General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - July 2023

Jul 2023

Dec 12, 2025

Supriya Sahu wins UNEP Champions of the Earth 2025 Award

Supriya Sahu, Additional Chief Secretary to the Government of Tamil Nadu, has been honoured with the UNEP Champions of the Earth Award 2025 in the Inspiration and Action category. The award recognises leaders who drive transformative environmental benefits in climate action, ecosystem restoration, and sustainable cooling. Sahu’s work in Tamil Nadu, including climate adaptation and policy innovations, was cited as a model for regional leadership in environmental policy. The UNEP recognition highlights India’s contributions to global climate goals and sustainable development at a time of increasing focus on green growth.

Supriya Sahu receives UNEP Champions of the Earth Award 2025.
Awarded in the Inspiration and Action category for climate leadership.
Recognises work in Tamil Nadu on sustainable cooling and ecosystem restoration.
Shows India’s growing role in global environmental leadership.

World Bank approves funds to improve air quality in UP and Haryana

The World Bank’s Board approved financing for two large-scale clean-air programs in Uttar Pradesh and Haryana. The Uttar Pradesh program aims to reduce emissions across transport, agriculture, and industry, while expanding access to clean cooking for homes and promoting e-mobility imports such as electric buses and three-wheelers. Haryana will support a multi-sector approach to monitor and reduce pollutants, including cleaner transport and industrial emissions. The initiatives are expected to boost job creation and position both states as more attractive business destinations while improving public health and quality of life in the Indo-Gangetic region.

World Bank approves financing for UP Clean Air Program (UPCAMP).
UP aims to cut transport, agriculture, and industry emissions; cleaner cooking.
Plans include electric buses and electric three-wheelers in major cities.
Haryana launches a parallel clean-air program with multi-sector interventions.
Projects target economic growth alongside health benefits.

Dec 11, 2025

Lahore tops global pollution rankings with AQI 353

Lahore, Pakistan, topped global air pollution charts with an Air Quality Index (AQI) of 353, according to IQAir. Other major Pakistani cities such as Karachi and Islamabad were also affected by unhealthy air, with smog and fog reducing visibility on highways. The IQAir report highlights ongoing air-quality challenges in South Asia, driven by traffic, industry, and seasonal weather patterns. Health authorities emphasise the need for measures to limit emissions and improve monitoring, while residents are advised to take precautions during high-pollution days to reduce respiratory and cardiovascular risks.

Lahore records AQI 353, leading global pollution list (IQAir).
Regional cities Karachi, Islamabad also experience unhealthy air.
Smog and fog contribute to poor visibility and health risks.
Policies target emissions reduction and better air monitoring.
Public advisories urge protective measures during high pollution days.

Dec 10, 2025

MoS Kirti Vardhan Singh to represent India at UNEA-7 in Nairobi

Union Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh was named to represent India at UNEA-7, the United Nations Environment Assembly, in Nairobi (8–12 December 2025). UNEA is the UN’s top environment body with 193 member states. Singh’s delegation will discuss global environmental challenges and India’s policy approaches under Mission LiFE and Ganga rejuvenation initiatives. The assembly focuses on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable development. India’s participation underscores its commitment to international environmental governance and cooperative solutions for a greener future.

Kirti Vardhan Singh to attend UNEA-7 in Nairobi (8–12 Dec 2025).
UNEA is the UN’s highest-level environmental decision body with 193 members.
India’s participation aligns with Mission LiFE and Ganga rejuvenation.
Focus on climate action, biodiversity, and sustainable development.

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.

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