Members of the Tribal Council in Little and Great Nicobar have alleged that the district administration is pressuring them to sign 'surrender certificates' for their ancestral lands. The ₹92,000-crore Great Nicobar Island mega-infrastructure project requires the diversion of forest lands in Galathea Bay and Pemmaya Bay. These areas were inhabited by the indigenous Nicobarese community before the 2004 tsunami. The council argues that surrendering this land would leave nothing for future generations. The project is nearing final approval, but the lack of transparency regarding the surrender documents has caused significant distress among the tribal population.
- The Great Nicobar Island project is a ₹92,000-crore mega-infrastructure initiative.
- The project affects the Nicobarese and Shompen tribes, who are recognized as Scheduled Tribes.
- Key project areas include Galathea Bay and Pemmaya Bay.
As India prepares to host the BRICS Summit in 2026, there is a critical need to focus on a green agenda for the Global South. With the U.S. potentially withdrawing from international climate organizations, BRICS can provide a stabilizing force for collaborative multilateralism. The article suggests that BRICS should move beyond just 'G-7 or G-20' frameworks and include institutions like the World Bank and IMF in climate finance discussions. India's leadership is pivotal to steering the global climate process, especially in adaptation, resilience, and sustainable development, while countering Chinese ambitions in the green sector.
- BRICS now represents approximately 40% of the global GDP and 26% of the global landmass.
- The 'BASIC' group (Brazil, South Africa, India, China) remains a key player in UNFCCC negotiations.
- India can use its BRICS presidency to articulate the demands of the Global South regarding climate finance.
The Himalayan region is facing an 'ecocide' due to aggressive infrastructure projects like the Char Dham Road Widening. In 2025, climate-induced disasters caused over 4,000 deaths in Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The article criticizes the 'translocating' of ancient Devdaar trees, which is ecologically flawed. Projects often bypass Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and use improper road-width standards, leading to slope instability and landslides. The vulnerability of the Himalayas is increasing as high-altitude areas warm 50% faster than the global average. Disaster resilience must take precedence over ideological or economic necessity.
- The Devdaar (Deodar) forests are crucial for soil stability, flood prevention, and maintaining the ecology of the Ganga river.
- High-altitude Himalayan regions are warming 50% faster than the global average since 1950.
- The National Mission for Sustaining the Himalayan Ecosystem (NMSHE) was established under the National Action Plan on Climate Change.
The Supreme Court has constituted a multi-disciplinary committee of experts, including environmentalists and scientists, to provide a scientific definition of the Aravalli Range. This move follows public concern over a previous definition that considered only elevations of 100 meters or above as 'Aravalli,' which would have left thousands of hills unprotected from unregulated mining. The court has stayed its earlier judgment to prevent irreversible ecological damage. The expert panel will also create a roadmap for permissible activities and regulated mining within this sensitive and ancient mountain ecosystem.
- A previous definition based on a 100-meter threshold would have excluded over 11,000 hills in Rajasthan from environmental protection.
- The new committee will work under the Supreme Court's supervision to ensure ecological safety and define permissible mining.
- Senior advocates argued that mountains are complex tectonic structures that cannot be defined by simple elevation metrics alone.
The rapid shift toward electric vehicles (EVs) is creating an unprecedented demand for copper, a metal indispensable for batteries, motors, and charging infrastructure. EVs require four to five times more copper than internal combustion engine vehicles. As EV adoption accelerates, a structural supply deficit is emerging, potentially reaching 4.5 million tonnes by 2028. This 'copper crunch' is exacerbated by declining ore grades and long development cycles for new mines. Geopolitically, China dominates the EV supply chain, including battery cell production, posing a challenge to global energy transition goals and resource security.
- Copper demand is entering a phase of exponential growth that policymakers and markets have underestimated.
- A 'jaw-opening deficit' is forming as supply from major producers like Chile and Peru fails to keep pace with demand.
