Is India Winning the War Against Pollution? The fight for cleaner air and water intensifies as the nation grapples with the escalating impacts of climate change. From the devastating floods in Assam to the alarming rise in air pollution levels in Delhi, environmental challenges demand urgent action. This week saw crucial discussions on sustainable agriculture and renewable energy sources at the India Climate Change Conference, highlighting the government's commitment to tackling deforestation and promoting biodiversity conservation. But are these efforts enough? Experts warn of looming water scarcity and the need for stricter regulations on industrial emissions. The future of India's environment hangs in the balance, demanding collective responsibility and innovative solutions. Explore Abtak.com for in-depth analysis and the latest updates on environmental policies, climate activism, and the ongoing struggle for a sustainable India. Discover how you can contribute to a greener tomorrow.
KENDRAPARA; A large number of migratory birds have begun their homeward journey from Bhitarkanika after spending nearly four months in the national park during winter. With the temperature already touching 31 degrees Celsius, many foreign wading birds have left earlier than usual this season. "Several migratory birds have started their return journey due to the early onset of summer. However, many water birds such as ducks are still here as they can survive in shallow water," said Bhitarkanika
Ludhiana: As International Plastic Bag Free Day is observed on July 3, rising use of plastics, including plastic bags, are posing an unprecedented threat to bird population. Ornithologists and conservationists are sounding urgent alarms about the growing menace of plastic pollution -- that is choking habitats, contaminating food chains, and pushing several bird species to the brink of collapse.Plastic has turned into a long-lasting hazard in natural ecosystems. Each year, over 400 million tonnes of plastic are produced globally, and a staggering amount finds its way into the open environment. ...Read More >
Kendrapara (Odisha), Jan 14 (PTI) With the annual crocodile and migratory birds' headcount exercise getting underway, the Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district would remain shut for nine days from Tuesday. Several teams have been constituted to count the crocodiles and birds in the creeks, rivers, wetland sites and mangrove forests within the park and its nearby areas, an official said. Any form of human activity could disrupt the process, and that is why the national park will remain closed till January 22, he said. The restrictions for visitors will also prevent noise ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: In a tragic incident that has sparked outrage among environmentalists, a golden jackal was crushed to death by a speeding vehicle around midnight on Sunday near DPS Flamingo Lake, Nerul. The accident occurred on the service road parallel to Palm Beach Road, an area known for its rich biodiversity. According to a volunteer from the Wildlife Welfare Association (WWA), the jackal was hit on its back by an unidentified four-wheeler, leaving it badly mangled. The volunteer rushed to the spot after receiving a distress call around 12 a.m., but the animal could not be saved. The incide ...Read More >
Kendrapada: Authorities have warned people of flood-affected villages in Kendrapada district's Aul, Pattamundai and Rajkanika blocks of the presence of crocodiles in the swollen waterways surrounding Bhitarkanika National Park. District emergency officer (DEO) of Kendrapada, Amiya Ketan Swain has asked villagers to exercise caution due to the increased risk posed by the reptiles displaced by the floods.Eleven fatalities have been reported in the past 23 months and 27 deaths over the last 39 months in areas around Bhitarkanika. Highlighting the recurring issue of crocodile displacement during f ...Read More >
New Delhi: An 11-year-old female hyena died at the Delhi zoo on Thursday. Officials said a postmortem will be conducted to ascertain the cause of death. The zoo now has two hyenas left. The hyena was found dead inside its den within the enclosure. The body was taken to the zoo hospital, where it was confirmed that the animal was already dead. Normally, hyenas rest inside the dens built within the enclosure but feed in the rear section, where the zoo staff work. Delhi zoo, which has been shut since Aug 30 following multiple bird deaths due to avian influenza (bird flu), is likely to reopen next ...Read More >
