AI-powered drones track down fires in German forests

A firefighter works to control the Black Cove Fire on March 26 in North Carolina, US. Representative image. | Photo Credit: AP Inside a green orb planted in the German countryside is a high-tech aid to prevent wildfires that have grown more common and destructive with rising global temperatures. The installation, resembling a giant golf … Read more

Karimpuzha wildlife sanctuary adds new species to its checklist

The Karimpuzha Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala’s youngest protected area, has emerged as a biodiversity hotspot. A recent faunal survey conducted by the Forest department, the first-such systematic exercise conducted since its inception, has reported 63 new species of odonates, butterflies and birds. The survey, conducted in association with the Society for Tropical Ecology and Research (STEAR) … Read more

WHO conference: Over 50 countries pledge to reduce air pollution health impacts by 50% by 2040

India has pledged to reduce the health impacts of air pollution by 2040, aligning its actions with the National Clean Air Programme at the concluding session of the second World Health Organisation (WHO) conference on air pollution and health. Speaking at the conference organised in Colombian city of Cartagena, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare’s … Read more

Concern in Karnataka over possible lifting of night traffic ban through Bandipur; campaigns planned

Traffic density through highways cutting through Bandipur is a cause for concern given its impact on wildlife. | Photo Credit: SRIRAM MA Speculation is rife in Karnataka that the State government might eventually yield to pressure to lift the night traffic ban through Bandipur, setting off alarm among wildlife conservationists and activists. The ban, in … Read more

Ba Cây: Trò Chơi Bài Đơn Giản, Hấp Dẫn

Ba cây là một trò chơi bài phổ biến ở Việt Nam, được yêu thích bởi luật chơi đơn giản, nhanh chóng và tính giải trí cao. Trò chơi này không chỉ mang đến những giây phút thư giãn mà còn là cơ hội để người chơi rèn luyện tư duy, tính toán và chiến … Read more

Unacceptable that children have to wear masks to play outside due to pollution: SC judge Justice Vikram Nath

Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath and President Dropadi Murmu during the inaugural session of the two-day National Conference on ‘Environment – 2025’ organised by NGT, in New Delhi on March 29, 2025 | Photo Credit: ANI Supreme Court Judge Justice Vikram Nath on Saturday (March 29, 2025) laid stress on the need to regulate … Read more

Centre tells States to be prepared to tackle heat-related ailments

A mother covers her child to protect it from heat in Vellore on March 27, 2025. | Photo Credit: C. Venkatachalapathy The Central Government on Thursday (March 27, 2025) directed States to review their preparedness of health facilities for the management of heatstroke cases and heat-related illnesses.  The Union Health Secretary Punya Salila Srivastava in … Read more

Forest Dept. fixes radio collars on two tuskers in Hassan district

The Forest Department radio-collared two tuskers in Hassan district on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The Forest Department radio-collared two tuskers in Hassan district on Thursday. | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT The Forest Department on Thursday successfully radio-collared two tuskers that have been roaming alone in Hassan district. One was captured near Heggadde estate … Read more

The role of communities in conserving water

An oran in Rajasthan’s Jaisalmer district. Orans are sacred forests which hold deep religious and cultural significance to local communities. Some communities have been establishing orans to serve an additional purpose — water conservation. Photo: Special Arrangement On March 22, World Water Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted the need to conserve water for present … Read more

Over half of ₹1-lakh crore collected for the welfare of mining districts not spent: report

Representative image | Photo Credit: The Hindu A first-of-its-kind analysis of the District Mineral Foundations (DMF) shows that despite collecting about ₹1-lakh crore in the past decade, more than half the funds is unspent. Moreover, the funds are often diverted to activities that are not directly linked to the welfare of mining districts — a … Read more

China’s glacier area shrinks by 26% over six decades

Ice is seen on the Pastoruri glacier in the Peruvian Andes, Peru, May 7, 2024. Image for Representation. | Photo Credit: Reuters China’s glacier area has shrunk by 26% since 1960 due to rapid global warming, with 7,000 small glaciers disappearing completely and glacial retreat intensifying in recent years, official data released in March showed. … Read more

