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In an extraordinary display of natural phenomenon thousands of tiny bumblebee catfish (Rhyacoglanis paranensis) were filmed "climbing" a 3- to 13-foot high waterfall in southern Brazil, according to a peer-reviewed study published in the Journal of Fish Biology. The event which occurred in November 2024 at the Sossego waterfall on the Aquidauana River marks the first documented instance of a fish from the Pseudopimelodidae family exhibiting this waterfall-climbing behavior. A Moving Ribbon of Bodies The twilight ascent was first spotted by the Environmental Military Police and later documented in detail by a research team led by Manoela M. F. Marinho of the Federal University of Mato Grosso do Sul (UFMS). The fish dominated by mature adults, were observed to spread their paired...

BOGO, PHILIPPINES — Central Philippines is grappling with the devastating aftermath of a powerful 6.9 magnitude earthquake that struck the region, leaving a trail of death and destruction. As of the latest reports, the quake has claimed at least 69 lives and injured over 200 people, with an unknown number still trapped beneath collapsed buildings and debris. The disaster, described as one of the most powerful in the country over the last decade has triggered a desperate search-and-rescue operation. Rescuers are battling adverse conditions, including rain, damaged infrastructure, and ongoing aftershocks, in a race against time to pull survivors from the rubble. The earthquake epicenter was located near the coastal Bogo City in Cebu province. Bogo a city home to approximately 90,000 re...

The annual toxic haze over North India has again placed the spotlight on the country's multi-faceted, yet struggling, strategy to stop farmers from burning paddy stubble. India's "stubble playbook" combines technology subsidies, biological solutions, energy mandates, and financial penalties in a mix of incentives and enforcement. Here are the core components of the government's approach and the current state of implementation: 1. Flagship Central Schemes (In-Situ Management) The central strategy is to encourage in-situ (in-field) incorporation of stubble back into the soil: • Crop Residue Management (CRM) Scheme: This scheme provides subsidies for essential farm machinery such as the Happy Seeder, Super Seeder, mulchers, and rotavators. • It also mandates the use of Super St...

The Malabar Pied Hornbill a spectacular black-and-white forest bird typically confined to the dense canopies of the Western Ghats, is now making regular appearances in the urban heart of Udupi, creating a buzz among local residents and naturalists. The hornbills have been spotted in city areas like Brahmagiri and Ambalpady, perched on tall trees an unusual sight that experts view as both a sign of adaptation and a potential warning signal about vanishing forest habitats. Forest Giants Shift to the City Known for their large, curved yellow-and-black beaks and striking plumage, Malabar Pied Hornbills thrive in evergreen and moist deciduous forests. While the species is native to the broader Udupi district, their increasing presence within city limits is a noteworthy shift. “Malab...

Punjab, often called India rice bowl has re-emerged as the primary source of crop residue fires this season accounting for nearly 62 percent of incidents reported between September 15 and 29. Provisional government data shows a worrying resurgence of farm fires in the state even as the early pollution risk to the National Capital Territory (NCT) of Delhi begins to escalate. A notable shift however is the growing contribution from Uttar Pradesh (UP), whose share of stubble burning has climbed to 27 percent in 2025 up significantly from just 3 percent in 2020. Delhi's Air Quality Signals Early Trouble The return of extensive farm fires comes as Delhi's air quality shows persistent signs of distress. September 2025 was the first September since 2016 where the average Air Quality Inde...

DEHRADUN, UTTARAKHAND — A recent wave of devastating landslides across the Doon Valley, triggered by torrential downpours, has intensified warnings from geologists over reckless construction practices in Uttarakhand’s capital. Experts are cautioning that development, particularly in the foothills of Mussoorie, is dangerously encroaching upon highly unstable geological zones. Main Boundary Thrust: A 10-Million-Year-Old Threat The primary source of the region vulnerability is the Main Boundary Thrust (MBT) a 10-million-year-old active fault line that runs through the area. Research by the Wadia Institute of Himalayan Geology and HNB Garhwal Central University has specifically identified the stretch from Maldevta to Bidhouli as a highly sensitive zone. Professor M.P.S. Bisht, Head...

JAISALMER, RAJASTHAN — A perfect symbol of the arid Thar Desert, the ker berry (Capparis decidua) a vital part of local cuisine and a key source of income for rural women is facing a serious threat from changes in agriculture, rising water usage, and erratic weather patterns. Once found in abundance across farm boundaries and barren lands, the ker bush, which can survive temperatures up to 50 and minimal rainfall, is showing signs of decline. This reduction is directly impacting the livelihoods of thousands of women who depend on harvesting the thorny fruit. A Desert Delicacy and Economic Lifeline The ker berry along with sangri and kumtia, is a staple in the arid climate where fresh vegetables are scarce. Historically, the income generated from ker harvesting has been a signif...

HANGZHOU, CHINA — India has secured a significant environmental distinction, with the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) on September 27, 2025, designating the Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve as part of its World Network of Biosphere Reserves. This announcement, made during the fifth World Congress of Biosphere Reserves in Hangzhou, China, brings India's total number of UNESCO-recognised reserves to 13. The Cold Desert is India first high-altitude cold desert biosphere reserve and is now one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in UNESCO global network, coinciding with the 50th anniversary of the Man and the Biosphere programme. Globally, 26 new sites were added. A High-Altitude Haven for Biodiversity Spanning a massive 7,770 square kilometres ...

KOLKATA — A Durga Puja pandal in north Kolkata is grabbing attention for its striking design and urgent environmental message. The Lalabagan Nabankur Durga Puja Pandal has been constructed using over 3 lakh plastic bottles to spotlight the growing crisis of plastic pollution and its devastating effect on aquatic life. The pandal's theme is "Karagar" (Cage), and it has been designed as a man-made aquarium that even includes real fish swimming inside. This symbolic "cage," according to organizers, is a direct representation of how fish and other underwater creatures feel when they are engulfed by the vast amounts of plastic waste humans dump into the seas. “There is an urgent need to recycle, reuse, and repurpose our products so we can reduce plastic waste production. If we reduce prod...

CHANDIGARH — Farmers bodies in Punjab on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, sharply criticised the State government's action against paddy growers for stubble burning, demanding a cash incentive and machinery to help manage crop residue. The protests come as a ban on crop residue burning remains in place, a practice often blamed for the spike in air pollution in Delhi and the National Capital Region (NCR) during October and November. The quick turnaround time between the paddy harvest and the sowing of the next Rabi crop, particularly wheat, compels some farmers to burn the stubble to rapidly clear their fields. Enforcement and Penalties Mount Despite a commitment by Punjab and Haryana to "eliminate" stubble burning this winter, enforcement actions have ramped up. According to data from...