Category: Environment

The critically endangered Asian giant tortoise has been successfully reintroduced into the Zeliang Community Reserve in Nagaland’s Peren district. Ten tortoises from the Nagaland Zoological Park were released on August 2 through a community event. About the Asian Giant Tortoise (Source: TH)

A joint census conducted by Kerala and Tamil Nadu has reported a total population of 2,668 Nilgiri tahrs, a species endemic to the Western Ghats. This census marks a positive trend in the conservation of the state animal of Tamil Nadu. Key Findings of the Census: About the Nilgiri Tahr: (Source: TH)

Blue carbon ecosystems such as mangroves, seagrass meadows, and salt marshes are coastal and marine habitats that naturally capture and store carbon dioxide from the atmosphere.

The University of the Witwatersrand, with support from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), has formally launched the Rhisotope Project, an innovative conservation initiative aimed at combating the severe poaching of rhinos in South Africa. The project involves injecting rhino horns with low doses of radioactive isotopes to make them detectable and undesirable to traffickers. Project Details and Methodology

The Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority (CAMPA) is a key institutional mechanism established under the Compensatory Afforestation Fund Act, 2016. Its primary function is to manage and utilize funds collected to compensate for the loss of forest land and ecosystem services caused by the diversion of forest areas for non-forestry purposes. How the CAMPA Mechanism Works: Utilization of CAMPA Funds: The funds are utilized for a wide range Read More …

A successful women-led conservation model from Assam, India, is being adapted for a new community-led initiative in Cambodia. The model, known as the ‘Hargila Army’, has been instrumental in protecting the endangered greater adjutant stork in Assam and is now being used to protect a Ramsar site in Cambodia’s Tonle Sap Biosphere Reserve. Key Aspects of the Initiative: (Source; TH)

Chile has launched a new government initiative to save the endangered Darwin’s frog, a tiny amphibian known for its extraordinary reproductive strategy. This conservation effort, spearheaded by the Chilean government’s climate change and sustainability committee, aims to protect the frog’s habitats and reproductive areas, and to collaborate with private landowners to secure its future. About Darwin’s Frog (Source: TH)

The world’s smallest snake, the Barbados threadsnake (Tetracheilostoma carlae), previously feared extinct, has been rediscovered in Barbados after an absence of 20 years. The sighting occurred in March 2025 during an ecological survey conducted by the Barbados Ministry of the Environment and National Beautification in collaboration with the conservation organization Re:wild. Key Facts about the Rediscovery and the Barbados Threadsnake: (Source: TH)

The International Court of Justice (ICJ) has issued a significant advisory opinion that could profoundly impact global climate action. This landmark ruling by the UN’s principal judicial body asserts that countries are under a legal obligation to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and could face liability for compensation if they fail to do so. Key Implications of the ICJ’s Advisory Opinion: (Source: IE)

A team of birders recorded the first confirmed sighting of the elusive Long-billed Bush Warbler (Locustella major) in India in 46 years. The Near Threatened species was spotted in the dense willow thickets of Ladakh’s Suru Valley, at an altitude exceeding 3,200 meters. A Long-Awaited Return Habitat and Habits of the Elusive Warbler (Source: HT)

India has prominently showcased its global leadership in wetlands conservation at the 15th Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, held in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Union Minister Bhupender Yadav highlighted India’s philosophy of “Oneness with Nature” and its integrated approach to sustainable wetland management. India’s Achievements in Wetlands Conservation: International Engagement:

An international team of scientists has made a groundbreaking discovery in the field of snake locomotion, documenting and modeling a previously unrecorded escape movement utilized by newborn yellow anacondas. This novel motion, termed the ‘S-start’, represents a non-planar locomotion strategy that snakes briefly employ to escape perceived threats. Traditionally, snake movement has been categorized into three primary types: rectilinear crawling (straight-line), undulatory motion (wave-like), and sidewinding (common in desert species). Read More …

The Tamil Nadu government has taken a significant step in wildlife conservation by announcing the establishment of India’s first Centre of Excellence for Hornbill Conservation. This pioneering initiative will be located at the Anamalai Tiger Reserve (ATR) in the Coimbatore district. Hornbills, often referred to as “farmers of the forest,” are ecologically crucial species due to their role as seed dispersers, which is vital for the regeneration of native forests. Read More …

The Government of India has reiterated its strong commitment to combating climate change and is actively implementing measures to achieve its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement. About NDCs India has achieved a significant milestone in its energy transition:

India’s vital mangrove ecosystems are showing encouraging signs of growth, with the latest India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023 revealing a significant increase in their total cover. The report highlights the nation’s commitment to conserving these unique coastal habitats, bolstered by new initiatives and existing protective legislation. Key Findings from ISFR 2023: Mangrove Initiative for Shoreline Habitats & Tangible Incomes (MISHTI): To further enhance mangrove restoration and protection, the Read More …