News: A recent report by the North American Environmental Commission (CEC), a body under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), has blamed Mexico for imperiling the critically endangered vaquita porpoise. About Vaquita Porpoise It is the world’s smallest cetacean and the most endangered marine mammal. Scientific name: Phocoena sinus. Its name means “little cow” in Spanish.… Continue reading Vaquita Porpoise
Category: Factly: Environment
This category contains all Current Affairs Factly Articles for Prelims, related to the Environment. You can find all relevant Environment related updates on this page. This page is specifically useful for UPSC Prelims exam.
Arogyapacha and Kani Tribe
News: Kuttimathan Kani, the forest elder who revealed Arogyapacha, died in poverty at 72 on August 23, 2025 near Kerala’s Agasthyamalai forests. About Arogyapacha It is a small rhizomatous perennial herb (Trichopus zeylanicus), Distribution: Sri Lanka, southern India, Malaysia; near streams in lowland forests; around 1,000 m in India In India: It is endemic to… Continue reading Arogyapacha and Kani Tribe
National Designated Authority (NDA)
News: Recently, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has announced a National Designated Authority (NDA) to enable a carbon emissions trading regime. About National Designated Authority (NDA) The National Designated Authority (NDA) has been set up by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC). It is a mandatory requirement under the… Continue reading National Designated Authority (NDA)
Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project
News: The Arunachal Pradesh State Pollution Control Board (APSPCB) conducted an environmental public hearing for the proposed 1200 MW Kalai-II Hydro Electric Project in Anjaw district, being developed by THDC India Limited. About Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project It is a 1,200 MW hydro power Type: It is a run-of-river with pondage project. River: It is planned… Continue reading Kalai-II Hydroelectric Project
Palmyra Palm Tree
News: Palmyra palm trees in Odisha are playing a significant ecological and social role. They are helping reduce lightning-related deaths, as the tall trees act as natural lightning conductors, diverting strikes away from human settlements. About Palmyra Palm Tree (Borassus flabellifer) The Palmyra palm tree is commonly known as the sugar palm, toddy palm, or… Continue reading Palmyra Palm Tree
Konkan Shadowdamsel and Crimson Shadowdamsel
News: Two new species of damselflies have been discovered in the Western Ghats by researchers from Maharashtra and Kerala. About Konkan Shadowdamsel and Crimson Shadowdamsel Both the species belong to the group commonly called ‘Shadowdamsels’ because of their affinity for well-shaded forest habitats. Habitat These species are endemic to Maharashtra and are restricted to small… Continue reading Konkan Shadowdamsel and Crimson Shadowdamsel
Blue Pinkgill Mushrooms (Entoloma hochstetteri)
News: A burst of rare and colourful Blue Pinkgill Mushrooms has been documented in the Kagaznagar forest division of the Komaram Bheem Asifabad district in Telangana. About Blue Pinkgill Mushrooms (Entoloma hochstetteri) It is also known as the sky-blue mushroom, or werewere-kokako in Maori folklore. It is a blue coloured mushroom, whoose colour is derived… Continue reading Blue Pinkgill Mushrooms (Entoloma hochstetteri)
UNDP Equator Initiative Award
News: A self-help group (SHG) from a small village in Kundgol taluk of Dharwad district has bagged the ‘Equator Initiative Award’ given by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). About UNDP Equator Initiative Award Organized by: The Equator Prize is organized by the Equator Initiative within the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). Purpose: It is… Continue reading UNDP Equator Initiative Award
Starfish
News: Scientists have discovered that a bacterium caused the 2013 starfish die-off, which killed about 5 billion sea stars by causing sea star wasting disease, where their limbs fall off and bodies break down. About Starfish Starfish are marine animals belonging to the echinoderm group, commonly called “sea stars” due to their distinctive star-shaped body.… Continue reading Starfish
Krill
News: The krill fishing season near Antarctica ended earlier than planned after trawlers reached the catch limit for these tiny crustaceans. About Krill Krill are tiny, shrimp-like crustaceans that are semi-transparent and typically measure about 1 inch in length, weighing only a fraction of an ounce. Behavior– They live in massive swarms. Habitat: Found across… Continue reading Krill
