The article discusses the current state of mango production in India in the context of rising temperatures attributed to climate change. It synthesizes anecdotal evidence from farmers and scientific data from the India Meteorological Department (IMD), highlighting the challenges and adaptations in mango cultivation.

Summary:

1. Decline in Mango Quality and Yield:

   • Farmers have reported reduced sweetness, higher prices, early arrivals in the market, and shorter shelf-life for mango pickles.
   • Concerns are rising about the future of mango harvests in light of climate change.

2. Temperature Trends:

   • The IMD notes that 2024 was the warmest year on record since 1901, with annual mean surface air temperatures 0.65°C above the 1991-2020 average.
   • The last 12 years have consistently shown warmer conditions, breaking the historical pattern of alternating cool and warm years.

3. Mango Productivity Data:

   • Historical data from the Horticulture Department reveals productivity variations between 5.5 to 9.7 metric tonnes per hectare (MT/Ha) from 2001-2025, with an expected productivity of 9.4 MT/Ha for 2024-25.
   • This is higher than other major mango producers, China (8.74 MT/Ha) and Thailand (8.36 MT/Ha).

4. Increased Cultivation Area:

   • Area under mango cultivation increased by 2.34% in 2023-24, indicating a rise in both area and production volume (224.23 lakh tonnes compared to 208.72 lakh tonnes the previous year).

5. Impact of Climate Change on Mango:

   • Higher temperatures potentially lead to fruit drop, sun scalding, and uneven ripening. Specific varieties like Alphonso may experience spongy tissue disorder.
   • Environmental stresses such as fluctuating weather patterns are disrupting the blooming and fruit-setting stages of mango trees.

6. Genetic Diversity and Adaptation:

   • Research led by Rajdeep Haldar highlights the role of genetic diversity in enhancing mango adaptability to climatic challenges.
   • Mango species have the potential to thrive despite climate changes due to various physiological mechanisms that help them adjust.

7. Future Outlook:

   • Despite current challenges, the adaptability of mangoes and the genetic diversity available provide a reason for optimism in maintaining mango production levels amidst increasing temperatures.

Important Points:

• Concerns are raised over mango quality and financial impact on farmers due to climate change.
• 2024 recorded the highest temperatures globally since records began.
• Expected high productivity figures for mango cultivation, surpassing other countries.
• Continuous expansion in mango cultivation area reflects positive trends.
• Climate change impacts include fruit quality and ecological disruptions.
• Genetic adaptability of mango plants could mitigate some adverse effects of climate change.
• The future of mango production shows potential due to advancements in agricultural practices and genetic research.

The article underscores the importance of addressing climate change and enhancing agricultural resilience while harnessing the potential of genetic diversity in crops like mangoes.

The Indian government has introduced draft Rules aimed at reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in energy-intensive industries through the establishment of specific emission intensity targets. Here’s a comprehensive summary detailing the context and contents of the new policy:

• Draft Notification: The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) released the Draft Greenhouse Gases Emissions Intensity (GEI) Target Rules, 2025, on April 16, 2023, which outlines compliance for the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).

• Purpose of the CCTS: The CCTS aims to create a framework for the trading of carbon credits to reduce emissions within energy-intensive sectors, aligning with India’s commitments under the Paris Climate Agreement (2015).

• Feedback Period: The draft Rules are open for public objections and suggestions for a 60-day period post-notification.

• Understanding GHG Emissions Intensity (GEI): GEI defines the GHG emissions produced per unit of product output, expressed in tCO2e (tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent), which standardizes the measurement of impact from various GHGs.

• Targets Established: The draft sets baseline emissions for 2023-24 and specifies reduction targets for 2025-26 and 2026-27 for sectors such as aluminium, chlor-alkali, pulp and paper, and cement, affecting 282 industrial units.

• Major Corporations Involved: Companies such as Vedanta, Hindalco, and Ultratech have been assigned specific emission reduction targets under these Rules.

• Compliance and Enforcement: The Rules stipulate mechanisms for compliance and penalties for failure to meet the outlined targets, promoting responsible emission management.

• Significance of Industry-Specific Targets: Establishing these targets is critical to help India achieve its climate goals, including a commitment to reduce emissions intensity of its GDP by 45% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels.

• Encouraging Cleaner Technologies: Industries will be motivated to adopt low-carbon production methods, such as transitioning from coal to biomass in cement production. The ultimate aim is climate change mitigation through improved practices.

• Relation to Carbon Credit Trading: The introduction of GEI targets helps clarify the requirements for industries to earn carbon credits, which can be traded in the carbon market. Industries that exceed their targets can sell credits, while those that do not would need to purchase them or face penalties.

• Market Mechanism: The carbon credits scheme aims to incentivize industries to reduce their carbon footprint, offering financial benefits to those that can invest in cleaner technologies.

• Global Context: Similar carbon credit systems operate in other regions, especially in Europe and China, highlighting a global trend toward carbon trading as a tool for emissions reduction.

