
 ○ Habitat: Indian Wolf, leopard, striped hyena, sloth bear, golden jackal, chinkara, nilgai and fox
104. Ranganathittu Bird Sanctuary - Largest BS in Karnataka on River Cauvery , 1st Ramsar site in KA
○ Declared WS in 1940 due to efforts of the ornithologist Salim Ali / Aka Pakshi Kashi” of Karnataka
○ Bird : Painted Stork, Kingfishers, Cormorants, Darter, Herons, River Tern, Indian Roller, Blackheaded
Ibis, Spoonbill, Great Stone Plover & Spot-billed Pelicans
105. Ranipur TR in UP 53rd TR and 4th in UP (Dudhwa, Pilibhit, & Amangarh (a buffer of Corbett TR)
○ Dry deciduous forest of Bamboo, Palash, Khair, Mahua, Dhau, Saal, Tendu, etc
○ Species like Blackduck, Chinkara, Sambar, Cheetal, Bear, Leopard, Wolf, Wild dog, Blue bull, etc
106. Ranthambore Tiger Reserve near Aravali hills & Vindhya plateau, Famous for diurnal tigers
Enclosed by Chambal River & Banas River from the two sides Ranthambore Fort, Jogi Mahal, Rajbagh ruins
along lakes like Padam Talao, Malik Talao, Raj Bagh Talao
107. Ratapani WS, MP runs parallel to Narmada River (S), Kolar River (W), Bhimbetika.
108. Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) , Western Ghats in Maharashtra combines the Koyna Ws and the
Chandoli NP, consist Koyna Dam, Warna River- originating from the Western Ghats and flowing to the east,
composed of woodlands, grasslands and plateau, the latter locally referred to as “Sadaa”, which are lateritic
in nature with considerable habitat value.
109. Sanjay Dubri Tiger Reserve consists of Sanjay NP & Dubri Sanctuary. Rivers: Banas, Gopad,
Mawai, Mahan, Kodmar, Umrari &others
110. Sariska Tiger Reserve located in the Alwar district of Rajasthan, part of the Aravalli Range Harbours
Neelkanth temple, built in the 6th century; Pandupol Hanuman Temple; Kankwadi fort.
111. Sathyamangalam TR is contiguous with Mudumalai TR, Bandipur TR & BR TR & WS
112. Satkosia Sanctuary in Odisha , River Mahanadi i.e.“ Sat – kosh”, Satkosia TR = Satkosia Gorge
Sanctuary. Baisipalli Sanctuary, critical tiger habitat by NTCA.
113. Satpura TR in MP- central Indian highlands ecosystem supports 17% tiger & 12% of its tiger habitat
○ 1st biosphere reserve of MP in 1999 consists of 3 protected areas- Satpura NP, Bori Sanctuary and
Pachmarhi Sanctuary. Forms a watershed between Narmada and Tapti Rivers
○ It has corridor connectivity with Pench NP. 55 rock shelters (1500 to 10000 years old) with wall paintings
depicting animals like elephants, tigers, deers, and porcupines.
114. Shendurney WLS is a protected area in WG, Kollam dt of KL, under Agasthyamalai BR.
○ 1st eco-tourism project, Thenmala Eco- tourism Project formulated in & around Shendurney WLS
○ Derives its name from Chenkurinji (Gluta travancorica), a species endemic to this region
○ Tropical evergreen & semi-evergreen forests cover a major area of the sanctuary
○ Nearly 450 species of birds, odonates, butterflies, arachnids & mammals documented in faunal survey.
115. Shettihalli Wildlife Sanctuary in Karnataka . Mandagadde Natural Bird Sanctuary, present on a
small island in the river Tunga is also a part of this Sanctuary
○ The Tunga Anicut Dam is situated within the sanctuary and provides shelter for otters and water birds.
116. Silent Valley National Park Kerala, & Nilgiris, Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, World Heritage Site
Mukurthi peak, 5th-highest peak in South India, & Anginda peak Bhavani River(Kaveri) & Kunthipuzha.
○ River(Bharathappuzha). Kadalundi River origined, Brown wood owl, Banded bay cuckoo, Malabar
woodshrike, White-throated kingfisher, Indian nightjar, Jungle nightjar, & Large cuckooshrike.
117. Similipal TR in Odisha (Mayurbhanj) surrounded by high plateaus and hills, the highest peak -
Khairiburu and Meghashini (1515m), part of the World Network of Biosphere Reserves by UNESCO, only
landscape in the world that is home to melanistic tigers
118. Singalila National Park Darjeeling district of WB, highest national park. Red pandas transfer from
Padmaja Naidu Himalayan Zoological Park. India’s first augmentation of endangered mammal in the wild
119. Sohagi Barwa Wildlife Sanctuary in UP border with Nepal, Bihar’s Valmiki TR drained by the great
Gandak, the little Gandak, Pyas and Rohin rivers.
120. Son Ghadiyal Ws in MP to protect & preserve faunal diversity- Gharial (CE) & vulnerable Marsh
Crocodile
121. Srivilliputhur Megamalai TR lies in the Western Ghats have Grizzled Squirrel WS and Megamalai
WS.
122. Sukhna Wildlife Sanctuary = Chandigarh, Sukhna Lake catchment area falling in Shivalik hills.
123. Sultanpur National Park formerly known as Sultanpur Bird Sanctuary located in Gurgaon in Haryana
○ Ramsar site, very important wintering ground for waterfowl. Common hoopoe, Purple sunbird, Black
francolin, Little cormorant, Indian Cormorant, Siberian Crane, Greater Flamingo, Common Teal,
Common Greenshank, Ruff, etc.
124. Sunderbans, confluence of Padma, Brahmaputra & Meghna Rivers, UNESCO World Heritage Sites •
Ramsar Wetland & largest delta & mangrove forest in the world • Indian Sundarbans were considered
endangered in a 2020 IUCN Red List of Ecosystems framework
○ 10,000 km2: Bangladesh (60%) & India (40% )-sundri (Heritiera fomes) & gewa (Excoecaria agallocha)
○ River: Muriganga west & rivers Harinbhahga & Raimangal; Saptamukhi, Thakuran, Matla & Goasaba
○ Habitat = Jungle cat (Felis chaus), fishing cat(Prionailurus viverrinus), & leopard cat (P. bengalensis).
○ The Sundarbans National Park is home to olive ridley turtle, hawksbill turtle, green turtle, etc.
125. Sunabeda Wildlife Sanctuary = Odisha adjoins the Sitanadi &Udanti sanctuaries of CH, jonk River.
126. Sunderban BR, TR, NP, Haliday Island & Lothian Island WLS with Sajnekhali WLS forming its buffer
area
127. Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve (TATR) in MH . Biogeographically, the reserve falls in the Central
plateau province of the Deccan Peninsula. Vegetation: Southern Tropical Dry Deciduous.
○ There are two lakes and one waterway in the reserve, Tadoba Lake, Kolsa Lake, and the Tadoba River
128. Tal Chhapar Ws in RJ has nearly flat territory and combined thin low lying region. Blackbuck
129. Terai Elephant Reserve at Dudhwa-Pilibhit in Uttar Pradesh ◊ Elephant reserves are created under
Project Elephant, a centrally sponsored scheme launched in 1992
130. Tungareshwar WLS, Mumbai, 85 sq.km, forms a corridor between Sanjay Gandhi NP & Tansa WLS
Oriental dwarf kingfisher (Jewel of the forest), the Leopard, Wild Boar, Barking Deer, Langur, Bonnet and
Rhesus Macaque, and Black-naped Hare, Crested Serpent-eagle, Jungle Owlet, White-eyed Buzzard,
Oriental Honey-buzzard, Emerald Dove and Heart-spotted Woodpecker can be found here. Tungareshwar
Temple, dedicated to Lord Shiva.
131. Udanti Sitanadi TR - CH have Udanti river, Deodhara and Godene falls and Asiatic Wild Buffalo.
132. Vaduvur Bird Sanctuary (Tamil Nadu): large human-made irrigation tank & shelter for migratory
birds ○ Species such as Indian Pond Heron Ardeola grayii during critical stages of their life cycle.
133. Valley of Flowers NP, UK ,UNESCO WHS 2005, 600 flowers(Brahmkamal, UK state flower) • Blue
poppy- Queen of Flowers between Zanskar and Great Himalaya
134. Valmiki TR, NP & WS in BH - Gangetic Plains, bhabar & terai ,shares border with Nepal’s Chitwan
NP, easternmost limit of the Himalayan Terai forests in India, & only TR of Bihar with 40 tigers. River-
Gandak, Pandai, Manor, Harha, Masan, and Bhapsa flow through various parts of the reserve.
135. Wayanad Sanctuary (4 hill ranges namely Sulthan Bathery, Muthanga, Kurichiat and Tholpetty
○ Gaur, Asian elephant, deer and tiger, Integral part of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve.
○ Part of Deccan Plateau & Western Ghats R.Kabini (R.Cauvery). Comes under Protect Elephant.
○ 2nd largest wildlife sanctuary in Kerala, Part of the Deccan Plateau
○ Bounded by Nagarhole NP & Bandipur NP in northeast, and on the southeast by Mudumalai NP in TN
○ Scheduled tribes : Paniyas, Kurubas, Adiyans, Kurichiyas, Ooralis and Kattunaikkans
○ Species like : Starry Night Frog, Miniature Night Frog, the tiniest frog in the country; Naked Dancing
Frog; and endangered species such as Malabar Torrent Toad and Red Stream Toad.
○ Wayanad Dravidogecko, Nilgiri Spiny Lizard, and the Nilgiri Forest Lizard are also sighted.
136. Wild Ass Sanctuary in the Little Rann of Kutch ,only place of Wild Ass ,Rabari &Bharwad tribes
137. Yaya Tso, known as a birds’ paradise for its beautiful lake, proposed as Ladakh’s first BHS Nesting
habitat for a large number of birds & animals, such as the bar-headed goose,& brahminy duck, One of the
highest breeding sites of the black-necked crane in India
 Species
1. Alcanivorax Borkumensis = marine bacterium that uses exclusively petroleum oil hydrocarbons as sources
of carbon & energy. Alcanivorax borkumensis biofilms enhance oil degradation. Abundant in oil-contaminated
waters.
2. Antlion Species are commonly known for their pit-building habit, have long, distinct antennae found
throughout the world, primarily in dry, sandy regions.
3. Azooxanthellate Corals do not contain zooxanthellae and derive nourishment froms planktons
○ Deep sea (200m- 1,000 m) & shallow water unlike zooxanthellate restricted to shallow waters
4. Blue Dragons, blue sea slugs, blue angels, and sea swallows is a type of mollusc known as a nudibranch
○ Found drifting on the surface of the Atlantic, Pacific and Indian oceans in temperate and tropical waters
○ The slug isn't venomous all on its own, however, it stores the stinging nematocysts created by the
creatures on which it feeds
○ They are hermaphrodites, meaning they have both male and female reproductive organs.
5. Cnidarians are the animal group which includes jellyfish, sea anemones and coral are brainless, instead
getting by with a "dispersed" central nervous system.
6. Diatoms- photosynthetic algae, single celled organism , phytoplankton , cell walls made of silica, holes in the
cell wall (frustule) through which they absorb nutrients and get rid of waste, responsible for generating up to
50% of the oxygen produced globally each year.
7. Ephemeral Plant are plant species that wait throughout the year to bloom only during the monsoon
○ Two types of ephemerals: annual and perennial as per IUCN SSC
○ Annual ephemerals form new individuals every year and are seen for a very short period. They form
seeds at the end of their life cycle, remaining dormant till the next year.
8. Epulopiscium Viviparus is a bacteria which live symbiotically in the guts of a fish, Naso tonganus, in
tropical ocean environments
9. Great Atlantic Sargassum Belt is a 5,000 mile- largest macroalgae bloom in the world
10. Gomphonema Rajaguruii , freshwater diatom species , shows the characteristics of two genus
Gomphonema and Gomphoneis.
11. Helopeltis Theivora aka Tea Mosquito Bug; United Planters Asso of Southern India, apex body of planters.
12. Methylotuvimicrobium buryatense 5GB1C is a Methanotroph ( Bacterial strain which consumes
methane) , gram-negative.
13. Microalgae developed a unique strategy to adapt to global warming and declining nutrient levels in the sea
○ Activate a protein called rhodopsin, similar to the protein in the human eye responsible for vision in dim
light
○ This light-responsive protein enables microalgae to thrive by using sunlight as an alternative to
traditional chlorophyll for growth
14. Mycena Chlorophos - Rare bioluminescent mushroom in Kanyakumari WS have bell-shaped caps and thin
stems
15. Odonata Species is an insect order consisting of three groups: Anisoptera(which includes dragonflies),
Zygoptera ( damselflies), & Anisozygoptera (a relict group represented by only two living species)
16. Pantoea Tagorei - a new species of bacteria named after Rabindranath Tagore. It was discovered from soil
samples collected in the Jharia coal mines (JH). It has unique properties beneficial for plant growth.
17. Protosterol Biota inhabited the underwater world over 1.6 billion years ago and are the source of the
evolution of life on Earth
18. Pink Bollworm -most destructive pests of cotton
19. Vibrio Bacteria are aquatic microorganisms, gram-negative, highly motile, facultative anaerobes (not
requiring oxygen) cause serious diseases in humans.
20. Virovore , first known organism that eats viruses, Species of Halteria
 Animals and Birds
1. Aardvarks (Least Concern) are nocturnal mammals, most active at night , evolving independently for millions
of years in Afric, the sole surviving species of its order, Tubulidentata.
2. Allegator Gar - ray-finned euryhaline fish discovered for the first time in Srinagar’s Dal Lake
3. Amur Falcon - Least Concern , Small & world’s longest travelling raptors (22,000 kms)
○ Breeds in south-eastern Siberia and northern China before migrate a long distance across India & over
the Arabian sea to winter in Southern and East Africa. Amur River forms the border between Russia &
China
○ Doyang Lake (Nagaland), Nagaland is also known as the “Falcon Capital of the World”
4. Asiatic Black Bear Vulnerable ,Appendix I of CITES, Schedule I WPA , large carnivore • Habitat: Across
Asia, from Himalayas(5 states and 2 UT ) to Russian Far East , White V mark on neck
5. Asian Giant Tortoise (Manouria emys) are largest tortoises in mainland Asia -CE, Appendix II, Schedule IV
○ Found in Ban,Ind, Indonesia,& Malaysia among other places
○ 10 captive-bred juvenile tortoises were soft-released into Intanki NP, inside a protected area in Nagaland
6. Asiatic Elephant (Endangered) is recognized as a National Heritage Animal, Schedule 1, Appendix I.
○ African Elephants= Savanna elephant Endangered & the Forest elephant CE, Appendix II
7. Asiatic Golden Cat aka Temminck's cat, the “fire cat” in Thailand & Burma, / “rock cat” in parts of China
Near Threatened , Schedule I, Southeast Asia, from Nepal & Tibet to Southern China, Sumatra & India
8. Asiatic Water Snake, endemic to Asia, non-venomous, Least concern, Appendix III, Schedule II.
9. Asian Wild Dog / Dhole, Indian wild dog, whistling dog, red dog, mountain wolf, Endangered, Appendix II,
Schedule II. Large carnivore, apex social carnivore , India has the highest number of dholes
○ Karnataka, Maharashtra and Madhya Pradesh rank high in the conservation of the dhole.
10. Badri Cow/pahari’ cow, Char Dham at Badrinath. only in the hill districts of Ukh. Grazes only on herbs and
shrubs - rich medicinal content and high organic value
11. Baer’s Pochard bird Critically Endangered in Wetlands of Assam and Manipur
12. Barasingha (swamp deer) -Vulnerable, Schedule 1, Appendix I, distributed in Indian subcontinent
○ Found in isolated & scattered open forests & grasslands in Nepal, Assam & northern areas of India
○ It is now extinct in both Bangladesh, and in Pakistan
○ Manas NP & TR announced that the population of swamp deer at the park has witnessed a rise
13. Batillipes Kalami - New species of marine tardigrade named after A.P.J. Abdul Kalam. It is the second
marine tardigrade to be discovered in Indian waters and the first one from the east coast.
14. Black-bellied Tern Endangered, around Chambal, Mahanadi, Ganga, Son, Godavari, and Yamuna
15. Black Buck/ Indian Antelope - Schedule I, Least Concern, Appendix II
○ Native to India and Nepal , Epitome of grassland. Fastest animal after Cheetah. ○ Diurnal antelope (active
mainly during the day)
○ State Animal of Punjab, Haryana, and Andhra Pradesh ○ Symbol of purity for Hinduism & symbol of good
luck for Buddhism
16. Black-necked Grebe (Least Concern) water bird have an extensive range of Eurasia & North America.
17. Black Stork - Large bird breeds in swampy, coniferous, and mixed forests, a long-distance migrant, with
European populations wintering in tropical Sub-Saharan Africa, & Asian populations in the Indian
subcontinent.
18. Bengal Florican Critically Endangered restricted to Himalayan Terai & grasslands of northeast India
19. Black Corals , shallow waters to 8,000m , filter feeders and eat tiny zooplankton abundant in deep waters ◊
Distribution: All oceans, but common in deep water habitats of tropical & subtropical seas. carnivores.
20. Broadnose Sevengill Shark (Vulnerable) is large seven-gilled with a wide head & short, blunt snout shark
○ Prefer tropical, temperate, shallow waters, found in all oceans except the North Atlantic & Mediterranean
Sea.
21. Budgett’s Frog (Least Concern )- peptides (short protein) produced from it can combat enzymes of disease
causing pathogens
○ They are found near or in permanent or seasonal bodies of water in Paraguay, Argentina and Bolivia
 ○ Frog-secreted peptide inhibited two key enzymes called subtilisin carlsberg and proteinase K., produced
by pathogens.
22. Buff-breasted Sandpiper is a rare bird from the arctic tundra sighted in Kannur, Kerala.
23. Camelids - UNs declared 2024 the International Year of Camelids
○ A Camelid refers to any of the even-toed ungulates of the family Camelidae. g. camels, llamas,alpacas,
guanacos, and vicuñas
○ They are known for their remarkable adaptations to arid and high-altitude environments
○ The Old-World Camelids, found in northern Africa and central Asia are the true camels, such as the
dromedary camels (one-humped camel)
○ Bactrian camels (two-humped camel), characterised by: their humps on their backs and the dulla, which is
an organ found on the throat of male camels and is believed to be associated with the display of
dominance among males and for attracting females.
24. Caecilian is tropical amphibians, Limbless and a cylindrical bodies with compact “bullet-shaped” skulls
that let them burrow underground
25. Caltoris Bromus Sadasiva, butterfly subspecies from the fringes of Akkulam and Vembanad lakes in Kerala
26.
27. Central Asian Flyway cover 30 countries from Siberia to West Asia, India, the Maldives and the British
Indian Ocean Territory
○ Some prominent birds using CAF: Blac necked crane, Bar headed goose, Indian skimmer, Social lapwing,
Ibisbill, spot billed pelican, Caspian plover, Relict Gull
○ MoEFCC with UNEP/CMS) organized a meeting to strengthen conservation efforts for migratory birds and
their habitats in the CAF.
28. Channa Barca Fish aka Barca Snakehead, is a primitive predatory fish, endemic to the upper Brahmaputra
river, ornamental fish susceptible to illegal trade
29. Chousingha (Vulnerable) is a small four-horned antelope endemic to India and Nepal, found in woodland
areas throughout India , usually diurnal and solitary by nature.
○ They have a yellowish-brown to reddish coat and are slender, with small legs and a short tail.
