Environment

NEW DELHI: Researchers have confirmed the discovery of a new species of dragonfly, Lyriothemis keralensis, from the low-lying coastal regions of Kerala. Commonly called the Slender Bombardier, the species was formally identified after more than ten years of research, according to news agency PTI.The breakthrough study was carried out by a team led by Dr…

Gurgaon: Cracking down on illegal mining on private land, possibly spilling over to the eco sensitive Aravali belt, Punjab and Haryana High Court has directed the Charkhi Dadri mining officer and collector to conduct site inspections. They must file personal affidavits placing verified facts on record, while also ensuring compliance with mining rules, environmental clearance…

PARIS: In an ironic twist, lower air pollution during Covid lockdowns fuelled an unprecedented surge in the powerful greenhouse gas methane in the early 2020s, a study said Thursday.Methane levels rose at a record pace in the wake of the pandemic as the super pollutant’s main natural “cleaning agent” weakened during that period, the research…

NICOSIA: The European Union’s climate commissioner on Friday announced a continentwide force of 300 firefighters to battle wildfires, after Europe faced its worst year for wildfires in 2025, which a recent study said was intensified by climate change. EU Climate Commissioner Wopke Hoekstra said Friday the “rapid reaction force” will be made up of firefighters…

A cherry blossom festival boasting a highly Instagrammable view of Japan’s Mount Fuji has been cancelled after residents complained of overtourism fuelled by the weak yen.The city of Fujiyoshida, in central Japan’s Yamanashi region, said Tuesday that the weeks-long event attracting around 200,000 people will be called off this year because “the quiet lives of…

NEW DELHI: Delhi Environment Minister Manjinder Singh Sirsa announced that two key restrictions under the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP-4) will now remain in effect to tackle the city’s persistent air pollution.Speaking to the media, Sirsa said vehicles will not be provided petrol without a valid Pollution Under Control Certificate (PUCC) until further notice. “Out…

New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) Vice Chairperson Kuljeet Singh Chahal on Sunday planted a sapling under the ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ campaign in Sarojini Vihar.After the event, Chahal told that locals have pledged to plant trees.“The ‘Ek Ped Maa Ke Naam’ initiative has become a movement, a campaign. Our NDMC has taken on this…

NEW DELHI: Delhi government will use nature-based solutions (NbS) to treat polluted water in different drains before it enters the Yamuna. NbS is an eco-friendly initiative for pollution abatement that treats raw sewage on-site. Under the initiative, approved by the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) last week, government will use rock filters, stone masonry…

Gurgaon: Citizens campaigning for the protection of Aravali hills on Sunday urged Centre to push for Unesco Biosphere Reserve status for it to “ensure long-term protection”.Aravalli Bachao Citizens Movement (ABCM) also called for a comprehensive plan to restore the entire 76,000 sq km landscape, instead of what they described as fragmented “definition-led” approaches tied to…

NEW DELHI: Microplastics could be impacting the oceans’ ability to absorb carbon dioxide (CO2) which is critical for regulating Earth’s temperature, according to a research. ‘Biological carbon pumping’ is a natural process by which an ocean transfers carbon from the atmosphere into the deep sea layers. “Microplastics (MPs) interfere with this process by reducing phytoplankton…