As December settles in and winter begins to take hold, the night sky gears up for one of its most anticipated sights of the year—the Cold Supermoon. Falling on December 4, this striking lunar event is not only December’s traditional full moon but also the final supermoon of 2025, rounding off a trio that began in October and continued through November. The term supermoon refers to a full moon that occurs when the Moon reaches or comes very close to perigee, the closest point to Earth in its elliptical orbit. This reduced distance makes the Moon appear slightly larger and significantly brighter—up to 30 pct more luminous than a typical full moon. Although the difference may not always be dramatic to the naked eye, the enhanced glow often creates a noticeable visual impact, especially under clear winter skies. December’s full moon has long been called the Cold Moon, a name rooted in traditional lunar calendars used by Indigenous communities and early farmers. It marks the arrival of winter’s chill, longer nights and a shift toward colder, quieter days. When this seasonal full moon coincides with perigee, the result is the Cold Supermoon—a natural spectacle that blends cultural symbolism with astronomical brilliance. Tonight’s Cold Supermoon is expected to shine with a crisp, silvery radiance. At perigee, the Moon will sit roughly 221,965 miles from Earth, making it appear subtly but noticeably larger than usual. Even if the precise peak illumination time hasn’t been specified, skywatchers across India can catch the full display simply by stepping outdoors after sunset on December 4. In cities such as Mumbai, the Moon will rise over the eastern horizon in the early evening, offering a clear view as long as clouds stay away. It is recommended to choose locations with minimal light pollution—rooftops, terraces, beaches, open grounds or any unobstructed space where the horizon is visible. Winter months often bring cleaner, drier air, creating ideal conditions for moon gazing. Whether you’re an astronomy enthusiast or simply someone who enjoys looking up at the night sky, the Cold Supermoon offers a moment of quiet wonder. As the last supermoon of 2025, it is a fitting finale to the year’s lunar highlights—brilliant, serene and unmistakably enchanting.
04 December,2025 10:07 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentIn an environment-friendly gesture, quarrying has been stopped for about a month at a stone quarry in Vikarabad district in Telangana to let a rock eagle owl, a rare bird, hatch its eggs. The Telangana forest department quickly swung into action after being alerted by wildlife photographers and conservationists about the presence of the bird and the eggs. Vikarabad District Forest Officer Gnaneswar told PTI on Thursday that wildlife photographer Manoj Kumar Vittapu, who visited the grassland at Yenkathala in Vikarabad about six days ago, informed the Telangana's Principal Chief Conservator of Forest (PCCF) C Suvarna about the presence of the rock eagle owl and its five eggs. The PCCF asked the Vikarabad district forest officials to quickly take safety measures. The forest department personnel who reached the site informed the stone crushing unit owner Laxma Reddy about the presence of rare bird species and the eggs, he said. The unit owner agreed not to disturb the bird till the hatchlings fly. The forest department personnel have been keeping a close watch on the bird since then on a daily basis, Gnaneswar said. The rock eagle owl, which preys on insects, rats and others, is mainly found in South East Asia. Compared to other owls, it inhabits rocky areas, he said. "It's a rare species though it is not endangered. Its sighting is rare," the official said. Though it is not known when the bird laid the eggs at the Yenkathala grassland, it is expected that hatching would happen in another 15 days. The hatchlings would fly away if protective care is taken for 20-25 days, he said. The rock eagle owl incubates the eggs and ensures that they remain warm, he added. Vittapu, who is also joint secretary of Telangana Photographic Society, told PTI that he visited the Yenkathala grasslands as part of a birding visit on November 30. He said he noticed the eggs which were located between the quarry cliff and the ground. The earthmover driver at the quarry stopped the mining (stone crushing) after being alerted. The driver and other personnel were aware of the presence of the bird. