** Krithi Karanth becomes first Indian woman to get ‘Wild Innovator Award’

Dr Krithi K Karanth, Chief Conservation Scientist at Bengaluru-based Centre for Wildlife Studies (CWS), has been chosen as the first Indian and Asian woman for the 2021 ‘WILD Innovator Award’.

First Time in India. Scientists Discover 2.5 million-year-old Dragonfly Fossil : October 2020

First Dragonfly fossil has been discovered by a team of scientists from West Bengal. The discovery was found in Latehar District, Jharkhand.

The fossil belongs to the late Neogene period which dates between 2.5 million and 5 million years ago.

The dragonfly is about 3 cm long and has a wingspan of around 2.5 cm

The research Paper of the findings was published in the October 10th edition in ‘Current Science’ Journal.

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The dragonfly is around 3cm long and has a wingspan of around 2.5cm. This is, however, much smaller than the fossils of giant dragonflies, which have been found elsewhere in the world. (Sourced) / pix: hindustimes.com

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West Bengal / Jharkhand / INDIA

First Time in India. 8-Endangered ‘White-Rump Vultures’ Re-introduced into the Wild – October 2019

Critically endangered White-Rump Vultures.

A first for India. A major step in this species conservation.

Eight (8) white-rump vultures were re-introduced back into nature, since the ‘Vulture Conservation and Breeding Centre’ was set up near Pinjore, Haryana in September 2001.

Each of them has been tagged with a 30-gm device for satellite transmitter that allow them to monitor their movements and survival.

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A critically endangered white-rumped vulture at the Jatayu Conservation Breeding Centre in Pinjore near Chandigarh in Haryana. (IANS) / pix:https://weather.com/en-IN

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Haryana, INDIA

World Record : India’s largest camera-tap tiger census : 2020

75% of world tiger population now in India

India’s tiger census of 2018 has entered the Guinness Book of World Records for being the largest ever camera-trap wildlife survey conducted anywhere in the world.

According to the survey, the country was home to an estimated 2,967 tigers, nearly 75 per cent of the global population. Of all the big cats, 2,461 (around 83 per cent) have been photo-captured.

Apart from setting a new world standard, the results validated India’s efforts in tiger conservation. The country’s tiger population increased by roughly one-third, from 2,226 in 2014 to 2,927 in 2018 .

Thalappil Pradeep Awarded ‘ Nikkei Asia’ Prize – April 2020

Professor T Pradeep, IIT-Madras wins the 25th Nikkei Asia Prize in the ‘Science & Technology’ category. Established by Nikkei Inc, Japan

Pradeep has done pioneering work in nano-technology based water purification.’

Developed world’s first filter for drinking water that incorporates deionising technology, established by him.

Awards:

  • Padma Shri – Government of India – 2020
  • Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar Prize – by CSIR – 2008
  • World Academy of Sciences (TWAS) in Chemistry – 2018

Papers :

  • Several papers presented worldwide

World’s First fully Solar Powered Airport – Cochin International Aiport (CIAL)

Cochin International Airport Limited (CIAL), Kochi, Kerala

Runs on 100% solar energy . Has about 46,000 solar panels.

Installed by Bosch. Commissioned in 2015