General Awareness

ENVIRONMENT - September 2025

Sep 2025

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

Jan 17, 2026

India’s first green ammonia project starts at Kakinada; AM Green project details

India’s first green ammonia project began construction on 17 January 2026 at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh. AM Green’s Green Hydrogen and Green Ammonia Complex aims to produce 1.5 million tonnes per annum of green ammonia as part of a $10 billion investment. The integrated plant combines 7.5 GW of solar and wind energy, 1,950 MW of electrolyser capacity, and 2 GW of round-the-clock renewable power backed by pumped hydro storage, including India’s first such project at Pinnapuram. Build-out is phased: 0.5 MTPA by 2027, 1.0 MTPA by 2028, and 1.5 MTPA by 2030. Uniper (Germany) and partners in Japan and Singapore anchor export plans.

First green ammonia project in India; located at Kakinada, Andhra Pradesh.
Investment of about $10 billion; capex scale among India’s largest clean-energy projects.
Integrated setup includes 7.5 GW solar/wind, 1,950 MW electrolyser, 2 GW renewables.
Pumped hydro storage facility at Pinnapuram supports 24x7 energy supply.
Export plans target Europe and Asia; long-term supply deals with Uniper and partners.

Photography exhibition highlights Asian elephant conservation in Coimbatore

The AECRCMC and Nature Conservation Society organised a photography exhibition at the Forest Department checkpost in Chadivayal, Coimbatore district, to educate the public about Asian elephant conservation and human-elephant coexistence. The event showcased wildlife photography and explained the importance of elephant corridors and reducing conflicts. Organisers emphasised that visual storytelling helps communities understand risks and adopt safer practices. The exhibition aligns with biodiversity goals and ongoing conservation partnerships, encouraging continued public involvement in protecting elephants and their habitats in Tamil Nadu.

Photography exhibition on Asian elephant conservation held in Coimbatore.
Organised by AECRCMC and Nature Conservation Society.
Event promotes awareness of elephant corridors and human-elephant coexistence.
Visual storytelling aids public understanding of risks and safety.
Supports biodiversity goals and local conservation partnerships.

Jan 16, 2026

Microsoft signs record soil carbon credits deal with Indigo Carbon

Microsoft has agreed to buy a record 2.85 million soil carbon credits from Indigo Carbon, tied to regenerative agriculture in the United States. The 12-year initiative, aimed at helping Microsoft advance toward its carbon-negative target by 2030, has an estimated value in the range of USD 171–228 million, depending on credits priced between USD 60–80 per ton. Regenerative practices include reduced tillage, cover crops, and managed grazing to boost soil carbon sequestration. The deal underscores corporate commitment to innovative carbon removal strategies while continuing to grapple with rising emissions from AI workloads.

Microsoft to acquire 2.85 million soil carbon credits.
Credits linked to regenerative agriculture in the U.S.
Estimated deal value USD 171–228 million; price USD 60–80/ton.
Long-term aim: carbon-negative by 2030.
Significant example of nature-based carbon credits in tech industry.

Tyler Prize laureate Toby Kiers highlights underground fungal networks

American evolutionary biologist Toby Kiers received the Tyler Prize for Environmental Achievement for highlighting mycorrhizal networks that connect plants and fungi in nutrient exchange. These underground webs regulate carbon and water cycles, influencing global climate and ecosystem health. Kiers’s work shows that fungi operate as critical ecological circulatory systems, enabling nutrient transfer across forests, grasslands, and agricultural fields. The prize recognizes essential scientific contributions to environmental protection. The research underscores the need to integrate microbial and ecological knowledge into climate strategies and sustainable agriculture.

Toby Kiers wins Tyler Prize for environmental achievement.
Research on mycorrhizal networks shows underground nutrient exchange.
Fungal networks influence carbon and water cycles globally.
Highlights fungi as key components of climate and ecosystem health.
Encourages integrating microbial ecology into policy goals.

Jan 15, 2026

Jal Shakti Minister inaugurates aquatic biodiversity initiatives under Namami Gange

Union Jal Shakti Minister C. R. Patil inaugurated a series of aquatic biodiversity initiatives under the Namami Gange Mission in Dehradun and at wildlife units. He launched the Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre for the Ganga and other rivers, designed for scientific monitoring, research, and policy guidance on freshwater biodiversity. The centre features ecotoxicology, aquatic ecology, and microplastic labs. A Dolphin Rescue Ambulance was also unveiled to respond to injuries to Ganga dolphins, reinforcing concerns about river health and conservation. The minister highlighted treating rivers as living ecosystems rather than mere water channels and pledged ongoing support for biodiversity programs.

Aqua Life Conservation Monitoring Centre launched
Namami Gange aquatic biodiversity initiatives
Dolphin Rescue Ambulance unveiled
Centre supports science-based river health monitoring

Rajasthan panchayat becomes first fully organic village body

Bamanwas Kankar panchayat in Rajasthan has achieved a first by becoming fully organic certified. Located in Kotputli-Behror district, the panchayat covers seven hamlets and has addressed soil degradation and groundwater concerns while tackling chemical-based farming health issues. Certification marks a milestone in sustainable rural governance and organic farming adoption across local government bodies. The move reflects broader state and national efforts to promote environmentally friendly agriculture and safer food production. Community leaders say the certification provides a model for other panchayats seeking to enhance soil health, water conservation, and public health outcomes through organic practices.

First fully organic village panchayat in Rajasthan
Located in Kotputli-Behror district; seven hamlets served
Efforts target soil degradation and groundwater recovery
Certification signals scalable model for others
Supports broader national push for sustainable farming

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