- China controls over 70% of global battery cell production and has secured long-term copper supply contracts.
Researchers have identified a new genus and species of microscopic crustacean, Indiaphonte bijoyi, in the Kavaratti lagoon of Lakshadweep. This tiny organism, belonging to the family Laophontidae and order Harpacticoida, is less than 1 millimetre in size. It is classified as Meiofauna, which are tiny invertebrates living in aquatic sediments that play a vital role in maintaining the health of marine and freshwater ecosystems. The discovery, published in the journal Zootaxa, highlights unique morphological traits not found in previously recorded genera. The genus name honors India, while the species name recognizes Professor S. Bijoy Nandan for his contributions to marine sciences. This find emphasizes the importance of protecting lagoon biodiversity.
- Indiaphonte bijoyi is a newly discovered genus and species of copepod crustacean from the Lakshadweep islands.
- Meiofauna are microscopic invertebrates that are crucial for the ecological balance of aquatic sediments.
- The discovery was a collaborative effort between researchers from CUSAT (India) and UNAM University (Mexico).
The Tamil Nadu government has invited bids for an International Bird Centre (IBC) at Marakkanam in Villupuram district, estimated at ₹46.94 crore. Funded under the TN-SHORE project, the centre will be located near Kazhuveli Lake, the second-largest brackish water wetland in South India and a potential Ramsar site. The IBC aims to serve as a hub for avian conservation and research, featuring a biodiversity forest, bird-watch towers, and educational trails. The region hosts over 200 bird species, including many categorized as 'vulnerable' or 'near threatened' by the IUCN, such as the spot-billed pelican and black-tailed godwit. The project focuses on enhancing coastal resilience and promoting eco-tourism.
- The International Bird Centre (IBC) is part of the Tamil Nadu Strengthening Coastal Resilience and the Economy (TN-SHORE) project.
- Kazhuveli Lake is a vital stopover for migratory birds from Central Asia and Siberia, including the Eurasian curlew and ruff.
- The centre will include a biodiversity forest, curated forest, and multimedia experiential spaces to promote conservation awareness.
Google's Project Suncatcher is experimenting with placing datacentres in low-earth orbit (LEO) to address the massive energy consumption of AI workloads. These space-based facilities would utilize solar energy directly, bypassing terrestrial electricity constraints. The project proposes a constellation of satellites that maintain a constant line of sight with the sun. While this offers a sustainable energy solution, significant challenges remain, including thermal management in a vacuum, high-bandwidth communication requirements, and the economic feasibility of launching and maintaining hardware in space. ISRO is also reportedly studying similar space-based datacentre technologies to support future digital infrastructure.
- AI models require immense processing power, leading to a surge in global electricity consumption by terrestrial datacentres.
- Project Suncatcher aims to use solar-powered satellite clusters in LEO to process AI workloads.
- Space-based datacentres face technical hurdles like heat dissipation in a vacuum and radiation-induced hardware failures.
The Expert Appraisal Committee (EAC) of the Union Environment Ministry has asked the Tamil Nadu government to substantially revise the design for the proposed International Dugong Conservation Centre at Manora, Thanjavur. The ₹40.94-crore project faces scrutiny because nearly 22,000 square metres of the site fall within the Coastal Regulation Zone (CRZ)-III 'No Development Zone.' The EAC expressed concerns over the use of heavy concrete structures in a pristine area containing mangroves and seagrass meadows. It recommended adopting a 'Low Impact Engineering' approach using eco-friendly materials like timber to minimize environmental harm.
- Dugongs are critically endangered marine mammals and serve as a keystone species for seagrass ecosystems.
- The proposed conservation centre aims to facilitate research, rescue, rehabilitation, and public awareness.
