Project Cheetah: India-born Cheetah Delivers 4 Cubs in Wild at Kuno, Total Population Hits 57 in 2026

Project Cheetah: India-born KGP12 Gives Birth to 4 Cubs, Total Population Reaches 56

An India-born cheetah (KGP12) has given birth to four cubs at Kuno National Park, taking the total cheetah population in India to 56. This milestone comes a day after Project Cheetah completed four years, highlighting the progress and challenges of the world's first intercontinental cheetah reintroduction program.

Project Cheetah: India's Cheetah Population Reaches 52 with 32 Cubs Born in 4 Years

India's cheetah population has grown to 52, including 32 cubs born in the country, as Project Cheetah completes four years. The milestone highlights breeding success and expansion into open forests, with 49 cheetahs in Kuno National Park and 3 in Gandhi Sagar Sanctuary. The next phase aims to expand suitable habitats and establish a long-term meta population.

SC-NBWL Clears 1,800 MW Hydropower Project in Panna-Ranipur Tiger Corridor Despite DFO Concerns

The Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended clearance for a 1,800 MW pumped storage hydropower project in the Panna-Ranipur tiger corridor, overruling objections from a Madhya Pradesh forest officer who warned of corridor fragmentation. The project requires 411.48 hectares of forest land and will be allowed with mitigation measures including three wildlife overpasses. This decision highlights the tension between renewable energy expansion and wildlife conservation.

CAG Audit Flags 91.87% Shortfall in Forest Cover Improvement Under Green India Mission

The CAG audit reveals the Green India Mission (GIM) – a key component of India's NDC commitments – has failed to meet its forest cover quality improvement target by 91.87% and forest cover increase target by 97.57%. This exposes severe implementation gaps, weak convergence with other schemes, and poor monitoring, directly threatening India's climate pledge under the Paris Agreement.

Centre Amends EIA 2006: Port Environmental Clearance Validity Doubled to 20 Years, Extendable to 30

The Centre has doubled the validity of environmental clearances for ports and harbours from 10 years to a minimum of 20 years, with provisions for two five-year extensions. This amendment to the EIA 2006 notification aims to rationalise the clearance framework for long-gestation port projects, reducing compliance burden while maintaining environmental safeguards. For exam aspirants, this is a key policy change linking environmental regulation, infrastructure development, and governance.

MoEFCC Amends GHG Emission Intensity Targets for Refineries & Textiles Under CCTS, Drops 2025-26 Compliance Year

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change has amended legally binding GHG emission intensity targets for petroleum refineries and textile units, revising baselines for seven IOC refineries and removing 2025-26 compliance targets. This creates uncertainty in India's domestic carbon market (CCTS) as industries face shifting deadlines, affecting long-term investment planning.

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.