Microplastics refer to minuscule plastic fragments measuring less than 5 mm in length, pervasive pollutants found across various environments. They exist in two primary forms:

1.    Primary Microplastics: These are deliberately manufactured plastic particles, typically measuring less than one millimeter in their largest dimension. They serve diverse commercial purposes, including additives in cosmetics, raw materials in industrial manufacturing (known as nurdles), and synthetic fibers derived from materials like nylon.

2.    Secondary Microplastics: These particles originate from the degradation of larger plastic items such as bottles, fishing nets, and plastic bags. Exposure to environmental factors such as sunlight, wind, and oceanic currents accelerates the breakdown process, fragmenting these larger plastics into smaller pieces over time.

Polymers represent a broad category of substances, encompassing both natural and synthetic materials characterized by their molecular structure comprising large molecules known as macromolecules. These macromolecules consist of repeating units called monomers, forming chains or networks of varying lengths and complexity. These polymers exhibit diverse properties and applications, ranging from natural materials like cellulose and proteins to synthetic compounds such as plastics and rubbers.

India's tree cover has witnessed a significant decline, with 2.33 million hectares lost since 2000, as per the latest findings from the Global Forest Watch (GFW) monitoring project. Developed as an open-source web application, GFW leverages satellite data and various other sources to provide near real-time monitoring of global forests. Spearheaded by the Washington-based nonprofit research organization, the World Resources Institute (WRI), GFW primarily compiles its data through the efforts of researchers at the University of Maryland.

Accessible and user-friendly, GFW empowers individuals to create custom maps, analyze forest trends, subscribe to alerts, or download data for their specific locale or the entire globe. The project adopts tree cover as a key metric for assessing forest extent, loss, and gain due to its easy measurability from space using freely available, medium-resolution satellite imagery.

Key Highlights from GFW's Annual Forest Loss Data:

·       The loss of primary forests in the tropics, often referred to as old-growth forests, decreased by 9% compared to the previous year, with approximately 37,000 square kilometers lost globally.

·       Brazil, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Bolivia emerged as the top tropical countries with the highest primary forest losses.

·       Globally, deforestation increased by 3.2% in 2023.

·       India's tree cover loss since 2000 amounts to a six percent decrease, equating to 2.33 million hectares lost.

·       Notably, 18% of India's total tree cover loss from 2002 to 2023 comprised humid primary forests, totaling 414,000 hectares.

·       Despite the loss, forests in India acted as a net carbon sink, sequestering 141 million tons of carbon dioxide equivalent annually between 2001 and 2022.

·       The majority (95%) of tree cover loss in India from 2013 to 2023 occurred within natural forests.

·       Five states in India accounted for 60% of all tree cover losses between 2001 and 2023, with Assam, Mizoram, Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, and Manipur bearing the brunt of the decline in tree cover.

What is the World Resources Institute (WRI)?

Established in 1982, this research institute is dedicated to fostering environmentally sustainable and socially equitable development. Located in Washington, D.C., it serves as a pivotal hub for addressing pressing global challenges. Organizing its efforts around seven key areas, namely Food, Forests, Water, Energy, Climate, the Ocean, and Cities, the institute seeks to drive impactful solutions that promote a harmonious balance between human development and environmental preservation.

Enthusiastic about preserving history, advocates are rallying for measures to safeguard the remnants of Fort Emmanuel, a once imposing structure constructed with laterite bricks along the picturesque coastline by the Portuguese in 1503.

Situated on Fort Kochi Beach in Kerala, Fort Emmanuel stands as a testament to a bygone era. Initially erected in 1503 and fortified further in 1538, the fort served as a tangible symbol of the strategic partnership forged between the Maharajah of Kochi and the Portuguese Monarch, from whom it derived its name.

Once a sprawling edifice encompassing an entire township within its walls, Fort Emmanuel played a pivotal role in solidifying Portuguese dominance in the region. However, its supremacy was short-lived, as Dutch colonial forces seized control in 1683, subsequently dismantling Portuguese establishments.

Under Dutch rule until 1795, when British forces wrested control, the fort's once formidable walls and bastions fell into disrepair, with much of its structure succumbing to the ravages of time and warfare by 1806.

Despite its eventual demise and the cessation of foreign rule in 1947 with India's independence, the remnants of Fort Emmanuel endure as poignant reminders of its historical significance, urging us to cherish and protect our shared heritage for future generations.

Laterite, characterized by its high iron and aluminum content, is a surface formation predominantly observed in hot, humid tropical regions. It originates from the prolonged and intensive weathering of the underlying parent rock, a process that spans significant periods of time. In non-tropical regions, laterite formations often represent remnants of geological epochs long past.

While laterite formations are typically associated with weathering processes in tropical climates, some hold considerable value due to their ore content. These laterites serve as important sources of various ores, contributing to economic activities in regions where they are found.