This new regulatory framework marks a significant step towards enhancing India’s climate action, seeking to institutionalize emissions control while fostering economic growth through technological advancement in high-emission industries.

Important Points:

• Introduction of draft rules for GHG emissions reduction in energy-intensive industries.
• Establishment of GEI as a measure per unit of product output.
• Targets set for multiple sectors, impacting 282 industrial units.
• Penalties and compliance mechanisms included for non-adherence.
• Goals aligned with India’s commitment to the Paris Agreement.
• Promotion of cleaner technologies through industry-specific targets.
• Clarity on earning and trading carbon credits mentioned.
• Aims to incentivize a shift toward a low-carbon economy.

Summary:

A recent power outage affecting Spain and Portugal has highlighted vulnerabilities in the Iberian Peninsula's electrical grid. The outage, which occurred on April 28, 2025, raised concerns about the interconnected nature of the regional electrical system, which comprises thousands of components. The cause of the blackout is under investigation, with several potential contributing factors. Experts emphasize the importance of real-time data analysis by grid operators to maintain the frequency balance critical to the grid's stability.

Key Observations:

• Power Grid Vulnerability: The incident underlined how fragile the electrical grid is on the Iberian Peninsula.

• Complex System Analysis: Experts like Pratheeksha Ramdas from Rystad Energy noted that grid operators must analyze massive amounts of real-time data to trace issues without premature conclusions.

• Causes of Outages: Common causes of power outages include:

  • Sudden shutdowns of production sources (e.g., power plants).
  • Fuel shortages affecting thermal power plants.
  • Natural disasters (e.g., storms, extreme temperatures) that stress infrastructure and amplify demand.
  • Overloads on high-voltage power lines and potential cyberattacks (which have been ruled out in this case).

• Frequency Regulation: The electrical frequency in Europe is calibrated to 50 hertz (Hz), and deviations from this standard can indicate imbalances in electricity production and demand. Maintaining the frequency is crucial to prevent automated protective measures from disconnecting parts of the grid.

• Cause of the Outage: Identifying the precise cause of the outage remains challenging. However:

  • A weak interconnection between the Iberian Peninsula and the broader Western European electrical grid was speculated to contribute to instability.
  • The probable cause was the failure of one or two key transmission facilities, leading to cascading issues in the connected network.

• Renewable Energy Influence: On the day of the outage, Spain was primarily dependent on renewable sources, with about 70% of electricity supplied by solar and wind. This high renewable output during midday posed risks, as renewable generation cannot be controlled on demand like gas-fired stations.

• Warnings from Experts: The European Network of Transmission System Operators had earlier warned of solar overproduction risks as good weather approached. Ramdas stated that the outage serves as a "clear warning" for future risks if regional coordination and resilience measures don't improve.

• Need for Infrastructure Improvements: Experts, including Lion Hirth from the Hertie School, emphasized the need for enhanced flexibility measures such as energy storage solutions, fast-ramping power plants, and better interconnections to mitigate the effects of large fluctuations in renewable output on the grid.

• Call for Action: Experts are urging for stronger domestic resilience and improved cooperation between regions to prevent more severe consequences from future grid failures.

Important Sentences:

• The power outage highlights the vulnerability of the Iberian Peninsula’s electrical grid.
• Outages often result from sudden shutdowns and external conditions like natural disasters.
• Real-time data analysis by grid operators is crucial for preventing blackouts.
• Spain's dependency on renewables such as wind and solar increased the risks of instability.
• Experts warn of the need for better infrastructure and coordination to build resilience against future outages.
• The incident illustrates the challenges of integrating high levels of renewable energy into existing grid systems.

A recent study published in Nature Geoscience highlights the relationship between monsoon patterns and marine productivity in the Bay of Bengal over the last 22,000 years. The research, conducted by an international team of scientists from India, China, Europe, and the United States, found that fluctuations in the Indian Summer Monsoon (ISM) significantly impact plankton growth, which is crucial for marine food webs and the overall health of aquatic ecosystems.

Key Points:

• The study emphasizes that both strong and weak monsoon conditions disrupt ocean mixing in the Bay of Bengal, leading to a significant decline in marine productivity by up to 50%.

• The Bay of Bengal, while constituting less than 1% of the world's ocean area, contributes nearly 8% of global fishery production, highlighting its importance to coastal communities that rely on fishing for their livelihoods.

• The research involved analyzing fossilized foraminifera shells to reconstruct historical marine conditions, revealing that extreme historical monsoon patterns corresponded with periods of reduced marine productivity, notably during the Heinrich Stadial 1 and early Holocene epochs.

• Disruptions caused by excessive freshwater from strong monsoons lead to decreased nutrient mixing, while weak monsoons exacerbate nutrient starvation due to reduced wind-driven mixing.

• The findings raise alarms about contemporary climate change, as current climate models predict similar patterns of monsoon variability, which could further threaten marine resources and food security for the millions dependent on the fisheries in the Bay of Bengal.

