Category: Environment

A forest fire has continued to rage inside Pangolakha Wildlife Sanctuary in Sikkim, along the Indo-China border, for the past two days, officials said. The blaze, which broke out on January 20, is burning at an altitude of around 13,000 feet. Extent of Damage The fire has already affected nearly 12 hectares of forest land, raising concerns over fragile high-altitude ecosystems and wildlife habitats in the region. Geographical Significance The Read More …

The Indian government has widened the scope of its Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS) by notifying Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) targets for 208 additional carbon-intensive industries, under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change. Under this expansion, sectors such as Petroleum Refineries, Petrochemicals, Textiles, and Secondary Aluminium are now part of the compliance framework of the Indian Carbon Market (ICM). These industries must adhere to specified emission intensity Read More …

The 88th meeting of the Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) was held in New Delhi under the chairmanship of the Union Minister for Environment, Forest and Climate Change, Shri Bhupender Yadav. About the Standing Committee of NBWLThe Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife is a statutory body constituted under the Wild Life (Protection) Act, 1972. It plays a crucial role in wildlife governance and Read More …

Scientists have discovered a tiny crustacean from the Kavaratti lagoon in the Lakshadweep islands that has been established as both a new genus and a new species. The organism belongs to the family Laophontidae under the class Copepoda and is so small that it can be studied only under a microscope. Named Indiaphonte bijoyiThe newly identified crustacean has been named Indiaphonte bijoyi. The generic name Indiaphonte honours India, while the Read More …

India launched the second rangewide estimation of riverine and estuarine dolphins on 17 January 2026 from Bijnor, Uttar Pradesh, under Project Dolphin. BackgroundThe survey follows the first nationwide dolphin population assessment (2021–2023), whose findings were released by Prime Minister Narendra Modi during the National Board for Wildlife meeting at Gir in March 2025. The scientific protocol for the second estimation was formally launched during Wildlife Week 2025 at Dehradun. Coordinating Read More …

Scientists have produced the most detailed map so far of the terrain beneath Antarctica’s vast ice sheet, revealing a complex subglacial landscape of mountains, canyons, valleys, plains, and tens of thousands of previously unknown hills. Key FindingsThe new mapping effort uncovered more than 30,000 previously uncharted hills, each rising at least 50 metres (165 feet) above the surrounding terrain, along with numerous smaller landforms hidden beneath the ice. Methodology UsedResearchers Read More …

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a rare subterranean amphibian species in the northern Western Ghats, highlighting the region’s rich but largely hidden biodiversity. New Species IdentifiedThe newly discovered species has been named Gegeneophis valmiki. This is the first species discovery in the genus Gegeneophis in over a decade, drawing attention to a poorly known group of animals often called “hidden amphibians.” Location of Discovery Research Read More …

Silent Valley National Park (Kerala) remains one of the last continuous and most important habitats of the lion-tailed macaque, an Endangered primate species endemic to the Western Ghats. About the Lion-Tailed Macaque Distribution in India Habitat and Ecology Ecological Importance Major Threats Biological Characteristics Old World vs New World Monkeys Conservation Status

A recent research published in the journal Nature has warned that several of India’s major river deltas are sinking rapidly, increasing the risk of flooding for millions of people due to excessive groundwater extraction and rising sea levels. About the Study Indian River Deltas Identified The study highlights significant land subsidence in the following Indian deltas: This places millions of people living in these regions at growing risk of coastal Read More …

The High Seas Treaty, officially called the Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ) Agreement, comes into force on 17 January 2026, marking a major milestone in global ocean governance. About the BBNJ Agreement Key Objectives Major Provisions Link with UNCLOS Legal Status India’s Position

o strengthen the delivery and efficiency of climate finance, carbon markets under Article 6 (A6) of the Paris Agreement were made fully operational at COP29. This marks a major step in advancing international cooperation on emissions reduction and climate finance. Growing Momentum under Article 6.2 Article 6.4: A New Crediting Mechanism India and the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) Benefits of Article 6 Cooperation for India Partnerships under Article 6 can: Read More …

A forest fire has been raging for the last five days in the Valley of Flowers, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, prompting the Uttarakhand Disaster Management Department to seek assistance from the Indian Air Force (IAF) to control the blaze. Location and Extent of the Fire Challenges in Firefighting About the Valley of Flowers National Park UNESCO World Heritage Significance Ecological and Cultural Importance

The Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) on January 14, 2026, launched the Indian Skimmer Conservation Project, providing a structured and organised framework to ongoing efforts aimed at conserving rare bird species along the riverine stretches of the Ganga. The initiative highlights a shift in river conservation approaches, emphasising that protection efforts are no longer limited to water quality or aquatic species alone, but are increasingly focused on the holistic conservation Read More …

During the ongoing All India Tiger Estimation 2026, forest officials recorded the sighting of the Indian giant squirrel in the Atwan region of the Pune forest division. The sighting is being seen as a positive indicator of ecological health and habitat quality in the forest landscape. About the Indian Giant Squirrel (Shekru) Habitat and Distribution Conservation Status Ecological Importance Source: IE

The three-day ‘Flamingo Festival 2026’ was held in the Sullurpeta constituency of Tirupati district, Andhra Pradesh, celebrating the region’s rich avian biodiversity and promoting eco-tourism. About the Flamingo Festival Launched in 2001, the Flamingo Festival has evolved into one of India’s premier eco-tourism events, attracting thousands of visitors from India and abroad each year. The festival showcases a harmonious blend of nature, local culture and conservation awareness. Scenic Venues: Pulicat Read More …