Current Affairs - Environment

The Northeast Frontier Railway (NFR) has partnered with IIT Guwahati to pioneer biodegradable alternatives to single-use plastics. As part of this initiative, eco-friendly compostable bed-roll bags have been introduced on trains, replacing traditional plastic bags used for distributing linen. The material, developed at IIT Guwahati’s R&D facility, is fully biodegradable, compostable, and designed to meet operational standards while ensuring environmental safety. This collaboration demonstrates how academic research can provide practical solutions to environmental challenges, particularly in sensitive ecosystems like the Northeast. By reducing plastic waste, this initiative supports India’s mission to phase out single-use plastics and promote sustainable practices.

The United States has directed NASA to prepare for the early termination of OCO-2 and OCO-3, satellites designed to monitor atmospheric carbon dioxide and crop health. These satellites provide critical data on CO2 sources and sinks, seasonal and regional variations, and plant growth worldwide. By operating in polar and ISS orbits, OCO-2 and OCO-3 help track the impact of forests and other carbon sinks on climate systems, providing information essential for climate policy and mitigation strategies. The decision reflects the US’s role in leading Earth observation and climate research initiatives.

The Birbal Sahni Institute of Palaeosciences (BSIP) is headquartered in Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. It is a premier research institute dedicated to the study of plant fossils, earth history, and climate change. The recent MoU signed between BSIP and the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA) aims to combine scientific and cultural insights for broader public engagement. By integrating these two domains, the collaboration intends to showcase India’s diverse achievements globally. Lucknow’s role as the home of BSIP emphasises the city’s contribution to both scientific research and academic excellence in India.

The Equator Prize 2025, presented by the United Nations Development Programme through its Equator Initiative, recognised 10 community-led nature-based solutions by Indigenous Peoples and local communities. The central theme for this year’s awards was “Nature for Climate Action,” emphasising the vital role that ecosystems and biodiversity play in mitigating climate change. Winners came from diverse countries including Argentina, Brazil, Ecuador, India, Indonesia, Kenya, Papua New Guinea, Peru, and Tanzania. Each recipient was awarded USD 10,000 and will receive global recognition during significant international events such as the UN General Assembly and COP30 in Belém, Brazil.

A cloudburst over the Kheer Ganga River, a tributary of the Alaknanda River, triggered flash floods in Dharali, a high-altitude village located in Uttarkashi district of Uttarakhand. Cloudbursts are characterised by extremely intense rainfall, often exceeding 100 mm in one hour over a small area of about 10 km². These events are particularly common in mountainous regions like the Himalayas due to the combination of steep terrain and unique weather patterns. The flash floods caused by such incidents pose significant risks to lives, property, and infrastructure in vulnerable areas.