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2025 09:27 PM IST | Hyderabad | PTIFor 35 years, American zoologist Laurie Marker has been collecting and storing specimens in a cheetah sperm bank in Namibia, hoping conservationists never have to use them. But she worries that the world's fastest land animal might be on the brink of extinction one day and need artificial reproduction to save it. Marker says the sperm bank at the Cheetah Conservation Fund she founded in the southern African nation is a 'frozen zoo' of cheetahs she's been building since 1990. It would be utilised in a worst-case scenario for the big cats, whose numbers have dropped alarmingly in the wild over the last 50 years. "You don't do anything with it unless until it's needed," Marker, one of the foremost experts on cheetahs, told The Associated Press from her research centre near the Namibian city of Otjiwarongo. "And we never want to get to that point." Conservationists mark World Cheetah Day on Thursday with less than 7,000 of them left in the wild, similar numbers to the critically endangered black rhino. There are only around 33 populations of cheetahs spread out in pockets mainly across Africa, with most of those populations having less than 100 animals, Marker said. Like so many species, the sleek cats that can run at speeds of 70 miles per hour (112 km per hour) are in danger from habitat loss, human-wildlife conflict and the illegal animal trade. Their shrinking, isolated groups mean their gene pool is shrinking also as small populations continuously breed among themselves, with repercussions for their reproduction rates. Globally, cheetah numbers in the wild have dropped by 80 pct in the last half-century and they've been pushed out of 90 pct of their historical range. Scientists believe that cheetahs already narrowly escaped extinction at the end of the last ice age around 10,000-12,000 years ago, which first reduced their gene pool. Marker said the lack of genetic diversity, along with the fact that cheetahs have 70-80 pct abnormal sperm, mean they might need help in the future. "And so, a sperm bank makes perfect sense, right?" Marker said. Storing sperm is not unique to cheetahs in the wildlife world. It's a tactic that conservationists have developed for other species, including elephants, rhinos, antelopes, other big cats, birds and others. The value of animal reproductive research, Marker said, is seen in the desperate battle to save the northern white rhino from extinction. There are just two northern white rhinos left, both females, making the species functionally extinct with no chance of reproducing naturally. Their only hope lies in artificial reproduction using northern white rhino sperm that was collected and frozen years ago. Because both remaining northern white rhinos 'a mother and daughter' can't carry pregnancies, scientists have tried to implant northern white rhino embryos in southern white rhino surrogates. The surrogates haven't managed to carry any of the pregnancies to term, but the conservation team has committed to keep trying to save northern white rhinos against all odds. Other efforts around artificial reproduction have been successful, including a project that bred black-footed ferrets using artificial reproduction after they'd been reduced to a single wild population in Wyoming in the United States. Marker doesn't chase down cheetahs to collect their sperm but takes samples opportunistically. In Namibia, cheetahs are mostly in danger from farmers who view them as threats to their livestock, meaning Marker's team are called out for cats that have been injured or captured and will collect samples while treating and releasing them. Sperm samples can also be taken from dead cheetahs. "Every cheetah is actually a unique mix of a very small number of genes. We will try to bank every animal we possibly can," Marker said. The samples from approximately 400 cheetahs and counting are now stored at ultralow temperatures in liquid nitrogen at the Cheetah Conservation Fund laboratory. Marker's research does not involve any artificial insemination as breeding wild animals in captivity is not allowed in Namibia. Should cheetahs be threatened with extinction again, the first backup would be the roughly 1,800 cats living in zoos and other captive environments. But, Marker said, cheetahs don't breed well in captivity and the sperm bank might be, like the northern white rhinos, the last resort. Without it, 'we're not going to have much of a chance,' Marker said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
