AI based Survey of African Elephants

An International Team of researchers led by University of Oxford have developed a new approach to survey African Elephants using satellite images and Artificial Intelligence. What is the new approach? The method uses satellite orbiting in space that is capable of capturing more than five thousand square kilometres of images. The captured images is then ..

Month: Current Affairs - January, 2021

Category: Environment Current Affairs

Topics: African elephant • Appendix II of CITES • Artificial Intelligence (AI) • Asian elephant • CITES • Elephant Census • IUCN • Project Elephant

Status of Leopard in India 2018 Report

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change recently released the “Status of Leopard in India, 2018” report. Key Findings of the Report India has 12,852 leopards as compared to 7,910 leopards in 2014. The leopard population has increased by 60% in the country The states that recorded highest leopard estimates were Madhya Pradesh, ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020

Category: Reports & Indexes Current Affairs

Topics: Census • CITES • Guinness World Record • Indian leopard • IUCN • IUCN Red List • Leopard • Status of Leopard in India • Wildlife conservation

First recorded human sighting of Himalayan serow

For the first time, a Himalayan Serow has been sighted in the Himalayan cold desert. The Himalayan Serow was earlier thought to be extinct in the Himalayas. Because, the forest officials could not spot them for the last ten to twelve years in spite of several special efforts to site the herbivore. It was recently ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020

Category: Environment Current Affairs

Topics: CITES • Himalayan Serow • IUCN • IUCN Red List • Serow • Species Extinction • Threatened species • Vulnerable • Wildlife Protection Act 1972

One-time voluntary disclosure scheme for exotic animals

The Supreme Court of India recently upheld the order of Allahabad High court to grant immunity from investigation and prosecution if a person voluntarily declares possession or acquisition of exotic species. This is applicable under the new amnesty scheme announced by the centre. One-Time Voluntary Disclosure Scheme for Exotic Animals The voluntary disclosure scheme from ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020

Category: Environment Current Affairs

Topics: CITES • exotic species • one time voluntary disclosure scheme • Supreme Court (SC) • Wildlife Protection Act 1972

Smuggling in India report, 2019-20

Context in Current Affairs: The Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman recently released the Smuggling in India Report 2019-20. The report was released during the 63rd founding day celebrations of Directorate of Revenue Intelligence.  The report analyses the smuggling trends on narcotic drugs, gold and foreign currency, security and commercial frauds. Overall Findings of the Report The ..

Month: Current Affairs - December, 2020

Category: Reports & Indexes Current Affairs

Topics: Appendix II of CITES • CITES • Directorate of Revenue Intelligence • Gold smuggling • Smuggling • Wildlife Protection Act 1972 • Wildlife smuggling