Current Affairs - Environment

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve in Himachal Pradesh has been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves during the World Congress of Biosphere Reserves held in Hangzhou, China. Covering an area of 7,770 sq. km in the Western Himalayas, this reserve was originally designated a national biosphere reserve in 2009. Its recognition by UNESCO now makes it India’s 13th site in the global network. The inclusion highlights the ecological significance of the fragile cold desert ecosystem, which supports unique biodiversity, cultural heritage, and sustainable development initiatives, marking a step forward in international conservation efforts.

Typhoon Mitag, the 17th typhoon of the year, made landfall in Guangdong Province, China, particularly affecting Shanwei City with strong winds of up to 25 m/s near its center. Authorities expect the typhoon to weaken gradually as it moves northwest at 10–15 km/h. In response to the threat, China’s State Flood Control initiated a Level-IV emergency to ensure preparedness and reduce potential damage. The event underlines the vulnerability of coastal provinces in China to seasonal typhoons and highlights the importance of early warning systems and effective disaster management to protect lives and infrastructure from severe weather events.

The Sahyadri Tiger Reserve is located in Maharashtra, spread across Kolhapur, Sangli, Satara, and Ratnagiri districts of the Western Ghats. Established in 2010, it was formed by merging Chandoli National Park and Koyna Wildlife Sanctuary. Although rich in dense forests and biodiversity, the reserve has largely been home to transient tigers without a stable breeding population. To revive its tiger population, the Union Environment Ministry and NTCA approved the capture and translocation of 8 tigers from Tadoba-Andhari and Pench Tiger Reserves. This initiative will help restore predator-prey balance, strengthen ecological corridors, and align with India’s wider Project Tiger conservation goals.

The September 2025 Blood Moon is remarkable because it will last for a total of 82 minutes, making it the longest total lunar eclipse of the year. This duration surpasses the usual range of 60–70 minutes, giving skywatchers an extended opportunity to observe the Moon’s transformation into a deep red hue caused by Earth’s atmosphere scattering sunlight. Such extended eclipses are rare and hold both scientific and cultural importance, allowing astronomers to study atmospheric conditions while also captivating audiences across Asia, Africa, Europe, and Australia.

The rare dragonfly species Crocothemis erythraea has been reconfirmed in the Western Ghats, specifically in the high-altitude Shola forests and montane grasslands of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. This rediscovery is significant because the species, usually found in Europe, Central Asia, and the Himalayas, was earlier misidentified due to its resemblance to the more common Crocothemis servilia. Scientists believe it may have reached South India during the Ice Age and survived in cooler highland habitats. The finding emphasises the Western Ghats’ status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site and one of the world’s top biodiversity hotspots, highlighting urgent conservation needs.