Ecuador has made history by granting legal rights to Amazonian stingless bees, the first insects to receive such protection. This move under the "Rights of Nature" shifts conservation from a human-centric utility model to an eco-centric legal framework. These bees are vital for Amazonian biodiversity and indigenous livelihoods.
Click to View MoreThe Supreme Court has stayed its earlier judgment that accepted a uniform definition of the Aravalli hills based on height and cluster criteria. It took this step after concerns that the definition could reduce protection for large parts of the Aravalli range and encourage mining and construction. The Court has paused the grant or renewal of mining leases in the region without its permission and proposed setting up a high-powered expert committee to scientifically reassess the definition. The order emphasises the precautionary principle and underscores that the Aravallis must be protected as an integrated ecological system until a final decision is reached.
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Reducing methane emissions from paddy fields can generate additional income for farmers through carbon markets. By shifting from continuously flooded rice fields to practices such as Alternate Wetting and Drying, methane emissions can be significantly lowered without affecting yields while also saving water. The verified reductions are converted into carbon credits that companies purchase to offset their own emissions, enabling farmers to earn extra revenue. This approach links climate mitigation, water conservation and livelihood enhancement, though it also requires reliable measurement systems and fair benefit-sharing to ensure small farmers benefit equitably.
Click to View MoreThe Supreme Court has issued targeted directions to safeguard the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard, whose population has sharply declined due to habitat loss and collisions with power transmission lines in Rajasthan and Gujarat. The Court expanded priority conservation areas, created dedicated power-line corridors, ordered undergrounding and rerouting of high-risk lines, and restricted new wind and large solar projects in key habitats. It also directed state-specific conservation actions such as grassland restoration, predator management, captive breeding support, the “jump-start” technique in Gujarat, and greater community participation. These combined legal, ecological, and management measures aim to prevent the species’ extinction and ensure its long-term recovery.
Click to View MoreNature-based Solutions involve using ecosystems such as forests, wetlands, mangroves, grasslands, rivers, and urban green spaces to address climate change, biodiversity loss, disasters, and livelihood challenges. They are increasingly recognised as central to India’s climate and development strategy because they provide carbon storage, flood control, water security, food security, and job creation while being cost-effective. However, challenges such as inadequate finance, policy gaps, land conflicts, weak monitoring, and risks of greenwashing remain. Global initiatives such as ENACT aim to accelerate and scale up Nature-based Solutions worldwide, helping countries integrate them into climate policies, mobilise funds, and promote community participation for a resilient and sustainable future.
Click to View MoreWinter heatwaves, driven by jet-stream weakening, atmospheric blocking, and global warming, are emerging risks for India. They threaten rabi crops, ecosystems, and winter tourism. Despite steps under the National Action Plan on Climate Change, India needs stronger mitigation, better early warnings, and adaptive water and farm management to respond effectively.
Click to View MoreRecent research finds a “carbon anomaly” in the Southern Ocean, where CO2 absorption has strengthened since the 2000s. Antarctic meltwater creates a freshwater lid that traps carbon below. This temporary climate buffer exposes model flaws and risks a sudden reversal into a carbon source.
Click to View MoreFreshwater sponges, particularly those found in the Sundarban delta, have been shown to effectively accumulate and indicate the presence of heavy metals such as arsenic, cadmium, and lead. Their high filtration capacity and close association with specialized microbes enable them to both monitor and help remediate metal pollution in aquatic ecosystems. These sponge-associated microbes possess adaptations for metal resistance and detoxification, making the sponge–microbe system a promising nature-based solution for assessing and mitigating heavy-metal contamination in freshwater environments.
Click to View MoreIndia generates over 140 million tonnes of crop residue annually, much of it burned, causing pollution and losses above USD 30 billion. Converting this waste through ex-situ options like CBG and 2G ethanol, and in-situ tools like the Pusa decomposer, can strengthen the bioeconomy, energy security, farmer incomes, and climate action.
Click to View MoreIn a rare event, parts of Saudi Arabia saw snowfall after polar air met a moist low-pressure system. Scientists link rising such extremes to Arctic-driven jet stream shifts. The episode exposes climate vulnerability and highlights responses under the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030.
Click to View MoreIndia’s environmental crisis, seen in Delhi’s chronic smog, exposes constitutional gaps. Though courts read a healthy environment into Article 21 using principles like Polluter Pays and Public Trust, weak enforcement persists. An explicit constitutional amendment would convert this implied right into a clear, enforceable fundamental guarantee, strengthening accountability and citizen protection.
Click to View MoreGreen industrialisation is an emerging development strategy that integrates climate action with industrial growth by promoting low-carbon, resource-efficient manufacturing. It recognises that achieving decarbonisation requires building domestic clean-technology capabilities, creating green jobs, and restructuring supply chains. For countries like India, green industrialisation offers a pathway to balance climate commitments with economic development, competitiveness, and inclusive growth, provided it is supported by coherent policies, adequate finance, and global cooperation.
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