ENVIRONMENT-AND-SPECIES-PART-2 KSG

CC_COMPILATION_ ENVIRONMENT & SPECIES
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Contents
ENVIRONMENT ................................................................. 3 Why do global sea surface temperatures matter? ....... 22
Antarctic Marine Protected Areas can become acidic State Energy Efficiency Index 2023: BEE .............................. 23
by 2100 ........................................................................................................ 3 Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) ......... 24
Guidelines and Incentives to promote the Belgium recognizes Ecocide as a crime ............................... 24
procurement of Green Hydrogen .............................................. 4 Nagpur launches ‘Zero Carbon Buildings Action
Power Demand - India needs coal, just as the West Plan’… ......................................................................................................... 25
needs oil and gas .................................................................................. 4 India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel
Humboldt's Enigma and its meaning for India ................. 5 Sector .......................................................................................................... 25
Permafrost structures identified in the Jhelum basin ... 6 Global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) 2024 ............ 26
Revival of the tiger: A joint effort, a cultural Low-carbon action plan .................................................................. 26
renaissance................................................................................................ 6 Lamphelpat waterbody project ................................................. 27
National Birds Day 2024................................................................... 6 Key Insights into Kaziranga's Past Climate and
Pong Dam Eco-sensitive zone...................................................... 7 Vegetation ............................................................................................... 27
Rights of Forest Dwellers ................................................................. 7 Grow plants on government land to earn Green
Soil rich in fungi could benefit green roofs ........................ 8 Credit. ......................................................................................................... 27
Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Cabinet approves establishment of International Big
Amendment Act 2024........................................................................ 8 Cat Alliance (IBCA) ............................................................................. 28
SC issues guidelines for environmental regulatory India to generate 600 kilotons of solar waste by
bodies ......................................................................................................... 10 2030… ......................................................................................................... 28
UN award for Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Nuclear Energy Summit .................................................................. 29
initiative ..................................................................................................... 11 Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules,
Central Asian Flyway recognized to protect migratory 2024… ......................................................................................................... 30
bird species ............................................................................................. 12 Is natural gas cleaner than coal? .............................................. 31
World Wetlands Day 2024 ............................................................ 12 Southern Ocean has Earth’s cleanest air ............................. 31
Hindu Kush Himalaya: ‘A Biosphere on the brink’ ........ 14 National Information System for Climate and
Greening India's Wastelands with Agroforestry Environment Studies (NICES) ...................................................... 33
(GROW) Report and Portal ........................................................... 15 Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport) Rules, 2024 33
Amended Biological Diversity Law .......................................... 16 Gape Limitation .................................................................................... 34
Wild Life (Protection) Licencing (Additional Matters Whales & dolphins get ‘personhood’ status .................... 34
for Consideration) Rules, 2024................................................... 16 Biomining ................................................................................................. 34
National Wildlife Board Defers Decision on Kalasa- Formaldehyde sensor to detect adulterated fish .......... 35
Bhanduri Project .................................................................................. 17 Brumation ................................................................................................ 35
No wildlife clearance without compliance certificates: Oran's sacred groves of Rajasthan .......................................... 36
NBWL .......................................................................................................... 17
Kazhuveli watershed region in Tamil Nadu ....................... 36
The world's largest deep-sea coral reef .............................. 18
World's ‘largest’ coral-restoration project ......................... 37
Methane hotspots in India ........................................................... 18 Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition Commit
Wadge Bank Ecosystem ................................................................. 19 to Catalyzing US$1 billion for tigers ...................................... 37
Wetland ‘nature tourism’ gets a fillip .................................... 19 Warming climate turns Tundra from carbon sink to
India’s southernmost vulture population ........................... 19 source ......................................................................................................... 38
Government’s green energy push ........................................... 20 REPORTS .......................................................................... 39
Living Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) SPECIES ............................................................................ 46
Rules, 2024 .............................................................................................. 21
Government amends Electricity (Rights of Consumers)
Rules ............................................................................................................ 22
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ENVIRONMENT
Antarctic Marine Protected Areas can
become acidic by 2100
News Excerpt:
A new study has raised concerns about the rising acidity
levels of the continental shelves in Antarctic Marine
Protected Areas (MPA) under high levels of greenhouse
gas emissions.
Key findings of the study:
● The study, Severe 21st-century ocean acidification in
Antarctic Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), was
published in the journal Nature Communications.
Marine Protected Areas:

● Marine protected areas (MPAs) are scientifically proven
to be the most effective way to limit damage caused by
human activities and support a vibrant, healthy ocean.
● Like national parks on land, they have designated areas
of the ocean where some activities, such as fishing, are
limited.
● MPAs have been established at the South Orkney
● MPAs are generally established in areas recognized as
Islands Southern Shelf and in the Ross Sea region,
biodiversity hotspots or regions vulnerable to
with three additional MPAs proposed in the
changing conditions or increased human pressures.
Weddell Sea, East Antarctica and along the western
Antarctic Peninsula.
Oceans and Global Warming:
● Earlier, India supported itself in setting up two
● The ocean helps mitigate the effects of global warming
MPAs in Antarctica to protect marine life and its
by absorbing some of the carbon dioxide gas (CO₂) ecosystem services.
released into the atmosphere.
● This comes at a cost to ocean health because the
uptake of anthropogenic CO₂ causes changes in
ocean chemistry, known as ocean acidification,
harmful to marine ecosystems.
Protective measures to stop
acidification of oceans:
● Given the cumulative threat to
marine ecosystems from
environmental change and
activities such as fishing, the
researchers called for strong
emission-mitigation efforts and
further management strategies to
reduce pressures on ecosystems,
such as the continuation and
expansion of Antarctic MPAs.
● Designed to protect the unique
high-latitude Southern Ocean
biodiversity, a network of MPAs is
being developed by the
Commission for the
Conservation of Antarctic
Marine Living Resources.
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Guidelines and Incentives to promote the About Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen
Transition (SIGHT) Programme:
procurement of Green Hydrogen
● It is a major financial measure with an outlay of ₹
News Excerpt: 17,490 crore until 2029-30.
The Union Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) ● The programme consists of two distinct financial
has recently published guidelines and incentives to incentive mechanisms to support the
promote the procurement of green hydrogen as part of
○ Domestic manufacturing of Electrolysers
the National Green Hydrogen Mission.
○ Production of Green Hydrogen
About the news:
● The scheme's execution will be entrusted to agencies
● The incentives are designed to facilitate cost reduction
nominated by the Union Ministry of Petroleum and
and rapid expansion.
Natural Gas (MoPNG), primarily oil and gas companies,
● To qualify for incentives under the scheme, bidders guided by the Centre for High Technology (CHT).
must meet the criteria outlined in the 'National Green
● The Solar Energy Corporation of India, under the
Hydrogen Standard' as notified by MNRE.
MNRE, is the implementing agency for the scheme.
● The scheme offers a direct incentive
over three years from the beginning of
production and supply, with rates of Rs
50 / kilogramme of green hydrogen in
the first year, Rs 40 / kg in the second
year and Rs 30 / kg during the third
year.
Green Hydrogen refers to the clean
hydrogen produced by splitting water into
two hydrogen atoms and one oxygen
(electrolysis process) atom using clean
energy from surplus renewable energy
sources such as solar or wind power.
About National Green Hydrogen
Mission:
● It is approved from FY 2023 – 24 to FY
2029 – 30 with an outlay of ₹ 19,744
crore.
● Benefits: Power Demand - India needs coal, just as the
○ India’s Green Hydrogen production capacity is West needs oil and gas
likely to reach 5 MMT per annum, with an
News Excerpt:
associated renewable energy capacity addition of
about 125 GW. At last month’s COP 28 climate summit in Dubai, India
and China, both countries strenuously opposed efforts to
○ The targets by 2030 are likely to bring in over Rs. 8
include a reference to “phase-out” of coal and altered it to
lakh crore investments.
“phase down”.
○ Nearly 50 MMT per annum of CO2 emissions are
About:
expected to be averted by 2030.
● The overarching objective of the Mission is to make
Coal vis-a-vis Oil & Gas:
India a Global Hub for the production, usage and ● Coal is the unglamorous fossil fuel. Unlike oil and gas,
export of Green Hydrogen and its derivatives. its prices do not fluctuate daily.
● The mission has a provision for supporting pilot ● Coal contains more carbon than oil or gas. When these
projects for low-carbon steel, mobility, shipping, fuels are burned, the higher amount of carbon in coal
and ports. reacts to form CO2, while a higher proportion of
● It allocates various sub-components of the Mission, hydrogen in oil and gas causes them to form H2O along
such as SIGHT, Pilot projects in emerging end-use with CO2.
sectors and production pathways, R&D, etc. to fund Coal and the Climate summits:
specific selected projects. ● Coal was specifically brought into a summit statement
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● There is no State-wise allocation made under the in 2021 by the Conference of Parties 26th meeting
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mission. (COP26) in Glasgow.

Coal “Phase down” initiatives taken by India: ● Two centuries later, a group of biogeographers –
● Permitting foreign direct investment (FDI) up to 100 per cent scientists who explore the relationship of diversity
under the automatic route. with geography – used modern tools to take another
● Waiver of inter-state transmission system (ISTS) charges for look at the drivers of biodiversity.
inter-state sale of solar and wind power for projects to be ○ They proposed their own version of the link
commissioned by 2025. between biodiversity and mountains and called it
● Setting up ultra mega renewable energy parks to provide land Humboldt’s enigma.
and transmission to renewable energy developers to install large-
What is Humboldt’s enigma?
scale renewable energy projects.
● Schemes such as - ● The world’s tropical areas receive more energy from
● Pradhan Mantri Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan the Sun because of the earth's inclination angle.
(PM-KUSUM) ● So, the tropics have greater primary productivity,
● Solar Rooftop Phase II, 12000 MW CPSU Scheme Phase II. facilitating greater diversity: more ecological niches
● Production-linked incentive scheme under the "National become available, creating more complex ecosystems
Programme on high-efficiency Solar PV Modules. and greater biological diversity.
● Green Energy Corridor Scheme for Intra-State Transmission ● The proponents of Humboldt’s enigma have held
System. that the earth’s tropical areas alone don’t contain
● Under the Solar Parks Scheme, the government has sanctioned all the biodiverse regions and that many areas
50 solar parks with an aggregate capacity of 37,490 MW in 12 outside the tropics are highly biodiverse. These
states nationwide since 2014. places are mountains.
● The non-fossil electricity capacity increased from 32.54 percent
○ Indeed, while we expect diversity to decrease away
in 2014 to 43.82 percent in October 2023.
from the tropics, mountains have been an
● COP28 closed with an agreement that signals the
important exception.
“beginning of the end” of the fossil fuel era by laying
○ This is the essence of Humboldt’s enigma.
the ground for a swift, just and equitable transition
● A simple way to think of Humboldt’s enigma in India
underpinned by deep emissions cuts and scaled-up
is to consider the biodiversity in our tropical areas
finance.
south of the Tropic of Cancer, passing through
Coal - Indian Energy Choice: Madhya Pradesh and Chhattisgarh.
● Coal is the most important and abundant fossil fuel in ○ These areas are supposed to be the most diverse in
India. It accounts for 55% of the country's energy the country.
needs. ○ The Western Ghats plus Sri Lanka biodiversity
● Commercial primary energy consumption in India hotspot lies in this zone.
has grown by about 700% in the last four decades. ○ However, the eastern Himalayas are much more
● Driven by the rising population, expanding economy diverse.
and a quest for improved quality of life, energy usage What drives biodiversity?
in India is expected to rise. ● The history of the earth, its geography, and the
climate are the main drivers of mountain diversity.
● Mountains host two processes that generate
Humboldt's Enigma and its meaning for biodiversity.
India ○ First, geological processes, like uplifts, result in
News Excerpt: new habitats where new species arise, so the
habitats are ‘cradles.’
The earth’s tropical areas receive more sunlight, so they
○ Second, species on some climatologically stable
should be the most biodiverse places. Mountains defy this
mountains persist for a long, so these spots are
rule.
‘museums’ that accumulate many such species over
About Humboldt's Enigma: time.
● Explorers and naturalists have been finding the factors ■ Coastal tropical sky islands (mountains
leading to biodiversity concentration for centuries. surrounded by lowlands), like the Shola Sky
● One was Alexander von Humboldt (1769-1859) – a Islands in the Western Ghats, are a good
polymath who recorded observations on various example.
natural phenomenon and suggested there was a ● Another critical force in biodiversity formation is
relationship between temperature, altitude, and geology. The foundations on which mountains are
humidity on the one hand and the occurrence erected often differ from those on which low-elevation
patterns of species – or their biodiversity – on the regions rest.
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other.
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○ Scientists have found that the more ■ These are a prominent feature of Arctic
heterogeneous the geological composition of landscapes.
mountains is, the more biodiverse they are. ● Rock glaciers will become a more common mountain
Permafrost structures identified in the landform in the future as debris concentrations
increase in the melting glaciers with global warming
Jhelum basin
and deglaciation.
News Excerpt: ○ It is already being witnessed in the Jhelum basin.
More than 100 active permafrost structures in the Jhelum
basin holding significant volumes of water have been
Revival of the tiger: A joint effort, a cultural
identified, further underlining the need to explore their
hydrological potential. renaissance
About Jhelum River and Basin: News Excerpt:
● It rises from a deep spring at Verinag, in the western The tiger's near extinction in 1973 was pivotal in India's
Jammu and Kashmir region. conservation history. Now, Corbett has the highest density
● It meanders northwestward from the northern slope of of wild tigers in the world.
the Pir Panjal Range in a deep gorge through the valley About Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR):
of Kashmir to Wular Lake at Srinagar, which controls its
● At Corbett Tiger Reserve (CTR), core and buffer zones
flow.
span large swathes of land, covering three districts of
● The Jhelum (Vyeth in Kashmiri, Vetesta in Sanskrit and
Hydaspes in Greek) is the main waterway of the
Uttarakhand.
Kashmir valley. ○ According to the 2022 report, the reserve now
● It is a major tributary out of five major tributaries viz. records the highest density of wild tigers
Satluj, Beas, Ravi, Chenab, and Jhelum, which are globally, with a figure of 260 tigers.
ultimately merging with the Indus River in Pakistan, About Jim Corbett National Park:
are west-flowing rivers. ● The national park located in the Uttarakhand district,
● The total geographical area of the Jhelum basin up was established in 1936 as Hailey National Park to
to the Indo-Pakistan border is about 34775 sq km, with
protect the endangered Bengal tiger.
a total length of 402 km.
● The Project Tiger was launched in 1973 in Corbett
● But the length of Jhelum in India up to the existing
National Park (first National Park of India), which is part
ceasefire line is about 165 Km.
of Corbett Tiger Reserve.
● Important Tributaries: Nallah Lidder, Nalah Sindh,
Nallah Vishow, Rambiara Nallah, Dudhganga river,
Pohru. National Birds Day 2024
Rock Glaciers:
● As the glacier retreats or melts over time, the ice News Excerpt:
covered with debris transforms into a rock glacier. Over a million birds belonging to 184 species visit Odisha’s
● The process involves an existing glacier gathering rocks Chilika Lake.
and debris during its movement. About National Birds Day 2024:
● They typically develop in mountainous areas where The United States of America declares January 5 as
permafrost, rock debris, and ice converge. National Bird Day to raise awareness of the significance of
Key highlights of the report: birds to our ecosystem.
● Research was carried out about the rock glaciers of the ● The National Birds Day 2024 theme is ‘Right to Fight’.
Himalayas. It signifies the flight of a bird that represents freedom.
○ The Kashmir Himalayas are dotted with ● History: National Birds Day has been celebrated in
permafrost structures called ‘rock glaciers’, with America since 2002. This date was picked because it is
significant ice volumes within. also the day of the yearly Christmas Bird Count.
● Some water bodies around Jhelum basin were spotted ● The day was first observed by the Avian Welfare
right in the middle of vegetation some kilometres uphill Coalition, which is involved in the cause of promoting
from Kulgam town, suggesting that there was awareness about birds that are caught or end up in
permafrost underground. captivity for either monetary profit or for human
○ These resembled “thermokarst lakes” because no entertainment.
stream or glacier could feed them. About Chilika Lake:
■ Thermokarst lakes are formed when ● Chilika Lake is a brackish water lake and a shallow
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permafrost thaws, creating surface lagoon with estuarine character spread across the
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depressions that fill with melted water. districts of Puri, Khurda and Ganjam in the state of
Odisha in eastern India and spreads across the Daya ● The reservoir stretches to an area of 24,529 hectares
River's Mouth. (60,610 acres), and part of the lakes is 15,662
● Several islands are present in the lagoon, including hectares (38,700 acres).
Krushnaprasad, Nalaban, Kalijai, Somolo and Birds Islands. ● It was declared a Ramsar Wetland Site in 2002 and
● The lake's seagrass meadows are expanding despite notified as a wildlife sanctuary in 2013.
anthropogenic pressure, which is a sign of a healthy
● Pong Dam area is considered to be the resting place
ecosystem.
of hundreds of thousands of exotic birds every year.
● It is the largest wintering ground of migratory birds in
What is Eco Sensitive Zone? The National Environment
the Indian sub-continent and supports about 225 species
Policy (2006) defined Eco-Sensitive Zones "as
at different parts of their life cycle.
areas/zones with identified environmental resources
● It is one of the hotspots of biodiversity in the country.
having incomparable values which require special
● Chilika Lake was designated as a "Ramsar Site", i.e. a
attention for their conservation" because of its
wetland of International Importance.
landscape, wildlife, biodiversity, historical and natural
● The Nalaban Island within the lake is notified as a Bird values.
Sanctuary under the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972.
The island disappears during monsoon season due to
inundation, only to emerge again post-monsoon. Rights of Forest Dwellers
● It is under the UNESCO World Heritage site.
News Excerpt:
About Migratory Birds in Chilika Lake:
The notification of the Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary in Erode
● The Chilika Wildlife Division conducted the yearly district has led forest dwellers to express fears that this is a
bird census on Asia’s largest brackish water lagoon on prelude to the denial of their rights under the Scheduled
January 4, 2024. Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers
● Almost 6,000 more birds were spotted than last year, (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act 2006 (or FRA).
including a rare Pallas fish eagle seen after a decade. About Forest Rights Act:
● This year, 1,137,759 migratory birds from 184 ● The Forest Rights Act or FRA is a legislation in India that
species were spotted at Chilika Lake, compared to recognizes and vests forest rights and occupation in
● 1,131,929 birds belonging to 184 species counted in forest lands to forest-dwelling Scheduled Tribes and
2023. other traditional forest dwellers who have been
● The Nalabana Island or Nalabana Bird Sanctuary residing in forests for generations but whose rights
inside the lake continued to be the most popular have not been recognized.
destination for the winged guests. ● FRA requires and authorizes the Gram Sabhas to
○ Among the pintail species of ducks, the Northern determine and recognize forest rights and protect
Pintail, Gadwall and Eurasian Wigeon were and preserve the forests, wildlife, and biodiversity
spotted. within their customary and traditional boundaries,
including inside Protected Areas. These responsibilities
○ The lake witnesses birds from as far as Central
were earlier vested with the Forest Department.
Asia and Europe every winter.
About Forest Villages:
● The majority of the residents of forest villages, which
Pong Dam Eco-sensitive zone are found inside forested areas, are indigenous and
News Excerpt: tribal groups. The inhabitants of these communities,
The construction of the Pong embankment was completed many of which date back many generations, depend on
in 1974. Still, those displaced by the construction are yet to the forest's resources for their subsistence.
be rehabilitated and are protesting the declaration of the ● In 1990, the Union Ministry of Environment and Forests
Pong Dam eco-sensitive zone (ESZ). (MoEF) ordered that all forest villages be converted to
PONG DAM: revenue villages.
● This fish reservoir has been constructed on the river o The FRA, enacted 18 years ago, also required all
Beas in the wetland of the Shivalik hills of the Kangra forest villages to be converted to revenue
district of Himachal Pradesh. villages.
● It is also known as Pong Reservoir or Pong Dam. This Wildlife Protection Act 1972:
dam was built in 1975 and named in honour of ● Sanctuaries and National Parks are notified under the
Maharana Pratap. Wildlife (Protection) Act (WLPA) 1972.
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o People inside Sanctuaries continue to enjoy all their ● The FRA violations, in the case of Scheduled Tribes,
rights unless prohibited, but they don’t in National are also crimes under the 2016 amendment to the
Parks. Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes (Prevention
o No new rights are permitted once the notice of of Atrocities) Act, 1989.
intent is issued.
Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary: Soil rich in fungi could benefit green roofs
● It comprises the North and South Bargur, Thamarai News Excerpt:
Karai, Ennamangalam, and Nagalur reserved
A study sought to establish whether regulating green roof
forests in Anthiyur Taluk.
soil bacteria may improve healthy urban soil growth, a
● It is located between the Sathyamangalam Tiger
methodology that could be used to increase climate
Reserve of Tamil Nadu, the Male Mahadeshwara
resilience in cities.
Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Cauvery Wildlife
Sanctuary of Karnataka.
What is a Green
Roof?
● Six tribal forest villages – denied basic rights and
facilities because these are not revenue villages – ● Green roofs
have been excluded from the Sanctuary. are well-
known as a
● The notification that created the Sanctuary concedes
sustainable
that the rights admitted under the Tamil Nadu
construction
Forest Act 1882 – a time when forests were reserved practice.
– and those conferred under the FRA “shall remain
● It refers to a
and continue to be enjoyed by the persons
roof covered with waterproof membranes with
concerned”. plants or trees suitable for the local climate and 3–
The 801-sq.-km Thanthai Periyar Sanctuary joins 15 inches of soil, sand, or gravel.
them now.
● As the green roof is made up of plants and trees, it has
● Of Tamil Nadu’s land, 26,419 sq. km or 20.3% is benefits similar to those of trees, including climate
under notified forests. The recorded forest area is a adaptation, mitigation, and urban biodiversity
bit higher, around 23.7%. management.
● Some 6% of the State is under Protected Areas, with ● Compared to traditional roofs, green roofs can cut
five National Parks and 34 Sanctuaries (half of down building electricity consumption by 2%–6%,
which are bird sanctuaries). especially for summer cooling by maintaining
● The State has constituted five Tiger Reserves in these temperature.
Protected Areas. ● These planted surfaces on building rooftops absorb
How do FRA and WLPA compare? excess stormwater, reduce energy consumption by
insulating buildings, chill neighbourhoods,
● As a later law, the FRA overrides the WLPA.
moderate urban heat islands, and provide urban
o All provisions in the WLPA that contravene homes for plants, pollinators, and wildlife.
provisions in the FRA are null and void.
o As a result, when notifying a Protected Area under
the WLPA, the government needs to determine Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
rights under the FRA and acquire the consent of the Amendment Act 2024
gram sabhas. (The government specifically
News Excerpt:
incorporated these requirements in a 2006
amendment vis-à-vis the notification of Tiger The Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution)
Reserves). Amendment Act of Parliament has received the assent of
the President.
● The FRA became operational when its Rules were
notified in January 2008. About the news:
o Since then, until 2023, the country has acquired ● Water is a state subject, and the Centre cannot directly
15,605 sq. km of Protected Areas – nine National pass legislation influencing water management.
Parks of 3,462 sq. km and 77 Sanctuaries of 12,143 o However, the Centre can create legislation if two or
sq km – while disregarding the changed legal more States demand it, and this can be made
regime. applicable by States over their territories if they
o Tamil Nadu's share has been 15 Sanctuaries adopt the legislation in their Assemblies.
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spanning 4,146.7 sq. km.

