🌿 ENVIRONMENT & ECOLOGY – CURRENT AFFAIRS FOR WBCS 2026
Exam Tip: Environment & Ecology is an increasingly important section in WBCS Prelims. Focus on climate summits, tiger census, GI tags, cyclone preparedness, and international environmental awards.
📑 QUICK NAVIGATION
Section Topic 1 Climate Change & Global Summits (COP) 2 Cyclones – Formation, Naming & Recent Cyclones 3 Tropical Cyclones – Causes, Effects & Terminology 4 Environmental Awards & Recognitions 5 Tiger Census & Wildlife Conservation 6 GI Tags (Geographical Indications) 7 Wetlands, National Parks & Biosphere Reserves 8 Important Days (Environment) 9 Very Important One-Liners 10 Quick Revision Table for Exams
🌍 SECTION 1: CLIMATE CHANGE & GLOBAL SUMMITS (COP)
A. COP (Conference of Parties) – Key Facts
Fact Detail Full Form Conference of Parties to UNFCCC Governing Body UNFCCC (United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change) First COP 1995 (Berlin, Germany) COP28 Host (2023) UAE (Dubai) COP29 Host (2024) Azerbaijan (Baku) COP30 Host (2025) Brazil (Belém) Next COP (COP31) 2026 (Host to be announced)
B. Key Climate Agreements
Agreement Year Key Features Kyoto Protocol 1997 First binding emission reduction targets for developed countries Paris Agreement 2015 (COP21) Goal: Limit global warming to well below 2°C, preferably 1.5°C Glasgow Climate Pact 2021 (COP26) Phasedown of coal, enhanced climate finance Loss & Damage Fund 2022 (COP27) Fund for vulnerable nations affected by climate disasters Global Stocktake 2023 (COP28) First assessment of Paris Agreement progress
C. India’s Climate Commitments (NDCs)
Target Detail Net Zero Target 2070 Non-fossil energy capacity 500 GW by 2030 Renewable energy share 50% of electricity from renewables by 2030 Carbon intensity reduction 45% reduction by 2030 (from 2005 levels) Carbon sink Create additional 2.5-3 billion tonnes CO₂ equivalent forest cover
🌪️ SECTION 2: CYCLONES – FORMATION, NAMING & RECENT CYCLONES
A. What is a Cyclone?
Feature Detail Definition Large-scale air mass rotating around a low-pressure centre, accompanied by destructive winds, heavy rainfall, and storm surges Formation Warm ocean waters (26.5°C+), high humidity, low wind shear, Coriolis force Coriolis Force Deflection due to Earth’s rotation; zero at Equator, increases with latitude; causes cyclones to rotate anticlockwise in Northern Hemisphere Cyclone Classification Based on wind speed (IMD classification); not measured on Richter scale (Richter scale is for earthquakes)
B. Cyclone Naming System – WMO Panel Countries
Panel Countries WMO/ESCAP Panel India, Bangladesh, Maldives, Myanmar, Oman, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, Thailand Naming Purpose To identify cyclones easily, avoid confusion when multiple cyclones exist
India’s Cyclone Name Contributions:
Gati, Tej, Murasu, Aag, Vyom, Jhar, Probaho, Neer
C. Types of Cyclones
Type Formation Region Examples Tropical Cyclones Warm tropical oceans (10°-30° latitude) Amphan, Yaas, Tauktae, Hudhud Extratropical (Frontal) Cyclones Mid-latitude regions Western Disturbances Bomb Cyclone Rapid intensification (pressure drop 24 mb in 24 hours) Rare, occurs in mid-latitudes
Frontal cyclones are most likely to occur in Mid-latitude regions.
D. Major Cyclones That Affected India
Cyclone Name Year Affected Region Key Impact Hudhud 2014 Andhra Coast (Visakhapatnam) Severe wind damage Amphan 2020 West Bengal, Odisha, Bangladesh Storm surges, coastal flooding Yaas 2021 West Bengal, Odisha Coastal inundation Tauktae 2021 Gujarat, Maharashtra, Kerala Heavy rainfall, wind damage Nivar 2020 Tamil Nadu, Puducherry Flooding Remal 2024 West Bengal, Bangladesh Storm surges, coastal erosion Dana 2024 Odisha, West Bengal Severe wind damage
E. Cyclone & Monsoon Linkage
Impact Explanation Positive Impact Cyclone in Bay of Bengal can help advance monsoon trough and assist monsoon onset; southwesterly winds bring heavy rainfall Negative Impact Cyclones can push monsoon forward or delay progression; some cyclones can block monsoon winds from moving northward
F. Cyclone Prone Areas in India
Coast Vulnerability Bay of Bengal More cyclones (about 4:1 ratio compared to Arabian Sea) due to warmer waters, more freshwater influx Arabian Sea Fewer cyclones historically, but increasing frequency due to climate change West Bengal High vulnerability – Sundarbans delta Odisha Very high vulnerability – frequent landfall Andhra Pradesh High vulnerability Tamil Nadu Moderate to high vulnerability (Northeast monsoon season)
Key Fact: The number of cyclones in the Arabian Sea before and after the monsoon has increased over the years and is attributed to climate change .
