Environment & Ecology Current Affairs Updates for UPSC IAS Prelims 2025 Examination

News– According to the 2024 World Air Quality Report, Delhi remains the most polluted capital city in the world, with an average PM 2.5 concentration of 91.8 μg/m³. World Air Quality Report 2024. About World Air Quality Report 2024 Published by– Swiss organisation IQAir every year. The 2024 World Air Quality Report assesses global air… Continue reading World Air Quality Report 2024

News: After Cyclone Hudhud, painted storks and pelicans now roam freely at Visakhapatnam’s zoo, displaying their elegance and charm in a natural setting. About Pelicans Pelicans are large, water-dwelling birds known for their distinctive throat pouches and impressive wingspans. Pelicans are highly social birds, living in colonies of hundreds. Pelicans are carnivorous, primarily feeding on… Continue reading Pelicans and Painted Stork

News: Recently, the Centre officially declared Madhav National Park in Madhya Pradesh as India’s 58th tiger reserve. It became the ninth tiger reserve in Madhya Pradesh. Madhav National Park About Madhav National Park  It is located in the Shivpuri district of Madhya Pradesh, in the northern part of the state. It lies on the northern… Continue reading Madhav National Park

News: Recently, a camera trap in Dehing Patkai National Park has captured a rare sighting of a Clouded Leopard (Neofelis nebulosa), a species listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. About Dehing Patkai National Park It is located in the Dibrugarh and Tinsukia districts of Assam. It is India’s largest stretch of lowland rainforest.… Continue reading Dehing Patkai National Park

News: Viatina-19 cow has made headlines worldwide as the most expensive cow ever sold. This sale made her the world’s most expensive cattle, as per the Guinness World Record. About Viatina-19 Viatina-19 belongs to the Nelore breed, also known as Ongole. It originated in Prakasam district, Andhra Pradesh, India and was first introduced to Brazil in the… Continue reading Viatina-19

News: Gum Arabic is facing a growing crisis due to the ongoing conflict in Sudan. About Gum Arabic Gum arabic, also known as acacia gum, is a natural substance obtained from the hardened sap of two species of acacia trees—Acacia senegal and Vachellia (formerly Acacia). It is predominantly produced in Sudan, which accounts for about… Continue reading Gum Arabic

News: A recent survey provided insight into the rising human-wildlife conflict (HWC) in Assam’s Majuli River Island district. About Majuli Island Majuli Island is located on the Brahmaputra River in Assam. It is the largest river island in the world. It is formed by the Subansiri River in the north and the Brahmaputra River in… Continue reading Majuli Island

News: Recently, Punjab has fully utilized the Rs 4,713 crore provided by the Centre through the Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) scheme. About Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) It is a financing scheme launched by the Government of India in July 2020 to provide medium to long-term funding for the development of post-harvest agriculture infrastructure. Aim: It… Continue reading Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

News: A rare civet cat, usually found in the Seshachalam forests near Tirumala, was recently sighted near Tadepalli in Guntur district, Andhra Pradesh. About Civets Civets are a group of small carnivorous mammals belonging to the Viverridae family, including Genets, Palm Civets, Binturongs, and Oyans. Civets comprise approximately 15 to 20 species classified into 10… Continue reading Civets

News: The Wildlife Institute of India, under the Union Environment Ministry, conducted the first-ever comprehensive population estimation survey of river dolphins in India between 2021 and 2023. This survey covered the main channels and tributaries of the Ganga and Brahmaputra rivers, as well as the Beas River in Punjab. Key Findings from the First Comprehensive… Continue reading India’s First Comprehensive River Dolphin Survey

News: The Wallace Line is in news due to recent research shedding new light on the complex biogeographical patterns of Southeast Asia and Australia. About Wallace Line The Wallace Line is a faunal boundary line which seperates the ecozones of Asia and Australia. It was identified by British explorer Alfred Russel Wallace in 1863 during… Continue reading Wallace Line

News: Kawal Tiger Reserve in Telangana is leveraging technology to address water scarcity for wildlife, particularly during the harsh summer months. About Kawal Tiger Reserve Kawal Tiger Reserve is situated in Telangana along the Godavari River, forming part of the Deccan Peninsula-Central Highlands. It was declared Tiger Reserve in 2012. It is linked to Tadoba-Andhari Tiger… Continue reading Kawal Tiger Reserve

