General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - June 2022

Jun 2022

Mar 06, 2026

Korea district leads Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari water conservation drive

Chhattisgarh's Korea district is highlighted as a model for community-led water conservation under Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0. The program encourages farmers to reserve about five percent of their land for groundwater recharge through small recharge ponds and terraced pits. The goal is to create a large number of water structures by May 2026 to improve groundwater levels and drought resilience. The initiative aligns with national Jal Shakti campaigns and stresses local participation, scientific planning, and convergence of schemes to secure rural water resources.

Korea district leads JSJB 2.0 water conservation.
Farmers to dedicate 5% of land for recharge ponds.
Target: hundreds of thousands of structures by May 2026.
Emphasises community participation and scheme convergence.

Mar 05, 2026

Scotland Allows Water Cremation as Green Funeral Option

Scotland has become the first nation in the United Kingdom to legalise water cremation, known as alkaline hydrolysis. The change, approved by the Scottish Parliament, introduces a greener end‑of‑life option alongside burial and flame cremation. The process places the body in a sealed chamber with water and potassium hydroxide, heating to about 150°C for roughly 90 minutes to accelerate decomposition. Proponents view it as an environmentally friendlier alternative with lower carbon and land-use footprints. The reform marks the most substantial funeral-law change since cremation began in Scotland in 1902, reflecting shifting attitudes toward sustainability in end-of-life choices.

Scotland legalises water cremation (alkaline hydrolysis)
Greener alternative to traditional burial or flame cremation
Process: sealed chamber, water, potassium hydroxide, ~150°C for ~90 minutes
Largest funeral-law change since 1902 in Scotland
Part of broader sustainability shifts in end-of-life practices

Mar 04, 2026

Project HANUMAN launched to address human-wildlife conflict in Andhra Pradesh

Deputy Chief Minister Pawan Kalyan launched Project HANUMAN to tackle growing human-wildlife conflicts in Andhra Pradesh. The initiative aims to reduce man-animal clashes, protect rural communities and ensure wildlife safety. Key features include deployment of rapid response teams for emergencies and the use of technology and monitoring systems to track wildlife movements. The program targets vulnerable districts where conflicts are rising and promotes community involvement. Officials say HANUMAN will complement habitat protection and ecotourism while improving safety for residents and animals as pressures on forests increase.

Aim: Reduce human-wildlife conflict in vulnerable districts
Strategy: Rapid response teams and monitoring technology
Focus: Community involvement and safety for people and wildlife
Context: Rising wildlife incursions into human settlements
Impact: Supports conservation and rural well-being

Tamil Nadu's Kolli Hills gets India's first Dark Sky Park

The Tamil Nadu Forest Department has inaugurated the state's first Dark Sky Park at Ariyur Shola Forest in the Kolli Hills of Namakkal district. The facility aims to protect natural night skies from artificial light while offering a dedicated space for public astronomical observation. The development cost is ₹1 crore, funded to promote sustainable tourism, scientific awareness and environmental conservation in this scenic hill region. Three advanced telescopes have been installed for structured sky viewing. Officials say the park will enable educational programs, attract visitors interested in astronomy, and bolster local eco tourism without compromising the night environment.

Location: Ariyur Shola Forest, Kolli Hills, Namakkal district
Cost: ₹1 crore; funding allocated for conservation and education
Facilities: Three advanced telescopes for sky viewing
Objectives: Protect night skies; reduce light pollution; promote education and eco tourism
Impact: Educational programs and enhanced eco tourism in the region

Mar 03, 2026

Debrigarh to host second Indian Bison Fest on 8 March

Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary will host the second Indian Bison Fest on 8 March at Zeropoint, highlighting conservation of the gaur, locally known as gaurs. Organised by the Hirakud Wildlife Division, the two-day festival aims to bring together students, researchers, volunteers, and nature enthusiasts to celebrate the growing gaur population in the Debrigarh–Hirakud landscape. This year’s edition introduces night camping for a more immersive experience, with expert talks on gaur behavior, habitat ecology, wildlife film screenings, and guided gaur safari. The festival seeks to raise awareness and support for gaur conservation and habitat protection.

Second Indian Bison Fest on 8 March at Zeropoint.
Organised by Hirakud Wildlife Division.
Includes night camping, talks, film screenings, and safaris.
Focus on conservation of gaur in Debrigarh–Hirakud landscape.
Aims to engage students, researchers, and volunteers.

World Wildlife Day 2026 observed on 3 March

World Wildlife Day 2026 is observed on 3 March by the United Nations to protect wild animals, plants, and biodiversity. This year’s theme highlights the role of medicinal and aromatic plants in healthcare, heritage, and livelihoods. The day underscores the need to safeguard ecosystems amid habitat loss and climate change, and to combat wildlife crime. It also marks the anniversary of the CITES treaty, signed on 3 March 1973, regulating international trade in endangered species. Governments, communities, and scientists emphasize conservation actions, sustainable use of natural resources, and awareness campaigns to protect biodiversity for present and future generations across nations.