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● Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) o It created the Central Pollution Control Boards
Amendment Act 2024 amends the Water (Prevention (CPCB) and State Pollution Control Boards (SPCB)
and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. to monitor and prevent public water resources
o It decriminalizes several violations and instead from being contaminated by sewage and industrial
imposes penalties. effluents.
o The CPCB collects, collates, and disseminates
About Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) technical and statistical data related to water
Act, 1974: pollution.
● It was the first legislation in independent India to ▪ It is also empowered to conduct checks and
establish an institutional structure to address water guide adherence to technical standards.
contamination. ● The SPCB files cases and enforces compliance.
Key highlights of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act
Key Features 1974 Act 2024 Act
Applicability In 25 States. Initially to Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the union

territories. Other states may pass resolutions to extend its
applicability to their states.
Consent Prior consent of the State Pollution Control The Act specifies that the central government, in
exemptions Boards (SPCBs) is required to establish any consultation with the Central Pollution Control Board
for industry or treatment plant that is likely to (CPCB), may exempt certain categories of industrial plants
establishing discharge sewage into a water body, sewer, from obtaining such consent.
industries or land.
Establishing and operating an industry The Act retains this.

without obtaining such consent from the
SPCB is punishable with imprisonment of up
to six years and a fine.
● The Act also adds that the central government may

issue guidelines for the grant, refusal, or cancellation
of consent granted by the SPCB.
● It also penalizes tampering with monitoring devices to
determine whether any industry or treatment plant can
be set up.
● The penalty will be between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh
Chairman of The State Government nominates the It adds that the central government will prescribe the
State Board Chairman of an SPCB. manner of nomination and the terms and conditions of
service of the Chairman.
Discharge of The Act prohibits violating standards (laid The Act removes the punishment and imposes a penalty
polluting down by SPCB) regarding polluting matter in between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.
matter water bodies or on land, barring some
exemptions. Exemptions include depositing
non-polluting materials on the bank of a
stream for reclaiming land. Violation of these
provisions is punishable by an imprisonment
term of one and a half years, six years, and a
fine.
Penalty for An offence for which punishment is not It removes imprisonment as a punishment and
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other explicitly specified is punishable with an prescribes a penalty between Rs 10,000 and Rs 15 lakh.
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offences Failure to pay a penalty for violation of any provision
imprisonment term of up to three months, under the Act will attract an imprisonment term of up to
a fine of up to Rs 10,000, or both. three years or a fine up to twice the amount of penalty
imposed.
Cognizance A court may take cognizance of an offence The Act adds that cognizance may also be taken if the
of Offence if a complaint is made by the CPCB or SPCB adjudicating officer makes a complaint.
or a person who has given a notice of the
complaint to the Boards.
Offences by The head of a department will be deemed The Act specifies that a department head will be required
government guilty for offences committed by to pay a penalty equal to one month of their basic salary
departments government departments, provided that they if the department violates any provision of the Act.
prove due diligence was carried out to avoid
such contravention.
Adjudicating ● The Act allows the Central Government to appoint

officer to adjudication officers to determine penalties under
determine the Act.
penalties ● Appeals against orders passed by the adjudicating
officer may be made before the National Green
Tribunal after depositing 10% of the penalty levied.
● Penalties imposed by the adjudicating officer will be
credited to the Environment Protection Fund
established under the Environment (Protection) Act,
1986.
SC issues guidelines for environmental Groundwater Board, and National Biodiversity

Authority.
regulatory bodies
● While passing orders, SC said that 'Institutionalization
News Excerpt: means that these bodies must work in compliance
The Supreme Court (SC) held that bodies and authorities with institutional norms of efficiency, integrity, and
enforcing environmental laws should be accountable, certainty, these bodies constitute the backbone of
transparent and efficient in their functioning. environmental governance in our country’.
What has the SC said? What does Institutionalization mean?
● The SC passed the directions while approving the ● Institutionalization is a process intended to regulate
Centre’s notification, making the expert committee societal behaviour (i.e., supra-individual behaviour)
assisting the SC on environment and forest issues, the within organizations or entire societies.
Central Empowered Committee (CEC), a permanent ● It is a complex process of evolving rules and
body.
procedures that is, by definition, a dynamic concept.
○ The Centre would choose members of the CEC for
Important Past Supreme Court (SC) cases on
a fixed tenure and specified functions.
Environmental Protection:
○ SC issued directions for the environmental bodies
● Vellore Citizens Welfare Forum v. Union of India:
to get regular performance audits to ensure
○ The SC critically analyzed the relationship between
proper institutionalization of environmental
environment and development.
regulatory bodies and authorities.
● M. C. Mehta v. Union of India (Ganga River Pollution
● Environmental bodies in India as mentioned by the
Case):
Supreme Court: The Court listed the multitude of
○ It was observed that the water of River Ganga
statutory environmental regulators and bodies that
was highly toxic near Kanpur city- as the
have been constituted over the years: Animal
Tanneries in the area were discharging their
Welfare Board of India, Atomic Energy Regulatory
untreated effluents into the River.
Board, Central Pollution Control Board, State Pollution
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Control Boards, National Tiger Conservation Authority, ○ SC ordered that the tanneries set up effluent
Coastal Zone Management Authority, Central treatment plants.
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● Goa Foundation v. Konkan Railways Corporation:

○ The SC dismissed the petition against the Konkan Terai Arc Landscape (TAL) Initiative:
railway project and said that the Courts are bound ● It is an 810 km stretch between the River Yamuna in
to consider the comparative hardship that the
people in the region will
suffer by stalling the project
of great public utility.
● Bombay Environmental Action
Group v. State of Maharashtra:
○ The petitioner challenged the
Central and State
Government's permission to
construct a 500 MW Thermal
Power Station at District
Thane against
environmental norms.
○ The petition was dismissed as
the greater good requires no
electricity cut in India.
● M. C. Mehta v. Union of India
[Shri Ram Food and Fertilizers
Case / Oleum Gas Leakage
Case]:
○ The SC decided to permit the
Shri Ram Food and Fertilizers
Industry to restore its operations. the west and the River Bhagmati in the east,
○ The Court observed that although such industries comprising the Shivalik hills, the adjoining bhabhar
are dangerous, they are essential for the areas and the Terai flood plains.
country's economic and social progress. ○ It is spread across the Indian states of
● M. C. MEHTA v. Union Carbide Commission (Bhopal Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and, Bihar, and the
Gas Tragedy): low-lying hills of Nepal.
○ SC directed the UCC to pay a sum of 470 million ○ The landscape has 13 Protected Areas, nine in
U.S. Dollars, i.e. Rs. 750 crore, towards India and four in Nepal, covering a total area of
compensation to the victims for the full and final 49,500 square km, of which 30,000 square km lies
settlement in satisfaction of all past, present and in India.
future claims, which both parties accepted. ○ It is a landscape conservation approach that
facilitates wildlife dispersal between transboundary
protected areas while also engaging local
UN award for Nepal’s Terai Arc Landscape communities in forest restoration and
(TAL) initiative management.
News Excerpt: ● The TAL initiative was launched in 2004, and it led to
the restoration of 66,800 hectares (165,000 acres) of
Nepal's TAL initiative, aimed at restoring ecosystems and
forest and nearly tripled the endangered Bengal tiger
creating space for tigers, receives global recognition from
(Panthera tigris tigris) population.
the UN as one of seven World Restoration Flagships.
○ It is based on the tiger dispersal model and the
About the news:
realization that conservation interventions within
● TAL initiative has been honoured as one of seven UN protected areas alone would not be enough to
World Restoration Flagships by the UN Decade on increase the persistence of tigers in the long run.
Ecosystem Restoration (2021-30) program (jointly
● The landscape has some of India's most well-known
led by the UN Environment Program (UNEP) and the
Tiger Reserves and Protected Areas, such as Corbett
Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)). Tiger Reserve, Rajaji National Park, Dudhwa Tiger
● Significance of the recognition: Reserve, Valmiki Tiger Reserve and Nepal’s Bardia
○ The whole of the TAL will now be eligible for Wildlife Sanctuary, Chitwan National Park, Sukhla
11
technical and financial support to further restore Phanta Wildlife Sanctuary.

an area of almost 350,000 hectares (865,000 acres)
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in both Nepal and India.

○ It is home to three flagship species: the Bengal ● Other threats making these migratory species
tiger, the greater one-horned rhino and the vulnerable are “rapid development of energy
Asian elephant. infrastructure”, causing collisions and electrocutions.
Flyway:
Central Asian Flyway recognized to protect ● Flyways are the yearly migration paths that waterbirds
take.
migratory bird species
● Nine major flyways are found in the world. These
News Excerpt: routes frequently cross oceans and span continents.
The 14th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties to the ● Though it was initially developed and applied to
Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of shorebirds and waterfowl, the flyways concept applies
Wild Animals (CMS COP 14) adopted the Initiative for the to all species of migrating birds.
Central Asian Flyway introduced by India. Central Asian Flyway (CAF):
● It covers a large continental area of Eurasia between the
About the news: Arctic Ocean and the Indian Ocean and the
● Led by India, the proposal for the Central Asian Flyway associated island chains.
was supported by conservation non-profit BirdLife ● Most of the Flyway extends from the northernmost
International and 30 other governments from Russian breeding grounds in the Russian Federation (Siberia) to
Siberia to the Maldives. It is committed to establishing the southernmost non-breeding (wintering) grounds in
an initiative for the Central Asian Flyway under CMS. West and South Asia, the Maldives and the Indian
Ocean Territory.
● The Initiative aims to restore and maintain the
BirdLife International:
favourable conservation status of migratory species
● It is a global partnership of over 100 national
populations and assist their ecological connectivity in conservation organizations focusing on birds and
the Flyway. working together on shared priorities, policies, and
Threat to Migratory Species of Wild Animals: conservation programmes, exchanging skills,
achievements, and information and growing in ability,
● Populations of over 240 species of migratory birds are
authority, and influence.
in decline in the Central Asian Flyway, with 48 species
● Each Partner represents a unique geographical area or
listed as Globally Threatened or Near Threatened.
territory (usually a country).
● Several migratory birds in this Flyway are also
culturally important to the communities that have co-

existed with them for hundreds of years — the White
Stork in Uzbekistan, the Black-Necked Crane in Bhutan World Wetlands Day 2024
and the Steppe Eagle in Kazakhstan.
News Excerpt:
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● BirdLife addressed key threats migratory birds face,

In collaboration with the Government of Madhya Pradesh,
such as severe habitat loss, overexploitation and
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the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change

illegal killing.
(MoEF&CC) organized a national event at Sirpur Lake, 1. Ankasamudra Bird Conservation Reserve:
Indore, to celebrate World Wetlands Day (WWD) 2024. ● It is a human-made village irrigation tank, built
● India increases its tally of Ramsar sites to 80 by adding centuries back adjoining the Ankasamudra village.
five more wetlands to the list on the eve of World ● It is an ecologically important wetland, rich in
Wetlands Day 2024. biodiversity, comprising many species of plants,
About World Wetlands Day (WWD): mammals, reptiles, birds, fishes, frogs, butterflies and
● It is celebrated across the globe to commemorate the odonates.
adoption of the Ramsar Convention on wetlands on ● Over 30,000 waterbirds nest and roost at this wetland,
2nd February 1971. which also supports more than 1% of the
● The theme of WWD-2024 is “Wetlands and Human biogeographic population of Painted Stork and Black-
Wellbeing”, which underscores the critical role headed Ibis.
wetlands play in enhancing our lives. 2. Aghanashini Estuary:
● It highlights how wetlands contribute to flood ● It is formed at the confluence of the Aghanashini
protection, clean water, biodiversity and recreational River with the Arabian Sea.
opportunities, all of which are essential for human ○ The brackish water of the Estuary provides diverse
health and prosperity. ecosystem services, including flood and erosion
● The theme of WWD-2024 is ‘Wetlands and Human risk mitigation, biodiversity conservation and
Wellbeing’, which underscores the critical role livelihood support.
wetlands play in enhancing our lives. ● The wetland also provides livelihoods to 6000-7500
Ramsar site: families by supporting fishing, agriculture, collection of
● A Ramsar site is a wetland designated to be of edible bivalves and crabs, shrimp aquaculture,
international importance under an environmental traditional fish farming in the estuarine rice fields
treaty signed in 1971 at Ramsar, Iran, under the (locally known as Gazni rice fields), bivalve shell
auspices of UNESCO. collection and salt production.
● It provides for national action and international ○ Additionally, the mangroves bordering the estuary
cooperation regarding the conservation of wetlands help to protect the shores against storms and
and the wise, sustainable use of their resources. cyclones.
● The Estuary regularly supports over 43,000 counts of
○ A wetland is a place where the land is covered by
over 66 waterbird species and over 1% of the
water—salt, fresh, or somewhere in between—
biogeographic population of 15 waterbird species
seasonally or permanently. It functions as its
(which includes river tern, oriental darter, lesser
own distinct ecosystem.
black-backed gull, woolly-necked stork, Eurasian
Name of Ramsar Site State Total area oystercatcher and others).
in ha 3. Magadi Kere Conservation Reserve:
Ankasamudra Bird Karnataka 98.76 ● It is a human-made wetland constructed to store
Conservation Reserve rainwater for irrigation purposes.
Aghanashini Estuary Karnataka 4801 ○ The wetland is a designated Important Bird Area
Magadi Kere Karnataka 54.38 (IBA) and is also listed as a priority area for
Conservation Reserve conservation in India.
Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary Tamil Nadu 453.72 ● It is home to over 166 species of birds, of which 130 are
Longwood Shola Reserve Tamil Nadu 116.007 migratory. Nearly 8,000 birds visit the site during
Forest winter.
○ Magadi Kere is also one of the largest wintering
About the newly added sites: grounds for the Bar-headed goose in Southern
● With the addition of these five wetlands to the List of India.
Wetlands of International Importance, the total area ● The wetland harbours two vulnerable species, namely-
covered under Ramsar sites is now 1.33 million ha, an ○ Common pochard
increase of 5,523.87 ha from the existing area (1.327 ○ River tern
million ha). ● It also harbours four near-threatened species,
● Tamil Nadu has the maximum number of Ramsar namely-
Sites (16 sites), followed by Uttar Pradesh (10 sites). ○ Oriental Darter
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○ Black-headed Ibis
● Five newly added sites are -
○ Woolly-necked Stork
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○ Painted Stork
4. Karaivetti Bird Sanctuary: ● Waterbirds congregate during the winter season; the
● It is one of the largest inland wetlands of Tamil Nadu site supports 130 bird species in all, including
and is a significant source of groundwater recharge residents and migrants such as the common pochard,
for the area. Egyptian vulture, and Indian river tern.
○ The villagers utilize water from the wetland to ● Sirpur Wetland provides surrounding communities with
cultivate agricultural crops such as paddy, sugar fisheries and medicinal plants and acts as a buffer
cane, cotton, corn, and split red gram. against flooding while helping to regulate the local
microclimate.
● Karaivetti has one of the largest waterbird
congregations in the state of Tamil Nadu. Hindu Kush Himalaya: ‘A Biosphere on the
○ About 198 species of birds have been recorded brink’
here; some of the important visitors are the Bar-
News Excerpt:
headed Goose, Pin-tailed duck, Garganey,
Northern Shoveler, Common Pochard, Eurasian Recently, Experts from The International Centre for
Wigeon, Common teal and Cotton teal. Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) called for
‘bold action’ and ‘urgent finance’ to prevent the collapse
5. Longwood Shola Reserve Forest:
of nature in the Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH).
● Its name derives from the Tamil word "Solai", meaning
More about the news:
a ‘tropical rain forest’.
● ICIMOD is hosting the Third Lead Authors meeting
● The ‘Sholas’ are found in the upper reaches of the
of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform
Nilgiris, Anamalais, Palni hills, Kalakadu, Mundanthurai
on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES)
and Kanyakumari in Tamil Nadu. nexus assessment at its headquarters in
● These forested wetlands serve as habitats for the Kathmandu.
globally endangered Black-chinned Nilgiri Laughing ● Established in 2012 with 145 member-states, the IPBES
thrush, Nilgiri Blue Robin, and vulnerable Nilgiri functions to strengthen the science-policy interface for
Wood-pigeon. biodiversity and ecosystem services.
● As many as 14 out of 26 endemic bird species of the ● The summit examines the linkages between food and
Western Ghats are found in these wetlands. water security, health, biodiversity, and climate change.
About Sirpur Lake, Indore: ● The researchers described the speed and scale of losses
● Sirpur Wetland is a human-made wetland that has in nature and habitat in the HKH region as
stabilized and acquired near-natural characteristics in ‘catastrophic’.
the last two centuries. About ICIMOD:
● The ICIMOD is an intergovernmental knowledge and
learning centre working on behalf of the people of the
Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH).
● The ICIMOD is based in Kathmandu, Nepal and works for
our eight regional member countries – Afghanistan,
Bangladesh, Bhutan, China, India, Myanmar, Nepal, and
Pakistan.
● The ICIMOD works to improve the lives and livelihoods
of men, women, and children of the HKH and protect
mountain environments and cultures.
Why Hindu Kush Himalayas (HKH) are important?
● Four of the world’s 36 global biodiversity hotspots
● Commonly named Pakshi Vihar (bird sanctuary), the are in this region.
site is a shallow, alkaline, nutrient-rich lake that ● Two of the global 200 ecoregions are in this region.
floods during the monsoon to a maximum depth of two
● 575 Protected Areas and 335 important bird areas
metres.
are also situated here.
● It boasts a wealth of plants and animals, including
● HKH stretches 3,500 kilometres, spans eight countries,
threatened species: it supports some 175 terrestrial
and is home to most of the snow and ice on Earth
plant species, six macrophytes, 30 natural and
outside the poles.
14
cultured fish species, eight reptiles, and

amphibians. ● At least 12 rivers originate from here in every direction
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across the Asian continent:
○ Syr Darya and Amu Darya towards the now- ● Using thematic datasets, an Agroforestry Suitability
dead Aral Sea Index (ASI) is also developed for national-level
○ The Tarim toward the Taklamakan prioritization.
○ The Indus, Ganga and Brahmaputra towards
the Arabian Sea and Bay of Bengal
○ The Yellow River towards the Gulf of Bohai
○ The Yangtze towards the East China Sea
○ The Mekong towards the South China Sea
○ The Chindwin, Salween and Irrawaddy towards
the Andaman Sea
● The ‘Water Tower of Asia’ provides essential
ecosystem services such as clean water for a third of the
world’s population. It is estimated to be warming at
nearly two times the average rate of warming in the
Northern Hemisphere.
Greening India's Wastelands with ● The GROW report will provide state-wise and district-
Agroforestry (GROW) Report and Portal wise analysis to government departments and
News Excerpt: industries for greening and restoration projects.
Recently, NITI Aayog launched a GROW Report and Portal, ● This Initiative underscores the potential benefits of
providing state-wise and district-wise analysis for greening converting underutilized areas, especially shared
and restoration projects.
About the GROW project:
● It is a multi-institutional effort led by NITI
Aayog that utilizes remote sensing and
GIS to assess agroforestry suitability
15
across all districts in India.