G. Cyclone Warning System in India
Organization Role IMD (India Meteorological Department) Cyclone tracking, prediction, warning issuance INCOIS Storm surge and tsunami warnings NDMA Disaster management and response coordination Cyclone Warning Centers Kolkata, Chennai, Visakhapatnam, Mumbai, Ahmedabad
H. Cyclone Categories (IMD Classification)
Category Wind Speed (km/h) Damage Potential Cyclonic Storm 62-88 Minor damage Severe Cyclonic Storm 89-117 Extensive damage Very Severe Cyclonic Storm 118-166 Extensive to severe Extremely Severe Cyclonic Storm 167-221 Severe Super Cyclonic Storm >222 Catastrophic
🌪️ SECTION 3: TROPICAL CYCLONES – CAUSES, EFFECTS & TERMINOLOGY
A. Causes of Tropical Cyclones
Cause Explanation Warm sea surface Temperature > 26.5°C up to 60m depth High humidity Moisture-laden air for condensation Low vertical wind shear Allows cyclone to develop vertically Coriolis force Provides spin (not present near Equator) Pre-existing low-pressure system Disturbance to initiate rotation
B. Effects of Tropical Cyclones
Effect Description High winds Destruction of infrastructure, uprooting trees Torrential rain Flooding, landslides Storm surge Coastal inundation, saltwater intrusion Coastal erosion Loss of land, damage to mangroves Loss of life & property Primary concern for disaster management
C. Parts of a Cyclone
Part Description Eye Centre of cyclone – calm, clear skies Eyewall Ring of intense thunderstorms around eye – strongest winds Rainbands Spiral bands of clouds and rain extending outward
D. Difference: Cyclone, Hurricane, Typhoon
Term Ocean Basin Cyclone Indian Ocean, South Pacific Hurricane Atlantic Ocean, Eastern North Pacific Typhoon Western North Pacific
🏆 SECTION 4: ENVIRONMENTAL AWARDS & RECOGNITIONS
A. Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 – “Green Nobel”
Fact Detail Award Name Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 Edition First all-women cohort in 37-year history Nickname “Green Nobel” Prize Amount $200,000 per recipient Established 1989 by Richard and Rhonda Goldman
2026 Winners (First All-Women Cohort):
Winner Country Focus Area Iroro Tanshi Nigeria Environmental protection Borim Kim South Korea Environmental activism Sarah Finch United Kingdom Climate justice Theonila Roka Matbob Papua New Guinea Indigenous rights Alannah Acaq Hurley United States Environmental protection Yuvelis Morales Blanco Colombia Environmental justice
B. Other Important Environmental Awards
Award Details Right Livelihood Award “Alternative Nobel”; for environment and social justice UNEP Champions of the Earth UN’s highest environmental honour Indira Gandhi Paryavaran Puraskar India’s highest environmental award Stockholm Water Prize For outstanding water-related achievements
🐅 SECTION 5: TIGER CENSUS & WILDLIFE CONSERVATION
A. All India Tiger Estimation (2022) – Key Findings
Detail Information Total Tiger Population 3,167 (approx) Year of Census 2022 (released 2023) Governing Body NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority) Global Share India has ~75% of world’s wild tigers
B. State-wise Tiger Population (Top States)
Rank State Tiger Population (2022) 1 Madhya Pradesh 785 2 Karnataka 563 3 Uttarakhand 560 4 Maharashtra 444 5 Tamil Nadu 306
C. Tiger Reserves in India (Important for WBCS)
Tiger Reserve State Special Feature Sundarbans Tiger Reserve West Bengal Only mangrove tiger habitat; shared with Bangladesh Jim Corbett Uttarakhand First tiger reserve (Project Tiger, 1973) Bandhavgarh Madhya Pradesh Highest tiger density Periyar Kerala Elephant-tiger habitat Nagarjunsagar-Srisailam Andhra Pradesh Largest tiger reserve (area)
D. Sundarbans Tiger Conservation
Detail Information Ecosystem World’s largest mangrove forest (shared India-Bangladesh) Unique Feature Only tiger population adapted to mangrove habitat Conservation Status UNESCO World Heritage Site
E. Project Tiger – Key Facts
Fact Detail Launched 1973 First Tiger Reserve Jim Corbett National Park, Uttarakhand Total Tiger Reserves 53 (as of 2024) Governing Body NTCA (National Tiger Conservation Authority)
🏷️ SECTION 6: GI TAGS (GEOGRAPHICAL INDICATIONS)
