The Kerala government has introduced the Wild Life Protection (Kerala Amendment) Bill 2025, seeking to devolve powers from the Union to the State regarding wildlife management. The Bill aims to allow the State to declare Schedule II animals, such as wild boars, as 'vermin' to address severe human-wildlife conflict. It also empowers the Chief Wildlife Warden to order the killing or capture of animals that have injured humans. However, critics argue this move challenges federal structures as Wildlife is on the Concurrent List, and any state law repugnant to the Central Act requires Presidential assent.
- Wildlife is a subject under the Concurrent List of the Indian Constitution.
- Section 62 of the Central Wildlife (Protection) Act 1972 currently reserves the power to declare 'vermin' for the Union government.
- The amendment seeks to address a 'lived crisis' of human-wildlife conflict in Kerala's agricultural and forest buffer zones.
The University of the Philippines Marine Science Institute has established Southeast Asia’s first coral larvae cryobank. This facility freezes coral larvae at ultra-low temperatures (-196°C) to preserve genetic diversity against threats like climate change, ocean warming, and pollution. The project is part of a regional initiative across the 'Coral Triangle,' which houses 76% of the world's coral species. Cryopreservation acts as a 'genetic insurance policy,' allowing scientists to revive and outplant corals to restore damaged reefs. This breakthrough method ensures genetic material can be stored for years and used to help restore reefs lost to bleaching.
- The Coral Triangle is known as the 'Amazon of the seas,' covering 5.7 million sq. km across six countries.
- Coral reefs are highly vulnerable, with 70-90% predicted to be lost if global warming exceeds 1.5°C.
- Cryopreservation involves using vitrification to prevent ice crystal formation that would otherwise destroy the larvae.
India is shifting from a post-disaster relief focus to a comprehensive Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR) strategy. The 15th Finance Commission allocated ₹2.28 lakh crore ($30 billion) for 2021-26, emphasizing mitigation, preparedness, and capacity building. The funding is split: 30% for preparedness and mitigation, and 70% for the post-disaster phase (response and reconstruction). Key initiatives include the National Cyclone Mitigation Programme and the creation of specialized volunteer groups like Apda Mitra. International cooperation through the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI) further strengthens India's global leadership in managing multi-hazard challenges and climate-induced extreme weather events.
- The 15th Finance Commission adopted a 'nuanced approach' by aligning public finance with technological and practical advances in DRR.
- A significant portion of funding is now dedicated to pre-disaster phases, including mitigation projects worth ₹10,000 crore approved recently.
- The National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) oversees the implementation of the Prime Minister’s Ten Point Agenda on DRR.
Renowned education reformer and activist Sonam Wangchuk has been detained under the National Security Act (NSA), 1980, following protests in Leh. Since the abrogation of Article 370 in 2019, Ladakh civil society groups, led by Wangchuk, have been demanding Statehood and inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution to protect the region's fragile ecology and tribal identity. The detention occurred after a 'foot march' from Leh to Delhi. The government had previously formed a high-powered committee to discuss these demands, but activists claim the dialogue has been ineffective in addressing their core concerns regarding environmental protection.
- The Sixth Schedule provides for the administration of tribal areas through Autonomous District Councils (ADCs) with legislative and judicial powers.
- Activists fear that without constitutional safeguards, Ladakh's environment will be exploited by large-scale industrial and solar projects.
- Wangchuk's detention under the NSA has sparked criticism regarding the suppression of peaceful democratic protests.
India's clean energy sector is growing rapidly, adding 24.5 GW of solar capacity in 2024, making it the third-largest contributor globally. However, a significant financial scaffolding gap exists. To align with a 1.5°C pathway, India requires approximately $1.5 trillion to $2.5 trillion by 2030. Current flows fall short of this target. The article suggests diversifying finance strategies through public finance, blended finance, and credit enhancement instruments like partial guarantees. Unlocking domestic institutional capital from entities like the LIC and EPFO, along with transparent carbon credit trading schemes, is essential to bridge the investment gap for renewables and green hydrogen.
