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Subject: Environment

  • Charaichung Festival at Majuli  

    Why in the News?

    Assam’s Majuli island hosted the second edition of the Charaichung Festival, aimed at reviving Asia’s first protected Royal Bird Sanctuary, Charaichung, established in 1633 AD.

    About Charaichung Sanctuary

    • Established in 1633 AD by Ahom King Swargadeu Pratap Singha (Burha Roja).
    • Considered Asia’s first protected royal bird sanctuary.
    • Holds a 392-year-old legacy.
    • Once thriving, the sanctuary has deteriorated and now requires active conservation.
    • Home to around 150 species of indigenous and migratory birds.

    About the Charaichung Festival

    • Held from December 7 to 10, 2025, at Majuli.
    • Organised by Majuli Sahitya and local communities.
    • Objective:
       • Revive Charaichung sanctuary
       • Strengthen bird conservation
       • Promote Majuli as a global tourism destination
    • Includes a special forest conservation exhibition showcasing biodiversity protection efforts.

    Significance of Majuli

    • Recognised as the world’s largest river island.
    • One of India’s important bird habitats, attracting domestic and international nature enthusiasts.
    • Rich in biodiversity and cultural heritage.
    Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? (2015)

    (a) Bhitarkanika National Park 

    (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park 

    (c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park 

    (d) Sultanpur National Park

  • Mass Mortality of Goniopora Corals at One Tree Reef  

    Why in the News?

    A new study published in Proceedings of the Royal Society B (December 10, 2025) reports unprecedented coral bleaching and mortality at One Tree Reef (OTR) in the southern Great Barrier Reef, driven by extreme heat and rapid spread of black band disease (BBD).

    Background

    • Coral reefs have shaped Earth’s climate for 250 million years.
    • OTR has not witnessed bleaching of this severity for decades.
    • The impacted species, Goniopora (flowerpot or daisy corals), typically live in lagoons and turbid reefs and are known for thermal tolerance, making their mass mortality alarming.

    Why Black Band Disease Spread at OTR

    • BBD is common in the Caribbean but historically rare in the southern Great Barrier Reef.
    • OTR is offshore and not affected by major nutrient pollution — usually a known trigger.
    • Other coral genera at OTR that bleached did not develop BBD.
    • Northern Great Barrier Reef surveys (2024) showed very low incidence (1–2 percent).
    Consider the following statements: (2018)

    1. Most of the world’s coral reefs are in tropical waters. 

    2. More than one-third of the world’s coral reefs are located in the territories of Australia, Indonesia and Philippines. 

    3. Coral reefs host far more number of animal phyla than those hosted by tropical rainforests. 

    Which of the statements given above is/are correct? 

    (a) 1 and 2 only (b) 3 only (c) 1 and 3 only (d) 1, 2 and 3

  • Sultanpur National Park Sees Surge in Migratory Birds

    Why in the News?

    Sultanpur National Park in Haryana has recorded a sharp rise in migratory bird arrivals, with numbers increasing from 10,000–15,000 in mid-November to an estimated 25,000–35,000 in early December. The rise is linked to falling temperatures, improved wetland conditions and enhanced conservation efforts.

    About Sultanpur National Park

    • Located in Gurugram district, Haryana.
    • Recognized as one of Asia’s major bird habitats.
    • Declared a Ramsar Site in 2021.
    • Ecosystem: freshwater wetland, surrounded by grassland and acacia woodland.
    • Major attraction during winter due to large flocks of migratory birds.

    Migration Patterns

    • Attracts species from: Siberia, Europe, Central Asia and Other northern regions.
    • Migration triggered by:
      • Decreasing temperatures in breeding grounds
      • Availability of food and safe wetland habitats in India.

