Recently, the National Highways Authority of India released the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI).

About the National Highways Green Cover Index

The NH-GCI is an initiative developed by the National Highways Authority of India in collaboration with the National Remote Sensing Centre under Indian Space Research Organisation.

It aims to provide a scientific and quantitative assessment of green cover within the Right of Way (RoW) along National Highways using advanced space-based technologies.

Methodology Used

The NH-GCI uses satellite-based remote sensing techniques to assess vegetation cover.

• It relies on chlorophyll content detection through high-resolution satellite sensors.

• The analysis is based on the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index, which measures vegetation health and density.

• Assessment is conducted for every one-kilometre highway stretch, ensuring detailed monitoring.

• It includes plantation cover along both sides of roads and medians wherever feasible.

Coverage

The index currently covers approximately 30,000 km of National Highways across 24 states for the period July–December 2024.

Significance of NH-GCI

The NH-GCI provides a robust, reliable, and cost-effective mechanism for assessing green cover along highways.

• It enables comparison and ranking of highway stretches based on vegetation cover

• Helps in identifying gaps and planning targeted plantation drives

• Supports sustainable infrastructure development and climate goals

Conclusion

The National Highways Green Cover Index represents a major advancement in integrating technology with environmental management.

The interim update of the UN State of the World’s Migratory Species Report 2024 highlights a worrying global trend, stating that 49% of migratory species populations are declining under the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals.

Key Findings of the Report

Population Decline and Rising Extinction Risk

The report shows that nearly half of all CMS-listed species are experiencing population decline, while only 38% are stable or increasing. At the same time, the share of species facing extinction has risen to 24%.

Deteriorating Conservation Status

Out of 386 species reassessed since 2022, 34 species have shifted to different conservation categories, with most moving to more threatened categories on the IUCN Red List.

A significant proportion of these are migratory shorebirds (69%), which are particularly vulnerable due to habitat degradation at breeding and stopover sites.

Emerging and Persistent Threats

Migratory species are facing multiple threats, both new and existing.

• Avian Flu (H5N1): The emergence of highly pathogenic avian influenza has caused mass mortality in birds and marine mammals, including penguins and seals.

• Habitat Loss and Fragmentation: Infrastructure development such as roads and railways is disrupting migration routes, reducing mobility and survival rates.

• Overexploitation and Bycatch: Marine species like sharks and rays are heavily affected by overfishing, while raptors face threats from poisoning and collisions.

• Conservation Success Stories

Despite the overall negative trends, the report also highlights successful conservation outcomes. Species like the Scimitar-horned Oryx, Saiga Antelope, and Mediterranean Monk Seal have shown recovery due to targeted interventions.

What are Migratory Species?

Migratory species are animals that move periodically between different geographical regions for breeding, feeding, or resting. These movements are predictable and essential for their survival.

They include a wide range of species such as birds, mammals, fish, reptiles, and even insects.

About the CMS (Bonn Convention)

The Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals is an international treaty adopted in 1979 to protect migratory species and their habitats. It is administered by the United Nations Environment Programme and came into force in 1983.

The Convention classifies species into:

• Appendix I: Species that are endangered and require strict protection

• Appendix II: Species that need international cooperation for conservation

India’s Role in Migratory Species Conservation

India holds significant importance due to its location along major migratory routes, especially the Central Asian Flyway, which supports numerous bird species.

It is home to several migratory species, including birds like the Siberian Crane, mammals like the Asian Elephant, and marine species such as the Olive Ridley Turtle.

Measures Needed for Conservation

Habitat Protection and Restoration

Efforts must focus on expanding protected areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, and ensuring ecological connectivity between habitats.

Reducing Overexploitation

Strict regulations are required to curb illegal hunting, overfishing, and bycatch, along with stronger international cooperation.

Controlling Pollution

Measures should be taken to reduce light pollution, plastic waste, pesticide use, and underwater noise that affect migratory species.

Addressing Climate Change

Climate-resilient conservation strategies, including ecosystem restoration and careful planning of renewable energy projects, are essential.

Conclusion

The report serves as a critical warning about the declining state of migratory species globally. However, it also shows that effective conservation actions can yield positive results

An Indian Armed Forces contingent is participating in the 11th edition of Exercise LAMITIYE-2026 with the Seychelles Defence Forces in Seychelles. This reflects the continued strengthening of defence ties between the two nations.

About Exercise LAMITIYE

Exercise LAMITIYE is a joint military exercise conducted between India and Seychelles. The term “LAMITIYE” means “Friendship” in the Creole language, symbolizing the cordial relationship between the two countries. It is a biennial exercise that has been held in Seychelles since 2001.

Participating Contingents

The Indian contingent includes personnel from the ASSAM Regiment, along with participation from the Indian Navy and the Indian Air Force. Key assets involved in the exercise include INS Trikand and a C-130 aircraft, highlighting joint operational capability.

Exercise LAMITIYE 2026: Key Features

The 2026 edition is significant as it marks the participation of all three services of the Indian Armed Forces. The exercise focuses on enhancing cooperation in sub-conventional operations in semi-urban environments and improving interoperability during peacekeeping missions.

Both sides will jointly train, plan, and execute tactical drills aimed at neutralizing potential threats while also showcasing new-generation military equipment and technologies.

