Military technology’s environmental impact: A bird’s nest made of fibre-optic cable

In an unusual wildlife story from Ukraine, a bird’s nest made with military-grade fibre-optic cable raises questions about the environmental legacy of modern warfare

Source

The Hindu — Science & Tech →

Quick Revision

Prelims-testable facts

01A bird's nest made of military-grade fibre-optic cable was found near the front line of the war in Ukraine.
02The conflict in Ukraine is more than four years old and has reshaped the natural environment.
03Birds are adapting to the waste of drone warfare by building nests from discarded fibre-optic cables.
04Fibre-optic cables are a type of military technology used for communication and surveillance.
05Wildlife is being impacted by the environmental legacy of modern warfare in Ukraine.
06A small bird's nest made from grass and fibre-optic cables was found near the front lines of the war in Ukraine.
07The conflict has resulted in the creation of unusual wildlife habitats, such as nests made from military waste.

Trap alerts

Most people think that birds only build nests using natural materials like twigs and leaves, but actually they are adapting to use discarded human-made materials like fibre-optic cables.
Most people think that the environmental impact of war is limited to destruction of habitats, but actually it can also lead to the creation of unusual wildlife habitats like those made from military waste.

Mains Practice Question

Critically examine the environmental implications of integrating military technology into wildlife habitats, using the case study of a fibre-optic cable bird's nest in Ukraine.

250 words

Practice this in the exam hall →

Prelims Practice MCQs

Single facteasy

A bird's nest made with which material has raised questions about the environmental legacy of modern warfare?

A.Fibre-optic cable
B.Aluminum wire
C.Rope
D.Twine

The bird's nest was made with fibre-optic cable, a material typically used in military technology.

Single facthard

In which country did the unusual wildlife story about a bird's nest made of fibre-optic cable take place?

A.Russia
B.Ukraine
C.Poland
D.Belarus

The story originated in Ukraine, highlighting the country's unique environmental challenges.

Multiple statementsmedium

Consider the following statements regarding Environmental Legacy of Modern Warfare: 1. Fibre-optic cable is a common material used in modern warfare. 2. The use of fibre-optic cable in warfare has led to an increase in bird populations in Ukraine. 3. Military-grade fibre-optic cable is biodegradable. How many of the above statements are correct?

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