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Conservationists in Indonesia may be on the verge of a breakthrough after trained dogs discovered signs of Sumatran rhinos in Way Kambas National Park a place where the species was long thought extinct. The findings if confirmed could reshape conservation efforts for one of the world rarest animals. Hope Rekindled After Years of Silence For years, experts believed no rhinos remained in Way Kambas, despite extensive searches using drones, camera traps, and ranger patrols. But recently, two dogs named Yagi and Quinn from the NGO Working Dogs for Conservation detected several samples of what is believed to be rhino dung. One initial test has linked the scat to the critically endangered Sumatran rhino, with two more tests pending before the Indonesian government can officially confirm th...

A new study suggests that solar trees vertical, tree-like structures with panels branching upward could deliver the same amount of power as conventional solar farms without destroying forests. Researchers say this design could protect biodiversity while meeting renewable energy goals. Why Trees Beat Flat Panels Conventional solar farms demand cleared land, often leading to deforestation. In South Korea, forest loss linked to solar projects surged from 529 hectares in 2016 to 2,443 hectares in 2018. Researcher Dan-Bi Um of the Korea Maritime Institute found that solar trees could change that. Unlike flat-panel farms that strip entire landscapes, solar trees are installed vertically, letting sunlight filter through to plants below. In simulations using satellite imagery, the team sh...

A growing number of lakes, ponds and urban water tanks in India are turning red, raising alarm among scientists and residents alike. These striking red algal blooms, caused by euglenophytes, are not just unusual sights but indicators of ecological stress. Experts warn that they thrive in polluted, nutrient-rich waters and can severely harm aquatic ecosystems and communities dependent on them. Why Waters Are Turning Red Unlike the more familiar green algal mats, these blooms get their crimson colour from a pigment called astaxanthin, produced by certain euglenoids. Organisms like Euglena, Phacus and Trachelomonas flourish in oxygen-poor, stagnant waters enriched by sewage discharge, agricultural runoff and industrial effluents. Their adaptability being able to photosynthesise like pla...

  Hyderabad fast-paced urbanisation is leaving a mark on its natural environment and the city birds are among the clearest indicators of this change. A handful of species Red-vented Bulbul, Ashy Prinia, Spotted Dove, Purple Sunbird and Rock Pigeon are thriving amid concrete neighbourhoods, but overall bird diversity has fallen sharply in the city’s core areas. Hyderabad Bird Atlas survey tracks urban biodiversity These insights come from the ongoing Hyderabad Bird Atlas 2025, jointly developed by Hyderabad Birding Pals, Deccan Birders and WWF-India. Findings from the second phase of the survey were presented on Sunday. So far, 218 species have been recorded across the city using 1,440 eBird checklists submitted by more than 400 volunteers. The surveys, conducted in Februar...

  On a chilly morning in Kulgam South Kashmir, Mohammad Aamir Khan stood beside a heap of rotting garbage. Plastic, food scraps and polythene bags piled up in the open a sight all too common in the region. For Aamir, it was more than just an eyesore; it became the spark that pushed him to tackle waste head-on. At just 30, this Kashmiri engineer has built a decentralised waste management model that now serves over 4,000 households across Kulgam and Anantnag districts. His venture has not only cut down on waste but also generated employment, created eco-friendly products, and earned revenue of Rs 80 lakh in the past year. From UPSC Aspirant to Sustainability Champion Aamir, who hails from Agroo Devsar in Kulgam, graduated in engineering from Bangalore in 2017 and prepared fo...

The National Health Laboratory Service (NHLS) has set a bold target to reduce its toxicology backlog by half before the close of the 2025/26 financial year. The move aims to address long delays that have undermined forensic investigations and justice delivery across the country. The backlog currently stands at more than 40,000 cases, some dating back over 17 years. Many of these were inherited when the NHLS absorbed the Forensic Chemistry Laboratories (FCLs). The delay has had a direct impact on court cases, forensic pathology work, and closure for affected families. Strategy to Clear Delays The NHLS has adopted a multi-pronged plan focusing on infrastructure upgrades, new technology, expanded staffing, and reorganised workflows. State-of-the-art analytical machines have been p...

Mumbai came to a standstill on Tuesday after relentless rains battered the city, forcing authorities to issue strict safety measures. Deputy Chief Minister Ajit Pawar visited the disaster control room at Mantralaya to monitor the situation as the India Meteorological Department (IMD) sounded red and orange alerts across multiple districts from August 18 to 20. Offices and Schools Closed, Travel Curbed The Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation (BMC) announced an immediate closure of all government and semi-government offices in the city. Private sector employees, except those engaged in essential services, have been advised to work from home until conditions improve. The civic body has also urged residents to avoid unnecessary travel, citing the high risk of flooding and severe traffi...

  With Donald Trump latest tariffs deepening cracks in global trade, leaders of the BRICS bloc are rallying to defend multilateralism. Brazil President Lula has called on fellow BRICS heads to confront the erosion of international rules, warning that US protectionism threatens developing economies. His appeal comes at a time when the Global South faces overlapping crises of climate change, debt and economic instability but also fresh opportunities for cooperation. For decades countries of the South have sought to unite against shared struggles from colonial exploitation to unequal global governance. Yet that unity has always been fragile, tested by shifting alliances, domestic politics and the pull of stronger northern economies. From Bandung to Climate Talks The first gre...

Cracked earth, failed crops, empty reservoirs these stark images are no longer rare. Every year, droughts intensify across continents, threatening food security, ecosystems, and livelihoods. Unlike storms or floods, drought creeps in silently, often noticed only when the damage is irreversible. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) estimates that the global land area under dry conditions has more than doubled since 1900. Nowhere is the impact clearer than in Africa, where extreme droughts left 23 million people facing severe hunger in 2023. Drought Hotspots and Escalating Impacts The Horn of Africa has become one of the world’s most critical drought hotspots. Ethiopia, Somalia, and Kenya endured five consecutive failed rainy seasons by early 2023 the re...

Heavy monsoon showers have pushed most major dams in Maharashtra to 90–100% capacity, but authorities have clarified that no major water release is planned for now. Despite active monsoon conditions and widespread rainfall, irrigation officials say storage levels remain under control and precautionary steps are being taken. Khadakwasla, Ujani dams closely monitored At the Khadakwasla dam complex, live storage has touched 90%. “Except Khadakwasla itself, all other dams in the complex have crossed 90% storage. At present, we do not intend to release water, though a controlled discharge from Khadakwasla may happen if inflows increase tomorrow,” said Shweta Kurde, executive engineer. Meanwhile, the Ujani dam has surpassed its full capacity, recording more than 100% storage and expecte...