CURRENT AFFAIRS DESTINATION FOR UPSC & STATE CIVIL SERVICES EXAMINATIONS
The Union Ministry of Power has said that it would wait for the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) to decide on whether flue gas desulphurisation (FGD) units should be mandatory for all coal-fired thermal power plants. Scientific Viewpoint: What is FGD?FGD units are retrofit technologies installed in TPPs to reduce sulphur dioxide (SO₂) emissions from coal combustion. SO₂ and Sulphate Aerosols: Economic Impact: Environmental Complexity:
Residents and environmentalists of Uttarkashi district in Uttarakhand have written to the Union government expressing concern over a new waste incinerator in the Gangotri National Park and within the Bhagirathi Eco-Sensitive Zone. Key Highlights
A recent study published in Global Change Biology reveals that ocean acidification crossed a critical “planetary boundary” five years ago, by 2020. This alarming finding indicates that the world’s oceans are nearing or have already entered a “danger zone” for acidity, primarily due to the absorption of excess atmospheric carbon dioxide. Key Findings:
A groundbreaking discovery has been made in the forests of Meghalaya: a new species of beetle, Spathaspina noohi, which also represents an entirely new genus, Spathaspina.
In a pioneering move, the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) and the Wildlife Institute of India (WII) have released a detailed national assessment of ungulates—hoofed mammals such as deer, pigs, antelopes, and bison—across India. The report utilizes data from the 2022 All-India Tiger Estimation exercise to map distribution and population densities of these key species. Why It Matters: Key Findings: Species Doing Well: Species in Decline: Conservation Challenges: (Source: IE)
In a landmark judgment, the Supreme Court of India has ruled that approximately 86,000 hectares of Zudpi jungle lands in eastern Vidarbha, Maharashtra, should be treated as “forest land”. This ends decades of legal ambiguity surrounding these lands. Key Points from the Ruling (May 22, 2025): What Are Zudpi Lands? Context and Impact: (Source: IE)
Recently, a new species of parasitic wasp, ‘Losgna Occidentalis’, was discovered in Chandigarh. (Source: TH)
The Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MoSPI) released the 8th issue of “EnviStats India 2025: Environment Statistics.” The release took place during the National Workshop on Using Alternate Data Sources and Frontier Technologies for Policy Making on June 5, 2025, in New Delhi. Trends in Energy and Production (2013-14 to 2023-24) Temperature Changes (2001 to 2024) Faunal Species Diversity EnviStats India Publication Series (Source: PIB)
The Tamil Nadu government has officially declared a Greater Flamingo sanctuary at Dhanushkodi in Ramanathapuram district. Chief Minister M.K. Stalin inaugurated the sanctuary via video conferencing on the occasion of the World Environment Day event. (Source: TH)
Prime Minister Narendra Modi planted a ‘sindoor’ sapling at his residence on World Environment Day on June 5, 2025. The sapling was presented to him by a group of women who had shown remarkable courage during the 1971 war. Sindoor Plant (Bixa orellana)
The Telangana State government on May 30, 2025 issued orders declaring the tiger corridor area connecting the Kawal Tiger Reserve in the State with the Tadoba-Andhari Tiger Reserve in Maharashtra as ‘Kumram Bheem Conservation Reserve’, as per the provisions of the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972. (Source: TH)
The Jharkhand government plans to establish the state’s first tiger safari in the fringe area of the Barwadih Western Forest Range in Latehar district, which falls under the Palamau Tiger Reserve (PTR). Purpose and Objectives: Legal and Regulatory Context: Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972: NTCA Guidelines (2012 & 2016): Supreme Court Directive (March 2024): Significance: (Source: IE)
In an extraordinary gazette notification on May 26, the Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare notified 34 biostimulants such as humic and fulvic acid formulations, seaweed extracts, protein hydrolysates, amino acid blends, vitamin complexes , among others, under the Fertiliser Control Order (FCO). Key Highlights (Sources: BL & PIB)
A new study from Nagaland University highlights the significant agricultural potential of stingless bees, particularly Tetragonula iridipennis and Lepidotrigona arcifera, in enhancing both the yield and quality of crops. Here are the key takeaways and implications from the research: Key Findings Pollination Benefits Additional Economic Value Ecological and Practical Advantages Implications for Indian Agriculture (Source: TH)
May 28 is celebrated every year as World Dugong Day. About Dugongs (Dugong dugon) Distribution in India Diet & Feeding Behavior Biology & Behavior Reproduction & Conservation Status Conservation Efforts Human Interaction (Source: TH)