GS Paper III · Environment
Wildlife Conservation Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper III)
From the syllabus: Conservation, environmental pollution and degradation, environmental impact assessment
Why it matters: Aspirants should examine protected area management, community involvement, and mitigation strategies addressing escalating human wildlife conflicts across forest fringes.
In the news
October 2026
12 Oct 2026
Global warming triggers widespread sex reversal in frog populationsRecent ecological studies reveal that rising global temperatures are driving sex reversal in various frog populations, creating skewed sex ratios. This phenomenon threatens reproductive success and significantly increases extinction...
09 Oct 2026
Periyar Tiger Reserve transitions to CNG transit fleetIn an effort to curb environmental pollution, the Periyar Tiger Reserve (PTR) in Kerala has initiated a transition of its public transit fleet from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG). The reserve currently operates eight diesel...
09 Oct 2026
India Must Rethink Great Indian Bustard Conservation EffortsExperts have called for a major policy shift in India's bustard conservation program, arguing that current efforts must go beyond mere symbolism to yield real ecological results. The Great Indian Bustard faces severe threats from...
08 Oct 2026
Cheetahs Introduced in Madhya Pradesh Tiger ReserveTwo cheetahs have been released into a tiger reserve in the Bundelkhand region of Madhya Pradesh, marking their third habitat in the state after Kuno National Park and Gandhi Sagar Wildlife Sanctuary. This expansion is part of the...
06 Oct 2026
Tiger Reintroduction Initiatives in West Bengal Buxa Tiger ReserveEcological experts have highlighted the importance of active tiger reintroduction and habitat restoration in West Bengal's Buxa Tiger Reserve. Moving beyond symbolic releases, the initiative aims to halt ecological degradation, control...
06 Oct 2026
Two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards released in RajasthanUnder a dedicated conservation program, two captive-bred Great Indian Bustards (GIBs) have been successfully released into the wild in Rajasthan. This marks a significant milestone in India's efforts over the last decade to save this...
02 Oct 2026
Madras High Court Directs Tamil Nadu to Frame SOP for Temple ElephantsThe Madras High Court has instructed the Tamil Nadu government to formulate a comprehensive Standard Operating Procedure (SOP) regulating the participation of captive elephants in temple festivals and religious processions. The court...
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...
21 Sep 2026
Pygmy Hog Conservation and Ecosystem RestorationThe conservation programme for the critically endangered pygmy hog in Assam highlights the essential link between species survival and habitat restoration. As the world's smallest wild pig, the pygmy hog relies on healthy tall grassland...
18 Sep 2026
Discovery of New Feline Species 'Tilcayo' in BoliviaResearchers have identified a distinct new wild cat species named 'Tilcayo' in Bolivia using genetic analysis. Evolutionary data shows the lineage separated from other tiger cats roughly 1.4 million years ago, representing the first new...
14 Sep 2026
Endangered Pygmy Hog Population Shows Recovery in AssamThe population of the endangered pygmy hog, the world's smallest wild pig, has increased from six individuals in 1996 to 194 today in Assam. The recovery is the result of a dedicated captive breeding and reintroduction project managed...
13 Sep 2026
New Species of Legless Amphibian Discovered in Maharashtra Western GhatsResearchers discovered a new species of caecilian, named Gegeneophis chandgadi, in the Chandgad region of Kolhapur in the northern Western Ghats. Caecilians are limbless, burrowing amphibians that play an important role as soil...
08 Sep 2026
Rescue of Non-Native Orangutans Highlights Exotic Wildlife SmugglingForest officials in Odisha rescued five young orangutans, an ape species native exclusively to Southeast Asia, pointing to transnational smuggling routes for exotic pets. India has steadily tightened regulatory norms for possessing...
03 Sep 2026
Power Transmission Grids Pose Rising Threat to Endangered VulturesThe rapid expansion of high-voltage transmission networks across open landscapes has emerged as a major cause of electrocution and collision for critically endangered vulture populations. Wildlife experts recommend underground cabling...
03 Sep 2026
Linear Infrastructure and Power Lines Pose Hazard to WildlifeRecent electrocution incidents involving wild elephants and continuing mortality among endangered vulture species have highlighted the ecological toll of expanding transmission grids. High-tension power lines passing through protected...
02 Sep 2026
Power Infrastructure Threatens Vulture Conservation EffortsRapid expansion of overhead power lines and energy infrastructure has emerged as a major cause of accidental mortality among vultures in India. While veterinary bans on diclofenac helped stabilize populations, high-voltage lines cause...
August 2026
31 Aug 2026
AI-Based Warning Systems Urged for Railway Elephant CorridorsEnvironmental organizations have served legal notices demanding the full deployment of Artificial Intelligence based detection systems along critical railway corridors like Walayar. Automated optical fiber sensor networks can alert...
29 Aug 2026
Carcass Dump Relocation Proves Effective in Reducing Vulture ElectrocutionA long-term conservation study near Dehradun demonstrated that moving livestock carcass dumps just 2.4 kilometers away from high-voltage power lines substantially reduced vulture mortality. Power lines pose a lethal hazard to large...
