On June 19th, 2025, India witnessed important developments across various sectors, from environmental challenges to space technology and agricultural innovations. A recent report highlights the increasing 'Heat Risk' affecting a large part of the population, driven by rising temperatures and humidity. In space, the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) satellite has arrived in Sriharharikota, set to provide advanced Earth observation capabilities. Meanwhile, in Kerala, turmeric farming has emerged as an innovative solution to mitigate human-wildlife conflict. Adding to the nation's environmental agenda, the Green India Mission (GIM) has released its revised plan for 2021–2030.

Awareness regarding daily UPSC current affairs is crucial for cracking the UPSC Prelims, excelling in UPSC Mains. It helps perform well in the UPSC personality test, thus becoming an informed and effective UPSC civil servant.

Below are the current affairs and headlines of the day taken from The Hindu, Indian Express, Press Information Bureau & All India Radio as required for UPSC preparation:

India's Growing Heat Risk and Its Drivers

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS 

A recent report titled "How Extreme Heat is Impacting India: Assessing District-level Heat Risk," released in May 2025 by the Council on Energy, Environment and Water (CEEW), has revealed alarming findings. The report states that approximately of India’s population is currently at high to very high risk from extreme heat conditions. States identified as facing the highest levels of risk include Delhi, Maharashtra, Goa, Kerala, Gujarat, Rajasthan, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh. This report follows the global trend of record-breaking temperatures in 2024, which was the warmest year in recorded history, with India experiencing its longest heatwave since 2010.

What Drives Heat Risk in India? 

Several interconnected factors contribute to the escalating heat risk across India:

• Increase in Very Warm Nights: Data from between 2012 and 2022 shows that 70% of districts in India experienced five or more additional very warm nights per summer compared to previous periods. Warm nights are critical because they prevent the human body from recovering and cooling down after intense daytime heat exposure, significantly increasing the risk of heat strokes, exacerbating heart conditions, and contributing to metabolic disorders.
• Rising Relative Humidity: North India, particularly the Indo-Gangetic Plain, has witnessed a notable increase in relative humidity. It rose from an average of 30–40% (between 1982–2011) to 40–50% (between 2012–2022). High humidity hampers the body's ability to cool itself through sweat evaporation, thereby intensifying the feeling of heat stress and increasing health risks.
• Population Density & Urbanisation: Densely populated urban centers like Mumbai, Delhi, Pune, and Gurugram face high exposure to heat due to:
  • Urban Heat Island (UHI) effect: Concrete and other urban materials absorb and radiate more heat, making cities significantly warmer than surrounding rural areas.
  • Inadequate Green Cover and Ventilation: Lack of sufficient trees and open green spaces, along with poor urban planning that restricts airflow, traps heat within cities. Tier II and III cities are also increasingly at risk due to their rapid and often unplanned infrastructure growth, which contributes to UHI effects.
• Socio-Economic Vulnerability: Certain districts, particularly in states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Punjab, Haryana, Chhattisgarh, Bihar, and Uttar Pradesh, exhibit high vulnerability due to:
  • Ageing Population: Elderly individuals are more susceptible to heat-related illnesses.
  • High Incidence of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): A high prevalence of NCDs like diabetes and hypertension makes populations more vulnerable to extreme heat impacts.
  • Socio-economic Status: Lower-income groups often live in less insulated housing, have limited access to cooling, and work in outdoor occupations, increasing their exposure and vulnerability.

Key Data on Heat Risk in India

• Population at Risk: 76% of Indians live in zones categorized as high or very high heat risk.
• Heatstroke Cases (2024): More than 44,000 heatstroke cases were recorded across India in 2024, highlighting the immediate health impact.
• Global Temperature Anomaly (2024): The global mean temperature in 2024 exceeded 1.5∘C above pre-industrial levels, indicating a significant warming trend.
• India’s Temperature Anomaly (2024): India's average temperature in 2024 was approximately 1.2∘C above the 1901–1910 average, confirming the country's experience of heightened warming.
• District Assessment: The CEEW report assessed 734 districts across India using a comprehensive Heat Risk Index (HRI), which incorporates 35 different indicators to determine the level of risk.

Read the article on the Heat Index!

NISAR Satellite Mission and Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Technology

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Science & Technology)

IN NEWS 

NASA recently announced the successful arrival of the NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) satellite mission at ISRO’s spaceport in Sriharikota, India, in preparation for its eagerly anticipated launch. Once the NISAR satellite becomes fully operational, it is designed to scan nearly all land and ice surfaces on Earth comprehensively, repeating its observations twice every days. This capability will provide high-resolution, all-weather, and day-night Earth observation data, marking a significant advancement in global remote sensing.