04 December,2025 09:25 PM IST | Cape Town | APCyclone Ditwah, a tropical storm that formed over the Southwest Bay of Bengal on November 26, has left a trail of destruction in Sri Lanka and is now moving northwards, travelling parallel to the northern part of Tamil Nadu and Puducherry coasts. As the system continues to intensify over the sea, the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has issued red alerts for Tamil Nadu, Puducherry, and South Andhra Pradesh, urging residents to stay prepared for adverse weather conditions. Origin Cyclones, also known as tropical storms, develop over warm ocean waters where the sea surface temperature is high enough to trigger atmospheric instability. When warm, moist air rises from the ocean, it cools and condenses to form clouds. This process releases latent heat, which further fuels the system, creating a cycle of rising air, cloud formation, and intensification. As this structure grows vertically, the Earth’s rotation causes it to spin. In the Northern Hemisphere, this rotation is counter clockwise, while in the Southern Hemisphere it is clockwise. Cyclone Ditwah emerged from a well-marked low-pressure area over the Southwest Bay of Bengal on November 26. Over the next few days, favourable conditions, such as warm sea surface temperatures, low vertical wind shear, and ample moisture helped the system strengthen into a named tropical storm. What does ‘Ditwah’ mean Tropical storms across the world are named by the World Meteorological Organization (WMO) to improve communication, avoid confusion during forecasts, and support disaster risk awareness. Naming the cyclone is essential because multiple storms can form at the same time in the same region or across the globe, making clear identification crucial for issuing warnings and coordinating relief efforts. The name ‘Ditwah’ was contributed by Yemen. It is inspired by the Detwah Lagoon, a pristine ecological hotspot in Yemen’s Socotra Archipelago, known for its unique biodiversity, crystal-clear waters, and dramatic landscapes. Each country in the region contributes a set of names, and the list—consisting of contributions from 13 countries, including India, Bangladesh, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, the UAE, and others—is used sequentially. Impact and forecast According to the red nowcast warning, IMD has predicted heavy rainfall exceeding 15 mm per hour, along with moderate thunderstorms and maximum wind speeds of 40–60 kmph. Coastal regions have been advised to remain cautious, with the possibility of waterlogging, rough sea conditions, and disruption to transport. The next cyclone on the list will be named ‘Arnab’, a name that means ‘frog’ and is also commonly used as a neutral personal name in some cultures.
03 December,2025 09:50 PM IST | Mumbai | mid-day online correspondentTwo researchers from an astrophysics institute in Pune have discovered one of the most distant spiral galaxies ever observed - a massive, well-formed system that existed when the universe was just 1.5 billion years old. The finding adds to growing evidence that the early universe was more evolved than previously assumed, they said. Named 'Alaknanda' after a Himalayan river, the grand-design spiral galaxy challenges existing theories on how early complex galactic structures formed, the researchers said. "Finding such a well-formed spiral galaxy at this early epoch is quite unexpected. It shows that sophisticated structures were being built much earlier than we thought possible," one of the researchers said. Despite being present when the universe was only 10 per cent of its current age, Alaknanda appears strikingly similar to the Milky Way. The findings have been published in the European journal 'Astronomy & Astrophysics'. Using NASA's James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), researchers Rashi Jain and Yogesh Wadadekar from the Pune-based National Centre for Radio Astrophysics (NCRA-TIFR) identified the galaxy. "Alaknanda lies at a redshift of about 4, meaning its light has travelled more than 12 billion years to reach Earth," Jain said. "We are seeing this galaxy as it appeared just 1.5 billion years after the Big Bang. Finding such a well-formed spiral galaxy at this early epoch is quite unexpected. It shows that sophisticated structures were being built much earlier than we thought possible," she said. Using JWST's infrared sensitivity and resolution, the team found that Alaknanda contains roughly "10 billion times the mass of the sun in stars" and is forming new stars at about 63 solar masses per year, nearly 20 to 30 times the Milky Way's current rate, the researchers said in a release. Before JWST, astronomers believed early galaxies were chaotic and clumpy, with stable spiral structures emerging only after several billion years, they said. Dominant models suggested that early galaxies were too "hot" and turbulent to form ordered disks capable of sustaining spiral arms, the release said. "Alaknanda tells a different story," Wadadekar said. "This galaxy had to assemble 10 billion solar masses of stars and build a large disk with spiral arms in just a few hundred million years. That's incredibly rapid by cosmic standards," he said. The discovery adds to growing JWST evidence that the early universe was more evolved than previously assumed. "While other disk galaxies have been spotted at similar distances, Alaknanda is among the clearest examples of a spiral galaxy with well-defined arms at such a high redshift," the release said. Jain said the team chose the name Alaknanda - one of the two main headstreams of the river Ganga - because of its connection to the Milky Way."Just as the Alaknanda is the sister river of the Mandakini, which is the Hindi name for our own Milky Way, we thought it fitting to name this distant spiral galaxy after the Alaknanda river," she said. Although Alaknanda's photometric redshift is well-established, follow-up observations with JWST's NIRSpec instrument or the Atacama Large Millimeter/submillimeter Array (ALMA) are needed to measure its disk rotation, the researchers said. "These measurements will reveal whether the galaxy's disk is 'cold' and orderly or 'hot' and turbulent, helping scientists understand how its spiral arms formed," they added. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
03 December,2025 10:25 AM IST | Pune | PTIA new study has found that Africa's forests, usually vital for the fight against climate change, could be emitting more carbon than they absorb, highlighting the urgent need for stronger global forest protection efforts. Analysing satellite data, researchers from the UK, Europe and Africa, found that the continent gained carbon from 2007 to 2010. However, between 2010 and 2017, Africa's forests lost approximately 106 billion kilograms of forest biomass per year -- equivalent to the weight of about 106 million cars, they said. Tropical forests are considered 'carbon sinks' because they absorb more carbon dioxide from the air than they release. But evidence from studies is increasingly suggesting that deforestation and disruptions, such as wildfires runs the risk of turning many of the world's forests into a 'carbon source' from 'carbon sink'. The study, published in the journal Scientific Reports, noted "Africa's forests and woody savannas have historically acted as a carbon sink, removing atmospheric carbon and storing it as biomass". "However, our novel analysis reveals a critical transition from a carbon sink to a carbon source between 2010 and 2017," the authors wrote. The analysis combines data gathered from the US' and Japan's space programmes and on-ground forest measurements. The result is the most detailed map to date of biomass changes across the African continent, covering a decade, at a resolution fine enough to capture local deforestation patterns, the researchers said. Senior author Heiko Balzter, professor and director of the Institute for Environmental Futures at the UK's University of Leicester, said, "This is a critical wake-up call for global climate policy". "If Africa's forests are no longer absorbing carbon, it means other regions and the world as a whole will need to cut greenhouse gas emissions even more deeply to stay within the 2 degrees Celsius goal of the Paris Agreement and avoid catastrophic climate change," Balzter said. Climate finance for the Tropical Forests Forever Facility, launched at the recently concluded COP30, must be scaled up quickly to put an end to global deforestation for good, the senior author said. Author Pedro Rodriguez-Veiga, from the National Centre for Earth Observation at the universities of Leicester, Sheffield and Edinburgh, said the study shows "deforestation isn't just a local or regional issue -- it's changing the global carbon balance." "If Africa's forests turn into a lasting carbon source, global climate goals will become much harder to achieve. Governments, the private sector, and NGOs must collaborate to fund and support initiatives that protect and enhance our forests," Rodriguez-Veiga said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
01 December,2025 03:30 PM IST | New Delhi | PTIClimate crisis will hit the poorest and most marginalised the hardest -- those who have contributed least to the problem and have the least resilience to changing weather patterns, said top representative of a global campaign advocating for a new treaty to phase out fossil fuels. In an exclusive interview with PTI Videos, Alex Rafalowicz, Director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative, said that in terms of the formal agreements reached at COP30, "we are still drastically off track" in confronting the climate crisis. "To stop the acceleration of these disasters, we need a genuine plan to phase out fossil fuels and to end deforestation. COP30 did neither. So at the highest level, we must be honest, we are off track," Rafalowicz said. The United Nations climate talks in Brazil reached a subdued agreement recently that pledged more funding for countries to adapt to the wrath of extreme weather. But the catch-all agreement does not include explicit details to phase out fossil fuels or strengthen countries' inadequate emission cutting plans, which dozens of nations demanded. Noting India's dependence on fossil fuels, Rafalowicz told PTI that the first step in addressing any dependency is acknowledging it and committing to move beyond, even without every pathway detail in