Nature challenge identifies 1,820 taxa in Coimbatore
"What made this year's event notable was the vibrant participation of students from schools and colleges. Their involvement reflected a growing awareness and interest in biodiversity among youth. Additionally, BioBlitz offers valuable insight into a city's biodiversity and emphasises the importance of preserving natural ecosystems," said S Saravanan of WWF.
This collective effort not only strengthened community bonds but also reinforced the city's commitment to conservation and environmental awareness.
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Hans India
17 hours ago
- Hans India
Nineteen tiger beetle species found in Dudhwa Tiger Reserve
Lakhimpur KheriBiodiversity-rich Dudhwa Tiger Reserve has been found to be home to 19 species of tiger beetle insects, with four of them discovered for the first time in Uttar Pradesh, a recent survey recorded. The survey was carried out under the 'Tiger Beetle India Fest 2025' organised for the first time by Tamil Nadu-based NGO, Rhopalocera and Odonata Association of Rajapalayam (ROAR). The tiger beetle is a fast, predatory insect known for its vibrant, metallic colours and agile hunting skills. It derives its name from its tiger-like style of chasing and hunting its prey. Vipin Kapoor Sainy, field biologist and outreach programme head at DTR, who carried out a survey in Dudhwa along with WWF-India project officer Rohit Ravi, said, 'The survey for documentation of tiger beetles in Dudhwa was just the second survey in Uttar Pradesh, with the earlier survey reported to have been carried out in 1980.' Sainy added that 'the survey resulted in the discovery of 19 species of tiger beetles in Dudhwa, four species, namely 'Lophyra mutiguttata', 'Rhytidophaena', 'Cicindela cyanea' and 'Cylindera venosa' had never been recorded earlier in Uttar Pradesh,' he said. Sainy said, 'The tiger beetle quest highlighted Dudhwa's remarkable biodiversity, reaffirming it as one of India's premier biodiversity hotspots, where even the smallest creatures like tiger beetles were celebrated and documented.' Elated with the discovery, Field Director Dr H Rajamohan said conservation was not restricted just to charismatic megafauna like tigers and rhinos but to the other smaller species. The discovery of 19 species under the Tiger Beetle India Fest reflected their commitment to documenting and protecting the lesser-known yet ecologically significant species, he added. Deputy Director, DTR Jagdish R, said the documentation of 19 species of tiger beetle highlighted the hidden diversity thriving within Dudhwa's rich ecosystems. The tiger beetle quest was not merely a science event, but a collaborative effort to draw attention towards arthropods often overlooked, he added. V Sharan, Founder Director of ROAR and organiser of the Tiger Beetle India Fest 2025, said he was sceptical about the event as not many citizen scientists or nature observers were familiar with tiger beetles. 'However, the amount of response received and the kind of information collected through the fest had highlighted its success,' he added.
New Indian Express
16-06-2025
- New Indian Express
Nature challenge identifies 1,820 taxa in Coimbatore
Sundar Muruganandhan, Coordinator of CNC 2025, said, "The City Nature Challenge is a global initiative designed to bring people closer to nature while promoting citizen science. It encourages individuals from all walks of life to actively participate in documenting biodiversity, serving as a powerful platform to deepen our connection with the natural world and support conservation efforts." "What made this year's event notable was the vibrant participation of students from schools and colleges. Their involvement reflected a growing awareness and interest in biodiversity among youth. Additionally, BioBlitz offers valuable insight into a city's biodiversity and emphasises the importance of preserving natural ecosystems," said S Saravanan of WWF. This collective effort not only strengthened community bonds but also reinforced the city's commitment to conservation and environmental awareness.
Time of India
11-06-2025
- Time of India
How to remove heart attack causing microplastics from drinking water at home
Tap water is one of the most common way of hydration. The human body is made up of 62 to 70% water. No living organism can survive without water. Water helps in digestion, the respiratory process, and blood circulation. It is the primary element for survival for all. The most common way of consuming water is tap water. But it cannot always be a healthy option for people in many countries. Tap water comes directly from rivers or other sources. It is not filtered and may have contaminants and toxic particles in it. One of the most common concerns these days is the presence of microplastics in water. According to a study conducted by Orb Media titled "Invisibles: The Plastic Inside Us," it was found that tap water samples from 14 countries were found to contain microplastics. What came as a shock was that almost 83% of the samples contained microplastics. micro plastic are small particle size of 1m to 5m. What exactly is microplastic? Microplastic is a plastic particle sized between 1 nanometer to 5 millimeters, which makes it smaller than a grain of sand. Microplastic was usually found in oceans but has now made its way into daily life. A WWF report revealed that drinking water sources—groundwater, tap water, and surface water—are the biggest contributors of microplastic in daily life. On average, a person consumes 1,769 microparticles on a weekly basis. Another report from POLS One provided deeper insight into how microparticles vary with regional differences in water. In that report, it was found that 94% of US tap water contains microparticles, whereas 72% of European borders have microplastic particles, and India has over 82.4% microplastic in its tap water. The report also stated that an average person consumes 5,800 particles on a daily basis, 88% of which come from tap water. A New England Journal study has found that drinking microplastic water can increase risk by 4.5 times. Effect of microplastic on the human body Microplastic can cause significant damage to the human body. It can irritate the digestive tract, causing inflammation. A recent study published in The New England Journal of Medicine has found a link between microplastics in carotid arteries and an increased risk of heart attacks, strokes, and death. Study found that individuals with microplastics in their carotid plaque had a 4.5-fold higher risk of these events compared to those without. Microplastic contains harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and flame retardants. They can cause: Endocrine disruption (affecting hormones) Carcinogenic effects (linked to cancer) Neurotoxic effects (may harm the brain, especially in infants) One natural way to flush out the toxins, is by drinking adequate water. Recent studies to remove microparticles A recent study by scientists at Guangzhou Medical University and Jinan University said that boiling tap water catalyzes mineral (calcium carbonate) deposition, which captures microplastics. It removes up to 90% of particles. After boiling it, you have to filter it using a coffee filter or kettle mesh, allowing water to be filtered further. It is considered a low-cost, effective method that can be used in daily routine. One step to a healthier you—join Times Health+ Yoga and feel the change
