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ASSAM — The capped langur (Trachypithecus pileatus) a leaf-eating primate listed as ‘Vulnerable’ by the IUCN, is rapidly disappearing from its habitats in Assam Upper Brahmaputra Valley according to a new study. Researchers attribute the decline primarily to severe forest fragmentation and food scarcity caused by decades of deforestation. The study published in the Journal of Asia-Pacific Biodiversity, surveyed 40 tropical rainforest fragments and found the langurs in only 11 sites. Critically, the species has vanished from at least seven forest patches where they were previously recorded a decade ago. Food Tree Diversity is Key to Survival The research identified food tree density as the single strongest factor influencing the langurs' presence, even more so than the size of the ...

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A new high-resolution climate study warns that the complete deforestation of the Amazon rainforest would trigger a shift to significantly harsher weather extremes, characterized by longer dry periods, explosive rainstorms, and dangerous heat. The research, which utilized a storm-resolving global model, found that removing the forest would effectively transform the region’s weather, creating a meaner climate even if the annual total rainfall volume remained largely unchanged. The study concluded that deforestation would cause the hourly pattern of precipitation to splinter. Hours with "no rain" would nearly triple, as the absence of the tree canopy makes storm formation more difficult. Conversely, when storms do fire, they become significantly more violent; extreme ...

NEW DELHI — Despite India racing ahead as the world’s fourth-largest economy by Gross Domestic Product, a new policy debate is emerging over why the nation’s children are being left behind. Recent data from the National Family Health Survey (2019-21) reveals a stark double burden: over one-third of children under five are stunted, and two-thirds are anaemic, while urban adolescents are increasingly struggling with lifestyle diseases like diabetes and high cholesterol. Experts argue that the root of both crises under-nourished toddlers and sick teenagers lies in a policy outlook that is "stuck in the past," prioritizing filling stomachs over providing essential nutrition. Old Schemes, New Failures Well-intentioned schemes like the Integrated Child Development Services and the Mid-D...

NEW DELHI — The Supreme Court on Tuesday directed the Himachal Pradesh government to provide a complete and transparent accounting of its disaster management efforts, environmental policies, and development projects. The order comes in a suo motu case initiated against the backdrop of continuous landslides and flash floods that have devastated the state during the recent monsoon season. Judicial Scrutiny of Ecological Imbalance A Bench led by Justice Vikram Nath quoted a previous observation that "humans, not nature, are responsible for the phenomenon such as continuous landslides, collapsing of houses and buildings," highlighting the court's focus on human-driven ecological change. The court recorded a detailed series of questions prepared by amicus curiae, senior advocate K. Par...

GALWAY, IRELAND — A new study has designated farmed oysters as a "blue superfood," capable of actively benefiting the environment by cleaning coastal waters and storing carbon. The research, focused on Irish Pacific oysters, highlights how oyster farming can tip the ecological balance toward a positive impact, rather than a burden. Oysters Offer Net Environmental Cleanup The study, led by the University of Galway, used a life cycle assessment (LCA) to measure the footprint of oyster farming against the ecosystem services provided by the shellfish. The key findings demonstrate the dual environmental benefits. Oysters filter excess nitrogen and phosphorus from the water column and incorporate the nutrients into their tissues and shells. The nutrient removal measured in the study exc...

NEW DELHI — A latest assessment report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) shows that while the overall number of polluted river stretches in India has seen a slight dip, the stretch of the Yamuna river in Delhi remains among the most critically contaminated, with pollution levels up to 27 times higher than permitted. The CPCB reviewed water quality data from 2022 and 2023, covering 2,116 locations across 32 states and Union Territories, to produce its latest report. National Trends and Delhi's Stagnation The CPCB identifies a polluted river stretch based on its pollution load, specifically when the Biochemical Oxygen Demand (BOD) concentration continuously exceeds the acceptable limit of 3 \text{ mg/L} (the ideal value for outdoor bathing). The total number of pollut...

NEW DELHI — India has recorded a marginal reduction in the number of polluted river stretches, according to the latest report from the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB). The report indicates that the number of contaminated stretches decreased from 311 to 296, covering 271 rivers across 32 states and Union Territories, though several segments remain critically contaminated. Critical Hotspots and Pollution Metrics The CPCB defines a polluted river stretch as having Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) levels exceeding 3 \text{ mg/L}, making the water unfit for bathing. Despite the overall marginal improvement, state-specific challenges persist: • Most Affected State: Maharashtra continues to top the list with 54 polluted stretches. Kerala (31), Madhya Pradesh, Manipur (18 each), and ...

HYDERABAD — Researchers from Hyderabad are playing a vital role in the urgent conservation effort for the Bhupathy's Purple Frog (Nasikbatrachus bhupati), a critically endangered and ancient species of amphibian found in the Western Ghats. Often called the 'Jewel of Gondwana', this frog dates back 80 million years to the time the supercontinent broke apart. Tracking the Elusive, Critically Endangered Species The Bhupathy’s Purple Frog is one of the most mysterious amphibians, as it spends virtually its entire life deep underground, emerging only to breed during the first heavy rains. It was only formally identified in 2017 by a team from the Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB) in Hyderabad. Led by herpetologist Dr. Kartikeyan Vasudevan, a senior scientist at CCMB, the...

NEW DELHI — A swelling population of rock pigeons and the resulting health and sanitation crisis in the capital have triggered a bureaucratic turf war, with municipal departments actively avoiding responsibility for controlling the bird menace. As acidic pigeon droppings accumulate on public spaces and monuments, the Municipal Corporation of Delhi (MCD) is struggling to assign jurisdiction over the issue. MCD Departments Refuse Ownership The controversy began when the MCD’s public health wing asked the veterinary department to regulate public feeding and check the bird population. However, the request was rejected. A senior veterinary department official clarified that the Delhi Municipal Corporation Act (DMC Act) does not list pigeons under its purview. “We have clarified that...

NEW DELHI — The capital is preparing for the inauguration of its largest sewage treatment facility in Okhla on September 30. With a capacity of 124 Million Gallons per Day (MGD), the plant is set to be the largest of its kind in all of Asia and a major step in the ongoing mission to clean the Yamuna river. Massive Scale and Critical Environmental Role The \text{Rs } 1,161 \text{ crore} facility, built on 40 acres, will serve nearly 40 lakh residents across central, south, and old Delhi, including areas like Civil Lines, Green Park, and the Walled City. Officials from the Delhi Jal Board (DJB) confirmed that the plant will be the single largest contributor to the city's sewage treatment capacity. Crucially, the facility is expected to play a significant role in reducing the volume ...