Month: September 2025

In a significant move to protect its diminishing bird of prey populations, the Tamil Nadu government has launched the Tamil Nadu Raptor Research Foundation (TNRRF). This collaborative initiative, based at the Advanced Institute for Wildlife Conservation (AIWC), aims to reverse the severe decline of raptor species including vultures, eagles, hawks, and falcons which were once common across the state. The move comes as a 2025 census revealed only 11 red-headed vultures remain in key reserves. The Unsung Guardians of the Ecosystem Unlike other flagship species like tigers and elephants, raptors have received little research attention despite their crucial role in maintaining ecological balance. Vultures, in particular, provide an invaluable ecosystem service by consuming animal carcasse...

In the sacred high-altitude zones of the Himalayas, local residents and environmentalists are raising an urgent alarm over what they describe as a "tsunami of destruction" driven by government-backed infrastructure projects. From the construction of multi-story hotels to the use of heavy machinery in revered pilgrimage sites, communities are alleging that their fragile ecosystem and spiritual heritage are being sacrificed for the benefit of a few corporations. Sacred Peaks Under Siege Local residents describe a profound shift in the revered landscape. While protests against ongoing development are frequent, they claim the government is ignoring their pleas and approving new projects daily. The Badrinath Dham, at 10,000 feet, is seeing the construction of a massive corridor, and a hel...

KOBE, JAPAN — A team of bioengineers at Kobe University has made a significant breakthrough in the quest for sustainable plastic alternatives, creating a bacteria-made material that could replace petroleum in biodegradable plastics. The research, led by bioengineer Tanaka Tsutomu, has resulted in a new and improved method for producing pyridinedicarboxylic acid (PDCA), a key ingredient for making more environmentally friendly plastics. PDCA is a nitrogen-based, eco-friendly compound that can serve as a replacement for non-biodegradable monomers of terephthalic acid in PET plastics. Previous research had highlighted its potential, but production was hampered by low yields and toxic waste byproducts. The new study, published in the journal Metabolic Engineering, addresses both of these ch...

NEW DELHI — In a stern observation during a hearing on air pollution in the Delhi-NCR region, the Supreme Court suggested that jailing some individuals involved in stubble burning would "send the correct message." Chief Justice of India (CJI) BR Gavai, while acknowledging the vital role farmers play in providing food, asserted that this does not grant them a license to "cannot protect the environment." The remarks came after arguments presented by amicus curiae Aparajita Singh on the issue of farmers burning crop stubble. "If some people are behind bars it will send the correct message. Why don't you think of some penalty provisions for the agriculturists...if you have a real intention of protecting the environment then why shy away?" the CJI reportedly stated, directing his comments at...

NEW DELHI — A recent opinion piece in Deccan Herald asserts that the Forest Rights Act (FRA) of 2006, intended to empower tribal and traditional forest-dwelling communities, is being widely misused, leading to rampant deforestation and corruption across India. According to the author, a retired principal chief conservator of forests, the act has become a tool for clearing forests for personal and political gain, rather than upholding the rights of indigenous peoples. The article details a process where legitimate evidence, such as satellite imagery, is being disregarded in favor of fraudulent land claims. This misuse is reportedly encouraged by political parties seeking electoral gains and by relaxed rules from the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (MoTA), the nodal agency for the FRA's implem...

The Arctic Ocean's sea ice reached its 2025 summer minimum on September 10 without setting a new record low, a finding that at first glance appears to be a positive development. While the extent of sea ice has not plummeted below the 2012 record, scientists are warning that this recent slowdown is likely just a temporary reprieve from the relentless long-term trend of ice loss driven by human-caused climate change. A 20-Year Slowdown in Ice Loss After a record low winter maximum in March 2025, the Arctic seemed poised for a historic melt season. However, according to the U.S. National Snow and Ice Data Center (NSIDC), this year's minimum extent of 4.602 million square kilometers ranks as the 11th lowest on record, far from the 2012 low. The current sea ice extent, while still signifi...

In a major environmental achievement, the Parsa East and Kanta Basan (PEKB) coal mine in Surguja, Chhattisgarh, has become the first in the state to successfully revive large-scale plantations of Sal trees, a species notoriously difficult to cultivate outside natural forests. The accomplishment on reclaimed mining land marks a significant step toward sustainable mining practices in a sector often criticized for deforestation and land degradation. A Milestone in Ecological Restoration The project has already resulted in the planting of over 1.5 million trees, including the sensitive Sal (Shorea robusta) variety. The Sal tree is a vital component of Central India's forests, known for its ability to prevent soil erosion, enrich soil quality, and act as a natural carbon sink. Its revival...

An relentless and intense monsoon season has triggered a series of disasters across several Indian states, with landslides, flash floods, and infrastructure collapses reported in Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Jammu and Kashmir, Jharkhand, and Manipur. Authorities are on high alert as rescue and relief operations are underway to help affected communities and restore damaged infrastructure. Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand Hit Hardest The Himalayan states have borne the brunt of the monsoon's fury. In Himachal Pradesh, the death toll from rain-related incidents and road accidents since June 20 has tragically risen to 409, with the state reporting a total loss of ₹4,504 crore. A recent landslide in the Nihri area of Mandi district claimed at least three lives, while another massive lan...

Brazil is championing a new global financing mechanism, the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF), to be launched at the upcoming COP30 conference. The initiative aims to shift forest conservation from a reliance on volatile foreign aid to a self-sustaining, market-driven model. The TFFF is designed to raise a massive $125 billion to pay tropical forest countries a fixed amount for every hectare of standing forest they maintain, with deductions for deforestation. How the Financial Mechanism Works The TFFF operates as a blended finance fund, combining public and philanthropic capital with private investments to generate returns. Public sponsors, primarily high-income countries, will provide 20% of the initial capital at low interest rates. The remaining 80% will come from market ...

Chennai is taking a monumental step to secure its long-term water supply with the launch of a ₹14,000 crore plan aimed at increasing its drinking water storage capacity more than threefold by 2050. The comprehensive strategy, developed by the water resources department (WRD), seeks to boost storage from the current 11 tmc to a massive 38.73 tmc to meet the city's future needs and avert a potential crisis. A Bold Vision to Avert Crisis The ambitious plan, which is based on a detailed report by consultant Royal Haskoning DHV, includes 704 essential projects that have been approved for execution over the next decade. The initiatives are spread across 12 river basins, including the Chennai and Palar basins, and represent a fundamental shift in the city's approach to water management. Rat...