News: The issue of biodiversity leakage has gained attention. About Biodiversity Leak Biodiversity leakage is a phenomenon where nature-damaging human activities are displaced due to the protection or restoration of land areas. Biodiversity leakage occurs when conservation efforts in one area lead to environmental harm elsewhere. This happens due to the displacement of activities like… Continue reading Biodiversity Leak

News: The Archaeological Survey of India’s epigraphical survey in the Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary has led to significant discoveries, including three rock shelters, rock paintings, and 30 inscriptions. About Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary Location: It is a wildlife sanctuary headquartered in Kadapa, Andhra Pradesh, India. Rivers: The sanctuary serves as the catchment area for the… Continue reading Sri Lankamalleswara Wildlife Sanctuary

News: A three-day faunal survey in Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary recorded 14 new birds, 15 butterflies, and 8 odonates, along with 202 moths, 52 ants, 10 mantids, and six cicadas.  About Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary It is located in the Idukki district, Kerala.  The terrain is rugged and undulating, with altitudes ranging between 450 meters to 750… Continue reading Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary

News: The Doomsday Fish has been linked to various legends and superstitions. Its rare appearances recently near the surface at Baja California Sur, Mexico are thought to predict earthquakes and tsunamis.  About Doomsday Fish It is also known as Orafish and the “sea serpent” is a deep-sea dweller that rarely comes near the surface.. Distribution–… Continue reading Doomsday Fish

News: The ‘Cali Fund’ was launched recently at the CBD COP16 in Rome. About Cali Fund The Cali Fund was launched on February 25, 2025 at the 16th Conference of Parties (COP16) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in Rome. Aim: The fund aims to boost biodiversity finance by collecting contributions from businesses that use… Continue reading Cali Fund

News: The Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) will host the Prani Mitra and Jeev Daya Award Ceremony on February 27, 2025, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi. The event will recognize individuals and organizations for their significant contributions to animal welfare and protection. About Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI) It was established in 1962… Continue reading Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI)

News: The post-monsoon wildlife census started in the Kalakkad Division of Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR). About Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR) Location: Tirunelveli and Kanyakumari districts, Tamil Nadu, India It is southernmost Tiger Reserve in India. It is part of the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve. Established: 1988 (Declared a Tiger Reserve) It is… Continue reading Kalakkad – Mundanthurai Tiger Reserve (KMTR)

News: Madhya Pradesh has emerged as a leader in gharial conservation, hosting over 80% of India’s total gharial population. The National Chambal Gharial Sanctuary, located in the state, recorded 2,456 gharials in 2024. About Gharial The gharial (Gavialis gangeticus) is a species of crocodilian known for its long, slender snout and fish-based diet. The name… Continue reading Gharial

News: External Affairs Minister S. Jaishankar, along with Heads of Missions from 61 countries, visited the Kaziranga National Park on February 24, 2025. About Kaziranga National Park Kaziranga National Park is located in Assam. It covers an area of approximately 1,032 square kilometers. It is the single largest undisturbed and representative area in the Brahmaputra… Continue reading Kaziranga National Park

News: Five cheetahs were released in MP’s Kuno National Park, increasing the total to 12. About Kuno National Park: Location: Sheopur, Madhya Pradesh, near the Chambal region Established: It was declared a wildlife sanctuary in 1981, upgraded to a national park in 2018 It is named after the Kuno River, a significant tributary of the… Continue reading Kuno National Park (KNP)

News: Global sea ice cover has dropped to a record low, with the combined extent of Arctic and Antarctic sea ice reaching just 15.76 million sq km over the five days leading up to February 13, 2025. About Sea Ice Free-floating ice in the polar regions, distinct from icebergs, glaciers, ice sheets, and ice shelves… Continue reading Global Sea Ice Cover Hits Record Low

News: Scientists have discovered a bacterial cellulose bandage that can significantly speed up healing in plants, marking a potential revolution in agriculture and plant care. About Bacteria-Made Band-Aid Bacterial cellulose, a natural polymer produced by certain bacteria, has long been used in human medicine for wound healing. Now, researchers have found that it works just… Continue reading Bacteria made Band Aid for plants

News: A rare pair of white-winged ducks was recently spotted in Assam’s Dehing Patkai National Park. About Rare White-Winged Ducks The white-winged duck (Asarcornis scutulata) is also known as Deo Hanh. It is a rare and endangered species primarily found in the dense forests of South and Southeast Asia. This elusive bird is the state… Continue reading White-Winged Ducks