Deep in the Brazilian wetlands , a jaguar named Amanaci was recently rescued from raging fires in the Pantanal- the world’s largest wetland, situated in Brazil.

She is undergoing an experimental stem cell treatment after surviving the deadly wildfires blazing through the wetlands since July.

She was rescued by volunteers from the NEX Institute in Brazil- an NGO dedicated to protecting endangered wild cats. Few are as lucky as jaguar.

Pantanal may not be a popular name, but tourists in the neighbourhood countries flock there because it is home to exceptionally high concentrations of breathtaking wildlife: jaguars, tapirs, endangered giant otters and bright blue hyacinth macaws. The wetland bloats with water during the rainy season and empties out during the dry months. This phenomenon has a name which symbolised beating heart: the flood pulse.

Now the unprecedented wildfires in these wetlands have destroyed more than one-fifth of the Pantanal. The Pantanal stretches across Brazil, Bolivia, and Paraguay, and is one of the planet’s most biodiverse ecosystems. This year’s fires have already destroyed near one-fifth of the great wetland which is larger than Greece. Wildfires have nearly killed an estimated 600 jaguars in Pantanal.

Its countless swamps, lagoons and tributaries purify water and help prevent floods and droughts. They also store untold amounts of carbon, helping to stabilize the climate.

Now scientist say climate change is only making the problem worse. At least 22 percent of the Pantanal in Brazil has burned since January, with the worst fires, in August and September, blazing for two months straight.

Naturally occurring fire plays a role in the Pantanal, in addition to the burning by ranchers living near the wetlands. The flames are usually contained by the landscape’s mosaic of water. But this year’s drought sucked these natural barriers dry. The fires are far worse than any since satellite records began, burning more tress and causing more damage.

Climate change poses a grave threat to the ecosystem, damaging bio diversity and impairing its ability to help regulate water for the whole of South America, and carbon for the world. In less than 20 years, majority of the northern Pantanal may turn into a savanna or even an arid zone.

Infact, humans are digging their own grave now. There are many solutions: reduce climate change immediately. Practice sustainable agriculture in and around the wetland. Pay ranchers to preserve forests and other natural areas on their land. Increase ecotourism. Do not divert the Pantanal’s waters, because its flood pulse is its life.

Everybody talks about it. But little is done.

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Two people were killed and four were hospitalised after gas leaked on June 29 night at a pharmaceutical unit in Andhra Pradesh’s Visakhapatnam, according to reports.
Those who died worked at the Visakhapatnam unit of the firm Sainor Life Sciences, police said, adding that the situation is now “under control”.
The pharmaceutical unit in the industrial port city’s Parwada area was shut down immediately as a precautionary measure after the leakage of benzimidazole gas was reported at around 11:30 pm, according to officials.
Chief Minister Y.S. Jagan Mohan Reddy has sought information about the incident.
The latest incident comes nearly two months after 11 people, including two children, were killed and over 1,000 were left sick after gas leaked at a chemical plant –  LG Polymers facility – in Visakhapatnam.
Toxic styrene gas had escaped from the chemical plant that had been shut for over 40 days due to the nationwide coronavirus lockdown. Three surrounding villages were evacuated and officials went house-to-house, breaking in to pull out unconscious victims.

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Electric boats would be used in the Kochi Water Metro project that will begin services from December 2020, Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan has said.
Already, Kerala has the first solar ferry in India (which operates on the Vaikom-Thavanakadavu stretch), Mr. Vijayan said at a webinar hosted by the Council for Science, Technology and Environment.

The Kochi Metro generates about 30% of its energy from solar. In the next six months, it will be 60 percent. The government has decided to increase the use of electric vehicles to reduce pollution levels in the state.

Efforts are being made to roll out 6,000 electric buses by 2025. E-autos too will be introduced on a larger scale (a dozen of them operate in Kochi now).

A Rs.1,200 crore project for cleaning five major canals in Kochi with the help of KIFB has been approved. The Akkulam Backwaters Rehabilitation project worth Rs.64 crores has also been cleared.

“We must think of ways to preserve nature in the wake of the threat posed by COVID-19. Studies show that air and water have become cleaner following the lockdown. Steps are being taken to encourage planting of fruit trees and afforestation. A total of 1,000 acres under local bodies will be converted into green zones by the end of the month,” the Chief Minister said.

Polluted streams, rivers and springs are flowing clearly. From the beginning, the government has been giving priority to soil conservation, fruit tree farming, forestry and water conservation.

For this purpose, the government has initiated and implemented projects from Haritha Keralam to Subhiksha Kerala. Launched on the last Environment Day, the green zones project is moving forward successfully. There are now 627 green zones in 536 acres in 370 local bodies across the state.

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