Training Components

The exercise includes a variety of activities such as field training exercises, combat discussions, case studies, lectures, and demonstrations. These activities will culminate in a final validation exercise to assess the effectiveness of the training.

Conclusion

Exercise LAMITIYE plays an important role in strengthening defence cooperation between India and Seychelles. It enhances operational coordination, builds mutual trust, and contributes to regional security in the Indian Ocean Region

Recently, the Forest Survey of India discontinued its Anavaran Deforestation Alert System, which was designed to monitor forest cover loss across the country.

About Anavaran Portal

The Anavaran Portal is a digital monitoring system that has been operational since January 2024. It was developed to track deforestation and forest cover loss using advanced technologies.

The system enabled the Forest Survey of India to issue location-specific alerts every 15 days to state authorities, allowing them to conduct targeted field inspections.

Technology Used in Anavaran System

The Anavaran alert system relied on advanced geospatial technologies:

• It was built on the Google Earth Engine platform.

• It used Sentinel-2 satellite imagery for high-resolution optical data.

• To ensure monitoring during cloudy and monsoon seasons, it integrated Sentinel-1 Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) data.

Forest Survey of India (FSI)

The Forest Survey of India is a premier national organization under the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change.

Establishment

It was established on June 1, 1981, succeeding the Preinvestment Survey of Forest Resources (PISFR), which was initiated in 1965 with support from FAO and UNDP.

Mandate

The FSI is responsible for:

• Assessment and monitoring of forest resources in India

• Conducting research, training, and extension activities

State of Forest Report

FSI has been publishing the State of Forest Report biennially since 1987. This report provides a comprehensive assessment of forest and tree cover using:

• Remote sensing satellite data

• National Forest Inventory (field data)

Conclusion

The discontinuation of the Anavaran system highlights the need for robust and continuous technological monitoring mechanisms to combat deforestation.

India has submitted its 7th National Report to the Convention on Biological Diversity, providing a comprehensive assessment of progress toward 23 National Biodiversity Targets (NBTs) and 142 indicators aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

The report highlights that only two out of the 23 targets are currently on track, while others lack quantitative evidence and clear projections for 2030.

Key Facts about the 7th National Report

About the Report

This is India’s first full progress assessment since the adoption of the KMGBF in 2022. It evaluates the country’s readiness to halt biodiversity loss by 2030.

Preparation and Scope

The report was prepared by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change with inputs from:

• 33 central ministries

• Wildlife Institute of India

• National Biodiversity Authority

• Technical support from United Nations Development Programme

Significance of the Report

As one of the world’s megadiverse countries, India’s performance is crucial for global biodiversity outcomes. The findings contribute to global tracking of KMGBF targets, including the “30x30” conservation goal.

Targets on Track

NBT 1: Biodiversity-Inclusive Planning

India has made steady progress in integrating biodiversity into planning:

• Forest and tree cover reached 25.17% (827,357 sq km)

• Increase of 1,445.81 sq km between 2021–2023

• Wetland inventories completed and environmental approvals streamlined

NBT 2: Ecosystem Restoration

• 24.1 million hectares restored or under restoration against the Bonn Challenge target of 26 million hectares

• Forest carbon stock increased significantly

• Expansion of mangroves, bamboo areas, and marine protected areas

Critical Challenges and Concerns

Land Degradation

About 29.77% of India’s geographical area (97 million hectares) is undergoing degradation, indicating that degradation may be outpacing restoration efforts.

Conservation Coverage (30x30 Goal)

Only around 5% of India’s area is under formal protection, raising doubts about achieving the 30% conservation target by 2030.

Species Recovery Bias

While progress is highlighted for flagship species such as tigers, Asiatic lions, and rhinos, there is limited data on lesser-known species.

Data Gaps and Monitoring Issues

Biodiversity data is fragmented across departments, with no uniform methodology, making long-term monitoring difficult.

Financial and Technical Constraints

Limited funding and technical capacity, along with climate change impacts (floods, droughts, forest fires), hinder conservation efforts.

Agriculture and Invasive Species

The report lacks detailed quantitative analysis on:

• Pesticide use

• Nutrient runoff

• Invasive species control

Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF)

About

The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted at CBD COP15 in 2022 to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and achieve harmony with nature by 2050.

Structure

• 4 long-term goals (2050 vision)

• 23 action-oriented targets (2030 milestones)

30x30 Target

The framework aims to conserve 30% of global land, inland water, and marine areas by 2030, a major increase from current levels.

Implementation

Countries must align national targets, update biodiversity strategies, and establish robust monitoring systems.

Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)

About

The Convention on Biological Diversity is an international treaty established at the 1992 Rio Earth Summit for biodiversity conservation.

Core Objectives

• Conservation of biodiversity

• Sustainable use of biological resources

• Fair and equitable sharing of benefits

Scope

The CBD covers biodiversity at all levels—genetic, species, and ecosystem—across terrestrial and aquatic environments.

Key Protocols

• Cartagena Protocol (2000): Focuses on biosafety of genetically modified organisms

• Nagoya Protocol (2010): Ensures fair benefit-sharing from genetic resources

Conclusion

India’s 7th National Report highlights significant progress in select areas, but also reveals major gaps in achieving biodiversity targets.