29 Aug 2026
Assam Wildlife Rehabilitation Centre Marks 25 YearsThe Centre for Wildlife Rehabilitation and Conservation (CWRC) near Kaziranga National Park in Assam has completed 25 years of conservation operations. Established jointly by the Assam Forest Department and wildlife conservation...
27 Aug 2026
Spoon-tailed duskhawker discovered in Namdapha Tiger ReserveA new dragonfly species named the spoon-tailed duskhawker was recorded along the remote Miao-Vijaynagar Road inside the Namdapha National Park and Tiger Reserve in Arunachal Pradesh. This discovery highlights the rich bio-geographic...
24 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Panel Pulls Up Assam Over Kaziranga Mining and Eco-Sensitive ZoneA Supreme Court-appointed committee has scrutinised the Assam government regarding illegal mining activities adjacent to the Kaziranga National Park. The scrutiny intensified following proposals to reduce the default 10 km Eco-Sensitive...
23 Aug 2026
Climate Instability Threatens Forest Ecosystems in Nilgiri Biosphere ReserveResearchers have raised alarms over increasing climate instability destabilizing forest ecosystems within the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve across the Western Ghats. Temperature fluctuations and altered rainfall patterns are impacting...
23 Aug 2026
Assam Uses Biochar from Invasive Plants to Restore Elephant HabitatEnvironmentalists in Assam's Udalguri district have initiated a forest restoration project across two hectares in the Khalingduar Reserve Forest using biochar made from invasive plant species. Supported by the International Elephant...
22 Aug 2026
Supreme Court Panel Flags Construction Violations in Kaziranga Animal CorridorsThe Supreme Court appointed Central Empowered Committee (CEC) has sought action regarding unchecked construction activities along nine key animal corridors in Kaziranga National Park. The directive emphasizes upholding the Supreme...
21 Aug 2026
Wildlife Import Protocols Face Review Following Private Zoo OverhaulThe giant Vantara wildlife facility announced a structural reset of its animal acquisition operations following widespread scrutiny regarding exotic species imports. Questions had been raised about adherence to international protocols...
Show 25 older stories
August 2026
21 Aug 2026
Judicial Scrutiny Increases Over Forest Relocation and EncroachmentsThe Odisha government formed an inquiry committee following directives from the Odisha Human Rights Commission to investigate allegations of non-consensual tribal relocation from critical tiger habitats. Simultaneously, the Supreme...
20 Aug 2026
Odisha Inquires Into Tribal Relocation from Tiger Reserve HabitatsFollowing directions from the Odisha Human Rights Commission, the Odisha government has constituted an inquiry committee to examine allegations of forced relocation of villages from tiger habitat areas. Villagers alleged that their...
18 Aug 2026
Protecting Elephants Boosts Forest Carbon StorageA new ecological study underscores that megaherbivores like Asian elephants play a crucial role in maintaining tropical forest carbon sinks. As ecosystem engineers, elephants consume understory vegetation and disperse seeds of large,...
16 Aug 2026
Renowned Anti-Poaching Sniffer Dog K9 Leon Retires from KazirangaK9 Leon, a Belgian Malinois sniffer dog serving with biodiversity conservation group Aaranyak, retired after nearly eight years of tracking poachers in Kaziranga National Park. Specialized K9 units have significantly boosted wildlife...
02 Aug 2026
Balancing Science and Dialogue in Western Ghats ConservationThe ongoing debates surrounding the Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA) status for the Western Ghats highlight the need for a balanced approach. Experts suggest integrating robust scientific evidence with inclusive community dialogues to...
01 Aug 2026
Pygmy Hog Recommended for Critically Endangered ListThe Standing Committee of the National Board for Wildlife (SC-NBWL) has recommended adding the pygmy hog to the list of critically endangered species. This move aims to provide the highest level of legal protection and dedicated...
July 2026
31 Jul 2026
Eco-Restoration Project Boosts Nilgiri Tahr Population in KeralaThe Nilgiri tahr population in the Varayattumudy hills of Idukki has surged from 50 in 2022 to nearly 150. This recovery is attributed to a successful 22.5-hectare eco-restoration project executed by the state Forest Department to...
29 Jul 2026
Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves (TOTR) initiative gains momentumThe Tigers Outside Tiger Reserves initiative is being implemented to establish a landscape-based framework for conservation. It seeks to protect tigers migrating through corridors while ensuring the safety and livelihoods of human...
26 Jul 2026
Decline in global migratory bird speciesA new scientific study has revealed that more than half of the world's migratory bird species are experiencing population declines. The rapid loss of habitats, climate change, and human disturbances along migratory pathways are cited as...
23 Jul 2026
Declining Seasonal Insect Prey Threatens Himalayan Bird PopulationsEcological research indicates that avian species in the Himalayas are grappling with a sharp seasonal drop in insect prey, which is essential for their nutrition and nesting success. Changing climate patterns, shift in monsoon...
19 Jul 2026
Supreme Court Clears India's First Night Safari in KukrailThe Supreme Court has given the final go-ahead for India's first night safari project in the Kukrail forest region of Lucknow, Uttar Pradesh. Designed as an eco-tourism and wildlife preservation hub, the initiative aims to maintain...
