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Mandi: The Himachal Pradesh State Disaster Management Authority (HPSDMA), in collaboration with the International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD) and Caritas India, has launched a pilot project to strengthen flood resilience in the flood-prone district of Mandi. Supported by the United Kingdom’s International Development, the initiative focuses on applying Nature-based Solutions to reduce disaster risks and protect local infrastructure. Dharampur, located along the Son Khadd river, has been selected as the pilot site due to its recurrent flash floods and increasing vulnerability during intense monsoon seasons. A major flood event in September 2025 caused severe damage to public infrastructure, prompting the need for long-term mitigation measures. The project integ...

As the world prepares for the landmark COP30 climate summit in Belém, Brazil, India’s delegation is entering negotiations with a clear focus on fairness, finance, and flexibility. The summit, marking ten years since the Paris Agreement, is set to spotlight both Brazil’s climate contradictions and India’s insistence on equitable climate action. Brazil, the world’s fifth-largest emitter, recently recorded a 17 percent drop in greenhouse gas emissions the sharpest in 16 years thanks to reduced deforestation in the Amazon and Cerrado. Riding on this success, President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva is championing a new “Tropical Forest Forever Fund” to finance long-term forest protection. But environmentalists have warned that the country’s simultaneous expansion of oil production undermines its...

Gurugram, often described as a city perpetually “under construction,” is now facing the dark side of its rapid urban growth. With nearly 5,000 construction projects underway at any time, unchecked dust pollution has turned the city into a suffocating dust bowl, severely impacting air quality and public health. Despite repeated directives from the Department of Town and Country Planning (DTCP), less than 15% of construction and demolition (C&D) sites have registered on Haryana’s official dust portal or implemented the mandatory dust control measures. “The new Gurugram has always been under construction from real estate projects to government infrastructure works. The area has turned into a dust bowl,” said Praveen Malik, president of the United Association of New Gurugram. “The du...

The Earth has reached a critical tipping point the widespread bleaching and death of warm-water coral reefs. According to the Global Tipping Points Report 2025 prepared by 160 scientists from 23 countries, these vital ecosystems are undergoing irreversible decline due to surging ocean temperatures. The collapse threatens nearly one billion people who depend on coral reefs for food, income, and coastal protection. The report was released ahead of the COP30 climate summit in Brazil, where nations will discuss emission targets for the next decade. Warm-water coral reefs shallow, tropical ecosystems built on the partnership between corals and photosynthetic algae called zooxanthellae are among the most biologically diverse habitats on Earth. When ocean temperatures rise, corals expel these ...

As ocean temperatures continue to rise, scientists across the world are stepping in to help corals fight back. In the Maldives, Australia, and beyond, efforts are underway to preserve and restore coral ecosystems that are facing unprecedented bleaching and collapse due to global warming. Every year between spring and summer, coral reefs perform one of nature’s most stunning spectacles mass spawning. On certain nights after the full moon, millions of coral polyps release bundles of eggs and sperm into the ocean, creating a glowing underwater display. These bundles must fuse with others of the same species to form larvae that settle on the seabed and grow into new coral colonies. At this critical moment, scientists from Taronga Zoo in Sydney dive into the Great Barrier Reef (GBR) to co...

As the world’s attention turns toward COP30 in Belém next month, Brazil’s Amazon story is one of both progress and warning. New satellite data from the National Institute for Space Research (INPE) shows that deforestation in the Legal Amazon region dropped 11% over the past year, reaching 5,796 square kilometers for the 12 months ending July 2025 the lowest annual figure since 2014. Independent monitoring by the environmental group Imazon confirms a similar trend. Deforestation also declined in the Cerrado, Brazil’s vital wooded savanna ecosystem, falling 11.5% to 7,235 square kilometers, the lowest level in six years. These figures suggest that stronger oversight and renewed environmental enforcement under President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva are beginning to yield results, reversing th...

New Delhi, November 4, 2025– India joined the global community in celebrating the International Day of Biosphere Reserves, reaffirming its commitment to preserving biodiversity while promoting sustainable livelihoods. With 18 designated biosphere reserves covering 91,425 square kilometers—13 of which are recognized by UNESCO India continues to set a strong example of harmony between nature and human progress. India Expanding Green Footprint India ranks ninth globally in forest area and third in annual forest gain, according to the FAO’s 2025 report. The inclusion of the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve this year further highlights India’s growing international conservation profile. To strengthen its efforts, the government has doubled its biodiversity conservation budget from ₹5 crore i...

A team of researchers has documented alarming instances of bird collisions with glass-fronted buildings in the Nilgiris, revealing how reflective architecture poses a growing threat to avian biodiversity in the region. Conducted across Forestdale and Coonoor, the study recorded 35 incidents involving 22 bird species from 15 families, resulting in 16 deaths and 18 injuries. The study, titled “Glass Traps: Investigating Bird Mortality at Glass-Fronted Buildings in the Nilgiris,” was carried out between January and December 2024 by researchers N. Moinudheen, K. Rishi, A. Abinesh, Azad Kamil, Yeshwanth Kumar, E. Vignesh, and A. Samson, and published in the Ornis Hungarica journal on Friday. Among the affected species, the Indian blue robin (Luscinia brunnea) recorded the highest number o...

Nestled at the edge of Germany Black Forest, the city of Freiburg im Breisgau has emerged as one of the world’s most successful models of sustainable urban development. Known for its clean energy systems, pedestrian-friendly design, and community-driven planning, Freiburg offers a real-world glimpse of what eco-friendly cities could look like in the future. Over the years, Freiburg has transformed itself into what experts now call Europe’s “solar capital.” Thousands of rooftops across the city ranging from schools and public buildings to private homes are fitted with solar panels that supply renewable energy directly into the local grid. One of its most celebrated neighbourhoods, Vauban stands as a global example of sustainable living. Developed on the site of a former French militar...

A powerful 6.3-magnitude earthquake struck northern Afghanistan early Monday, killing at least 10 people and injuring around 260 others, according to Afghan health authorities. The US Geological Survey located the epicenter 22 kilometers west-southwest of Khulm, with tremors recorded shortly before 1 am local time. The quake severely impacted Balkh and Samangan provinces, where homes and buildings were damaged, and rescue operations are underway. In Mazar-e-Sharif, minor damage was reported at the city’s iconic Blue Mosque, a centuries-old site revered across the region. Officials confirmed that the structure remains intact but is being assessed for safety. The Afghan Ministry of Defence said emergency teams have been deployed to the affected districts to assist survivors and coor...