    Species Currently Sighted

    • Greylag Goose, Bar-headed Goose, Northern Pintail, Common Teal, Shoveler (Northern Shoveler), Common Coot and Black-tailed Godwit (near-threatened).
    Which of the following National Parks is unique in being a swamp with floating vegetation that supports a rich biodiversity? (2015)

    (a) Bhitarkanika National Park 

    (b) Keibul Lamjao National Park 

    (c) Keoladeo Ghana National Park 

    (d) Sultanpur National Park

  • Meghalaya’s New Spider Discoveries

    Why in the News?

    Researchers from the Zoological Survey of India have identified two new species of jumping spiders in Meghalaya, further highlighting the region’s status as a major biodiversity hotspot.

    The new species are:

    • Asemonea dentis
    • Colyttus nongwar

    Their formal descriptions have been published in Zootaxa, an international peer-reviewed journal.

    Location & Significance

    • Found in the forested landscapes of Meghalaya, part of the Indo-Burma biodiversity hotspot.
    • The Northeast is considered one of India’s least-explored yet ecologically rich regions.

    About the Species

    Asemonea dentis

    • Belongs to the genus Asemonea; this is only the third Indian species in this genus.
    • Named for a distinct tooth-like projection on the male palpal femur.
    • Male: greenish-brown body with pale-yellow V-shaped abdominal marking.
    • Female: creamy white body with fine black markings.
    • Genus characteristics: associated with shrubs and foliage; less studied in India.

    Colyttus nongwar

    • Only the second Indian species of the genus Colyttus.
    • Named after Nongwar village in the Khasi Hills.
    • Both sexes display:
      • Oval reddish-brown carapace
      • Light-brown abdomen
      • Creamy anterior band with five chevron-shaped patches
    • Genus: little-known Oriental group with limited representation in India.
    Recently, for the first time in our country, which of the following States has declared a particular butterfly as ‘State Butterfly’? (2016)

    (a) Arunachal Pradesh 

    (b) Himachal Pradesh 

    (c) Karnataka 

    (d) Maharashtra

  • Gallbladder Cancer in the Gangetic Belt 

    Why in the News

    • New analysis calls gallbladder cancer (GBC) an “invisible epidemic” in India’s Gangetic belt, especially among women.
    • Despite high prevalence, GBC is not a national health priority, poorly monitored, and driven by environmental pollution.

    Key Highlights

    1. High-Burden Geography

    • India accounts for ~10% of global GBC cases.
    • Highest incidence in Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West Bengal, Assam.

    2. Environmental Drivers

    • Arsenic, cadmium, lead contamination in groundwater.
    • Industrial effluent discharge into rivers.
    • Pesticide residues, adulterated oils, contaminated fish.
    • Chronic exposure through water, food, soil.

    3. Gendered Impact

    • ~70% of GBC patients are women.
    • Factors contributing:
      • Reuse of cooking oil
      • Consumption of unrefrigerated food
      • High exposure to contaminated water during domestic chores
    • 80%+ diagnosed at Stage III/IV, when surgery is not viable.

    4. Socio-Economic Burden

    • Treatment costs ₹8–12 lakh → debt, treatment abandonment.
    • Hotspots overlap with districts having high poverty and poor sanitation.

    5. Governance Failures

    • Cancer registries cover only 10% of the population → clusters remain invisible.
    • Weak enforcement of pollution laws.
    • No mandatory cancer reporting.
    Which of the following can be found as pollutants in the drinking water in some parts of India? (2013)

    (1). Arsenic 

    (2). Sorbitol 

    (3). Fluoride 

    (4). Formaldehyde 

    (5). Uranium 

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below. 

    (a) 1 and 3 only (b) 2, 4 and 5 only (c) 1, 3 and 5 only (d) 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5

  • UNEA-7: Rift Over UNEP’s Medium-Term Strategy and Funding Crunch

    Why in the news?

    The seventh UN Environment Assembly (UNEA-7) begins in Nairobi amid deep divisions over the UN Environment Programme’s (UNEP) Medium-Term Strategy (MTS) 2026–2030 and a significant decline in core funding. The MTS acts as UNEP’s operational mandate guiding global work on climate, biodiversity, pollution and land restoration.