- India added 24.5 GW of solar capacity in 2024, trailing only China and the United States in global contributions.
- The Ministry of Finance estimates a requirement of $2.5 trillion by 2030 to meet national climate targets and expand infrastructure.
- Blended finance and credit enhancement instruments are needed to make green projects more attractive to private lenders by improving risk-return profiles.
China has become the world leader in green hydrogen, reaching an annual production of 36.5 million tonnes. It dominates nearly 85% of the global manufacturing capacity for Alkaline electrolysers. Electrolysers are essential for producing green hydrogen by splitting water using renewable energy. While China benefits from state subsidies and integrated supply chains, other countries are implementing strict regulations and local content requirements to challenge this dominance. The two main technologies are Alkaline (ALK) and Proton Exchange Membrane (PEM) electrolysers. China's dominance in ALK electrolysers is driven by lower costs compared to Western counterparts.
- China controls 85% of the global manufacturing capacity for Alkaline (ALK) electrolysers.
- Green hydrogen is produced using renewable energy, making it a key tool for global decarbonization efforts.
- PEM electrolysers are more efficient for fluctuating energy loads but are currently more expensive than ALK types.
India is the third-largest e-waste generator globally, producing 2.2 million tonnes in 2025. A majority of this is processed in the informal sector using crude methods like acid baths and open-air burning. This releases toxic substances like lead, cadmium, and mercury, causing severe health issues including respiratory diseases, neurological damage, and DNA damage. Children in recycling clusters are particularly vulnerable, showing high levels of lead in their blood. While the E-Waste (Management) Rules, 2022, introduced Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR), implementation remains weak, and the informal sector still handles 95% of the waste.
- India generates 2.2 million tonnes of e-waste annually, with only 43% officially processed as of 2023-24.
- Informal recycling releases persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and heavy metals into the environment.
- E-waste exposure is linked to reduced IQ, behavioral disorders, and respiratory ailments, especially in children.
India received 8% more monsoon rain than normal this year, leading to bountiful kharif crops but also causing significant disasters. Torrential rains in August and September inundated districts in Himachal Pradesh, Punjab, and Jammu and Kashmir. The editorial argues that while forecasting has improved, the 'framing' of these events needs to change. Terms like 'cloudburst' are often misused by officials to describe deluges, potentially masking failures in disaster preparedness. The India Meteorological Department (IMD) had predicted 'above normal' rainfall, yet infrastructure remains inadequate to handle the resulting floods, landslides, and siltation.
- India's monsoon rainfall was 8% above the long-period average of 87 cm this year.
- Improved forecasting must be matched by better disaster preparedness and resilient infrastructure.
- Misuse of meteorological terms like 'cloudburst' can shift blame from governance failures to 'natural' calamities.
India's dugong population has dwindled to a few hundred due to poaching, habitat loss, and pollution. However, recent initiatives like the notification of the Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay (2022) show promise. This reserve protects 12,000 hectares of seagrass meadows. Success is attributed to community participation, where fishers are encouraged to release dugongs caught as by-catch. The IUCN has recognized this reserve as an exemplar for its innovative restoration techniques. Despite progress, challenges remain, including inconsistent funding from the compensatory afforestation fund and threats from mechanized fishing and rising sea temperatures.
- The Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay is India's first such reserve notified under the Wildlife (Protection) Act.
- Seagrass meadows are critical habitats for dugongs and require protection from dredging, pollution, and mechanized fishing.
- Community engagement with local fishers is essential to mitigate by-catch and create local constituencies for marine conservation.
