IAS Gyan

Daily News Analysis

Pantanal wetland

18th June, 2024 Environment

Pantanal wetland

Source: Money Control

Disclaimer: Copyright infringement not intended.

Context

  • Surging fires in Brazil's Pantanal wetlands have reached their highest levels since 2020, devastating local ecosystems and communities in Mato Grosso do Sul state.

Details

Key Points

  • Environmental Impact:
    • Understanding the severe impact of wildfires on biodiversity and ecosystems, particularly in sensitive regions like the Pantanal wetlands.
  • Climate Change:
    • Analysing how climate change exacerbates natural disasters, leading to increased frequency and intensity of wildfires.
  • Conservation Efforts:
    • Evaluating the effectiveness of current conservation measures and policies aimed at protecting vulnerable environments from such disasters.
  • Biodiversity Conservation:
    • Importance of protecting regions like the Pantanal for maintaining global biodiversity.
  • Environmental Policies:
    • Need for effective environmental policies and international cooperation to address and mitigate the impacts of climate change and natural disasters.
  • Human Impact:
    • Understanding the socio-economic impact of environmental disasters on local communities and their livelihoods.

About Pantanal Wetlands

Location:

  • The Pantanal is one of the world's largest tropical wetland areas, located primarily in Brazil, extending into Bolivia and Paraguay.

Biodiversity:

  • Known for its rich biodiversity, the Pantanal hosts numerous species of plants, animals, and birds, making it a critical ecosystem for conservation.

Environmental Threats:

  • Faces significant threats from deforestation, agricultural expansion and increasingly severe wildfires, impacting its delicate ecosystem.

Sources:

Money Control

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements about Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary:

1. It is located in the Almora district of Uttarakhand.

2.The sanctuary is primarily known for its large population of tigers.

3.It plays a crucial role in conserving the Himalayan ecosystem.

Which of the above statements are correct?

a) 1 and 2 only

b) 1 and 3 only

c) 2 and 3 only

d) 1, 2, and 3

Answer: b)