Science and Technology

The kingdom’s Gross National Happiness philosophy, which places equal weight on economic progress and environmental stewardship, faces a practical test here.

Beyond records, impacts could include intensified heatwaves, coral bleaching, and disruptions to agriculture and water supplies across multiple continents. In regions like India, where monsoon rains support hundreds of millions, a developing El Niño often correlates with weaker rainfall, though exact outcomes depend on the event’s strength and timing.

Such collaborations are expected to yield faster development of new interventions, strengthen training pipelines, and create models that other institutions can replicate.

Looking ahead, ICAR-CIFRI is advancing IoT-based real-time water quality monitoring (dissolved oxygen, ammonia, turbidity) and drone/ROV technologies for macrophyte mapping, fish behaviour studies and waterbody assessment.

For Australia, participating in such high-profile missions enhances its reputation in the global space community. With the space industry projected to grow exponentially, this partnership opens doors to further commercial ventures and technological exports.

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

Indian agricultural scientists say the new AI-based model needs to be developed further, to provide the most useful data for all those who need it.

The cost of Tuesday’s two flights alone is estimated at ₹1.2 crore (approximately) as part of the pilot. While rainfall did not materialise, IIT Kanpur reported modest reductions in particulate matter (PM₂.₅ and PM₁₀) at test locations, roughly 6 to 10 per cent lower concentrations.