News: For the first time, the Tamil Nadu forest department has begun a study on Madras Hedgehog at the Theri forests. About Madras Hedgehog The Madras hedgehog is a small-sized insectivorous mammal. It is also called the bare-bellied hedgehog or South Indian hedgehog. Scientific name: Paraechinus nudiventrus Habitat: It lives in arid and semi-arid habitats… Continue reading Madras Hedgehog
Tag: down to earth
TomTom Traffic Index 2025
News: As per TomTom Traffic Index 2025, Bengaluru was the second most congested city in the world in 2025. About TomTom Traffic Index 2025 TomTom Traffic Index is an annual analysis of global traffic trends and commuting behavior. Released by: TomTom, an Amsterdam- based company that offers traffic solutions Benchmark: The Index measures congestion levels, average… Continue reading TomTom Traffic Index 2025
Pygmy Hog
News: The population of Pygmy Hog has declined sharply due to habitat loss, grass burning, illegal grazing, and land degradation. About Pygmy Hog The Pygmy Hog is the smallest and rarest wild suid in the world. Scientific name: Porcula salvania Habitat: Pygmy Hogs prefer undisturbed patches of tall wet grassland mixed with a wide variety… Continue reading Pygmy Hog
Kinnow Cultivation in India
News: The Rajasthan government is organising a Kinnow Mahakumbh in Sri Ganganagar on January 23, 24 and 25, 2026. About Kinnow Cultivation in India Kinnow is a high-yielding citrus fruit which belongs to the “Mandarin” family. It is a hybrid of two varieties: King (Citrus nobilis Lour) and ‘Willow Leaf’ (Citrus deliciosa Tenora). Favourable conditions… Continue reading Kinnow Cultivation in India
Electricity Amendment Bill: Centre signals course correction after stakeholder pushback
Source: The post “Electricity Amendment Bill: Centre signals course correction after stakeholder pushback” has been created, based on “Electricity Amendment Bill: Centre signals course correction after stakeholder pushback” published in “Down To Earth” on 20 January 2026. Electricity Amendment Bill: Centre signals course correction after stakeholder pushback. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Governance Context: The Union… Continue reading Electricity Amendment Bill: Centre signals course correction after stakeholder pushback
Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei)
News: Royle’s pika of the Himalayan highlands which goes about its life unaware that scientists now view it as a sentinel of climate change. About Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei) Royle’s pika is also called the Himalayan mouse hare or hui shutu is a species of pika. Scientific name: Ochotona roylei Habitat: They commonly inhabit rocky mountain slopes,… Continue reading Royle’s pika (Ochotona roylei)
Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?
Source: The post “Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?’’ has been created, based on “Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?” published in “Down to Earth” on 17 January 2026. Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling? UPSC Syllabus:… Continue reading Circularity has a hidden price: Who pays for fair and compliant recycling?
Freshwater Pufferfish
News: India’s first scientifically confirmed case of freshwater pufferfish poisoning highlights a hidden risk. About Freshwater Pufferfish Freshwater pufferfish belong primarily to the family Tetraodontidae. Distribution: They are naturally distributed across tropical regions of South and Southeast Asia (India, Thailand, Indonesia) and Africa, where they inhabit rivers, streams, floodplains, and lakes. Globally, about 190–193 valid… Continue reading Freshwater Pufferfish
Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain
Source: The post “Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain’’ has been created, based on “Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain” published in “Down to Earth” on 10 January 2026. Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain. UPSC Syllabus: GS Paper-3- Indian Economy Context: The… Continue reading Pesticides Management Bill, 2025: Revised draft but old gaps remain
Gray Slender Loris
News: Kerala and Tamil Nadu have begun efforts to restore habitats and strengthen monitoring of the grey slender loris. About Gray Slender Loris The gray slender loris is a small nocturnal primate. They belongs to the group of prosimians, which represents some of the oldest and most primitive primates. Scientific name: Loris lydekkerianus Sub- species: Malabar slender loris,… Continue reading Gray Slender Loris