place. "We can discuss a reasonable pathway that ensures continued access to energy, especially for people who currently lack it, and that ensures just transition plans for workers in fossil fuel sectors. This is precisely the conversation Colombia and the Netherlands want to begin. India, given its ambition for renewable energy, would be very welcome," the director of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty initiative told PTI. When asked what factors influenced the absence of a fossil fuel language in the global Mutirão text at the UN climate talks, Rafalowicz emphasised that political will, public pressure, and lobbying -- all influenced COP negotiations. He also cited the UK's shift to support the just transition mechanism after sustained public and trade union pressure as an example of how government positions can change, and stressed that coal, oil, and gas remain the main sources of carbon dioxide emissions -- framing the climate challenge as a fossil-fuel crisis. "We must acknowledge the huge number of industry lobbyists at these conferences. One in 25 attendees represented fossil fuel-related industries or corporations. Their interest is to limit action. Eighty-six per cent of the cardon dioxide trapped in our atmosphere over the past decade has come from coal, oil and gas. If we cannot address these three products, we cannot address the climate crisis. It is fundamentally a fossil fuel crisis," he said. Highlighting that fossil fuels have never delivered sustainable development, Rafalowicz expressed concerns over the destruction of ecological limits and fossil fuels causing significant harm -- from polluted city air to Amazon oil spills and escalation of other climate impacts. When asked if nations who are major producers of fossil fuels can derail their goals, he said, "They can try, and they can slow progress, but they cannot derail the transition that is already underway. Renewable energy installation is almost surpassing annual increases in demand." Electric vehicles are rapidly replacing petrol vehicles, and oil consumption is expected to decline quickly, he added. Rafalowicz further said the central questions are whether the transition can be made quickly enough to avert severe climate impacts and whether it can be achieved fairly. He warned that leaving the shift entirely to market forces would allow "powerful players" to gain the most, resulting in a slow and inequitable transition that would not serve India's interests or those of many other countries. Such an approach, he added, may benefit elites in the United States, Saudi Arabia or Russia, but not the majority of people. Speaking about Colombia and the Netherlands co-hosting first international conference on the just transition away from fossil fuels, Rafalowicz said that the event was announced alongside about 24 countries during COP30, and 15 other countries meet the criteria of having a strong vision for getting off fossil fuels. "I expect around 40 countries from every continent. Colombia envisions technical dialogues to develop best practices for overcoming fossil fuel dependence and to propose changes to the international system to accelerate the transition," he said. This includes discussions on new legal avenues, the International Court of Justice's decision, the COP Presidency's roadmap on phasing out fossil fuels, and the possibility of establishing a new treaty focused specifically on fossil fuels. The first international conference on the just transition away from fossil fuels is slated to be held on April 28 and 29 in 2026, in the port city of Santa Marta, Colombia. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
27 November,2025 01:13 PM IST | New Delhi | PTICamouflaged hideouts, watchtowers, forest cottages and many other facilities are coming soon to boost avitourism in Jharkhand's Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary, a forest official said on Sunday. Spread over 565 hectares, the sanctuary comprises two natural backwater lakes of the Ganga river - Pataura and Berhale - in Sahibganj district. It is the state's only Ramsar site and home to around 160 bird species, he said. The forest department has prepared a management plan for the Udhwa sanctuary to improve its habitat, maintain water quality, develop tourism facilities and reduce anthropogenic pressure. "Multiple projects are underway for the development of Udhwa sanctuary, which will not only boost tourism but also improve the habitat for birds," Sahibganj divisional forest officer (DFO) Prabal Garg told PTI. He said their prime focus is to enhance tourism facilities in the sanctuary so that bird watchers and tourists can be attracted to the site. The sanctuary witnesses an average inflow of 10,000 visitors every year. "There are only three tourist cottages, which are not enough. So, we have decided to build an additional seven