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fallow land and culturable wastelands, into physical access to genetic resources and ensure that
productive use through agroforestry. the benefits obtained from their use are shared
● This project will promote the use of space technology equitably with the providers.
in agriculture. ● In India, the ABS is a compensatory amount
Purpose of GROW Initiative: typically paid to tribal and other communities
● Achieving sustainability and resilience in land use. with a tradition of gathering, safeguarding, and
● Help transform India's landscape, turning wastelands utilizing herbs and medicinal plants crucial for the
into thriving agroforestry systems. Ayush industry.
● Help in environmental restoration and in setting a ● According to the Ayurvedic Medicine Manufacturers
global benchmark for sustainable development Organisation of India, the Amendment would empower
practices. Ayush drug manufacturers to expand their market
● This Initiative's impact on India's green cover, carbon presence within the broader health and wellness
sequestration efforts, and agricultural productivity industry.
will be profound, paving the way for a greener, more
sustainable future.
Wild Life (Protection) Licencing (Additional
What is Agroforestry?
Matters for Consideration) Rules, 2024
● Agroforestry combines agricultural and forestry
technologies to create integrated, diverse, multi- News Excerpt:
functional and productive land use systems. Recently, the central government has excluded some
Status of Agroforestry in India: species from the process of issuing licences for their
wildlife trade in the revised rules that have come after four
● Due to the significance of goods and services provided
decades.
by agroforestry, the Union Budget of GoI (FY 2022-23)
has underlined the promotion of agroforestry and About the rules:
private forestry as a priority. ● According to new rules, the government offered fresh
● Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) guidelines for granting licences to stakeholders
launched the All India Coordinated Research Project involved in snake venom, captive animals, trophy
on Agroforestry (AICRPAF) with 20 centres in 1983. animals and stuffed animals.
● Based on GIS and remote-sensing techniques, the ○ With new guidelines in effect, the government has
ICAR-Central Agroforestry Research Institute estimates stated, "No such licences shall be granted if it
agroforestry to cover about 25 million hectares in the relates to any wild animals specified in Schedule I
15 agroclimatic zones of the country. to the Act, except with previous consultation of the
central government.”
○ “The authorized officials granting the license" have
Amended Biological Diversity Law to note the source and manner in which the
News Excerpt: business would obtain the supplies, including the
Amendment to the Biological Diversity Act of 2023 sparks number of licences already issued in the concerned
debate as it exempts AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, area.
Naturopathy, Siddha, Sowa Rigpa, Homoeopathy) ● The notification does not clarify why the restrictions
practitioners from Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS), raising on Schedule II species have been lifted.
fears of economic loss for tribal communities. ● On another occasion in 2022, the central government,
Biological Diversity (Amendment) Act, 2023: in an amendment to the Wildlife Protection Act,
merged several schedules of wild animals, reducing
● Recently, the Centre notified the Biological Diversity
the six schedules to four.
(Amendment) Act, 2023, which is aimed at simplifying
access to the country’s rich biodiversity for research ● The previous rules from 1983 prohibited issuing
and development while ensuring environmental licences to trade in a wild animal categorized under
protection and fair benefits to local communities. Schedule I or Part II of Schedule II under the Wildlife
Protection Act 1972.
● Its Amendment would help the traditional segment
expand its footprint in health and wellness. Present status:
● The Amendment exempts Ayush practitioners from ● As per the revised amendments, Schedule I includes
paying Access and Benefit Sharing (ABS). animals requiring the utmost protection, while
Schedule II has species needing comparatively
16
Access and benefit-sharing (ABS):

lower protection.
● The ABS provisions of the Convention on
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Biological Diversity (CBD) are designed to facilitate

● Plant species have been listed under Schedule II, ● Known as Mandovi in Goa, it is one of the two
while Schedule IV is dedicated to species to be major rivers of the western state.
protected under the Convention on International Trade ● River Mahadayi is Spread across the Districts of Goa,
in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). Karnataka and Maharashtra.
● Under the Wildlife Protection Act 1972, some of the ● Originating at Khanpur (Belgaum-Karnataka),
animals listed under Schedule II include birds such as Mahadayi finally joins the Arabian Sea at Panaji
sparrows, eagles, falcons, and prinias, reptiles such as (North-Goa).
snakes and turtles, mammals such as deer, langur, and ● Tributaries of Mahadayi include Kalasa Nala, Surla
amphibians like geckos and frogs listed. Nala, Haltar Nala, Poti Nala, Mahadayi Nala,
● According to the World Wildlife Crime Report 2020, Pansheer Nala, Bail Nala, Andher Nala and many
about 6,000 species of flora and fauna were seized more.
globally from 1999 to 2018. Kali Tiger Reserve:
World Wildlife Crime Report: ● Kali Tiger Reserve is located in Uttara Kannada
● The United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime District of Karnataka State, covering the taluks of
(UNODC) unveils the World Wildlife Crime Report. Dandeli, Haliyal, Karwar and Joida.
● This included data from the annual illegal trade ● The Tiger Reserve comprises two important
reports that CITES Parties must submit to the protected areas of the region, viz., Dandeli Wildlife
Secretariat since 2017. Sanctuary and Anshi National Park.
● The World Wildlife Crime Report 2020 contains Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR):
detailed case studies on illegally traded species, illicit ● Sahyadri Tiger Reserve (STR) is located in the
markets and trade flows, as well as illicit financial Maharashtra state and gets its name from its
flows. location in the Western Ghats Sahyadri Range.
● STR is the northernmost tiger habitat in the
Western Ghats, protected by declaring it as a Tiger
National Wildlife Board Defers Decision on
Reserve in 2010.
Kalasa-Bhanduri Project The central portion of Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is occupied
News Excerpt: by the "Shivsagar" reservoir of Koyna River and the
The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has deferred the "Vasant Sagar" reservoir of Warana River.
decision on diverting forest land from the Kali and
Sahyadri Tiger Reserves for the construction of a part of
the Karnataka Government's Kalasa Nala Water Diversion
No wildlife clearance without compliance
Scheme in Khanapur taluk of Belagavi district. certificates: NBWL
About the Kalasa-Banduri project: News Excerpt:
● The Karnataka Government's project proposes Project proposals in and around wildlife sanctuaries and
diverting Mahadayi river water into the Malaprabha national parks will not be considered for wildlife clearance
River to enhance the drinking water supply to unless states submit certificates of compliance
Dharwad, Belagavi, Bagalkote, and Gadag districts. prescribed by NBWL.
● This project involves the diversion of around 27 Why have Compliance Certificates been made
hectares of land, including 11 hectares in a tiger mandatory?
corridor between Karnataka and Goa and the corridor ● In the last five years, 718 project proposals in wildlife
between Kali and Sahyadri Tiger Reserves. sanctuaries and protected areas have been granted
About Malaprabha River: wildlife clearance by NBWL. But the state chief wildlife
● The river originates in the Western Ghats, west of wardens did not send the certificates of compliance.
Jamboti village, in Khanapur taluk of Belgaum. ● Several non-compliance issues were observed in
● After flowing in the east and then in the northeast previous projects.
direction, it joins the Krishna River at Kudala ● The Chief Wildlife Warden (CWLW) is the statutory
Sangama in the Bagalkot district of Karnataka. authority under the Wildlife Protection Act, who heads
● Tributaries of Malaprabha River: - Bennihalla, the department's Wildlife Wing and exercises complete
Hirehalla and Tuparihalla are the main tributaries of administrative control over Protected Areas (PAs)
Malaprabha River. within a state.
17
About Mahadayi River:

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About NBWL and its standing committees: ● The study identified a sewage outlet in Maharashtra
● The National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) (formerly as the single largest emitter, releasing a staggering
known as the Indian Board for Wildlife) is constituted 6,209.9 kilograms per hour (kg/hr) of methane.
under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, and chaired ● Additionally, Ahmedabad’s Pirana and Surat’s Khajod
by the Prime Minister with the Minister of were found to emit 4,727 kg/hr and 4,705 kg/hr of
Environment and Forests as the vice-chair. methane, respectively.
○ The board advises the federal and State ○ These alarming figures underscore the urgent
governments on matters concerning wildlife need to improve waste management practices
conservation policy, illegal trade and poaching, in these cities.
management of national parks and sanctuaries, ● The decomposition process at landfill sites creates
impact assessments of projects on wildlife, and unhealthy conditions and releases substantial
other related issues. methane even after the landfills are closed.
● The tenure of each board is 3 years, after which a new ● The study also provided insights into the overall
methane emissions from municipal solid waste
one is constituted.
landfills in India.
● The National Board may, at its discretion, constitute a
○ India’s net annual methane emissions from
Standing Committee under sub-section (1) of
these landfills were estimated to be 10.84 lakh
Section 5B.
metric tons in 2015, with a notable reduction to
○ The Standing Committee shall consist of the Vice- 4.04 lakh metric tons by 2000.
Chairperson (Union Minister in charge of Forests ● Remote sensing like EMIT helps monitor methane
and Wildlife), the Member Secretary, and not more emissions from landfills in Indian cities.
than ten members to be nominated by the Vice- ● Distinguishing methane from other gases, especially in
Chairperson from amongst the members of the humid environments, can be difficult. Future methane
National Board.
sensors like Carbon Mapper and MethaneSAT will
improve area flux mapping and point source imaging.
The world's largest deep-sea coral reef ● 14.43% of India's carbon emissions come from
methane, primarily from agriculture and waste sites.
News Excerpt:
Methane emissions are attributed to anthropogenic
Recently, Scientists have mapped the largest-known deep- sources such as coal mines, wetlands, oil and gas
sea coral reef, which is located off the Atlantic coast of the infrastructure facilities, landfills, wastewater disposal sites,
United States. fish farming, livestock farming and agriculture.
Key findings of the discovery: Impact of Methane emission:
● The newly discovered reef is around 310 miles (500 km) ● Methane (CH4), the primary component of natural
long, extending from Florida to South Carolina. It is gas, is responsible for approximately a third of the
as wide as 68 miles (110 km) in some places. global warming we are experiencing today.
● The reef was discovered at depths where sunlight ● Methane is a powerful and short-lived greenhouse
cannot reach, between 200 and 1000 meters. gas, with a lifetime of about a decade and a Global
● At this depth, the coral must filter food particles out of Warming Potential about 80 times greater than that
the water in order to get energy, unlike tropical coral of carbon dioxide (CO2) during the 20 years after it
reefs, where photosynthesis is crucial for growth. is released into the atmosphere.
● These deep corals provide shelter to a variety of fish ● Without action, global anthropogenic methane
species, including swordfish, octopuses, shrimp, sea emissions will rise by up to 13% between 2020 and
stars, and sharks. 2030.
● Global methane emissions must be reduced by 30-
60% below 2020 levels by 2030 to be consistent with
Methane hotspots in India the least-cost pathways of limiting global warming to
News Excerpt: 1.5°C this century (Climate and Clean Air Coalition
(CCAC)).
Landfill sites in Ahmedabad and Surat are second and
● Methane also harms human and ecosystem health.
third, respectively, among the top 22 methane hotspots in
Methane emissions lead to ground-level ozone
India, according to a recent study conducted by the Indian
pollution.
Space Research Organization (ISRO).
Measures to Reduce Methane Emissions in India:
Key highlights of the study:
18
● National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture

● Methane hotspots and plumes were identified for 22
(NMSA).
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unique locations in India.
● ‘The Gobar (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Wetland ‘nature tourism’ gets a fillip
Resources) Dhan’ scheme and the New National
Biogas and Organic Manure Programme. News Excerpt:
● The National Livestock Mission- reduce methane The Central government has set out to promote tourism at
emissions from livestock. Ecologically Sensitive Wetlands, better known as Ramsar
● Direct Seeded Rice scheme sites.
● Waste to Energy plants About Alternative Livelihood Programme (ALP):
● It was launched by the Ministry of Tourism (MoT) in
collaboration with the Ministry of Environment, Forest
Wadge Bank Ecosystem
& Climate Change (MoEFCC) under the Amrit
News Excerpt: Dharohar Capacity Building Scheme-2023 in
According to experts, the Centre's oil exploration plans off Sultanpur National Park, a Ramsar Site in Haryana.
the Kanniyakumari coast could severely impact the fertile ● Under this Initiative, the Indian Institute of Tourism &
fishing ground, marine biodiversity and the Wadge Bank Travel Management (IITTM), an autonomous body
ecosystem. under MoT, in collaboration with MoEFCC, will build
About the oil exploration program: the capacity of local community members around
● Recently, the Union Ministry of Petroleum and Natural different Ramsar sites in order to strengthen nature
Gas, Directorate of Hydrocarbon has put out a Notice tourism at these sites and provide alternative
Inviting Offers (NIO) for the exploration and livelihood to the local community, with the help of
development of oil and gas blocks in India under the State Forest Department.
Hydrocarbon Exploration and Licensing Policy Identification and capacity building:
(HELP). ● Currently, 16 Ramsar sites have been identified, out
About Wadge Bank Ecosystem: of which 5 have been taken up as a pilot project for
● The Wadge Bank is situated to the South of Cape skill development of the facilitators, tourism service
Comorin and lies generally between latitudes 7°10’N providers, and stakeholders in and around these sites.
and 8°00'N and longitudes 76°40'E and 78°00'E, but ○ These five wetlands are Sultanpur National Park
outside the territorial waters of India. (Haryana), Bhitarkanika Mangroves (Odisha),
● The Bank shelves gradually up to 200 metres in depth, Chilika Lake (Odisha), Sirpur (Madhya Pradesh) and
with its most extensive flattening in an East-West Yashwant Sagar (Madhya Pradesh).
direction between the 50 metres and 100 metres ● A total of 30 participants have been trained at each of
contours. the Ramsar sites for 15 days each under the ALP at
● The sea-bed consists of sand and shells and is rocky in Sultanpur (Haryana), Yashwant Sagar and Sirpur
places. (Madhya Pradesh).
● At Bhitarkanika and Chilika in Odisha, two training
programmes of 15 days, namely the ALP and the
Paryatan Navik Certificate (boatman certification for
tourism), will soon be completed.
○ A total of 60 participants (30 for each course)
are being trained at these sites.
● A special conference is also being organized in the
first week of February in Indore to formulate SOPs
and guidelines for the States and other stakeholders.
India’s southernmost vulture population

News Excerpt:
According to data from the Tamil Nadu Forest Department,
more than 300 vultures were recorded in the recently
completed synchronous vulture survey in the Nilgiri
Biosphere Reserve (NBR).
19
About the news:

● According to the data, the Mudumalai-
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Sathyamangalam-Bandipur-Wayanad complex of
the NBR accounted for over 82% of the vultures About Galvanising Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan
recorded during the survey. The highest number was (GOBARdhan) scheme:
recorded in the Mudumalai and Sathyamangalam Tiger ● It was launched by the Ministry of Drinking Water &
Reserves in Tamil Nadu. Sanitation in 2018 as a part of the Solid and Liquid
● The survey was conducted in the Mudumalai Tiger Waste Management component under the Swachh
Reserve, the Bandipur Tiger Reserve, the Billigiri Bharat Mission (Grameen) to positively impact village
Ranganatha Swamy Temple Tiger Reserve, the cleanliness and generate wealth and energy from cattle
Nagerhole Tiger Reserve, the Wayanad Wildlife and organic waste.
Sanctuary and the Nellai Forest Division. ● The main focus of GOBARDHAN is to keep villages
● A total of 217 critically endangered white-rumped clean, increase the income of rural households, and
vultures, 47 long-billed vultures, 50 Asian king generate energy and organic manure from cattle
vultures, four endangered Egyptian vultures and two waste.
“near threatened” Himalayan griffon vultures were ● As rural India has already attained the Open Defecation
recorded during the survey. Free (ODF) status, the importance of GOBARDHAN has
● The NBR is home to three resident species: the white- increased as it supports the villages in achieving ODF-
rumped, long-billed and Asian king vultures. It is also plus status, which is an important objective of Swachh
home to the last viable populations of the three species Bharat Mission (Grameen) Phase II.
south of the Vindhya Range. ● This scheme aims at converting biodegradable/
organic waste, including cattle dung and,
Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (NBR): agricultural residues and other biomass, into
● The total area of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve is valuable resources such as biogas, compressed
5,520.4 sq. km. It is located between latitude 10°45′ biogas (CBG), and organic manure.
– 12°15′ N and longitude 76° – 77°15′ E. The altitude ○ It is a niche initiative to promote a circular
ranges from 250 m to 2,600 m. economy through a novel “Whole of Government”
● UNESCO has identified this and recognized it as the approach.
first and foremost biosphere reserve in the year 1986 Government effort to promote the implementation
under the Man and Biosphere Programme. It also of the GOBARdhan initiative and Green Energy:
has a rich ethnic heritage, flora and fauna. ● Central excise duty exemption has been provided to
● The reserve is located in the Western Ghats of CNG blended with CBG to prevent double taxation.
Southern India. It is spread over the Indian states of ● A Fertiliser Control Order (FCO) amendment
Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Karnataka. notification has been issued to promote bio-
● The reserve extends from the tropical moist forests fertilizer.
● Exemption granted for requirement of
of the windward slopes of the Western Ghats to the
Authorization letter for sale of Fermented Organic
tropical dry forests on the leeward eastern slopes,
Manure (FOM)/Liquid Fermented Organic Manure
which include Mudumalai, Bandipur, Nagarhole,
(LFOM) (organic manure produced from GOBARdhan
Wayanad, and Silent Valley.
plants) for a period of three years to boost uptake of
these crop nutrients.
● The government has also raised the moisture content
Government’s green energy push norms from 30-40 percent to 30-70 percent in FOM.
News Excerpt: ○ Besides, it has increased the C/N ratio (Carbon:
Nitrogen Ratio) from “less than 20” to “up to
Recently, the government of India announced that 198
30” and pH content in LFOM/FOM from “6.5-8.0”
green energy plants had been set up during this fiscal
to “6.5-8.4”.
year, including 12 Compressed Biogas (CBG) plants and 186
● Indian Council of Agricultural Research (ICAR) has
biogas plants.
prepared a report on “Utilisation of Bioslurry in
● Meanwhile, 556 plants - 129 CBG and 427 biogas - are
various cropping systems” as well as a package of
under construction.
practices for the application of FOM/ LFOM for various
More on the news: crops to popularise these and to improve soil health
● During the Budget 2023-24, the establishment of and farm productivity.
“500 new waste to wealth” plants with an ● The Market Development Assistance (MDA) scheme
investment of Rs 10,000 crore under the Galvanising has been approved to incentivize the sale and
Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan (GOBARdhan) marketing of FOM/LFOM (a by-product from
20
scheme was announced. GOBARDhan plants), promoting organic farming.

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● The National Biofuel Coordination Committee Wildlife Protection Act 2022:

(NBCC) has approved the wise introduction of ● The Wildlife Protection Act 2022 seeks to improve the
mandatory 5 per cent CBG blending to strengthen implementation of the Convention on International
the production and consumption of CBG. Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora
(CITES).
● It proposes to rationalise and amend the schedules
Living Animal Species (Reporting and that list out wildlife species to ensure better care of
Registration) Rules, 2024 seized animals and disposal of seized wildlife parts and
News Excerpt: products, according to the Ministry of Environment,
Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC).
According to the Union Environment Ministry's Living
● Appendix 1 of Schedule 4 of the Wildlife Protection
Animal Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules,
Act 2022 has species of various bears and pandas, such
2024, owners of exotic pets such as macaws, cockatoos,
as the Red Panda, various species of dogs, wolves, cats,
and other soft-shell turtles must register them with the
apes, chimpanzees, gibbons, lemurs, squirrels,
State Wildlife Department.
armadillos, various birds including Hornbills, Macaws,
Key provisions mentioned in the Living Animal Parakeets, Owls, various reptiles among others.
Species (Reporting and Registration) Rules, 2024: PARIVESH 2.0 portal:
● It states that all persons possessing a living specimen ● Parivesh is a web-based workflow application
of any of the listed animal species are required to designed for the online submission and monitoring
apply for registrations of such possession within a of proposals seeking Environmental (EC), Forest (FC),
period of six months from the date of commencement Wildlife (WL), and Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)
of these rules and thereafter within 30 of coming into clearances.
possession of such animal species to the concerned ● The portal operates on a role-based system,
State Chief Wildlife Warden, through the PARIVESH facilitating a streamlined process for proponents.
2.0 portal (Pro-Active and Responsive Facilitation by ● Its primary objective is to serve as a “single window”
Interactive and Virtuous Environmental Single- solution, employing process automation and
window Hub). leveraging technologies like GIS and Advanced Data
○ These species are listed under the Convention Analytics.
on International Trade in Endangered Species ● This approach ensures expeditious, transparent, and
of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES). effective decision-making while maintaining stringent
○ ‘Animal species’ means any living specimens of environmental safeguards.
any animal species listed in Schedule IV ● The government launched Parivesh 1.0 in August 2018
appended to the Act” which covers species at the Central level and in August 2019 at the State
under the Convention. level.
● These rules do not apply to other wildlife that is About CITES:

already protected under the Wildlife Protection Act ● CITES (Convention on International Trade in Endangered
and cannot be kept in captivity. Species of Wild Fauna and Flora) aims to ensure that
○ Section 49 M of the Wildlife (Protection) international trade in specimens of wild animals and
Amendment Act 2022 provides for registering plants does not threaten the species' survival.
possession, transfer, and reporting of birth ● CITES was drafted as a result of a resolution adopted in
and death of living scheduled animal species 1963 at a meeting of members of IUCN (The World
listed in the Appendices of CITES and Schedule IV Conservation Union).
of the Act.
○ The Convention's text was finally agreed upon at a
● India is a party to the CITES, which requires that meeting of representatives of 80 countries in
appropriate measures are taken to enforce the Washington, D.C., United States of America, on 3
provisions of the Convention. March 1973, and on 1 July 1975, CITES entered
● This registration requirement also applies to any into force.
transfer of the animals or birth of offspring from ● Although CITES is legally binding on the Parties, it
them, with the Rule prescribing the process for such does not take the place of national laws.
registration. ○ Rather, it provides a framework that is respected
● Further, any transfer of possession and birth of by each party, which has to adopt its own
oﬀsprings of such specimen(s) shall also be domestic legislation to ensure that CITES is
registered, and death shall be reported to the
21
implemented at the national level.

concerned Chief Wildlife Warden through the ● CITES has been among the conservation agreements
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PARIVESH 2.0 portal. with the largest membership, with now 184 Parties
Government amends Electricity (Rights of are- 3 days in metropolitan areas, 7 days in other
municipal areas, and 15 days in rural areas (except for
Consumers) Rules
hilly terrain, where it remains 30 days).
News Excerpt: ● Additional Rights for Consumers in Residential
The Government of India has approved amendments to the Colonies and Flats:
Electricity (Rights of Consumers) Rules, 2020. ○ Enhanced consumer choice for distribution
● The Union Minister for Power and New & Renewable connections in group housing societies and multi-
Energy stated that these amendments will further storied buildings.
reduce the timeline for getting new electricity ○ There are separate metering and collection
connections and that they simplify the process of processes for individual consumption, separate
setting up rooftop solar installations. billing for common areas, and backup generators
Rooftop Solar Systems in residential societies.
● Rooftop Solar Systems are ideal for harnessing the ● Mandatory Additional Meter Installation in Cases of
sun’s energy by converting it into electric power. Complaints: The distribution licensee is required to
● This can be done by adding an interface known as an install an additional meter within 5 days for complaints
inverter to convert the DC power generated by the regarding meter reading discrepancies. The additional
solar panels on the rooftop to AC power, as most meter is used to verify consumption for at least 3
appliances and devices run on AC. months, ensuring accuracy in billing and reassuring
consumers.
Types of solar systems:
● The amendments will empower consumers living in
1. On-grid systems: The rooftop solar system is integrated
multistoried flats to choose their connection type
with the main grid supply. This system allows power to be
and ensure, thus enhancing transparency.
used from the grid supply only when the rooftop solar
system is unable to supply the required power.
● This system can earn revenues as any excess power Why do global sea surface temperatures
generated can be fed to the grid for which DISCOMs pay matter?
compensation using ‘net metering’.
News Excerpt:
2. Off-grid systems: In this the rooftop solar system is not
linked to the main grid. This system can run independently In February 2024, the global sea surface temperature
with its own battery. (SST) reached a historic high of 21.06 degrees Celsius, as
the Copernicus Climate Change Service (C3S) reported
3. Hybrid systems: The third one is the hybrid system, in
on March 5, 2024.
which both on-grid and off-grid systems work in tandem.
● This marks the highest recorded SST since data
● In this type of system, though a battery is used, the
collection began in 1979, surpassing the previous
advantage is that after the battery is fully charged, the
record of 20.98 degrees Celsius set in August 2023.
excess power generated is fed to the grid, which
generates additional revenues for the consumer. More about the News:
Details about amendments to the Electricity (Rights ● Since March 2023, the daily average SST has
of Consumers) Rules, 2020 consistently exceeded previous years' temperatures,
as depicted in the graph below. The orange line
● Faster Installation of Rooftop Solar Systems:
represents 2023's temperatures, while the grey lines
○ Exemption from a feasibility study for systems up
track temperatures from earlier years.
to 10 kW capacity.
● The solid black line illustrates the SST for 2024, which
○ Reduced timeline for feasibility study for systems
notably surpasses all previous years, including 2023.
above 10 kW.
Why Oceans Are Getting Warmer?
○ Mandated distribution system strengthening for
● Human Factors: The oceans are experiencing warming
systems up to 5 kW capacity at the distribution
primarily due to human activities, particularly since
company's cost. Reduced commissioning timeline
the onset of the Industrial Revolution in the 19th
for distribution licensee from 30 to 15 days.
century.
● Separate Connections for Electric Vehicle Charging
○ This period has seen significant emissions of
Stations: Consumers can obtain separate connections
greenhouse gases (GHGs) such as carbon dioxide,
for EV charging, aligning with carbon emission reduction
methane, ozone, and nitrous oxide, which trap heat
goals.
22
in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

● Faster process for obtaining new connections: Time
period for obtaining new connection under new rule
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○ As a result, the global average temperature has Key Outcomes of SEEI:

risen by approximately 1.2 degrees Celsius ● Top Performer: The top-performing states in each
above pre-industrial levels. group are Karnataka (Group 1), Andhra Pradesh
● GHG Emission: A substantial portion of the excess heat (Group 2), Assam (Group 3), and Chandigarh (Group
generated by GHGs has been absorbed by the oceans, 4).
causing them to warm gradually over time. ● Front Runners: In SEEI 2023, seven states—Andhra
○ Oceans play a critical role in mitigating climate Pradesh, Haryana, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra,
impacts. They absorb and redistribute heat, Punjab, and Telangana—are in the 'Front runner'
potentially alleviating the severity of climate category, compared to five states in SEEI 2021-22.
change effects. ● Achiever: Two states, Assam and Uttar Pradesh, are in
● Climatic factors: Factors like El Niño, characterized by the 'Achiever' category,
abnormal warming of surface waters in the equatorial ● Contender: Three states—Goa, Jharkhand, and Tamil
Pacific Ocean, have contributed to rising ocean Nadu—are in the 'Contender' category.
temperatures and global surface temperatures. ● Overall: With an overall score of 86.5 out of 100,
○ However, the global daily average sea surface Karnataka emerges as the top-performing state in
temperature began to rise well before the full SEEI 2023.
onset of El Niño and has remained unusually high ○ The second-highest performer, Andhra Pradesh,
even as this weather pattern diminishes. with a score of 83.25 out of 100.
● Atmosphere Dynamics: Changes in atmospheric ● Key Improvements: Fifteen states have improved their
dynamics, such as weaker-than-average winds scores compared to SEEI 2021-22, with Goa, Uttar
leading to reduced dust blowing off the Sahara Desert, Pradesh, Maharashtra, and Haryana demonstrating
have also influenced ocean temperatures. This dust significant progress, improving by over 10 points
forms a protective barrier that shades Atlantic relative to the previous assessment.
waters, thus lowering ocean temperatures. ○ Maharashtra and Haryana have witnessed the
○ Recent conditions have resulted in less dust cover, most substantial improvements, with score
allowing more sunlight to penetrate the ocean increases of 18.5 and 17 points, respectively.
surface and contribute to its warming. ○ Conversely, Rajasthan has experienced the most
significant decline in scores in SEEI 2023, which can
State Energy Efficiency Index 2023: BEE be attributed primarily to a lack of reported data.
News Excerpt: India's Energy Landscape and Growth:

● The foundation of India's energy efficiency framework
The fifth edition of the State Energy Efficiency Index
lies in the Energy Conservation (EC) Act of 2001, with
(SEEI) was launched by the Bureau of Energy Efficiency
(BEE).
About SEEI:
● The Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE)
launched the index, in association with the
Alliance for an Energy-Efficient Economy
(AEEE), to evaluate the annual progress of
energy efficiency implementation in the
states.
● In SEEI 2023, states and union territories are
categorized into four groups based on their
total scores: 'Front runner' (>=60),
'Achiever' (50-59.75), 'Contender' (30-
49.75), and 'Aspirant' (<30).
● Additionally, they are classified into four
groups based on their total final energy
consumption (TFEC): Group 1 (>15 million
tonnes of oil equivalent (MTOE)), Group 2
(5-15 MTOE), Group 3 (1-5 MTOE), and
23
Group 4 (<1 MTOE).