30. Comb Jelly aka ctenophores,are the closest relatives of the first animals, carnivorous.
31. Coyotes or Bobcats, carnivorous tend to move into human-dominated areas to avoid predation by larger
carnivores,a phenomenon aka the “human shield” effect.
32. Cheetah -world’s fastest mammal, keystone species, Appendix 1, Asiatic(CE) & African Cheetah- Vulnerable
○ Project Cheetah, world's first intercontinental large wild carnivore translocation project and is a part of
‘Project Tiger’ of India to introduce African cheetah in India, only large wild mammalian species that went
extinct since the India country’s independence, declared extinct from India in 1952
○ NTCA is the nodal agency for funding, supervision and hand holding of the project
○ To introduce at least 50 cheetahs into various national parks over the next five years.
33. Chitala Fish (Near Threatened) is an obligate, typically nocturnal, predator feeding on smaller fishes
○ It is found in the Indus, Ganges-Brahmaputra and Mahanadi river basins in India
34. Clouded Leopard - Mainland CL (Vulnerable) from central Nepal to peninsular Malaysia, and the Sunda CL
native to Borneo and Sumatra
○ State animal of Meghalaya & found in Sikkim, northern West Bengal, Tripura, Mizoram, Manipur, Assam,
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh
35. Crab Plover (Least Concern) is a long-legged, black and white bird of Indian Ocean coasts, only shorebird
that lays white eggs, and chicks remain inside the burrows until the fledging stage
○ Breed around the Arabian Sea of Pakistan, the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, Red Sea, Somalia, the
Andaman Islands, Sri Lanka, Tanzania, and Madagascar
○ Inhabit sandy coastlines, mudflats, estuaries, lagoons, exposed coral reefs, and rocky shorelines
○ Agreement on the Conservation of African-Eurasian Migratory Waterbirds (AEWA) applies to it.
36. Dancing Frogs of the Western Ghats are considered one of the most threatened amphibian genera
 ○ Nilgiri Dancing Frog is listed as Vulnerable and White-Cheeked Dancing Frog is listed as
Endangered on IUCN List . They are threatened by invasive species, land use change, extreme
weather, etc
37. De Winton’s Golden Mole (critically endangered) is an elusive blind mole that "swims" through sand, lives in
inaccessible burrows, and has a shimmering, iridescent coat, endemic to South Africa.
38. Dolphin Census -6 species- Irrawaddy, Bottlenose, Humpback, Striped, Finless & Spinner
39. Double Humped Camels or Bactrian camels, have two humps on their backs where they store fat
○ They are native to the harsh and arid regions of Central Asia. They occupy habitats in Central Asia from
Afghanistan to China, primarily up into the Mongolian steppes and the Gobi desert
○ A small population of Bactrian camels exists in the Nubra Valley of Ladakh . They are smaller and
slenderer than the one-humped dromedary camels found in Africa and the Middle East
○ They are omnivores but are primarily herbivores that constantly graze on grasses.
40. Dragon Snakehead Fish (Vulnerable, Schedule II) is considered ‘living fossils’ mainly found in Kerala,
evolved around 120 million years ago, probably with dinosaurs in the Jurassic period
41. Dugong, Sea Cows, only herbivorous marine mammals, Vulnerable, Schedule I, Appendix I, India’s first
conservation reserve for Dugongs in Palk Bay
42. Electric Eel - (Least concern) Fish that only lives in freshwater areas release up to 860 volts
○ It has three specialized electric organs—the main electrical organ, the Hunter’s organ and the Sachs’
organ which make up about 80 percent of this fish’s body
○ Dwell mainly on the muddy bottoms of rivers and occasionally swamps, preferring deeply shaded areas
43. Emperor Penguin -near threatened , endemic to Antarctica , almost exclusively in the Southern
Hemisphere, with only one species, the Galapagos penguin, found north of the equator.
44. Eurasian Otter (Near threatened, Schedule II, Appendix I ) semi-aquatic carnivorous mammal, northern,
northeast, & southern India. Chinnar Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki.
45. European Bumblebee (Data Deficient)is a genus of bees important for the pollination of crops in the cold
and temperate regions of the northern hemisphere
○ More than 75% of European bumblebee species may be threatened in the next 40-60 years according to
a paper published in Nature
46. Euryhaline- ability to adapt to a wide range of water salinities Eg salmon, eels, etc
47. Exostoma Dhritiae , catfish in Siking stream, tributary of the Siang River, fish called 'Ngorang' by local
tribals
48. Fishing Cat Endangered,Appendix II, Schedule I, State animal of West Bengal
○ Habitat: Sundarbans, Himalayas foothills, Western Ghats . Breed all year round
○ World’s 1st fishing cat census by Chilika Development Authority in collaboration with Fishing Cat Project
conducted outside protected area network found 176 fishing cats in Chilika Lake.
49. Garra Laishrami , freshwater edible fish from Kolab river (Godavari) in Koraput, Odisha.
50. Gambusia Fish aka mosquito fish control mosquito larvae- one of 100 worst invasive alien species by
IUCN.
51. Gangetic Dolphin, Endangered, Schedule I ,Appendix 1 aka ‘Susu’ of rivers
○ Only live in freshwater and are essentially blind , National Aquatic Animal of India
○ Found in Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna & Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems of Nepal, India, & Bangladesh
○ In India, it covers 7 states namely, AS, UP, MP, RJ, BH, JH and WB
○ Among the 21 species identified under the centrally sponsored scheme, “Development of Wildlife Habitat”
○ Endemic to the Indian sub- continent, Prey in river waters through echolocation, Cannot breathe in water
and must surface every 30-120 seconds. Other 3 freshwater dolphin species in the world are:
○ 'Baiji' in Yangtze River in China (Extinct since 2006), 'Boto' in Amazon River, 'Bhulan' in Indus River
(Pak)
52. Gharial(CE,S-1,A-1), fresh-water, lives in deep fast-flowing rivers, very long and narrow snout, found only in
India & Nepal, Chambal & Girwa Rivers in India, Rapti- Naryani River in Nepal. The Gharial reserves– UP,
MP & Rajasthan
53. Giant Panda or Chinese Panda (Vulnerable) is a bear species endemic to China characterized by its bold
black-&-white coat & rotund body , a folivore, with bamboo shoots & leaves making up > 99% of its diet
○ Few mountain ranges in central China, mainly in Sichuan, Shaanxi and Gansu
54. Gilbert's Potoroo critically endangered- Australia's most endangered marsupial, mammals, nocturnal
macropod.
55. Gir indigenous cow breed is being promoted under the Rashtriya Gokul Mission
○ Good fertility, heat tolerance, easy maintenance, resistance to diseases, and longevity
56. Golden Jackal/ common jackal (LC, S2) - a medium-sized wolf-like canid ( Africa, Asia, Europe )
57. Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2023 is an annual citizen science project that encourages
birdwatchers of all ages to observe & count birds in their backyard or local park
58. Greater Adjutant Storks aka ‘Garuda’ ,only 3 known breeding grounds=Cambodia , 2 in India (AS & BH) ◊
Endangered , WPA S4
59. Greater Sand-Plover,( Least Concern) long distance Migrant Bird breeds in high-elevation areas (central
Asia, Turkey and Armenia), winters on coastal mudflats & estuaries (Indian & Australian Oceans)
60. Great Hornbill aka /great pied hornbill, larger members of hornbill family- Long- lived, WG & Nilgiris
○ Predominantly fruit-eating, but is an opportunist & preys on small mammals, reptiles and birds
○ State bird of Kerala and Arunachal P, Vulnerable, Appendix I, Schedule I Hornbill Festival Nagas
celebrate to revive, protect, sustain & promote richness of the Naga heritage & traditions .Organized by
State Tourism & Art & Culture Departments & supported by Union Govt
61. Great Indian Bustards Native to India & Pakistan, Critically Endangered ,Appendix I , Schedule I
○ State Bird of Rajasthan: 150 in RJ (95% world population), Desert NP, Kutch Bustard Sanctuary, Gujarat;
Great Indian Bustard Sanctuary or Jawaharlal Nehru Bustard Sanctuary, Maharashtra
○ Largest among 4 bustard species in India(MacQueen’s bustard, lesser florican & the Bengal florican) Dry
grasslands & scrubland. No GIB in Kutch Bustard Sanctuary (KBS) in Gujarat
○ Captive breeding of GIBs in the Desert NP through a project executed by Wildlife Institute of India.
○ 24 GIB chicks reared by team supported by International Fund for Houbara Conservation of UAE.
○ Project Great Indian Bustard by the Rajasthan with an aim of constructing breeding enclosures for the
species & developing infrastructure to reduce human pressure on its habitats.
○ Firefly Bird Diverters: These are flaps installed on power lines & work as reflectors for bird species
62. Great Seahorse -males carry & give birth, change color ,feed crustacean & plankton, Vulnerable, Appendix
II.
63. Greater Scaup, duck. Loktak lake, Asia, EU, USA & Canada, migratory, breeding near arctic. Least Concern
64. Grey Francolin ( Least Concern) is a ground-dwelling bird known for its distinctive calls and cryptic plumage,
carnivores (insectivores) and herbivores (granivores), found in the Indian subcontinent and Iran
65. Grey Whales- Western Grey whale (Critically endangered) and Eastern Grey whale (Least concern) found
mainly in shallow coastal waters in the North Pacific Ocean,
○ A type of baleen whale, which means they filter food from the water through special bristly structures in
their mouths
66. Haploclastus Nilgirinus is an elusive Nilgiri large burrowing spider and a venomous species of tarantula ,
shows sexual dimorphism.
67. Hemidactylus quartziticolus / Quartzite brookish gecko/ Thoothukudi bg, nocturnal lizards
68. Herons (Least Concern) are long-legged, long-necked, freshwater and coastal birds distributed over the
world
69. Himalayan Black Bear (Vulnerable) is a subspecies of the Asian black bear in Tibet, India, Nepal, Pak &
China
○ Prefers heavily forested, broadleaved, and coniferous forests as habitat, soft and shiny hair, with a white V
patch on its chest. Naturally diurnal, but many are largely nocturnal in order to avoid contact with humans.
70. Himalayan Brown Bears (CE, S1,A1)- largest carnivores in the alpine & subalpine habitats of J&K, HP & UK
71. Himalayan Gray Langur - Critically Endangered species ,Schedule II of WPA, 1972. Distribution - HP, J&K,
Pakistan &Nepal
72. Himalayan Yak, Vulnerable , long-haired domesticated cattle found throughout the Himalayan region,
Tibetan Plateau, Myanmar, very cold temperatures , Prevalent in UT of Ladakh& JK
73. Hornbill :Endangered, Tropical and subtropical Africa, and Asia
○ ‘forest engineers’ /‘farmers of forest’ - disperse seeds of tropical trees
○ Narcondam hornbill are found only on the island of Narcondam in the Andaman Sea Papum Reserve
Forest in AP -3 species -Great, Wreathed and Oriental Pied hornbill
○ Important Bird & Biodiversity Areas (IBAs) bw two IBAs, Itanagar WS ➡& Pakke WS ⬅ ○ The Reserve
Forest forms part of the Eastern Himalayas Endemic Bird Area
○ Pakke reserve 4th species , Rufous-Necked Hornbill ,Vulnerable now protected by Nyishi of AP
74. Hoolock Gibbon is the only ape found in India (Also Bangladesh, Myanmar, & Southwest China)
○ Smallest and fastest of all apes, live in tropical and subtropical forests in the southeast Asia
○ Categorised into Western Hoolock Gibbon (Endangered ) and Eastern Hoolock Gibbon (Vulnerable)
75. Horseshoe Crabs aka marine ‘living fossil’, Odisha is the largest habitat , Schedule IV
76. Hyenas (LC) - 3 species — spotted, brown, and striped. Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia.
77. Igai Semkhu belongs to a diverse group of long-necked plant-eating dinosaurs called Titanosauria
○ Late Cretaceous epoch, approximately 75 million years ago.
78. Indian Bison/ Gaur (Vulnerable, Schedule I) is the tallest species of wild cattle in India & largest extant
bovine
○ 85% of the population present in India, native to South and Southeast Asia ,prevalent in the Western
Ghats.
○ Found in Nagarhole NP , Bandipur NP, Masinagudi NPand Biligirirangana Hills (BR Hills)
○ Prefer evergreen forests & moist deciduous forests, NOT found in the Himalayas with an altitude >6,000 ft
79. Indian Black Turtle, omnivore, Western Ghats & southeast coast, northeastern India. Least concern
80. Indian Eagle Owl - Least Concern, one of the largest owl species, large female , nocturnal in entire Indian
peninsula.
81. Indian Flying Fox Bat -Least concern, Schedule II, native to the Indian subcontinent, one of the largest bats,
nectar and fruit-eating (vermin) , keystone species (seed dispersals)
82. Indian Grey Hornbill (LC),Indian subcontinent, commonly sighted in pairs, arborea i,e., spend most of their
time on tall trees, but may descend for food and to collect mud pellets for nesting, male and female look
similar.
83. Indian Mouse Deer or Spotted Chevrotain, smallest and endemic to India, highly nocturnal, Western &
Eastern Ghats , central India, Least Concern.
84. Indian Oil Sardine (Mathi) is a very important pelagic fish species contributes to about 15% of the total
marine fish production in India
85. Indian Rhino Vision 2020 (IRV 2020) launched in 2005 to attain a wild population of at least 3,000 rhinos
spread over 7 protected areas in the Indian state of Assam by the year 2020
86. Indian-Spot Billed Duck - (Least Concern) Non-migratory breeding duck throughout freshwater wetlands in
the Indian subcontinent
87. IRV 2020 aims to translocate Rhinos from Kaziranga NP and Pabitora WD to 6 other protected areas:
Manas, Laokhowa, Buracharpori-Kochmora, Dibrusaikhowa & Orang.
88. Indian Skimmer ,Endangered, waterbird species on larger, sandy, lowland rivers, around lakes & adjacent
marshes and, in the non- breeding season, in estuaries and coasts around Chambal(20%), Ganga,
Mahanadi, Yamuna, and Son.
89. Indian Star Tortoises - Schedule IV ,Vulnerable , Appendix I, Prohibited from export, India & Sri Lanka
90. Jellyfish - phylum Cnidaria, which includes creatures such as sea anemones, sea whips, and corals
○ Body parts of a jellyfish radiate from a central axis. Jellyfish have a soft, transparent, and umbrella -
shaped bell that can pulsate for movement
○ Tiny stinging cells in their tentacles to stun or paralyse their prey before they eat them.
91. Jeypore Ground Gecko, Endemic to Eastern Ghats , southern Odisha & northern AP,
Endangered ,Appendix I.
92. Kakapo (owl parrot) (Critically Endangered) is a large, nocturnal, flightless, lek-breeding parrot found only in
New Zealand
93. Kashmir Stag / Hangul Critically Endangered, Appendix I, subspecies of Central Asian red deer Endemic to
Kashmir areas
 ○ Primarily in the Dachigam National Park & some in Overa-Aru Wildlife Sanctuary in Kashmir
94. Kharai Camel ,Kutch, Saline desert , ‘swimming camel’, , feed on mangroves, Eco-tonal species ,
Endangered.
95. Leatherback Sea Turtle(E, A-1), largest turtle in the world & only species of sea turtle that lack scales and a
hard shell & widest global distribution of any reptile. highly migratory can swim over 10,000 miles a year b/w
nesting & foraging grounds, unique thermoregulatory adaptation allows them to maintain core body
temperatures at extremely cold depths. found in every ocean except the Arctic & Antarctic.
96. Lesser Flamingo, smallest , taller male, Near Threatened, Schedule IV, Mahipura river in Bhitarkanika NP
97. Lion-tailed Macaque- Endangered, Appendix I, Schedule I.- Old World monkey ,males define the
boundaries of their home ranges by calls, Bearded monkeys, native to India, endemic to Western Ghats
98. Lorrainosaurus is a 170-million-year-old ancient marine reptile as the oldest-known mega-predatory
pliosaur (a group of ocean-dwelling reptiles). Pliosaurs were type of marine reptile that lived over 200 million
years ago.
99. Mahabali Frog / pignose frog, species endemic to the Western Ghats, IUCN - Near Threatened.
100. Melanistic animals = Occurs due to genetic mutation, increased amount of the dark pigment melanin
in their skin, hair and feathers, etc., giving them a dark appearance
101. Mexican Giant Turtle/ Red Eared Slider (LC) - Invasive turtle species that accumulate toxins.
102. Mithun or gayal (Bos frontalis) is considered a descendant of the Indian Gaur or bison
○ Domestic cattle of Nyishi, Apatani, Galo and Adi in Arunachal Pradesh
○ Aka ‘cattle of the mountain’, State animal of Arunachal Pradesh and Nagaland
○ IUCN: Vulnerable + CITES: Appendix I . Mithun gets a ‘food animal’ tag from the FSSAI
○ Food animals are those that are raised and used for food production or consumption by humans.
○ Help check decline in the population.
103. Moray eel/ Muraenidae live in shallow water freshwater & saltwater. Gymnothorax tamilnaduensis
104. Namdapha Flying Squirrel (Critically endangered, schedule II) is an arboreal, nocturnal flying
squirrel endemic to Arunachal Pradesh, not capable of flight like birds or bats; instead, they glide between
trees
○ Inhabit tall Mesua ferrea jungles, often on hill slopes in the catchment area of the Dihing River
○ Herbivores (frugivores, granivores). They eat various fruits, nuts, seeds, fungi, flowers, and tree sap.
105. Nicobar long-tailed Macaque = The largest mammal on Nicobar, IUCN: Vulnerable
106. Nicobar megapode, IUCN-Vulnerable. Flagship, scrubfowl species , Large brownish bird with small
gray head, massive legs & feet. Builds large mound for a nest, from where the newly-hatched chicks dig
themselves out
107. Nilgiri Tahr /Varaiaadu are the only Caprinae species found in the tropical mountains of southern
India
○ IUCN – Endangered, Schedule I, State animal of TN, Endemic to the WG (largely TN&KL)
○ Tamil Sangam literature. late Mesolithic (10,000-4,000 BC) paintings highlight it.
○ Southern India’s only mountain ungulate. Prefers montane grasslands, with steep & rocky terrains( 300m-
2,600 m ASL).
108. Northern Pintail- Migratory, Least concerned, wetlands, flooded grasslands, tundra, sheltered
estuaries & lagoons . Breeding in Nearctic & Palearctic regions in Europe, North America & North Asia
109. Olive Ridley Turtles / Pacific Ridley Sea Turtle IUCN: VU • 2nd smallest, abundant, warm & tropical
waters, 1° in Pacific & Indian, Atlantic Ocean • Mass nestings -Arribadas, Carnivorous, Gahirmatha
Beach(Bitarkanika WS, largest breeding ground
110. Paintbrush Swift Butterfly (Schedule IV ) distributed in northeast, central & south India, & rare in
Uttarakhand.
111. Pangolin / Scaly Anteaters = Order - Pholidota used in traditional medicine ,most trafficked
mammals • Large, protective keratin scales covering their skin , Nocturnal, Diet (ants and termites) • Indian
Pangolin (IUCN: EN) + Chinese Pangolin = IUCN : CR)
112. Pappathi Chola in Kerala known for its high butterfly population, regarded as a hub of balsams and
rare varieties of orchids. Located in the middle of the Chathurangappara hills and Mathikettan shola
113. Pashmina , mountain goats (capra hircus) found in the Changthang Plateau in Tibet and parts of
Ladakh ◊ India contributes only about 1% of the world’s Pashmina
○ Shahtoosh: fine undercoat fiber from Tibetan Antelope, aka ‘Chiru’, Changthang Plateau in Tibet High
levels of smoothness and warmth, highly expensive commodity
114. Piarosoma Arunachalensis, moth from Talle Wildlife Sanctuary in Arunachal P (River Pange, Sipu,
Karing and Subansiri & comprises sub-tropical and alpine forests)
115. Platypus, Near Threatened, is a duck-billed, beaver-tailed, otter-footed, semi-aquatic egg-laying
mammal indigenous to the eastern coast of Australia. They are nocturnal hunters
○ Freshwater systems from tropical rainforest lowlands and plateaus of far northern Queensland to cold,
high altitudes of Tasmania and the Australian Alps . Carnivorous- bottom-dwelling aquatic creatures.
