General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - March 2024

Mar 2024

Jan 22, 2026

One Village, One Peepal Tree initiative launched in Sivakasi

Sivakasi, 20 January 2026 — The 25th Guru Mahasannidhanam of Perur Aadheenam, Santhalinga Marudhasala Adigalar, launched the One Village, One Peepal Tree initiative in Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district. The campaign, conducted under the guidance of Isha Cauvery Calling, aims to plant Peepal trees across villages to promote sustainable ecological practices. The event highlighted cultural and environmental dimensions of tree planting, connecting ancient Indian knowledge with modern conservation efforts. Organisers emphasized community involvement and long-term maintenance to ensure biodiversity benefits and climate resilience for rural areas.

Initiative: One Village, One Peepal Tree
Location: Sivakasi, Virudhunagar district
Date: January 2026 (launched January 20)
Affiliation: Isha Cauvery Calling
Goal: Plant Peepal trees in villages for sustainability

Punjab inaugurates Ludhiana dog sanctuary to address stray crisis

Ludhiana, 22 January 2026 — Punjab’s first dog sanctuary was inaugurated at the Haibowal Dairy Complex to tackle the rising stray dog menace. The facility has a capacity to house 500 dogs and is part of broader efforts to promote humane management of stray animals. Official data show Ludhiana recorded 13,728 dog bite cases in 2025, the highest in five years, with estimates suggesting a stray population around 25,000. Authorities say the sanctuary will complement humane control measures, veterinary services and community education aimed at reducing bite incidents and improving animal welfare in the city.

Facility: First dog sanctuary in Ludhiana at Haibowal Dairy Complex
Capacity: 500 dogs
Timeframe: Inaugurated in January 2026
Context: 2025 dog bite cases reach 13,728 in Ludhiana
Objective: Humane management and welfare of strays

Jan 21, 2026

Mumbai to host India's first city-led climate action week

From 17 February 2026 to 19 February 2026, Mumbai will host the Mumbai Climate Week 2026, a landmark city-led initiative to showcase climate action and urban resilience. The event centres on citizen-driven solutions and the fundamental link between climate and child rights. UNICEF India and YuWaah are named official youth engagement partners, with Project Mumbai acting as convener. Organisers aim to empower young people to become active change agents within their communities and to integrate youth perspectives into policy dialogues. The initiative seeks to bridge grassroots participation and civic leadership for a cleaner, safer future.

Mumbai Climate Week 2026 scheduled 17–19 February 2026.
First city-led initiative in India focused on local climate action.
Official youth partners: UNICEF India and YuWaah; Project Mumbai as convener.
Aims to empower youth and link grassroots voices to policy.
Event strengthens the view of climate action as a child rights issue.

Jan 20, 2026

Six-day tiger census in KMTR to commence on January 19; visitors barred till January 24

The Kalakkad–Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) will conduct a six‑day national tiger census starting January 19, with visitors prohibited until January 24 to facilitate training and field work. Deputy Director Srikant said the exercise, led by the National Tiger Conservation Authority, aims to determine tiger numbers in sanctuaries and nearby forests. Researchers will collect scat, pug marks, and use direct sightings, supplemented by camera traps. The census follows a nationwide protocol adopted after 2021. Findings will inform conservation planning and habitat management, contributing to India’s wildlife monitoring efforts.

Census runs January 19–24, visitors restricted
Led by National Tiger Conservation Authority
Methods include scat, pug marks, direct sighting
Cameras to be installed for data collection
Part of ongoing national tiger population assessment

Maha approves Bembla river project funding to revive irrigation

Maharashtra cabinet approved ₹4,775 crore for the Bembla river irrigation project in Yavatmal district, reviving a scheme that faced delays and cost overruns for over five decades. Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis chaired the cabinet meeting. The initiative is expected to ease irrigation shortages in the Vidarbha region, where farmers have faced repeated distress. Officials noted that the project’s revival aligns with ongoing efforts to accelerate irrigation infrastructure and agricultural resilience in drought-prone areas, supporting sustained rural livelihoods.

₹4,775 crore approved for Bembla river project
Revival after decades of delay and budget overruns
Aims to improve irrigation in Yavatmal, Vidarbha
CM Devendra Fadnavis chaired the cabinet
Part of broader irrigation infrastructure push

Jan 19, 2026

Giant 300-Year-Old Black Coral Discovered Off Fiordland, New Zealand

Marine scientists exploring Fiordland in New Zealand have found the largest black coral ever recorded in the deep sea. During a scheduled dive the colony stood about 13 feet tall and 15 feet across, suggesting an age of roughly 300 to 400 years. The discovery was led by a team from Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington. Experts say large old corals are rare because growth is slow and many colonies remain small. Professor James Bell, with 25 years of field experience, notes that finding such a specimen highlights the vulnerability of these habitats. Researchers will map the site to guide protective measures such as avoiding anchor drops and fishing gear that could damage the coral.

Location: Fiordland, New Zealand, deep-sea dive
Colony dimensions: ~13 feet high, ~15 feet wide
Estimated age: 300–400 years
Led by Te Herenga Waka-Victoria University of Wellington
Conservation relevance: informs protection from anchors and gear

India Launches Open Sea Marine Fish Farming Project in Andaman Sea

India launched its first open sea marine fish farming project in the Andaman Sea near Sri Vijaya Puram, North Bay. The pilot was inaugurated by Dr Jitendra Singh and is a collaboration among the Ministry of Earth Sciences, the National Institute of Ocean Technology, and the Andaman and Nicobar administration. The programme combines open sea finfish and seaweed cultivation using NIOT developed open sea cages designed to withstand natural ocean conditions. Seaweed seeds will be distributed to fishers to promote deep water seaweed farming, while finfish seeds will support cage based culture. The project tests feasibility and livelihoods in the Blue Economy.

Location: North Bay, Andaman Sea
Collaboration: MoES, NIOT, Andaman and Nicobar administration
Focus: open sea finfish and seaweed farming
Interventions: seaweed seed distribution, open sea cages
Objective: test feasibility and livelihoods

Jan 18, 2026

Siswan–Mirzapur forest becomes eco‑tourism hub in Mohali

The Siswan–Mirzapur forest area in Mohali has rapidly developed as an eco‑tourism hub. The 5‑km Nature Trek takes about 1.5 hours and offers forest cover, viewpoints and watchtowers. The Siswan Dam site now offers boating, a canteen and three eco‑huts, with growing footfall in recent months. Forest officials say additional nature trails and trekking routes are under development, and an ongoing Nature Awareness Camp has drawn significant participation from Chandigarh residents, with school groups visiting to learn about ecology and conservation.

Area: Siswan–Mirzapur forest, Mohali
Nature Trek: 5 km, ~1.5 hours
Facilities: boating, canteen, three eco‑huts
Footfall: rising in recent months
Future plans: more trails and trekking routes
Engagement: Nature Awareness Camp; school visits

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