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the BEE at the central level and SDAs at the state level to into actionable energy-saving measures at the state
enforce and implement the EC Act. level.
○ The EC Act 2022 amendment empowers state
Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction
governments to actively participate in India's
energy transition, allowing them to amend (BBNJ)
building codes, manage funds, and set News Excerpt:
consumption standards. The Blue Leaders High-Level Event on BBNJ was held in
● India's robust economic growth, fueled by a burgeoning Belgium to urge nations to ratify a new treaty to protect the
middle class and rapid urbanization, has propelled it to high seas from pollution, climate change, and overfishing.
become the third-largest global energy consumer. About:
○ Between 2000 and 2020, the nation's primary
● The treaty entails several key components aimed at
energy demand more than doubled, reaching 937
addressing critical issues affecting marine biodiversity
Mtoe. beyond national jurisdiction.
● With an anticipated 3.5-fold increase to 1,788 Mtoe ● These include establishing marine protected areas,
by 2047 across sectors, there is a pressing need for ensuring fair sharing of benefits from marine genetic
sustainable energy consumption in line with India's low- resources, enhancing scientific cooperation and
carbon goals. information sharing, and building capacity in marine
○ Updated NDCs to the UNFCCC target a net-zero technology and environmental impact assessment.
economy by 2070 and a 45% reduction in GDP
Key Points:
emission intensity by 2030.
● Call to Action: This treaty, formally known as the
● Acknowledged at the G20 summit and COP 28, energy
Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use
efficiency is recognized as the most cost-effective and
of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond
rapid means to complement renewable energy, aligning National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Treaty), was adopted in
with India's commitment to translate national objectives March 2023 and has garnered signatures from 88
countries.
About BEE: ○ However, only Chile and Palau have ratified it thus
● BEE is a statutory body under the Ministry of Power far, with ratification by at least 60 countries needed
(Nodal Ministry), Government of India. for the treaty to come into effect.
● It was established by the Government of India on ● Need for Global Participation: The BBNJ Treaty aims
March 1, 2002, under the Energy Conservation Act to enhance the protection of the high seas, which
of 2001. currently lacks adequate safeguards despite covering a
● Its primary objective is to reduce energy intensity, vast portion of the global ocean.
focusing on self-regulation and market principles. ○ The treaty seeks to increase the percentage of
● Its functions and duties include coordinating with protected areas in these waters and ensure
designated consumers, agencies, and equitable sharing of profits from marine genetic
organizations and recognizing, identifying, and resources (MGRs).
utilizing existing resources and infrastructure to ○ It establishes guidelines for Environmental Impact
fulfil its responsibilities under the Energy Assessments (EIAs), particularly for activities like
Conservation Act. ocean-based carbon sequestration and deep-sea
● The BEE is implementing several other innovative mining.
energy efficiency schemes and national programs, ● India’s Support & Global Concerns: While India is yet
such as the Perform, Achieve and Transfer (PAT) to sign the treaty, it has expressed support for its
Scheme, Standards and Labelling for Energy
implementation during the G20 New Delhi Leaders’
Efficient Appliances, Energy Conservation
Declaration in September 2023.
Building Codes (ECBC) and Demand Side
Management.
About AEEE (Alliance for Energy Efficient Economy): Belgium recognizes Ecocide as a crime
● It is one of the leading organizations in India that News Excerpt:
works to create awareness about energy efficiency
The Belgian Federal Parliament has voted in favour of a
as a resource.
revised penal code that makes ecocide punishable at both
● It supports policy implementation and enables the
national and international levels.
24
energy efficiency market with a not-for-profit

motive.
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Ecocide: Quick Glossary:

● “Ecocide” means unlawful or wanton acts committed Decarbonization is the reduction of carbon emissions into
with the knowledge that there is a substantial likelihood the atmosphere by switching to sources, technologies, and
of severe and either widespread or long-term processes with a lower carbon footprint.
damage to the environment being caused by those Net Zero is a state in which greenhouse gas (GHG)
acts. emissions are balanced by removing equal amounts of GHG
○ ‘Ecocide’ was defined by the Independent Expert from the atmosphere.
Panel for the Legal Definition of Ecocide.
○ The Definition was given in 2021 by the Panel, which
was formed by the Stop Ecocide Foundation.
● Ecocide is the massive damage and destruction of
ecosystems and harm to nature that is widespread,
severe or systematic.
Examples of Ecocide:
○ Industrial fishing
■ Deep-sea bottom-trawling destroys entire
ecosystems by dredging the ocean floor, and
overfishing is associated with multiple species
loss.
○ Oil spills
■ There are many examples, the worst of which
was Deepwater Horizon 2010, which formed a
slick extending over more than 149,000 square
km, polluting an estimated 1,100 miles (1,770
km) of shoreline.
■ The Niger Delta has suffered from continuous
oil spills over many decades of extraction and is India’s 1st Green Hydrogen Plant in
still one of the most polluted regions on Earth.
Stainless Steel Sector
○ Textile chemicals
■ The textile industry has a huge polluting impact News Excerpt:
via wastewater from dyeing and tanning. Union Minister of Steel inaugurates India’s 1st Green
Hydrogen Plant in Stainless Steel Sector.
About the Project:
Nagpur launches ‘Zero Carbon Buildings
● This state-of-the-art green hydrogen facility is located
Action Plan’
at Jindal Stainless Limited, Hisar district of Haryana.
News Excerpt: ○ It will be the world’s first off-grid Green
India's first city-specific Zero Carbon Buildings Action Hydrogen plant for the stainless steel industry
Plan (ZCBAP) has been launched in Nagpur. and the world’s first Green Hydrogen plant with
More about the news: rooftop & floating solar.
● The ZCBAP road map covers various types of buildings, ● It aims to reduce carbon emissions considerably by
including public buildings, affordable housing, around 2,700 Metric Tonnes per annum and 54,000
commercial buildings, and private homes. tons of CO2 emissions over the next two decades.
● Under the action plan, buildings in the city will be Other green initiatives of India:
transformed to meet net-zero emission goals by 2050.
● Panchamrit (five-fold strategy to fight climate
● The plan seeks to contribute towards India's net-zero
change):
emission goal by 2070.
I. India will reach its non-fossil energy capacity of
● It also includes strategies for reducing greenhouse gas
500 GW by 2030.
emissions through the choice of building materials and
improved design, construction, management, and II. India will meet 50% of its energy requirements
deconstruction practices. from renewable energy by 2030.
○ Residential, commercial, and institutional buildings III. India will reduce the total projected carbon
25
were responsible for 58% of Nagpur’s total energy emissions by one billion tonnes from now
consumption and 56% of the city’s GHG emissions onwards till 2030.
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in 2017-18.
IV. By 2030, India will reduce the carbon intensity species (Colombia first, Ecuador second) among all
of its economy by less than 45%. participating countries (First- USA, Third- Canada).
V. By the year 2070, India will achieve the target of ● Over the four days, Indian birdwatchers contributed
Net Zero. over 61,000 checklists and documented 1,036 bird
● Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment): species on an online platform, eBird (a collaborative
○ LiFE puts the individual and collective duty on project managed by Bird Count India).
everyone to live a life that is in tune with Earth About GBBC:
and does not harm it. ● The Global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) is a
○ Those who practice such a lifestyle are recognized collaborative citizen science initiative organized by
as Pro Planet People under LiFE. the Cornell Lab of Ornithology, the National
○ It is an India-led global mass movement towards Audubon Society, and Birds Canada.
"mindful and deliberate utilization, instead of ● It was launched in 1998 and was the first online
mindless and destructive consumption" to participatory science project (also called community
protect and preserve the environment. science or citizen science) to collect data on wild birds
● National Green Hydrogen Mission: and display results in near real-time.
○ Launched last year with an outlay of around Low-carbon action plan
₹20,000 crore to make India a Global Hub for the
News Excerpt:
production, usage, and export of Green
Hydrogen and its derivatives. Bihar has initiated a well-designed work plan to strengthen
its waste management profile by formulating a Low-
○ The Mission also supports pilot projects in the
Carbon Action Plan (LCAP) for the waste and domestic
steel sector with a budget of around ₹500 crore
wastewater sector.
until FY 2029-30.
About the LCAP:
Green hydrogen: ● LCAP comes after the Chief Minister of Bihar unveiled a
● It is made by using clean electricity from surplus comprehensive draft of the Climate Resilient and Low
renewable energy sources, such as solar or wind Carbon Development Pathway for the State. It is part
power, to electrolyze water. of Bihar's commitment to transform itself into a Net
● Electrolyzers use an electrochemical reaction to Zero state by 2070.
split water into its components of hydrogen and ○ It is a first of its kind in the country, marking a
oxygen, emitting zero-carbon dioxide in the significant stride towards mitigating greenhouse
process. gas (GHG) emissions and fostering a sustainable
and resilient environmental future.
● The visionary objective of LCAP for the waste sector,
Global Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) prepared by ICLEI (International Council for Local
2024 Environmental Initiatives) South Asia, is to ensure:
News Excerpt:
ICLEI – Local Governments for Sustainability:
Over 1,000+ submissions have been made to the global
● It is a global network working with more than 2500
citizen science initiative on documenting birds' diversity,
ranking second in the world. For the Global Great Backyard local and regional governments committed to
Bird Count (GBBC) 2024, 1036 species of birds have been sustainable urban development.
documented from the entire nation. ● ICLEI engages at the local and global levels,
Why it's unique this year? shaping policy and sparking action to transform
● The latest Great Backyard Bird Count (GBBC) saw urban environments worldwide.
participation from birdwatchers across all states
○ Holistic, solid waste management and a
and Union territories for the first time.
sustainable sanitation pathway integrating the
● Kerala led with the highest number of checklists
concept of low-carbon solutions.
(14,023), followed by Tamil Nadu (13,661) and
○ Enabling mitigation of GHG emissions from the
Maharashtra (5,725). West Bengal reported that the
waste sector and contributing to the state-level
most species were observed (538), followed by
goal of pursuing climate resilience and a low-
Uttarakhand (426) and Assam (420).
carbon development pathway for eventually
26
● India has the second-highest number of submitters

achieving carbon neutrality.
on the number of checklists and the third-highest
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Lamphelpat waterbody project Grow plants on government land to earn

News Excerpt: Green Credit
In a developmental effort, Lamphelpat, once a majestic News Excerpt:
lake in Manipur but relegated to the annals of history, is A new government notification has allowed companies and
now undergoing a remarkable revival. individuals to utilize government land for tree plantation in
About the Lamphelpat Waterbody project: order to generate green credits that can be used for
● Lamphelpat Waterbody Project was initiated by the reporting under Environmental, Social, And Governance
Water Resource Department, Manipur, in (ESG) indicators or Corporate Social Responsibility
collaboration with the Ministry of Jal Shakti. (CSR).
● The primary objective of this ambitious project is to Key provisions of the scheme:
develop Integrated Flood Risk Management and ● The Forest Department of each State and Union
ensure water security in the Imphal Valley. territory will identify degraded land parcels, including
● Moreover, this rejuvenation endeavour is not merely open forest and scrubland, wasteland, and
about bolstering water resources; it also entails catchment areas under their administrative control.
preserving the ecological integrity of the Nambul ● Individuals or entities will design these parcels for tree
River, enhancing aesthetic values, and promoting plantation.
eco-tourism potential in Imphal City.
○ While such an activity will help in increasing green
Lamphelpat Area: cover across the country, it can also be used to
● The Lamphelpat area, in the west part of Imphal, generate Green Credit.
the capital of Manipur, experiences urban floods ● Identified land parcels must be free from any
during the rainy season due to a reduction in the encumbrances.
detention capacity of the Lamphelpat waterbody. ● Such land should also be 5 hectares or more.
● Lamphelpat, which is in the foothills of the ● The Green Credit shall be calculated at the rate of one
Langol hill range, was a natural water Green Credit per tree grown through the tree
reservoir. plantation on such land parcel, subject to a minimum
● The Lamphelpat was famous for Kombirei density of 1100 trees per hectare, based on the local
flowers. climatic and soil conditions, on the certification of
completion of tree plantation provided by the Forest
● According to the State Wetland Technical
Department concerned.
Committee, the Lamphelpat is one of many
wetlands that the committee recommended to About Green Credit Program:
the State Wetland Authority for conservation. ● The Green Credit Program (GCP) was introduced by the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
(MOEFCC) in October 2023 to incentivize positive
Key Insights into Kaziranga's Past Climate environmental actions in India.
and Vegetation ● It is an innovative market-based mechanism designed
to incentivize voluntary environmental actions across
News Excerpt:
diverse sectors, by various stakeholders like individuals,
New research has developed a modern analogue for pollen
communities, private sector industries, and
and non-pollen palynomorphs (NPPs) of Kaziranga
companies.
National Park that can help interpret the past vegetation
● The GCP's governance framework is supported by an
and climate in a region.
inter-ministerial Steering Committee and The Indian
About Non-Pollen Palynomorphs (NPPs): Council of Forestry Research and Education (ICFRE)
These are micro-remains of organisms other than pollen, serves as the GCP Administrator.
such as cyanobacteria, fungi, invertebrates, testate ● In its initial phase, the GCP focuses on two key activities:
amoebae, micro-algae and plant fragments that are water conservation and afforestation.
routinely found in palynology slides. ● The Green Credit certificate that is granted under this
program will be tradable on the Green Credit
platform.
● Tree plantation is one of eight activities that are
notified to generate Green Credit.
27
○ Other activities include water management,

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sustainable agriculture, waste management, air
pollution reduction, and mangrove More about the news:

conservation and restoration among others. ● The findings were part of the report ‘Enabling a
Circular
Economy in
Cabinet approves establishment of India’s Solar
International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) Industry –
News Excerpt: Assessing the
Solar Waste
The Union Cabinet chaired by India’s Prime Minister
Quantum’,
approved the establishment of the International Big Cat
which was
Alliance (IBCA) with headquarters in India with a one-
conducted by
time budgetary support of Rs.150 crore for a period of
the Ministry
five years from 2023-24 to 2027-28.
of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) and the
Background: Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW),
● The Prime Minister of India, on the occasion of Global a climate think tank.
Tiger Day 2019, called for an Alliance of Global
● India generated about 100 kilotons (kt) of solar waste
Leaders to curb poaching in Asia.
in the Financial Year (FY) 2022-2023.
● The Prime minister reiterated this Commemorating 50
● India's current solar capacity stands at 66.7 GW as of
years of India's Project Tiger in 2023 and formally
March 2023.
announced the launch of an International Big Cat
Alliance aiming at securing the future of big cats and ○ It has increased by 23 times in the past 10 years
the landscapes they thrive. — and is slated to jump to 292 GW of installed
solar capacity by 2030.
● Seven big cats include Tiger, Lion, Leopard, Snow
Leopard, Puma, Jaguar and the Cheetah out of these ● Therefore, solar waste management is crucial for
five big cats viz. Tigers, lions, leopards, Snow Leopards environmental, economic, and social reasons.
and Cheetahs are found in India. What is solar waste?
About International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA): ● Solar waste refers to the waste generated during
● It recognizes the importance of integrating manufacturing solar modules and waste from the
biodiversity policies with sustainable development field (project lifetime).
goals (SDGs) to achieve holistic and inclusive ● Manufacturing involves two streams of waste,
conservation outcomes and biodiversity including the scrap that’s produced and the waste
conservation efforts with local needs. generated from PV (photo-voltaic) modules failing
Regulatory framework of IBCA: quality tests.
● The IBCA proposes to have an assembly of members, a ● Meanwhile, waste from the field involves three
standing committee as well as a secretariat based in streams of waste:
India.
○ Waste generated during transporting and
● The Environment Ministry will appoint an interim handling — the damaged modules are
director general to head the IBCA secretariat until
considered as waste.
members of the Alliance can meet and appoint a
permanent office-bearer to oversee day-to-day ○ Waste produced due to the damage incurred by
operations. solar modules during their lifetime.
○ When the modules reach their end-of-life and
are not usable anymore.
India to generate 600 kilotons of solar waste
● The study only focused on waste from the field (project
by 2030
lifetime) category and excluded waste generated
News Excerpt: during manufacturing.
As India ramps up its renewable energy capacity to achieve What are the findings of the study?
net-zero goals, the combined waste generated from its
existing and newly installed solar energy infrastructure ● By 2030, India’s current installed solar capacity will
could reach up to approximately 600 kilotons by 2030. generate about 340 kilotons of waste — three times
more than the present.
28
○ Five states, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka,

Tamil Nadu, and Andhra Pradesh, are
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expected to produce around 67% of this IAEA initiatives to promote nuclear power:
waste. ● IAEA is an intergovernmental organization that works
○ This is because these five states currently have for the safe and peaceful use of nuclear science and
more solar capacity than other states and, technology.
therefore, will produce more solar waste. ● The IAEA has launched an ‘Atoms4Climate’ initiative to
talk about nuclear energy and has begun an
○ Out of India’s 500 GW renewable energy target,
engagement with the climate community, especially at
most of the GWs will come from these five
the COPs or the annual year-ending climate
renewable energy-rich states.
conferences.
● According to the Report, the cumulative waste from
○ At COP27 in Sharm el-Sheikh, the IAEA set up a
existing and new capacity (deployed between FY24
pavilion for the first time, and at COP28 in Dubai
and FY30) will reach about 600 kt by 2030.
last year, about 20 countries pledged to work
● By 2050, it will increase to about 19,000 kt 77%, of towards tripling global nuclear energy installed
which will be generated from new capacities. capacity by 2050.
● The discarded modules contain minerals such as A COP outreach programme of IAEA:
silicon, copper, tellurium, and cadmium — which ● In the last five years, nuclear energy has progressively
have been classified as critical minerals for the gained visibility at climate conferences, including the
country’s economic development and national Conference of Parties of the United Nations
security by the Indian government. Framework Convention on Climate Change
(UNFCCC).
○ The 340 kt waste expected to be produced by
● IAEA has now begun participating in these events as an
2030 would consist of 10 kt of silicon, 12-18
observer, organizing side events and talks on the
tonnes of silver, and 16 tonnes of cadmium
potential of nuclear energy.
and tellurium.
○ The COP 28, which was held in Dubai, was
particularly eventful for Nuclear Energy.
Nuclear Energy Summit ○ Representatives from 22 countries committed to
News Excerpt: working together to triplicate global nuclear
energy installed capacity by 2050 from 2020
Nuclear energy was presented as an important solution to
levels and achieve global net-zero emission levels
global problems like climate change and energy security at
by 2050.
the first-of-its-kind Nuclear Energy Summit that was
○ The final outcome from Dubai formally
hosted in Brussels, Belgium.
acknowledged nuclear energy as one of the zero,
About Nuclear Energy Summit:
or low-emission technologies, that needed to be
● The summit was organized by The International accelerated to achieve rapid and deep
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in Brussels. decarbonization.
● It is being louded as a “landmark initiative” and a ○ This was the first time that nuclear energy was
“turning point” in the efforts to expand the use of mentioned in any COP outcome.
nuclear energy for generating clean electricity.
Nuclear energy in India:
● The meeting was not meant to produce any decisions
● India, which currently has 23 operational nuclear
or finalize any agreement. Rather, it was another attempt
reactors, acknowledges the role of nuclear energy in
to build momentum for a greater acceptance of
its decarbonization plan and is planning a rapid
nuclear energy, which many countries are apprehensive
expansion in the coming years, even though the share
about.
of nuclear energy in electricity generation is likely to
○ Such apprehensions were aggravated by the remain extremely modest in the foreseeable future.
Fukushima accident (Japan) in 2011.
● The currently operational reactors have a combined
○ The continuing crisis at the Zaporizhzhya nuclear installed electricity generating capacity of 7,480 MW
power plant in Ukraine, the first nuclear facility to (about 7.5 GW). At least ten more reactors are under
have been caught in a dangerous armed conflict, construction, and the capacity is supposed to triple to
has also been a source of grave concern. 22,480 MW by 2031-32.
● India also took part in the summit. ● The share of nuclear energy in total electricity
generation capacity is just about 3.1%, among the
29
lowest in countries that do use nuclear energy.