    UPSC Prelims Pointers

    About UNEP

    • Headquarters: Nairobi, Kenya
    • Established: 1972 (Stockholm Conference outcome)
    • Governing body: UN Environment Assembly (UNEA)
    • Works on: climate, biodiversity, pollution, land, chemicals, resource efficiency, environmental governance.

    About UNEA

    • Meets biennially.
    • World’s highest-level decision-making body on environment.
    • Each member state of the UN has one vote.

    UNEP’s Environment Fund (EF)

    • Voluntary, but based on an indicative scale of contributions.
    • Provides core, unearmarked funding.
    • Decline in EF impacts UNEP’s operational independence.

    Medium-Term Strategy (MTS)

    • 5-year framework guiding programmatic priorities.
    • Needed for budget approval.
    • Current debate concerns the 2026–2030 MTS text.

    Triple Planetary Crisis

    • Climate change
    • Biodiversity loss
    • Pollution and waste

    Plastics Treaty Process

    • Negotiated under the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC).
    • UNEP serves as secretariat, but mandate expansion is contested.
    Which one of the following is associated with the issue of control and phasing out of the use of ozone-depleting substances? (2015)

    (a) Bretton Woods Conference 

    (b) Montreal Protocol 

    (c) Kyoto Protocol 

    (d) Nagoya Protocol

  • Predation by Horn-Eyed Ghost Crab: New Ecological Observation on India’s East Coast

    Why in the news?

    Researchers from GITAM School of Science, Visakhapatnam, have documented the first confirmed instance of a horn-eyed ghost crab preying on a mottled lightfoot crab at Rushikonda Beach, Andhra Pradesh.
     Published in: Journal of Threatened Taxa (November edition).

    Significance of the Finding

    • Demonstrates unusual predator-prey interaction not recorded earlier in India
     • Indicates behavioural extension of the horn-eyed ghost crab into rocky intertidal zones
     • Suggests flexible foraging strategies in shifting coastal environments

    About Horn-Eyed Ghost Crab

    • Belongs to genus Ocypode and IUCN Red List Status: Least Concern (LC) on the IUCN Red List
     • Keystone species and ecological indicator of coastal health
     • Known for sandy intertidal habitat
     • Roles in ecosystem: Regulates populations of smaller fauna and Burrowing influences sand structure and aeration
     • Known predators of clams, snails, worms, insects, shrimps and even turtle/bird hatchlings
     • India records six ghost crab species; Rushikonda hosts at least three (O. brevicornis, O. macrocera, O. cordimanus)
    With reference to ‘dugong’ a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

    (1) It is a herbivorous marine animal.

    (2) It is found along the entire coast of India.

    (3) It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972.

    Select the correct answer using the code given below.

    (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only

  • Humpback Whale Population Recovery

    Why in the News

    The Humpback whale population has seen a major recovery from about 10,000 to nearly 80,000, due to successful conservation measures and their ability to adapt their food sources.

    Humpback Whale 

    • Scientific Name: Megaptera novaeangliae
       • Family: Balaenopteridae (Rorqual whales)
       • Type: Baleen whale

    Distribution and Migration

    • Found in all major oceans from sub polar waters to equatorial regions
      • Known for long distance migrations: Polar regions in summer for feeding and Tropical/subtropical seas in winter for breeding

    Physical Characteristics

    • A prominent hump in front of the dorsal fin
      • Extra long pectoral fins (inspiration for the name Megaptera meaning big winged)
      • Females larger than males

    Feeding and Behaviour

    • Unique feeding strategy: Bubble Net Feeding
    • Whales exhale bubbles while spiraling upward to trap prey
    • Diet: Krill and various schooling fish like anchovies, sardines, mackerel, cod, capelin

    Lifespan and Reproduction

    • Sexual maturity: 4 to 10 years
      • One calf every 2 to 3 years

    Conservation Status

    • IUCN Red List: Least Concern
      • Population recovery highlights the success of global marine conservation policies and sustainable whaling bans
    With reference to ‘dugong’ a mammal found in India, which of the following statements is/are correct? (2015)

    (1) It is a herbivorous marine animal

    (2) It is found along the entire coast of India

    (3) It is given legal protection under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972. 

