Current Affair Category: Environment & Ecology

OECD and UNEP Reports on plastic pollution The issue of plastic pollution is in the news because World Environment Day 2024 (June 5) focused on “Ending Plastic Pollution”, highlighting the urgent need to address the rising global plastic crisis. It also coincides with alarming new data released by the OECD and UNEP, showing that plastic […]

Blue Economy Conclave – ‘Blue Tides: Two Shores One Vision’ A two-day Blue Economy Conclave titled ‘Blue Tides: Two Shores One Vision’ will be held in Kerala on September 18-19, 2025. The conclave is being organized by the Kerala State Fisheries Department in collaboration with the Union Government of India and the European Union (EU). […]

ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT PLAN (EMP) The Great Nicobar Island Project, an ambitious integrated development initiative by the Government of India, has been approved to transform Great Nicobar Island into a major maritime and air connectivity hub in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR). The project has strategic and national security significance but has also raised concerns about […]

Himalayan Disasters: Climate Change, Development & Supreme Court Concerns The Supreme Court of India has expressed serious concern over increasing floods, landslides, and heavy rainfall disasters in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Punjab, and Jammu & Kashmir. The Court highlighted indiscriminate deforestation, illegal construction, and unplanned development projects as key factors worsening natural disasters. Recently, visuals of […]

The Protection of Aboriginal Tribes Regulation (PATR), 1956 The Central government has requested a detailed report from the Andaman and Nicobar administration following a grievance raised by the Tribal Council of Little and Great Nicobar. The complaint alleges that forest rights were not settled before diverting 13,000 hectares of forest land for the Rs 81,000-crore […]

National Coalition for Climate and Environmental Justice (NCCJ) National Coalition for Climate and Environmental Justice (NCCJ), part of the first National Alliance of People’s Movements (NAPM), A memorandum has been presented to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests and Climate Change and the Haryana Chief Minister, requesting the cancellation of the contested Aravali Zoo Safari […]

Flood & Climate Change Punjab is facing one of its worst floods in five decades, impacting nearly four lakh people, causing 48 deaths, and affecting around 2,000 villages. The floods have resulted in an estimated economic loss of over ₹13,000 crore, with standing paddy crops destroyed just weeks before harvest. The situation has been aggravated […]

Bhakra Beas Management Board (BBMB) From July 1 to September 5, 2025, Himachal Pradesh’s Beas River received its highest-ever recorded water inflow, amounting to 11.70 billion cubic meters (BCM). This exceptional surge led to significant flooding and sparked disagreements between Punjab and Himachal Pradesh regarding the handling of the excess water by the Bhakra Beas […]

Why in the News ? The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) has introduced the Environment Audit Rules, 2025, establishing a new class of independent environment auditors. These auditors will supplement the work of State Pollution Control Boards (SPCBs) in inspecting and verifying projects for compliance with environmental laws. The move aims to […]

Why in the News?  The India Habitat Centre (IHC) has introduced ‘Utsav’, a new initiative designed to showcase and celebrate India’s diverse cultural and culinary traditions. The initiative was kickstarted with Onam celebrations, where a traditional Sadhya meal is being served at the Ann restaurant from September 3-5. Throughout the year, the restaurant will feature […]