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Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) ● Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers,

importers, brand owners, and manufacturers are held
Rules, 2024
responsible for managing the plastic waste generated
News Excerpt: from their products.
The Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) Rules 2024 ○ They are required to collect and manage the plastic
were introduced by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and packaging introduced into the market (Section 9:
Climate Change (MoEFCC). Extended Producer Responsibility, Sub-section (2A):
● These rules aim to strengthen the regulation and Obligations of producers, importers, brand owners,
management of plastic waste in India by amending the manufacturers, and manufacturers of commodities
existing Plastic Waste Management Rules, 2016. made from compostable plastics or biodegradable
India’s Plastic Situation: plastics.).
● Current Situation: ● Labelling and Marking Requirements: Plastic
○ Single-use plastics are defined as items intended for packaging and commodities made from compostable or
one-time use before being disposed of or recycled. biodegradable plastics must be labelled appropriately to
indicate their compostability or biodegradability.
○ They contribute significantly to plastic waste, with
India ranking third globally in single-use plastic ○ Certification from the Central Pollution Control
waste production and mismanaging 85% of its Board is required for marketing or selling such
plastic waste (Report released at UNEA-6 regarding products (Section 11: Recycling of plastic packaging
single-use plastics (SUP)). and commodities, Sub-section (3): Labeling
requirements for plastic packaging made from
○ India announced plans to phase out single-use
compostable plastics, Sub-section (4): Labeling
plastics by 2022.
requirements for plastic packaging made from
■ A ban on identified single-use plastic items
biodegradable plastics).
came into force on July 1, 2022, covering
19 selected items.
Key provisions in recent rules: About the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB):
● Definition of Biodegradable Plastics: The rules ● It is a statutory organization constituted in
redefine "biodegradable plastics" to specify that they September 1974 under the Water (Prevention
should undergo degradation by biological processes in and Control of Pollution) Act 1974. Further,
specific environments without leaving any harmful CPCB was entrusted with the powers and
residues. functions under the Air (Prevention and Control
○ Microplastics are solid plastic particles insoluble in of Pollution) Act, 1981.
water, with dimensions between 1 micron and 1,000 ● It serves as a field formation and also provides
microns. (Section 2: Definitions, Sub-section (ac): technical services to the Ministry of
Defines "Biodegradable plastics"). Environment and Forests of the provisions of the
What is Microplastic? Environment (Protection) Act, 1986.
● The term microplastics is used to describe plastic ● Local Body Responsibilities: Local bodies and
particles that measure less than 5 mm in size. panchayats are tasked with assessing plastic waste
● Some microplastics are intentionally produced at generation, managing infrastructure, and preventing the
that size for specific applications, like microbeads use of prohibited single-use plastic items in their
in personal care products, or secondary jurisdictions (Section 7: Duties of Local Bodies, Sub-
microplastics, which result from the degradation section (1): Assessment of plastic waste generation by
and fragmentation of larger plastic items and local bodies).
can also originate from sources like synthetic ● Reporting Requirements: Stakeholders, including
fibres from clothing and the abrasion of car tyres. recyclers, manufacturers, and urban and rural local
bodies, must submit regular reports on their activities to
● Registration Requirements: Sellers of plastic raw
relevant authorities. These reports are subject to
materials and intermediate materials used in plastic
auditing and monitoring (Section 17, Sub Section 1-7).
packaging must register with the State Pollution Control
● Annual Reporting: Detailed annual reports must be
Board or Pollution Control Committee concerned
submitted by various stakeholders, including recyclers,
(Section 4: Prohibition on sale, stock, distribution, etc.,
manufacturers, and urban and rural local bodies, to
Sub-section (4B): Registration requirement for sellers
30
monitor compliance and assess the effectiveness of

of plastic raw material or intermediate material used for
plastic waste management efforts (Section 17: Annual
Page
plastic packaging).
reports).
Is natural gas cleaner than coal? ○ Methane is the second-most abundant GHG
after CO2. Although methane dissipates faster
News Excerpt: than CO2 in the atmosphere, it has a much
A new research indicates that natural gas, which has long stronger planetary warming effect.
been hailed as a good stepping stone for a world looking ○ According to the UNEP, methane has 80 times
to replace coal with renewable energy, isn’t as climate- the warming power of carbon dioxide during
friendly as once thought. the first 20 years after it is released into the
About Natural Gas: atmosphere.
● Natural gas is a fossil fuel energy source. It contains ○ Methane is responsible for 30% of global
many different compounds. The largest component of heating since the Industrial Revolution.
natural gas is methane (CH4). ● Methane has a strong near-term warming effect,
○ Methane is a highly flammable gas; it burns unlike the long-term potency of CO2. Traditional
easily and almost completely and emits little air climate models measuring the effects of methane over
pollution. 100 years could end up overlooking its immediate
● Natural gas is neither corrosive nor toxic, its ignition heat-trapping potential, possibly skewing policy
temperature is high, and it has a narrow conclusions of natural gas versus coal emissions.
flammability range, which makes it an inherently safe Methane Leaks and Climate Change: Methane leaks can
fossil fuel compared with other fuel sources. occur unintentionally during drilling and well completion, as
● In addition, because of its specific gravity (density of well as from faulty gas equipment during production and
a substance in comparison to the density of water) processing. On the other hand, intentional methane
(0.60), which is lower than that of air (1.00), natural releases happen through venting and flaring.
gas rises if escaping, and thus dissipates from the ● Flaring involves burning off excess natural gas at the
site of any leak. production well, releasing methane and CO2, while
Natural gas as a ‘bridge fuel’: venting directly releases small quantities of natural gas
● Natural gas has been called a ‘bridge fuel’ for into the atmosphere. Both practices can lead to
countries looking to transition away from coal and oil pollution and resource wastage.
dependency. ● Estimates of methane leaks vary depending on
● It is hailed as a cleaner energy source than other fossil measurement methods, but even a small leakage rate,
fuels, especially coal. such as 0.2% of gas, can have a more significant impact
○ Natural gas has a lesser climate impact than coal on the climate than coal in terms of net greenhouse gas
because it emits 50% less CO2 into the emissions. The global average natural gas leak rate is
atmosphere. reported to be between 2% and 3%.
Coal vs Natural Gas: Is natural gas a cleaner alternative to coal or oil in

terms of emissions?
● From a climate standpoint, coal and gas are compared
by assessing their life cycle greenhouse gas (GHG) While natural gas burns cleaner than coal or oil, producing
emissions. fewer conventional air pollutants like sulphur dioxide and
particulates and less carbon dioxide per unit of energy
● Carbon emissions from power plants:
(about half compared to the best coal technology),
○ A coal-fired power plant in Europe emits GHG
however, research shows that methane emissions during
emissions of 970 tonnes of carbon dioxide
extraction and transport diminish its climate-friendly
equivalent (CO2e) per gigawatt-hour of
reputation. Therefore, labelling it as "cleaner" might not be
electricity over its lifecycle.
accurate.
○ An oil-fired power plant emits 720 tonnes of
CO2e per gigawatt-hour.
○ A gas-fired power plant emits 440 tonnes of Southern Ocean has Earth’s cleanest air
CO2e per gigawatt-hour of electricity over its News Excerpt:
lifecycle. The Southern Ocean is renowned for having the cleanest
Methane: air on Earth. But the precise reasons why have remained a
● Methane is an invisible but strong greenhouse gas. mystery until now.
○ A critical driver of climate change: When it About Southern Ocean:
comes to trapping heat inside Earth's ● The Southern Ocean (also known as the Antarctic
31
atmosphere, methane is over 28 times more Ocean) is one of Earth's five great ocean basins.
powerful than carbon dioxide.
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○ It was formed around 34 million years ago ○ The ACC circulates clockwise around the
when Antarctica and South America drifted apart, continent, carrying more water around the
creating the Drake Passage. globe than any other current.
○ This makes it the youngest ocean basin on ● Powerful currents, cold temperatures and nutrient and
Earth. oxygen-rich waters make the Southern Ocean one of
● Today, it is the only ocean that flows around the Earth's most productive marine ecosystems.
globe uninterrupted by land, encircling Antarctica What are the factors contributing to the clean air
like a moat. over the Southern Ocean?
● Around the Southern Ocean's northern limit is a ● Minimal human activity resulting in fewer industrial
natural, biological boundary called the Antarctic emissions and less burning of fossil fuels.
Convergence, or Polar Front. ● Aerosol levels are influenced by seasonal variations,
○ North of the convergence, the water such as the amount of salt spray and the growth of
temperature near the surface sits at around phytoplankton, which are a source of airborne sulfate
42.1°F (5.6 °C), ideal for marine species adapted particles.
to the subantarctic climate. ○ The Southern Ocean experiences fewer
○ South of the convergence, the water sulfates during winter.
temperature drops dramatically to below 36 °F ● Distinctive honeycomb-shaped cloud patterns in the
(2 °C), creating the perfect conditions for region influence the amount and distribution of
uniquely Antarctic wildlife to flourish. rainfall.
● As the primary mixing zone between the world’s About Honeycomb Cloud:
major oceans, the Southern Ocean plays an important
● Easily spotted by their honeycomb shape, open-cell
role in the circulation of water around the globe.
clouds are one of the most common cloud
○ It also plays a key role in regulating the formations,
Earth’s climate through its currents and ● It is found on the backside of low-pressure
seasonal sea ice and by absorbing heat and systems skirting the edges of every continent.
carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.
● Also called
● The Southern Ocean is known for its strong winds, "Open-cell
intense storms, dramatic seasonal changes and cold clouds";
temperatures. they are low,
● The Southern Ocean is dominated by the Antarctic flat clouds
Circumpolar Current (ACC): the longest, strongest, that
deepest-reaching current on Earth. resemble a
quilt to
someone
peering
down from an airplane.
The honeycomb is created by a simple form of
convection, air movement caused by warm air rising
and cold air falling (the same phenomenon that
happens in a pot of boiling water).
● Clouds and rain play a crucial role in scrubbing the
atmosphere clean.
○ Research indicates that open honeycomb-
shaped clouds are prevalent in the Southern
Ocean,
○ It generates intense rain showers that effectively
wash aerosol particles out of the air.
● These open honeycomb clouds are more prevalent
during the winter months, coinciding with the period
when the Southern Ocean's air is at its cleanest.
32
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National Information System for Climate Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport)

and Environment Studies (NICES) Rules, 2024
News Excerpt: News Excerpt:
The NICES programme invites Indian researchers to join The Centre has introduced the Captive Elephant (Transfer
the fight against climate change. or Transport) Rules, 2024, aiming to liberalize the
About NICES Programme: conditions surrounding the transfer of elephants within or
● The National Information System for Climate and between states.
Environment Studies (NICES) programme is operated What are the Circumstances for Captive Elephant
by the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) Transfer:
and other ministries and institutions under the ● Inadequate Maintenance by Owners: Captive
Department of Space. elephants can be transferred when owners are unable to
● It operates within the National Action Plan on Climate maintain them adequately, ensuring their welfare and
Change (NAPCC) framework. proper care.
○ The NAPCC outlines a national strategy that aims to ● Better Care Elsewhere: If it is determined that captive
enable the country to adapt to climate change and elephants would receive better care in a different
enhance the ecological sustainability of India‘s environment or under different ownership, transfers
development path. may be authorized.
● NICES envisages the realization of national-level ● State Chief Wildlife Wardens: The responsibility for
accurate, consistent, and long-term climate sanctioning transfers lies with the State Chief Wildlife
database generation derived from Indian and other Wardens.
Earth Observation (EO) satellites from both polar and What are the Rules Governing Captive Elephant
geostationary missions for climate change impact Transfer?
assessment and mitigation. ● Pre-Transfer Indian Elephant:
● NICES generates and disseminates long-term essential Procedures: ● Scientific Name: Elephas
climate variables (ECVs) derived from Indian and other Elephant maximus
Earth observation satellites. transfers require ● Habitat: Dry-thorn forests,
○ ECVs are critical to the characterization of the Earth’s an application, moist and dry deciduous
climate as they track climate change at a global which must be forests, tropical evergreen
scale. submitted to and semi-evergreen forests.
the Deputy ● As per the 2017 Elephant
Conservator of Census, Assam has the
Forests (DCF),
second-highest number of
who oversees
elephants after Karnataka.
the region
Conservation status:
where the
● IUCN status: Endangered
elephants are
● CITES status: Appendix I
registered.
● WPA, 1972 Schedule
○ After
receiving the application, DCF must:
○ Obtain a veterinarian's certificate.
○ Investigate and physically inspect the facility where
the elephant is being held and where it is proposed
to be housed.
○ Submit the application and Report to the Chief
Wildlife Warden (CWW) within fifteen days.
● Conditions for Transfer: Transfers of captive elephants
are permitted under specific circumstances, such as
when the current owner is unable to adequately care for
the elephant or when better upkeep is available
elsewhere, as determined by the State Chief Wildlife
Warden.
33
○ Additionally, no transfer is allowed unless the

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animal's genetic profile has been entered into the
Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate ● These animals are protected not only for their high
Change's (MoEFCC) electronic monitoring cognition and complex thinking but also for their
application. importance to ecosystems. Such efforts focus mainly
● Interstate Transfers: Transfers across state borders on animals of high intelligence and the “self-aware”
require registration of the elephant's genetic profile with ones.
the MoEFCC. ● The island nations are not the first to make legal
● Transportation Guidelines: During transport, changes to give more rights to animals.
elephants must be accompanied by a mahout and an
In India's Context:
assistant. A health certificate from a veterinary
India was among the first countries to declare dolphins
practitioner, adherence to quarantine periods for
and whales as “non-human persons” in 2013.
contagious diseases, provision of adequate food and
water, and use of tranquillizers under veterinary ● In India, the declaration supplements protections
guidance if necessary are essential. accorded to cetaceans under the Wild Life (Protection)
● Legislative Context: The Wildlife Protection Act was Act of 1972.
amended to allow for the transfer of captive elephants, ● The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate
albeit with limitations on the movement of elephants to Change (MoEFCC) recognizes cetaceans' high levels of
those with existing certificates of ownership. intelligence and complexity of life and has prohibited
What are the Shift in the Legislative Landscape? their shows in water parks, dolphinariums, or aquariums
since the 2013 declaration.
● Previous Prohibitions: Until August 2022, the Wildlife
○ Project Dolphin was announced in 2020 to boost
Protection Act strictly prohibited the trade of both wild
marine and freshwater river dolphin populations.
and captive elephants.
○ Last year, the Ganges river dolphin was declared
● Introduction of Exemption: Subsequent amendments
India’s official aquatic animal.
to the Act introduced an exemption, permitting the
transfer of captive elephants for the first time. Personhood for plants, water bodies, and nature:
● In 2017, the Uttarakhand High Court recognized
Gape Limitation rivers as legal, living persons with human rights, the
News Excerpt: Punjab and Haryana High Court bestowed
In ecology, the term ‘gape limitation’ stands for the idea personhood on the Sukhna Lake, and the Madras
that a predator can only eat things that fit in its mouth. High Court ruled that nature and the environment
What is a Gape Limitation? have rights.
● While the above judgments are binding at the state
● Imagine a snake trying to eat a rabbit. If the rabbit is
level, no countrywide legal personhood law exists
too big to fit in the snake’s mouth, gape limitation says
for animals, plants, water bodies, or nature.
the latter won’t be able to eat it.
● It specifies which animals can eat which other Biomining
animals. News Excerpt:
○ For example, small predators can only eat small Delhi's biomining project to clear landfill sites is likely to
prey, while bigger predators can also eat bigger miss the 2024 deadline.
prey.
● From the prey’s point of view, if a predator’s mouth isn’t
● According to Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD)
big enough to devour it, perhaps those animals are safe
officials, the ongoing biomining project at two of the
from that predator.
Capital’s three landfill sites Ghazipur and Bhalswa are
likely to miss the latest deadline of 2024 to clear the
Whales & dolphins get ‘personhood’ status sites.
News Excerpt: ○ The addition of fresh waste and weather
challenges at the Ghazipur and Bhalswa sites is
Indigenous leaders of the Pacific Islands of New Zealand,
slowing down the biomining process.
Tonga, Tahiti, and the Cook Islands have signed an
international treaty granting legal personhood to ● MCD launched the biomining project to clear its three
oversaturated landfill sites in July 2019 on directions
cetaceans like whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
of the National Green Tribunal (NGT).
● The Ghazipur landfill, notorious for its immense size and
● The treaty signed allows large marine animals the environmental impact, caught fire on April 21, 2024. The
34
right to freedom, life, and movement, freedom of

incident blanketed parts of Delhi in toxic smoke, raising
natural behaviour, and freedom to live in a healthy
Page
health concerns for residents.

environment.
What is Biomining: • It was observed that the sensor could detect the
● Biomining is a process of separating various presence of formalin in many fish sample units that are
components of legacy waste such as plastic, paper, imported from regions outside the state of Assam.
cloth, sand, and bricks by passing them through • The crucial importance of this work is the non-invasive
trommel machines, which act as cylindrical rotating detection of formalin.
sieves. • Use of formaldehyde in food is illegal in many
● It is the process of using microorganisms (microbes) to countries, as it is a known carcinogen.
extract metals of economic interest from rock ores or
mine waste. Graphene oxide (GO): The oxidized form of graphene
○ Biomining techniques may also be used to clean up exhibits high solution processability and ease of chemical
sites that have been polluted with metals. modification with other materials such as metals, metal
oxides, or polymers.
What metals are currently biomined?
• The low electrical conductivity of GO posed a
● Most current biomining operations target valuable
challenge, and the scientists overcame this by
metals like copper, uranium, nickel, and gold that
are commonly found in sulfidic (sulfur-bearing) developing the tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide
minerals. composite (rGO- SnO2).
● Microbes are especially good at oxidizing sulfidic Food adulteration: Food adulteration is adding illegal or
minerals, converting metals like iron and copper into harmful substances to food to make it appear more
forms that can dissolve more easily. appealing or increase its shelf life.
○ Other metals, like gold, are not directly dissolved
About non-invasive formaldehyde sensors:
by this microbial process, but are made more
• A new low-cost sensor made of metal oxide
accessible to traditional mining techniques because
nanoparticles–reduced graphene oxide composite that
the minerals surrounding these metals are dissolved
can detect formalin adulteration in fishes at room
and removed by microbial processes.
temperature in a non-invasive way.
What are the environmental risks of biomining?
o The sensor shows long-term stability with a low
● Most current biomining operations use naturally
detection limit.
occurring microbial communities.
• Commercial formalin sensors for fish are primarily
○ The risks from the release of the microbes
electrochemical-based or colorimetric-based.
themselves into the local environment are
considered to be relatively small. o Electrochemical sensors are extensively used but
are expensive.
● The leakage and treatment of the acidic, metal-rich
solution created by the microbes, which is similar to the o Calorimetric sensors are less expensive. But both
acid mine drainage from some abandoned mines. methods are invasive in nature.
○ This risk can be managed by ensuring that biomining Brumation

is conducted under controlled conditions with About Brumation:
proper sealing and waste management protocols.
• This is the name to describe a period of dormancy or
slowed activity in reptiles, much like hibernation in
Formaldehyde sensor to detect adulterated mammals.
fish • It typically occurs during colder months, when
temperatures drop and
News Excerpt:
food becomes scarce.
Nanomaterials and Nanoelectronics Laboratory, Guwahati
• During brumation, reptiles
University, Assam, has developed a cost-effective formalin
may retreat to
sensor using tin oxide-reduced graphene oxide
underground burrows,
composite that can effectively detect the presence of
rock crevices or other
formalin in adulterated fishes.
sheltered areas where
About the news:
temperatures are
• The research for this, supported by DST-PURSE relatively more stable.
(Promotion of University Research and Scientific
o Their metabolism slows significantly, allowing
Excellence), was published in the journal ACS Appl.
Nano Mater. them to go weeks or even months without eating.
35
o Such species include box turtles and painted

turtles, which burrow into the mud at the bottom
Page
of ponds or lakes.
o Snakes may seek refuge in underground dens or notified as forests but conformed to the “dictionary”
caves, while lizards may hide under rocks or within definition of forests.
vegetation. Sacred Grove:
Why do Reptiles Brumate? • A sacred forest or grove comprises patches of
• Reptiles are ectothermic organisms, meaning that natural vegetation, from a few trees to several acres,
they cannot raise their body temperature dedicated to local deities or tree spirits.
independently of environmental conditions. • People believe that any kind of disturbance will offend
• Their temperature varies depending on the the local deity, causing diseases, natural calamities or
environmental conditions; therefore, they must adapt failure of crops.
to the nature around them. o For example, the Garo and the Khasi tribes of
Significance: north-eastern India prohibit any human
• This period of reduced activity allows reptiles to interference in the sacred groves.
conserve energy and minimize their resource o In other places, deadwood or dried leaves may be
requirements in a hostile environment. picked up, but the live tree or its branches are never
cut.
• Brumation is crucial for reptiles to survive cold climes
o The Gonds of central India prohibit the cutting of
(region-specific climate) and endure challenging
a tree but allow fallen parts to be used.
environmental conditions until they can re-emerge to
feed and reproduce in more favourable climes. • These spaces are protected by local communities
because of their religious beliefs and traditional
rituals that run through several generations.
Oran's sacred groves of Rajasthan
Kazhuveli watershed region in Tamil Nadu
News Excerpt:
News Excerpt:
Rajasthan government’s recent announcement to notify
Conservationists propose the Kazhuveli watershed region
Orans as deemed forest has sparked fear among
in Tamil Nadu for the World Monuments Fund Watch
community residents in the State regarding the potential
2025 nomination.
loss of access to forest resources and their means of
About news:
livelihood.
● The Eri (tank) network in the Kazhuveli watershed
● Earlier, the Supreme Court directed that Orans, Dev- region in Villupuram district that comprises an
vans, and Rundhs be given the status of deemed
incredible network of tanks created thousands of
forest.
years ago is proposed for nomination to the World
What are Orans? Monuments Fund Watch 2025 programme.
• 'Oran' is an informal term used to describe community ● The area spans 740 sq. km., featuring an ancient ‘eri’
lands and sacred groves of traditional pastoral (tank) network.
communities in Rajasthan. ● This network has sustained agriculture for thousands
• They include woodlots, pastures, orchards, sacred of years but is currently facing a decline.
groves, and habitats usually centred around springs ● The initiative aims to protect and preserve the region's
and bodies of water. historical and agricultural significance.
• Orans provide landscape connectivity and nourish ● If the nomination comes through, pilot projects will be
human communities, livestock, and biodiversity. run in Munnur village to develop a heritage toolkit
• Being associated with local deities and customs, orans that could be replicated through the watershed and
also play a cultural and spiritual role in these beyond.
communities. ○ Though the tank is still intact, the heritage
• The Rajasthan orans are home to the endangered great components have been destroyed, and the
Indian bustard (GIB), chinkara, and the Indian desert utilization of the tanks has decreased.
fox. About Kazhuveli Lake:
Deemed forests: ● Kazhuveli Lake is the second-largest brackish water
• The concept of deemed forests is not defined in any law wetland in Tamil Nadu.
or the rules, including the Forest Conservation Act o Kazhuveli, or Kaliveli, meaning ‘Passage to
(FCA) of 1980. Backwaters', is a brackish water wetland that
• The Forest Act of 1980 only provided protection to feeds into the Bay of Bengal through the narrow
forests that were notified so in government and 8-km-long Uppukalli Creek and the
36
revenue records on or after 1980. Yedayanthittu estuary.

