Ecosystem-based Adaptation (EbA) Underutilized in India's Coastal Defence, Coastal States Spent ₹2,641 Cr on Seawalls vs ₹50 Cr for National Coastal Mission

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.

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.

CEEW Report: Organic Waste Management Can Unlock $51 Billion Market by 2047 for India

India generates massive organic waste but lacks a unified management system. A new CEEW report highlights a $51 billion market opportunity by 2047 through resource recovery, but fragmented accountability across 16 ministries hinders progress. This is critical for understanding waste-to-wealth, circular economy, and climate action linkages.

India Launches First-Ever Guide to Grasslands at UNCCD COP17, Restores 21.76 Mha Under Bonn Challenge

India launched its first-ever Guide to Grasslands and Open Natural Ecosystems (ONEs) at UNCCD COP17 in Mongolia, marking a key step in conservation and restoration. Simultaneously, the second Bonn Challenge progress report shows India restored 21.76 million hectares of degraded land between 2011-2020, with a target of 26 million hectares by 2030.

India's MoSPI Launches Experimental Monetary Asset Accounts of Marine Fish Resources for Blue Economy

India's MoSPI has initiated a groundbreaking experiment to assign monetary value to marine fish stocks under the UN SEEA framework. This natural-capital accounting aims to integrate blue economy into national accounts, providing data for sustainable fisheries management and climate-risk assessment. For UPSC aspirants, this links to Environment, Economy, and Government policies on blue economy.

SC Extends 10-km Mining Ban to All Wetland Reserves; India Reaches 101 Ramsar Sites

The Supreme Court has extended its February 2024 direction requiring prior approval for mining within 10 km of Asan Wetland Conservation Reserve to all wetland conservation reserves across India. This creates a judicial safeguard for Ramsar sites and other notified wetlands, filling a gap in the Wetlands Rules 2017 which lack statutory buffers. Students must note the 101 Ramsar sites in India and the shift from 2010 to 2017 Rules.

Heatwaves Notified as Natural Calamity; States Access ₹2.04 Lakh Cr Disaster Fund Pool

The Ministry of Home Affairs has notified heatwaves and lightning as 'natural calamities,' unlocking full access to the State Disaster Risk Management Fund (SDRF + SDMF) for heat-related relief and mitigation. This follows the Sixteenth Finance Commission's recommendation of ₹2.04 lakh crore for state disaster funds (2026-31), a 28% increase. For aspirants, this is a crucial update linking disaster governance, constitutional provisions (Article 280), and climate adaptation finance.

Nepal Flash Floods: Hanging Glacier Collapse Triggers 359 Deaths; NDMA Plans Comprehensive Study for Indian Himalayan States

A catastrophic flash flood in Nepal, likely triggered by the collapse of a hanging glacier, has killed 359 people. India's NDMA is initiating a comprehensive study to understand and mitigate risks in vulnerable Himalayan states, reinforcing the importance of the National GLOF Risk Management Programme for early warning systems on glacial lakes.