116. Polar Bear, hyper-carnivorous (70% meat), in Arctic Circle (largest extant bear species & land
carnivore)
○ Do not hibernate like the brown & black bears do. Instead they remain active throughout winter
○ Vulnerable, Big kills made by them serve food resource for scavengers like Arctic foxes & Arctic birds.
117. Pygmy Hog - smallest and rarest species of wild pig in the world found in Manas Tiger Reserve in
Assam
○ Critically Endangered , Schedule I, Build its own home, or nest, complete with a ‘roof’
○ Indicator species as its presence reflects the health of its primary habitat, tall and wet grasslands.
118. Raccoon Dogs, carnivorous mammal in East Asia, only canids that hibernate during winter. Least
Concern
119. Red-headed Vulture/ Asian King/Pondicherry Vulture, India , No drastically reduced after
diclofenac • one of the 9 species of Vulture which are found in India IUCN: CE, WPA,1972 - Schedule I •
Recently, It was spotted in the Asola Bhatti WLS, Delhi. First time since 2017
120. Red Pandas (Ailurus fulgens) Endangered , S1 WPA • Sikkim State animal, WB, Meghalaya and
Arunachal Pradesh, Nepal, Bhutan ,Myanmar & China • Endemic to the temperate forests of the Himalayas •
Kanchendzonga NP; Neora Valley NPl; Namdapha NP & Singalila NP , Padmaja Naidu park (in WB)
121. Red Sand Boa- Near Threatened, Schedule IV , Appendix II Non-venomous snake in dry parts,
ovoviviparous and nocturnal endemic to Iran, Pakistan, and India.
122. Red Weaver /Kai Ants, construct nests with leaves, (Kai Chutney in Odisha’s Mayurbhanj boost
immunity
123. Reindeer (Vulnerable )- only mammals known to see ultraviolet light which allows them to spot
predators whose white fur is more visible in UV light . Herbivores
○ Both male and female reindeer grow antlers. These are found in polar and Arctic climates
124. River Dolphins are a group of freshwater cetaceans that inhabit various river systems across
Asia and South America
○ 6 Surviving Species: Yangtze finless porpoise are classified as Critically Endangered. Amazon,
Ganges, Indus, Irrawaddy and Tucuxi are labeled as Endangered
○ Amazon Dolphin (Endangered) aka boto/ pink river dolphin in the Amazon and Orinoco basins,
largest.
○ Indus Dolphin (Endangered) aka Bhulan dolphin found in the Sutlej r in Pakistan & Beas in India
○ Irrawaddy Dolphin (Endangered.) found in coastal areas in South and Southeast Asia and three
rivers i.e., Ayeyarwady (Myanmar), Mahakam (Indonesian Borneo), Mekong and Chillika Lake
(India).They are known for their unique behavior, such as “spy-hopping,” where they rise vertically
out of the water to observe their surroundings
○ Tucuxi Dolphin (Endangered) are freshwater dolphin species that lives in the Amazon River
system in Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru + IUCN Status:
○ Yangtze Dolphin (Critically Endangered) aka baiji considered functionally extinct since 2006, as
there have been no confirmed sightings since the early 2000s
125. Rhinoceros - horns may have become smaller over time due to the impact of hunting:
○ Black Rhino: Many African countries specially Namibia, Kenya & South Africa, CE /Appendix- I
○ White Rhino: South Africa, Namibia, Zimbabwe, and Kenya . Near threatened, Appendix- I & II
○ Javan Rhino: Habitat - Confined to Ujung Kulon National Park in island of Java, Critically Endangered
○ Sumatran Rhino: Habitat- The islands of Sumatra and Borneo. Critically Endangered
 ○ The Greater one horned rhino: Largest, Only India's rhino, Nepal, Bhutan, Pakistan and in Assam
Vulnerable , only large mammal species in Asia to be down-listed from ED to V in IUCN in 2008
○ The State of the Rhino Report, 2023 by the International Rhino Foundation (IRF) . The greater one-
horned rhino population in India and Nepal is growing- 20 per cent increase in their population over the
past decade.
126. Salamanders are small amphibians that belong to the order Caudata . They have long bodies,
short legs, and smooth, moist skin. Salamanders are known for their ability to regenerate lost limbs,
which is a unique trait among vertebrates
127. Sambar Deer (IUCN: Vulnerable & Schedule-III) is a large deer
○ Most active at dusk and at night in dry deciduous forests, rainforests and mixed forests
○ Foothills of the Himalayan Mountains , the islands of Taiwan, Sumatra and Borneo.
128. Sangai Deer (Critically Endangered, Schedule-I ) is subspecies of Eld's deer that is endemic to
Manipur found only in Keibul Lamjao National Park; the largest single mass of phumdi is in Loktak Lake
○ A medium-sized deer with uniquely distinctive antlers & extremely long brow tines, which form main beam
○ Walks on the hind surface of its pasterns with mincing hops over floating foliage - so the Dancing Deer
129. Sardine Fish are small, oily fish belonging to the herring family (Clupeidae), and they are found in
abundance in various oceans around the world
○ Found all over the world from the North Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to the Mediterranean Sea, the Indian
Ocean, and the waters around South America
○ Sardines are a highly nutritious fish, rich in omega-3 fatty acids, protein, vitamin D, and calcium.
130. Sardine Run refers to a spectacular natural phenomenon that occurs annually along the eastern
coast of South Africa, particularly in the waters of the Indian Ocean
○ This event involves the mass migration of sardines (small, silvery fish) along the coastline, attracting a
wide array of marine predators and creating a feeding frenzy
○ This marine event is “very rare” and it usually happens due to sudden changes in the temperature of sea
surface water where sardines live.
131. Sea Butterfly- sea snails, holoplanktonic (organisms that pass their whole life floating, drifting, or
swimming weakly in the water), bilateral symmetry
132. Sea Cucumber Schedule 1,Appendix II , found in both tropical & temperate oceans , No limbs or
eyes, or blood
○ Lakshadweep & A&N islands, Gulf of Mannar. MoEFCC banned harvesting & transporting in 2001
Lakshadweep has created the world’s first conservation area for sea cucumbers
○ Trade is banned
○ Beneficial to the benthic animals as they release inorganic nitrogen and phosporus, also plays an
important role in preserving coral reefs
○ Contain high levels of a chemical called fucosylated glycosaminoglycan in their skin
○ They exhibit both sexual and asexual reproduction.
133. Sea Lion (ED) is a carnivorous marine mammal with semi-aquatic lifestyle
134. Sea Slugs , Phylum Mollusca & Class Gastropoda. Look like naked snails, i.e., without shells
135. Sea Urchins belong to a group of marine invertebrates called echinoderms, which means spiny-
skinned animals like starfish and sea cucumbers
○ They are herbivorous, primarily feeding on algae and plant material.
136. Sedge Warbler, warbler of marshes, reedbeds & wetlands , mimicking, insectivores. Least concern
137. Slender Loris , small nocturnal mammals , arboreal (trees), faunivorous creature , tropical
rainforests, scrub forests, semi-deciduous forests, & swamps, biological predator of pests in agricultural
138. Sloth Bear , Vulnerable, Appendix I, Schedule I ,found in Sri Lanka, India(90%), Bhutan & Nepal,
predominantly in lowland areas, dry and moist forests, use their claws to excavate termites and ants
139. Smooth-Coated Otter (Vulnerable) in southern Asia , marshes of Iraq are mostly found in lowlands,
coastal mangrove forests, peat swamp forests, freshwater wetlands, large forested rivers, lakes, and rice
paddies. They are the largest otter in Southeast Asia
140. Snow Leopard Vulnerable, Appendix I, Schedule I, Himalayas (3k-4k m) -J&K, Ladakh, HP, UK, SK,
and AP
 ○ Nanda Devi P, Gangotri NP, Askot WS. Snow Leopard capital of world: Hemis, Ladakh. (biggest NP)
Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection (GSLEP) Programme:
○ Inter-governmental, 12 countries (INBPC, Mongolia, Russia, Afg, Kyrgy, Kaz, Tajiki & Uzbekistan)
○ Living Himalaya Network Initiative: WWF’s global initiatives in Bhutan, India (North-East) and Nepal
○ Project Snow Leopard: 2009 conservation through participatory policies and actions
141. Spot-Bellied Eagle Owl aka Forest eagle-owl in the Seshachalam forest, large owl species India,
Sri Lanka, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, China, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia & Vietnam. 300 to 3000
meters, feeds on small rodents & lizards, IUCN: Least Concern, Schedule IV ,Appendix II.
142. Spot Billed Pelican, large water bird, breed only in peninsular India, Sri Lanka and in Cambodia;
Keoladeo, Pulicat, Vedanthangal, Chilika, Kokkare Bellur and Karanji Lake in Karnataka. IUCN - Near
Threatened.
143. Staghorn Corals are highly endangered corals in the Caribbean sea have resilience against white
band disease that responsible for killing up to 95% of Caribbean Acropora species, including staghorn corals
(A. cervicornis).
144. Striped tiger, Blue tiger, Dark blue tiger and Plain tiger are types of milkweed butterflies who
migrate westward from the Eastern Ghats and plains to the Western Ghats
145. Stump-Tailed Macaque aka bear macaque (vulnerable, schedule 3)- species of Old-World monkey
○ Found in tropical and subtropical evergreen forest in South Asia.
146. Tasmanian Tiger aka Tasmanian Wolf (Extinct) was an exclusively carnivorous marsupial
147. Tharosaurus Indicus - The Oldest fossils of a plant-eating dinosaur have been found in the Thar
desert near the Jaisalmer Basin, Rajasthan by the GSI
148. Tiger/ Indian Tiger or Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera Tigris) Endangered, EN, S1 CITES, S1 WPA
○ Flagship species, National Animal, solitary and territorial, Unique stripes, India- 70% of population
○ MP> KA> UK >MH > TN
○ 5 th cycle of the All India Tiger Estimation done every four years by NTCA with technical help from WII ○
3,167 in 2022 (1,161 in Central India, 824 in WG, 804 in Shivalik Range, 194 in NER & 100 in the
Sunderbans)
○ Declined in Jharkhand, Odisha, Chhattisgarh, and Telangana, local extinction of tigers in Kawal
TR ,Telangana.
○ Project Tiger , 54 Tiger Reserves (Guru Ghasidas & Tamor Pingla Wildlife Sanctuary in Chhattisgarh)
○ National Tiger Conservation Authority , statutory body under enabling provisions of the Wildlife
Protection Act, 1972. It is chaired by the Minister of MoEFCC. 53 tiger reserves cover 2.3% of India's total
land area
○ Highest : Jim Corbett (UK) > Bandipur (KR) > Nagarhole (KR) > Bandhavgarh (MP) > Dudhwa (UP)
○ No Tigers: Dampa (MZ); Kamlang (ArP); Kawal (TL); Satkosia (OD) and Sahyadri (MH)
○ Management Effectiveness Evaluation (MEE) by NTCA & WII to assess tiger reserves nationwide
since its inception in 2006
○ Integrated Tiger Habitat Conservation Program 2014 by IUCN is a strategic funding mechanism
supported by German Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ)
○ M-STrIPES (Monitoring System for Tigers Intensive-Protection & Ecological Status): An android app
○ Project ‘E-Bird Technology for Tiger Conservation’: Unmanned Aerial Vehicles as a Surveillance and
Monitoring tool.
○ Tiger Conservation Plans to be prepared by the state government under WPA for tiger reserve
management
○ International Tiger Day - July 29
149. Tibetan Antelope: Appendix 1, Prohibit in sale and trade of Shahtoosh shawls & scarve, NT,
Schedule I
150. Tilapia fish is a freshwater species native to Africa , emerged to be one of the most productive and
internationally traded food fish in the world. Tilapia Fish in Lake Victoria has affected by hyacinth
151. Toque Macaques, smallest species of Macaca, endemic to Sri Lanka Endangered. CITES -
Appendix II
152. Turtle Survival Alliance 2001 as an IUCN partnership for sustainable captive management of
freshwater turtles and tortoises. Mission: ‘Zero Turtle Extinctions in the 21st Century . Pilibhit TR and TSA
joined hands for turtles and tortoises conservation.
153. Vulture : Red-Headed Vultures – CE, Long-billed Vultures – CE, White-rumped Vultures – CE
○ Himalayan Griffon Vulture- Migratory, Point Calimere ws, Near Threatened, Appendix II of the CITES.
○ Vulture Conservation Breeding Centre administered by BNHS at Pinjore in Haryana, Bhopal, Rani in
Assam, and Rajabhatkhawa in WB
○ Conserve whiterumped vulture, slender-billed vulture, and the Indian vulture ( All ‘Critically Endangered’)
○ Cinereous Vulture aka Eurasian Black Vulture or monk vulture (Near threatened) is one of the heaviest
and largest raptors in the world , altitudinal migrant, sighted at the Asola Bhatti Wildlife Sanctuary.
154. Walking Leaves are usually green insects and are known for their leaf-like appearance
○ Distribution: Islands in the Indian Ocean, Papua New Guinea and Australia in the western Pacific
155. Whale
○ Blue whale(E), largest animals ever to live on our planet, found in all oceans except the Arctic. Avg
lifespan 80-90 yrs. Recently, the carcass of a blue whale washed ashore at Meghavaram beach,AP.
○ Pilot Whales Strandings aka beaching, is a phenomenon in which whales are stuck on land, usually on a
beach was seen recently at coastline of Kalpitiya, Sri Lanka. Largest members of the dolphin family.
○ 2 species: Short finned pilot whales in tropical & temperate & long-finned pilot whales in cold water
○ Sperm Whale(V, S-2, A-1), largest of the toothed whales, dark blue-Gray or brownish, with white patches
on the belly, has small paddle like flippers & series of rounded humps on its back, found in temperate &
tropical waters throughout the world.
■ Ambergris, whale vomit, produced only by 1% of sperm whales. floating gold, use in perfume,
traditional medicines
156. Whale Shark -(ED) largest fish in the world, filter feeding sharks.
157. White-bellied Shortwing, an endemic and threatened bird around Ooty, Nilgiri blue robin
158. White-Rumped Vulture / Indian or Orient White-backed (CE, S1) around Asia in plains.
159. White-Tailed Deer aka whitetail or Virginia deer, smallest members of the N.American deer family,
IUCN: LC, recentlly infected with SARS-CoV-2 virus across the state of New York
160. Yak is the lifeline of highland ethnic communities living in the Himalayan and trans-Himalayan regions
○ It is found on the heights of Arunachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Himachal Pradesh, and Ladakh
○ Naturally concentrated milk enriched with a higher nutrient density and loaded with omega-3 fatty acids,
amino acids, and antioxidants

Plants
1. Balsams are fleshy orophytic herb with small, pink flowers which bloom in Munnar, Kerala (Local Name:
Kasithumba and Onappovu)
○ Aka ‘touch me not’ because of the bursting of mature seeds and seed distribution
○ Of the 220 balsam species in India, 135 are found in the southern Western Ghats
○ Anamudi and the surrounding high ranges (balsams endemic to high ranges) are known for the diversity
of wild balsams.
2. Baobab Trees - long-lived deciduous, broad trunks and compact tops, upside-down tree, ‘Tree of Life’ -store
large amounts of fresh water in their extraordinary trunks. It also allows the baobab tree to produce,
endangered. MP govt has applied for a GI tag
3. Balsams is an annual herb thought to be native to India and Myanmar
○ Annual, perennial or suffruticose herb, terrestrial or sometimes epiphytic
○ Treatment of rheumatism, isthmus, generalised pain, fractures, inflammation of the nails, scurvy,
carbuncles, dysentery, bruises, foot diseases, etc, used to cure warts and snakebite
4. ‘Bhagwa’ Pomegranate - Saffron-colour has high antioxidant content and super fruit characteristics .
○ Solapur (MH) contributes almost 50% of pomegranate export from India
5. Cotton- India grows all 4 species: Tree cotton & Asian cotton, Egyptian cotton & American Upland cotton
○ Kharif crop , black cotton soil of deccan plateau, 20-28°C & 55-110 cm, 180 frost-free days
○ Kasturi Cotton 2020 as a brand with logo in world cotton Trade - 2nd largest producer & largest
consumer. Owned by MoTextiles is solely managed by TEXPROCIL on behalf of the trade and industry
6. Chenkurunji tree, Agasthyamala Biosphere Reserve ,Shendurney Wildlife Sanctuary in Kollam, Kerala
7. Cycas Pectinata , vulnerable, only cycad species found in Bhutan; Evergreen, palm-like plant
8. Fish Mint is an herbal plant full of medicinal properties and grown on the ground with wide leaves
○ ts native range extends from the Himalayan foothills through Southeast Asia, China, Korea & Japan
○ It is used to treat digestive issues, insect bites, fevers, coughs, influenza, kidney ailments
9. Garcinia pedunculata aka Bor Thekera a medicinal plant commonly called 'Bor Thekera' in Assamese
language, traditionally forbidden for raw consumption, has been found to protect from heart diseases
○ Evergreen & endemic to the SE regions of Asia (parts of Myanmar & NE india)
10. Gucchi Mushroom aka morel cannot be cultivated commercially and grow in conifer forests across
temperature regions, and the foothills in HP, Uttaranchal, and J&K
○ Grow in clusters on logs of decaying wood, leaves or humus soil, expensive mushrooms.
11. Hijol- Indian oak, evergreen , aka Hijal,Hijangal, Hendol, Stream Barringtonia, Itchy Tree , Ganges-
Brahmaputra- Meghna basin, medicinal properties
12. Impatiens Karuppusamyi named ‘Impatiens Karuppusamyi’ after S. Karuppusamy for his contributions to
the taxonomy of South Indian angiosperms
○ Found only in the Agasthyamalai region , belongs to the scapigerous group (stemless group), is seen
only during the monsoon season for a few weeks
○ Impatiens is a genus of more than 1,000 species of flowering plants widely distributed throughout
tropical Africa, Madagascar, India, Sri Lanka, and China.
13. Khejri Trees , State tree of Rajasthan ,Thar region , Popular dish Sangri from the fruit, Bishnoi community
14. Mahua Tree/ madhūka/ Butter Tree/ Iluppai , Mee or vippa chettu is a frost resistant semi-evergreen tree
occurs on shallow stony, clayey and calcareous soils.
15. Myristica Swamps are a type of freshwater swamp forest predominantly composed of species of Myristica
○ Live fossils, a biodiversity hotspot dominated by evergreen trees belonging to Myristicaceae family, one
of the oldest flowering plants on earth
○ Large, protruding roots jutting out of waterlogged soil, which remains inundated throughout the year
○ Unique habitats occur in the Western Ghats and a smaller distribution exists in the A&N Islands.
16. Namoh 108 - Lotus Variety discovered several years ago in Manipur and is the only lotus variety in India to
have had its genome sequenced.
17. Neelakurinji ,Shrub in sholas of WG & Shevroys in EG , Purple-blue flower 12, Smell, medicine ,
Endangered.
18. Picocystis Salinarum is a globally widespread picoplanktonic green algae of saline lakes
○ One of the smallest green algae found in hypersaline soda lake Sambhar, Rajasthan, to survive extreme
environments
○ Enhances photosynthesis and ATP synthesis along with chaperone proteins as key response to high
salinity-alkalinity.
