1. Gangetic Dolphin

The first-ever population estimate of Gangetic dolphins, India's only riverine dolphin species, has recorded 6,327 individuals in the Ganga River and its tributaries.

About the Gangetic Dolphin:

• A freshwater species, it is among the few river dolphins found globally.
• Its habitat spans the Ganges-Brahmaputra-Meghna and Karnaphuli-Sangu river systems across Nepal, India, and Bangladesh.
• Common Names: Blind dolphin, Ganges dolphin, Ganges susu, hihu, side-swimming dolphin, South Asian River Dolphin
• Scientific Name: Platanista gangetica
• Recognized as the National Aquatic Animal of India.

Physical Characteristics:

• Features a long, slender snout, rounded belly, robust body, and large flippers.
• Can weigh up to 150 kg.
• Newborns are chocolate brown, transitioning to a greyish-brown shade in adulthood with smooth, hairless skin.
• Females are larger, reaching up to 2.67 m, while males grow to 2.12 m.
• Feeds primarily on fish and is commonly found in the counter-current systems of main river channels.
• It is blind, as its eyes lack lenses, relying on an advanced bio-sonar system for navigation and hunting in murky waters.
• Produces ultrasonic sounds to detect prey, capturing an image mentally before seizing it.
• Must surface every 30-120 seconds to breathe.
• Popularly known as ‘Susu’ due to the sound it emits while breathing.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN: Endangered
• Wildlife Protection Act (India): Schedule-I
• CITES: Appendix I

2. Marbled Cat

Recent camera trap footage has recorded the elusive marbled cat in Assam’s Dehing Patkai National Park, located in Tinsukia district.

About the Marbled Cat:

• A small wild cat species (Pardofelis marmorata) native to South and Southeast Asia.
• Closely related to the clouded leopard (Neofelis nebulosa) and bay cat (Catopuma badia).

Distribution:

• Found in India, Nepal, Bhutan, Bangladesh, Myanmar, Thailand, and Laos.
• In India, it primarily inhabits the forests of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Meghalaya, and Nagaland.

Key Features:

• Distinguished by its marbled fur pattern—brown or gray coat with black spots and stripes, aiding in camouflage.
• Males weigh between 4.5 to 9 kg, while females range from 2.5 to 5 kg.
• Exceptional climbers, capable of leaping great distances between trees.
• Territorial, marking its domain with urine and scent marking.
• Solitary in nature, spending most of its time alone.

Conservation Status:

• IUCN Red List: Near Threatened

3. Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary

Madhya Pradesh, home to India's largest wolf population, has initiated an ecological study on wolves within Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary.

About Nauradehi Wildlife Sanctuary:

• Spans across Sagar, Damoh, and Narsinghpur districts in Madhya Pradesh.
• Established as a wildlife sanctuary in 1975.
• Covers an area of 1,197 sq. km, making it the largest wildlife sanctuary in Madhya Pradesh.
• Located on a plateau in the Upper Vindhyan Range.
• Functions as a corridor linking Panna Tiger Reserve and Satpura Tiger Reserve, indirectly connecting Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve via Rani Durgawati Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Classified under the Deccan Peninsula biogeographic region, forming part of the Ganga and Narmada basins.

Rivers & Drainage:

• Three-fourths of the sanctuary falls within the Yamuna River Basin (Ken River tributary).
• One-fourth is in the Narmada Basin.
• Major rivers: Kopra, Bamner, Vyarma, and Bearma (tributaries of the Ken River).

Vegetation & Wildlife:

• Vegetation: Predominantly dry mixed-deciduous forests.
• Flora: Teak, sal, tendu, mahua, and other native tree species.
• Fauna: Nilgai, chinkara, chital, sambhar, blackbuck, barking deer, langurs, macaques, along with various bird and reptile species.

4. Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3)

The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs recently introduced the Cities Coalition for Circularity (C-3) initiative.

About C-3:

• A multi-nation alliance aimed at city-to-city collaboration, knowledge sharing, and private-sector partnerships.
• Announced at the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum in Jaipur.
• Designed to promote resource efficiency and low-carbon economies through joint efforts of policymakers, industry leaders, and researchers.

About the 12th Regional 3R and Circular Economy Forum:

• Theme: Realizing Circular Societies Towards Achieving SDGs and Carbon Neutrality in Asia-Pacific.
• Venue: Rajasthan International Centre, Jaipur, India.
• Organized by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (India), UNCRD, IGES.
• Supported by: UNESCAP, Japan’s Ministry of Environment, and other international organizations.
• Outcome: Adoption of the Jaipur Declaration (2025-2034)—a nonpolitical, nonbinding commitment to sustainable urban development.

Understanding Circular Economy:

• A system where materials are continually repurposed, reducing waste and regenerating natural resources.
• Emphasizes reuse, refurbishment, remanufacturing, recycling, and composting.
• Helps combat climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and finite resource depletion.

5. Mission 300

The World Bank, African Development Bank (AfDB), and key partners have recently launched Mission 300 to expand electrification in Sub-Saharan Africa.

