1. Southern Right Whale

Southern right whales are giving birth to fewer calves, indicating the impact of climate change on marine ecosystems.
About:
The southern right whale (Eubalaena australis) is one of four right whale species. Like all whales, it is a marine mammal that breathes air at the surface. The name “right whale” originated from whalers who found them easy to hunt and valuable.
Distribution: Found across the Southern Hemisphere, from sheltered bays to the cold Antarctic waters; they visit South Africa’s coast between May and November.
Features: Dark gray or black in color, up to 18 m long and 60 tons in weight. They have large heads with distinctive white calluses that host parasites and thick blubber for insulation.
Conservation Status: Least Concern (IUCN).

2. Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project

The Centre has approved environmental clearance for the 1,856 MW Sawalkote Hydro Electric Project on the Chenab River in Jammu & Kashmir.
About:
Planned in Ramban district, this will be the UT’s largest hydropower project, implemented by NHPC at a cost of ₹31,380 crore.
Key Facts:

• Conceptualized in the 1980s; revised multiple times for environmental reasons.

• Includes a 5 m concrete dam and underground powerhouses generating ~7,534 million units annually.

• Expected to make J&K power-surplus and improve water management.

• Supports India’s utilization of western river waters under the Indus Waters Treaty.

3. Diethylene Glycol (DEG)

At least 14 children in Madhya Pradesh died after consuming syrup contaminated with toxic diethylene glycol (DEG).
About:
DEG (C₄H₁₀O₃) is a colorless, odorless liquid used in antifreeze, brake fluids, and solvents. Though soluble in water, it is not safe for human consumption.
Toxicity:
When ingested, it metabolizes into harmful compounds causing severe kidney failure and death. Symptoms include nausea, abdominal pain, and rapid renal shutdown.

4. Palamau Tiger Reserve

During Wildlife Week, traditional hunters near Palamau Tiger Reserve in Jharkhand surrendered weapons to support wildlife protection.
About:
Located in Latehar district on the Chhotanagpur Plateau, the reserve is part of Betla National Park and covers ~1,026 sq km.
Highlights:

• One of India’s first nine tiger reserves under Project Tiger.

• The first site where a tiger census (pugmark method) was conducted in 1932.

• Terrain: valleys, hills, and plains with three rivers—North Koyal, Auranga, and Burha.

• Rich in minerals like bauxite and coal.

• Flora & Fauna: Sal and bamboo forests; species include tiger, elephant, leopard, gaur, sloth bear, and wolf.

5. Tele MANAS

On World Mental Health Day 2025, new initiatives were launched for the National Tele Mental Health Programme (Tele MANAS).
About:
Launched in 2022 by the Ministry of Health, Tele MANAS provides 24×7 affordable mental health care across India.
Structure:

• Tier 1: State cells with counsellors and specialists for Tele-counselling and consultation.

• Tier 2: DMHP and medical college specialists for in-person or e-Sanjeevani consultations.
  New Features:
  Mobile app with multilingual interface (12 languages), chatbot “Asmi,” self-care tools, and emergency support.

6. Araneus nox

Researchers have recorded Araneus nox, a spider species, for the first time in India at Idukki Wildlife Sanctuary, Kerala.
About:
Commonly known as the Leathery Garden Orb-weaver, it belongs to the Araneidae family and was first identified in 1877 by Eugène Simon in the Philippines.
Habitat: Forests, gardens, and vegetation-rich areas.
Distribution: Found across Southeast Asia—Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Myanmar, Thailand, and Vietnam.
Features: Small to medium-sized spider with a leathery, textured abdomen and coloration from light brown to black.
Orb-Weaving Spiders: Known for their symmetrical, circular webs suspended in open air.

7. International Telecommunication Union (ITU)

The DoT and ITU co-hosted the ‘AI for Good Summit’ at India Mobile Congress 2025 in New Delhi.
About:
ITU, a UN agency for ICTs, was founded in 1865 (as the International Telegraph Union) and became a UN specialized agency in 1947.
Functions:

• Allocate global radio spectrum and satellite orbits.

• Develop telecom and ICT standards.

• Promote ICT access in underserved regions.
  India’s Role: Member since 1869; Council member since 1952.
  Headquarters: Geneva, Switzerland.
  India Mobile Congress (IMC): Asia’s largest tech forum organized by DoT and COAI to explore digital transformation and AI innovation.

8. SPARK–4.0 Initiative

The Ministry of Ayush’s CCRAS launched SPARK–4.0 to promote Ayurveda research among students.
About:
SPARK (Studentship Program for Ayurveda Research Ken) supports 300 BAMS students nationwide with ₹50,000 scholarships for short-term research projects.
Features:
Provides hands-on training in research methods, data analysis, and experimental design under faculty mentorship.
Encourages institutions to offer facilities and guidance, with certificates awarded upon project completion.
Significance: Builds scientific capacity in Ayurveda by blending traditional wisdom with modern research.

9. Atacama Desert

Scientists are studying the resilient flower Cistanthe longiscapa in Chile’s Atacama Desert to understand drought tolerance in crops.
About the Desert:
The world’s driest desert, located in northern Chile between the Andes and the Pacific, stretching nearly 1,000 km.
Features:

• Rainfall: ~1 mm annually; some parts never receive rain.

• Temperature: Mild year-round (~18°C).

• Rich in sodium nitrate deposits.

• Home to ancient Chinchorro mummies.
  About Cistanthe longiscapa:
  Known as “pata de guanaco,” it blooms after rare rains and can switch between CAM and C3 photosynthesis—key for survival in extreme drought.

10. Kharasrota River

A woman was recently killed by a saltwater crocodile in Odisha’s Kharasrota River.
About:
The Kharasrota River, a tributary of the Brahmani, originates from the Eastern Ghats in Keonjhar district and flows through Jajpur and Kendrapara before merging near the Dhamra estuary.
Significance:
Supports irrigation and drinking water in Jajpur and Kendrapara.
The region’s Mega Drinking Water Project has faced protests over fears of reduced agricultural water supply.