CURRENT AFFAIRS

A recent study has highlighted the ecological role of the Spotted Hyena as an unexpected “eco-warrior” in the city of Mekelle, the second-largest city in Ethiopia.

The Centre for Science and Environment (CSE) released the State of India’s Environment 2026, an annual assessment of India’s environmental conditions first published in 1982.

A recent interim update to the State of the World’s Migratory Species Report has raised serious concerns about the health of migratory wildlife globally. The report warns that nearly half of the world’s migratory species populations are declining, while a significant proportion faces an increasing risk of extinction.

The Karnataka High Court has issued notices to the Central and State governments regarding a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) challenging the approvals granted for the Sharavathi Pumped Storage Hydroelectric Project (PSHP).

Carbon Capture and Utilisation (CCU) technologies are gaining policy and industry attention in India as the country explores pathways to decarbonise hard-to-abate sectors such as cement, steel, power, and chemicals. Unlike Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS), which stores CO₂ underground, CCU converts captured carbon dioxide into useful products like fuels, chemicals, polymers, and construction materials — integrating emissions back into the economic cycle.

Recently, a rare Ferruginous Pochard was spotted among a flock of Common Pochards at Amur Lake in Chennai. This species is seen in limited numbers in India, making such sightings significant for birdwatchers and conservationists.

Recently, Indian marine researchers discovered a new species of squat lobster near the Lakshadweep Islands coral reef ecosystem. The species has been scientifically named Leiogalathea samudragiri.

An adult male tiger named ‘Explorer’ has been reintroduced into the wild in Papikonda National Park as part of Operation Stripes, a wildlife management initiative aimed at strengthening tiger conservation and habitat restoration.

The United Nations' declaration of 2026 as the "International Year of Grasslands and Pastoral Communities" acknowledges the fact that grasslands and their dependent communities have not received the appropriate attention in global environmental discourse. 

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (NBWL) has approved the diversion of 4.68 hectares of forest land from the Kapilash Wildlife Sanctuary for the construction of the 111 km six-lane Capital Region Ring Road (CRRR) project.