Kendrapara (Odisha), Feb 16 (PTI) Migratory birds of the trans-Himalayan region have started their homeward journey from Bhitarkanika National Park in Odisha's Kendrapara district after a four-month-long winter sojourn, a forest official said on Monday. More than 1.52 lakh feathered guests of 106 species had flocked to the Bhitarkanika wetland sites this year to avoid the harsh winter, Rajnagar Mangrove (wildlife) Forest Division assistant conservator Manas Das said. Every year, birds fly thousands of miles to Bhitarkanika to escape the severe cold conditions in northern Asia and some centra ...Read More >
Latur: In a rare and significant discovery, a police officer with a passion for birding has recorded an international migratory link on Narcondam Island in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. G. Thikanna, an assistant sub-inspector with the Andaman Police, spotted and photographed a tagged shorebird during his posting on the remote island. The bird was later identified as a Sanderling. Experts say this is the first recorded re-sighting of a tagged bird on Narcondam Island. According to Dr Raju Kasambe, the finding highlights the long-distance journey of migratory birds along the East Asian-Aust ...Read More >
Bhubaneswar, Oct 24 (UNI) Forest officials seized around 15 quintals of mangrove roots that bore striking resemblance to sandalwood in Bhitarkanika National Park on Friday and arrested nine persons, including five women, for trespassing into protected forest and felling trees. Ten quintals of Salacia prinoides roots and stems locally called Batara, an important mangrove species packed in 20 sacks, and five quintals of ceriops decandra roots locally called as Garani packed in 10 sacks, were seized from Kalibhanjadia forest block of the national park. The implements and tools used for cutting ...Read More >
KENDRAPARA: Forest officials have counted 117 nests of saltwater crocodiles during the breeding season this year in Bhitarkanika National Park. The number of nests has marginally increased this year as 114 crocodiles had nested during the breeding season in 2024. Divisional forest officer (DFO) of Bhitarkanika Sudarshan Gopinath Yadav said 30 experienced forest personnel with knowledge of crocodile behaviour were engaged in the nest counting exercise. The nest counting exercise in Bhitarkanika is a challenging and risky job due to the presence of a large number of crocodiles in the water bod ...Read More >
Sikandar ka Muqaddar Controversy: A scene capturing the flamingos in the recently released Netflix movie has stirred a new row among environmentalists. As per a Free Press Journal report, the greens have alleged that the flamingo shot was captured from a close angle purportedly via a drone. The complaint was made to the Mangrove Cell with a request to take the issue in cognizance legally with the Navi Mumbai Police Commissioner, NRI Coastal police station and CIDCO. A part of the NatConnect Foundation's complaint stated that during the timeline 1:03:44 to 1:03:54 in the movie, a shot captured ...Read More >
Lucknow: Taking cognisance of the potential threat of bird flu, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath on Wednesday directed concerned departments to coordinate and take measures to prevent the prevalence of the H5 virus in the state. He said that efforts should be stepped up in all zoos, sanctuaries, national parks, etc.On Monday, the bird flu virus was diagnosed in the poultry birds in Rampur after an estimated 15,000 chickens died.The chief minister also instructed the health department to conduct an in-depth study of the potential impacts of H5 avian influenza on human health and present a report ...Read More >
Sambalpur: The population of Indian Bisons (Gaur) in Odisha's Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary has increased to 788 from 659 in six months, a forest officer said. The authorities of the Hirakud wildlife division conducted the census from May 11 to May 13, this year and published the report Friday. As per the report, the total number of Indian Bison in the wildlife sanctuary was 788, which includes 315 juveniles (less than 2 year old) and 128 newborns (less than 3 months). Of the total bison population, 315 (40 per cent) are juvenile. For the first time, the census of Indian Bisons was conducted ...Read More >
Kendrapada: Altogether 117 crocodile nests were spotted in Bhitarkanika National Park during a counting conducted from July 1 to 13 this year. Last year, the count was 114. The counting exercise conducted in India's second largest mangrove forest after Sundarbans, is considered a challenging and risky operation due to the presence of numerous crocodiles in the water bodies and mangrove forest."Female crocodiles are particularly aggressive during nesting and hatching seasons, as they guard their n ...Read More >
THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Kerala's wetlands, a lifeline for biodiversity and livelihoods, have witnessed a slight decline of 58 hectares between 2019 and 2024, according to a new geospatial study that assessed temporal changes using multi-date satellite data. The study, conducted by the Centre for Water Resources Development and Management (CWRDM) using Sentinel-2A MSI imagery within a Geographic Information System (GIS) framework, revealed that the total wetland area in Kerala shrunk from 1,52,826 hectares in 2019 to 1,52,768 hectares in 2024. The study also documented the disappearance of three w ...Read More >
BHAWANIPATNA: Kalahandi police seized 6,500 kg of explosives and arrested four persons in connection with illegal transportation of mining explosives on Wednesday. The operation was conducted following an FIR filed by a junior mining officer during a raid near a stone query and crusher at Lakhbahali under Jaipatna police limits. During inspection, two explosive-laden vehicles were found stationed near the site. SP Kalahandi Nagraj Debarkonda informed that the seized materials included 100 IDEAL Boost CDA, APEX CORD totalling 6,500 kg of cartridges and 115 detonators (each 750 metre long). Th ...Read More >
Mumbai: Environmentalists have vehemently opposed the proposed relaxation in sand extraction permissions and environmental clearances for residents near sandbeds in the draft Sand Mining policy (released on Jan 30, 2025). The policy, which awaits public hearing, has drawn significant criticism regarding its suggested amendments for local sand usage without following prescribed tender processes and environmental protocols. Awaaz Foundation's Sumaira Abdulali has consistently corresponded with the government for two decades regarding the detrimental environmental impact of manual sand mining at ...Read More >
Itanagar: A total of 89 different bird species were recorded during a two-day bird survey conducted by the Arunachal Pradesh Birding Club at Nongsaya Lake, located at Jona in Namsai district.The survey was conducted earlier this year in association with the public works department, Namsai division, conservationist Koj Mama said.Nongsaya Lake, situated around 9km from Namsai district headquarters, offers an opportunity for biodiversity protection. Its surrounding environment has the potential for bird and butterfly conservation, as well as providing natural spaces for environmental education an ...Read More >
Sambalpur: The population of Indian bison (Gaur) in Debrigarh wildlife sanctuary has increased to 788 from 659 in six months, a forest officer said. The authorities of Hirakud Wildlife Division conducted the census from May 11 to May 13 this year and published the report Friday. As per the report, the total number of Indian bison in the wildlife sanctuary is 788, which includes 315 juveniles (less than 2 years old) and 128 newborns (less than 3 months old). Of the total bison population, 315 (40 per cent) are juvenile. For the first time, the census of Indian bison was conducted at Debrigarh d ...Read More >
Meanwhile, the state health department has been instructed to submit a report on preventing the spread of H5 Avian Influenza to humans A bird flu alert was issued in Uttar Pradesh this Wednesday, with orders issued on guidelines for prevention against the potential threat of H5 Avian Influenza. After a review, the Chief Minister directed all the concerned departments to ensure the safety of the "protected animals and birds", warning against negligence. Meanwhile, the state health department ha ...Read More >
He said the global recognition reflects the state's rich biodiversity, diverse bird habitats, and sustained water-conservation efforts. Ramsar sites are wetlands of international importance designated under the Ramsar Convention, headquartered in Gland, Switzerland. The Chhattisgarh government had submitted a proposal to the Centre seeking Ramsar site status for the Kopra Reservoir last month. Also Read: Countries adopt India's wetland use resolution at Ramsar Cop15 On the direction of State ...Read More >
New Delhi, November 7: The National Zoological Park (NZP) would reopen for visitors on Saturday ending a two-month break forced by the outbreak of influenza in an enclosure, an official said on Friday. The Delhi Zoo official informed that usual safety and preventive measures shall be followed after its re-opening for visitors. The NZP was closed for visitors on August 30, 2025, after the report of positive case of avian influenza virus in water bird aviary on August 28, said the official in a statement. All prescribed bio-safety and surveillance guidelines issued by the competent authorities ...Read More >
Bilaspur: The Kopra Reservoir in Chhattisgarh has been declared a Ramsar site. In the coming days, this reservoir located in Sakri village of Bilaspur district is set to emerge as a centre for environmental conservation and eco-tourism. This site is located at a distance of 15 km from Bilaspur city. The international recognition granted to this reservoir has strengthened its global importance while putting the onus on Chhattisgarh for its conservation. Chhattisgarh's Forest and Climate Change Minister Kedar Kashyap pointed out that the Kopra Reservoir has received this honour due to its uniqu ...Read More >