or ten new cottages in the sanctuary in a bid to create a possibility of a night stay for tourists here. Currently, no tourists stay at night here," Garg said. The department has also decided to build camouflage hideouts for the bird watchers, besides two more watchtowers. "We have also planned to build fixed as well as floating camouflage hideouts to provide the pleasure of bird watching to tourists without disturbing them. They can enjoy birds through binoculars and cameras," he added. The sanctuary has two watchtowers, and the department has decided to establish two more such structures, the DFO said. The work of landscaping is also underway. "The tourism department has sanctioned Rs 4.98 crore to develop tourist facilities in the sanctuary, and the projects are being carried out by the forest department," Garg added. Udhwa's twin lakes form an expansive wetland system that supports resident birds year-round and serves as a vital winter refuge for migratory species. From October to March, large numbers of birds arrive from Siberia, Central Asia, and Eastern Europe at the sanctuary. The most frequent winter visitors include bar-headed geese, northern pintails, common teal, greylag geese, gadwalls, spot-billed ducks, and red-crested pochards, while purple herons, Asian openbills, little grebes, and kingfishers contribute to the sanctuary's year-round avian diversity, according to ornithologists. Jharkhand coordinator of Asian Waterbird Census (AWC) Satya Prakash said they carried out a bird census in the wetland in Udhwa Lake Bird Sanctuary on January 17 and 18 this year. "During the census, 60 species of wetland birds belonging to 18 families were recorded. Out of the total 60 species, 33 per cent were resident birds, 32 per cent resident migrants and 35 per cent winter migratory birds. A total of 10,031 birds were recorded at Udhuwa Lake Bird Sanctuary," Prakash told PTI. He said they conduct surveys only of wetland birds. "If all birds are taken into consideration, the total species in the sanctuary would be around 160, including residents and migratory ones," he added. Prakash said anthropogenic pressure, mainly agricultural activities, is a major threat to the birds, besides fishing and trespassing. Garg said, "Use of chemical fertilisers, insecticides and pesticides in the surroundings of the sanctuary poses risk to the birds. We are encouraging farmers to adopt organic or natural farming," he said. The department is also working to engage locals in sustainable tourism. He said that they were carrying out habitat restoration and water quality improvement programmes under the Namami Gange project. The sanctuary also includes Nature Interpretation Centres (NICs), which present scientific and educational information on bird species, migration patterns, aquatic plants, fish and local reptile diversity. These centres function as learning hubs for students, researchers and general visitors, deepening their understanding of Udhwa's ecological significance, another forest official said. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 November,2025 08:24 PM IST | Ranchi | PTIWith the arrival of the winter winds, foreign and domestic migratory birds have begun flocking to Sambhar Lake in Rajasthan. As every year, millions of flamingos can be seen frolicking and flying over the lake, turning it into a spectacular pink panorama. These migratory birds stay here from late October to March, making the view extraordinarily beautiful. Sambhar Lake spans nearly 240 square kilometres and covers areas of the Jaipur, Nagaur, and Ajmer districts. Every year, the lake attracts thousands of migratory birds. These include flamingos, pelicans, shovelers, waders, common cranes, pintails, bar-headed geese, grey leg geese, tufted ducks, and peregrine falcons. The birds migrate from colder regions such as Russia, Siberia, and Mongolia to escape the harsh winter and find refuge in India. Birds expert Gaurav Dadheech explains that the lake's saline water provides a suitable habitat and abundant food for these migratory birds. Flamingos filter-feed on algae and small aquatic organisms with their long beaks. Their diet contains beta-carotene, a pigment essential for their vibrant colouration and health. In addition to lesser and greater flamingos, species such as common cranes, 10-12 duck species, waders, and other foreign birds are also observed during this season. Nature enthusiast Kapil says that the sight at the lake is truly mesmerising. Flamingos float in groups and soar through the sky, creating a unique tourist attraction. During the winter months, the number of flamingos often reaches millions, and they also nest and breed in the lake, helping their population flourish. The spectacular natural landscape of Sambhar Lake offers tourists and nature lovers an unforgettable experience. Visitors often return repeatedly to witness and enjoy this enchanting spectacle. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