19. Pokkali Paddy or Pokkali Variety - saltwater resistance near coastal Alappuzha, Ernakulam & Thrissur
Pokkali -ancient farming practice alternated with another season of fish culture , GI tag
20. Prosopis Chilensis, alien invasive plant in Gulf of Mannar BR, drought-resistant plant from South American.
21. Red Sanders -Endangered, appendix II - endemic to Eastern Ghats, Deciduous tree
○ Small tree (5-8m) in well-drained red soils with gravelled loam, rainfall - 800mm to 1000mm
○ Center of the trunk - medicine. Export of red sander timber, if it is obtained from cultivated land
○ India has been removed from Review of Significant Trade (RST) for Red Sanders, under CITES
○ CITES RST process enables disciplinary action in the form of trade suspensions directed at countries
that do not meet their obligations.
○ This is a process through which the CITES Standing Committee places increased scrutiny on the
exports of a species from a country to determine if the Convention is being properly implemented
22. Rosewood Tree , Endangered tropical hardwood tree. Types- Brazilian, Indian (aka Shisham) &
Madagascar ◊ Used primarily for musical instrument, furniture inlays, medicinal, Appendix II of CITES.
23. Rhododendrons are a diverse genus of about 1,000 species of woody flowering plants in the heath family
(Ericaceae), notable for their attractive flowers & handsome foliage
○ Pink Rhododendron -state flower of HP, while R.arboreum is state flower of Nag & State Tree of Uk
○ A genus of flowering plants that includes over a thousand species, including trees, shrubs, and creepers
○ Alpine regions, coniferous & broadleaved woodlands, temperate rain forests, to even tropical regions
○ Native to the temperate regions of Asia, North America, and Europe, as well as to the tropical regions of
Southeast Asia and northern Australia. They also require slightly acidic soil to grow well
○ Aka "Lali Guras" in the local language, and is the national flower of Nepal
○ There are 132 taxa (80 species, 25 subspecies, and 27 varieties) of rhododendrons found in India.
24. Saffron is a spice derived from the flower of Crocus sativus, commonly known as the “saffron crocus”.
○ The vivid crimson stigma and styles, called threads, are collected and dried for use mainly as a
seasoning and colouring agent in food
○ Pampore Region in Jammu & Kashmir known for saffron (referred to as “red gold”) cultivation
○ Iran (88%) , India, Spain and Greece are the major saffron-producing countries.
○ Though, India occupies the 2nd largest area but produces approximately 7% of the total world
production.
25. Sal Tree is a large sub-deciduous tree indigenous to India’s northern and central regions + It requires well-
drained, moist and sandy loam soil. 25% are in Odisha
26. Sandalwood Tree/ Santalum album/Dry deciduous forest species native to China, India, Indonesia,
Australia, & the Philippines IUCN declared Sandalwood as “Vulnerable” in 1998.
○ Grown in AP, TL, BH, GJ, KA, MP, MH, & TN Sandalwood heartwood- close-grained used for furniture
& carving.. Bark contains tannin (dye )
27. Saurauia Punduana (critically endangered by IUCN) is a plant species in Manipur , flowers are complete,
bisexual, i.e., with functional male (androecium) and female (gynoecium).
28. Schizostachyum Andamanicum bamboo is only found in some forested areas of Andamans
○ It grows primarily in the wet tropical biome characterized by a thin large hollow erect culm (stem) with
long internodes and has the potential to develop into a straw
29. Sea Grasses are flowering plants that grow submerged in shallow marine waters like bays and lagoons
○ Have roots, stems and leaves, and produce flowers and seeds, considered to be ‘Ecosystem Engineers’
○ Reproduce through both sexual and asexual methods, occurs along coastal areas especially Palk Strait
& Gulf of Mannar
30. Sea Lettuce / seaweed - green algae in seas and oceans is an indicator of nutrient pollution.
31. Silver Cockscomb - short-lived tall plant considered as a weed
32. Tiger Orchid- largest orchid species in the world , Appendix II, grow in Terrestrial (Primary Rainforest,
Freshwater Swamp Forest, Riverine) habitat. Distribution: Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Myanmar and Laos.
 Geography
1. Almora Fault is a geological fault located in Western Nepal and extends to the Uttarakhand.
○ It lies on the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) in the Himalayan fault zone. There are two thrusts in
Kumaon, Uttarakhand: One is the South Almora Thrust and the other is the North Almora Thrust
○ MBT is a significant fault in the Himalayas, marking the boundary between the Lesser & Sub-Himalayas.
2. Aravali Green Wall Project , 1,400km long & 5km wide green belt buffer around the Aravali Mountain range
covering states of Haryana, Rajasthan, Gujarat & Delhi
 ○ Great Green Wall of Sahara: 11 countries in the Sahel-Sahara region—Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan,
Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, & Senegal to combat land degradation & restore
native plant life to landscape.
3. Aravali Range NW India, 670 km (420 mi) sw direction, from Delhi -> HR, RJ, & ending in Ahmedabad GJ
○ 2 sections: the larger Sambhar-Sirohi ranges, (Guru shikhar Peak on Mount Abu, the highest peak), &
the shorter Sambhar-Khetri ranges, which are made up of three discontinuous ridges
○ After its formation in the Archaean Era (several 100 million years ago), its summits were nourishing
glaciers and several summits were probably higher than present day Himalayas. Now they are relict
(weathering and erosion) of world’s oldest mountain formed as a result of folding (Archaean Era) •
○ Abundant in natural resources & acts as barrier to the western desert's expansion
○ Pipli Ghat, Dewair and Desuri passes allow movement by roads and railways
○ Several rivers flow from it, including the Banas, Luni, Sakhi, and Sabarmati
4. Arctic Amplification - Arctic warming is disproportionately high, warmed at least twice as world avg
● Warming differential between the poles and the tropics is known as Arctic (or polar) amplification
● The ice cover in the Arctic is melting, because of which more land/water is getting exposed to the Sun
and leading to more absorption of sunlight.
● Heat transfers from the tropics to the poles through prevailing systems of air circulation
● Polar amplification is much stronger in the Arctic than in Antarctica.
● This difference is because the Arctic is an ocean covered by sea ice, while Antarctica is an elevated
continent covered in more permanent ice and snow.
5. Atlantification is a process in which warm water from Atlantic is being advected into arctic ocean in
increasing amounts thereby making some parts of Barents Sea to more closely resemble the Atlantic
○ Make the Arctic Ocean saltier and warmer , driven by a process called Arctic Dipole which is associated
with anticyclonic winds over North America and cyclonic winds over Eurasia which alternates in an
approximately 15-year cycle.
6. Banni Grasslands ,largest grassland of Asia, Kutch district, 45% pastures in Gj , reserve forest • Two
ecosystems, wetlands and grasslands. Chhari-Dhandh - largest wetland & a Conservation Reserve.
Maldharis hold the right to conserve the community forests
○ Kutch Desert WS & Chhari Dhand Conservation Reserve are part of the Banni Grasslands
○ The Central Govt approved setting up cheetah breeding and conservation centre in the Banni
Grassland.
7. Bomb Cyclone/Bombogenesis, mid-latitude cyclone, intensifies rapidly. low pressure at its center, weather
fronts & an array of associated weather, from blizzards to severe thunderstorms to heavy precipitation
Generally happens when atmospheric pressure in the middle of the storm drops at least 24 millibars over 24
hours, quickly increasing in intensity. The lower the pressure, the stronger the storm
○ Unlike Hurricanes, bomb cyclones don’t need warm ocean water in order to form.
○ While they sometimes arise over the ocean, they can also appear over land
○ Unlike hurricanes, bomb cyclones arise in mid-latitudes, where fronts of warm & cold air might collide.
Rarely strike in summer, form between late fall & early spring, when warm tropical air meets up against
frigid Arctic air
8. Cloud Forest / montane rainforests, heavy rainfall & persistent condensation Oly found in tropical areas
with tall mountains “Cloud Forest Assets Financing a Valuable Nature-Based Solution" by Earth Security, a
global naturebased asset management advisory firm. The suggested Cloud forest bonds as per the report
are a part of ‘ Nature Based Solutions (NBS)’ & their financing to protect these Cloud forests
○ Cloud Forest Bond incentivise governments to protect their cloud forests
9. El Niño Modoki associated with strong anomalous warming in the central tropical Pacific and cooling in the
E&W tropical Pacific causes warm moist conditions in Central Pacific & dry cold conditions in E&W pacific
leads to increase in frequency of cyclones in the arabian ocean.
10. El Niño: It is a climate pattern associated with the warming of the ocean surface temperatures in the central
and eastern tropical Pacific Ocean. Generally, El Niño occurs on average every 2-7 years + It can lead to a
weakening of the monsoon circulation over the Indian subcontinent.
11. Ennore Creek along with the Buckingham Canal and the rest of the Pulicat water system has vast
importance for the local fisher folk.
12. Fujiwhara Effect = It refers to any interaction between tropical storms formed around the same time in the
same ocean region with their centers or eyes at less than 1,400 km, with intensity that could vary between a
depression (wind speed under 63 km per hour) and a super typhoon (wind speed over 209 km per hour)
○ Interaction could lead to changes in track & intensity of either or both storm systems. In rare cases, 2
systems could merge, especially when they are of similar size and intensity, to form bigger storm
○ It makes cyclones more unpredictable due to their rapid intensification, carrying of more rain and newer
ways of moving over warming oceans.
13. Global Overturning Circulation - equatorward transport of cold, deep waters & poleward transport of warm,
near-surface waters Responsible for transport of carbon & heat among ocean basins & between ocean &
atmosphere System of two connected overturning cells: upper cell & lower cell Upper cell is linked to
formation of North Atlantic Deep Water (NADW) & its shallower return flow to form Atlantic Meridional
Overturning Circulation (AMOC). Lower cell (SMOC) is associated with formation of Antarctic Bottom Water
& its return flow as Pacific Deep Water (PDW)
14. Heat Dome is a high-pressure circulation in atmosphere which acts like a dome or cap, trapping heat at
surface & favouring heatwave formation. It occurs when hot ocean air is trapped over a large area Typically,
tied to pattern of jet stream & Impacts : Affect sessional agricultural products; Increased risk of wildfire, heat-
related illnesses such as heat rash, heat stroke, heat exhaustion etc
15. Hills & Mountains
○ Andes mountain region in South America )Venezuela, Colombia, Ecuador, Peru, Bolivia, Chile and
Argentina ). Highest peak - Mount Aconcagua(6,959 metres) on the border of Argentina and Chil
○ Agastyaarkoodam one of the peaks in the WG of Thiruvananthapuram Dt of KL & Tirunelveli Dt of TN.
○ Aravalli -700km-long GJ,RJ & HR ,Raisina hill,
○ Gandhamardan Hill in Odisha ,Nrusinghanath & Harishankar temple, Biodiversity Heritage Site
○ Hindu Kush Mountains - Afg, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Kyrg, Mongolia, Myn, NP, Pak, Tajik,
& Uzbek
○ Karakoram range in Kashmir,China, Ind, & Pak with NW extremity of range extending to Afg &
Tajikistan Karakoram Anomaly - stability or anomalous growth of glaciers in central Karakoram, in
contrast to retreat of glaciers in other nearby mountainous ranges of Himalayas & other mountainous
ranges
■ Highest peak = ‘K2’ in Gilgit-Baltistan, East= Aksai Chin plateau & Northeast = edge of Tibetan
Plateau. Northwest= Pamir mountains. South= Gilgit, Indus and Shyok rivers
○ Mawsynram and Cherrapunji , East Khasi Hills, South West Monsoon, 'hills on three sides'.
○ Pakkamalai Hills , Tamil Nadu, biodiversity-rich area in the Eastern Ghats.
○ Yelagiri Hill in Tamil Nadu famous for Yelagiri hut shelters, made 200 years ago, by Malaiyali tribes.
16. Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) Region spans an area of approximately. 4.3 million square km in
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan
○ It is home to the world’s highest peaks such as Mount Everest and Kanchenjunga
○ Third Pole or the Water Tower of Asia because it holds the largest ice reserves outside polar regions
○ Young and rising mountains - highly vulnerable to multiple hazards such as earthquakes and landslides.
17. Holocene Epoch, current period of geologic time began 12k to 11,500 years ago at end of Paleolithic Ice
Age "warm period" between ice ages/ Anthropocene Epoch- global changes caused by human activity
18. IOD: aka Indian Nino, IOD refers to the difference in sea surface temperature between the eastern and
western sides of the Indian Ocean. It has 3 phases:
○ Positive: The western side is warmer than the eastern side. Negative: Cooler western side and warmer
eastern side. Neutral: Temperatures are close to normal across the Indian Ocean.
19. Jemeithang Valley near Tawang, home to the Monpa tribe (Buddhists who depend on livestock
herding for a living)
20. Kanger Valley (Kanger Ghati) NP in Bastar district, Chhattisgarh and is spread over 200 km² • River Kanger,
subterranean geomorphological limestone caves - (Kotamsar, Kailash, Dandak, Devgiri) • Tirathgarh &
Kanger dhara waterfall, mixed humid deciduous forest(Sal, Saugaun, teak & bamboo) • Bastar Hill Myna
(State bird of CG)- human voice . CH's first-ever inter-state bird survey.
21. Kaobal Gali-Mushkoh Valley is located in Kargil’s Drass Sector and was a battlefield during the 1999 Kargil
war between India and Pakistan
○ The region includes Gurez Valley in north Kashmir close to the LoC & is also home to ibex, musk deer
and marmots, Himalayan brown bear and snow leopard. The Kishanganga River flows through the
valley.
22. Kelp Forests-underwater forests that thrive well in cold, nutrient rich waters Brown algae seaweeds attached
to the seafloor & eventually grow to the water’s surface & rely on sunlight to generate food & energy. Always
coastal & require shallow, relatively clear water. Throughout temperate & polar coastal oceans. Kelp forests
have been observed throughout the Arctic.
23. Kopili Fault (KF) Zone is a 300 km long and 50 km wide lineament in northeastern region of India
○ Extends from the western part of Manipur to the tri-junction of Bhutan, Arunachal Pradesh, and Assam
○ It is closer to Himalayan Frontal Thrust. This is a seismically active area falling in the highest Seismic
Hazard Zone V
○ It is associated with collisional tectonics because of the Indian Plate subducting beneath the Eurasian
Plate.
24. La Nina aka EN-SO follows a periodic pattern (3 years) During a La Nina winter, a north--south pressure
pattern sets up over India and normally this influences the trade winds that bring rains to India
○ However, because the La Nina didn’t peak, the sea surface temperatures continued to be cold and this
drove hot westerly winds and blasts of hot air from the Middle East into Pakistan and India
○ La Nina is one of the reason for worsening perhaps the longest spell of heat waves from March to April
in north, west and Central India
○ While land temperatures over India begin rising in March, they are usually punctuated by western dis-
turbances, or moisture from Mediterranean region that fall as rain over north & western India
○ For these currents to make it as far as India, they need a significant difference in temperature between
Europe and the latitudes over India. Partly due to La Nina, this temperature difference was absent and
so the western disturbances that came to India were weak with hardly any rain.

25. Madden-Julian Oscillation is a global band of low-pressure area moving periodically from West to East and
determines the initiation and intensity of low-pressure areas/ depressions/ cyclones and also oversees
monsoon onsets under its footprint
○ It is disturbance of clouds, rainfall, winds, and pressure that traverses the planet in the tropics (between
30º N and 30ºS) and returns to its initial starting point in 30 to 60 days, on average
○ There can be multiple MJO events within a season, and so the MJO is best described as intra- seasonal
tropical climate variability (i.e. varies on a week-to-week basis)
○ It influences the ENSO cycle but not cause El Nino or La Nina (contribute to the speed of development
and intensity) . Good for monsoon when MJO in Indian Ocean but bad if it is in Pacific Ocean
26. Medicanes are extra-tropical hurricanes observed over the Mediterranean Sea
○ Occur more in colder waters than tropical cyclones, hurricanes and typhoons. Hence, the cores of these
storms are also cold, as compared to the warm cores of tropical cyclones
○ Warmer cores tend to carry more moisture (hence rainfall), are bigger in size and have swifter winds
○ This led to floods in Libyan city of Derna & Cyrene

27. Ouchterlony Valley(O’ Valley) Gudalur,Nilgiris between Mudumalai NP a& Amarambalam Reserved Forest.
28. Omega Blocking occurs when two low-pressure systems become cut off from the main flow of the jet
stream, sandwiching a high-pressure system between them, linked to other extreme weather events in the
past, including Pakistan floods, heatwaves in France and Germany etc.
29. Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO) is a long-term ocean fluctuation in the Pacific Ocean every 20 to 30
years could make cyclones that originate near the Equator more frequent in the coming years.
 ○ It has two phases: Cool or Negative Phase: Characterized by a cool wedge of lower than normal sea-
surface heights/ocean temperatures in the eastern equatorial Pacific; and Warm or positive phase: It is
reverse of cool phase. In it, West Pacific Ocean becomes cool and the wedge in the east warms
○ Scientist have also pointed the linkage of PDO and global warming. Also, both PDO and El Nino
Southern Oscillation (ENSO) impact each other.
○ ENSO (El Niño phase) with a positive PDO is generally not good for the Indian monsoon
30. Pass
○ Atal Tunnel: also known as Rohtang Tunnel built under the Rohtang Pass in the eastern Pir Panjal
range of the Himalayas in Himachal Pradesh. 9.02 km longest tunnel above 10,000 feet (3,048 m) in the
world.
○ Baralacha La Pass in the Zanskar range along the Leh-Manali highway close to River Bhaga, which
originates from the Surya Taal Lake & is a tributary of Chenab.
○ Dr Syama Prasad Mookerjee Road Tunnel aka Chenani-Nashri Tunnel and is the longest road tunnel
of India (9.3 km) in J&K.
○ Jawahar Tunnel aka Banihal Tunnel 2.85 km facilitates round-the-year road connectivity between
Srinagar and Jammu.
○ Niti Pass connects Uttarakhand and southern Tibet
○ Palghat Gap - Nilgiris and Anamalai hills, gateway into Kerala, Bharathappuzha river flows through it,
geological shear zone that runs from east to west
○ Pir Panjal Railway Tunnel 11.2 km long tunnel is India's longest transportation railway tunnel runs
through the Pir Panjal mountain range between Quazigund and Baramulla.
○ 3 open trading border posts between China and India= Nathu- La, SK; Shipkila in HP and Lipulekh in
UK ○ The other passes in Sikkim are Jelep La Pass, Donkia Pass, Chiwabhanjang Pass.
○ Sela Tunnel - Sela Pass = Bw Tawang and West Kameng districts in Arunachal Pradesh • Elevation =
4170 m and connects Tawang to Dirang and Guwahati. The pass carries the NH13 . World's longest bi-
lane tunnel
○ Shinku La Pass is a mountain pass bw Zanskar Valley in Ladakh & Lahaul Valley in HP. Shinku La
Tunnel to provide all-weather connectivity in Ladakh. BRO will construct the tunnel.
○ Silkyara-Barkot Tunnel Collapsed in Uttarkashi district is part of the ambitious Char Dham all-weather
road project of the Central Government.
