CURRENT AFFAIRS

Recently, the deepest gas hydrate–associated “cold seep” discovered so far has been recorded on the seafloor off western Greenland.

From January 1, the European Union has operationalised the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM) on selected carbon-intensive imports. The move is expected to significantly impact India’s exports of steel, aluminium, and other energy-intensive products, raising concerns over trade competitiveness and climate equity.

The Satipo Municipality in Peru has adopted the Declaration of Rights for Native Stingless Bees (Tribe Meliponini) through a municipal ordinance, granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees. This marks the world’s first legal recognition of insect rights, reinforcing biocultural conservation and rights-of-nature–based governance.

In December 2025, the Supreme Court of India kept its earlier November 2025 judgment on the definition of the Aravalli Hills in abeyance, citing serious environmental and regulatory concerns. The Court proposed a re-examination of the issue through a high-powered expert committee and imposed restrictions on mining and irreversible administrative actions in the Aravalli region until further review.

The Parvati–Arga Bird Sanctuary in Uttar Pradesh has been declared an Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) by the Government. The move aims to strengthen ecological protection around the sanctuary by regulating developmental and human activities in its surrounding areas.

The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) has recommended environmental clearance for the Dulhasti Stage-II hydropower project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir.

Biodiversity hotspots are biogeographic regions that are characterized by: Extraordinary richness of flora and fauna, especially a high number of endemic species, and Severe loss of natural habitat due to intense human activities. Because of this combination of high biodiversity and high threat, these regions are considered ecologically fragile and top priorities for conservation.

The Supreme Court of India recently delivered a landmark judgment to strengthen conservation of the Great Indian Bustard (GIB) by addressing bird fatalities caused by collisions with overhead power lines linked to renewable energy projects. Acting on expert committee recommendations, the Court demarcated priority conservation areas and laid down mechanisms to manage or reroute power lines in these zones.

Recently, India notified the Greenhouse Gas Emission Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025, taking a significant step towards fulfilling its commitments to the Paris Agreement. These rules are the country's first legally binding emission reduction orders for industrial sectors.

Recent soil tests in the Kuttanad paddy fields of Kerala—part of the Kuttanad Wetland Agricultural System—have revealed elevated aluminium concentrations, raising concerns over soil health, crop productivity, and the long-term sustainability of this globally recognised farming system.