Gujarat to Set Up ₹14.7 Cr Cheetah Conservation Breeding Centre in Banni, Targets 5,000 ha Grassland Restoration

Gujarat’s ₹150 Cr Command Centre with AI & CCTV to Curb Man-Animal Conflicts

Gujarat is setting up a ₹150 crore Command and Control Centre (CCC) in Gandhinagar using AI, CCTV, and drones to monitor wildlife in real-time, notably Asiatic lions, sloth bears, and blackbucks. The aim is to reduce man-animal conflicts and enable faster emergency response, while also protecting a critically endangered Great Indian Bustard chick in Kutch.

72% of Punjab's Groundwater Blocks in 'Red Zone' as Extraction Rate Hits 152% - Pani Bachao Scheme Offers Cash for Conservation

Punjab's groundwater crisis deepens with an extraction rate of 152%, and 72% of its 153 blocks classified as 'over-exploited'. The rice-wheat cropping system, supported by subsidised electricity and assured procurement, drives this overuse. The 'Pani Bachao, Paisa Kamao' scheme offers cash incentives for electricity conservation, but low enrolment limits impact. This is a critical issue for UPSC Environment, Agriculture, and Governance papers.

Gujarat HC Monitors AI-Based Intrusion Detection System to Save Asiatic Lions from Railway Accidents

Gujarat has deployed an AI-based Intrusion Detection System (IDS) along railway tracks in Saurashtra to prevent lion deaths, diverting 6,682 lions since 2024. The High Court is monitoring the measures, which include CCTV, fibre optic cables, and LED headlights, ensuring no lion was killed by a train between August 2024 and May 2026.

Karnataka Targets 66 GW Power Capacity by 2030; Clean Energy, Pumped Storage, Solar Park Expansion

Karnataka has unveiled a 10-year roadmap to scale its installed power capacity from 39 GW to 66 GW by 2030, with a strong focus on clean energy. The plan includes pumped storage, battery storage, solar park expansion, and significant private investment. This is crucial for students as it links to India's renewable energy targets, energy security, and state-specific schemes like PM-KUSUM.

Bombay HC Imposes Total Ban on Street Firecrackers, Orders Noise Pollution Curbs During Festivities

Bombay High Court has imposed a total ban on bursting firecrackers on public streets in Maharashtra and issued 14 directives to curb noise and air pollution during festive processions. The court emphasized the need for dignified celebrations and strict enforcement against violators, rejecting the state's 'all is well' stance.

7th ESA Draft Notification: 9,993.7 sq km in 131 Kerala Villages Under Western Ghats Regulation

The 7th draft ESA notification for Kerala's Western Ghats has triggered protests from settlers and farmers who fear displacement and land-use restrictions. The notification covers 9,993.7 sq km across 131 villages, but the state government wants it reduced to 8,590.69 sq km excluding human habitations. This is a decade-old conflict between ecological conservation and livelihood rights, with implications for UPSC GS3 (Environment) and GS2 (Federalism, Governance).

Kerala Seeks Final Notification on Western Ghats ESA, Proposes Limiting to 8,590.69 sq km Forest Area

Kerala has formally submitted recommendations to the Centre to limit the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) in the Western Ghats to only forest areas covering 8,590.69 sq km, excluding all populated areas, farmlands, and plantations. The state, which has been demanding a final notification after multiple draft versions since 2014, plans to pass a resolution in the Assembly to press its case. This is a critical exam topic for understanding environmental governance, federal-state dynamics, and the developmental vs. conservation debate.

7th ESA Draft Notification Covers 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala; 131 Villages Included Across 12 Districts

The Union government's seventh draft notification for Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESA) in the Western Ghats has designated 9,993.7 sq km in Kerala, affecting 131 villages across 12 districts. Farmers and residents fear restrictions on agriculture and habitation, demanding exclusion of populated areas before the final notification. This is a critical issue for environment and governance syllabus, highlighting the conflict between ecological conservation and livelihood rights.