○ Sinthan Pass top is a mountain pass located in the Anantnag district of J&K. Located bw S.Kashmir’s
Breng Valley in Anantnag dt & Chatroo in Kishtwar dt of Chenab Valley • Road to Sinthan Top was
opened to promote tourism to this off-beat destination in J&K
○ Zojila Pass in Drass, Ladakh links Leh & Srinagar ,“Mountain Pass of Blizzards”
31. Pir Panjal Valley is a sub-Range of Himalayas and it runs from the Neelam River in J&K all the way to the
Beas River in Kullu in Himachal Pradesh extending into Pakistan
○ collection of mountains in the Lesser Himalayan region
○ Separates itself from the Himalayas near the bank of the Sutlej river and forms a divide between the
rivers Beas and Ravi on one side and the Chenab on the other
○ Pass: Hajipir Pass, Gulabgarh Pass, Ratanpir Pass, Pir Panjal Pass, Banihal Pass, & Bairam Gala Pass
○ Deo Tibba and Indrasan are two important peaks at the eastern end of the mountain range.
32. Salt Flats , large area of flat &covered by salt formed from natural water bodies whose recharge rate is lower
than the evaporation rate, reflect sunlight strongly &hence appear bright
33. Shelf Cloud / “Arcus cloud” generally forms along the leading edge of thunderstorms
○ It is a type of low-lying, horizontal cloud formation characterized by a clearly defined line of solid clouds
○ Form when cold and dense air is forced into a warmer air mass by wind.

34. Soil
○ Black Soil, characterized by a thick, dark-coloured soil horizon rich in organic matter
■ Found in Russia (327M ha), Kazakhstan (108 M ha), China (50 M ha), Argentina, Mongolia, Ukraine
etc
■ Extremely fertile, high agricultural yields , elevated moisture storage
 ■ Deccan trap (Basalt), plateaus of MH, Saurashtra, Malwa, MP & CH along Godavari & Krishna valleys
■ Clayey in texture; Rich in Ca carbonate, Fe, Mg, K & lime; Poor in N & P & deep wide cracks on
drying FAO marked World Soil Day 2022 (5th Dec) with the launch of its first Global Status on Black
Soils, which are at greater risk than ever due to the climate crisis, biodiversity loss and land use
change
■ Under threat due to losing at least half of their soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks
35. Soil organic carbon is a measurable component of soil organic matter, which makes up just 2–10% of most
soil's mass
36. Southern Annular Mode (SAM) aka the Antarctic Oscillation is an important climate pattern, plays a pivotal
role in shaping sea conditions across the Indian Ocean
○ It is the north-south movement of Southern Westerly Winds over timescales of 10s to 100s of years
○ They blow almost continuously in the mid- to high-latitudes of the southern hemisphere
○ Usually defined as the difference in the zonal mean sea level pressure at 40°S and 65°S (Antarctica).
37. Terai-Arc Landscape is a 810km stretch between Yamuna (W) & Bhagmati (E)
○ Comprises the Shivalik hills,bhabhar areas and the Terai flood plains. Include Corbett TR, Rajaji NP,
Dudhwa TR, Valmiki TR and Nepal’s Bardia WS, Chitwan NP, Sukhla Phanta WS.
38. Triple Dip La Niña, India witnessing a colder than normal winter mainly due to north-south winter flow
Equatorial Pacific Ocean is experiencing longest-ever La Niña episode in recorded history, started in Sept
2020, it has prevailed for 3 consecutive years & thus has been classified as a “triple dip La Niña” • • La Niña
associated with good monsoon rainfall, while El Niño is expected to suppress monsoon rainfall
39. Tropical Forestsrepresent 45% of all forests. These are situated between the Tropic of Cancer & Capricorn
such as Amazon rainforest, Congo Basin etc. Major source of timber such as logs, sawnwood, veneer sheets
and plywood.
40. Tropicalisation - rising sea temperatures causing tropical marine species to move from equator towards
poles and retraction of temperate species. This mass movement of marine life has been termed
tropicalisation
○ Mediterranean Sea is now considered a tropicalisation hotspot due an increase in tropical species
○ Tropicalisation together with Borealisation and Desertification contribute to global redistribution of biota
and rearrangement of ecological communities
○ Borealisation is expansion of temperate species (terrestrial and marine) into Arctic polar- regions.
41. Twin Cyclones Caused by equatorial Rossby waves • Interplay of wind & monsoon system combined with
the Earth system produces twin cyclones.
○ Rossby waves (Meteorologist Carl-Gustaf Rossby explain these waves are due to earth rotation)
○ Huge waves in the ocean with wavelengths of around 4,000–5,000 kilometres
○ This system has vortex in northern & southern hemisphere, each of these is mirror image of other
○ The vortex in the north spins counterclockwise and has a positive spin, while the one in the southern
hemisphere spins in the clockwise direction and therefore has a negative spin
○ Both have a positive value of the vorticity which is a measure of the rotation
42. Valparai Plateau is a region located in the Western Ghats mountain range of India, specifically in the
Coimbatore. Valparai is a hill station known for its tea, coffee plantations, and cardamom plantations
○ Part of the Anamalai TR, contributing to its biodiversity and ecological significance.
43. Yankti Kuti Valley ,UK near Tibet, NW to SE axis, formed by R. Kuti Yankti, Headwaters of R. Kali •
Dominated by Byansis, one of 4 Bhotiya of Kumaon(Johar, Darmiya & Chaudansi)
44. Miscellaneous
○ Abdul Kalam Island is an island off the coast of Odisha , only place in India that has an integrated test
range maintaining a missile testing facility. All indigenous missiles, like Akash missile, Agni missile,
Prithvi Missile etc. are tested from here.
○ Coco Islands in Bay of Bengal, part of the Yangon Region of Myanmar, extension of Arakan Mountain
○ Madh Island in the western suburbs of Mumbai bounded by the Arabian Sea & Malad creek on the east
○ Inhabited by Kolis, Marathis, & Roman Catholics. Beaches like Erangal, Dana Pani, Silver Beach,
Aksa Beach.
 INTERNATIONAL INITIATIVES
1. Allied Climate Partners is a philanthropic investment organisation to increase the number of bankable,
climate-related projects and businesses in emerging markets and developing economies
○ Its initial focus regions are Southeast Asia, the Caribbean and Central America, Africa, and India
○ Joined the IFC in a climate financing venture to try to generate $11 billion in investments in developing
countries.
2. Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization 1995 to protect & manage the it, conduct Amazon summit
○ Member countries: Bolivia, Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, Peru, Suriname and Venezuela.
○ Amazon Forests comprising about 40% of Brazil’s total area, bounded by the Guiana Highlands in north,
the Andes Mountains in west, Brazilian central plateau to south, & Atlantic Ocean to east
 ○ Belem Declaration emphasizes the importance of Indigenous knowledge for biodiversity conservation.
3. Amphibian Red List Authority - a branch of the Amphibian Specialist Group of the IUCN SSC and
managed by Re:wild, a wildlife conservation group
○ Climate change is emerging as one of the biggest threats to frogs, salamanders and caecilians
○ The data revealed that two out of every five amphibians are threatened with extinction.
4. Antarctic Treaty 1961, 12 original members: Argentina, Australia, Belgium, Chile, France, Japan, New
Zealand, Norway, South Africa, USSR (now Russia) the UK, and the US
○ 54 countries acceded it , India signed treaty in 1983 & one of the 29 Consultative Parties to the treaty
○ Demilitarize Antarctica; zone for peaceful research & Set aside disputes over territorial sovereignty
○ Covers the area south of 60°S latitude
○ Antarctic Treaty System: Convention for the Conservation of Antarctic Seals, 1972 ; Convention on the
Conservation of Antarctic Marine Living Resources , 1980 (ratified by India in 1985) & Protocol on
Environmental Protection to the Antarctic Treaty (Madrid Protocol), 1991 (signed by India in 1998)
○ Antarctica, world’s 5th largest, southernmost and the driest, windiest, coldest, and iciest continent
○ Not a country, no govt, no indigenous population. Entire continent is set aside as a scientific preserve Just
2% of this continent is free of ice, allowing a small toe-hold for hardy animals and plants, 90% of the
Earth’s total ice volume and 70% of its fresh water
5. Article 6 of the Paris Agreement to commodify carbon emissions cuts, & to make it financially
attractive
○ mechanisms for “voluntary cooperation”: based on markets 2 & based on non-market approaches 1
○ Market Mechanism 1 sets up carbon market that allow countries to sell any extra emission reductions
known as Internationally Transferred Mitigation Outcomes achieved compared to their NDCs target
○ This is a voluntary direct bilateral cooperation between the countries
○ Market Mechanism 2 create international carbon market for trading of emissions by public/pvt sector
○ The non-Market Approach - no trade is involved(E.g., a country could support a renewable energy
scheme overseas via concessional loan finance, but there would be no trading of any emissions cuts It
might also overlap with other parts of Paris deal on climate finance, capacity building.
6. Asia Pacific Plant Protection Commission administers Regional Plant Protection Agreement for Asia and
the Pacific, approved in 1956 by the FAO Council .
○ India chair of Standing Committee on Integrated Pest Management for biennium 2023-24.
7. AWARe (Action on Water Adaptation or Resilience) launched by Egypt’s COP27 Presidency with WMO
To champion inclusive cooperation to address water related challenges & solutions across climate change
adaptation. Aims at contributing to successful outcome at 2023 UN Conference on Water
8. 2nd Summit of three basins for Biodiversity Ecosystem and Tropical Forests took place in
Brazzaville, the capital of the Republic of Congo
○ Three basins are Congo basin: Spans across Cameroon, Central African Republic, Democratic
Republic of the Congo, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, and Gabon; Amazon Basin – It
extends over 9 countries in South America; and Borneo-Mekong-Southeast Asia Basin
○ These 3 global ecosystems account for 80% of the world’s tropical forests and 2/3 of the earth’s
biodiversity
9. Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Treaty under UNCLOS aims to place 30% of the seas
into protected areas by 2030 (a pledge at the UN biodiversity conference in 2022), Legally binding treaty
enter into force once 60 countries have ratified it
○ Aka ‘Paris Agreement for the Ocean to ensure the protection and sustainable use of marine biodiversity of
areas beyond national jurisdiction
○ Provide a legal framework for establishing vast marine protected areas (MPAs) to protect against the loss
of wildlife and share out the genetic resources of the high seas
○ High Ambition Coalition played a key role in the adoption of the treaty.
10. Bioversity International in Rome- Non-profit research-for-development that delivers scientific evidence,
management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural biodiversity to attain global food-
and nutrition security. Member of the CGIAR, a global research partnership for a food-secure future.
 ○ Diversity for Restoration (D4R) Tool by it enables appropriate agroforestry and aids systematic
ecosystem restoration.
11. Blue Flag Certification awarded by Denmark-based non-profit Foundation for Environmental Education FEE
33 criteria, obtained by beach, marina/ sustainable boating tourism operator, & serves as an eco-label 12 in
India Minicoy Thundi beach & Kadmat beach in Lakshadweep Shivrajpur-Gujarat, Ghoghla-Diu, Kasarkod &
Padubidri-Karnataka, Kappad-Kerala, Rushikonda- AP. Golden-Odisha, Radhanagar- Andaman & Nicobar,
Kovalam in TN & Eden in Pondicherry beaches
12. Building Adaptation and Resilience in the Hindu Kush Himalayas Initiative by Asian Development Bank
to address the adversities of climate change in the Hindu Kush Himalayan region
○ It supports Bhutan and Nepal in climate adaptation (worst affected regions).
13. Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism, EU 1st carbon border tax on imported goods
○ CBAM from 2026 • Tax on carbon emissions imposed on imported goods from countries with less strict
climate policies
○ Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) = European Union (EU) pushing for the world’s first
carbon border tax on imported goods- Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) from 2026 + A
carbon border tax is a tax on carbon emissions imposed on imported goods from countries with less strict
climate policies + Developing countries, including India, have opposed CBAM calling it ‘discriminatory’ as
it will ramp up prices of their goods in Europe + EU is the third largest trading partner of India + It will
come into force from October 1, 2023. The CBAM framework initially involves several reporting
requirements for cement, iron and steel, aluminum, fertilizers, and electricity imports in the region + It will
also impose additional import levies on carbon intensive products from 2026 + Indian steel exports to
Europe may be worst affected by the CBAM due to the more carbon intensive nature of production
processes vis-à-¬vis rivals like China.
14. Champions of the Earth 2023 awarded by UNEP to recognize individuals and organizations for
innovative solutions to combat plastic pollution
○ Indian awardees include: Indian wildlife biologist Dr. Purnima Devi Barman (2022); PM Narendra
Modi (2018); Tulsi Tanti (Chairman of the Suzlon Group), and Afroz Alam, a lawyer who led the
clean-up at Mumbai’s Versova beach.
15. Chitwan Declaration 3 rd Asian Rhino Range Countries Meeting was held recently in Chitwan NP, Nepal
○ Delegates from Rhino range countries & rhino experts, including International Rhino Foundation
○ Asian Rhino Range Countries are India, Bhutan, Indonesia, Malaysia & Nepal
○ The 1st meeting was held in Indonesia & the 2nd held in India
○ Target - To achieve at least a 3% annual growth rate of Greater One-Horned, Javan & Sumatran Rhinos
Bihar government to increase its rhino population by 3% annually. It also decided to increase rhinobearing
areas in Valmiki Tiger Reserve (VTR) by 5% in the next 2 years
16. Climate and Clean Air Coalition is voluntary partnership of governments, civil society, and private sector to
protect the climate and improve air quality through actions to reduce short-lived climate pollutants
○ Initial focus is on methane, black carbon, and Hydrofluorocarbons . India joined the CCAC in 2019.
17. Coalition for Nature, at the COP15 of CBD by SIDS
○ Formed for the implementation and adoption of the Global Biodiversity Framework
18. Conservation International in Virginia (USA), NPO, works to protect nature that introduced quantitive
threshold for biodiversity hotspots
19. Consultative Group for International Agricultural Research is a global partnership that unites
international organizations engaged in research about food security
○ To reduce rural poverty, increase food security, improve human health and nutrition, and sustainable
management of natural resources
○ An adhoc organization funded by its members
○ Members: USA, Canada, the UK, Germany, Switzerland, Australia and Japan, the Ford Foundation, FAO,
IFAD, UNDP, the World Bank, European Commission, ADB, African Development Bank, & OPEC fund
20. Convention on Biological Diversity’s adopted in 1992 at Rio Summit (enforced in 1993).
○ 196 parties including India. Only 2 member of the UN are not Parties to it, namely: the USA and the
Vatican
 ○ Legally Binding . Its Secretariat is in Montreal, Canada
○ Objective: The conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components and the fair and
equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilisation of genetic resources and by appropriate
transfer of relevant technologies, taking into account all rights over those resources and to technologies,
and by appropriate funding.
21. Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) is an
international agreement between governments that aims to ensure that international trade in wild animals
and plants does not threaten their survival
○ CITES was adopted in 1973 and entered into force in 1975 . There are 184 member parties, and trade is
regulated in more than 38,000 species
○ India became the 25th party, a state that voluntarily agrees to be bound by the Convention, in 1976
○ Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties– in other words, they have to implement the Convention–
it does not take the place of national laws
○ The CITES Secretariat is administered by the UNEP and is located in Geneva, Switzerland
○ Representatives of CITES nations meet every two to three years at a COP to review progress and adjust
the lists of protected species, which are grouped into three categories with different levels of protection:
○ Appendix I: It includes species threatened with extinction and provides the greatest level of protection,
including a prohibition on commercial trade.
○ Appendix II: It includes species that are not currently threatened with extinction but may become so
without trade controls. Regulated trade is allowed if the exporting country issues a permit based on
findings.
○ Appendix III: It includes species for which a country has asked other CITES parties to help control
international trade . Trade in Appendix III species is regulated using CITES export permits (issued by the
country that listed the species in Appendix III) and certificates of origin (issued by all other countries) .
Countries may list species for which they have domestic regulations in Appendix III at any time.
22. Convention on Migratory Species (CMS) aka the Bonn Convention, a treaty under the UNEP
○ It was signed in 1979 and in force since 1983 , 133 Parties. India is also a party to CMS since 1983
○ Legal foundation to conduct conservation measures on a global scale.
○ India has signed a non-legally binding MoU with CMS on conservation and management of Siberian
Cranes (1998), Marine Turtles (2007), Dugongs (2008), and Raptors (2016).
○ Two appendices under CMS:
■ Appendix I lists ‘Threatened Migratory Species’.
■ Appendix II lists ‘Migratory Species requiring international cooperation’.
23. Conference of the Parties (COP28) of the UNFCCC in Dubai, UAE marked 18th session of the CoP to the
Kyoto Protocol (CMP 18) and 5 th session of the CoP to the Paris Agreement (CMA 5)
○ It also adopted final document called UAE Consensus.
○ Africa Green Industrialisation Initiative at COP28 to accelerate green growth of industries in Africa and
attract finance and investment opportunities.
○ ALTÉRRA Fund at the COP28 by UAE - $30 billion climate fund aims to attract $250 billion in investment
by the end of the decade, with $25 billion allocated to climate strategies and $5 billion to incentivize
investment in the Global South
■ To steer private markets towards climate investments, especially in emerging markets and developing
economies
○ Climate Club led by Germany and Chile aims to make decarbonisation of industries successful for
climate and businesses. Two co-chairs will be elected for two-year terms for the Club.
○ Global Decarbonization Accelerator focuses on 3 primary pillars: Scaling the energy system of the
future. Decarbonizing the present energy system. addressing methane and other non-CO2 greenhouse
gases
■ A comprehensive and simultaneous transformation of both energy demand and supply.
○ Green Rising Initiative by UNICEF, Generation Unlimited & MoEFCC at COP28 in Dubai
■ The global "Green Rising" initiative and the "Green Rising India Alliance" marks a collaborative effort
involving UNICEF, Generation Unlimited, and a diverse network of public, private, and youth partners
 ■ To mobilize millions of young people worldwide, encouraging their active participation in green initiatives
addressing and adapting to the severe impacts of climate change on their communities
■ Through the YuWaah campaign in India, the focus is on engaging youth to drive impactful environmental
actions at the grassroots level.
○ Oil and Gas Decarbonization Charter is a dedicated initiative for the oil and gas sector
■ Currently, 50 companies, collectively responsible for over 40 percent of global oil production, have
committed to the OGDC. It is integral to the Global Decarbonization Accelerator (GDA).
○ Watsonx.ai by NASA and IBM would be available on the open-source AI platform Hugging Space
■ It will help users monitor the Earth from space, measuring environmental changes that have already
happened while also making predictions about the future.
24. Clydebank Declaration for Green shipping corridors, signed at COP 26 Climate Summit
○ To create zero emissions shipping trade routes between ports to speed up the decarbonisation of the
global maritime industry and agreed to support the establishment of at least 6 green corridors by 2025
○ India has not signed the declaration yet. Clydebank is city in Scotland.
25. Coral Reef
○ International Coral Reef Initiative is a global partnership between Nations and organizations that
strives to preserve coral reefs and related ecosystems around the world.
■ The Initiative was founded in 1994 by eight governments: Australia, France, Japan, Jamaica, the
Philippines, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States of America.
■ It was announced at the First Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological
Diversity,1994
■ ICRI has 101 members, including 45 countries (India is one of them).
○ Coral Reef Breakthrough launched by ICRI in partnership with Global Fund for Coral Reefs and
High-Level Climate Champions to prevent extinction of at least 125,000 km2 of shallow-water
tropical coral reefs
■ Science-based initiative with clear goals for the state and non-state actors to collectively conserve,
protect, and restore coral reefs, safeguarding their vital contributions to humanity's future.
○ Global Fund for Coral Reefs is a blended finance instrument to mobilise action and resources to
protect and restore coral reef ecosystems
■ It provides grant funding and private capital to support sustainable interventions to save coral
reefs and the communities that rely on them
■ UN Agencies, nations, philanthropies, private investors and organisations have joined the Global
Fund for Coral Reefs Coalition to deliver on ecological, social and economic resilience.