• In 1996, the Supreme Court in Godavarman's verdict
Page
expanded the remit of the Act to areas that weren’t

● The wetland is home to over 200 species of birds and ● Many large coral colonies break due to many different
is recognized as an important stopover and breeding threats such as large storms and waves, boat
ground for about 40,000 migratory birds. anchors and collisions, fishing nets, or
The birds found in the Kazhuveli bird sanctuary include irresponsible diving and snorkeling practices. These
spot-billed pelicans, darters, cormorants, herons, egrets, broken corals, when rolling around the sand, have
storks, black ibis, spoonbill, flamingo, spot-billed duck, almost no chance of survival, and usually die.
garganey, common pochard, sandpiper, coots, shanks, and
terns. But, by securing these fragments in areas that provide the
About World Monuments Watch: corals with proper growing conditions they can be
rehabilitated, nursed back to a mature colony size, and
● The World Monuments Watch is a nomination-based
program that connects local heritage preservation to then transplanted back out onto the reef or artificial reef
global awareness and action. structures.
● Every two years, the Watch rallies support for places in
need and the people who care for them, spotlighting
new challenges and the communities worldwide
harnessing heritage to confront the crucial issues of our
time.
● The 2025 Watch will include 25 places, each telling an
urgent local story with global relevance.
Through this initiative, World Monuments Fund (WMF)
partners with the people who know these places best,
amplifying their efforts through advocacy, capacity building,
and close collaboration with WMF’s expert team and
professionals across the globe.
World's ‘largest’ coral-restoration project

News Excerpt: Bhutan and the Tiger Conservation Coalition
Commit to Catalyzing US$1 billion for tigers
One of Saudi Arabia's top universities has announced a
Red Sea project described as the world’s largest coral reef News Excerpt:
restoration. The Sustainable Finance for Tiger Landscapes
About the news: Conference has concluded.
● The King Abdullah University of Science and About the conference:

Technology (KAUST) initiative aims to produce ● The conference was opened by the Queen of Bhutan,
hundreds of thousands of corals annually. under whose patronage this effort to mobilize
● The newly built nursery, on the coast of NEOM in greater support for protecting tigers and tiger
northwest Saudi Arabia, is set to transform coral landscapes has been organized.
restoration efforts with a production capacity of ● She emphasized the urgency of protecting tiger
40,000 corals annually. habitats to safeguard the well-being of the planet and
● It is an important step because many reefs have the importance of sustainable funding to carry out this
suffered from bleaching events due to rising task.
temperatures. ● The event brought together tiger range countries,
● Coral nurseries like the one that KAUST has created donors, development agencies, and conservation
involve coral fragments being placed on what are organizations.
sometimes compared to cloth lines. ● The conference culminated with the Paro Statement,
About Coral Nurseries: inviting participants to join the commitment to
mobilize an additional US$1 billion to conserve
● Coral nurseries and artificial reefs are forms of active tigers and tiger landscapes over the next ten years.
reef restoration aimed at increasing coral health,
● The funds will contribute to:
diversity, and abundance.
○ Securing and increasing the global tiger
● Corals are colonial organisms that reproduce
population
primarily asexually to grow larger or to repair
37
damaged tissues. ○ Expanding tiger range

Page
○ Enhancing ecological integrity and the overall respiration, resulting in the release of
biodiversity carbon.
○ Benefiting local communities Warming effect on tundra sites:
● The Paro Statement highlights commitment to global ● The tundra, a critical carbon sink, is undergoing
collaboration, and national initiatives benefiting significant changes due to the warming climate.
both tigers and communities.
○ Traditionally known to store carbon, these
● The conference identified various sustainable vast, cold landscapes are now releasing it,
financing opportunities for tiger conservation in the potentially exacerbating climate change.
range countries such as: ● The experimental warming significantly impacted
○ The Tiger Landscapes Investment Fund is a the tundra’s ecosystem respiration, especially during
new blended financial mechanism under the growing season, increasing it by 30 percent.
development that would catalyze nature- ○ This increase is due to increased metabolic
positive businesses with positive impacts on activities in soil organisms and plants.
tigers, biodiversity, and people
● The study also revealed that the increase in ecosystem
○ The Asian Development Bank will explore respiration varies with local soil conditions.
opportunities to support relevant countries
○ Factors like nitrogen levels and soil pH play
with innovative financing instruments like a
a role. This variability indicates that not all
tiger bond.
tundra regions respond uniformly to warming.
● The conference was the first step in a ten-year
Additional impacts of warming on the tundra:
collaborative process towards securing sustainable
financing for the conservation of tiger landscapes. Warming affects the tundra in several critical ways beyond
just increasing carbon emissions.
● Permafrost thawing:
Warming climate turns Tundra from carbon
○ As temperatures rise, permafrost – permanently
sink to source frozen ground in the tundra – begins to thaw.
News Excerpt: ○ This releases methane, a potent greenhouse
The study, “Environmental drivers of increased gas, which further accelerates global warming.
ecosystem respiration in a warming tundra,” warned that ○ Thawing permafrost affects water flows in the
the warming planet may alter the characteristics of tundra
tundra.
environments.
○ It can lead to the formation of new lakes and
Key takeaways of the study: wetlands or the drying up of existing ones,
● The study revealed that the warming climate may significantly impacting local ecosystems and
assist ecosystem respiration, which will release water availability.
carbon into the atmosphere. ● Altered plant & animal life:
○ Ecosystem respiration is the sum of all ○ Warming leads to changes in vegetation
respiration occurring by living organisms in patterns.
a specific ecosystem.
○ Shrubs and trees can start to encroach on
● The researchers found rising temperatures change traditional tundra landscapes, which alters the
the biogeochemistry of an area, affecting local soil habitat and can disrupt the local biodiversity.
by altering nitrogen levels and pH.
○ The unique species adapted to cold tundra
○ Arctic and alpine tundra ecosystems are environments may struggle to survive in warmer
known to be large reservoirs of organic conditions, leading to reduced biodiversity.
carbon.
● Increased soil erosion:
● The study found that a mean increase of 1.4 degrees
Celsius in air temperature, 0.4°C in soil temperature, ○ With less ice to stabilize the soil, warmer
and a 1.6 percent drop in soil moisture led to a 30 temperatures can increase erosion rates.
percent increase in respiration during the growing ○ This not only affects the physical landscape but
38
season. can also release more carbon stored in the soil.

The increase in activity was due to an
Page
○
increase in both plant and microbial
REPORTS
NAME OF THE REPORT DETAILS
United Nations World Water Key highlights of the Report:
Development Report 2024 ● The Report highlights how developing and maintaining water security and
News Excerpt: equitable access to water services is essential to ensuring peace and
The United Nations World Water Development prosperity for all.
Report 2024 highlights that tensions over water ● Recent events, from global epidemics to armed conflicts, have emphasized
are exacerbating conflicts worldwide. To that the socio-political conditions under which water is supplied, managed,
preserve peace, States must boost international and used can change rapidly.
cooperation and transboundary agreements. ● The aim is to highlight the tensions that can emerge over resources like water,
● The United Nations World Water leading to potential instability and conflict, as well as the role that water can
Development Report 2024 was published by play, if carefully managed, in promoting peace.
UNESCO on behalf of UN Water on World Facts and Figures:
Water Day (March 22, 2024). ● Developing and maintaining a secure and equitable water future underpins
● Theme: Water for Prosperity and Peace. prosperity and peace for all.
World Water Day: ● The relationship also works in the opposite direction, as poverty and
● World Water Day is held every year on inequality, social tensions, and conflict can amplify water insecurity.
22nd March. ● Some facts about water scarcity from the Report:
● It is a United Nations (UN) day focused ○ 2.2 billion people had no access to safely managed drinking water in
on raising awareness of the importance of 2022.
freshwater. ○ About 80% of jobs are water-dependent in low-income countries
where agriculture is the main source of livelihood.
● The theme of World Water Day 2024 is
Water for Peace. ○ 72% of freshwater withdrawals are used by agriculture.
○ US$832 billion in economic losses were caused by floods in 2002–
2021.
○ 1.4 billion people were affected by droughts in 2002–2021.
○ A 10% increase in global migration between 1970–2000 was linked to
water deficits.
World Air Quality Report, 2023 Key highlights of the Report:
News Excerpt: ● In 2023, Delhi’s annual average PM 2.5 level was 92.7 µg/m3, placing the
According to the latest Report, the World Air Indian national capital at the top of a list of 114 capital cities worldwide.
Quality Report 2023, released by the Swiss ○ This was followed by Dhaka in Bangladesh, with a PM 2.5 level of 80.2
organization IQAir, Delhi was the most µg/m3.
polluted capital city in the world last year and ○ Delhi’s most polluted month in 2023 was November, with a PM 2.5 level of
the third most polluted city in India in terms of 255.1 µg/m3, followed by December, with an average of 210 µg/m3 and
PM (Particulate Matter) 2.5 levels. the cleanest month was August – with an average PM 2.5 concentration of
34.8 µg/m3.
● Begusarai in Bihar and Guwahati in Assam fared worse than Delhi in terms
of annual average PM 2.5 levels.
○ While Begusarai recorded an average of 118.9 µg/m3 in 2023, Guwahati
recorded 105.4 µg/m3.
● Out of a total of 134 countries, India ranked third with an annual average
PM 2.5 level of 54.4 µg/m3, after Bangladesh and Pakistan, both of which
had levels over 70 µg/m3.
● The Report estimates that 1.36 billion people in India experience PM 2.5
concentrations exceeding the WHO recommended annual guideline level of
5 µg/m3.
○ Furthermore, 1.33 billion, or 96% of the population, experience PM 2.5
levels more than seven times the WHO annual PM 2.5 guideline.
○ This trend is reflected in city-level data, with more than 66% of the
country’s cities reporting annual averages greater than 35 µg/m3.
● Data in the Report also shows that Delhi spent 56% of its annual hours in
2023 at a PM 2.5 level that exceeds WHO guidelines by over 10 times.
39
● Australia, Estonia, Finland, Grenada, Iceland, Mauritius, and New Zealand

met the World Health Organization annual PM 2.5 average of 5µg/m3 or
Page
less.
Global E-waste Monitor, 2024 Key Findings & Statistics:

News Excerpt: ● In 2022, a record 62 billion kg of e-waste was generated globally
The 4th edition of the Global E-waste Monitor (equivalent to an average of 7.8 kg per capita per year); 22.3 percent of this
2024 was launched. e-waste mass was documented as formally collected and recycled in an
● It is funded and prepared in partnership environmentally sound manner.
with the UNITAR (United Nations ● From 2010 to 2022, both the amount of e-waste generated, and the amount
Institute of Training & Research) SCYCLE of e-waste documented to be formally collected and recycled have increased
(sustainable cycle) Programme, ITU from 34 billion kg to 62 billion kg and 8 billion kg to 13.8 billion kg,
(International Telecommunication respectively.
Union) and Fondation Carmignac. ● Documented formal collection and recycling rates vary significantly
Background & Objectives: across regions.
○ In 2022, Europe generated the most e-waste (17.6 kg per capita) and
● The world is experiencing significant
had the highest documented collection and recycling rate (7.5 kg per
electronification and digital
transformation. capita), recycling 42.8% of the e-waste generated.
○ African countries had the lowest rate, with less than 1% of e-waste
● This growth has seen a concomitant surge
being documented as formally collected and recycled.
in the amount of Electrical and Electronic
● The growth rate of countries implementing e-waste policies, legislation,
Equipment (EEE) and, subsequently,
or regulations is decelerating. Of the 81 countries covered by a national
Waste Electrical and Electronic
e-waste policy, legislation, or regulation, 67 applied the Extended
Equipment (WEEE) or e-waste.
Producer Responsibility (EPR) principle, 46 had enshrined national e-waste
○ When EEE is disposed of, it generates
collection targets in their regulations, and 36 had done so for e-waste
a waste stream containing
recycling targets at the national level.
hazardous and valuable materials,
● The overall economic impact of e-waste management in 2022 was a loss
collectively known as e-waste or WEEE.
equivalent to USD 37 billion.
● Four 2030 projections and future scenarios for e-waste management
were developed, which include (1) business as usual, (2) progressive, (3)
ambitious, and (4) aspirational.
○ It is projected that 82 billion kg of e-waste will be generated in 2030.
In a business-as-usual scenario, documented formal collection and
recycling rates will decline to 20 percent in 2030.
● With documented formal collection and recycling rates at 22.3 percent in
2022, the world would not be able to meet the 30 percent target for 2023
set by ITU.
WMO State of the Global Climate 2023 Key highlights of the report:
Report ● Heatwaves, floods, droughts, wildfires, and rapidly intensifying tropical
News Excerpt: cyclones caused misery and mayhem, upending millions' everyday lives and
According to the World Meteorological inflicting many billions of dollars in economic losses.
Organization’s (WMO) State of the Global ● It confirmed that 2023 was the warmest year on record, with the global
Climate 2023 report, records for greenhouse average near-surface temperature at 1.45 °C (with a margin of uncertainty
gas levels, surface temperatures, ocean heat of ± 0.12 °C) above the pre-industrial baseline.
and acidification, sea level rise, Antarctic sea ice ○ It was the warmest ten-year period on record.
cover and glacier retreat have been broken. ● On an average day in 2023, nearly one-third of the global ocean was
gripped by a marine heatwave, harming vital ecosystems and food systems.
World Meteorological Organization ○ Towards the end of 2023, over 90% of the ocean had experienced
(WMO): heatwave conditions at some point during the year.
● It is a specialized agency of the United ● The global set of reference glaciers has suffered the largest ice loss on
Nations headquartered in Geneva, record (since 1950), driven by extreme melt in western North America and
Switzerland, and is responsible for Europe.
promoting international cooperation in ○ Antarctic sea ice extent was by far the lowest on record, with the
atmospheric science and meteorology. maximum extent at the end of winter at 1 million km2 below the previous
● WMO monitors weather, climate, and record year - equivalent to the size of France and Germany combined.
water resources and supports its members ● The number of people who are acutely food insecure worldwide has more
in forecasting and disaster mitigation. than doubled, from 149 million people before the COVID-19 pandemic to
● The organization is committed to 333 million people in 2023 (in 78 monitored countries by the World Food
40
advancing scientific knowledge and Programme).

improving public safety and well-being
Page
through its work.
● Weather hazards continued to trigger displacement in 2023, showing how

climate shocks undermine resilience and create new protection risks among
the most vulnerable populations.
Global Water Monitor Report 2024 Key highlights of the report:
News Excerpt: ● Rainfall
According to the Global Water Monitor report, ○ The global water cycle in 2023 was influenced by the shift to El Nino
a record-breaking 77 countries experienced conditions, that occurs in the Pacific at 2–7 years intervals.
their hottest year on record in 2023. ● Air temperatures
○ It was also influenced by increasing sea surface temperatures due to
About the report: global warming.
○ Warming conditions increase the strength and rainfall intensity associated
● The Global Water Monitor Consortium
with storm systems such as tropical cyclones.
releases the report.
● Humidity
● The report, which summarized the State
and trends in the global water cycle in ○ The year 2023 ranked second in relative air humidity.
2023, covered information on rainfall, air ● Soil & water conditions
temperature, humidity, soil and ○ Despite warmer and drier conditions, high annual soil water conditions
groundwater conditions, vegetation access were observed in many regions.
to water, river flows, flooding and lake ● Vegetation access to water, river flows, flooding and lake volumes.
volumes. ○ Vegetation vigour (greenness) over the land area was 4.7 percent above
○ 2023 was the hottest year on record, the 2001-2005 average and the highest recorded.
and this affected the water cycle in ○ Surface water occurrence was the second lowest in two decades. Globally,
various ways, from intensifying the water surface occurrence was 7 percent below the 2003-2006 average,
cyclones and other rainfall systems to the lowest since 2011.
exacerbating drought and fire activity. ○ The sum of River flows in all river basins or global average river flows was
4 percent above the 2001-2005 average.
Electricity Market Report-2024 Report observations:
News Excerpt: ● Global electricity demand rose moderately in 2023 but is expected to rise at
According to the International Energy Agency's a faster rate over the next three years, growing by an average of 3.4% annually
(IEA) Electricity 2024 report, Green energy is set through 2026 as the clean energy transition gathers speed, with all the
to match the world's growing electricity additional demand forecast to be covered by technologies that produce low-
demand. emissions electricity.
● Electricity 2024 is the latest edition of the ● Renewables are set to make up more than one-third of total electricity
IEA’s annual analysis of electricity market generation by early 2025, overtaking coal.
developments and policies, providing ● Approximately 85% of the global increase in demand for electricity is
forecasts for demand, supply and carbon predicted to come from India, China and South-East Asian countries.
dioxide (CO2) emissions from the sector ● Solar and wind power are on track to surpass coal as the world's top
through 2026. source of energy by early 2024.
International Energy Agency: India-specific observations:
● The International Energy Agency is an ● The share of renewables in electricity generation is expected to reach the 25%
international energy forum comprising 29 mark by 2026.
industrialized countries under the ○ The country's largest domestically built nuclear power plant, the 700
Organization for Economic Development MWe Kakrapar reactor, commenced operations in Gujarat. India's share
and Cooperation (OECD). of variable renewable energy (VRE) generation (wind and solar PV) is
● The IEA was established in 1974, in the expected to reach 15% by 2026.
wake of the 1973-1974 oil crisis and is
headquartered in Paris, France.
● Currently, there are 31 member countries
of the IEA.
● India is not a member of the IEA but an
association country.
● Other reports/publications of IEA:
○ World Energy Outlook
○ Oil Market Report-2024
41
World Energy Investment Report

Page
Global Resources Outlook-2024 & About the report:

UNEA-6 ● Global Resources Outlook is a flagship report of the International Resource
News Excerpt: Panel of UNEP.
Launched at the sixth session of the United ○ The first edition of the Global Resources Outlook was launched in 2019
Nations Environment Assembly (UNEA) in at the UNEA- 4.
Nairobi, Kenya, Global Resources Outlook ● The theme of the 2024 report: ‘Bend the trend: Pathways to a Liveable
2024 illuminates how resources are essential to Planet as Resource Use Spikes.’
the effective implementation of Agenda 2030 Key Findings of the Report:
and to tackling the triple planetary crisis. ● It highlights how global raw material consumption has increased fourfold since
The Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC): 1970 and is set to rise by a further 60% from 2020 levels by 2060.
● The CCAC is a voluntary international ● High-income countries use six times more materials per capita and are
coalition of governments, international responsible for ten times more climate impacts per capita than low-income
organizations, the private sector, and countries.
NGOs. ● It exposes a crisis of excess that is driving the triple planetary crisis of
● It aims to reduce emissions from short- climate change, biodiversity loss and pollution & waste while offering
lived climate pollutants (SLCP), avoid pathways to maintain economic growth and reduce inequalities, as well as
millions of premature deaths, promote negative environmental impacts.
food and energy security, and address
● Global production and consumption of material resources have grown more
near-term climate change.
than three times over the last 50 years.
● India joined the Climate & Clean Air
○ The extraction and processing of material resources — including fossil
Coalition in 2019.
fuels, minerals, non-metallic minerals, and biomass — accounts for
The International Resource Panel (IRP):
over 55% of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and 40% of particulate
The IRP was launched by the United Nations
matter (PM) poisoning the environment.
Environment Programme (UNEP) in 2007 to
○ The extraction and processing of fossil fuels, metals and non-metallic
build and share the knowledge needed to
minerals, including sand, gravel, and clay, account for 35% of global
improve the use of resources worldwide.
emissions.
United Nations Environment ○ The extraction and processing of agricultural crops and forestry
Programme (UNEP): products accounts for 90% of land-related biodiversity loss and, water
● It was founded in 1972 following the stress and a third of GHG emissions.
landmark UN Conference on the Human About Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024:
Environment in Stockholm and is the
● The Climate and Clean Air Conference 2024 took place in Nairobi, Kenya
leading environmental authority of the
with a call for international collaboration to phase-out short-lived climate
United Nations.
pollutants, or “super pollutants”, such as methane, black carbon and
● It is headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. hydrofluorocarbons.
United Nations Environment Assembly ● The conference was hosted by the Climate and Clean Air Coalition (CCAC)
(UNEA): and the UN Environment Programme (UNEP).
● UNEA is the world's top decision-making ● The event was convened on the margins of the sixth session of the UN
body on the environment. It aims to Environment Assembly (UNEA-6).
help restore harmony between humanity Super Pollutants:
and nature, improving the lives of the ● Super pollutants or short-lived climate pollutants (SCLPs), derive their name
world’s most vulnerable people. from their relatively short life in the atmosphere as compared to carbon
● UNEA enjoys the universal membership dioxide.
of all 193 UN Member States. It gathers
ministers of the environment in Nairobi,
Kenya, every 2 years.
UNEA-6:
● It took place at the United Nations
Environment Programme (UNEP)
headquarters in Nairobi, Kenya.
● More than 5,600 people – representing
190 countries – participated in the week-
long Assembly.
● The 2024 Assembly also held its first
42
Multilateral Environmental
Agreements (MEA) Day.
Page
○ MEA Day was dedicated to

international agreements
addressing the most pressing
environmental issues of global or
regional concern.
● UNEA-6 also elected a new President for
UNEA-7 - Abdullah Bin Ali Amri,
Chairman of the Environment Authority of
Oman.
Global Methane Tracker 2024 Global Methane Tracker 2024:
News Excerpt: ● The Global Methane Tracker is an annual report published by the
According to the International Energy International Energy Agency (ImEA).
Agency’s (IEA) Global Methane Tracker ● The report offers the most up-to-date estimates of emissions across various
2024, methane emissions from fuel use in 2023 sectors.
were close to being the highest ever at 120 ○ It incorporates the latest data and observations from satellites as well as
million tonnes (Mt). ground-based measurements.
More about the news: ○ It also tracks current pledges and policies to drive down methane
emissions and progress towards these goals.
● Two-thirds of the methane that escaped
into the atmosphere came from the top 10 ● For the first time, the Tracker includes the investments needed to deliver
emitter countries. emissions reductions and the potential revenue from these measures.
○ The United States topped the list of
largest emitters of methane from oil
and gas operations, followed by Russia.
● More than 5 million tons of methane
emissions were traced back to major fossil
fuel leaks around the world.
○ A major oil well blowout in Kazakhstan
began in June 2023 and continued for
more than 200 days.
● Earlier, a new satellite, MethaneSAT, backed
by Google, was launched to track and
measure methane emissions on a global
scale.
State of the World’s Migratory Species: Key Findings:
CMS ● Migratory species globally are facing critical challenges, with nearly half in
News Excerpt: decline and over 20 percent threatened with extinction.
The first ever State of World’s Migratory Species ● The threat to migratory fish is of most concern, with 97 percent of the species
Report was launched at the 14th Conference on the brink of extinction.
of Parties (COP14) to the Convention on the ● The report shows that 44 percent of the migratory species listed under CMS
Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild are showing a decline in populations and 1 in 5 are threatened with extinction.
Animals (CMS) in Samarkand, Uzbekistan. ● For 962 species of migratory birds listed in CMS, COP14 will focus on
● It was prepared by conservation scientists considering draft decisions on the illegal killing of birds.
in collaboration with the United Nations ● The report also showed that 51% of Key Biodiversity Areas (KBA) identified
Environment Programme World as necessary for CMS-listed migratory animals do not have protected
Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP- status.
WCMC) and CMS.
● Preserving KBAs is crucial for meeting the 2022 Kunming-Montreal Global
● It utilizes species datasets worldwide and Biodiversity Framework targets, aiming to protect at least 30% of the land
includes expert contributions from and sea by 2030.
institutions such as BirdLife International,
● The report also highlights 399 threatened species - mostly birds and fish -
the International Union for
that are not currently covered by the Convention but deserve greater
Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and the
attention.
Zoological Society of London (ZSL).
● The CMS appendices are reviewed approximately every three years by the
About CMS 14:
COP.
● The conference convened under the
43
slogan, "Nature knows no borders", is a

reminder that the journeys of migratory
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species do not adhere to political
boundaries and that their survival is

dependent on international
collaboration and transboundary
conservation efforts.
● It is one of the first COP of any global treaty
to take place in the Central Asian Region.
About Convention of Migratory Species

