Annatto: As informed by the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), the CSIR–Central Food Technological Research Institute (CSIR–CFTRI), Mysuru had undertaken four Grant-in-Aid projects related to the study and development of annatto. It is a natural food colouring and flavoring agent obtained from the seeds of the achiote tree (Bixa orellana), native to the […]
Category: Environment Current Affairs
Channa bhoi
Channa bhoi: Scientists recently discovered a new species of snakehead fish named Channa bhoi from Meghalaya. Channa bhoi is a new species of snakehead fish. It was discovered from a small mountain stream near Iewmawlong village in the Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya. It has been named Channa bhoi, after the indigenous Bhoi people of the […]
Red-Shanked Douc Monkey
Red-Shanked Douc Monkey: Customs officials at the Kempegowda International Airport (KIA) arrested a passenger who was smuggling two red-shanked douc monkeys. It is an Old World monkey which is considered as a “Queen of primates”. They occur in subtropical and tropical broadleaf evergreen or semi-deciduous forests and to a lesser extent in secondary evergreen and […]
Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary
Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary: Community-led conservation efforts at the Chakrashila Wildlife Sanctuary have successfully restored wild honey bee colonies and revitalized associated wildlife. It is locatеd in thе Kokrajhar and Dhubri districts of Assam. The sanctuary is well-known as the second protected habitat for the endangered golden langur. There are two lakes (Dheer Beel and Diplai […]
Black-capped Capuchin Monkey
Black-capped Capuchin Monkey: The Bannerghatta Biological Park (BBP) has imported eight black-capped capuchin monkeys (Sapajus apella) from South Africa under an animal exchange programme. Black-capped capuchin (Sapajus apella) is also known as tufted capuchins. It is native to South America, where they are ubiquitous throughout the Amazon River Basin. It is mainly found in tropical, […]
Vellode Bird Sanctuary
Vellode Bird Sanctuary: Migratory birds have begun arriving at the Vellode Bird Sanctuary at Vadamugam Vellode, located 12 km from Erode. Vellode Bird Sanctuary is one of the most famous bird sanctuaries located in Tamil Nadu. The sanctuary receives rainfall from the Northeast monsoon between September and December. It is part of Central Asian Flyway. […]
Illicit Cannabis Cultivation in Kandhamal
Illicit Cannabis Cultivation in Kandhamal: The verdant hills of Kandhamal district in Odisha have emerged as a major hotspot of illicit cannabis cultivation, drawing national attention due to record seizures in 2025.Kandhamal is known for geographical indication (GI)-tagged Kandhamal turmeric, yet economic distress has pushed villagers towards illicit cultivation, underscoring gaps in inclusive rural development.
Mangroves as Ecological Buffers
Mangroves as Ecological Buffers: A study published in Current Biology has revealed how mangrove plants survive extreme saltwater conditions, offering insights that could help develop salt-tolerant crops amid climate change and rising sea levels.A Current Biology study reveals that mangroves survive extreme salinity through unique cell-level adaptations such as thick cell walls and specialised salt […]
Tapanuli Orangutan
Tapanuli Orangutan: Scientists fear that Cyclone Senyar may have swept away a significant number of Tapanuli orangutans. The Tapanuli orangutan (Pongo tapanuliensis) is a species of orangutan found in the island of Sumatra in Indonesia. It is one of three known species of orangutan, alongside the Sumatran orangutan, found farther northwest on the island, and […]
Death Valley National Park
Death Valley National Park: After record-breaking rains, an ancient lake in Death Valley national park that had vanished has returned to view. It is a desert valley located in the southeastern part of California, United States. It is the hottest and driest place in North America. It is the location of the highest temperature ever […]