Despite government efforts to promote formal e-waste recycling through the Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework, the informal sector continues to play a dominant role. Millions of tons of electronics are disposed of annually, but only about one-third is processed through proper channels. The informal sector often harvests components for repair rather than recycling, which disrupts the 'circular economy' and leads to environmental hazards. Policymakers face a dilemma as informal set-ups provide livelihoods but lack the technology for safe metal extraction. Strengthening the EPR framework and improving material traceability are essential to secure critical minerals like lithium and cobalt.
- India generated approximately 4.17 million metric tonnes of e-waste in 2022, but only a third is processed formally.
- The Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) framework requires manufacturers to collect and recycle their end-of-life products.
- Informal recyclers often prioritize component harvesting for repairs over the extraction of precious metals.
The Union government has issued guidelines for the ₹10,000-crore PM E-drive scheme, specifically allocating ₹2,000 crore for electric vehicle (EV) charging infrastructure. The scheme offers up to 100% subsidies for setting up charging stations, battery swapping stations, and long-range chargers in high-density cities and along major highways. The goal is to install 72,300 EV chargers to boost consumer confidence and support the adoption of two-wheelers, cars, buses, and trucks. The government aims for a charging grid coverage of at least one station every 3km in cities and every 25km on highways.
- The PM E-drive scheme has a total outlay of ₹10,000 crore, with ₹2,000 crore dedicated to charging infrastructure.
- Subsidies of up to 100% are available for charging stations in government buildings and private establishments.
- The target is to install 72,300 EV chargers across various vehicle categories.
Observed on September 29, the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste (IDAFLW) highlights that one-third of global food is lost or wasted. In India, post-harvest losses cost nearly ₹1.5 trillion annually, impacting farmer incomes and environmental stability. Food loss contributes significantly to greenhouse gas emissions, particularly methane from rotting paddy. Solutions include strengthening cold chains through the PMKSY scheme, adopting AI-driven forecasting for logistics, and promoting a circular economy where surplus food is redirected to food banks and waste is converted into compost or bioenergy.
- Nearly one-third of all food produced globally is lost or wasted, undermining food security and climate goals.
- In India, post-harvest losses amount to approximately 3.7% of the agricultural GDP, with fruits and vegetables being the most vulnerable.
- Food loss generates over 33 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent emissions annually in India across 30 major crops.
Union Minister Hardeep S. Puri highlights the Prime Minister's focus on sustainable infrastructure and citizen-centric governance. A key achievement mentioned is the launch of India's first bamboo-based 2G ethanol plant in Numaligarh, Assam. This project aims to convert bamboo—a fast-growing grass—into ethanol, providing a sustainable fuel source and boosting farmer incomes. The editorial emphasizes the use of technology and 'Jan Bhagidari' (people's participation) in achieving 'Viksit Bharat.' It also touches upon the simplification of the GST structure and the focus on 'Antyodaya' (serving the last person) in every government scheme.
- India's first bamboo-based 2G ethanol plant has been launched in Numaligarh, Assam.
- The project utilizes bamboo stalks, leaves, and residue to produce ethanol, furfural, and acetic acid.
- The initiative supports the 'Viksit Bharat' vision by integrating clean energy with rural economic development.
A group of environmentalists, scientists, and former Union Ministers, including Murli Manohar Joshi and Karan Singh, have petitioned the Supreme Court to review its 2021 judgment. The 2021 ruling permitted the widening of roads for the Char Dham project beyond the 5.5-meter limit recommended by an expert committee. Petitioners argue that cutting hill slopes for 10-meter wide roads has caused massive landslides, sinking zones, and ecological damage in the fragile Himalayan region. They seek a return to the 5.5-meter intermediate road width to prevent further disasters, citing recent torrential rains and road blockages as evidence of the project's detrimental impact.
- Petitioners seek a recall of the 2021 SC judgment that allowed 10-meter wide roads for strategic border access.
- The original expert committee had recommended a 5.5-meter width to minimize ecological disturbance in the Himalayas.
- The project involves widening roads leading to the shrines of Yamunotri, Gangotri, Kedarnath, and Badrinath.