- The EAC highlighted that the current design violates CRZ-III and overlaps with CRZ-I areas involving mangroves.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has taken suo motu cognisance of reports regarding sewage contamination of drinking water in Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. The NGT noted that corroded infrastructure and leaking sewage pipes passing through drinking water lines have led to serious health risks, including deaths from water-borne diseases in cities like Indore and Greater Noida. The tribunal observed that these issues indicate prima facie violations of the Environment (Protection) Act, 1986, and the Water Act, 1974, and has directed state governments and the CPCB to file responses.
- Contamination has been reported in major cities including Udaipur, Jodhpur, Bhopal, and Noida.
- The NGT has directed the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and state governments to file affidavits on the matter.
- Leaking sewage into tube-wells and drinking water pipelines has caused outbreaks of vomiting and diarrhoea.
Data reveals that Aravalli districts in Rajasthan account for a disproportionately high volume of illegal mining, with over 77% of all First Information Reports (FIRs) filed in the state. Despite the Aravalli landscape being ecologically sensitive and acting as a barrier against the Thar Desert, illegal extraction of sand and stone continues. Recent proposals to redefine what constitutes an 'Aravalli hill' have raised concerns that protections might be further diluted. The Supreme Court has previously intervened, setting up committees to establish a scientifically robust definition of the range to curb illegal activities and protect groundwater.
- Aravalli districts contribute only 40% of the state's mining leases but over 56% of illegal mining cases.
- The Forest Survey of India (FSI) uses parameters like slope and height to identify Aravalli hills for protection.
- Illegal mining threatens groundwater recharge, stabilizes the local climate, and functions as a wildlife corridor.
While AI's benefits are widely discussed, its environmental impact, particularly carbon footprint and water consumption, requires urgent attention. Data centers housing AI servers consume massive amounts of electricity and water for cooling. A single ChatGPT query can consume ten times more energy than a Google search. India currently lacks specific legislation for AI's environmental impact, unlike the EU's AI Act. Experts suggest integrating AI assessments into Environmental Impact Assessments (EIA) and adopting sustainable practices like using renewable energy for data centers and deploying pre-trained models to mitigate adverse impacts.
- The ICT industry is estimated to be responsible for 1.8% to 2.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions.
- Training a single Large Language Model (LLM) can generate approximately 3,00,000 kilograms of carbon emissions.
- India needs to establish measuring standards and disclosure requirements for AI's environmental footprint as part of ESG standards.
As AI integration grows, its environmental costs, including high electricity consumption and carbon emissions, are coming under scrutiny. Reports suggest the ICT industry accounts for 1.8%-2.8% of global greenhouse gas emissions. A single AI prompt can consume significantly more energy than a standard search. The article calls for India to include AI impact assessments within its Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) framework. It suggests adopting sustainable practices like using renewable energy for data centers and following international guidelines like UNESCO’s Recommendation on the Ethics of AI to mitigate the negative environmental impacts of large-scale algorithms.
- Training a single Large Language Model (LLM) can generate approximately 300,000 kilograms of carbon emissions.
- AI servers may utilize up to 6.6 billion cubic meters of water for cooling by 2027, leading to water scarcity concerns.
- India needs to measure the environmental costs of developing large AI algorithms through mandatory disclosure standards.
Article 6 of the Paris Agreement, made fully operational at COP29, provides a framework for international cooperation through carbon markets. It allows countries to transfer emissions reductions (ITMOs) to meet their climate goals. For India, this presents an opportunity to attract climate-aligned finance and advanced technologies. India has already entered a new era by operationalizing the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) with Japan under Article 6.2. To maximize benefits, India must strengthen its domestic framework, streamline project clearances, and position itself as a supplier of high-quality carbon removals, such as Biochar and Enhanced Rock Weathering.
- Article 6 (A6) enables international cooperation through market mechanisms (6.2 and 6.4) to achieve Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs).
- The Paris Agreement Crediting Mechanism (Article 6.4) replaces the Clean Development Mechanism (CDM) from the Kyoto Protocol.
- India's partnership with Japan under the Joint Crediting Mechanism (JCM) is an early example of Article 6.2 cooperation.