23 November,2025 08:01 PM IST | Sambhar | ANIIndia-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs at Kuno National Park in Madhya Pradesh, Chief Minister Mohan Yadav said on Thursday, calling it a 'historic milestone in Project Cheetah.' 'A historic milestone has been achieved as Indian-born cheetah Mukhi has given birth to five cubs in Kuno National Park, Madhya Pradesh. The mother and cubs are doing well,' Yadav said in a post on X. बधाई हो… Bharat’s cheetah family is growing and so is our MP’s pride!Our first India-born cheetah Mukhi has blessed Kuno with five cubs.A proud leap for Project Cheetah and a beautiful, unprecedented breakthrough that strengthens our nation’s wildlife heritage. pic.twitter.com/8zWd9uReQR — Jyotiraditya M. Scindia (@JM_Scindia) November 20, 2025 This is an 'unprecedented' breakthrough for India's cheetah reintroduction initiative, he said. Mukhi, the first Indian-born female cheetah at 33 months of age, has now become the first India-born cheetah to reproduce, making it a landmark achievement for Project Cheetah, he said. "The successful reproduction of an India-born cheetah is a strong indicator of the species' adaptation, health, and long-term prospects in Indian habitats," Yadav said. "This significant step forward strengthens optimism about establishing a self-sustaining and genetically diverse cheetah population in India, further advancing the nation's conservation goals," he added. Cheetahs were reintroduced in India on September 17, 2022, several decades after they went extinct in the country. Prime Minister Narendra Modi had then released eight cheetahs, five females and three males, brought from Namibia, into Kuno National Park, marking the first-ever intercontinental translocation of big cats. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever
20 November,2025 03:31 PM IST | Sheopur | PTIWith a rise in global temperatures due to climate change, more than 70 per cent of Indians reported personally experiencing severe heat waves, as well as droughts and water shortages, according to a report on Tuesday, November 18. The report by Yale Program on Climate Change Communication, based on survey data collected between 2022 and 2025 from over 19,000 respondents, created Climate Opinion Maps that revealed how people’s experiences with extreme weather and their beliefs about climate change’s role in these events vary across India’s states and districts. Nationally, a majority of Indians reported personally experiencing severe heat waves (71 per cent), agricultural pests and diseases (59 per cent), electricity power outages (59 per cent), water pollution (53 per cent), droughts and water shortages (52 per cent), and severe air pollution (51 per cent) in the past 12 months. “As India rapidly develops while facing intensifying extreme weather, understanding how people across states and districts perceive and experience climate change is essential. These maps can help local and state leaders design climate action plans that reflect people’s lived realities and build durable public support for solutions,” said Dr. Jagadish Thaker, Senior Lecturer, University of Queensland, and one of the lead authors. The report also showed geographic variation in experiences with extreme weather and related climate impacts. In Uttar Pradesh, India’s most populous state, 78 per cent of adults reported personally experiencing severe heat waves, among the highest in the country, along with Rajasthan (80 per cent), Haryana (80 per cent), and Odisha (80 per cent). In comparison, just over half of adults in Kerala and Tamil Nadu reported the same (55 per cent and 52 per cent, respectively). Similarly, while only 35 per cent of Indians nationwide report experiencing severe cyclones, that number rises to 64 per cent among people in Odisha, which was hit hard by Cyclone Dana in October 2024. Odisha also stands out regarding droughts -- over two-thirds of people in Odisha report experiencing droughts and water shortages. “These data about how people across India are experiencing the impacts of climate change can help decision makers better understand public risk perceptions and design climate adaptation, communication, and sustainable development policies that meet Indians where they are,” said lead researcher Dr. Jennifer Marlon, at the Yale Program on Climate Change Communication. This story has been sourced from a third party syndicated feed, agencies. Mid-day accepts no responsibility or liability for its dependability, trustworthiness, reliability and data of the text. Mid-day management/mid-day.com reserves the sole right to alter, delete or remove (without notice) the content in its absolute discretion for any reason whatsoever.
19 November,2025 12:14 PM IST | New Delhi | IANSADVERTISEMENT
