General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - September 2021

Sep 2021

Dec 09, 2025

Maharashtra Sets Guinness World Record for Solar Pump Deployment in Agriculture

Maharashtra has achieved a remarkable milestone in clean energy and sustainable agriculture by setting a Guinness World Record after installing 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps in just 30 days. This large-scale deployment highlights the state's leadership in renewable energy adoption within the farming sector and reflects its commitment to reducing dependence on conventional power sources. With this feat, Maharashtra now ranks second globally after China in terms of the speed and scale of solar pump deployment by a single administrative region, strengthening its position as a frontrunner in green agricultural initiatives.

Maharashtra installs 45,911 off-grid solar agricultural pumps in 30 days.
Sets a Guinness World Record for rapid solar pump deployment.
Boosts clean energy use in the agricultural sector.
Aims to reduce reliance on conventional (non-renewable) power sources.
Maharashtra becomes second globally after China in solar pump rollout by a single region.

Ghaziabad Tops Polluted-City List in November 2025 (CREA Report)

A CREA report shows Ghaziabad, part of the National Capital Region, recorded the highest air pollution levels in November 2025, with PM2.5 readings around 224 µg/m³. The report notes winter smog conditions persisted, though stubble burning reportedly declined compared with prior years. Public health concerns rose as residents faced respiratory and other pollution-related risks. Authorities urged actions to reduce emissions, including industrial controls and traffic management. The CREA findings highlight ongoing air-quality challenges in northern India during winter months and reinforce the need for sustained pollution-control measures.

Ghaziabad recorded the worst air quality in November 2025 (CREA).
PM2.5 levels around 224 µg/m³; winter smog persists.
Stubble burning reportedly declined versus previous years.
Health risks linked to high pollution prompt policy action.

National Conservation Programmes Spotlight Tigers, Dolphins, Elephants

India maintains a suite of conservation programmes to safeguard biodiversity, including Project Tiger (1973) and Asiatic Lion conservation in Gir, along with Project Dolphin (2020). These initiatives focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching, and community involvement to sustain threatened species. Together, they reflect India's commitment to biodiversity, ecosystem balance, and national heritage. The government tracks progress through reserves, population surveys, and habitat quality metrics, with a view to maintaining global leadership in wildlife conservation. The programmes also emphasize scientific research, sustainable livelihoods for forest-dependent communities, and international cooperation on biodiversity protection.

Projects include Tiger (1973) and Lion conservation in Gir.
Project Dolphin launched in 2020; targets river and marine ecosystems.
Focus on habitat protection, anti-poaching, community participation.
Aims to preserve biodiversity and support ecological balance.

Dec 07, 2025

Red Fort to Host Unesco Meet on Protecting Intangible Heritage

The Red Fort complex in the heart of the capital is the venue of the 20th session of the Intergovernmental Committee for Safeguarding of Intangible Cultural Heritage from Dec 8-13 with over 1,000 delegates from more than 185 countries participated.

Dec 06, 2025

Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies to Set Up Centre for Wetland Studies to Address ...

Kerala University of Fisheries and Ocean Studies (Kufos) will set up a Centre for Wetland Studies to focus on issues related to wetland conservation and protection in the state, especially the Ramsar sites. The initiative comes in the backdrop of reports of large-scale conversion of paddy lands and wetlands in Ernakulam to push real estate development. According to recent reports from the commissionerate of land revenue, Ernakulam has the largest number of applications seeking conversion, with a real estate boom in the outskirts of the city and neighbouring municipalities situated on the banks of Vembanad Lake.
The initiative will also prioritise setting up Vembanad–Kol wetland as a national pilot site for comprehensive restoration and carrying-capacity assessment for these areas.

Dec 05, 2025

Odisha hosts Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Puri

Odisha hosted the Global Energy Leaders’ Summit 2025 in Puri from 5 to 7 December 2025, bringing national and international stakeholders to discuss India’s evolving energy landscape. The summit, themed Powering India: Sufficiency, Balance, Innovation, aims to ensure reliable power supply, balance ecological and economic needs, and accelerate innovation in the sector. Delegates will explore digital tools, resilience, and security, with sessions on green hydrogen, small modular reactors, and cyber resilience in digital grids. The state highlighted ongoing projects and policy reforms to attract investment and boost energy access for urban and rural communities, aligning with national targets for sustainable growth and energy security.

Global Energy Leaders’ Summit held in Puri (5-7 Dec 2025)
Theme: Sufficiency, Balance, Innovation
Focus on green hydrogen and modular reactors
Digital grid resilience and energy security emphasized

Dec 02, 2025

Tenkasi Launches 'Golden Jackal Ambassadors' Conservation Initiative

Tenkasi district in Tamil Nadu is preparing to introduce a new conservation programme aimed at protecting the rapidly declining population of golden jackals. Indiscriminate construction near residential zones, following the removal of natural vegetation, has severely impacted small wildlife species. To address this, the Forest Department will train school and college students as 'Golden Jackal Ambassadors' to raise awareness and support rescue efforts for the species.
Forest officials report that golden jackals, along with other small animals such as mongooses, ant-eaters, tortoises, snakes and monitor lizards, are facing sharp population drops. Reduced habitats and low public awareness are key drivers of this decline. The new campaign aims to build sensitivity among communities towards the protection of lesser-known fauna.

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