UPSC CURRENT AFFAIRS

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations releases the SOLAW Report every two years. SOLAW 2025 focuses on unlocking the hidden and untapped potential of land, soil, and water resources to ensure:

Increasing industrialization, urbanization, and uncontrolled disposal of solid and liquid waste in India have led to serious environmental pollution.

India is among the world’s largest users of groundwater. A major share of drinking water, agriculture, and industrial needs is fulfilled through groundwater.

The Project Affected Peoples Forum (PAPF) of Arunachal Pradesh has asked NHPC Ltd to re-employ all local workers previously engaged in the Etalin Hydroelectric Project (EHEP).

The Ministry of Jal Shakti will host the Vision for Sujalam Bharat Summit 2025 in New Delhi, aimed at creating a unified, action-oriented framework for national water security and sustainable water governance.

To address the recurring issues of algal blooms, foul odour, and deteriorating water quality in Hyderabad’s Hussain Sagar Lake, the Hyderabad Metropolitan Development Authority (HMDA) has proposed an advanced bioremediation process.

The Global Methane Status Report 2025 warns that crop-residue burning is turning India into a global methane hotspot. The report highlights rising methane concentrations, increasing climate risks, and slow global progress toward mitigation commitments.

A Glacial Lake Outburst Flood (GLOF) occurs when a natural dam: Moraine (debris dam), Ice dam, Rock/glacial dam, suddenly fails or is overtopped, releasing large volumes of water from a glacial lake at high speed. This sudden, destructive flood can cause significant damage downstream.

India’s approximately 7,500 km long coastline makes it highly vulnerable to tropical cyclones. On average, 5–6 cyclones occur in India each year, with most affecting the eastern coast (Bay of Bengal) more severely.

At the COP30 conference held in Belém, Brazil, more than 35 leading global philanthropic organizations from around the world made an initial commitment of $300 million to address climate-linked health challenges. The Belém Health Action Plan (BHAP) was also launched on the same occasion, which will form the foundation for health-focused climate policies in the coming years.