○ High-Level Climate Champions (HLCC) are appointed by the UnNs to facilitate and enhance the
engagement of non-state actors such as businesses, cities, regions, and investors in supporting the
goals of the Paris Agreement on climate change.
26. Debt for Nature Swap or Debt for Climate Swaps can incentivize debtor countries to take meaningful
action on climate while reducing their debt burdens.Gabon announced a $500 million
27. Digne Resolution - The geological heritage of our planet was first recognised in 1991 at First International
Symposium on the Conservation of our Geological Heritage (Digne resolution)
28. Earth Hour by World Wildlife Fund (WWF), last Saturday of March every year, 8:30 pm to 9:30 pm
29. Earth Overshoot Day by Global Footprint Network since 1971 calculated by multiplying the planet’s
biocapacity (Ecological resources Earth can generate each year) by humanity’s Ecological Footprint
(humanity’s demand for that year) by 365
○ Humanity’s demand for ecological resources and services each year exceeds what Earth can regenerate
in that year. August 2, is observed as the Earth Overshoot Day for year 2023.
30. ENACT Partnership -Enhancing Nature-based Solutions for an Accelerated Climate Transformation by
Germany and Egypt along with the IUCN launched at the COP27 Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt in 2022
○ Member: Canada, European Union, France, Japan, Malawi, Norway, Republic of Korea, Slovenia,
Belgium, Pakistan, Spain, the Netherlands, Switzerland and the United States
○ An ambitious global initiative that seeks to coordinate global efforts to address climate change, land and
ecosystem degradation, and biodiversity loss through Nature-based Solutions. IUCN hosts its secretariat .
31. Environmental Conventions under Global Environment Facility financial mechanism are : CBD, UNCCD,
UNFCCC, Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, Minamata Convention And Montreal
Protocol (provides support)
32. First Movers Coalition by the US and WEF at COP26 in Glasgow, Scotland
○ India has joined the First Movers Coalition Steering Board It is ‘a global initiative harnessing the
purchasing power of companies to decarbonize seven “hard to abate” industrial sectors’.
○ This includes Aluminum, Aviation, Chemicals, Concrete, Shipping, Steel, and Trucking sector accounting
for 30% of global emissions
○ To commercialize zero-carbon technologies & to scale up critical emerging tech essential for NetZero
Transition
33. G7 Climate Club led by Germany and Chile, along with 36 member countries including Kenya, the European
Union, Switzerland and others
○ It is an open, cooperative, and inclusive forum of climate-ambitious countries with the goal of supporting
the effective implementation of the Paris Agreement and decisions thereunder
○ It aims to support accelerating climate action and increasing ambition to achieve global net-zero
greenhouse gas emissions by or around midcentury, with a particular focus on decarbonising industry.
34. Global Amphibian Assessment Report by Re:wild, Synchronicity Earth and the IUCN SSC
Amphibian Specialist Group. Dancing frogs of the Western Ghats are one of the most threatened
amphibian genera.
35. Global Biodiversity Framework Fund established at the 7th Assembly of the Global Environment Facility in
Vancouver, Canada
○ It will help countries achieve the 23 targets set under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity
Framework
○ It was created to ramp up investment in nature restoration and renewal.
○ Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted during COP-15 of CBD following a
four year consultation and negotiation process
■ This historic Framework, which supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals and
builds on the Convention’s previous Strategic Plans, sets out an ambitious pathway to reach the global
vision of a world living in harmony with nature by 2050
■ The declaration made a reference to the '30 by 30' target which is a key proposal being debated at the
COP15, that would afford 30% of the Earth’s land and oceans protected status by 2030.
○ Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical and Technological Advice (SBSTTA)
■ Article 25 of CBD establishes an open-ended intergovt scientific advisory body known as SBSTTA
■ Its purpose is to provide the COP and, as appropriate, its other subsidiary bodies, with timely advice
relating to the implementation of the Convention.

○ Kunming Biodiversity Fund

■ China has also pledged to inject USD 233 million into a new fund to protect biodiversity in developing
countries.The fund is being referred to by China as Kunming Biodiversity Fund
■ Further, some rich country donors say a new fund for conservation is unnecessary because the United
Nations’ Global Environment Facility already helps developing nations finance green projects.
36. Global Declaration for River Dolphins - 11 Asian and South American countries signed a landmark
deal in Bogota, Colombia to save the world’s six surviving species of river dolphins from extinction
○ It aims to halt the decline of all river dolphin species. It outlines measures such as eradicating
gillnets, reducing pollution, expanding research initiatives, and creating protected areas to
safeguard the remaining river dolphin species
○ Countries that adopted the declaration include: Bangladesh, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Colombia,
Ecuador, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Peru, and Venezuela.
37. Global Green Credit Initiative Co-hosted (India and UAE) event on ‘Green Credits Programme’ at COP-28
○ It would serve as an international platform for dialogue, collaboration, and the exchange of innovative
environmental programs and instruments
 ○ Unlike traditional carbon credits, “green credits” focus on voluntary environmental actions involving the
community, private industry and individuals.
38. Global Alliance for Climate Smart Agriculture (GACSA) -voluntary platform and supported by UN's FAO
39. Global Alliance For Industry Decarbonization(GAID) by IRENA, co-founding partner Siemens Energy, and
13 companies including Tata Steel and Jindal Steel Works from India It was formed under Bali Declaration
40. “Global Annual to Decadal Climate Update 2023-2027” & “State of Global Climate 2022” by WMO
● The annual mean global surface temperature between 2023 and 2027 will be 1.1-1.8 degree Celsius
higher than the baseline temperature of 1850-1900 or pre-industrial levels.
41. Global Biodiversity Framework Fund by GEF aims to finance the implementation of Kunming Montreal
Global Biodiversity Framework
42. Global Biofuels Alliance by India as the G20 Chair. India, Brazil and the US is the founding members
○ Facilitate cooperation & intensifying the use of sustainable biofuels, including in transportation sector
○ India proposed to take an initiative at a global level to take ethanol blending in petrol up to 20%
○ USA (52%), Brazil (30%) and India (3%) are the top three contributing countries in biofuel. They have
85% share in production and about 81% in consumption of ethanol.
43. Global Energy Transitions Stocktake tracks technology, investment &people centered progress toward
Paris Agreement &supports first Global Stocktake (GST) which will conclude at COP 28 in 2023
44. Global Geoparks Network 2004 - international partnership developed under the umbrella of UNESCO 169
Global Geoparks across 44 countries. India is a signatory. Yet no geopark in India is recognised by the
UNESCO.
45. Global Greenhouse Gas Watch ,a new GHG monitoring initiative of WMO
46. Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS): It was started in 2002 by FAO
○ FAO is an intergovernmental organization, headquartered at Rome with 191 member nations. Aims at
helping world population get ensured food security, eliminate hunger, poverty
○ Purpose of GIAHS is to create public awareness, safeguard world agricultural heritage sites
○ Koraput Traditional Agri, OD; Kuttanad BSL Farming System, Kerala & Pampore Saffron Heritage, J&K
47. Global Mangrove Alliance (GMA)- The GMA was launched in 2018 at the World Ocean Summit by
Conservation International (CI), IUCN, The Nature Conservancy (TNC), Wetlands International, & WWF
Today, the alliance includes more than 30 organizations
48. Global Methane Initiative (GMI)- Hq: Washington DC . International public-private partnership focused on
reducing barriers to the recovery and use of methane as a clean energy source ◊ India joined GMI in 2004.
Membership from 45 countries
49. Global Methane Pledge signed by over 90 countries so far, led jointly by the US and the European Union ◊
To stop deforestation and cut down global methane emissions by up to 30% from 2020 levels by 2030
Among the signatories is Brazil - one of the five biggest emitters of methane. China, Russia and India have
not signed up, while Australia has said it will not back the pledge . India is NOT a member
50. Global Methane Assessment: 2030 Baseline Report by Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC) and UNEP
51. Global Offshore Wind Alliance(GOWA) set up by IRENA, Denmark and the Global Wind Energy Council
To provide the growing offshore wind industry with a one-stop shop overview of all offshore wind industry
events around the world . India is not a party yet.
52. Global Stocktake- Technical Report on the Global Stocktake by UNFCCC aims to serve as a report card
on the progress of countries under the 2015 Paris Agreement in achieving their climate action goals

53. The Global Renewables and Energy Efficiency Pledge at COP28 in Dubai where 118 countries pledged
to triple installed renewable energy capacity by 2030, committing to at least 11,000 GW and to double the
global average annual rate of energy efficiency improvements to more than 4%
○ India, along with China and Russia, did NOT sign the pledge
○ The pledge lacks legal sanctity and has not been included in the main negotiating texts for the COP-28
agreement.
54. Global stocktake is a process for countries to see whether they are collectively making progress towards
meeting the goals of the Paris Agreement
○ COP28 marked first Global Stocktake of the Paris Agreement.
55. Great Green wall of Sahel Region, to increase the amount of arable land bordering Africa’s Sahara Desert
○ 11 nation: Dj, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Sudan, Chad, Niger, Nigeria, Mali, Burkina Faso, Mauritania, & Senegal
○ Org involved – GEF, WB, UNFCCD. UNEP declared it as pioneering initiatives restoring natural world.
56. Green Climate Fund(GCF) adopted as a financial mechanism of UNFCCC at CoP 16(Cancun)
○ MOEFCC is India’s Nationally Designated Authority (NDA) for the GCF NABARD has been accredited by
GCF Board as one of the National Implementing Entity for GCF in India based in South Korea .
○ World Bank serves as the interim trustee of the GCF
57. Green Grids Initiative - One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) by India (in partnership with COP26
Presidency, ISA, World Bank, UK & Wilton Park) to harness solar energy wherever the Sun
○ Accelerate mobilisation of technical & financial resources needed to advance action on green grids
58. High Ambition Coalition (HAS) for Nature and People 2019 aim to ensure that a new global framework to
protect the Earth's natural systems, plants & animals be adopted at COP15
○ Intergovernmental group (India member) with 30x30 approach: to protect or effectively conserve at least
30% of the planet (land and sea) by 2030, i.e., 30x30 approach.
59. Hydrological Status and Outlook System (HydroSOS) envisioned by the Commission for Hydrology and
overseen by the WMO Hydrological Assembly to provide crucial global scale information needed to help
water users understand the current status of the world’s freshwater systems
60. ICIMOD 1983 is an intergovernmental knowledge and development organization that focuses on climate and
environmental risks, green economies, and sustainable action
○ Member: Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and Pakistan
61. IMO
○ Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships by IMO has adopted a Strategy on the
Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships
○ Adopted by the Marine Environment Protection Committee, an important committee of IMO.
62. Inclusive Conservation Initiative endorsed by Global Environment Facility (GEF) & Conservation
International (CI) to support IPLC to secure and enhance their stewardship over landscapes, seascapes and
territories with high biodiversity and irreplaceable ecosystems.
63. Infrastructure Resilience Accelerator Fund (IRAF) by CDRI at India Pavilion, COP27, Sharm El Sheikh,
Egypt IRAF is a multi-donor trust fund, established with support of UNDP and UNDRR Managed by the UN
Multi-Partner Trust Fund Office (UN MPTFO), New York Supported by India, the UK, Australia and the
European Union
64. Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
Secretariat in Bonn, Germany. NOT a UNs body . UNEP provides secretariat services
○ 137 countries including India , All UN member eligible. Report on ‘Sustainable use of Wild Species’
65. International Container Transhipment Port ,part of the holistic development of Great Nicobar Island S.
Prasad Mookerjee Port (Kolkata)-nodal agency for implementation .Galathea Bay of Great Nicobar
66. International Drought Resilience Alliance (IDRA) at COP 27 meeting at Sharm El-Sheikh led by Spain and
Senegal.
67. 5 th International Marine Protected Areas Congress (IMPAC5) Vancouver, Canada • Ocean conservation
professionals & high-level officials to inform, inspire & act on MPAs • Aims to protect 30 % of global ocean by
2030
68. International solar alliance
○ STAR-C Initiative run by the ISA with the UNs Industrial Development Organisation funded by France to
enhance quality infrastructure for the uptake of solar energy products and services
69. International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
○ Session of the Governing Body (GB9) of ITPGRFA- highest organ of ITPGRFA & composed of reps of all
Contracting Parties. Its basic function is to promote the full implementation of the Treaty
○ Aka seed treaty, is a major international agreement to conserve, use and manage Plant Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) around the world for benefit of people everywhere
○ Legally binding agreement adopted by 31st session of FAO in 2001 and entered into force in 2004 India
is a party to the treaty . Funding for the treaty comes from its Contracting Parties and from FAO
 ○ It also provided international legal framework needed for establishment of Svalbard Global Seed Vault in
Norway
70. Indian Ocean Tuna Commission (HQ: Victoria, Seychelles)- Intergovernmental organisation to sustainably
manage highly migratory (tuna and tuna-like) fisheries resources in the Indian Ocean
○ The Indian Ocean is the second-largest tuna fishery in the world . The IOTC currently has 31 contracting
parties who are members of the IOTC and two cooperating non-contracting parties, Liberia and Senegal
○ India is a member of this organisation.
71. International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) launched by India 2023, for the conservation of seven big cats,
namely Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow Leopard, Cheetah, Jaguar, and Puma harbouring our planet
○ It is open to 97 'range' countries, which contain the natural habitat of these big cats, as well as
other interested nations, international organizations, etc
○ It will provide a platform for the member nations to share knowledge and expertise and extend
support to recovery efforts in potential habitats
○ Funding: After the first five years, which will be supported by India's 'total grant assistance' of $100
million, the IBCA is expected to sustain itself through membership fees and contributions from
bilateral and multilateral institutions and the private sector.
72. International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (HQ in Hyderabad) is a non-
profit, non-political public international research org that conducts agricultural research for
development in Asia & sub-Saharan Africa . 2 regional hubs (Nairobi, Kenya and Bamako, Mali)
○ Helps farmers by providing improved crop varieties and hybrids and also helps smallholder farmers
in the drylands fight climate change
○ It conducts research on five highly nutritious drought-tolerant crops: chickpea, pigeonpea, pearl
millet, sorghum, and groundnut
○ It has been awarded 2021 Africa Food Prize for the Tropical Legumes Project that has improved
food security across 13 countries in sub-Saharan Africa
○ It joined the One Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) global
initiative.
73. International Methane Emissions Observatory (IMEO) focused initially on emissions of Methane from the
fossil industry.
○ Reconciles methane data from scientific measurement studies, satellites through Methane Alert &
Response System, rigorous industry reporting through the Oil & Gas Methane Partnership 2.0 , & national
inventories
○ OGMP 2.0 is UNEP’s flagship programme that includes a partnership of companies to improve the
accuracy and transparency of methane emissions data from the oil and gas sector through a committed
framework.
○ IMEO’s Methane Alert & Response System MARS is a data-to-action platform announced at COP 27
■ This initiative works in partnership with the Climate & Clean Air Coalition & IEA
■ 1st publicly available global system capable of transparently connecting methane detection to notification
processes
■ Integrate data from a large number of existing and future satellites that can detect methane emission
events anywhere in the world. It will send out notifications to the relevant stakeholders to act on it
■ MARS notified govts of 127 plumes spanning four continents & identified 1,500 plumes in its pilot stage.
74. International Tropical Timber Organisation 1987 (HQ: Yokohama, Japan) - Intergovernmental
organisation established under the International Tropical Timber Agreement 1983 (ITTA 1983), negotiated
under the auspices of the UNCTAD
○ Facilitates funding for forestry projects in tropical timber-producing countries. All projects are funded by
voluntary contributions from governments
○ Members: 75 countries (including India). Its members manage about 80 percent of the world's tropical
forests and are responsible for 90 percent of the global tropical timber trade.
○ 59th International Tropical Timber Council concluded to promote sustainable tropical forest
management activities.
75. IUCN Species Survival Commission works independently and with the different IUCN Units to build
knowledge on the status of species and threats to them and to provide advice, develop policies and
guidelines and facilitate conservation planning
○ Catalyzes conservation action & enables IUCN to influence policy and assist societies in
biodiversity conservation
○ Their work include: SSC members provide scientific advice to conservation organisations, govt
agencies and other IUCN members, and support the implementation of multilateral environmental
agreements.
76. Just Energy Transition Partnership is a financing mechanism that aims to support developing countries in
their transition from fossil fuel-based energy systems to clean and renewable energy sources
○ Senegal, South Africa, Indonesia, and Vietnam. The deal aims to mobilize 5 billion euros in new financing
for Senegal
○ JETP funding can be provided through grants, loans, or investments. The International Partners Group
(IPG) and the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) Working Group are key contributors
○ The IPG includes countries such as Japan, the USA, Canada, Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Norway,
the EU, and the UK
○ The GFANZ Working Group comprises multilateral and national development banks and finance
agencies.
77. Koronivia Joint Work on Agriculture (KJWA) under UNFCCC recognizes unique potential of agr in
tackling CC In UNFCCC COP27, KJWA given another four-year lease by establishment of the four-year
Sharm elSheikh joint work on implementation of climate action on agriculture and food security
78. Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework adopted by COP15 (Montreal) of UNCBD has set 23
targets to be achieved by 2030, which include 30% conservation of land and sea, 30% restoration of
degraded ecosystems and halving the introduction of invasive species
○ Replaced Aichi Biodiversity Targets (2011-2020), legally non-binding in nature
○ Four overarching goals for 2050: Halt human-induced species extinction, Sustainable use of biodiversity ,
Equitable sharing of benefits, Closing the biodiversity finance gap of $700 billion per year
○ It has set 23 Global Targets for 2030, it includes-
○ 30 % conservation of land, sea, and inland waters, 30 % restoration of degraded ecosystems,
○ Integration of biodiversity into policies, Halving the introduction of invasive species, etc
○ Funded through Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Fund, a Special Trust Fund by GEF
○ Countries to monitor and report progress every 5 years or less on a set of indicators
○ Progress made by KMGBF: It led to adoption of the Treaty on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Marine Biodiversity beyond Areas of National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).
79. LEED Certification (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) is the green building rating system &
a globally recognized symbol of sustainability achievement and leadership
○ Developed by the United States Green Building Council (USGBC)
○ India ranks first globally in LEED Zero certified green building projects surpassing the US and China,
according to USGBC and GBCI.
80. Leadership Group for Industry Transition LeadIT Summit hosted by India and Sweden at COP27, with a
focus on low carbon transition of the hard-to abate industrial sector. Supported by the WEF
○ LeadIT 2.0 launched during the COP28 World Climate Action Summit, hosted in Dubai
○ To accelerate the transition of challenging sectors such as steel, cement, chemicals, aviation, and
shipping to low-carbon pathways
○ Gathers countries and companies that are committed to action to achieve the Paris Agreement
○ LeadIT, boasting 38 members, encompasses countries & companies. Notably, India is active participant.
○ LeadIT members subscribe to the notion that energy-intensive industries can and must progress on low-
carbon pathways, aiming to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
81. Living Lands Charter -All 54 Commonwealth member agreed to dedicate ‘living land’ to future gen • Support
countries to deliver commitments under 3 Rio conventions - UNCBD, UNCCD, UNFCCC
82. Loss and Damage Fund announced during COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt & got operationalised during
COP28
 ○ It is a global financial package to ensure the rescue and rehabilitation of countries facing the cascading
effects of climate change
○ The compensation that rich nations, whose industrial growth has resulted in global warming and driven the
planet into a climate crisis, must pay to poor nations, whose carbon footprint is low but are facing the brunt
of rising sea levels, floods, crippling droughts, and intense cyclones, among others
○ The World Bank will oversee it in the beginning, with the source of funds being rich nations such as the
US, the UK, and the EU, as well as some developing countries.
