Current Affair Category: Environment & Ecology

India’s Waste Problems & WtE (GS Paper 3: Environment & Science) Context: The government has recently notified the Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026 (notified Jan 2026, effective April 2026), moving India toward a Circular Economy model. Key Features of SWM Rules 2026: Four-Way Segregation: Mandatory sorting into Wet (organic), Dry (recyclable), Sanitary (diapers/masks), and […]

India’s Industrial Shift: Electrons over Molecules (GS 3: Economy/Environment) Why in News? Recent editorials (February 2026) highlight that India is at a crossroads. While global industrial growth was historically fueled by “molecules” (fossil fuels), the future belongs to “electrons” (renewable electricity). India is currently positioning itself to become an “Electrostate”—a nation that skips the long […]

Decarbonizing India’s Steel Sector:  The Paradox of Growth Economic Importance: Steel is the backbone of Indian manufacturing and infrastructure. Climate Impact: * India is the 2nd largest steel producer globally (120 MT/year). The sector contributes 7–9% of global CO₂ emissions. The Goal: India must decarbonize this sector to meet its global commitment of Net-Zero by […]

The Greater Hesaraghatta Grassland Conservation Reserve (GHGCR) has been a focal point of environmental tension in Karnataka for decades. The “news” surrounding it stems from a long-standing battle between industrial development (specifically a proposed “Film City”) and ecological preservation. Key Issues Surrounding Hesaraghatta (GHGCR): The struggle for Hesaraghatta highlights several systemic issues in how we […]

Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF): The Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) initiative was launched on the sidelines of the COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, aiming to raise and invest USD 125 billion to conserve tropical forests. India has joined the Brazil-led TFFF as an observer, reaffirming its commitment to multilateral climate action under the […]

Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) Underwater Domain Awareness (UDA) refers to the ability to monitor, detect, and analyze underwater activities in oceans, coastal waters, and inland waterways. It involves the use of advanced sonar, sensors, autonomous systems, and artificial intelligence to track submarines, underwater drones, mines, and other naval threats. Why is UDA Important? National Security– […]

Why in the News? On January 7, 2026, President Trump signed a memorandum to exit 31 UN bodies and 35 non-UN organizations. Climate Bedrock: The US is withdrawing from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), the 1992 treaty that is the foundation for all global climate negotiations. Scientific Exit: The US is also leaving […]

Private Wildlife Reserves: Africa vs. India Private reserves play a critical role in global conservation, but their implementation varies significantly depending on the region’s legal and economic landscape. 1. The African Model: A Success Story: In many African nations (such as South Africa, Namibia, and Kenya), private reserves are a cornerstone of the tourism economy […]

This article gained prominence due to its timely publication shortly after UNFCCC COP30 (November 2025 in Belém, Brazil), which heavily emphasized tropical forests while largely sidelining grasslands and savannahs. It aligns with the United Nations’ declaration of 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP), spotlighting these overlooked ecosystems. Additionally, progress at UNCCD […]

On December 23, Air Marshal and the Integrated Defence Staff chief Ashutosh Dixit laid out the defence establishment’s case for critical minerals. Modern defence systems, he said, rely on reliable access to these minerals and import dependence has become a strategic vulnerability because global supply chains are concentrated and exposed to export controls and geopolitics. […]