Examples of Synthetic Aperture Radar Systems 

SAR technology is employed by various organizations globally for diverse applications, as shown below:

Key Features of SAR Technology

SAR systems possess several distinct features that contribute to their unique capabilities:

• Microwave-based Imaging: SAR operates using microwave frequencies (typically in L-band, S-band, X-band, or C-band). These longer wavelengths can penetrate clouds and rain, which visible light cannot.
• Synthetic Aperture: This is the core principle of SAR. The motion of the satellite or aircraft is used to mimic a very large antenna, allowing for exceptionally high-resolution images even with a relatively small physical antenna on the platform.
• Polarimetric Imaging: SAR can measure how the radar waves interact with different types of materials on the Earth's surface (e.g., distinguishing between bare soil, water, or various types of vegetation). This provides valuable information about the physical properties of the scanned objects.
• Interferometric SAR (InSAR) Capability: Many SAR systems are capable of InSAR, which involves combining two or more SAR images of the same area taken at slightly different times or from slightly different positions. This technique is highly sensitive and can measure minute ground displacements, even down to a few millimeters, making it invaluable for monitoring geological movements.
• Multi-temporal Imaging: SAR can collect images of the same area repeatedly over time. This allows scientists to detect and analyze changes occurring on the Earth's surface, such as land cover changes, urban expansion, or the progression of natural phenomena.

Know more about the Copernicus Programme!

Key Functions of SAR

The unique capabilities of SAR enable it to perform a wide array of functions vital for Earth observation and environmental monitoring:

• Earth Surface Monitoring: It is extensively used for monitoring changes in various land cover types, including forests (deforestation, forest health), deserts (desertification), agricultural lands (crop growth, soil moisture), and urban expansion (city growth, infrastructure development).
• Disaster Management: SAR plays a critical role in rapid response and assessment during natural disasters. It can effectively detect and map floods, identify areas affected by landslides, monitor ground deformation caused by earthquakes, and track volcanic activity.
• Glaciology: It is crucial for monitoring changes in polar ice sheets, tracking glacier dynamics (movement and retreat), and assessing sea-ice thickness, which are all vital for climate change studies.
• Infrastructure Monitoring: SAR can detect subtle land subsidence (sinking of land), monitor construction activity, and assess the stability of large infrastructure projects like bridges and dams.
• Surveillance: Due to its all-weather, day-night capability, SAR is used for border monitoring, naval operations, and detecting ships at sea.
• Climate Research: It aids in studying key climate variables such as soil moisture levels, estimating carbon stock in forests (biomass assessment), and measuring sea-ice thickness, all of which contribute to a better understanding of climate change.

Broader Radar Applications

Radar technology, of which SAR is a specialized form, has numerous applications across various fields:

Turmeric Farming as a Solution to Human-Wildlife Conflict in Kerala

Source: The Hindu

Syllabus: GS Paper I (Geography)

IN NEWS 

In Kerala’s scenic Munnar region, specifically within tribal settlements in the Idukki district, turmeric farming has emerged as an innovative and effective solution to the persistent challenge of human-wildlife conflict. This initiative, actively supported by the Kerala Forest Department, has led to the successful revival of previously abandoned croplands. A key benefit observed is the deterrence of wild animals, such as elephants and wild boars, which commonly raid agricultural fields, thereby protecting the livelihoods of local communities.

How Turmeric Helps Deter Wild Animals? 

The effectiveness of turmeric farming in deterring wild animals, including large herbivores like elephants and wild boars, is primarily attributed to its natural properties:

• Strong Aroma and Pungent Compounds: Turmeric rhizomes are rich in pungent compounds, most notably curcumin. These compounds give turmeric its distinctive strong aroma and bitter taste, which act as natural repellents for many wild animals. The smell and taste are often unappealing to animals, causing them to avoid fields cultivated with turmeric.
• Unpalatability and Lack of Appealing Foliage: Unlike many other common crops that offer tempting foliage or fruits, turmeric plants themselves are generally unpalatable to large herbivores. Their leaves and stems do not provide an attractive food source, further discouraging animals from entering the fields.
• Trial-Based Evidence: Practical trials and observations from the Munnar region have provided strong evidence supporting turmeric's deterrent effect. Local farmers and forest officials have reported minimal crop raiding in lands where turmeric has been cultivated, indicating its success as a protective measure against wild animal intrusions.

Key Benefits of Turmeric Farming (Beyond Deterrence)

The adoption of turmeric cultivation offers multiple advantages, especially in human-wildlife conflict zones:

• Natural Wildlife Deterrent: This is the primary benefit in the context of human-wildlife conflict, as it significantly reduces incidents of crop raiding and prevents direct confrontations between humans and animals.
• Economic Value: Turmeric fetches high market prices, both domestically within India and in international export markets. This provides a strong economic incentive for farmers, especially tribal communities, to cultivate it.
• Sustainable Livelihood: By offering a profitable and protected crop, turmeric cultivation provides a sustainable source of income for tribal communities living in forest fringe areas, reducing their dependence on forest resources and mitigating poverty.
• Soil Health: Turmeric cultivation is known to enhance microbial activity in the soil and can act as a mild natural pest repellent, contributing to better soil health and reducing the need for chemical interventions.
• Low Input Costs: The crop generally requires minimal chemical fertilizers or pesticides compared to many other cash crops, making it a more environmentally friendly and cost-effective farming option.