• Researchers are particularly concerned about future scenarios involving warmer surface temperatures and increased freshwater runoff, conditions that have historically accompanied declines in marine productivity.

This study illustrates the far-reaching impacts of monsoon variability on ecological systems and coastal communities, underlining the need to understand climate-driven changes to safeguard marine resources.

The Central Board of Direct Taxes (CBDT) has officially recognized the National Mission for Clean Ganga (NMCG) as an authority under section 10, clause 46A of the Income Tax Act, which allows NMCG to receive exemptions from taxes on its income. This notification was issued on April 22, 2025, and applies to income derived from activities related to NMCG's implementation of the Namami Gange scheme, a significant initiative by the Indian government aimed at cleaning the Ganga River. This decision is valid from the assessment year 2024-25, contingent on the authority maintaining its status under the Environment (Protection) Act.

Key points from the article include:

• Tax Exemption Notification: NMCG is granted income tax exemptions under the Income Tax Act as of April 22, 2025.

• Purpose of NMCG: NMCG is tasked with executing the Namami Gange scheme, focused on cleaning and rejuvenating the Ganga River.

• Legal Basis: The exemption falls under clause 46A, which is designed for certain bodies or authorities established under Central or State Acts.

• Effective Date: The tax exemption will be effective from the assessment year 2024-25, provided NMCG remains constituted under the appropriate Act.

• Resolution of Tax Issues: The CBDT has also allowed NMCG to amend its income tax returns for assessment years 2021-22, 2022-23, and 2023-24, enabling it to claim tax exemptions for these periods.

• Background: NMCG had been facing tax demands totaling Rs 243.74 crore from the Income Tax department, prompting it to contest the department's assessments and appeal the orders.

• Previous Challenges: After being established as a society in 2011, NMCG was upgraded to an authority in 2016; however, it faced scrutiny due to its PAN categorization as an "Association of Persons" (AOP), which resulted in excessive tax notices.

• Meetings and Advocacy: Following media coverage of NMCG's tax issues, the Jal Shakti Ministry engaged with the Ministry of Finance to resolve these concerns. NMCG officials presented their ongoing tax challenges in meetings, aimed at reforming their tax identification and preventing future notices.

• NMCG's Compliance: NMCG is actively contesting tax demands from the assessment year 2022-23 while addressing notices for subsequent years.

• Expert Author: The report is authored by Harikishan Sharma, an expert in governance and policy reporting, affiliated with The Indian Express.

This development is critical as it alleviates NMCG's financial burdens while enabling continued efforts to carry forward the government’s initiative for river cleaning and environmental protection. The involvement of the Jal Shakti Ministry and favorable decisions from the CBDT indicate an increased focus on supporting environmental objectives while navigating bureaucratic and financial challenges.

In a significant development for Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, five cheetah cubs were born on Sunday. These cubs represent a notable genetic diversity as their parents were sourced from two different regions: South Africa and Namibia. This birth marks an important milestone within the scope of Project Cheetah, aimed at reintroducing the species to India.

Key details include:

• Birth Announcement: The litter of five cubs was born to a mother named Nirva, who is five years old and originally from the Mapesu Reserve in South Africa, and a father named Gaurav from Namibia.
• Acknowledgment from Officials: Uttam Kumar Sharma, the director of Kuno National Park, confirmed the birth, expressing excitement over the addition of five new lives. Union Forest Minister Bhupender Yadav also celebrated the moment on social media, inviting the public to welcome the new cubs.
• Cheetah Population Growth: The new births bring the total number of cheetah cubs in Kuno National Park to 19, alongside the adult population. This is seen as a positive sign that the cheetahs have successfully acclimatized to their new habitat.
• Significance for Genetic Diversity: Wildlife officials highlighted the importance of the genetic mix from the Namibian and South African lineages, noting that this cross-breeding is crucial for the species' long-term survival. It helps mitigate risks related to inbreeding, such as potential genetic issues and reduced disease resistance.
• Enhanced Adaptability: The introduction of a diverse gene pool is expected to bolster the adaptability of the cheetah population to environmental changes, while also improving their overall health.

The successful birth of these cubs is a key indicator of the effectiveness of ongoing conservation efforts under Project Cheetah, which aims to restore populations of African cheetahs in India after they went extinct in the country. The program seeks not only to breed these magnificent animals but also to ensure they thrive in a suitable environment, thereby enhancing biodiversity and fostering ecological balance in the region.

This development reflects a broader commitment to wildlife conservation and the intricate balance necessary to sustain such endangered species.

Important Points:

• First litter of five cheetah cubs born at Kuno National Park.
• Parents are from South Africa (mother) and Namibia (father).
• Total of 19 cheetah cubs now present in the park.
• Birth signifies success of genetic diversity in enhancing species survival.
• Project Cheetah aims to reintroduce cheetahs to India.
• Cross-breeding reduces inbreeding risks, improving population health.
• Positive sign of adaptation to the new habitat and ecological balance.