(CMS):
● CMS is an UN treaty providing a global
platform for the conservation and
sustainable use of migratory animals and
their habitats.
● It is the only global Convention
specializing in the conservation of
migratory species, their habitats and
migration routes.
● It consists of 2 lists:
o Appendix I: Migratory species
threatened with extinction are listed.
o Appendix II: Migratory species that
need or would significantly benefit from
international cooperation.
Ensuring Safety and Health at Work in a Key highlights of the report:
Changing Climate
● Workers, especially the world's poorest, are more vulnerable than the
News Excerpt: general population to the dangers of climate extremes such as
According to the report titled "Ensuring heatwaves, droughts, wildfires, and hurricanes.
Safety and Health at Work in a Changing ○ As they are often the first exposed, or exposed for longer
Climate" by the International Labour periods and at greater intensity.
Organization (ILO), more than 70% of the
global workforce is exposed to risks linked ● Farm workers and others carrying heavy labour in hot climates may
to climate change. be exposed to many hazards.
● The share of global workers exposed to the most widespread hazard,
surging temperatures, has risen by around 5 percentage points over
the last two decades to 70.9%.
● Climate-related hazards are being linked to cancer, kidney
dysfunction, and respiratory illnesses, leading to deaths or
debilitating chronic conditions or disabilities.
● According to the ILO report, air pollution is the deadliest risk, causing
some 860,000 work-related deaths among outdoor workers annually.
○ Those working in hot indoor environments or poorly
ventilated spaces are also at risk.
○ Excessive heat causes 18,970 occupational deaths each year,
and UV radiation kills 18,960 through non-melanoma skin cancer.
● The greatest impacts will be felt by the working poor, those working
in the informal economy, seasonal workers, and micro and small
enterprises workers.
● In some cases, the technologies meant to slow climate change, like
solar panels and lithium-ion batteries for electric vehicles, can
produce new dangers since they contain toxic chemicals.
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Impact of climate change on workers:

● Almost 23 million occupational injuries attributed to excessive heat
are reported each year, costing, on estimate, 19,000 lives annually.
○ These numbers do not include the more than 26 million people
who live with chronic kidney disease linked to workplace heat
stress.
● Furthermore, the impact of global warming on workers goes well
beyond heat exposure.
○ The ILO noted that numerous dangerous health conditions in
workers had been linked to climate change, including cancer,
cardiovascular disease, respiratory illnesses, kidney
dysfunction, and mental health conditions.
● The ILO said 1.6 billion workers worldwide were estimated to be
exposed to ultraviolet radiation each year, with more than 18,960
work-related deaths annually from non-melanoma skin cancer.
Workplace pollution:
● Another 1.6 billion people were likely to be exposed to workplace
pollution, resulting in up to 860,000 deaths among outdoor workers
annually.
● More than 870 million agricultural workers are meanwhile likely to be
exposed to pesticides, with more than 300,000 deaths attributed to
pesticide poisoning each year.
● 15,000 work-related deaths annually are attributed to exposure to
parasitic and vector-borne diseases.
Climate Strategy 2030 document About Climate Strategy 2030:

News Excerpt: ● The Climate Strategy 2030, a comprehensive blueprint, is designed to
National Bank for Agriculture and Rural tackle India’s growing demand for green financing.
Development (NABARD) unveiled its ● NABARD's Climate Strategy 2030 is structured around four key pillars:
Climate Strategy 2030 document on Earth
Day. ○ Accelerating green lending across sectors: This pillar focuses on
increasing green lending across various sectors to meet the rising
About Green Finance:
demand for sustainable financing.
It is a broad term that can refer to financial
○ Playing a broader market-making role: NABARD aims to shape the
investments flowing into sustainable
green finance market, facilitating increased participation and
development projects and initiatives,
investment in sustainable projects.
environmental products, and policies that
encourage the development of a more ○ Internal green transformation of NABARD: This aspect of the
sustainable economy. strategy involves internal reforms within NABARD to align its
operations and practices with environmental sustainability goals.
● It includes climate finance but is not
limited to it. It also refers to a wider ○ Strategic resource mobilization: NABARD intends to mobilize
range of other environmental objectives, resources strategically to effectively support and scale up green
such as industrial pollution control, financing initiatives.
water sanitation, or biodiversity • India requires approximately $170 billion annually, amounting to a
protection. cumulative total of over $2.5 trillion by 2030 for green financing, but
● Mitigation and Adaptation finance are the current inflows are critically insufficient.
specifically related to climate change- • As of 2019-20, India garnered about $49 billion in green financing, which
related activities: is merely a fraction of what is needed.
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○ Mitigation financial flows refer

to investments in projects and
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programs that reduce or avoid

greenhouse gas emissions
(GHGs).
○ In contrast, adaptation financial
flows refer to investments that
reduce the vulnerability of
goods and persons to the
effects of climate change.
SPECIES
SPECIES DETAILS
Kangaroo lizard ● A group of scientists discovered the new species from the
southern Western Ghats at Kulamavu in Idukki.
News Excerpt:
● It has been named after the Evolutionary Distinct and Globally
In the biodiverse forests of the Western Ghats, a new
Endangered (EDGE) program of the Zoological Society of
species of tiny lizards has been found, described as a
London.
“diminutive dragon.”
● The species is the second one of the Agasthyagama genus after
A. beddomii or Indian kangaroo lizard that has been previously
reported from Sivagiri hills in Tamil Nadu.
○ Agasthyagama edge or the northern kangaroo
lizard, belongs to the Agamidae family.
● The new species has a uniform dull olive-brown body with a
slightly darker head.
● It also has a white throat with a broad dark brown stripe on its
dewlap with brick-yellow scales on the outside.
● A reduced fifth toe makes these reptiles poor climbers.
● They are mostly terrestrial and found in areas with dense leaf litter
cover and they feed on small insects.
White rhinoceros Present Status of White Rhinoceros:
News Excerpt: ● Northern white rhinos, which despite their name are actually
grey, used to roam freely in several countries in east and
Scientists have achieved the world's first IVF rhino
central Africa, but their numbers fell sharply due to
pregnancy, successfully transferring a lab-created
widespread poaching for their horns.
rhino embryo into a surrogate mother.
● Now only two rhinos remain: two females, Najin and her
daughter Fatu. Both of the former zoo animals are kept
under tight security at the Ol Pejeta Conservancy in
Kenya.
● Northern white rhinoceros, (Ceratotherium simum cottoni),
critically endangered subspecies of the white rhinoceros
and the most endangered animal on Earth (Possibly Extinct
in the Wild).
How scientists achieved Pregnancy:
●The scientists turned to in-vitro fertilization, harvesting the
eggs of female northern white rhinos and using sperm from
dead male rhinos of the subspecies to produce embryos that
IUCN Red List Status: eventually will be transferred to southern white rhino
White Rhino- Near Threatened surrogate
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Subspecies: Why Rhinos Matter:

Northern White Rhino- Critically Endangered ● The protection of rhinos helps protect other species.
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Southern White Rhino- Near Threatened ● Rhinos contribute to economic growth and sustainable
development through the tourism industry, which creates job
opportunities and provides tangible benefits to local communities
living alongside rhinos.
Laughing gull ● The laughing gull (Leucophaeus atricilla) is a migratory

medium-sized gull of North and South America.
News Excerpt:
○ Breeding plumage shows black head with white eye arcs,
Laughing gulls has been sighted for the first time in
small white spots on black wingtips, and deep red bill and
the country in Kerala.
legs.
IUCN status: Least Concern
○ Nonbreeding plumage has smudgy gray cheek and dark
bill and legs.
○ Juveniles are browner with neat scaly pattern on
upperparts.
● Named for its laugh-like call, it is an opportunistic omnivore and
scavenger.
● Laughing gulls are coastal birds; they can be found in salt
marshes, estuaries, coastal bays, along beaches, or on
agricultural fields near the coast.
● Laughing gulls are active during the day, however, when the
breeding season comes they may switch to nocturnal activity
and forage at night as well.
● They breed from early April and until July. Pairs nest in large
colonies. They construct large nests on the ground.
○ Females lay 3-4 greenish eggs and incubate them for
about three weeks.
○ Both parents care for their young until they fledge which
happens at around 35 days old.
○ Laughing gulls usually become reproductively mature
when they are two years old.
5 new species of reptiles ● The researchers have named the new genus 'Dravidoseps', a
combination of the Sanskrit words 'Dravid' and ‘Seps'.
News Excerpt:
o This genus ‘Dravidoseps’ is distinct from the genus
A new study from the Thackeray Wildlife
‘Subdoluseps’, as it gives birth to its young—instead of
Foundation (TWF) discovered the first-ever
laying eggs.
viviparous skink genus and five new species
belonging to it from peninsular India. ● All the five newly discovered species are from the state of Tamil
Nadu and have been christened as:
The viviparous skinks - a reptile that gives birth to
young o ‘Dravidoseps gingeeensis’ (from the Gingee Hills),
ones - have o ‘Dravidoseps jawadhuensis’ (Jawadhu Hills),
been found o ‘Dravidoseps kalakadensis’ (Kalakad Mundanthurai
in the Tiger Reserve),
forests of o ‘Dravidoseps srivilliputhurensis’ (Srivilliputhur
Tamil Megamalai Tiger Reserve) and
Nadu, Goa, o ‘Dravidoseps tamilnaduensis’ (Kolli, Pachaimalai and
Yercaud Hills).
● The species ‘Dravidoseps gouensis, included in the new genus,
has been recorded from Utsum in North Goa as well as
Sindhudurg (Amboli) and Kolhapur districts of Maharashtra.
● Dravidoseps is now the most diverse endemic skink genus in the
region, with seven species in Tamil Nadu and one in Goa and
southern Maharashtra.
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and Maharashtra.
New mammalian species Elusive binturong (Arctictis binturong):
News Excerpt: ● It is the largest civet in India also known as the bearcat.
Two new mammalian species have been added to the ● An arboreal mammal native to South and Southeast Asia, the
list of fauna in Assam’s Kaziranga National Park and binturong is not easily found due to its nocturnal and arboreal
Tiger Reserve taking the mammalian count in the habits. It is known to have a distribution exclusive to the
1,302 sq. km tiger reserve to 37. northeast of India.
● Both are listed under Schedule I of the

Small-clawed otter (Aonyx cinereus):
Wildlife Protection Act of 1972.
● It was spotted after a short training programme for the officers
and frontline staff conducted by the Wildlife Institute of India in
collaboration with the Assam Forest Department.
● Also known as the Asian small-clawed otter, the mammal has
a wide distribution range extending through India eastwards to
Southeast Asia and southern China.
○ In India, it is found mostly in the protected areas of West
Bengal, Assam, Arunachal Pradesh, Karnataka, Tamil
Nadu, and some parts of Kerala in the Western Ghats
region.
● They have partially webbed feet with short claws, which make
them skilled hunters in aquatic environments.
● They are primarily found in freshwater habitats where they feed
on a diet of fish, crustaceans, and mollusks.
Elusive binturong
Small-clawed otter
Mimosa species /Touch-Me-Not/ Shameplant, / Mimosa Species:
giant sensitive plant ● This highly invasive species has been identified as a climbing
News Excerpt: plant originating from America.
Assam is grappling with a growing threat from ● Its characteristics include -
invasive plants like Mimosa, Siam and Ludwigia o rapid growth rate (10 mm per day),
peruviana. o rapid maturation (germination to first flowering within 6
months),
o potentially autogamous,
o abundant seed production (9000 seeds per m2
annually),
o a large, long-lived (>10 years) seed bank in soil, and
o an effective dispersal system (flotation of clusters of
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capsules and via attachment to animals).

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● Its spread is attributed to the tea industry, which was good for
nitrogen fixation to enrich soils.
o However, climatic and geographical factors
contributed to its spread, which choked the grasslands
of Kaziranga within a few decades.
● Wildlife Trust of India (WTI) suggested that only manual
removal of the roots of Mimosa varieties could stop its spread.
MIAM
Siam species:
● It is also known as Chromolaena odorata, is a fast-growing
perennial shrub, native to South America and Central
America.
● It has been introduced into the tropical regions of Asia, Africa
and the Pacific, where it is an invasive weed.
● It forms dense stands that prevent the establishment of other
plant species. It is an aggressive competitor and may have
allelopathic effects.
o Allelopathy is defined as a direct or indirect
SIAM interaction, whereby allelochemicals released by one
organism influence the physiological processes of other
neighboring organisms.
● It is also a nuisance weed in agricultural land and commercial
plantations.
● A study by Assam-based non-profit working on conservation,
Aranyak, found that in 2004, the density of Siam weed was
found to be highest among invasive species in Manas National
Park’s grasslands.
Ludwigia peruviana:
● It is also known as Peruvian water primrose.
● Family: Onagraceae
● Habit: shrubby perennial forb; semi-aquatic, reaching up to 15
LUDWIGIA PERUVIANA feet in height.
● Seeds: The seeds are hydrophobic and will germinate while
afloat in some cases allowing the formation of floating islands.
● A rapid colonizer, it can quickly establish dense infestations,
crowding out native vegetation and reducing wildlife diversity.
● Floating plant islands reduce water flow and navigability.
Dusted Apollo Butterfly ● This species is extremely rare and was discovered in 1890.
● The distribution range of Dusted Apollo extends from
Ladakh to West Nepal, and it flies between 3,500 and 4,800
meters in the inner Himalayas.
● The discal band on the upper fore wing in Dusted Apollo is
complete and extends from costa to vein one.
● Dark marginal band on the hind wings is much narrower
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in Dusted Apollo.
Apollo Species of butterflies
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News Excerpt: ● Apollos are considered commercially important butterflies

Dusted Apollo (Parnassius stenosemus), a rare high- and they fetch high prices in the poaching industry.
altitude butterfly, has been sighted for the first ● There are 11 Apollo species recorded from Himachal Pradesh
time in Himachal Pradesh, indicating the flourishing and five of them are declared as Scheduled species.
diversity of Apollo butterflies in the region.
New crustaceans species ‘Parhyale odian’ ● The new species is brown and around eight millimetres long.
● It has 13 pairs of legs. The first pair of legs is used for
News Excerpt:
capturing prey and feeding.
Researchers at Odisha’s Berhampur University have ● It differs from all other 15 species by having a stout robust
discovered a new species of marine amphipod - a seta - a spine-like structure on the surface of the propodus of
shrimp-like crustacea of genus Parhyale - from the the male gnathopod (first pair of legs).
state’s Chilika Lake, Asia’s biggest brackish water About genus Parhyale:
lagoon on India’s east coast. ● The genus Parhyale was first reported by Stebbing in 1899
● The new species has been named ‘Parhyale from the Virgin Islands.
odian’ after Odisha’s native language, Odia. ● The genus is represented by 15 species globally, occupying
both marine and brackish water environments.
● The genus is cosmopolitan, distributed in intertidal and littoral
environments along tropical and warm temperate regions.
● They are mostly found underneath stones with attached
vegetation and also in the burrows of isopods.
About Amphipods:
● Amphipods are a significant group in the marine ecosystem and
play a vital role in the marine food chain.
● They also serve as indicators for studying the impact of
climate change and the health of coastal ecosystems.
Invasive thrips ● Thrips parvispinus (Karny) is a cosmopolitan pest species and has
been reported from Thailand, Australia and Europe.
News Excerpt:
● It is a polyphagous species and has been reported infesting
The Rajya Sabha learned that the invasive Thrips beans, eggplant, papaya, chilli, pepper, potato, shallot, and
Parvispinus may have displaced or even eliminated strawberry.
the native scirtothrips dorsalis chilli thrips. ● It also inflicts injury to ornamental plants, viz. Anthurium,
Chrysanthemum, Dahlia, Dipladenia, Gardenia and Ficus.
● In India, this species was first reported on Papaya from
Bengaluru in 2015, and considering its potential to acquire pest
status, regular monitoring of this pest was carried out in other
parts of India after its first record.
● Thrips are one of the major sucking pests and vectors of plant
viruses causing huge economic losses in agriculture.
● The change in weather and climatic conditions during the crop
season might have favoured the establishment of thrips
parvispinus, resulting in a sudden upsurge in the chilli ecosystem.
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● The absence of natural enemies of this particular invasive pest

in the area of invasion for natural control of the pest species and
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excessive use of chemical pesticides and staggered plantings

also might be the reasons for their outbreak.
Great Indian Bustard About Great Indian Bustard:
● Habitat:
News Excerpt: ○ Its population is confined mostly to Rajasthan and
The Supreme Court directed the Centre to devise a Gujarat. Small populations occur in Maharashtra,
plan to save the critically endangered Great Indian Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh.
Bustard by February. ○ Bustards generally favour flat, open landscapes with
Protection status: minimal visual obstruction and disturbance; therefore,
● Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: they adapt well to grasslands.
Schedule I ● Threats:
● CITES: ○ Hunting is the biggest threat to this species, followed by
Appendix I collisions with high-tension electric wires, fast-moving
● IUCN Red vehicles and free-ranging dogs in villages.
List: ○ Other threats include habitat loss and alteration due
Critically to widespread agricultural expansion and
infrastructural development.
● It has also been identified as one of the species for the recovery
programme under the Integrated Development of Wildlife
Habitats of the Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Government of India.
Endangered
Black-Necked Grebe (Podiceps nigricollis) ● Grebes are diving water-birds, feeding on small fish and
News Excerpt: aquatic invertebrates. It has beautiful golden tufts of feathers
on its face, contrasting with its black head and neck.
Black-necked Grebe sighted at Hokersar wetland, in
● It is a small gregarious species having a wide distribution from
Jammu and Kashmir for the first time, adding to its
Europe through Asia, wintering in the southwestern
expanding range.
Palearctic, east Asia, and east Africa.
Conservation status IUCN: Least Concern
● It breeds in southern Africa, southwest Canada, western USA
and central Mexico.
● In India, its breeding has been reported from the Union Territory
of Ladakh. During winters, the species migrates to the western
Gangetic Plains, Gujarat, and central Nepal. Occasionally, it
strays eastward to the eastern Assam Valley and Bangladesh,
and southward to coastal Orissa and Pune, Maharashtra.
Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia) ● Snow Leopard is the State animal of Ladakh and Himachal
Pradesh.
News Excerpt:
● Because of their incredible natural camouflage, snow leopards
Snow Leopard, the enigmatic big cat of High Asia, are often referred to as the “ghost of the mountains.”
has now become the National Symbol of ● Habitat: It extends across the mountainous regions of 12 Asian
Kyrgyzstan. countries: Afghanistan, Bhutan, China, India, Kazakhstan,
IUCN Status: Vulnerable. Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, Nepal, Pakistan, Russia,
Schedule I: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan.
● China has the world's largest snow leopard population.
● It is not only a symbol of natural wealth and cultural prosperity,
but also an indicator of the stability and health of the
mountain ecosystem.
Global Initiatives
● Bishkek Declaration on Snow Leopard Protection being
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unanimously adopted at the World Snow Leopard

Conservation Forum in 2013.
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● The Global Snow Leopard and Ecosystem Protection