Data on Turmeric Production in India

India's dominance in turmeric production is highlighted by the following figures:

Revised Green India Mission (GIM) 2021–2030 Unveiled

Source: The Indian Express

Syllabus: GS Paper III (Environment)

IN NEWS 

On June 18, 2025, Union Environment Minister Bhupender Yadav officially released the Revised Green India Mission (GIM) document, outlining its strategic plan for the 2021–2030 period. The updated plan was unveiled during a significant event held in Jodhpur, which commemorated the World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought. The revised GIM places a strong emphasis on restoring critical and vulnerable ecosystems across India, including the Aravallis, Western Ghats, mangroves, North-Western arid regions, and the ecologically sensitive Indian Himalayan Region.

Objectives of the Green India Mission

The GIM has a multi-faceted approach with several key objectives:

• Protect, Restore, and Enhance Forest and Tree Cover: The primary aim is to significantly increase and improve the quality of India’s existing forest and tree cover.
• Promote Ecosystem Services: It seeks to enhance the benefits that ecosystems provide, such as preserving biodiversity, ensuring water security, and promoting soil conservation.
• Address Climate Change: GIM addresses the dual goals of climate change mitigation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions by absorbing carbon dioxide) and adaptation (helping communities and ecosystems cope with the impacts of climate change).
• Improve Forest-based Livelihoods: A crucial social objective is to improve the livelihoods of tribal and other forest-dependent communities by integrating them into forest conservation and management efforts.

Key Features of the Original GIM

The original framework of the GIM included several ambitious targets:

• Increase Green Cover: A target to increase forest and tree cover on million hectares (Mha) of both existing forest and non-forest lands.
• Improve Forest Quality: To improve the ecological quality of forest cover on an additional 5 Mha.
• Carbon Sinks: To create ecosystem-based carbon sinks, which are natural systems that absorb carbon dioxide from the atmosphere, as a part of India’s Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement.
• Community Participation: Emphasis on encouraging active participation from local communities in forest conservation and large-scale afforestation (tree-planting) efforts.

Key Details from the Revised GIM Document (2021–2030) 

The recently unveiled revised GIM document for the 2021–2030 period introduces refined strategies and focus areas:

• Micro-Ecosystem Approach: The revised plan adopts a more targeted approach, focusing on customized ecological restoration strategies that are specific to different regions. This means applying solutions that best suit the local environment.
  • Target Areas for Restoration:
    • Aravallis: To restore this ancient mountain range which is crucial for the ecological balance of North-Western India.
    • Western Ghats: Focus on the restoration of this biodiversity hotspot, which is facing severe degradation.
    • Indian Himalayan Region: Efforts to protect and restore the fragile Himalayan ecosystems.
    • Mangroves: Conservation and expansion of vital coastal mangrove ecosystems that protect against natural disasters and support unique biodiversity.
    • Arid regions of North-West India: Initiatives to combat desertification and enhance green cover in dry regions.
• Carbon Sink Targets:
  • Based on estimates from the Forest Survey of India (FSI), the revised GIM aims to achieve a substantial carbon sink of 3.39 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent.
  • This aligns directly with India's Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) commitment, where India pledged to create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3 billion tonnes of CO2 equivalent through increased forest and tree cover by 2030.
• Restoration Focus Areas (Specific):
  • Emphasis on open forests, degraded forest lands, agroforestry (integrating trees into farming systems), and plantation drives along highways and railways.
  • A strong focus on using native tree species that naturally belong to the region and have a high potential for carbon sequestration (absorbing carbon dioxide).
  • Holistic approaches including soil and moisture conservation techniques, achieving land degradation neutrality (ensuring no net loss of healthy land), and overall landscape restoration.
• Western Ghats Focus (Detailed): This region is targeted for restoration due to severe degradation caused by:
  • Deforestation and loss of natural forest cover.
  • Extensive illegal mining activities.
  • Declining air and water quality.
  • An increase in human-wildlife conflict.
  • Restoration strategies will include native plantation drives, ecosystem-based landscape planning, efforts for groundwater recharge, and pollution control measures.
• Aravalli Focus (Detailed): The Aravalli Landscape has been severely degraded due to:
  • Uncontrolled mining activities.
  • Encroachment on forest lands and hills.
  • Rapid urban expansion into natural areas.
  • Restoration efforts will involve large-scale reforestation, measures for erosion control, enhancing biodiversity, and reducing the risk of desertification in the adjoining plains regions.