General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - June 2023

Jun 2023

Feb 23, 2026

Vasai Cathedral Wins UNESCO Award for Conservation

Our Lady of Grace Cathedral in Papdy village, Vasai, has won the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award for Cultural Heritage Conservation (Merit) for its community-led restoration. The 475-year-old cathedral, built without cement or bricks, used traditional masonry and local crafts in its revival. Bangkok announced the award as part of the 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards. The recognition highlights the preservation of a Portuguese-era structure and the broader revival of Catholic heritage in Maharashtra, showcasing the value of local skills and collaborative conservation efforts.

Our Lady of Grace Cathedral wins UNESCO Asia-Pacific Award (Merit).
Location: Papdy village, Vasai; 475-year-old structure.
Restoration used traditional, cement-free masonry and local crafts.
Award announced at 2025 UNESCO Asia-Pacific Awards in Bangkok.
Significant for preservation of Catholic heritage in Maharashtra.

Palamu Tiger Reserve Launches Vanjeevi Didi Initiative

The Palamu Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Jharkhand launched the ‘Vanjeevi Didi’ initiative, a community conservation program led by women. The project selects 18 educated women from 17 identified villages as ‘Vanjeevi Didis’. They will act as ambassadors to spread forest and wildlife protection messages, discourage poaching and deforestation, and engage families in conservation practices. Officials say the scheme empowers women to influence local behavioural change and strengthen community involvement in biodiversity protection, contributing to the long-term health of the PTR ecosystem.

Vanjeevi Didi initiative launched at Palamu Tiger Reserve.
18 educated women selected from 17 villages as ambassadors.
Aim: empower women to protect forests and wildlife.
Targets reduction of poaching and deforestation through community effort.
Strengthens local participation in conservation.

Feb 20, 2026

IELLAB Inauguration and Language Preservation Efforts Bolster Cultural Heritage

South India’s Indigenous & Endangered Languages Laboratory (IELLAB) at the University of Madras, established with CSR support from Karur Vysya Bank and collaboration with the Gabo Alliance Foundation, continues to advance documentation and preservation of regional languages. The lab’s ongoing projects include language surveys, database development, and community-driven documentation efforts. By strengthening linguistic research and training opportunities, IELLAB contributes to educational inclusion and cultural resilience across multilingual communities in Tamil Nadu and beyond.

IELLAB operates as South India’s first dedicated endangered languages lab.
CSR-backed project with Karur Vysya Bank and Gabo Alliance Foundation.
Focus on documentation, preservation, and research in indigenous languages.

Feb 19, 2026

Devendra Fadnavis flags off Mumbai Climate Week

Devendra Fadnavis flagged off the first-ever Mumbai Climate Week at the Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra, a three-day event aimed at shifting climate conversations toward practical solutions. Organized by Project Mumbai in partnership with the Government of Maharashtra and supported by the BMC, the conclave brings together global, national and local experts. The agenda focuses on sustainable strategies for the Global South, urban resilience, renewable energy, and inclusive climate transition pathways. The event seeks to drive policy action, investments, and community-level adaptation to heat, floods and other climate risks. It highlights India's urban climate challenges and opportunities this week.

First Mumbai Climate Week; three-day event.
Location: Jio World Convention Centre, Bandra.
Focus on urban resilience, renewables and Global South.
Aims to drive policy action and investments.
Highlights Mumbai's urban climate challenges.

Kuno National Park cheetah population rises to 38

India's cheetah reintroduction programme at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh has recorded three new cubs, taking the total cheetah population in the country to 38. Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav announced the birth of Gamini's cubs, the South African cheetah relocated under Project Cheetah, marking the second successful litter for that female. The tally also includes 27 surviving Indian-born cubs and marks the ninth successful litter since reintroduction began. The development underscores the adaptability of cheetahs in Indian conditions and supports ongoing conservation and habitat management in central India. Experts say continued monitoring, scientific breeding, and habitat expansion are essential for long-term success.

Cheetah cubs born at Kuno National Park.
Total population: 38 cheetahs in India.
Gamini is a South African cheetah; Gamini cubs are new.
27 Indian-born cubs survive; ninth litter overall.
Calls for ongoing monitoring and habitat expansion.

Uttarakhand crosses 1 GW solar energy milestone

Uttarakhand has crossed the 1 GW milestone in solar energy capacity, marking a significant step in its clean energy transition. The state now reports installed solar capacity of 1,027.87 MW, reflecting strong policy support for renewable energy under Prime Minister Narendra Modi. Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami attributed the achievement to the Centre's thrust on green growth and the Atmanirbhar Bharat vision, noting the move would boost energy self-reliance and create local employment. The milestone aligns with state and national goals to expand solar generation, reduce emissions, and promote rural electrification, while encouraging investments in rooftop and utility-scale projects across the hill state.

Installed solar capacity at 1,027.87 MW.
Centre's green growth and Atmanirbhar Bharat support cited.
Aims: energy self-reliance and local employment.
Plans for rooftop and utility-scale solar expansion.
Aligns with national renewable energy goals.

Feb 18, 2026

NHAI Announces Bee Corridors Along National Highways

The National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) announced a Bee Corridors initiative to create pollinator-friendly stretches along national highways. The plan replaces ornamental roadside plantations with bee‑friendly vegetation to support honeybees and other pollinators. The corridors seek to address ecological stress affecting pollination services, agricultural productivity and biodiversity. The strips will feature continuous flowering plants and staggered blooming to provide nectar and pollen across seasons. By integrating green corridors with highway infrastructure, the project aims to boost biodiversity and ecosystem resilience while aligning with sustainable development goals. ([m.economictimes.com](https://m.economictimes.com/industry/transportation/roadways/nhai-to-develop-bee-corridor-along-national-highways/articleshow/128468849.cms?utm_source=openai))

Bee Corridors to run along national highways
Vegetation chosen for year‑round nectar and pollen
Aims to boost pollinator health and biodiversity
Links ecological goals with infrastructure planning
Supports agricultural productivity through pollination

Feb 17, 2026

Bisleri Bottles for Change Drive Launched in Kerala

Bisleri International has partnered with Edathala Grama Panchayat and Green Worms Waste Management for a door-to-door waste management drive under Bottles for Change. The program aims to strengthen source segregation and improve recycling in Kerala’s panchayat wards. The campaign aligns with the Malinya Muktha Keralam mission to reduce landfill waste and promote sustainable local waste management. Officials say the initiative will educate residents on proper waste disposal and enhance environmental outcomes. The collaboration demonstrates corporate social responsibility and community engagement in municipal waste management across local governance structures.

Partnership: Bisleri with Edathala Grama Panchayat and Green Worms.
Program: Bottles for Change waste management drive.
Focus: door-to-door segregation and recycling.
Alignment: Malinya Muktha Keralam; reduce landfill waste.
Impact: improved community awareness and environmental outcomes.

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