Programme (GSLEP) was initiated with the support of
representatives from 12 snow leopard range countries (which
includes India) and the international environmental community.
Lantana camara ● Lantana camara is a low erect or sub scandent, vigorous shrub.
● It grows to 1.2-2.4 metres (or even more); its root system is
News Excerpt:
very strong, and it gives out a new flush of shoots even after
A decade-long initiative in Madhya Pradesh to reclaim repeated cuttings.
land overrun by lantana helps residents restart ● Lantana is not native to India.
agriculture and restore native biodiversity. ○ It was introduced in the country as an ornamental plant
by the British in the 1800s and has since spread over 574,186
sq km, covering 50% of the country’s “natural areas”,
according to an October 2023 study in the Journal of
Applied Ecology.
Concerns posed by Lantana camara:
● The plants can grow individually in clumps or dense thickets,
crowding out more desirable species.
● In disturbed native forests, it can become the dominant
understorey species, disrupting succession and decreasing
biodiversity as they can completely stall rainforest
regeneration for decades.
● Its allelopathic [chemicals released to discourage the growth of
native plants] qualities can reduce the vigour of nearby plant
species and reduce productivity in orchards.
Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) ● The Eurasian otter has one of the widest distributions of all
palearctic mammals, from Ireland to China and down to
News Excerpt:
Southeast Asia. In India, it occurs in northern, northeast and
A team of researchers have spotted the presence of southern India. Formerly widely distributed in Japan, it is now
Eurasian Otter (Lutra lutra) in the state at Chinnar believed to be extinct there.
Wildlife Sanctuary in Idukki for the first time.
● Otters has a varied diet which includes fish, crustaceans,
IUCN Status: Near Threatened
amphibians and sometimes reptiles, birds, eggs, insects and
CITES: Appendix I
worms.
● With this, there are three species of otters found in Kerala,
including Smooth-coated Otter and Small-clawed Otter.
● It is usually nocturnal and can be found in many freshwater
environments.
● It is solitary, but sometimes it is seen in family groups, composed
of a mother and her offspring.
● Threats: pollution, poaching, habitat loss, accidental trapping,
road kill.
Himalayan Wolf ● They are found in high altitudinal regions in the Himalayas
and the Tibetan plateau- India, Nepal and China.
News Excerpt:
● It is larger in size than the Indian and European wolves.
The Himalayan Wolf (Canis lupus chanco), a ● They have a thick fur with brown colouration on the back and tail
prominent lupine predator found across the with paler yellows on the face, limbs and underside.
Himalayas has been assessed for the first time in the They have prey competition with the snow leopard.
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●
International Union for Conservation of Nature ● The IUCN Red List Assessment has also flagged ‘continuing
(IUCN)’s Red List.
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decline in area, extent and/or quality of habitat’ of
IUCN Red List: Vulnerable Himalayan wolves due to depredation conflict, hybridization
with dogs, illegal hunting for trade of its fur and body parts.
Himalayan Wolf in India:
● India has 227-378 mature individuals in its section of the
Himalayas.
○ The Red List assessment noted that it includes only Ladakh
and the Spiti Valley of Himachal Pradesh.
● Small area of wolf habitat is also available in Uttarakhand and
Sikkim.
Gentoo penguin (Pygoscelis papua) ● The unique white gentoo penguin spotted at the Gabrial
Gonzalez Videla Base is a female of the Gentoo species,
News Excerpt:
which typically has black feathers with a few whites.
Recently, an extremely rare all-white penguin spotted ● Location: Antarctica and Sub-Antarctic Islands
in Chilean Antarctica. ● Diet: Crustaceans (krill), fish, squid
● Appearance: Black back and head, white belly, white stripe
IUCN status: Least concern
running eye-to-eye across the top of the head, reddish bill.
● They are the fastest-swimming penguins in the world, reaching
speeds of up to 36 kph (22.4 mph).
● The penguin has an unusual white plumage caused by
leucistic pigmentation.
● It is a genetic variation that can occur in some individuals, which
affects the production of colouration in the skin, feather or hair.
● It differs from albinism as the penguin's eyes and beak are of
usual colour.
● The decline of the population on sub-Antarctic islands has
been the primary reason for this categorization.
Saltwater crocodiles (Crocodylus porosus) ● The Earth's largest living reptile, saltwater crocodiles have the
News Excerpt: greatest bite pressure of any animal.
According to an annual census conducted by forest ● Males are much larger than females, weighing even upto 1,000
officials, the Bhitarkanika region of Odisha is home kilograms.
to 1,811 saltwater crocodiles. ● Habitat: They inhabit coastal brackish mangrove swamps and
IUCN status: Least Concern river deltas.
CITES: Appendix I ● Threats: Illegal hunting and habitat loss and degradation.
Wildlife Protection Act, 1972: Schedule I
Current status of saltwater crocodiles:
● The population of saltwater or estuarine crocodiles in and around
Odisha’s Bhitarkanika National Park has marginally
increased in 2024.
● Bhitarkanika is the second-largest mangrove forest in India,
after the Sundarbans.
● Both areas are among the three strongholds of saltwater
crocodiles — in India, the third being the Andaman and
Nicobar Islands.
White-bellied Sea Eagle ● White-bellied-sea eagles are large birds of prey. They are
News Excerpt: graceful in flight and spend their time soaring over the surface
of the sea, or perching on rocks or branches beside the water.
In an unusual sighting, the white-bellied sea eagle
● Diet:
(Icthyophaga leucogaster), an enormous raptor
common to coastal habitats, was spotted in These birds hunt fish, tortoises, sea-snakes, waterfowl,
Mukkombu, Tiruchi (Tamilnadu). reptiles, nestling birds, rabbits, and also eat carrion.
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● Habitat:
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o The raptor is found in India, Sri Lanka, the Andaman

IUCN status:
Islands, southern China, the Philippines, New
Least Concern
Guinea, Australia, and Tasmania, among other
countries.
● Threats:
o The loss of nesting sites due to development is a
major threat to the White-bellied sea eagles.
o Deterioration of inland water sources and over-
fishing.
o Competition for food and nesting sites with Wedge-
tailed Eagles (Aquila audax).
o The depletion of tall trees near the shoreline.
● Ficus and casuarina trees facing the sea are said to be the
preferred nesting sites of these birds.
Grey Francolin (Ortygornis pondicerianus) ● These birds are dispersed from the south of the Himalayan
News Excerpt: foothills, east to Bengal, and west to the Indus Valley. It can
also be found in Sri Lanka's northwest.
Grey Francolin was
reported inside the ● Typically, small groups of these birds are sighted.
Sanjay Gandhi ● In low, prickly trees, they typically roost in groups, they stay on
National Park the ground during the day and roosts in trees such as
(SGNP). Shisham and Babul.
● They can only fly short distances and are weak flyers,
IUCN Status: Least
disappearing into the undergrowth.
Concern
● They consume grains, seeds, and insects, especially termites
and beetles as food.
Octopus ● Octopus, in general, is any eight-armed cephalopod (octopod)
mollusk of the order Octopoda.
News Excerpt:
● They live in all the world’s oceans but are especially abundant in
A team of scientists explored the depths of the warm, tropical waters.
seafloor off the coast of Costa Rica and discovered 4 ○ They are also limited by circular sea currents, or gyres,
new species of Deep-Sea Octopus. in some of their modern habitats.
● The true octopuses are members of the genus Octopus, a large
group of widely distributed shallow-water cephalopods.
● The four new species haven’t yet been formally described, but
one has been named the Dorado octopus, after a rock known as
El Dorado Hill where it was found.
Gangetic River dolphin About Gangetic River Dolphin:

● The Gangetic River dolphin is India’s national aquatic animal.
News Excerpt:
● They live in a zone where there is little or no current, helping
Recently, India’s first centre for research on them save energy.
conserving the endangered Gangetic River dolphin, ● The Gangetic River dolphin is one of four freshwater dolphin
the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC), species in the world.
located close to the Ganga River in Patna, was ○ The other three are found in the Yangtze River in
inaugurated. China (now extinct), the Indus River in Pakistan and
the Amazon River in South America.
54
● Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I ● Dolphins are marine mammals. They must surface to breathe
air and give birth to live young.
Page
IUCN Status: Endangered ● It is blind and finds its way and prey in river waters through
echolocation.
About the National Dolphin Research Centre (NDRC):
● The NDRC, spanning 4,400 square meters on the premises of
Patna University near the Ganga, offers a strategic location for
researchers to closely observe dolphins in their natural
habitat.
○ Bihar is home to around half of the estimated 3,000
Gangetic dolphins in India.
● The NDRC aims to assist scientists and researchers in
studying Gangetic dolphins comprehensively and strengthen
ongoing dolphin conservation.
● The centre will train fishermen to avoid inadvertently harming
dolphins during fishing activities.
Golden Langur About Golden Langurs:
● Golden langurs get their name from the striking golden orange
News Excerpt:
colour of their fur.
● According to a recently conducted survey, there ● It is endemic to north-western Assam, India and southern
are an estimated 7,396 golden langurs in India. Bhutan.
● They are confined to this geographic region by the Manas and
IUCN status: Endangered.
Sankosh rivers to the east and west, the Brahmaputra river in
the south, and the Black Mountains to the north.
○ Golden langurs may live anywhere between sea level
and 9,800 feet (3,000 m) above sea level.
● They are relatively small primates, weighing between 9 to 12
kg.
● They help disperse the seeds from the fruit they eat, which is
critical to healthy forest development and sustainability.
Findings of the survey:
● The population of golden langurs is divided into two major
sub-populations.
● The northern extended population, which encompasses the
western part of the Manas Biosphere Reserve, extending from
the Sankosh River to the Manas River up to the India-Bhutan
border.
● The Ripu Reserve Forest was home to the most (2,847) northern
population of golden langurs.
● The southern fragmented population occurs along the
southern side of NH27 up to the Brahmaputra River in the south.
Kokrajhar district’s Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary was home to
the most (838) southern population of golden langurs.
Newly discovered sea slug: Melanochlamys About the news:
Droupadi ● The new species belonging to the Melanochlamys genus was
discovered off the coasts of Digha in West Bengal and Udaipur
News Excerpt:
in Odisha.
The Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) has named a new ● Named Melanochlamys Droupadi, this previously unknown
marine species of head-shield sea slug after head-shield sea slug is distinctive to these regions and has
President of India Droupadi Murmu. not been found elsewhere in the world.
● Members of the Melanochlamys genus are characterized by
their short, blunt cylindrical bodies and smooth dorsal
surfaces, typically adorned with two dorsal shields, the anterior
cephalic and posterior shield.
Characteristics:
55
● Melanochlamys Droupadi is a diminutive invertebrate,

reaching a maximum length of 7 mm.
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● It exhibits a brownish-black colouration with a distinct ruby-

red spot at its hind end.
● Internally, it possesses a shell within its body and is
hermaphroditic in nature.
● These sea slugs are commonly observed crawling on intertidal
zones, leaving distinctive crawl marks on sandy beaches.
● Reproduction is thought to take place between November and
January.
According to the ZSI, species within the Melanochlamys genus are
typically found in temperate regions of the Indo-Pacific Ocean.
Hawksbill Sea Turtles About:

● Hawksbill sea turtles are found in the tropical and subtropical
News Excerpt:
waters of all of the world’s major oceans.
Submerged banks and mesophotic depths are ● They are the only species of sea turtle that can survive on a diet
important foraging grounds for critically consisting mainly of sponges. They also feed on a variety of
endangered marine animals such as Hawksbill Sea algae, corallimorphs (coral-like anemones), tunicates and
Turtles and may support a rich array of marine life. more.
IUCN Status: Critically endangered ● Role in the function of marine ecosystems:
○ Maintain the health of coral reefs by feeding on
sponges, which can prevent overgrowth and damage to
the coral.
○ Without hawksbills, sponges can overgrow and
suffocate slow-growing corals causing them to die.
● In many parts of the world, hawksbills face the unique threat
of being hunted for their beautiful shell, also known as
“tortoise shell”, which is used by craftspeople to create many
types of jewellery and trinkets.
Indian leopard or common leopard About:

● Scientific Name - Panthera Pardus
News Excerpt:
● The Indian Leopard has larger rosettes than the other subspecies,
The PM expresses happiness over the increased with a paler coat in desert habitats, greyer in colder climes and
population of Leopards (Also known as Prince of the more ochre in rainforest habitats.
cats) in India. According to a report titled Status of ● They are sexually dimorphic, with males larger and heavier than
Leopards in India (Fifth Cycle 2022), India’s females.
estimated leopard population rose from 12,852 in ● Indian Leopards are solitary predators who remain well-
2018 to 13,874 in 2022. camouflaged at night but come down from trees to hunt during
● Indian Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: Schedule I the day.
● CITES: Appendix I ● Chital, Sambar and langur species constitute most of the diet of
IUCN Status: Vulnerable the Indian Leopard, but they are also known to prey on Spotted
Deer, Nilai, Wild Pig, cattle, hares, dogs and porcupine.
● They are good climbers and rely on trees for cover, so are found
in various forested habitats, including tropical rainforests, dry
deciduous forests, scrublands, and grasslands.
● They are also found in human-dominated landscapes, such as
agricultural areas and even urban environments.
56
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Brazilian Flea toad About:

● The Brazilian Flea Toad (Brachycephalus didactylus) is a tiny
News Excerpt:
species of toad found in the Atlantic Rainforest of Brazil.
Scientists have bestowed the frog — which is native ● These toads are incredibly small, with adults typically growing to
to Brazil but is neither a flea nor a toad — with two only about 9 to 12 millimeters in length.
titles: The world’s smallest known amphibian and ● They are known for their bright, vibrant colors, which can range
smallest known vertebrate. from yellow and orange to red and purple. This coloration serves
as a warning to predators of their toxicity.
IUCN Status: ● The Brazilian Flea Toad is endemic to the Atlantic Rainforest,
Near Threatened where it inhabits moist leaf litter on the forest floor. They are
typically found in areas with high humidity levels.
● Despite their small size, these toads are known for their
remarkable jumping ability, which is how they earned the name
"Flea Toad." They are also primarily active at night.
● Like many other species of the genus Brachycephalus, the
Brazilian Flea Toad is toxic. They secrete toxins through their skin,
which can be harmful or even deadly to predators.
● These toads lay their eggs in moist leaf litter on the forest floor.
The eggs hatch into tadpoles, which then develop into tiny
toadlets without going through a free-swimming tadpole stage.
Baobab Tree About Baobab Tree:
● All Baobabs are deciduous trees ranging in height from 5 to 20
News Excerpt:
meters. It grows in low-lying areas in Africa and Australia.
The Global Society for the Preservation of Baobabs ○ Also known as the upside-down tree or Adansonia
and Mangroves (GSPBM) has initiated a mission - trees.
ARO (Assessment, Research, and Outreach) ○ Prefer hot, sandy plains.
Baobab Project to rejuvenate the iconic baobab ● Widely distributed in belts across Africa. They also grow in
trees. These ancient giants, threatened by Madagascar, Zimbabwe, India, Ceylon, and Australia.
deforestation and climate change, are receiving a ● Very difficult to kill, they can be burnt, or stripped of their
lifeline through seedling transplantation. bark, and they will just form new bark and carry on growing.
● When they do die, they simply rot from the inside and collapse,
leaving a heap of fibres, which makes many people think that
they don't die at all, but simply disappear.
How is climate change driving the loss of baobab forests?
● Reduced rainfall is hampering the growth of baobab seedlings.
● Climate change exacerbates forest fragmentation, isolating
baobab habitats and disrupting the ecological balance.
● The increased dryness caused by climate change, and human
activities are contributing factors to the fires.
Why are baobab trees so important to Madagascar?

● Ecological Importance:
○ Keystone species in Madagascar's unique landscapes.
○ Their massive trunks and extensive root systems help
store water in arid environments.
● Economic Potential:
○ Sustainable development through the utilization of their
highly nutritious fruits and seeds.
● Cultural & Spiritual Significance:
Deeply woven into the Malagasy way of life.
Javan tiger ● The last confirmed sighting of a Javan tiger was in 1976 in Meru
Betiri National Park, East Java.
News Excerpt:
A single hair found on a village fence in the west of ● In August 2019, a Javan tiger was reported in a community
57
the island of Java in 2019 has been DNA-tested and plantation near the village of Cipeundeuy in South Sukabumi,
Page
West Java.
found to be belonging to the extinct species of Javan ● The taxonomy of tigers was revised in 2017, categorizing the
Tiger. Sunda Island tigers, including the Javan tiger, as Panthera tigris
sondaica, distinct from mainland tiger subspecies.
IUCN Red List: Extinct in 2008 Javan Tiger:
● Its an endemic subspecies of tiger found only on the
Indonesian island of Java.
● It descended from the Sunda tiger, a shared ancestor of the
Sumatran (P. tigris sumatrae) and Bali (P. tigris balica) tigers.
Physical characteristics:
● The Javan tiger exhibited significant sexual dimorphism in size;
males averaged 200-245 cm in length and 100-140 kg in
weight, while females were smaller at 180-215 cm long and
75-115 kg.
● It boasted a rich, rusty orange coat adorned with distinct,
narrower dark stripes, ideal for blending into Java's lush forests
and grasslands.
○ Its underparts and inner legs featured a white fur
characteristic shared with numerous tiger subspecies.
● It sported notably short and dense fur and flatter skull,
differing from mainland subspecies.
Habitat:
● The Javan Tiger primarily inhabited the dense forests and
grasslands across the Indonesian island of Java.
● Despite habitat shrinkage due to human activities, critical areas
such as Meru Betiri and Ujung Kulon National Parks provided
safe havens for the Javan Tiger.
Bumblebee species About Bumblebee:
● Bumblebees belong to the genus Bombus within the family
News Excerpt: Apidae.
Scientists have revealed queens of the common ● The family Apidae includes the well-known honeybees and
eastern bumblebee, a species widespread in eastern bumblebees, as well as carpenter bees, cuckoo bees, digger
North America, can withstand submersion for up to bees, stingless bees, and orchid bees.
a week when hibernating. ○ Bumble bees are important pollinators of wild
flowering plants and crops.
Features:
● Bumblebees are large yellow and black flying insects with a
distinct buzz. There is variation in coloration among bumblebees
and some species have bands of red, yellow and black.
● They have stocky bodies that are covered with many hairs to
which pollen adheres.
● Bumblebee workers and the queens can sting, and their stinger
is smooth.
○ Male bumblebees cannot sting as they do not have a
sting.
● Bumblebees have four wings, the two rear wings are small and
usually attached to the fore wings by a row of hooks called
hamuli.
● Range / Habitat: There are over 250 known species, existing
primarily in the Northern Hemisphere. Hedgerows near orchards
provide food and shelter for pollinators like bumblebees.
● Diet: Bumblebees harvest nectar (carbohydrates) and pollen
(protein) from flowering plants.
● Behavior: Bumblebees are social insects that live in colonies.
58
The queen bee, drones and worker bees all have specific tasks to
help support the colony. The queen bee lays hundreds of eggs.
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Brucethoa isro About Brucethoa isro:

● Brucethoa isro was discovered at the base of the gill cavity of
News Excerpt:
the Spinyjaw greeneye, a species of marine fish.
A newly discovered species of deep-sea isopod ● The new species has been named in honour of the ISRO’s
found off the coast of Kollam in Kerala has been “successful space missions, including the recent successful
named in honor of the Indian Space Research lunar mission Chandrayaan-3.”
Organisation (ISRO) by researchers. ● It marks the second documented species within this genus to
be recorded in India.
○ Females typically exhibit larger sizes compared to males,
reaching approximately 19 mm in length and 6 mm in width,
while males are roughly half the size.
● They are deep-sea parasitic isopods.
○ Isopods are an order of invertebrates (animals without
backbones) that belong to the greater crustacean group
of animals, including crabs and shrimp.
○ Isopods have two pairs of antennae, compound eyes, and
four sets of jaws.
Caracal ● Caracals, also known as desert lynx or African lynx, are

medium-sized wild cats native to Africa and Asia.
News Excerpt:
● These animals have a distinctive appearance, with long, tufted
An estimated 50 caracals are left in the small clusters ears and a short, beige-brown coat. They are known for their
in the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat, making agility and speed.
caracal the second cat species after the Asiatic ● They are found in small herds and inhabit dry, arid regions and
cheetah to reach the brink of extinction in India. moist woodlands.
Conservation status: ● The caracal is known by multiple distinct vernacular names in
● IUCN Red List: ‘least concern’ India.
● Conservation Assessment and Management ○ For instance, in Rajasthan, its known as Mor Todni and
Plan (CAMP) and IUCN Red List assessment in
Mor Mar Bagheri due to its reputation as a killer of
India: ‘near threatened’
peafowl.
● Indian Wildlife Act of 1972: Schedule I
Geographic Range of Caracal:
CITES: Appendix I
● Widely distributed across Africa, Central Asia, and south-west
Asia into India.
● While it is relatively common in Africa, there is concern over
the status of the Caracal population in India.
● Today it has a wide but patchy distribution and is restricted to
specific pockets in western India in the state of Gujarat and
Rajasthan. Locally, the species is facing a threat of going into
extinction in India.
● The areas in Kutch (Gujarat), Aravalli mountains (Rajasthan),
Malwa plateau (Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh) and
Bundelkhand region (Madhya Pradesh) were potentially
suitable habitats for caracals.
It further identified the Ranthambore-Kuno Landscape (RKL),
which falls in Rajasthan and Madhya Pradesh, as a highly potential
caracal habitat area and a suitable site for the conservation of the
Caracal.
New species of Cicada in Meghalaya ● This cicada, belonging to the genus Becquartina, marks the
first-ever record of this genus in India.
News Excerpt:
● The colorful wings of the cicada earned it the nickname
Scientists have uncovered a dazzling new cicada “butterfly cicada”, with the species name “bicolour” reflecting
59
species known colloquially as “Butterfly Cicadas” its two distinct colour forms.
from Meghalaya. ● It is a unique cicada generally grouped as ‘butterfly cicada’
Page
because of its colourful wings.

● It has not been found in other parts of Northeast India.

○ The species is localized in Garo Hills and Ri-Bhoi district,
preferring thick forests and native vegetation.
What are cicadas?
● Any member of the family of insects that produce sound.
○ They have three simple eyes, two pairs of membrane-
covered wings, and a conspicuous compound eye is
called a cicadas.
● Cicadas range in size from 2 to 5 cm (0.8 to 2 inches), which is
medium to large.
● Male cicadas vibrate membranes close to the base of their
abdomens to make loud noises.
● Typically, female cicadas deposit their eggs in the woody plant
tissues that fall off the plant either immediately after the eggs
hatch or later.
● There are currently about 3,000 identified species of cicadas.
● Cicadas are tropical insects that live in deserts, grasslands, and
woodlands.
● They are members of the Cicadidae family.
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CC_COMPILATION_ ENVIRONMENT & SPECIES

Marine Protected Areas:

mission. (COP26) in Glasgow.

spanning 4,146.7 sq. km.

Key highlights of the Water (Prevention and Control of Pollution) Act

Key Features 1974 Act 2024 Act

Applicability In 25 States. Initially to Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, and the union

Establishing and operating an industry The Act retains this.

● The Act also adds that the central government may

offences Failure to pay a penalty for violation of any provision

Adjudicating ● The Act allows the Central Government to appoint

SC issues guidelines for environmental Groundwater Board, and National Biodiversity

● Goa Foundation v. Konkan Railways Corporation:

technical and financial support to further restore Phanta Wildlife Sanctuary.

in both Nepal and India.

culturally important to the communities that have co-

● BirdLife addressed key threats migratory birds face,

the Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change

cultured fish species, eight reptiles, and

across the Asian continent:

across all districts in India.

Access and benefit-sharing (ABS):

Biological Diversity (CBD) are designed to facilitate

About Mahadayi River:

● National Mission on Sustainable Agriculture

unique locations in India.

India’s southernmost vulture population

About the news:

scheme was announced. GOBARDhan plants), promoting organic farming.

● The National Biofuel Coordination Committee Wildlife Protection Act 2022:

● These rules do not apply to other wildlife that is About CITES:

implemented at the national level.

in the atmosphere, leading to global warming.

○ As a result, the global average temperature has Key Outcomes of SEEI:

News Excerpt: India's Energy Landscape and Growth:

Group 4 (<1 MTOE).

energy efficiency market with a not-for-profit

Ecocide: Quick Glossary:

● India has the second-highest number of submitters

Lamphelpat waterbody project Grow plants on government land to earn

○ Other activities include water management,

sustainable agriculture, waste management, air

pollution reduction, and mangrove More about the news:

○ Five states, Rajasthan, Gujarat, Karnataka,

lowest in countries that do use nuclear energy.

Plastic Waste Management (Amendment) ● Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR): Producers,

monitor compliance and assess the effectiveness of

Coal vs Natural Gas: Is natural gas a cleaner alternative to coal or oil in

National Information System for Climate Captive Elephant (Transfer or Transport)

○ Additionally, no transfer is allowed unless the

animal's genetic profile has been entered into the

right to freedom, life, and movement, freedom of

health concerns for residents.

○ This risk can be managed by ensuring that biomining Brumation

o Such species include box turtles and painted

revenue records on or after 1980. Yedayanthittu estuary.

expanded the remit of the Act to areas that weren’t

World's ‘largest’ coral-restoration project