General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - September 2023

Sep 2023

Dec 29, 2025

Snow-Capped Mount Etna Erupts

Mount Etna, the volcano near Catania, Italy, erupted with a prominent plume and lava activity. A snow blanket covered the summit as eruptions produced lava fountains reaching up to 400 metres and a dense ash column. A new vent opened on the Voragine Crater’s eastern flank, an indicator of ongoing geological activity. Authorities warned of ash dispersion and possible air travel disruptions. The eruption underscores Etna’s status as one of Europe’s most active volcanoes and its potential to affect nearby communities and air traffic across the region.

Etna erupts with lava fountains up to 400 m.
Snow-covered summit accompanied by ash plume.
New vent opens on eastern flank of Voragine Crater.
Possible local disruption and air travel impacts.

Gujarat Becomes Tiger State After 33 Years

Gujarat has been reinstated as a tiger-bearing state after 33 years, according to the National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA). The inclusion in the All India Tiger Estimation 2026 follows evidence of tiger presence in the Ratanmahal Sanctuary and other habitats. Officials say this decision strengthens the country’s conservation narrative under Project Tiger and supports ongoing habitat protection, anti-poaching efforts, and monitoring. The update highlights progress in tiger conservation and the importance of accurate population estimates for policy planning and ecosystem management.

Gujarat declared a tiger-bearing state after 33 years.
NTCA included Gujarat in AITE 2026 due to tiger presence.
Ratanmahal Sanctuary cited among habitats with tigers.
Supports broader Tiger Project goals and conservation policy.

Dec 27, 2025

A 20 MW Solar Power Plant Commissioned in Bokaro

A 20 MW solar power plant installed at BCCL's coal washery plant complex in Dugda, Bokaro district, Jharkhand, was inaugurated. Union Coal Minister G. Kishan Reddy inaugurated this ambitious project online from Coal Bhavan in Dhanbad.
This solar power plant, installed by Coal India at a cost of approximately ₹138 crore, has been installed at the Dugda Coal Washery complex. This project is considered a significant initiative towards promoting clean and renewable energy in the country. The power generated from the plant will be used for coal production-related purposes as well as to power the state's power grid.

Dec 26, 2025

Centre Bans New Mining Leases Across Aravalli Range

The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has imposed a complete ban on granting new mining leases across the Aravalli range, spanning from Delhi to Gujarat. The decision aims to curb illegal and unregulated mining and protect an ecologically fragile mountain system. The Aravalli range supports groundwater recharge, biodiversity, and desertification prevention in the region, including Delhi-NCR, Rajasthan, Haryana and Gujarat. Decades of mining have caused ecological degradation, prompting judicial and administrative interventions. The ban targets new leases; existing operations will be evaluated under separate policy directions. Environmental groups welcomed the move as a significant step toward conservation and sustainable land-use planning.

Complete ban on new mining leases in the Aravalli range (Delhi to Gujarat)
Aims to curb illegal mining and protect ecology
Aravalli supports groundwater recharge and biodiversity
Decades of mining caused ecological degradation; policy responses followed
Existing operations subject to separate policy directives

Dec 25, 2025

Subansiri Lower hydro project Unit-2 commissioned, boosting clean power

Union Power Minister Manohar Lal inaugurated the commercial operation of Unit-2 (250 MW) of the Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project via virtual mode. The 2,000 MW project sits on the Arunachal Pradesh–Assam border and strengthens India’s renewable energy capacity in the North-East. With Unit-2 now operational, three more 250 MW units are expected to be commissioned soon, while the remaining four units are scheduled for 2026–27. When fully commissioned, the project will generate about 7,422 million units annually, improving grid resilience and regional power supply. The Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project is a major pillar of India’s green energy push.

Unit-2 (250 MW) of Subansiri Lower Hydroelectric Project commissioned.
Total project capacity is 2,000 MW; located near Arunachal Pradesh–Assam border.
Three more 250 MW units planned soon; rest scheduled for 2026–27.
Fully commissioned output expected at 7,422 million units annually.
Project supports regional energy security and green growth.

Gujarat leads with 5 lakh rooftop solar installations

Gujarat continues to lead India in rooftop solar installations, reaching 5 lakh residential systems. The state is on track to meet half of its target of 10 lakh rooftop installations by March 2027. Residential consumers have benefited significantly, receiving subsidies totaling about Rs 3,778 crore under the rooftop solar scheme. The growing installations reflect broad public support for clean energy and policy incentives that reduce the cost of solar adoption. The trend also signals stronger private investment and decentralised generation, contributing to energy security, reduced peak demand, and climate goals across the state.

Gujarat tops India with 5 lakh rooftop solar installations.
Target: 10 lakh by March 2027; progress toward half completion.
Subsidies around Rs 3,778 crore have supported households.
Public uptake indicates acceptance of clean energy and policy incentives.
Decentralised solar generation strengthens energy security.

Railways deploys AI-based wildlife protection system on tracks

Indian Railways has strengthened its AI-based system to safeguard wildlife along railway lines. New AI cameras alert locomotive pilots half a kilometre ahead to prevent collisions with elephants, lions, and tigers. An intrusion detection system using Distributed Acoustic Sensing (DAS) is deployed on rail corridors. The system is currently active on 141 route kilometres of the Northeast Frontier Railway and has delivered encouraging results. Based on performance, tenders have been issued for expansion across 981 route kilometres. The initiative aims to reduce wildlife fatalities and human-wildlife conflict while keeping rail operations safe and efficient.

AI cameras trigger alerts up to 0.5 km ahead of trains near wildlife zones.
DAS-based intrusion detection strengthens track safety.
Currently deployed on 141 route kilometres of NE Frontier Railway.
Tenders issued for 981 route kilometres across Indian Railways.
Aims to cut wildlife deaths and improve safety for passengers and staff.

Dec 24, 2025

Indian Coast Guard inducts first Pollution Control Vessel

The Indian Coast Guard inducted its first indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel, Samudra Pratap, at Goa Shipyard Limited. The vessel is equipped with a 30 mm gun, two 12.7 mm stabilised guns, and integrated fire-control systems, along with a pollution response boat and high-capacity external firefighting capabilities. It will bolster marine pollution control, maritime law enforcement, search and rescue, and protection of India’s Exclusive Economic Zone. The ceremony was attended by senior navy officials and officials from the shipyard, marking a significant step in domestic defence manufacturing and environmental protection at sea.

Samudra Pratap indigenously designed Pollution Control Vessel inducted.
Equipped with 30 mm and 12.7 mm guns; advanced fire-control.
Includes pollution response boat and external firefighting systems.
Supports pollution control, SAR, and EEZ protection.
Significant milestone for domestic defence and environment.

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