About Mission 300:

• This ambitious initiative aims to provide electricity to 300 million people in Sub-Saharan Africa by 2030.
• It seeks to accelerate electrification while promoting cleaner, more diverse energy sources to meet rising demand, foster economic growth, and create jobs.
• Led by: The World Bank and AfDB, in collaboration with the Rockefeller Foundation, Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet (GEAPP), Sustainable Energy for All (SE4ALL), and Energy Sector Management Assistance Program (ESMAP).

Key Components:

• Expanding electric grids and increasing access in underserved regions.
• Deploying mini-grids and standalone solar solutions to electrify remote, off-grid areas.
• Actively involving local communities in the design and implementation of all World Bank-supported Mission 300 projects.
• The initiative aims to deliver reliable, sustainable, and affordable electricity to homes, businesses, schools, and hospitals across the continent.

6. Lake Tanganyika

Countries bordering the Lake Tanganyika Basin have initiated a five-year project to assess and address transboundary threats to its biodiversity.

About Lake Tanganyika:

• One of the world’s oldest and deepest lakes, located in East Africa.
• Bordering Countries: Burundi, Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Tanzania, and Zambia.
• At over 400 miles long, it is the longest freshwater lake in the world.
• Situated in the Western Rift Valley, with steep rising land along most of its shores.
• The lake is a transition zone between the floral regions of eastern and western Africa, with oil palms characteristic of western African flora growing along its shores.

Hydrology & Economy:

• Major inflowing rivers: Malagarasi, Ruzizi, and others.
• Outlet: Lukuga River, which flows into the Lualaba River.
• Economic activities: Rice cultivation, subsistence farming, and fishing.

Recent Initiative:

• Led by: United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP)
• Funded by: Global Environment Facility (GEF)
• Objectives:
  • Strengthen transboundary cooperation among Burundi, DRC, Tanzania, and Zambia.
  • Promote sustainable fisheries, biodiversity conservation, and ecosystem restoration.
  • Establish protected conservation zones and encourage sustainable resource use in buffer areas.

7. Ferrihydrite

A recent study suggests that the red color of Mars may be due to the presence of ferrihydrite, an iron-containing mineral.

About Ferrihydrite:

• A poorly crystalline nanomineral composed of ~20% (FeO₄) and ~80% (FeO₆) polyhedra.
• Formation: Develops through rapid oxidation and hydrolysis, often exhibiting structural disorder.
• Acts as a precursor to more stable iron minerals like goethite (α-FeO(OH)) and hematite (α-Fe₂O₃).

Occurrence:

• Found in soils, weathered rock, and around cold/hot springs with iron-metabolizing bacteria.
• Present in acid mine effluents and forms as a byproduct of iron bacteria metabolism (e.g., Gallionella ferruginea, Leptothrix ochracea).
• Known for trapping water and protecting organic molecules.
• Common in soils under cool, moist conditions and identified in meteorites as a pre-terrestrial weathering product.

8. Narwhals

For the first time, scientists have recorded narwhals using their tusks for hunting.

About Narwhals:

• Also called narwhale (Monodon monoceros), they are medium-sized toothed whales.
• Their long, spiral tusk, an elongated tooth, gives them a distinct appearance.

Features:

• Color changes with age:
  • Newborns: Blue-gray
  • Juveniles: Blue-black
  • Adults: Mottled gray
  • Older narwhals: Nearly all white
• Tusk characteristics:
  • Extends from the male’s upper jaw and has millions of nerve endings.
  • Used in mating displays and competition for mates.
  • Helps investigate, manipulate, and influence prey behavior.
  • Capable of stunning fish (e.g., Arctic char).

Behavior & Distribution:

• Mating: Polygynous, occurs from March to May.
• Birth: A single calf, born tail-first; tusk development begins after one year.
• Diet: Greenland halibut, Arctic/polar cod, squid, shrimp.
• Habitat: Arctic waters of Canada, Greenland, Norway, Russia.

Threats & Conservation:

• Threats: Climate change, oil & gas development.
• IUCN Status: Near Threatened

9. Proton Exchange Membrane Fuel Cell (PEMFC)

The Centre for Fuel Cell Technology (CFCT) has showcased a PEM fuel cell-based backup power solution for telecom towers using a plug-and-play model.

About PEM Fuel Cells:

• Converts hydrogen and oxygen into electricity through a redox reaction.
• Unlike traditional batteries, PEM fuel cells require a continuous fuel supply (hydrogen and oxygen).
• Process:
  • Hydrogen gas enters the anode, where it releases protons.
  • Protons pass through a polymer membrane to the cathode.
  • Reaction with oxygen at the cathode produces electricity and water.

Advantages:

• Environmentally friendly with high power density in a compact form.
• Operates at low temperatures and requires minimal maintenance.
• Offers a quick start-up time compared to conventional backup systems.

Applications:

• Reliable backup power for telecom towers, aligning with national renewable energy goals.
• Portable power for laptops, mobile devices, battery chargers, drones.