18 Jul 2026
Kerala Proposes Helicopter Relocation for Schedule I AnimalsThe Kerala Forest Department has proposed using Indian Air Force helicopters to relocate captured Schedule I animals, such as tigers and leopards, from conflict areas to secure forests. This move has sparked intense debate among...
16 Jul 2026
Kuppam's Transition From Granite Hub to Peacock SanctuaryKuppam, a prominent granite quarrying hub in Andhra Pradesh, is emerging as an unexpected refuge for peacocks. The transformation is driven by favorable microclimatic changes, local farmers actively protecting the birds, and the...
16 Jul 2026
Assam Proposes Wild Elephant Domestication Study to End ConflictsThe 126-member Assam Legislative Assembly has discussed a proposal to study the revival of wild elephant domestication as a method to mitigate escalating human-elephant conflicts. State legislators argued that trained domestic elephants...
15 Jul 2026
New Zealand Records First Ever Case of H5 Bird FluNew Zealand has detected its first-ever case of the highly pathogenic H5 bird flu in a brown skua, an ocean-going seabird found on Petone Beach in Wellington. This biosecurity alert has put wildlife authorities on high vigilance due to...
14 Jul 2026
Wayanad Debris Slip Highlights Ecological Vulnerability of Western GhatsRecent debris slips and landslides in Wayanad have re-ignited the debate on the ecological vulnerability of the Western Ghats. Environmentalists argue that while heavy rainfall acts as the immediate trigger, the scale of devastation is...
11 Jul 2026
Invasive Plants Threaten Grasslands in Manas Tiger ReserveData from the Forest Department of Assam's Bodoland Territorial Council indicates that Manas Tiger Reserve has lost 43.59 percent of its grassland cover over the last 30 years. The primary driver of this ecological loss is the rapid...
10 Jul 2026
Humpback dolphin death in Kerala highlights growing threat of ghost netsThe necropsy of an endangered Indian Ocean humpback dolphin that washed ashore on Kozhikode beach in Kerala revealed fatal ingestion of plastic fishing nets. This incident, documented by the Central Marine Fisheries Research Institute...
10 Jul 2026
Great Indian Bustard population stable but restricted to small Thar pocketA new report indicates that the population of the critically endangered Great Indian Bustard (GIB) remains stable but is now surviving in only 16 percent of its original habitat in the Thar desert of Rajasthan. The species faces severe...
09 Jul 2026
National Board for Wildlife Challenged in Delhi High CourtFormer forest officials and conservationists have filed a petition in the Delhi High Court challenging the functioning of India's apex National Board for Wildlife and its Standing Committee. The petitioners argue that the board has...
09 Jul 2026
Parrot Bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) Identified for the First Time in IndiaResearchers have identified the parrot bornavirus 4 (PaBV-4) in captive birds in India for the first time. This virus, which can cause neurological issues in birds, poses a significant threat to aviculture and the conservation of...
07 Jul 2026
Large-scale Forest Encroachment Cleared in AssamThe Forest Minister of Assam informed the State Assembly that over 25,588 hectares of encroached land across eight wildlife sanctuaries and 281 reserve forests have been successfully cleared since 2016. Despite these efforts,...
06 Jul 2026
Kaziranga's Iconic Patrol Elephant Joymala Passes AwayJoymala, an iconic patrol elephant who served the Kaziranga National Park and Tiger Reserve for 34 years, was laid to rest with a guard of honour. Born in 1960 and inducted as a "jungle warrior" in 1992, she played a vital role in...
05 Jul 2026
Power Transmission Lines Threaten Critically Endangered VulturesA critically endangered White-rumped vulture (named Z25) was killed due to a collision with a power transmission line near the Mudumalai Tiger Reserve. Although the vulture had been radio-tagged and conservationists were using real-time...
04 Jul 2026
Comprehensive Butterfly Documentation in Bodoland Territorial RegionA major ecological study in Assam has documented 346 butterfly species in the Bodoland Territorial Region (BTR), covering a forest landscape of over 3,653 square kilometers. Managed by an autonomous council under the Sixth Schedule of...
Practise Wildlife Conservation
10 of our latest questions on this topic (out of 61).
Question 1 of 10
The Periyar Tiger Reserve, which is transitioning its transit fleet from diesel to Compressed Natural Gas (CNG) to curb pollution, is located in which state?
Mains practice
The path to sustainable development in India requires balancing economic growth, environmental preservation, and individual rights. Evaluate this statement in the light of current challenges in monetary policy, threatened wildlife habitats, and local governance reforms.
15 marks
The conflict between large-scale developmental projects and the protection of environment and indigenous rights is a recurring theme in India. Critically evaluate how policy initiatives can balance these competing interests, referencing recent infrastructure and conservation challenges in ecologically sensitive zones.
15 marks
Balancing rapid infrastructural and technological expansion with ecological integrity, digital safety, and constitutional rights presents a complex governance challenge for India. Discuss this statement with reference to linear energy infrastructure in wildlife corridors, digital intermediary oversight, and the protection of fundamental liberties.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.