World Wildlife Day observed on 3 March 2026.
Theme focuses on medicinal and aromatic plants and livelihoods.
Emphasizes biodiversity protection amid habitat loss and climate change.
CITES anniversary marked (signed 3 March 1973).
Calls for conservation actions and sustainable resource use.

Mar 02, 2026

MoEFCC holds 2-day workshop to address elephant–train collision challenges

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change organized a two-day workshop to address the problem of elephant–train collisions. The workshop brought together researchers, forest officials and railway authorities to review mitigation strategies such as improved signaling, speed controls and habitat connectivity. The event highlights the government’s wildlife conservation priorities and its effort to balance infrastructure development with biodiversity protection. By focusing on practical mitigation measures and stakeholder collaboration, the workshop aims to reduce wildlife casualties and railway asset losses while promoting safe, sustainable transport corridors.

MoEFCC hosts two-day workshop on elephant–train collisions
Participants include researchers, forest and railway officials
Discusses signaling, speed controls, and habitat connectivity
Emphasises wildlife conservation and infrastructure balance
Aims to reduce wildlife casualties and asset losses

India receives nine Botswana cheetahs at Kuno National Park as population nears 48

Nine cheetahs from Botswana arrived at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh and were placed in quarantine enclosures for health monitoring and acclimatisation. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav welcomed the predators, increasing India’s cheetah population to 48, which includes 28 India-born cubs. The cheetahs, six females and three males, will gradually be released into the wild under Project Cheetah. The arrival marks a major step in wildlife restoration and international collaboration, strengthening India’s biodiversity goals and habitat connectivity plans. Officials emphasise continued veterinary oversight and phased reintroduction to natural habitats.

Nine cheetahs from Botswana arrive at Kuno National Park
Total cheetah population now 48; 28 India-born cubs
Six females, three males; quarantine and health monitoring
Part of Project Cheetah biodiversity initiative
Gradual release into the wild after acclimatisation

Ramsar update: Patna Bird Sanctuary and Chhari-Dhand added to Ramsar list (repeat coverage)

A reiteration of the Ramsar designation news confirms Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district, Gujarat, were added to India’s Ramsar network following governmental confirmation. The development reinforces India’s wetlands conservation efforts and biodiversity protection, aligning with national environmental goals. Officials emphasise that Ramsar status improves site management and biodiversity outcomes, while supporting eco-tourism and local livelihoods in affected districts. The announcement reaffirms ongoing commitments to preserve critical wetland habitats across the country.

Reaffirmation: Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) added
Context: Ramsar network expansion
Benefits: improved management, biodiversity protection
Impact: potential eco-tourism and community livelihoods
Source: official government communications

Two new Ramsar wetlands designated in India ahead of World Wetlands Day

Two more sites have been added to India’s Ramsar list: Patna Bird Sanctuary in Etah district, Uttar Pradesh, and Chhari-Dhand in Kutch district, Gujarat. Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the designation on the social media platform X, ahead of World Wetlands Day on 2 February 2026. The new entries expand India’s Ramsar network, reinforcing protection for migratory and resident birds and for desert wildlife such as chinkara, wolves, caracal, desert cats and desert foxes. The government notes Ramsar status supports habitat management, biodiversity protection and eco-tourism. Local communities are expected to benefit from enhanced conservation funding and governance.

Ramsar sites: Patna Bird Sanctuary (UP) and Chhari-Dhand (Gujarat) added
Announcement made by Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav on X
Ahead of World Wetlands Day, 2 February 2026
Sites provide habitat for migratory and resident birds and desert wildlife
Ramsar status aids habitat management, biodiversity protection and eco-tourism

Varanasi earns Guinness record for planting 2.51 lakh saplings in one hour

Varanasi set a Guinness World Record by planting over 2.5 lakh saplings within 60 minutes on March 1, 2026. The urban afforestation drive involved more than 20,000 residents and used Miyawaki method along the Ganga riverfront in the Domari area. Authorities say the effort surpasses China’s earlier record of 1.53 lakh saplings per hour. The event, tied to a broader Namo Van urban forest project, reinforces India’s emphasis on rapid green cover expansion and ecological restoration in major cities, highlighting citizen participation and local governance in environmental initiatives.

2.51 lakh saplings planted in 60 minutes on 1 March 2026
Over 20,000 participants; Miyawaki planting method used
Varanasi surpasses prior record set by China
Part of Domari riverfront and Namo Van urban forest plan
Demonstrates scale of urban afforestation in India

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