83. Mangrove Alliance for Climate initiated by the UAE and Indonesia, during COP 27. India is also a member
○ To scale up, accelerate conservation, restoration & growing plantation efforts of mangrove ecosystems.
○ Intergovernmental alliance with no binding targets , launched at the COP27 Summit in Egypt
○ Later joined by India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Japan, & Spain
○ Raise awareness about the role of mangroves as a “nature-based solution to climate change”
84. Minamata Convention- 1st global legally binding treaty to protect human health and environment from
adverse effects of mercury, Minamata disease, a neurological disease. India ratified it in 2018 with flexibility
till 2025.
85. Mission Integrated Biorefineries (MIB), joint initiative of India and the Netherlands, with the inclusion of
Brazil and Canada as core members and the UK and the European Commission as supporting members
○ Develop & demonstrate innovative solutions to accelerate commercialization of integ biorefineries
○ Replace 10% of fossil fuel-based, chemicals & materials with bio-based alternatives by this decade
86. Montreal Protocol (1987) is a global environmental treaty to eliminate the production and use of Ozone
Depleting Substances (ODS)
○ It was implemented under the Vienna Convention (adopted in 1985)
○ In 2016, Kigali Amendment to Montreal Protocol was adopted to phase down production and consumption
of Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs)
○ HFCs are non-ODS alternative to CFCs and HCFCs, but their global warming potential is thousands of
times that of carbon dioxid India surpassed Montreal protocol targets, says report by MOEFCC and
UNDP.
○ According to the report India exceeded the 35% HCFC (Hydrochlorofluorocarbons) phase-out goal,
achieving a 44% reduction from the 2020 baseline and has also eliminated HCFC 141b
○ HCFCs are employed as refrigerants in production of new equipment
○ HCFC 141b, is used as a blowing agent in production of rigid polyurethane foam.
87. Nature Risk Profile by UNEP & S&P Global, new methodology for analyzing companies’ impacts &
dependencies on nature , released at Davos WEF Summit.
88. One CGIAR global Initiative to build a unified approach to transforming food, land, and water systems
to address the challenges posed by climate crisis
○ This initiative involves the CGIAR System Organisation and 12 One CGIAR research centres
○ The CGIAR is a publicly-funded network of agrifood systems research centres, works for
transforming food, land, and water systems in a climate crisis. It is working in over 80 countries.
89. Paris Finance Meet or Paris Global Climate Financing Summit for a New Global Financing Pact with an
objective of tackling the lack of financial support for developing countries
○ Additional USD 200 billion lending capacity for emerging economies
○ World Bank announced disaster clauses for debt deals that would suspend debt payment in case of
extreme weather events
○ $100bn is to be provided to poorer countries through SDRs (form of currency provided by IMF).
90. Plastic Overshoot Day Report by Earth Action refers to the day when the amount of plastic waste
surpasses the capability of waste management systems to effectively manage , July 28, 2023
91. Quito Adjustment 2018 made to the Montreal Protocol to avoid 1ºC of future warming x CFC-11
92. REDD+ by UNFCCC to creates financial value for carbon stored in forests by offering incentives for
developing countries to reduce emissions from forested lands & invest in lowcarbon paths to SDG.
93. Resource Efficiency Circular Economy Industry Coalition (G20) is an industry-driven initiative
○ About 39 companies headquartered in 11 countries have joined the coalition as its founding members.
94. REWARD Program, a World Bank assisted Watershed development program from 2021 to 2026
 ● To “Strengthen capacities of National and State institutions to adopt improved watershed management
for increasing farmers resilience and support value chains in selected watersheds of participating States”
● To introduce modern watershed practices in the Department of Land Resources in the Ministry of Rural
Development and in the States of Karnataka and Odisha.
95. Re:wild launched in 2021 combining more than three decades of conservation impact by Leonardo
DiCaprio and Global Wildlife Conservation, leveraging expertise, partnerships and platforms to bring
new attention, energy and voices together.
○ Re:wild’s mission is to protect and restore the wild to build a thriving Earth where all life flourishes.

96. Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment SAFE funded by EU & implemented in coop with FAO &
UNEP. 4 Asian countries – China, Thailand, Vietnam and Laos were initially selected for survey under
project.
97. Santiago Network for Loss and Damage at COP25 in Madrid in 2019 Connect vulnerable countries with
providers of technical assistance, knowledge, resources to address climate risks comprehensively in the
context of averting, minimizing & addressing loss & damage. Part of the Warsaw International Mechanism for
Loss and Damage (WIM)
98. Save Wetlands Campaign - a “whole of society” approach for wetlands conservation To sensitize people
about value of wetlands, increase coverage of wetland Mitras, & build citizen partnerships for conservation in
a span of one year.
99. SDG Agrifood Accelerator Programme by FAO & SEED partnership help agrifood system start-ups
develop their businesses while contributing to UN’s SDGs • Operating in Africa & Asia
100. SEED by UNEP, UNDP & IUCN - global partnership for action on sustainable development & green
economy
101. Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) established under the UNFCCC in 2001 To finance projects
in all developing country parties relating to: adaptation; technology transfer & capacity building etc. GEF, as
an operating entity of Financial Mechanism, operate the SCCF.
102. Stockholm Convention- Listed ‘Dechlorane Plus’ (flame retardant) & UV-328 (stabilizer) under
Annex A Global treaty to protect human health & the environment from POPs. Legally binding & ratified by
India. In view of this ratification, India notified “Regulation of POP Rules” (2018) under EPA 1986
103. Turtle Survival Alliance formed in 2001 as an IIUCN partnership for sustainable captive
management of freshwater turtles and tortoises
○ The TSA arose in response to the rampant and unsustainable harvest of Asian turtle populations to
supply Chinese markets, a situation known as the Asian Turtle Crisis
○ Mission: ‘Zero Turtle Extinctions in the 21st Century.
104. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) 1994 - sole legally binding
international agreement linking environment and development to sustainable land management
○ Committed to a bottom-up approach, encouraging the participation of local people in combating
desertification and land degradation
○ UNCCD 2018- 2030 Strategic Framework: It is the most comprehensive global commitment to achieve
Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN)
○ Initiatives launched under the UNCCD to combat land desertification and degradation:
○ Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN) Target Setting Programme: UNCCD in collaboration with multiple
international partners, are supporting interested countries with their national LDN target setting process.
To date, over 120 countries, including India, have committed to setting LDN targets.
○ LDN Fund launched at UNCCD COP 13 in Ordos, China, it is the first-of-its-kind investment vehicle
leveraging public money to raise private capital for sustainable land projects.
○ Global Land Outlook (GLO) is a strategic communications platform and associated publications of the
UNCCD secretariat that demonstrates the central importance of land quality to human well-being.
○ Land for Life Programme at the UNCCD COP10 in 2011 as part of the Changwon Initiative.
○ UNCCD Data Dashboard compiles national reporting figures from 126 countries, which shows that land
degradation is advancing at an astonishing rate across all regions.
105. UNEP - Convened Climate and Clean Air Coalition CCAC founded in 2012, is the only
international body working to reduce short-lived climate pollutants SLCP – methane, black carbon,
hydrofluorocarbons– that drive both climate change and air pollution
○ India is a CCAC Partner since 2019
○ A voluntary global partnership of govts, intergovt org, businesses, scientific institutions & civil
society org working to reduce SLCPs that have a significant impact on climate change and public
health.
106. United Nations Forum on Forests(UNFF) (HQ: New York) promotes the management,
conservation, and sustainable development of all types of forests
○ It was established in 2000 by the ECOSOC. High-level dialogue on technical matters in odd years
and policy matters in even years
○ Universal membership- composed of all Member States of the UNs and specialized agencies
○ India is a founding member of UNFF. MoEFCC organised a Country-Led Initiative (CLI) event as
part of the UNFF at the Forest Research Institute (FRI), Dehradun, Uttarakhand.
○ Country-Led Initiative to contribute to the discussions of UNFF regarding the implementation of
Sustainable Forest Management and the UN Strategic Plan for Forests
○ UN General Assembly adopted the first-ever UN Strategic Plan for Forests for the period of 2017-
2030.
107. UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration, UNGA has declared the years 2021 through 2030
○ Led by UNEP & FAO, together with the support of partners covering terrestrial & aquatic ecosystems
108. United Nations Environment Programme (Hq: Nairobi, Kenya) is a leading global
environmental authority established on 5th June 1972
○ It sets the global environmental agenda, promotes sustainable development within the UNs system,
and serves as an authoritative advocate for global environment protection
○ Reports: Emission Gap Report, Adaptation Gap Report, Global Environment Outlook, Frontiers,
Invest into Healthy Planet
○ Major Campaigns: Beat Pollution, UN75, World Environment Day, Wild for Life
○ UNEP supports its 193 Member States to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals and live in
harmony with nature. India is a member of the UNEP.
109. UNEP administers CITES (1973), Bonn Convention (1973), Vienna Convention (1985), Basel
Convention (1989), CBD (1992), Rotterdam Convention (1998), Stockholm Convention (2001) and Minamata
Convention (2013) and Reports: Global Environment Outlook Report, Adaptation Gap Report, Triple
Emergency & Cooling Emissions And Policy Synthesis Report.
110. A report titled ‘Water, Ice, Society, and Ecosystems (WISE)’ released by International Centre for
Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD).
111. UNEP Report On Plastic Pollution recommended to adopt a Circular economy
112. UNECE Water Convention -
○ one of five UNECE's negotiated environmental treaties Water Convention OR Convention on the
Protection and Use of Transboundary Watercourses and International Lakes was adopted in Helsinki in
1992 and entered into force in 1996
○ Legally binding instrument that manage shared water resources & India is NOT a party to this United
Nations Economic Commission for Europe (ECE or UNECE) is one of the five regional commissions
under UN ECOSOC. 56 member States, most in Europe & India is NOT a member
113. United Nations 2023 Water Conference in New York on March 22-24, co-hosted by Netherlands
&Tajikistan
114. W12+ Blueprint for urban water challenges, online information tool for urban water solutions by two
NGOs (SOS and ECOCIV) in partnership with UNESCO IHP. 2 cities from India are listed: Bengaluru and
Chennai.
115. United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) in 1994 , Bottom-up approach •
Sole legally binding international agreement linking env & dev to sustainable land management
○ UNCCD 2018-2030 Strategic Framework: Most comprehensive global commitment to achieve LDN
 ○Land Degradation Neutrality Target Setting Programme: • To date, over 120 countries, including India,
have committed to setting LDN targets
○ Abidjan Declaration: on achieving gender equality for successful land restoration
116. UNs Global Compact 2000 is a call to companies everywhere to align their operations and strategies
with Ten Principles in the areas of human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption
○ Largest corporate sustainability initiative promotes activities that contribute to SDG to create a better
world.
117. United Nations World Water Development Report 2023 by UNESCO, on behalf of UN-Water
118. Urban 20 (U20) Summit provides a platform for cities from G20 countries to facilitate discussions on
various important issues of urban development including climate change, social inclusion, sustainable
mobility, and affordable housing, and propose collective solutions. Chaired by the City of Ahmedabad 2023
119. Water & Heritage Shield Award by the International Committee On Monuments & Sites International
Science Committee, global NGO associated with UNESC
120. Wildlife Conservation Bond - outcome-based World Bank structured bond that channels private
capital to finance conservation activities AKa Rhino Bond, 5-year $150m sustainable development bond, to
protect & increase black rhino populations in two protected areas in South Africa. Together with financing
from GEF, WCB transfers project risk from donors to investors.
121. World Meteorological Organisation - Ozone and Ultraviolet (UV) Bulletin
122. World Forestry Congress held approx once every 6 years (first Congress was held in Italy in 1926)
○ FAO has helped host countries organize the Congress since 1954.
123. World Heritage Glaciers Report released by UNESCO and IUCN
○ 1/3rd of the glaciers on the UNESCO World Heritage list are under threat, regardless of efforts to limit
temperature increases
○ Fifty UNESCO World Heritage sites are home to glaciers(10% of the Earth's total glacierized area).
○ Include the highest (next to Mt Everest), longest (in Alaska), and the last remaining glaciers in Africa
○ Africa: Glaciers very likely be gone by 2050, including Kilimanjaro NP & Mount Kenya.
○ Asia: Glaciers in Western Tien-Shan (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uz) have shrunk by 27% since 2000.
○ Europe: Glaciers in Pyrenees Mont Perdu (France, Spain) are very likely to disappear by 2050 . Glaciers
in The Dolomites (Italy) are very likely to disappear by 2050.
○ North America: Glaciers in Yellowstone National Park (USA) are very likely to disappear by 2050
Glaciers in Waterton Glacier International Peace Park (Canada, USA) lost 26.5% volume in 20 yr
124. World Restoration Flagship, UN recognized Namami Ganges to rejuvenate India’s sacred River
Ganga as one of the top 10 WRF to revive natural world
125. World Wildlife Conference aka CoP of CITES
126. World Wildlife Day = March 3 to draw attention to issues of conservation of flora &fauna. Theme for
2023 – Partnerships for Wildlife Conservation

Environmental concern

1. 6th Mass Extinction defined as about 75% of the world's species being lost in a 'short' amount of geological
time - less than 2.8 million years
○ 5 mass extinctions so far that were caused by natural phenomena are: Ordovician, Devonian, Permian,
Triassic and K- T.
2. Arsenic - natural component of the earth’s crust and is widely distributed throughout the environment in the
air, water and land . Highly toxic in its inorganic form, and is considered a human health hazard
3. Black Carbon , short-lived , 2nd largest contributor to warming behind CO2
○ Eliminated from the atmosphere if emissions stop, localised source with greater local impact
○ Industry & residential burning of solid fuel, road diesel fuels & open burning
○ 2 ways harm to glacier melt: by decreasing surface reflectance of sunlight & by raising air temperature
4. Carbon Bombs - oil or gas project releases at least billion tonnes of CO2 emissions over its lifetime • Leave
it in Ground Initiative (LINGO) to “leave fossil fuels in ground & learn to live w/o them.” • 100% use of
renewable energy sources . LINGO organise ground support x projects
5. Coastline Erosion MoES- 34% of coastline is under varying degrees of erosion WB> KL, TN, GJ
6. The concept of “Ecological Armageddon” used to describe the devastating decline of insect populations
around the world
7. Ecocide - “unlawful or wanton acts committed with knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood of severe
and either widespread or long term damage to the environment being caused by those acts.”
○ According to Stop Ecocide International, deforestation of the Amazon, deepsea trawling and the 1984
Bhopal gas disaster could have been avoided with ecocide laws in place
8. EndoSulfan /Thiodan - organochlorine insecticide -> Pests such as whiteflies, aphids, beetles, worms etc
○ Listed under Rotterdam Convention on the Prior Informed Consent & Stockholm Convention
9. Greenwashing -Company claim as being environmentally friendly when in practice its activities pollute.
10. Global Trends on Land Degradation and Drought by the UNCCD
○ Between 2015 and 2019, at least 100 million hectares of land were degraded every year amounting to
402 million hectares in four years. It impacted the lives of 1.3 billion people.
○ At this rate, restoring 1.5 billion hectares of land by 2030 is essential to achieve a land degradation-
neutral (LND) world.
11. Invasive species
○ Caribbean False Mussel is wiping out the native clams and oysters in Kerala, originally from the
Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South and Central America.
○ Cestrum diurnum, Vitamin D3 rich weed among the 18 invasive plants in Kaziranga NP
○ Conocarpus Tree - Invasive mangrove species used as landscaping for road medians, along roads,
and in public gardens. Gujarat banned plantation in forest or non-forest areas
○ Eucalyptus Tree from Australia & is not much invasive in nature, but uses a lot of water,fast-growing .
○ Kappaphycus Alvarezii , Invasive seaweed (alga) from Indo-Pacific region
○ Lantana Camara native to Central & South America, - small perennial shrub, decorative plants
○ Ludwigia Peruviana -an invasive weed threatening the elephant habitats and foraging areas in Valparai
○ Napier grass
○ Mimosa pigra
○ Prosopis juliflora/ vilayati kikar, subabul (leucaena leucocephala) & eucalyptus Leucaena
Leucocephala(Subabul) from Mexico & fuel & fodder, but has grown too rapidly.
○ Red-eared Slider Turtle, Invasive turtle specie across Northeast, Native to the U.S. and northern
Mexico
○ Red Fire Ant - one of the world’s most invasive species communicate through chemical secretions and
stridulation (sounds produced by rubbing or drumming one body part against another
○ Senna Spectabilis, legume family (Fabaceae) native to South & Central America. Invasive species
○ Water Hyacinth, invasive plant species native to South Africa
○ Yellow-Legged Hornet - Invasive Predatory wasp feeds on other social bees and wasps, including
honey bees.
12. Laccase generated by group of fungi degrade hazardous organic dye molecules.
13. Landslide Atlas of India by ISRO covers landslide vulnerable regions in 17 states &2 UTs of India in the
Himalayas &Western Ghats. Maximum Exposure in India: Arunachal (16), Kerala (14), UK & JK (13 each)
14. Liquid Tree/Liquid 3 by Belgrade (Serbia), urban photo- bioreactor, to combat air pollution
○ Uses microalgae to reduce GHG emissions &improve air quality by binding CO2
○ more efficient than trees, replacing two 10- year-old trees or 200 square meters of lawn.
15. Magnaporthe Oryzae Fungus destroying South American wheat crops, could spread worldwide, ‘wheat
blast’
16. Methane is the simplest hydrocarbon, consisting of one carbon atom and four hydrogen atoms (CH4)
○ It is flammable and is used as a fuel worldwide. Methane is a powerful GHG, which has an
atmospheric lifetime of around a decade and affects the climate for hundreds of years
 ○ The common sources of methane are oil and natural gas systems, agricultural activities, coal
mining and wastes
○ It is the second largest contributor to climate change after carbon dioxide
○ A Report titled‘Imperative of Cutting Methane from Fossil Fuels’ was prepared by IEA with
contributions from UNEP and UNEP-CCAC.
17. Microplastics - <5mm dia -Pollutants interfere with human endocrine system & cause genetic modification
○ Primary Microplastics designed for commercial use & microfibers shed from clothing & other textiles
○ Secondary Microplastics are formed from the breakdown of larger plastics such as water bottles
18. Mythimna Separata is a Polyphagous pest of grain crops in China and other Asian countries
○ Aka the ear-head-cutting caterpillar, rice ear-cutting caterpillar, or armyworm. It feeds on leaves and can
cut off panicles from the base of a crop plant.
19. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDS) and Vultures = ◊ 3 aceclofenac, ketoprofen &
nimesulide alternatives to diclofenac-India banned in 2006 for animal use
20. Ozone Depleting Gas Index by National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
○ Observed decline in halogen abundance from its peak in Antarctica (ODGI = 100) relative to the drop
needed for EESC-A to reach its value in 1980
○ CFCs, HCFCs, halons, CH3Br, CCl4,HBFC, ClBrCH3 & methyl chloroform
21. Ozone Hole over the Tropics, all-season ozone hole in the lower stratosphere, loss larger than 25%
compared with the undisturbed atmosphere
○ Vienna Convention on Protection of Ozone Layer 1985, Montreal Protocol 1987, The Kigali Agreement
(adopted in 2016 and entered into force in 2019), provided a path to achieve an 80% reduction in HFCs
(not ozone depleting but have high global warming potential) consumption by 2047.
○ World Ozone Day on September 16 to commemorate signing of the Montreal Protocol
22. Ozone Recovery Assessment Report, 2022 by WMO, UNEP, NOAA, NASA & Euro Commission
○ Ozone layer is on track to recover within decades as harmful chemicals are phased out
○ ODS levels in 2022 are back to those observed in 1980 before ozone depletion was significant.
