Current Environmental Affairs Explorer

Navigating Recent Developments (1-1.5 Years) in Ecology, Policy, and Global Environmental Governance.

Preamble (Reaffirmed)

The contemporary environmental landscape is characterized by rapid changes, emerging scientific insights, and evolving policy responses. For the UPSC Civil Services Examination, a dynamic and up-to-date understanding of these current environmental affairs is indispensable. This chapter provides a structured guide to navigating recent developments, helping aspirants identify, analyze, and integrate crucial information into their preparation. The focus remains on the 1 to 1.5 years preceding the examination, covering species in news, policy shifts, global summits, influential reports, prominent media discussions, and updates on international environmental governance.

Our Approach to Current Affairs

The field of environment and ecology is constantly evolving. To effectively track these dynamic issues, we propose the following framework for gathering and organizing information for each sub-topic:

  • What: Briefly describe the event, species, policy, report, etc.
  • When: Date or timeframe of the event/release.
  • Where: Geographical context (if applicable – specific location, country, global).
  • Why (Significance/Context): Why is this important? What problem does it address? What is its background?
  • Key Features/Details: Main provisions, findings, objectives, participants, outcomes.
  • Implications/Impacts: Potential environmental, social, economic, or political consequences.
  • India's Connection/Stance (if applicable): India's involvement, position, or how it is affected.
  • Potential UPSC Questions (Prelims/Mains): How might this be asked? (e.g., factual recall, analytical understanding, critical evaluation).

22.1 Species in News

Framework for Tracking Species (Recap)

  • Scientific & Common Name.
  • Reason for News (Status change, reintroduction, threat, discovery, conflict).
  • Distribution (Global & India-specific).
  • Habitat.
  • Conservation Status (IUCN, CITES, WLPA).
  • Key Characteristics/Ecological Role.
  • Threats.
  • Conservation Efforts.

Illustrative Examples (Late 2023 to Early/Mid-2024 - Aspirants MUST Update this section with the latest information):

Snow Leopard (Panthera uncia)

Snow Leopard
IUCN: Vulnerable CITES: Appendix I WLPA: Schedule I

Kyrgyzstan declared Snow Leopard its national symbol (early 2024). Ongoing climate change vulnerability discussions (habitat shrinking, prey base changes). Results from camera trapping surveys in Indian Himalayan states. First scientifically estimated population in India released (Jan 2024) via Snow Leopard Population Assessment in India (SPAI) Programme – estimated 718.

Significance: Apex predator, indicator of high-altitude ecosystem health.

Distribution (India): Ladakh, J&K, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, Arunachal Pradesh.

Habitat: High-altitude alpine and sub-alpine zones (3,000-5,400m).

Placeholder for Himalayan Region Map

Threats: Habitat degradation, poaching, human-wildlife conflict, climate change.

Conservation: Project Snow Leopard, SECURE Himalaya, community conservation efforts, Global Snow Leopard & Ecosystem Protection Program (GSLEP).

Link to Syllabus: Endangered species, high-altitude ecosystems, climate change impacts on biodiversity, conservation projects, international cooperation (GSLEP).

Indian Grey Wolf (Canis lupus pallipes)

Indian Grey Wolf
IUCN: Least Concern (Global Grey Wolf) WLPA: Schedule I (India)

Increased sightings or conflict reports (e.g., Maharashtra, Karnataka, Rajasthan). Discussions on need for specific conservation plans as grassland/scrubland habitats are under threat and often outside traditional Protected Area networks. Genetic studies on distinctiveness.

Note: Indian populations can be locally threatened despite global LC status.

Distribution: Widespread across India in open forests, scrublands, grasslands, arid/semi-arid regions.

Habitat: Varied, avoids dense forests. Prefers open, dry landscapes.

Placeholder for India Map (Grassland Focus)

Habitat loss (conversion of grasslands/scrublands), depletion of natural prey, human-wildlife conflict (livestock depredation, retaliatory killings), disease from domestic dogs.

Link to Syllabus: Human-wildlife conflict, grassland conservation, Schedule I species, landscape-level conservation.

