Environment

as climate change advances, the arid and semi-arid zones of Afghanistan are seeing rangeland collapse, livestock losses, and weakened rural economies.

One of the most encouraging signs of ecological recovery is the resurgence of the dolphin population in the Ganga basin. According to surveys conducted between 2021 and 2023, the number of river-dolphins has risen to approximately 6,327 individuals – more than double the estimated baseline of 2,500–3,000 dolphins recorded in 2009.

Experts point out that recovery fund and planned reconstruction must also prioritise restoring agricultural capacity, irrigation and roads – because Sri Lanka’s food security and export-based economy depend critically on them.

In a landmark two-day visit (December 4–5, 2025) by Vladimir Putin to New Delhi, the governments of India and Russia unveiled one of the most extensive packages of bilateral agreements in recent years.

The dual pressure – aggressive regulation of both ground-level dust and industrial emissions – makes clear: this winter, Delhi’s fight for breathable air will be fought on multiple fronts.

Sri Lanka faces a challenging road ahead: rebuilding damaged infrastructure, restoring health services, and ensuring clean water access are urgent priorities.

The evidence from the study is unequivocal, researchers point out: air pollution is a direct threat to children’s intellectual growth, disproportionately affecting the vulnerable.

Microplastic sampling yielded sobering insights, with concentrations averaging 1.2 particles per cubic meter in surface waters – double the 2020 baseline.