Current Affairs - Environment

The release of 35 critically endangered vultures into Kaziranga marks a major step in restoring populations that have suffered severe declines due to diclofenac poisoning and slow natural recovery. The site chosen lies in the 6th Addition area under the Bishwanath Wildlife Division, providing a secure habitat for acclimatisation. Supported by the Bombay Natural History Society, a soft-release environment was prepared to help the birds gradually adjust to the wild. This initiative highlights the importance of Assam as a remaining stronghold for vulture conservation and demonstrates a coordinated national effort to rebuild the species’ fragile population.

Cyclone Senyar is the name of the rare November cyclone that formed unexpectedly and struck Sumatra with wind speeds of about 70–80 km/h. It is historically significant because Indonesia had never recorded a cyclone in November before this event, and only one similar cyclone—Vamei in 2001—had ever been documented in the region. Forecasts indicated that Senyar would maintain its strength until 27 November, then shift along a west-southwest path before curving eastward and gradually weakening. Its rarity highlights the unusual atmospheric conditions developing in the region.

A total of 13 new Raorchestes bush frog species were identified across eight states in North-East India, marking a major advancement in biodiversity research for the region. Arunachal Pradesh contributed six of these discoveries while Meghalaya added three, with the rest spread across other northeastern states. The findings were validated through a combination of DNA analysis, morphological assessments, and bioacoustic studies. Many of the newly documented species were located in ecologically rich areas such as Namdapha, Eaglenest, and Narpuh wildlife sanctuaries. This discovery also highlights the ecological importance of the Raorchestes genus found across mountainous regions of South Asia, Southeast Asia, and southern China.

Cyclone Ditwah is the cyclonic storm forming over the southwest Bay of Bengal and moving toward the coastal regions of Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and southern Andhra Pradesh. It intensified from a deep depression into a cyclonic storm on November 27, 2025, and prompted the IMD to issue an orange alert for Puducherry from November 28 to December 1. The system’s projected path places several districts of Andhra Pradesh under the risk of heavy rainfall and strong winds. With increasing post-monsoon cyclonic activity in the North Indian Ocean, Ditwah has become the third storm of the season and underscores the need for enhanced disaster preparedness.

The Supreme Court has instructed the state of Jharkhand to officially designate the Saranda Forest as a wildlife sanctuary, recognizing its exceptional ecological and cultural importance. Saranda, located in the West Singhbhum district, is Asia’s largest natural Sal forest and a habitat for numerous endangered species such as the sal forest tortoise, four-horned antelope, Asian palm civet, and wild elephants. It also sustains several Adivasi communities whose livelihoods and cultural heritage are intertwined with the forest. The sanctuary status will provide legal protection under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, helping control mining pressures, prevent habitat loss, and promote sustainable conservation practices involving local communities.