Bioremediation

Source:  TH Subject:  Environment Context: India’s growing pollution burden and recent expert discussions highlight the urgent need for bioremediation as a sustainable method to clean contaminated soil, water and waste sites. About Bioremediation: What it is? Bioremediation means using living organisms—bacteria, fungi, algae, or plants—to break down, transform or detoxify environmental pollutants such as oil, …

Energy Policy in the Age of AI and Climate Change

Source:  IE Subject:  Environment Context: India’s energy policy is facing unprecedented challenges as rapid AI expansion and accelerating climate change reshape electricity demand, supply chains and governance needs. About Energy Policy in the Age of AI and Climate Change: Trends in Energy Policy in the Age of AI and Climate Change: India’s energy policy is …

37,000-year-old Bamboo from Manipur

Source:  PIB Subject:  Mapping Context: Scientists from BSIP (DST) discovered a 37,000-year-old thorny bamboo fossil in the silt-rich deposits of the Chirang River, Manipur, revealing the earliest evidence of thorniness in Asian bamboo. About 37,000-year-old Bamboo from Manipur: What it is? A remarkably preserved Ice Age–era bamboo fossil belonging to the genus Chimonobambusa, found with …

National Green Tribunal (NGT)

Source:  NIE Subject: Environment Context: The NGT has directed the CPCB, Kerala SPCB and Plantation Corporation of Kerala to trace hundreds of missing barrels of banned pesticide Endosulfan. About National Green Tribunal (NGT): What it is? A specialised judicial body for speedy disposal of environmental disputes, functioning with expertise in environmental science and law. Established …

SC Panel Suggests Creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve

Source:  TH Subject:  Mapping Context: A Supreme Court–appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has recommended creating a tiger reserve in Goa, but in phases, to reduce impact on local communities. About SC Panel Suggests Creation of a Goa Tiger Reserve: What It Is? A proposal by the Supreme Court’s Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to declare a …

Hayli Gubbi Volcano

Source:   NDTV Subject:  Geography Context: A massive volcanic ash cloud from Ethiopia’s Hayli Gubbi volcano—which erupted after nearly 10,000 years—has drifted toward India, raising concerns over air quality and aviation. About Hayli Gubbi Volcano: What it is? Hayli Gubbi is a shield volcano in Ethiopia’s Afar Region, known for broad, gently sloping volcanic structures formed …

Fujiwhara Effect

Source:   DTE Subject:   Geography Context: Two potential cyclonic storms are forming in the Bay of Bengal, with global forecast models indicating a possible Fujiwhara interaction between them. About Fujiwhara Effect: What is the Fujiwhara Effect? A rare meteorological phenomenon where two nearby cyclonic systems begin to rotate around a common centre due to interaction of …

Air Quality Monitoring

Source:    IE Subject:  Environment Context: The Supreme Court has sought details on the equipment used in Delhi’s air-quality monitoring stations and whether these instruments are suitable for the city’s extreme meteorological conditions. About Air Quality Monitoring: What it is? Air Quality Monitoring is the systematic measurement of pollutants in the atmosphere to assess compliance with …

African Grey Parrot

Source:   TH Subject:  Species in News Context: RTI responses from 19 States/UTs revealed that no Forest Department has records of registered breeders or authorised pet shops dealing in African grey parrots despite their easy availability in Indian markets. About African Grey Parrot: What it is? The African grey parrot (Psittacus erithacus) is a medium-sized, highly …

COP30 Draft Outcome

Source:   TH Subject:  Environment Context: The COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, has entered its final hours amid a major global split after the new draft outcome text removed all references to fossil fuels—including the roadmap for a transition away, demanded by over 80 countries. About COP30 Draft Outcome: What it is? The COP30 draft …

Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs)

Source:  PIB Subject:   Science and Technology Context: A Bengaluru-based DST institute (CeNS) has developed a breakthrough cathode activation technique that dramatically improves the performance of zinc-ion batteries (ZIBs). About Zinc-Ion Batteries (ZIBs): What they are? Aqueous zinc-ion batteries are rechargeable batteries that use zinc metal as the anode and an aqueous electrolyte, offering a safer …

Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary

Source:   NIE Subject:  Mapping Context: A wild tiger has permanently settled in Gujarat’s Ratanmahal Wildlife Sanctuary for the first time in decades, staying for nine continuous months—an unprecedented wildlife milestone for the state. This marks Gujarat as the only state in India hosting all three big cats—Asiatic lion, Indian leopard, and now the tiger—within a …

Dugong

Source:   IE Subject:   Species in News Context: A new global report released at the IUCN Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi has warned that India’s dugong (sea cow) populations in the Gulf of Kutch, Gulf of Mannar–Palk Bay, and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. About Dugong: What it is? Dugong (Dugong dugon) is a large herbivorous marine …

Brazil creates new Indigenous territories

Source: BBC Subject: Mapping Context: Brazil, during COP30 at Belém, officially created 10 new Indigenous Territories, expanding protected areas amid ongoing protests demanding land demarcation. About Brazil creates new Indigenous territories: What is this decision? Brazil designated 10 new Indigenous Territories through a presidential decree, granting them legal protection for culture, land rights, forests, and …

India Launches National Action Plan On Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (NAP-AMR 2.0)

Source: NIE Subject: Government Scheme Context: India has launched the National Action Plan on Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (2025–29) at the start of WHO’s World AMR Awareness Week. About India Launches National Action Plan On Antimicrobial Resistance 2.0 (NAP-AMR 2.0): What is it? NAP-AMR 2.0 is India’s updated five-year strategic framework (2025–29) to combat rising antimicrobial …

Sentinel-6B Satellite

Source: IE Context: Sentinel-6B, a new ocean-monitoring satellite, has been successfully launched from Vandenberg Space Force Base to enhance global sea-level monitoring. About Sentinel-6B Satellite: What it is? Sentinel-6B is an advanced ocean-altimetry satellite designed to measure global sea-surface height, waves, winds and climate-driven changes in ocean dynamics with high precision. Launched By: A joint …

SC Recalls Ban On Ex-Post Facto Green Clearances

Source: TH Subject: Environment Context: The Supreme Court has recalled its May 16, 2025 Vanashakti judgment that banned the granting of ex post facto (retrospective) environmental clearances (ECs). About SC Recalls Ban On Ex-Post Facto Green Clearances: What Was the Vanashakti Ruling (May 16, 2025)? The two-judge Bench (Justice A.S. Oka & Justice Ujjal Bhuyan) …

Global Big Cats Summit

Source:  DD News Subject: Environment Context: India announced that it will host the Global Big Cats Summit in New Delhi in 2026, reaffirming global leadership in wildlife conservation. About Global Big Cats Summit: What it is? A high-level international summit dedicated to strengthening global cooperation, policy coordination, and scientific collaboration for the conservation of big …