Month: May 2026

    Haryana has emerged as one of the most groundwater-stressed regions in India, ranking third among major states in terms of overexploitation, according to data presented by the Central Ground Water Authority before the National Green Tribunal. The data reveals that 88 assessment units in the state have been classified as “overexploited,” accounting for 61.5 per cent of its total groundwater blocks. Only Punjab and Rajasthan rank worse, with 75.1 per cent and 70.9 per cent of their groundwater units respectively falling into the overexploited category. The issue came under scrutiny during a suo motu hearing by the tribunal, which highlighted serious lapses across states in addressing groundwater depletion. The NGT bench observed that authorities have failed to effec...

Africa’s food systems are facing fresh pressure as global fertiliser supplies are disrupted by conflict in the Persian Gulf, exposing the continent’s heavy dependence on imports and raising concerns over rising food insecurity. New analysis highlights that nearly 80% of fertiliser used across Africa is imported, making the region highly vulnerable to global supply shocks. The ongoing crisis linked to Iran has already disrupted key supply chains, with experts warning that the impact could ripple across farming, food prices, and nutrition. Supply Disruptions Hit Critical Trade Routes A major bottleneck has emerged at the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most important shipping corridors for energy and fertiliser exports. Shipping activity in the narrow channel has dropped sharp...

    More than 1,600 years after it disappeared, the legendary Lighthouse of Alexandria is slowly re-emerging from beneath the waters of the Mediterranean Sea. Archaeologists working off the coast of Alexandria have successfully recovered massive stone blocks weighing up to 80 tons, believed to be key structural elements of one of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The discovery comes as part of the PHAROS underwater research project, which has been studying the submerged ruins for decades. Recently, researchers lifted 22 monumental blocks from the seabed, marking one of the most significant breakthroughs in the exploration of the site. These stones, which include lintels, thresholds, door frames and paving slabs, offer valuable clues about the original architecture ...

In a landmark move that could redefine environmental law globally, municipalities in the Peruvian Amazon have granted legal rights to native stingless bees, recognising them as legal entities with the right to exist, thrive and be protected. The decision, taken in districts within Peruvian Amazon, marks the first time any insect species has been given such legal status. Under the new ordinances passed in Satipo and Nauta, these pollinators are no longer treated merely as part of nature but as entities with rights that can be defended in court. This means legal action can now be taken on behalf of bees if their habitats are threatened by deforestation, pollution or industrial activity. The move builds on a broader legal shift in Peru, where biodiversity is increasingly being recognise...

    The global environmental crisis is expanding beyond climate change alone, with fresh studies and reports revealing growing threats to water security, biodiversity, food systems, and natural ecosystems. From shrinking Himalayan snow cover and rising wildlife trafficking to coral reef degradation and plastic contamination in crops, experts are warning that environmental pressures are becoming more interconnected and severe. One of the most alarming findings comes from the Hindu Kush Himalayan region, where snow cover has dropped to its lowest level in 23 years. According to the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development, snow persistence between November 2025 and March 2026 fell by 27.8 per cent below the long-term average. The Hindu Kush Himalaya, often ...

    A new global study has found that many Marine Protected Areas (MPAs), which are meant to safeguard coral reefs and coastal ecosystems, are facing higher levels of domestic wastewater pollution than nearby unprotected waters, raising serious concerns about their ability to protect marine biodiversity. The report, published in Ocean and Coastal Management, found that four out of six major tropical coral regions recorded higher wastewater pollution levels inside MPAs than outside them. Researchers warned that unless wastewater control becomes part of marine conservation planning, international biodiversity goals may fail. Wastewater Threatening Coral Survival The study analysed 1,855 Marine Protected Areas located within 50 kilometres of coastlines and assessed to...

    Scientists at Chiba University in Japan have developed a new carbon material that could significantly reduce the cost and energy required for carbon capture, offering a promising step toward large-scale efforts to cut greenhouse gas emissions. The research introduces a new class of carbon materials called “viciazites,” designed to capture carbon dioxide (CO2) more effectively while releasing it at much lower temperatures than conventional methods. The breakthrough could make carbon capture systems more practical and affordable for industries struggling to reduce emissions. Why Existing Carbon Capture Is Expensive Carbon capture technology is considered one of the important tools in reducing atmospheric CO2, but its high cost has slowed adoption. The most wid...

Rising temperatures combined with high humidity are emerging as a major threat to tropical bird species, with new studies on blue waxbills and trumpeter hornbills revealing that increasingly hot and humid conditions are making survival difficult for birds in tropical regions. Scientists warn that climate change is pushing many bird species closer to dangerous physiological limits, increasing the risk of mass mortality events and long-term population decline. Research published by scientists from South Africa highlights how heat and humidity together can become lethal for tropical birds. The studies found that while birds can tolerate high temperatures in dry conditions, humid weather sharply reduces their ability to cool themselves, increasing the risk of fatal overheating. Humidity ...

    Rice cultivation, a staple for billions across Asia, is emerging as a significant contributor to greenhouse gas emissions due to methane released from flooded fields. But scientists and agricultural experts are now reshaping how rice is grown, offering solutions that could sharply reduce emissions while maintaining productivity. At the center of this transformation is the International Rice Research Institute, where researchers are developing and testing climate-smart farming methods that are both practical and scalable for farmers. Why Rice Fields Produce Methane Traditional rice farming relies on continuously flooded paddies, creating oxygen-poor conditions where organic matter breaks down and releases methane. While rice contributes around 1.5–2% of global g...

    Scientists have uncovered a surprising new layer of complexity in cannabis, revealing that parts of the plant often discarded may hold significant medicinal value. A recent study by researchers at Stellenbosch University has identified dozens of previously unknown compounds in cannabis leaves, including rare molecules that could open new pathways in medical research. The findings highlight how much remains undiscovered about a plant that has long been studied primarily for its psychoactive components. By shifting focus to overlooked parts like leaves, researchers are now uncovering a broader chemical landscape with promising health applications. Breakthrough Discovery Of Rare Flavoalkaloids The most striking outcome of the research is the identification of a ra...