EQ: Tiger Count Rises, Escaping Octopi, Kolkata Wetlands

EQ: Read About All Things Green, Build Your Environment Quotient

E-India

Tiger count rises to 2,500:
India’s environment minister has claimed that the country’s tiger count has increased to 2500 from 2014’s 2226. While this is good news, questions have been raised about the manner in which tigers numbers have been assessed.

Namami Gange pact inked:
India and Germany have signed an agreement for the rejuvenation of the Ganga river. The collaboration will draw upon knowledge exchange and practical experiences of both the countries.

Ban on toxic PCBs:
The government has announced a halt to the manufacture and import of PCBs which are a highly polluting category of chemicals with a very negative impact on human health. The government is aiming at completely phasing out their use by 2025.

E-Renewables

China supports India’s stance in the WTO solar dispute: China has expressed its support for India’s position in the ongoing WTO dispute between India and USA over solar panels.

E-Law

Rohtang vehicle restrictions upheld:
The Supreme Court has upheld an earlier NGT order directing that only 500 petrol vehicles would be allowed entry into the environmentally fragile Rohtang area.

E-Incredible

Escape Artist Octopus:
Proving that fact can be stranger than fiction, a wily octopus named Inky has managed to escape from its aquarium into the ocean via a drainpipe. Houdini would be proud!

E-Stat

3,890: Global population of tigers

E-International

Climate change could wipe $2.5 trillion from global economy:
If you thought the business as usual model in the face of climate change was viable, think again. A new study at the London School of Economics has estimated that unchecked climate change could wipe out around 1.7% of the world’s economy and in a worst case scenario, the losses could be up to 17%.

E-Nature

Saving Kolkata’s wetlands:
Wetlands are one of the most vital ecosystems on the planet. A new article tracks one environmentalist’s efforts to save Kolkata’s amazing wetlands from destruction.

E-Video

What could you do about climate change? Watch this video to find out:

E-Quiz

Where in India would you find the Indravati Tiger Reserve?
(a) Telengana
(b) Chattisgarh
(c) Odisha
(d) Goa

(Shalini Iyengar is a lawyer and Research Associate at the International University College of Turin.)