    Select the correct answer using the code given below. 

    (a) 1 and 2 (b) 2 only (c) 1 and 3 (d) 3 only

  • Dudhwa Tiger Reserve and Rainbow Water Snake 

    Why in the News

    A Rainbow Water Snake (Enhydris enhydris) was documented for the first time in Uttar Pradesh with photographic evidence from the buffer zone of Dudhwa Tiger Reserve.

    Dudhwa Tiger Reserve 

    • Location: Indo Nepal border, Lakhimpur Kheri district, Uttar Pradesh
       • Established: 1988
       • Area: 1,284 sq km
       • Constituents:
    • Dudhwa National Park
    • Kishanpur Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Katerniaghat Wildlife Sanctuary
    • Buffer includes North Kheri, South Kheri, and parts of Shahjahanpur forest divisions
    • Habitat Type: Typical Tarai Bhabar ecosystem of Upper Gangetic Plains
       • Rivers:
    • Sharda (near Kishanpur)
    • Geruwa (through Katerniaghat)
    • Suheli and Mohana (in Dudhwa NP)
    • All are tributaries of the Ghagra River
    • Vegetation: North Indian Moist Deciduous forests, noted for Sal
       • Flora Examples: Sal, Asna, Asidha, Haldu, Faldu, Gahmhar, Kanju

    Rainbow Water Snake 

    • Scientific Name: Enhydris enhydris
       • Conservation Status: IUCN: Least Concern
       • Nature: Slightly venomous, fish eating freshwater snake
       • Distribution: South and Southeast Asia including India, Nepal, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand etc.
       • Habitat: Marshlands, ponds, rice fields freshwater zones
       • Distinctive Features:
    • Up to 130 cm long
    • Two pale stripes along body converging near crown
    • Brown to greenish brown body with pale belly
    In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply? (2017)

    (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger

    (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction

    (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India. 

    (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.

  • Saving Rock Eagle Owl Eggs at a Telangana Quarry 

    Why in the News?

    A rare conservation incident unfolded at Yenakathala village, Vikarabad district (Telangana) where operations in a stone quarry were halted for 30+ days to protect five eggs of the endangered Rock Eagle Owl found in a rock crevice. The quarry is incurring ₹1.2 lakh loss per day (₹35 lakh total) to ensure safe hatching. This has been hailed as a “miracle” rescue and an example of community-led wildlife protection.

    About the Rock Eagle Owl (Indian Eagle-Owl) – Bubo bengalensis

    • Also called Bengal Eagle-Owl
    • Large horned owl species
    • Habitat: Hilly scrub forests, cliffs, rock crevices
    • Camouflage: Brown & grey plumage with a white throat patch
    • Distribution: Throughout India
    • IUCN Status: Least Concern globally, but population decreasing
    • In India:
      • Protected under Schedule I, Wildlife Protection Act, 1972
      • This places it at par with species like tigers and elephants in terms of legal protection
    • Threats: 
      • Habitat loss
      • Quarrying and mining
      • Poaching (₹35–40 lakh per bird in black market)
      • Superstitious killings

    Important:

    • Nesting sites are difficult to locate; nests are usually in rock niches and cliffs, not trees.
      The species abandons the nest if touched by humans.
    In India, if a species of tortoise is declared protected under Schedule I of the Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972, what does it imply ? (2017)

    (a) It enjoys the same level of protection as the tiger. 

    (b) It no longer exists in the wild, a few individuals are under captive protection; and how it is impossible to prevent its extinction. 

    (c) It is endemic to a particular region of India. 

    (d) Both (b) and (c) stated above are correct in this context.