Western Ghats: Native habitats reduced to one-third and hydrological regulation disrupted, says review article

A new review article published Wednesday in Nature Reviews Biodiversity says native habitats in the Western Ghats fell to one-third of their original extent. Infrastructure growth and plantation expansion disrupted hydrological regulation. Experts said, “Plantation of woody cash crops is a major driver of land-use change in the region.”

Latur sets up war room as all 10 talukas face drought

Latur district collector Bharat Bastewad set up a war room as all 10 talukas face drought. “Since the drought situation requires continuous coordination and daily monitoring, a drought relief war room has been established at the district level,” the order said. Officials will now monitor water, fodder, and crop conditions daily.

Cities need safe pedestrian infra for sustainable mobility: Experts

Experts at the Walk21 Asia-Pacific Regional conference said cities must prioritize safe pedestrian infrastructure for sustainable mobility. “When we stop designing streets for cars and start designing them for human beings, we transform the entire health and economy of a city,” said Jim Walker. Experts urged leaders to build inclusive streets.

Has the high court set Australia's fossil fuel producers shaking in their boots? They should be | Jacqueline Peel

The High Court of Australia handed down a climate case decision in MACH Energy v Denman Aberdeen Muswellbrook Scone Healthy Environment Group on Wednesday. The court ruled that planners must consider all greenhouse gas emissions, including scope 3. Justice Gordon said, "The impact of greenhouse gas emissions is the same."

'A real-life moment from The Castle': the retired Australian couple who took on a coal giant and won

Wendy Wales and Tony Lonergan won a four-year legal battle against MACH Energy’s Mount Pleasant coalmine expansion on Wednesday. The high court ruled the government must consider climate impacts of exported coal. Wales said, "When we started this, people thought we were crazy," but their persistence finally changed the law.

2K Run, awareness activities mark Wildlife Week celebrations

The Forest department marked National Wildlife Week from October 2-8 across Markapuram, Prakasam, and SPSR Nellore districts. Officials started a 2K Run and held school competitions to spread awareness. Deputy Director Nisha Kumari said, "Multiple activities were conducted across different ranges of the division to create awareness among school-going children."

Ladakh launches Indias first high-altitude wildlife safari focused on snow leopards

Ladakh launched India’s first high-altitude wildlife safari on Wednesday, with Lt Governor Vinai Kumar Saxena flagging off six vehicles. The initiative promotes responsible tourism in areas like Rumbak and Uley. Saxena said, "We must create a model in which both can thrive together," while supporting local livelihoods and wildlife conservation.

'Catastrophic wildfire loop' created after colonisation left parts of Australia more at risk from bushfires, study finds

A study found colonisation created a catastrophic wildfire loop in south-east Australia after 1788. Researchers said the shift from open woodland to dense forest led to more intense fires. Michael-Shawn Fletcher said, "Gunaikurnai are removed from Country and you see a change in the amount of trees and shrubs."

Landslides, flash floods and raging seas: is California ready for the ravages of El Niño?

California faces major risks from landslides, flash floods, and rising seas as a historic El Niño brews. Federal forecasters said the climate phenomenon is already under way. "What we're really looking at is the compounding element," said Nick Brubaker. Officials now work to secure infrastructure before a potentially tumultuous winter.

India's green economy could support 1.3 crore jobs by 2035: iFOREST

India's green economy could support 1.3 crore jobs by 2035, says a new iFOREST report. While sectors like renewable energy offer many roles, a skills gap remains a challenge. Shamika Ravi said, "We have degrees, but we don't have skills, and the market is now saying it will reward only skill."

Nature 'reclaims' the crime: A sunken ship of illegal cigarettes is now a thriving reef.

In 2024, the MV Shingle, which carried 32 million illegal cigarettes, was sunk off Ireland. Authorities cleaned the ship before placing it in Killala Bay. Now, the wreck acts as an artificial reef. "We've been very fortunate that we've seen the results of it with the fish life," said Michael Loftus.

'Lawyers should be running to courts' to stop coal approvals after landmark ruling, NSW MP says

On Wednesday morning, the High Court ruled the Mount Pleasant coalmine expansion in NSW was invalid. The court found the Independent Planning Commission failed to consider greenhouse gas emissions from coal burnt overseas. NSW Greens MP Sue Higginson said the judgment sends a clear message that climate impacts cannot be ignored.