GS Paper III · Environment
Wetlands & Coasts Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)
From the syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why it matters: Examiners focus on ecological services provided by coastal zones and inland waters, threats from reclamation, and management strategies for internationally recognized sites.
In the news
September 2026
27 Sep 2026
Resighting of Eurasian Whimbrel on Keralam CoastA ringed Eurasian whimbrel has been resighted on the Kerala coast after six years, alongside a marked Tibetan sand-plover. This long-term monitoring of marked migratory shorebirds provides vital data on their multi-thousand-kilometer...
15 Sep 2026
Underwater survey ordered for sunken cargo ship off Kerala coastThe Centre informed the Kerala High Court that an extensive underwater survey will be conducted to assess long-term ecological and coastal damage caused by the sinking of the Liberian-flagged vessel MSC Elsa 3. The ship sank off the...
09 Sep 2026
Ecological Importance of Dragonflies as Environmental BioindicatorsResearchers highlighted the crucial role of dragonflies and damselflies as bioindicators or bellwethers of freshwater ecosystems. Because their larval and adult stages depend heavily on water quality and aquatic vegetation, variations...
August 2026
19 Aug 2026
Kerala Declares Tidal Flooding a State-Specific DisasterThe Kerala government has officially declared recurrent tidal flooding as a state-specific disaster. This decision responds to rising sea levels and coastal inundation during full and new moons, which consistently cause damage to homes,...
17 Aug 2026
Persian Gulf Oil Spill Threatens Hara Mangrove ForestsA major oil spill in the Persian Gulf has endangered the delicate ecosystem of the Hara mangrove forests. The region is designated as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve and serves as an indispensable nursery for marine organisms and regional...
July 2026
23 Jul 2026
Killai Becomes Tamil Nadu's First Fully Operational Climate-Resilient VillageKillai, a coastal settlement in Tamil Nadu, has successfully transitioned into the state's first fully operational climate-resilient village. The initiative integrates ecosystem restoration, renewable energy installation, and...
06 Jul 2026
Beekeeping Initiative in Pichavaram for Irula TribalsA new beekeeping initiative has been launched in the Pichavaram mangroves of Tamil Nadu to support 100 Irula tribal households. Around 250 bee boxes will be installed, aimed at enhancing pollination for mangrove regeneration while...
Practise Wetlands & Coasts
6 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 6
The Hara Mangrove Forests, recently impacted by a severe oil spill, constitute a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve situated in which region?
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.