News: The International Union for Conservation of Nature has reclassified the Antarctic fur seal from Least Concern to Endangered due to a sharp population decline. About Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus gazella) They are one of eight seals in the genus Arctocephalus. They are the smallest of the Antarctic seals. Scientific name: Their scientific name is Arctocephalus… Continue reading Antarctic Fur Seal (Arctocephalus Gazella)
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.
Caribou
News: A recent study highlights that declining lichen and increasing snow depth can significantly reduce winter survival of caribou populations in the Arctic. About Caribou Caribou are large herbivorous ungulates adapted to Arctic and sub-Arctic environments. They are also called ‘Reindeer’ in Eurasia. Scientific Name: Rangifer tarandus Habitat: Caribou thrive in polar and Arctic regions.… Continue reading Caribou
Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
News: Emperor penguin and Antarctic fur seal have been uplisted to Endangered category in International Union for Conservation of Nature Red List due to climate change impacts. About Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri) Emperor penguin is the largest penguin species that survives and breeds in extreme Antarctic winter conditions. Scientific name: Aptenodytes forsteri. Habitat: They depend on… Continue reading Emperor Penguin (Aptenodytes forsteri)
Gourami Fossils
News: Scientists discovered freshwater fish fossils in Saharanpur, including first gourami fossil in India and second globally, indicating a Pliocene ecosystem. About Gourami Fossils The Gourami fossils are freshwater fish remains identified through otolith structures from ancient ecosystems. Discovered by: The fossils were discovered by scientists led by Dr. Ningthoujam Premjit Singh of the Wadia… Continue reading Gourami Fossils
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Protected Planet Report, 2024
News: The recent UNEP reports state that the world still needs to protect an area almost the size of the Indian Ocean by 2030 to reach the 30% target under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). About Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) It was adopted during the 15th meeting of the Conference of the Parties… Continue reading Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and Protected Planet Report, 2024
Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026
News: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change issued draft Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026 to address marine pollution from toxic oil residues. About Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026 These are dedicated rules for managing tar balls pollution across coastal areas. Released by: The rules were issued by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change… Continue reading Tar-balls Management Rules, 2026
Hokersar and Wular Lake
News: A CAG report highlighted that 518 lakes (74%) in Jammu and Kashmir have disappeared or shrunk, causing ecosystem degradation and climate insecurity. About Hokersar Lake Hokersar is an important high-altitude wetland in Kashmir Valley known for biodiversity and migratory birds. Location: It is located in Baramulla district of Jammu and Kashmir, at an altitude… Continue reading Hokersar and Wular Lake
Balason River
News: An application filed before the NGT has raised concerns over violations of environmental laws and riverbank regulations by the construction of the Balason Blues Resort & Camping on the Balason riverbank in Darjeeling. About Balason River Origin: It originates from Lepchajagat on the Ghum-Simana ridge at an altitude of about 2,361 m in the… Continue reading Balason River
Bengal Florican
News: Bengal florican populations are declining as grasslands vanish due to land conversion, agriculture expansion, burning, and habitat fragmentation pressures. About Bengal Florican It is a medium-sized bustard species found in grasslands, and it is a grassland indicator species. Different names: It is called ulu-mo’ra in Assamese and daotriling in Bodo, and it is also… Continue reading Bengal Florican
Gangotri National Park
News: Gangotri National Park has reopened for tourists after a six-month winter closure. About Gangotri National Park Gangotri National Park is located in the Uttarkashi district, Uttarakhand. It derives its name from the famous Gangotri Temple, one of the four highly revered Hindu Dhams. Established: It was established in 1989. Area: It spreads over an… Continue reading Gangotri National Park
