India’s forest and tree cover has increased by 1,445 sq km since 2021, according to the India State of Forest Report (ISFR) 2023. Forest cover alone rose by 156 sq km, reaching 21.76% of the country’s total geographical area. Tree cover also expanded by 1,289 sq km. The overall green cover now stands at 25.17% of India’s land.
Related news
BJP maintained a flawless record with all six MLAs winning their seats, while AAP saw a decline as 22 of its 36 re-contesting MLAs lost. Key AAP figures including Arvind Kejriwal faced defeat. The party now holds 22 seats, marking a fall from its previous majority. BJP's OP Sharma and Mohan Singh Bisht celebrated consistent victories.
Rajasthan Royals' decision to use Guwahati's Barsapara Cricket Stadium as their second home for IPL 2025 is proving disadvantageous, as they suffer consecutive losses. Former cricketer Aakash Chopra criticizes the unconventional scheduling and notes the pitch does not favor Rajasthan Royals' strengths. He also pointed out that the pitch at Guwahati’s ACA Stadium was not ideal for Rajasthan Royals.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi criticized opposition leaders for their recent remarks on the Maha Kumbh, accusing them of attacking Hindu faith and culture. He emphasized the grandeur and unifying nature of the event, countering comments by West Bengal CM Mamata Banerjee and Congress president Mallikarjun Kharge.
The Supreme Court clarified that Justice Yashwant Varma's transfer to the Allahabad High Court is separate from the ongoing in-house enquiry into the alleged discovery of unaccounted cash at his residence. The court emphasized that the transfer proposal is independent and not connected to the incident involving the fire at Varma's home.
A devastating explosion at an aluminum foil factory in Umred MIDC, Nagpur district, claimed the lives of five individuals. The incident occurred in the factory's polished tubing unit, with 87 people present at the time. Two victims died during hospital treatment, while three missing individuals were later confirmed dead.
Elon Musk has claimed his title as the world's richest person again, with his net worth reaching $420 billion due to an 82% increase primarily from Tesla's stock surge. However, his wealth decreased by $100 billion post-January 2025 due to competition and investor concerns.
A melanistic Royal Bengal Tiger was killed by poachers in Similipal Tiger Reserve, the world's only habitat for these rare tigers. Authorities arrested four men and seized the hide, nails, and weapon used. The tiger was a sub-adult male, likely killed with a country-made gun. Investigations are ongoing, with efforts focused on preserving this rare breed.
Enhancing economic freedom for individuals and small businesses is crucial for India's medium-term growth, stated a finance ministry document. The Economic Survey emphasizes continuing deregulation, reducing regulatory burdens, and implementing reforms for MSMEs. States should learn best practices, further deregulate, and focus on cost-effective governance reforms to boost economic growth and improve the business environment.
External affairs minister S Jaishankar countered US Senator Elissa Slotkin's claim that democracy doesn't address hunger, asserting that India's democratic society provides nutrition support to 800 million people. He stressed that the effectiveness of democracy varies globally and emphasized the need for honest discussions on its challenges.
South Korea has temporarily halted new downloads of China's AI chatbot DeepSeek due to concerns about its data collection practices. Other countries including Taiwan, Australia, and some European nations have also imposed restrictions, while the US is considering similar measures, citing surveillance issues.