This article presents the Environment Current Affairs of September, useful for UPSC, State PCS, and other competitive exams.
🚢 1. INS Guldar – To Be Deliberately Sunk
🔹 Current Context
INS Guldar, a decommissioned Indian Navy warship, will be deliberately sunk off the coast of Goa to create an artificial reef. This will promote marine biodiversity and serve as a diving site for research and tourism.
🔹 Static Addition
- Artificial reefs act as underwater habitats that attract corals, fish, and other organisms.
- Similar examples:
- INS Viraat (proposed museum plan)
- INS Khurki sunk earlier for reef creation
- Artificial reefs help in blue economy initiatives and marine spatial planning.
🧬 2. Rhisotope Project
🔹 Current Context
The Rhisotope Project, based in South Africa, uses radioisotopes to tag rhino horns. This makes them traceable and deters poaching. India may collaborate in similar wildlife protection technology partnerships.
🔹 Static Addition
- Radioisotopes help in tracking and forensic identification.
- India’s BARC and IAEA have developed radiation tracing in agriculture and medicine.
- Could support India’s Project Rhino initiative under the National Rhino Conservation Strategy (2019).
🧠 3. Living Lab Approach
🔹 Current Context
The Indian government and NITI Aayog are promoting the “Living Lab” approach — especially for urban innovation and climate adaptation.
Example: Pune Smart City has adopted this model for sustainable transport and waste management.
🔹 Static Addition
- Living Labs = spaces where real-world experimentation happens with citizen participation.
- Helps achieve SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities) and SDG 13 (Climate Action).
- Origin: Concept first used in MIT Media Lab (2000s).
🐋 4. Sperm Whale Vomit (Ambergris)
🔹 Current Context
Recently, Ambergris, a waxy substance from the digestive system of sperm whales, was seized on India’s western coast. It’s illegal to trade under the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972, as the sperm whale is protected under Schedule I.
🔹 Static Addition
- Ambergris is used in the perfume industry for its fixative properties.
- Sperm whales belong to the Physeteridae family and are the largest toothed whales.
- India’s coastal anti-poaching units have increased patrolling against illegal marine product trade.
🐅 5. Tiger Corridors
🔹 Current Context
National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) released a 2025 update identifying 32 major tiger corridors across India, emphasizing connectivity between tiger reserves in Central and Eastern India.
🔹 Static Addition
- India hosts 75% of the global tiger population (3,682 as per 2022 census).
- Corridors ensure gene flow between reserves like Kanha–Pench, Corbett–Rajaji, Kaziranga–Karbi Anglong.
- Backed by Project Tiger (1973) and the Wildlife Protection Act, 1972.
🦈 6. Orange Shark
🔹 Current Context
Marine researchers near Andaman Islands recorded a rare species known as the Orange Shark (Echinorhinus cookei), seen for the first time in Indian waters.
🔹 Static Addition
- Deep-sea species often indicate ocean health and climate change impact.
- India’s Deep Ocean Mission (2021) aims to explore such biodiversity.
- Regulated under UN Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS).
🐉 7. Blue Dragons
🔹 Current Context
Sightings of Blue Dragons (Glaucus atlanticus), a species of pelagic sea slug, were reported along the Goa coast.
🔹 Static Addition
- Known for their bright blue color and venomous sting absorbed from prey like Portuguese Man o’ War.
- Serve as bioindicators of changing ocean currents and warming.
- Found in tropical and subtropical waters.
🪼 8. Portuguese Man o’ War
🔹 Current Context
Recently, several beachgoers in Mumbai and Chennai were stung by Portuguese Man o’ War (Physalia physalis), a jellyfish-like colonial organism.
🔹 Static Addition
- It’s not a single organism but a siphonophore colony.
- Famous for its gas-filled float and painful venomous tentacles.
- Found in Atlantic and Indian Oceans, often washed ashore during monsoon currents.
🌊 9. Ghaggar River
🔹 Current Context
A new ISRO satellite-based hydrological study (2025) suggested the Ghaggar–Hakra paleochannel may have once been connected to the Saraswati River system.
🔹 Static Addition
- Ghaggar originates from Shivalik Hills (Himachal Pradesh), flows through Haryana, Punjab, Rajasthan.
- Becomes seasonal — known as Hakra in Pakistan.
- Mentioned in Rig Veda as “Saraswati”.
- Linked to Indus Valley Civilization settlements such as Kalibangan and Banawali.