Telangana constitutes expert committee to identify forest lands complying with 1996 SC order

Farmers are busy in agriculture operations at Dulapuram village of Wazeedu mandal of Mulugu district. | Photo Credit: Represenational purpose Close to 30 years after the delivery of the landmark T.N. Godavarman Thirumulpad judgment which had asked the State governments to take stock of their respective deemed forests, the State government has finally constituted a … Read more

Tamil Nadu has been late to procure electric buses: Phanindra Reddy

The transport sector is the third largest contributor to carbon emissions in India. So, several States nationwide have been attempting to decarbonise the sector with multipronged strategies–one of them is to reduce public transport’s carbon footprint. Come April, Chennai would be introduced to a new fleet of 500 electric buses that the State has procured … Read more

As ice frozen for millennia thaws, Kashmir wakes up to new risks

Permafrost melting is emerging as a unique environmental threat in the Kashmir Himalaya. A new study has found that thawing permafrost could affect 193 km of roads, 2,415 households, 903 alpine lakes, and eight hydropower projects in the mountainous region.  Permafrost is any type of ground — soil, sediment, rock, etc. — that has been … Read more

Glaciers lost 9 trillion tonnes of ice since 1975: UN

Ice is seen on the Pastoruri glacier in the Peruvian Andes, Peru, May 7, 2024. | Photo Credit: Reuters Glaciers around the globe are disappearing faster than ever, with the last three-year period seeing the largest glacial mass loss on record, according to a UNESCO report released on March 21. The 9,000 gigatonnes of ice … Read more

Ocean sediments from Bay of Bengal reveal insights into Indian Monsoon patterns, climate change

The researchers said an important aspect of the study was that it identified significant monsoon cycles linked to solar activity. Representational file image. | Photo Credit: V RAJU A recent study conducted by the Central University of Kerala has provided crucial insights into the historical behaviour of the Indian Summer Monsoon over the past 15,000 … Read more

World Water Day: PM Modi says it is important to protect water for future generations

The United Nations observes the World Water Day annually to highlight the importance of fresh water. | Photo Credit: Special Arrangement Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday (March 22, 2025) underlined his government’s commitment to conserve water and promote sustainable development to mark the World Water Day. “Water has been the lifeline of civilisations and … Read more

World Water Day | Running out of water and understanding the scarcity’s aftermath

Water scarcity is not a new issue haunting the world; nevertheless, it is still seen as a challenge that affects billions every year. The increasing water demand, coupled with climate change and mismanagement, has made water a scarce commodity, especially in developing countries like India. Scarcity essentially occurs when there is limited availability of a … Read more

World Water Day 2025 | Are you water-conscious?

Do you know how much water you use in a day? According to the Central Ground Water Authority in India, it is estimated that an average individual needs close to 135 litres of water every day to go through all daily activities from consumption to sanitation. This number can go up to 200 depending on … Read more

Groundwater, the invisible gift – The Hindu

Groundwater is a crucial but often overlooked resource that sustains India’s agriculture, industries, and drinking water supply. Stored in underground aquifers—porous rock formations that hold water like a sponge—it serves as the lifeblood of the nation. The monsoon plays a key role in replenishing these aquifers, but the delicate balance between extraction and recharge is … Read more

World Water Day: Water is life, but how much of it is actually fresh and accessible?

India boasts a vast and diverse surface water network. This water is an interconnected network of natural water bodies like rivers, lakes and ponds. The major rivers in India being Ganga, Brahmaputra, and Godavari along with countless lakes, ponds and traditional water tanks. These water bodies support agriculture, drinking water supply, and groundwater recharge while … Read more

Swiss scientists hope to save biggest glacier in the Alps even as ice loss accelerates

Representational file image. | Photo Credit: Reuters The biggest glacier in the Alps could yet be partially saved if global warming is capped below two degrees Celsius, Swiss scientists said on Friday (March 21, 2025), although significant ice loss is now inevitable. Glaciers around the globe are disappearing faster than ever, with the last three-year … Read more