U.S. President Donald Trump has moved to withdraw the United States from the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (FCCC) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC). This move effectively excludes the U.S. from the core multilateral climate diplomacy framework, including the Paris Agreement. The withdrawal will likely lead to a significant reduction in global climate finance, as the U.S. will no longer contribute to the Green Climate Fund or the Global Environment Facility. Furthermore, it weakens the scientific consensus-building process of the IPCC and may discourage other high-emission nations from meeting their climate commitments, potentially delaying global climate action.
- Withdrawing from the FCCC automatically removes the U.S. from the Paris Agreement and the annual COP negotiations.
- The U.S. will lose its ability to participate in the FCCC's reporting system for greenhouse gas emissions and progress tracking.
- The exit undermines global climate finance, specifically affecting the Green Climate Fund and the Global Environment Facility.
The National Green Tribunal (NGT) has ruled that the ‘Tent City’ established on the Ganga riverbed in Varanasi in 2023 operated in violation of environmental laws. The project, inaugurated by the Prime Minister, was found to have violated the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016. The NGT noted that no such structures are allowed on the bank of the river Ganga or its tributaries. Furthermore, the project was implemented before obtaining prior approval from the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG). Environmental compensation has been levied on the private companies involved for discharging sewage directly into the river.
- The NGT found the project violated the River Ganga (Rejuvenation, Protection and Management) Authorities Order, 2016.
- The project was allegedly discharging sewage directly into the river, harming flora and fauna on the riverbed.
- The NGT clarified that de-notification of the Kachhua (Turtle) Wildlife Sanctuary is a matter currently pending before the Supreme Court.
In a significant blow to international climate efforts, U.S. President Donald Trump has announced the United States' withdrawal from the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC). The UNFCCC is the parent treaty for major agreements like the Paris Accord and the Kyoto Protocol. The White House described the treaty as "contrary to the interests of the United States." This move has been widely condemned by the European Union and other global partners, who have vowed to continue tackling the climate crisis despite the exit of the world's second-largest emitter.
- The UNFCCC was adopted in 1992 as a global pact to cooperate on reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- The U.S. exit is part of a larger withdrawal from 66 global organizations and treaties.
- Climate experts warn that the absence of the U.S. will significantly hinder global climate action and funding for developing nations.
India has stated it will continue to lead and support the International Solar Alliance (ISA) despite the United States' decision to withdraw from the organization. The U.S. executive order identified the ISA among 66 "wasteful" international organizations. India, a founding member along with France, views the ISA as a critical platform for achieving global energy transition goals and mobilizing $1 trillion in solar investments by 2030. The alliance currently has 125 members and focuses on deploying solar energy solutions in least-developed countries and small island developing states.
- The ISA was conceptualized during COP21 in Paris (2015) by Prime Minister Narendra Modi and then-French President Francois Hollande.
- The U.S. withdrawal is part of a broader policy to cut funding for entities deemed contrary to U.S. interests.
- India maintains that the ISA has been successful in demonstrating the feasibility of solar solutions in over 95 countries.
Renowned ecologist Madhav Gadgil, who passed away recently, is remembered for shifting the global conservation discourse toward human rights and community participation. He famously headed the Western Ghats Ecology Expert Panel (WGEEP), which recommended strict environmental protections for the region while empowering local gram sabhas. Gadgil argued against "fortress conservation" that excluded indigenous communities, advocating instead for "people-driven protection." His work laid the foundation for the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, India's first, and he was a vocal critic of destructive industrial projects in ecologically sensitive areas.
- Gadgil's WGEEP report (2011) classified the Western Ghats into three levels of Ecologically Sensitive Zones (ESZs).
- He authored the concept document for the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve under UNESCO's Man and Biosphere (MAB) Programme.
- He was a pioneer in using the Wildlife (Protection) Act of 1972 as a tool for conservation while later critiquing its impact on hunter-gatherer communities.
