Supreme Court Stalls Mining, Forms 10-Member Expert Panel to Define Aravalli Hills Using 100m Elevation, 500m Gap Criteria

Parliamentary Panel Flags Forest Fire Gaps, Recommends Geostationary Satellite and NDRF Centres for Himalayas

A parliamentary committee has flagged serious gaps in forest fire monitoring and management, especially in the Himalayan region which accounts for 57% of India's forest fire incidents from just 17% of its landmass. It has recommended a geostationary satellite, dedicated NDRF regional response centres, and a National Pine-Needle Utilisation Policy. For exams, the article is rich in static concepts, data, and disaster-management facts.

Supreme Court Quashes 2021 OM on Post Facto Clearances, Warns Against Environmental Amnesty Schemes

The Supreme Court quashed the 2021 Office Memorandum that allowed post facto environmental clearances, but left the door open for the Centre to legalize violations via statutory notification. This decision reaffirms the EIA sequence rule while risking the normalization of environmental amnesty schemes, as civil penalties replace criminal liability under the Jan Vishwas amendments.

CEC Notice to Assam on Construction in Kaziranga’s 9 Animal Corridors & 10-km ESZ

The Assam government has ignored repeated notices (2022, 2026) from the Supreme Court-constituted Central Empowered Committee (CEC) to provide details of illegal construction in 9 animal corridors of Kaziranga National Park and within 10 km of its Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ). This highlights a critical conflict between development and wildlife conservation, with RTI activist Rohit Choudhury exposing the delay.

SC Directs Eviction in Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve; FRA Implementation Under Scrutiny

The Supreme Court has ordered time-bound eviction of encroachments in the Agasthyamalai Biosphere Reserve based on CEC reports, while the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006 — meant to protect forest-dweller rights — continues to be bypassed by authorities. This clash between conservation and tribal rights is a high-probability topic for UPSC GS2 (governance) and GS3 (environment).

CAG Audit Reveals Green India Mission Achieved Only 0.11 Million Hectares Against 1.4 Million Target; Forest Cover Expansion at 4%

A CAG performance audit of the Green India Mission (GIM) reveals it achieved less than 10% of its forest quality improvement target over a decade, with forest cover expansion at just 4%. India's shift to a tree plantation drive ('Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam') is masking the failure to restore actual forests, risking the country's Paris Agreement carbon sink commitment of 2.5-3 billion tonnes by 2030.

SC-Constituted CEC Pulls Up Assam Govt on Mining Near Kaziranga; Default 10 km ESZ at Risk

The Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has pulled up the Assam Government for failing to address illegal mining near Kaziranga National Park, despite Supreme Court orders from 2019. This comes amid a controversy over a proposed reduction of the Eco-Sensitive Zone from the default 10 km. The case tests judicial enforcement of wildlife conservation against state inaction and autonomous council indifference.

EAC Recommends Green Nod for 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper Project; 1.35 Lakh Trees at Risk

The EAC's recommendation for environmental clearance to the 1,605 MW Subansiri Upper Hydro Project highlights the tension between hydropower development and forest conservation. Key issues include diversion of 2,733 hectares of forest land, felling of 1.35 lakh trees, and compensatory afforestation in MP. This is crucial for UPSC Mains GS3 (Environment, Infrastructure) and Prelims (Forest Conservation Act, EAC).

Mahanadi Water Dispute: Odisha-Chhattisgarh CMs Meet July 30, 2026; Tribunal Gives Final Chance by April 20, 2026

After a decade-long legal battle, the Chief Ministers of Odisha and Chhattisgarh met on July 30, 2026 under Union Jal Shakti Minister C.R. Patil to resolve the Mahanadi water dispute amicably within three months. The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) had earlier given a final opportunity on April 20, 2026 for a consensus, failing which it would proceed with adjudication. This is crucial for understanding inter-state river water disputes, cooperative federalism, and the ISRWD Act, 1956.