A. What is a GI Tag?
Feature Detail Definition Sign used on products with specific geographical origin and unique qualities Governing Act Geographical Indications of Goods (Registration & Protection) Act, 1999 GI Registry Office Chennai, Tamil Nadu International Agreement TRIPS Agreement (WTO)
B. West Bengal GI Tags (Important for WBCS)
GI Tag Product District/Region Year Registered Darjeeling Tea Darjeeling 2004 (first GI in India) Banglar Rasogolla West Bengal 2017 Nakshi Kantha Various 2009 Baluchari Saree Murshidabad 2011 Dhaniakhali Saree Hooghly 2011 Bankura Panchmura Terracotta Bankura 2017 Joynagar Moa South 24 Parganas 2019 Gobindobhog Rice Burdwan 2017 Tulaipanji Rice Dinajpur 2017 Bardhaman Sitabhog/Mihidana Bardhaman 2017
Note: “Banglar Rasogolla” is the official GI registered term for West Bengal. Odisha also has a GI for “Odisha Rasagola” (2019).
C. GI Tags of Other States (For Comparison)
GI Tag State Kanchipuram Silk Tamil Nadu Pochampally Ikat Telangana Mysore Silk Karnataka Kashmir Pashmina Jammu & Kashmir Assam Tea Assam Bikaneri Bhujia Rajasthan Nagpur Orange Maharashtra
🌊 SECTION 7: WETLANDS, NATIONAL PARKS & BIOSPHERE RESERVES
A. Ramsar Sites (Wetlands of International Importance)
Fact Detail Convention Ramsar Convention (1971, Iran) India’s Status India has the highest number of Ramsar Sites in Asia First Ramsar Sites in India Chilika Lake (Odisha), Keoladeo NP (Rajasthan) – 1981 Wetlands in West Bengal East Kolkata Wetlands, Sundarbans Wetland
Wetland Day: World Wetlands Day – 2nd February
B. Biosphere Reserves in India
Fact Detail Total Biosphere Reserves 18 (12 recognized by UNESCO MAB) First Biosphere Reserve Nilgiri (1986) UNESCO MAB Program Man and Biosphere Programme Sunderbans Biosphere Reserve West Bengal (UNESCO recognized 2001)
C. National Parks in West Bengal
National Park District Special Feature Sunderbans National Park South 24 Parganas UNESCO World Heritage, Tiger Reserve Buxa Tiger Reserve Alipurduar Part of Project Tiger Gorumara National Park Jalpaiguri Famous for Indian rhinos Neora Valley National Park Kalimpong Rich biodiversity Singalila National Park Darjeeling Red Panda habitat
📅 SECTION 8: IMPORTANT DAYS (ENVIRONMENT)
Day Date Observed For World Wetlands Day 2nd February Ramsar Convention awareness World Water Day 22nd March Freshwater importance World Health Day 7th April Health awareness (WHO founded 1948) World Earth Day 22nd April Environmental protection World Malaria Day 25th April Malaria elimination International Day for Biological Diversity 22nd May Biodiversity conservation World Environment Day 5th June Environmental action World Oceans Day 8th June Ocean conservation World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought 17th June Land degradation International Day for Preservation of Ozone Layer 16th September Montreal Protocol World Tiger Day 29th July Tiger conservation
🚨 SECTION 9: VERY IMPORTANT ONE-LINERS
Climate Change & Summits
Fact Detail Paris Agreement signed 2015 (COP21) India’s Net Zero Target 2070 COP30 Host (2025) Brazil (Belém) Loss & Damage Fund established COP27 (2022)
Cyclones
Fact Detail Hudhud Cyclone affected Andhra coast (Visakhapatnam) – WBCS PYQ Coriolis Force Deflects moving air right in Northern Hemisphere, left in Southern Hemisphere Cyclone classification Based on wind speed (not Richter scale) Frontal cyclones most likely in Mid-latitude regions Arabian Sea cyclone frequency Increased due to climate change
Awards
Fact Detail Goldman Environmental Prize 2026 First all-women cohort Green Nobel Goldman Environmental Prize
Wildlife
Fact Detail India’s tiger population (2022) 3,167 (~75% of world’s wild tigers) First tiger reserve in India Jim Corbett National Park (1973) Only mangrove tiger habitat Sundarbans Tiger Reserve
GI Tags (West Bengal)
Fact Detail First GI Tag in India Darjeeling Tea (2004) Banglar Rasogolla GI Tag Registered by West Bengal (2017)
📊 SECTION 10: QUICK REVISION TABLE FOR EXAMS
Category Key Fact COP30 Host Brazil (Belém) Paris Agreement Year 2015 India’s Net Zero 2070 Hudhud Cyclone Andhra Coast (WBCS PYQ) Coriolis Force Causes cyclones to rotate anticlockwise in N. Hemisphere Cyclone Classification Based on wind speed (IMD scale) Goldman Prize 2026 First all-women cohort India’s Tiger Population 3,167 (2022) First Tiger Reserve Jim Corbett (1973) First GI Tag of India Darjeeling Tea (2004) World Wetlands Day 2nd February World Environment Day 5th June World Ozone Day 16th September
“Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.” – Mahatma Gandhi
