Current Affairs - Environment

According to a study published in the journal Science, India's tiger population has increased by 30% over the past two decades. This rise is considered a major conservation success, with the tiger count rising from 1,411 in 2006 to 2,967 in 2018. The increase is attributed to effective conservation efforts, including the establishment of protected areas, land-sparing strategies, and strong legislative support. The recovery also highlights the potential for human-wildlife coexistence in areas with effective conservation management.

NITI Aayog organized a workshop on Carbon Capture, Utilization & Storage (CCUS) focusing on the Indian cement sector, which contributes 5.8% of the nation’s CO₂ emissions. The workshop emphasized decarbonization strategies and technologies crucial to achieving India's net-zero target by 2070. The cement sector plays a significant role in this goal, as CCUS can potentially reduce its emissions by 35%-45%.

Scientists from the Zoological Survey of India (ZSI) have discovered a new species of pangolin, named the Indo-Burmese pangolin (Manis indoburmanica), in Arunachal Pradesh. This species is genetically distinct from the Chinese and Indian pangolins and highlights the rich biodiversity of the region. The discovery, led by ZSI researcher Lenrik Konchok, reveals that the pangolin species dates back approximately 3.4 million years and displays a 3.8% genetic difference, further emphasizing its uniqueness within the pangolin family.

In 2024, global temperatures exceeded the 1.5°C threshold above pre-industrial levels for the first time, averaging 1.6°C, as reported by the EU's Copernicus Climate Change Service. This marked a significant milestone in the ongoing climate crisis, with devastating impacts like wildfires, floods, and heatwaves affecting regions worldwide, including the U.S., Bolivia, Nepal, and Saudi Arabia, emphasizing the urgent need for global climate action.

The crisis stems from unregulated soapstone mining in Uttarakhand's Bageshwar district, which has led to land subsidence, landslides, and erosion. These issues threaten the stability of traditional Kumaoni structures, cultural landmarks like Kanda's Kalika Temple, and the regional ecosystem. The Uttarakhand High Court has intervened to investigate the matter, underscoring the severity of the issue.