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

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.

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.

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.

SC-NBWL Recommends Pygmy Hog for Critically Endangered List Under IDWH Scheme

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended adding the pygmy hog, the world's smallest and rarest wild pig, to the list of critically endangered species under the Integrated Development of Wildlife Habitats (IDWH) scheme. This move signals a renewed focus on grassland conservation and species recovery, with potential expansion to West Bengal and Uttar Pradesh.

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.

X-Band Doppler Weather Radar to be Commissioned in Wayanad by Dec 2026 After 298 Deaths in 2024 Landslides

Wayanad district in Kerala, hit by deadly landslides in 2024 and 2026, will get an X-band Doppler weather radar by December 2026 to improve extreme weather forecasting. The radar, to be installed at Pulpally, will cover 100 km radius and help disaster management authorities.

Parliamentary Panel Urges Geostationary Satellite for 24x7 Himalayan Forest Fire Monitoring

A parliamentary standing committee has flagged critical gaps in forest fire monitoring in the Himalayas, where 17% of India's landmass accounts for 57% of fire incidents. It recommends launching an Indian geostationary satellite for round-the-clock monitoring, setting up NDRF regional response centres, and formulating a national pine-needle policy. This is crucial for prelims (data, institutions) and mains (environmental governance, disaster management).