As global temperatures rise, access to cooling is shifting from a luxury to a public health necessity and a frontline adaptation need. In India, only about 5% of households own an air conditioner, mostly concentrated in urban areas. The lack of cooling disproportionately affects the poor, outdoor workers, and essential services like healthcare. While the Indian government has set energy efficiency standards for ACs, there is a critical need for policies that ensure universal access to cooling and protect vulnerable populations from extreme heat. Heat exposure caused approximately 489,000 deaths globally between 2000 and 2019.
- Cooling is essential for maintaining productivity and providing critical healthcare services like neonatal care.
- In India, 80% of the labor force works in heat-exposed sectors like agriculture and construction.
- Heat Action Plans (HAPs) have been developed but often face underfunding and weak implementation.
The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) has formally adopted a motion recognizing India's first Dugong Conservation Reserve in Palk Bay, Tamil Nadu. Established in 2022, the reserve covers 448.34 sq. km and protects the 'Vulnerable' dugong (sea cow) and its seagrass habitats. The IUCN resolution encourages global replication of this community-led conservation model. It highlights the importance of sustainable fisheries and innovative restoration techniques, like using bamboo and coconut rope frames to rehabilitate seagrass meadows, which are vital feeding grounds for dugongs and other marine species.
- The reserve was established by the Tamil Nadu government under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
- Dugongs are listed as 'Vulnerable' on the IUCN Red List and are threatened by habitat degradation and climate change.
- The conservation model emphasizes community participation and sustainable use of marine resources.
India is set to submit its updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) by the start of the COP30 climate conference in Brazil on November 10. The new targets, known as NDC 3.0, are expected to include increased goals for energy efficiency and a degree of emission reduction by 2035. India previously committed to reducing the emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% of 2005 levels by 2030. Additionally, India plans to operationalize its domestic Carbon Market by 2026, where 13 major sectors will be given mandatory emission-intensity targets and can trade resulting savings via emission reduction certificates.
- NDC 3.0 will reflect India's updated climate commitments for the period leading up to 2035, focusing on energy efficiency.
- India has already achieved a 33% reduction in emissions intensity between 2005 and 2019, showing significant progress.
- The upcoming India Carbon Market will mandate emission targets for 13 key industrial sectors to drive decarbonization.
A report by the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) indicates a marginal dip in the number of polluted river locations in India, from 815 in 2022 to 807 in 2023. The agency uses Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) as a proxy for organic pollution. Locations with BOD exceeding 3 mg/litre are considered unfit for bathing, while those exceeding 30 mg/litre are classified as 'Priority 1' (most polluted). Maharashtra has the highest number of polluted river stretches. While 'Priority 1' stretches reduced from 45 to 37, the overall pollution levels remain a significant environmental challenge.
- Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD) is the primary parameter used to measure river health.
- BOD > 3 mg/l indicates pollution; BOD > 30 mg/l indicates critical pollution (Priority 1).
- Maharashtra, Gujarat, and Uttar Pradesh have the highest number of 'Priority 1' river stretches.
The Union Environment Ministry's decision to exempt uranium mining in Meghalaya from public consultation has triggered protests from local Khasi groups. The government issued an Office Memorandum (OM) to bypass procedural safeguards, citing national security. However, local communities and the Khasi Hills Autonomous District Council (KHADC) argue that this violates tribal rights under the Sixth Schedule. Critics highlight that uranium mining is highly polluting and can irreversibly damage the landscape. They advocate for 'free, prior, and informed consent' as per global norms and suggest exploring alternative power-generating strategies instead of coercive extraction.
- The Union Environment Ministry exempted atomic and strategic minerals from public consultation via an Office Memorandum.
- Local Khasi groups in Domiasiat and Wahkaji have opposed uranium extraction since the 1980s due to radiation fears.
- The Sixth Schedule of the Constitution provides autonomous powers to tribal district councils to protect their rights.
