Glaciologists are studying Himalayan glaciers to understand the impacts of climate change in the polar climate and its connection to the Indian monsoon.

This was the first country-wide citizen science activity on this scale on natural history in India.

Plastic waste collected in gunny bags and piles of other refuses could be seen stacked in many parts of the city roads.

KCZMA handed over details of over 10,000 ‘land modifications’ to local bodies in February.

Mining stopped following National Green Tribunal sought Environment Clearance for it

Exercise follows disclosure by Gadgil that 1,700 illegal quarries operate in State

Ecologist Madhav Gadgil’s disclosure on illegal quarries in the Kerala part of Western Ghats has resulted in the Department of Mining and Geology planning to compile a list of quarries in the State.

Cattle grazing, movement of humans help spread disease

Wild animal populations of Kerala are at risk of contracting foot-and-mouth disease (FMD), which may prove fatal. The outbreak is most likely to affect ungulates, wildlife experts say.

Two wildlife sanctuaries — Silent Valley National Park and Wayanad — have been closed to visitors since Friday following high fire risk.

Scanty summer showers and dried vegetation have heightened the fire risk in most of the protected areas of the State. The restriction on tourism activities and curbs on visitors were enforced at the sanctuaries to minimise risk of fire, said V. Gopinath, Chief Wildlife Warden, Kerala. Though sporadic incidents of fire were reported from some forest areas in the State, the situation was under control, Mr. Gopinath said.

Alarmed by this year’s scanty rainfall and the drying up of water reserves in several parts of the State, the office of the Kerala State Disaster Management Authority has forwarded a recommendation to the State government to this effect.

The scarce northeast monsoon has failed to make up for the shortfall in the southwest spell during the past two years. The southwest monsoon’s share of rainfall this year was the lowest in the last seven years.

Use of plantation land for tourism activities

The ecological impacts of the decision to allow construction of resorts and hotels in plantations will be assessed by the Kerala Forest Department. Minister for Forests K.B. Ganesh Kumar said here that the officials of the department would be asked to look into the possible impacts of the order on forest ecosystems and wildlife. The order was applicable only to private estates and officers stationed near these estates would be put on high alert. Night travel along forest routes to these estates would be regulated.