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In a landmark achievement for global marine conservation, the High Seas Treaty has officially reached the number of ratifications needed to enter into force. Morocco's ratification as the 60th nation, followed by Sierra Leone as the 61st, has triggered the 120-day countdown for the treaty to become legally binding international law. It is expected to take effect in January 2026. This historic pact is the first legal framework designed to protect biodiversity in international waters, which cover nearly two-thirds of the world's oceans. A Historic Step for Ocean Governance Formally known as the Agreement on Biodiversity Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ), the treaty addresses a long-standing gap in ocean governance. The high seas have historically been a "wild west," with limited ...

NEW DELHI – A new study has confirmed that severe air pollution in India’s capital, Delhi, is causing significant damage to the Red Fort, one of the city's most iconic monuments. The research, published in the scientific journal Heritage, found that pollutants are forming "black crusts" on the monument's red sandstone walls, threatening its intricate carvings and architectural integrity. The study, conducted by researchers from India and Italy between 2021 and 2023, is the first of its kind to comprehensively examine the effects of air pollution on the 17th-century fort. The Findings Researchers found that particulate matter (PM2.5 and PM10) and other pollutants in the air have chemically reacted with the stone, creating deposits between 0.05mm and 0.5mm thick. These "black crusts...

HYDERABAD - In a major environmental and public health crisis, a report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) submitted to the National Green Tribunal has revealed dangerously high levels of heavy metal contamination at Hyderabad's Jawaharnagar and Dundigal Waste-to-Energy (WTE) plants. The findings have raised serious concerns for the health of local residents and the surrounding environment. Alarming Levels of Contamination The CPCB's analysis of fly ash from the plants showed extreme concentrations of cadmium and chromium. At the Jawaharnagar plant, cadmium levels were recorded at 850.65 mg/kg, a staggering 1,060 times above the permissible limit of 0.8 mg/kg. The situation was even worse at the Dundigal plant, where cadmium reached 956.69 mg/kg, nearly 1,200 times the saf...

BENGALURU — Once known as the "City of Lakes," Bengaluru is in a desperate race against time to save its vital water bodies from a combination of rampant urbanization and the growing threats of climate change. The city, home to India's burgeoning tech industry, has seen its number of lakes plummet from over 250 in the 1960s to approximately 180 today, with many of those remaining in a critical state of neglect. The decline is the result of a multifaceted crisis. Decades of unchecked encroachment for new apartments and city infrastructure have directly consumed lake land. In a stark example of the struggle, fishermen like Sunil Kumar are working with volunteers to clear invasive weeds and debris from the surface of Doddajala Lake. The weeds, fueled by sewage and other pollutants, create ...

A new report from the Centre for Marine Living Resources and Ecology (CMLRE) under the Union Ministry of Earth Sciences has confirmed that the sunken container ship MSC Elsa 3 is leaking toxic substances, causing widespread ecological damage in the southeastern Arabian Sea. The findings, based on a research cruise, reveal that the wreck is now a chronic source of pollution, threatening Kerala's coastal fisheries and marine life. Key Findings of the CMLRE Report The report, which analyzed samples from 23 locations off the Kerala coast, provides a grim picture of the environmental impact since the ship sank on May 25, 2025. • Chemical Contamination: Scientists detected alarmingly high levels of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) including naphthalene, a key indicator of oil contamina...

CHANDIGARH – In a move set to elevate Chandigarh's environmental profile on the world stage, the State Wetland Authority of the Union Territory has officially approved a proposal to designate the Sukhna wetland as a Ramsar site. This landmark decision marks the first time a site in Chandigarh will receive the prestigious international recognition, highlighting the ecological and cultural significance of the Sukhna wetland. The proposal, which will now be sent to the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEF&CC) for further action, was sanctioned during the fourth meeting of the State Wetland Authority. The meeting was chaired by Punjab Governor and UT Administrator, Gulab Chand Kataria. The final designation requires consultation with the Ministry of External Af...

UDAIPUR, RAJASTHAN — In a remarkable display of eco-innovation, a special climate-resilient bamboo species from Assam is transforming a once-barren landscape into a thriving green oasis in the arid village of Nichla Mandwa, Rajasthan. The project, named "Bamboo Oasis on Lands in Drought" (BOLD), is successfully combatting desertification and creating new livelihoods for the local community. The initiative, led by the Khadi and Village Industries Commission (KVIC) and the Ahmedabad-based NGO National Council for Civil Liberties (NCCL), involved transporting 5,500 saplings of 'Jati Bah' (Bambusa tulda) over 2,200 kilometers from Assam. This species was specifically chosen for its unique properties: it requires minimal water, possesses high water-retention capabilities, and grows exception...

SAMOA — A new commentary warns that Samoa’s critically endangered tooth-billed pigeon, locally known as the manumea, is at risk of extinction due to a lack of adequate funding for conservation efforts. Listed as critically endangered on the IUCN Red List since 2014, the manumea is a unique species with a thick, curved bill, related to the extinct dodo of Mauritius. The Samoa Conservation Society (SCS) and the nation’s Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (MNRE) have been leading the conservation efforts. However, the Manumea Recovery Plan for 2020-2029 is only 20% implemented at its halfway point. According to James Atherton, president of the SCS, the most critical need for the manumea’s survival is funding. Key Challenges in Conservation The manumea faces a series of sig...

KOLKATA — While India's green cover is expanding, a new study by scientists at the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) in Kharagpur warns that the health of the country's forests is in decline. The research, published in ScienceDirect, claims that trees are becoming less efficient at photosynthesis, a critical process for their survival and the broader ecosystem. The study, titled "Weakening of forest carbon stocks due to declining Ecosystem Photosynthetic Efficiency under the current and future climate change scenarios in India," found that the photosynthetic efficiency of Indian forests declined by 5% between 2010 and 2019 compared to the previous decade. This decline was most significant in "pristine forests" located in the Eastern Himalayas, Western Ghats, and the Indo-Gangetic Pla...

Hyderabad recent intense cloudbursts and heavy rain spells aren't just a weather phenomenon they're a consequence of the city's own rapid urbanization, according to scientists from the Indian Meteorological Department (IMD). The city's growing concrete jungle, filled with glass-clad buildings and vast expanses of paved surfaces, is a major contributor to a trend that is expected to continue in the coming years. The Urban Heat Island Effect A key culprit behind Hyderabad's extreme rain events is the urban heat island effect. This phenomenon occurs when urban areas become significantly warmer than their surrounding rural areas. Cities absorb and retain heat from sunlight and human activities. The heat is then slowly released, creating a warm pocket over the city. According to Dr. Ak...