🧾 Bonus Static–Current Integration for Prelims
| Topic | Static Relevance | Current Relevance |
|---|---|---|
| Deep Ocean Mission | Ministry of Earth Sciences initiative for seabed exploration | Discovery of new marine species (Orange Shark, Blue Dragon) |
| Project Tiger | Launched in 1973 | 32 Corridors identified (2025) |
| Artificial Reefs | Marine conservation tool | INS Guldar sinking project |
| Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 | Governs protection of species | Ambergris seizures and sperm whale protection |
| Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) | Global framework | Living Lab approach aligns with SDG 11 & 13 |
| Hydrological Studies | Geomorphology & River Systems | Ghaggar–Saraswati study by ISRO (2025) |
🌿 Environment Current Affairs – September 2025
Q1. Consider the following statements regarding Artificial Reefs:
- They provide habitat and shelter for marine organisms.
- They are created only using natural rock structures.
- INS Guldar will be sunk off Goa coast to promote marine biodiversity.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
A. 1 and 3 only ✅
B. 1 and 2 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Q2. With reference to the Rhisotope Project, consider the following:
- It uses genetic modification techniques to protect tigers from poaching.
- It is based in South Africa and uses radioisotopes for tracking rhino horns.
- India’s BARC has similar experience with radiation tracing technology.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only ✅
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Q3. The “Living Lab” approach recently promoted by NITI Aayog aims to —
A. Establish advanced biotech laboratories in universities
B. Create citizen-participatory spaces for urban and climate innovation ✅
C. Develop clean energy industrial zones
D. Enhance India’s scientific infrastructure in rural areas
Answer: B
Q4. Assertion (A): The Living Lab model helps India meet its climate adaptation goals.
Reason (R): It enables experimentation and community participation in sustainable city projects.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A ✅
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Q5. Consider the following pairs:
| Substance / Species | Related Act / Feature |
|---|---|
| 1. Ambergris | Banned under Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1972 ✅ |
| 2. Blue Dragon | Deep-sea fish species |
| 3. Sperm Whale | Schedule I species in India ✅ |
Which of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only ✅
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
Q6. Consider the following statements regarding the NTCA Tiger Corridors Report 2025:
- It identifies 32 major tiger corridors in India.
- These corridors connect major reserves like Kanha–Pench and Corbett–Rajaji.
- The report was released under Project Tiger launched in 1993.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only ✅
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Q7. Assertion (A): Maintaining tiger corridors ensures gene flow between populations.
Reason (R): It helps reduce human–wildlife conflict in buffer zones.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A ✅
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Q8. The Orange Shark (Echinorhinus cookei) was recently seen in Indian waters. Consider the following statements:
- It was spotted near the Andaman Islands.
- It is associated with India’s Deep Ocean Mission.
- It is a freshwater species.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only ✅
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Q9. The Deep Ocean Mission in India is primarily implemented by:
A. Ministry of Earth Sciences ✅
B. Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change
C. Ministry of Science & Technology
D. NITI Aayog
Answer: A
Q10. With reference to Blue Dragon (Glaucus atlanticus), consider the following:
- It is a type of pelagic sea slug.
- It absorbs venom from its prey and uses it for defense.
- It is found only in the Arctic Ocean.
Which of the above statements are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only ✅
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: A
Q11. The Portuguese Man o’ War differs from true jellyfish because —
A. It has no venomous tentacles
B. It is a single organism
C. It is a colonial siphonophore with gas-filled float ✅
D. It is found only in freshwater
Answer: C
Q12. Consider the following statements regarding the Ghaggar River:
- It originates from the Shivalik Hills.
- It is known as Hakra in Pakistan.
- ISRO’s 2025 hydrological study confirmed its connection to the ancient Saraswati system.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 1 and 3 only
C. 1, 2 and 3 ✅
D. 2 and 3 only
Answer: C
Q13. Which of the following are correctly matched?
| Initiative | Ministry / Focus |
|---|---|
| 1. Deep Ocean Mission | Ministry of Earth Sciences ✅ |
| 2. Project Tiger | Wildlife (Protection) Act, 1986 |
| 3. Living Lab Approach | NITI Aayog’s Urban Innovation ✅ |
Select the correct answer using the codes below:
A. 1 and 2 only
B. 2 and 3 only
C. 1 and 3 only ✅
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: C
Q14. Assertion (A): Artificial reefs contribute to India’s blue economy.
Reason (R): They support marine biodiversity and ecotourism.
A. Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A ✅
B. Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A
C. A is true, R is false
D. A is false, R is true
Answer: A
Q15. Which of the following pairs is/are correctly matched?
| Topic | Current Relevance |
|---|---|
| 1. Deep Ocean Mission | Discovery of Orange Shark ✅ |
| 2. Project Tiger | Identification of 32 Corridors (2025) ✅ |
| 3. Hydrological Studies | Rhisotope Project |
Select the correct answer:
A. 1 only
B. 1 and 2 only ✅
C. 2 and 3 only
D. 1, 2 and 3
Answer: B