MUMBAI: HUL on Thursday named Priya Nair, who heads parent Unilever's beauty & wellbeing business, as MD & CEO. Nair, who joined HUL 30 years ago, will be the first woman to lead the consumer goods giant. The London-based Nair, 53, will take over the corner office in Mumbai on Aug 1, succeeding Rohit Jawa who will step down as MD & CEO on July 31. Jawa, who led HUL for a little over two years, was appointed for a five-year term ending June 26, 2028. His predecessor Sanjiv Mehta had held the CEO's office for 10 years. Nair has been appointed for five years. Analysts termed the development as su ...Read More >
Kendrapada: Bhitarkanika National Park will reopen its gates to tourists on Friday after being shut for three months from May 1 to July 31 to protect the mating and nesting saltwater crocodiles. In preparation for the reopening, the forest department has renovated a 600-meter-long wooden canopy bridge, situated 15 metres above the ground in the mangrove forest, said Manas Das, the assistant conservator of forest (ACF) of the park.This bridge offers tourists an extraordinary opportunity to observe ...Read More >
GUWAHATI The Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve, home to the most one-horned rhinos on earth, recorded 146 species in the latest bird survey, Assam's wildlife officials said on Sunday (October 19, 2025). The survey by the Assam Bird Monitoring Network in collaboration with the Kaziranga authorities was timed with Kati Bihu on Saturday. It was conducted across five key locations - Agoratoli, Gamiri, Panbari, and Panpur ranges of the national park and the adjoining Laokhowa Wildlife Sanctu ...Read More >
Jaipur/Udaipur: Two wetlands in Rajasthan -- Khichan in Phalodi and Menar in Udaipur -- were declared Ramsar Sites, raising India's total count to 91. With the addition of these wetlands, Rajasthan now has four Ramsar sites, including Sambhar Salt Lake and Keoladeo Ghana National Park in Bharatpur. India has the highest number of such Wetlands in Asia.The announcement came on the eve of World Environment Day 2025, reinforcing Rajasthan's commitment to preserving its natural ecosystems. Menar, oft ...Read More >
Thane: On the occasion of World Environment Day on Thursday, over 100 residents of Thane participated in a protest against the "beautification" of Kavesar lake, saying construction activities were destroying the pristine environment and the trees being planted as part of the beautification drive were not suited for wetlands. The Thane Municipal Commissioner took note of the protest and halted the scheduled plantation event. The protest began around 8:45am when over 100 residents dressed in black assembled with placards at the lake's main entrance in Hiranandani Estate. They called for an imme ...Read More >
NEW DELHI: Bringing down the curtain on the proceedings initiated against misleading advertisements for medicinal products, the Supreme Court has closed the case filed by the Indian Medical Association (IMA) against Patanjali Ayurved and its founders.A bench of Justices B V Nagarathna and K V Viswanathan said no further hearing was needed as the court had already passed various orders and the purpose of the case had been achieved. "By various orders, the prayers of the WP have been achieved and do not survive for further consideration. Hence, the writ petition stands disposed of. Liberty is al ...Read More >
Navi Mumbai: Fresh studies indicate that there is no threat from water birds to aircraft at the upcoming Navi Mumbai International Airport (NMIA). However, environmentalists have called for the prompt notification of wetlands to facilitate the conservation of biodiversity in the city. The water birds moving across the wetlands tend to fly at lower heights than the flight path of the aircraft, the Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS) reported after studying avian species' behavioural patterns at reservoirs and lakes extensively.BNHS stated, "It appears that aircraft taking off or landing on NM ...Read More >
Pigeon feeding will be allowed only between 7 am and 9 am at the four sites, the civic body said. Mumbai: Mumbai's civic body on Friday said it has permitted "controlled feeding" of pigeons at four new locations in the city for two hours in the morning. In a release, the Brihanmumbai Municipal Corporation said this is an interim measure until a report from an expert committee and further orders from the High Courts are received. "Pigeon feeding will be allowed at Worli Reservoir in G South wa ...Read More >