The Automotive Research Association of India (ARAI) is investigating the potential of blending isobutanol with diesel after previous attempts to blend ethanol with diesel proved unsuccessful. Isobutanol, an alcoholic compound with better properties than ethanol for diesel blending, can be produced from biomass such as sugarcane syrup and molasses using specially designed microbes. This initiative aligns with India's objective of reaching net zero emissions by 2070. While isobutanol offers advantages like higher flash points, challenges remain regarding its lower cetane number and potential impact on engine performance and 'diesel knock'.
- Isobutanol is considered a superior alternative to ethanol for diesel blending due to its chemical compatibility.
- It can be produced from existing feedstock used for ethanol, such as sugarcane and grains, using engineered microbes.
- The pilot project for isobutanol blending is expected to take approximately 18 months to complete.
At the 2025 Global Conference on Climate and Health in Brazil, India’s welfare initiatives were highlighted as models for integrating climate and health goals. Programs like PM-POSHAN, Swachh Bharat, MNREGA, and PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) demonstrate how non-health interventions can generate significant health and climate co-benefits. For instance, PMUY reduces indoor air pollution while cutting carbon emissions. The article advocates for a framework of institutionalized, health-anchored climate governance built on strategic prioritization, procedural integration (like health impact assessments), and participatory implementation using health as a mobilizing force for community engagement.
- The Belem Health Action Plan, to be launched at COP30, aims to define the global agenda on climate and health.
- India's PM-POSHAN scheme addresses malnutrition while building climate-resilient food systems through millet promotion.
- The Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) has successfully linked clean energy access to improved respiratory health and lower emissions.
The Supreme Court of India has highlighted the need for stricter action against farmers practicing stubble burning, a major contributor to winter air pollution in the National Capital Region (NCR). While the Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) was established as a statutory body to coordinate efforts across states like Punjab, Haryana, and Delhi, it has faced criticism for failing to exercise its powers independently of political pressure. The article argues that a 'carrot and stick' approach, involving better incentives for farmers and transparent enforcement of existing laws, is more effective than simply threatening imprisonment. Cooperation between the Centre and States remains crucial for a long-term solution.
- Stubble burning in Punjab and Haryana significantly worsens air quality in Delhi during October and November.
- The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) is a central statutory body empowered to address air pollution across state borders.
- Meteorological conditions, such as the receding southwest monsoon, trap toxic particulate matter near the ground.
Ahead of the COP30 climate talks in Belem, Brazil, only 29 out of 195 countries have submitted updated Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs). The 2015 Paris Agreement mandates updates every five years to keep global temperature rises below 1.5 to 2 degrees Celsius. While the European Union aims for a 90% emission reduction by 2040, internal disagreements persist among member states regarding 2035 targets. COP30 is being framed as an 'implementation' summit rather than one focused on new headline-grabbing targets, emphasizing the need for concrete action on fossil fuel regulation and carbon neutrality by 2050.
- NDCs are voluntary targets updated every five years by signatories to the UN climate convention.
- Brazil will host the 30th edition of the climate talks (COP30) in Belem in November.
- The EU is striving for carbon neutrality by 2050 but faces challenges in reaching a consensus on interim 2035 targets.
A Supreme Court Bench led by CJI B.R. Gavai suggested reintroducing criminal prosecution for farmers involved in stubble burning to curb winter air pollution in northern India. The Court emphasized that while farmers are vital, they must also protect the environment, advocating for a 'carrot and stick' approach. However, the Union government opposed this, stating that current policy focuses on cooperative measures rather than punitive jail terms. The Centre noted that farmers are currently exempted from prosecution under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act as a matter of policy to avoid criminalizing the agricultural community.
- The CJI advocated for criminal prosecution to send a strong message against environmental pollution.
- The Centre argued that its policy is to take farmers along rather than putting them behind bars.
- Farmers are currently exempted from prosecution under the Commission for Air Quality Management Act.