Olive Ridley Turtles (Lepidochelys olivacea) & other Marine Turtles

Olive Ridley Turtle
IUCN: Vulnerable (Olive Ridley) CITES: Appendix I WLPA: Schedule I

Start of arribada (mass nesting) season (e.g., late 2023/early 2024) at Rushikulya and Gahirmatha (Odisha) with data on numbers. Concerns about impacts of coastal erosion, extreme weather events (cyclones), and plastic pollution on nesting sites and hatchlings. Reports on bycatch in fishing nets.

Key Nesting Sites (India): Odisha coast (Gahirmatha, Rushikulya), Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Andaman & Nicobar Islands.

Threats: Coastal development, light and sound pollution, plastic ingestion, ghost nets, climate change (sea-level rise, temperature effects on sex determination), direct harvesting (eggs/meat in some regions), bycatch.

Link to Syllabus: Marine biodiversity, endangered species, threats from pollution and climate change, conservation efforts (TEDs, nest protection), coastal zone management.

Sangai Deer (Rucervus eldii eldii)

Sangai Deer
IUCN: Critically Endangered CITES: Appendix I WLPA: Schedule I

Continuous focus due to its critically endangered status and unique habitat (Keibul Lamjao National Park). Updates on habitat management (phumdi health), captive breeding efforts, and discussions on establishing a second viable wild population.

(Cross-reference with Chapter 13.7 for more details on Keibul Lamjao & Loktak Lake).

Habitat: Endemic to Keibul Lamjao NP in Manipur, lives on floating biomass (phumdis) in Loktak Lake.

Conservation Challenges: Shrinking phumdi habitat, water quality of Loktak Lake, poaching, genetic bottleneck.

Link to Syllabus: Critically endangered species, endemic species, wetland conservation (Loktak Lake), unique ecosystems (phumdis), captive breeding programs.

Specific Plant Species (e.g., Neelakurinji, Rare Medicinal Plants)

Rare Plant
IUCN: Varies CITES: Varies WLPA: Varies

If Neelakurinji (Strobilanthes kunthiana) has a mass blooming event (occurs once in 12 years, next one anticipated around 2030, but smaller local bloomings might be reported). News related to over-extraction or new conservation efforts for rare/endemic medicinal plants from specific regions (e.g., Himalayas, Western Ghats).

Action: Aspirants should track news for specific plant species recently highlighted for rarity, medicinal value, threat, or unique ecological events.

Neelakurinji: Western Ghats, mass flowering tourism, ecological significance.

Medicinal Plants: Over-harvesting, biopiracy concerns, traditional knowledge, conservation in biodiversity hotspots.

Link to Syllabus: Plant biodiversity, endemism, Western Ghats/Himalayan biodiversity, medicinal plants conservation, sustainable use, biopiracy.

22.2 Environmental Policies & Initiatives

This section will cover recent environmental policies, schemes, and initiatives launched or significantly updated by India and major global bodies. (Content to be updated by aspirant based on current affairs)

Example: Updates to National Clean Air Programme, new Wetland Conservation Rules, Plastic Waste Management Amendment Rules, Green Hydrogen Policy, etc.

22.3 Major Environmental Events & Summits

Key outcomes and India's stance at major international and national environmental conferences, COPs, and summits. (Content to be updated by aspirant based on current affairs)

Example: UNFCCC COP, CBD COP, UNCCD COP, World Sustainable Development Summit, Stockholm+50 follow-ups, etc.

22.4 Important Reports & Indices

Significant findings from reports by IPCC, UNEP, FAO, State of Forest Report (India), Environmental Performance Index, etc., and their implications. (Content to be updated by aspirant based on current affairs)

Example: Latest IPCC Assessment Reports, Global Environment Outlook, Living Planet Report, reports on air/water quality in India.

22.5 Environmental Issues in Media

Prominent environmental issues that have received significant media attention, public discourse, or judicial scrutiny. (Content to be updated by aspirant based on current affairs)

Example: Debates on specific infrastructure projects and their environmental impact, landmark court judgements on environmental issues, major pollution events.

22.6 Updates on International Agreements

Recent developments, new ratifications, or amendments to key international environmental agreements and conventions. (Content to be updated by aspirant based on current affairs)

Example: Kigali Amendment progress, new targets under Paris Agreement, discussions on a global plastic treaty.