○ The pace of reduction in ODS over Antarctica, which experiences a large ozone hole in spring, has been
slower.
23. Per-and Polyfluoroalkyl Substances(PFAs), man-made to make nonstick cookware, water-repellent
clothing, stain-resistant fabrics, cosmetics, firefighting forms and many other products that resist grease,
water & oil • Migrate to the soil, water and air. Do not degrade easily
24. Purse Seine Fishing used to target dense school of single-species pelagic fish- tuna & mackerel • Efficient
fishing. No contact with the seabed .Non-selective fishing.
25. Red List By IUCN
○ Around 44,000 are threatened with extinction, which increased by 2000 from last year
○ Saiga, an antelope that have roamed the earth since the last Ice Age, was moved from Critically
Endangered to Near Threatened
○ 25% of freshwater fish are at risk of extinction, with at least 17% affected by climate change. This is the
first global freshwater fish assessment
○ Four freshwater subterranean fish species (found in water bodies under the surface) from Kerala
included in list are: Endangered: Shaji's Catfish, Abdulkalam's Blind Cave Catfish, Pangio Bhujia
Vulnerable: Gollum snakehead
26. Red Tide used for a harmful algal bloom/ HABs, occur when colonies of algae—plant-like organisms that live
in the sea and freshwater—grow out of control
○ Some of the algae that cause a red tide produce powerful toxins, which are harmful chemicals that can
kill fish, shellfish, mammals and birds. If people eat fish or shellfish that have been in the water with toxic
algae, they will also ingest the toxins, which can make them sick.
27. Short-Lived Halogens (lifetime of less than 6 months) are gases that contain the halogen elements chlorine,
bromine, or iodine
○ Source: Marine phytoplankton and algae, abiotic sources from ocean & tropospheric chemistry , deplete
ozone and reduce the formation of cooling aerosols
○ SLH increase methane’s lifetime in the atmosphere and increase the levels of water vapour.
28. Sponge Bleaching, NZ largest caused by marine heatwaves. Ancient and abundant on rocky reefs.
Symbiotic relationships.
29. Triple Planetary Crisis refers to the three main interlinked issues that humanity currently faces Term
related to Environment degradation. 3 Crisis: Climate Change; Pollution & Biodiversity Loss
30. Zombie Fire is a fire from a previous growing season that can smoulder under the ground which is made up
of carbon-rich peat

Environmental conservation
1. AMRIT Technology (Arsenic and Metal Removal by Indian Technology) by IIT uses nano- scale iron
oxy-hydroxide, which selectively removes arsenic when water is passed through it
2. BioFuel is a fuel that is produced over a short time span from biomass rather than by the very slow
natural processes involved in the formation of fossil fuels, such as oil.
○ 1G: produced from consumable food items containing starch (rice & wheat), sugar (beets & sugarcane)
for bioalcohols, or vegetable oils for biodiesel.
○ 2G: Non-food feedstocks such as forest/ industry/ agricultural wastes & waste or used vegetable oils
○ 3G aka ‘algae fuel’ and is derived from algae in the form of both biodiesel & bioalcohols.
○ 4G Made using non-arable land. However, unlike the third, they do not need destruction of biomass.
3. Bio remediation technology developed in India for Oil spills:
○ Oilzapper developed by TERI), an eco-friendly technique of using the bacteria to get rid of oil sludges
and oil- spill.
○ Oilivorous-S developed by TERI and IOC has an additional bacterial strain that makes it more effective
against sludge and crude oil with high-sulphur content.
4. Biotransformation technology that can alter the state of plastics &make them biodegradable
 5. Carbon Dioxide Removal (CDR) includes traditional methods like afforestation as well as more
sophisticated technologies like direct air carbon capture and storage. Different methods of CDR are:
○ Biochar is the substance produced by burning organic waste from agricultural lands and forests in a
controlled process called pyrolysis. A stable form of carbon that cannot easily escape into the
atmosphere.
○ Bioenergy with carbon capture and storage involves bioenergy production, often through combustion
to generate electricity or heat. The resulting CO2 emissions from this combustion are captured and
stored underground, preventing them from contributing to the greenhouse effect . It sequesters
photosynthetically fixed carbon as post-combustion CO2.
○ Direct air carbon capture and storage extracts CO2 directly from the atmosphere & permanently
stored in deep geological formations or used for other applications. It uses electricity to remove CO2
from the air.
○ Enhanced rock weathering involves pulverising silicate rocks to bypass the conventionally slow
weathering action . The resultant product, usually a powder, has a higher reactive surface area, which is
then spread on agricultural lands for further chemical reactions.
○ Ocean alkalinity enhancement involves adding alkaline substances to seawater to accelerate this
natural sink.
6. Gajraj Suraksha by Indian Railways to prevent elephant accidents on railway tracks
○ It uses an AI-based algorithm and a network of sensitive optical fibre cables to detect elephants getting
close to railway tracks.

Additional

1. 75 Endemic Birds of India Publication by ZSI, about 5% of the birds (78 species) found in the country are
endemic and not reported in other parts of the world
○ Around 3 of the 78 species have not been recorded in the past few decades. They are the Manipur bush
quail (endangered), the Himalayan quail (CE) & Jerdon’s courser (CE)
○ Highest number of endemic species have been recorded in the Western Ghats, with 28 bird species
○ Malabar grey hornbill; Malabar parakeet ; Ashambu laughingthrush & the white-bellied sholakili.
2. Aestivation/ Estivation is a biological phenomenon whereby the animal enters a long period of
dormancy, or inactivity, in response to high temperature or maybe even drought-like conditions
○ It is a survival strategy that helps the animal conserve energy and water in a difficult time
○ Animal often seeks shelter in a cool underground burrow, crevice or cocoon, where it will remain in
a state of reduced metabolic activity, which in turn reduces the rate at which the body consumes
energy
○ Estivation can also be a way to avoid desiccation – extreme dryness of the skin – and also lower
the risk of being preyed on by a predator
 ○ For example, the West African lungfish burrows into the mud of a drying water body and secretes a
cocoon of mucus around itself during a drought.
○ Desert tortoises dig burrows and retreat into them in hot summer months. Many land snails seal
themselves in their shells with a mucous plug, and stay inactive until the conditions outside improve.
3. Anthropocene Epoch coined by Nobel Prize-winning chemist Paul Crutzen and biology professor Eugene
Stoermer in 2000
○ Earth’s geological time scale is divided into 5 broad categories: eons, epochs, eras, periods, epochs &
ages
○ Officially we’re in the Phanerozoic eon, Cenozoic era, Quaternary period, Holocene epoch and
Meghalayan age
○ Meghalayan age (4200 years ago) began with an abrupt mega-drought that caused the collapse of
several civilisations. Geologists found proof of this event in Meghalaya’s Mawmluh Cave system
4. Artificial Reef (AR) are technology interventions used to rehabilitate or improve natural habitats, increase
productivity and manage aquatic resources including habitat enhancement
○ Department of Fisheries is promoting AR under PMMSY for rejuvenating coastal fisheries.
5. Asian Waterbird Census 2023 is being conducted in India, citizen science programme supporting
conservation & management of wetlands & waterbirds
○ Part of global International Waterbird Census (IWC) coordinated by Wetland International (WI). It was
initiated in 1987 in Indian subcontinent
○ In India, AWC is jointly coordinated by Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) & WI (global NPO)
6. Biochar - Made by heating stubble in absence of O2; Used as fertilizer. Improve land water-
holding capacity Dry Biomass→ Pyrolysis → Biochar. Wet biomass → Hydrothermal Carbonization
→ Hydrochar
7. Bioluminescence produce and emit light through chemical reactions in proteins ○ Occurs when oxidation of
a small-molecule luciferin is catalysed by an enzyme luciferase to form an excitedstate species that emits
light. Generally higher in deep-living & planktonic organisms than in shallow species ○ Waves disturb the
unicellular microorganisms ( dinoflagellates) and make them release blue light ○ Anti-predatory response that
may startle predators, causing them to hesitate, in a form of intimidation
8. 'Cherrapunji of South’ - Agumbe in Karnataka aka ’Cobra Capital' near Someshwara WS & Kudremukh NP,
world’s only natural habitat of the King Cobra and referred to as "The Cobra Capital".
9. Climate Feedback Loop- climate's equivalent of a vicious cycle. Change in one metric which accelerates or
decelerates the warming trend of the planet. Eg - Melting of ice caps, wildfires, thawing etc
10. Cloud Seeding Chemicals : Silver iodide, dry ice, Potassium Iodide, Propane, Calcium Carbide, Ammonium
Nitrate, Sodium Chloride, Urea.
11. CO2 Emissions in 2022 Report by International Energy Agency (IEA)
12. Desiccation-Tolerant Vascular (DT) Plants are capable to withstand extreme dehydration, losing up to 95%
of their water content, and they revive themselves once water is available again
○ Plants resistant to desiccation are commonly known as “resurrection plants” (vascular and nonvascular
plants) .In tropical regions, they are the predominant occupants of rock outcrops
○ Rock outcrops are visible exposures of bedrock or other geologic formations at the surface of the Earth.
13. Diel Vertical Migration is synchronised movement of deep-sea marine animals up and down in oceanic
water column over a daily cycle
○ Free-floating zooplanktons swim up to food-rich surface waters at night to feed when light is scarce and
they are “hidden” from predators. They return to the depths before sun rises.
14. Edakkal Caves Wayanad, Kerala is a unique, intricate stone carvings date back to the Neolithic and
Mesolithic ages
15. Electrified Flex Fuel Vehicle (FFV) has an IC engine that can run on more than one type of fuel, or even a
mixture of fuels such as petrol and ethanol. It offers higher use of ethanol combined with better fuel
efficiencies.
16. Essential plant nutrients & their roles 3 primary macronutrients: N, P, K. NPK consumption ratio has
widened from 4:3.2:1 in 2009-10 to 7:2.8:1 in 2019-20
 ○ 3 secondary macronutrients: Ca,Mg & S ; 9 Micronutrients: B, Cl, Cu, Fe, Mn, Na, Zn, Mo, Ni IFFCO is
also developing micronutrient fertilisers like Nano Zinc, Nano Copper, Nano Boron, Nano Sulphur, etc. in
order to ensure eco-friendly sustainable agriculture.
17. Forever Toxic Report by Greenpeace. In 2022, at UN Environment Assembly in Nairobi, 175 countries
have agreed to legally binding global treaty called Global Plastics Treaty GPT to end plastic pollution by
2024.
18. Gross Domestic Climate Risk Report by Cross Dependency Initiative, India has 9 states in the 50 high risk
states including PJ, BH, UP, MH, RJn, TN, GJ, KL & AS
19. High Seas are area beyond a country’s EEZ (200 nm) where no country is responsible for the management
and protection of resources.
○ In 1982, the UNCLOS delineated rules to govern the oceans and the use of its resources.
○ However, there was no comprehensive legal framework that covered the high seas
20. Nechiphu Tunnel in Arunachal Pradesh constructed by BRO under Project Vartak of BRO
21. Notre Dame Global Adaptation Index summarizes a country's vulnerability to climate change and other
global challenges in combination with its readiness to improve resilience
22. Palaeo Proxies are indicatorsto reconstruct past climate and environmental conditions, derived from
physical, biological, or chemical processes that respond to changes in temperature or other climatic factors
23. People’s Biodiversity Register- comprehensive record of various aspects of biodiversity, including the
conservation of habitats, preservation of land races, domesticated stocks and breeds of animals, micro-
organisms, and the accumulation of knowledge related to the area's biological diversity
○ So far, 2,67,608 PBRs prepared by Biodiversity Management Committees in different states
○ Plan to set up PBR in every village across the country under Mission LiFE
24. PET46 is a deep-sea enzyme, PET46, capable of continuously breaking down PET plastic
○ PET46 has unique properties, such as the ability to degrade long-chain and short-chain PET molecules,
making it valuable for biotechnology applications.
○ This research is part of the PLASTISEA project and sheds light on the potential for plastic waste
degradation in the sea and on land
25. Podu Cultivation-shifting cultivation in AP, OD, TL ( Jhum (NE), Bewar (MP), Kumari (W. Ghat), Watra (RJ)
26. Project Greensand, carbon storage in Denmark, world 1st cross-border project, Store in subsoil of North
Sea
27. Phonotaxis is the movement by an animal in response to a sound. It has mostly been observed
among crickets, moths, frogs, toads, and a few other creatures
○ 2 types of phonotaxis: positive ( attraction- female crickets & frog attracted to male) and negative
(sound of a predator).
28. Phylogenetic Diversity - evolutionary age of all the species can be found.
29. Ramban Tunnel , Jammu and Kashmir lies on the banks of the Chenab river in Chenab Valley on NH-44
30. River Sand Mining classified as a ‘minor mineral’ under Mines and Mineral (Development and Regulation)
1957 and administrative control vests with State Governments.
31. Siena Drone Photo Awards 2023 is the most important worldwide competition in aerial photography and
video
32. State of India’s Environment Report, 2023 by Down To Earth.
33. Soil Organic Carbon (SOC) measureable component of soil organic matter SOM
○ Just 2-10% of most soil's mass & important role in the physical, chemical & biological function of soils
Organic matter contributes to nutrient retention & turnover, soil structure, moisture retention & availability,
degradation of pollutants, & carbon sequestration
○ SOC refer Only to carbon component of organic compounds while SOM is difficult to measure directly.
Russian Federation region accounts for more than 50% of all SOC stocks globally
34. State of the World’s Forests released by FAO
35. State of Mangroves 2022 by Global Mangrove Alliance . Top 5 State: WB, GJ, A&N, AP & MH
36. Stop Ecocide International is a body advocating for legislation against ecocides
○ Mexico is one of several countries planning ecocide legislation. The European Parliament voted
unanimously this year to enshrine ecocide in law.
37. Torrefaction ( waste to energy ) to improve physical properties & chemical composition of biomass.
38. Tribes
○ ST Population state wise share: MP > MH> OD > RJ > GJ > JH > CH > AP > WB.
○ The Aos, a major Naga ethnic group , “those who came” from across the Dikhu River. first Nagas to
embrace Christianity. The Moatsü Festival after sowing, & Tsüngremong Festival celebrated right after the
harvest
○ Baiga Tribe - sorcerers, PVTGs in CH JH BH OD WB MP UP, semi-nomadic life & practiced slash & burn
cultivation. first community to get habitat rights in India.
○ Betta-Kuruba Tribe lives in the hilly regions of KA, indigenous communities of the Nilgiris
■ ‘Betta-Kuruba’ community along with ‘Kadu Kuruba’ in the list of ST in KA.
○ Bhils Tribal Group scattered throughout India from Gujarat in the west to Tripura in the Far East As of
2013, largest tribal group in India with the majority living in the states of Gujarat, MP, RJ, CH Ghoomar is
a traditional folk dance of the Bhil tribe . They are known for Pithora painting.
○ Bru Tribe/Reang Tripura, Assam, Manipur, & Mizoram. In Tripura, they are recognised as PVTG. Indo-
Mongoloid racial stock. Austro-Asiatic under Tibeto-Burman family. 2 clans- Meska & Molsoi. Language-
“Kaubru” which has a tonal effect on the Kuki language though broadly it is the Kok-Borok . Gven
permanent settlement in Tripura under a centrally sponsored rehabilitation arrangement.
○ Chenchu Tribe- ST in AP, TL, KA, and OD speak the Chenchu language (Dravidian family)
○ Hattee Community, ST in Uk- selling homegrown veg, crops, meat, & wool, etc. at small markets( ‘haat’)
○ Garo Tribe -Tibeto-Burman ethnic tribe, Meghalaya , Assam, Tripura, & Nagaland, & in Bangladesh\ ◊
2nd-largest tribes after the Khasi . Many follow Christianity, Matrilineal, Garo language and Wangla dance.
○ Gutti Koya Tribe in TL, AP, CH and OD speak the Koya, which is a Dravidian language. Sammakka
Saralamma Jatra fair once in two years on full moon day of the Magha Masam, Podu cultivation.
○ Hakki Pikki Tribe are a semi-nomadic tribal group from Karnataka , aka ‘bird catcher,’ matriarchal group.
Communicate in 'Vaagri' (UNESCOendangered languages), renowned for their indigenous medicines.
○ Hatti Community in the Trans-Giri area of the Sirmaur district, HP demand inclusion in the ST list. Other
ST in HP: Kinnaras, Gaddis, Gujjars, Lahaulas & Pangwala
○ Idu-Mishmi Tribe, Arunachal ,sub-tribe of Mishmi group, mongoloid race ,Tibeto-Burman language;
Animism
○ Irula Tribe Irula inhabit mostly in the northern TN districts & some parts of KL & KA, PVTG. knowledge of
snakes & snake venom is legendary. Irula Snake Catchers' Industrial Cooperative Society is a major
producer of anti-snake venom (ASV) in the country
○ Kaleblia Tribe, snake charming tribe, Thar Desert. Kalbelia Dance -UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage
• Instruments: “khanjari” & "poongi", a woodwind, other instruments includes- dufli, dhol, khuralio
○ Kattunayakan Tribe, TN &Kerala , PVTG, Dravidian languages
○ Konda Reddy Tribe , PVTG in the Godavari gorges of AP & Telangana, Telugu, eco-friendly practices
such as use of household articles made of bamboo, bottle gourd, and seed.
○ Koya Tribe in the Papikonda hill range, near the Godavari and Sabari rivers in AP are also found in
Telangana where they are the second largest tribal community. Erect menhirs in memory of the dead
■ Stopped the use of bison horns to make their traditional flute, Permakore.
○ Kutia Kondh Tribe ,PVTGs in Kalahandi district, Odisha, shifting cultivation, most primitive groups of
Kondh
○ Lho-Mon-Tsong-Tsum represent dominant ethnic diversity of Sikkim. 'Lho' (Bhutias) who migrated from
Southern Tibet , 'Mon'(Lepchas) lived in the lower Eastern Himalayas. 'Tsong' (Limbus).
○ Malampadandram Tribe a small, nomadic in Kerala depends on the forest for all their needs
○ Muthuvan Tribe live in the border hill forests of Kerala and TN are animists and spirit worshippers and
also worship the forest gods . These tribal people follow a unique system of governance called the 'Kani
System'.
○ Saura tribal Community in Odisha known for the Idital, a traditional Saura tribal mural painting. Idital
paintings made using rice powder on a background of red oxide.
 ○ The Sümis are a major Naga ethnic group recognised as a ST. The ancestral religion of the Sümis was
the worship of nature. Sümis are 99% Christians. Very few of them still practice animism. Tülüni (July 8)
festival.
○ Soliga indigenous community of Biligiri Rangan Hills (B.R. Hills) of Karnataka, First tribal community living
inside the core area of a tiger reserve in India.
○ Tharu Tribe, ST in UK, UP, BH, Terai region, forest dwellers, Lord Shiva, women-stronger property rights.
○ Zeliangrong Naga Tribe- in the tri-junction of Assam, Manipur & Nagaland. descendants of Nguiba
■ "Zeliangrong"- Zeme, Liangmai & Rongmei Naga tribes combined
○ Zo People include all tribes of the Chin-Kuki-Mizo ethnic group spread across Myanmar, India, and
Bangladesh. Chin, Kuki, Mizo, Lushei, Zomi, Paitei, Hmar, Ralte, Pawi, Lai, Mara, Gangte, Thadou, etc.
Migrated from China through Tibet to settle in Myanmar, Speak a group of Tibeto-Burman languages.
39. Tritium- hydrogen's most stable radioisotope , half-life of about 12.5 years comprises 2 neutrons and 1
proton in its nucleus.