Over the last decade, the Supreme Court of India has shifted from reviewing administrative legality to issuing forward-looking regulatory directions in environmental matters. While intended to protect the environment, this "managerial role" has sometimes created uncertainty for regulated actors. Key instances include the 2022 mandate for Eco-sensitive Zones (ESZ) of at least one kilometer around protected areas, which was later modified due to practical difficulties. The Court's tendency to substitute for the regulator, rather than correcting the regulatory process, has led to a "push-pull" relationship with the executive, often resulting in policy U-turns.
- The Court has moved into a "continuing mandamus" role, issuing serial directions in cases like the Aravalli hills mining.
- Frequent modifications of orders can smother meaningful judicial review in other forums.
- Experts suggest the Court should focus on disciplining the state back into regulation rather than acting as an approving authority.
India has made significant strides in meeting its Paris Agreement commitments, particularly in reducing emission intensity and expanding non-fossil fuel capacity. By 2023, emission intensity had decreased by approximately 36% from 2005 levels, meeting the 2030 target early. Non-fossil capacity reached 43% by 2023, on track for the 50% goal by 2030. However, challenges remain: absolute emissions continue to rise alongside GDP growth, and carbon sequestration through forest cover is lagging. The transition requires scaling battery storage, grid modernization, and addressing the continued reliance on coal for "baseload" electricity to ensure sustainable future growth.
- India committed to reducing emission intensity by 33-35% (later updated to 45%) by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.
- While intensity has dropped, India’s absolute greenhouse gas emissions were approximately 2,959 MtCO2e in 2020 and continue to grow.
- The 'forest sink' target of 2.5-3.0 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030 faces hurdles due to definitions of 'forest cover' and slow sequestration progress.
Grasslands and savannahs are often overlooked in global climate negotiations, which tend to focus on forests. However, they are vital carbon sinks and biodiversity hotspots. The UN has declared 2026 as the International Year for Rangelands and Pastoralists. In India, grasslands are managed by 18 different ministries with often conflicting goals, such as the 'wasteland atlas' labeling them for conversion. Integrating grasslands into India's Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) could help achieve the target of creating an additional carbon sink of 2.5 to 3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent by 2030.
- Grasslands are among the most threatened ecosystems due to agriculture, invasive species, and conversion to forests.
- The UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) COP30 focused heavily on forests, neglecting other biomes.
- In India, 18 ministries have purview over grasslands, leading to policy silos and conflicting land-use goals.
Biomaterials, derived from biological sources or engineered through biological processes, are emerging as a sustainable alternative to petroleum-based products. They are categorized into bio-identical, drop-out, and novel biomaterials. For India, they offer a pathway to reduce heavy dependence on fossil-based imports for plastics and chemicals while providing new income streams for farmers through agricultural residues. While the sector is growing, challenges include feedstock competition with food sources, water stress, and the need for better waste-management infrastructure and policy coordination across ministries.
- Biomaterials can be bio-identical to petroleum products (like bio-PET) or entirely novel (like PLA).
- Indigenous biomanufacturing can significantly reduce India's import bill for plastics and chemicals.
- The Indian bioplastics market is valued at approximately $500 million in 2024 and is expected to grow.
A satellite audit by a conservation collective has found that 31.8% of the Aravalli range is at ecological risk following a new Central government classification. The Centre fixed the height of hills at 100 metres for legal protection, which the group claims ignores geological reality and strips low-elevation zones of protection. These areas are critical water recharge zones and act as dust barriers for 30 crore people. The group demands a complete ban on mining in the Aravallis and that the entire range be declared a 'fully protected zone' regardless of elevation.
- The 100-metre height threshold for legal protection leaves nearly one-third of the Aravallis vulnerable to mining.
- Aravalli hills serve as a vital barrier against the expansion of the Thar Desert into North India.
- The group used the Copernicus Digital Elevation Model (FABDEM) for their forensic analysis.