News in Shorts: 07 April 2026

Stage-I Forest Clearance for Puri Airport Project

Context: Recently, the proposed Puri airport project received Stage-I forest clearance from the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change for diversion of forest land.

Key Highlights of the Puri Airport Project

• Infrastructure Boost to Pilgrimage Hub: The Shree Jagannath International Airport aims to enhance connectivity to Puri, a major religious tourism centre.
• In-Principle approval for the diversion of Forest Land : Around 27.886 hectares of forest land has been approved for diversion, subject to conditions.
• Conditional Approval for Final Clearance: The project must comply with requirements such as compensatory afforestation, wildlife protection, and environmental safeguards before Stage-II approval.
• Economic and Tourism Impact: Expected to handle 4 million passengers annually, boosting tourism, regional economy, and global outreach of Jagannath culture.

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About Stage-I Forest Clearance

• Stage-I Forest Clearance is an “in-principle approval” granted under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land for non-forestry purposes.
• Key Provisions
  • Approval is granted by the MoEFCC or its Regional Office after scrutiny of project proposals.
  • It imposes conditions such as:
    • Compensatory Afforestation (CA)
    • Payment of Net Present Value (NPV)
    • Land transfer and mutation compliance
• Process and Stage-II Clearance: After fulfilling conditions, the State submits a compliance report, leading to Stage-II (final) approval, after which construction can begin.
• Exemptions (2023 Amendment): Certain projects are exempted, including:
  • Strategic projects within 100 km of international borders
  • Security-related infrastructure up to 10 hectares
• Significance: Ensures environmental safeguards, compensation mechanisms, and sustainable land-use decisions before forest diversion.

About Net Present Value (NPV)

• Concept of NPV: Net Present Value (NPV) is a one-time payment mandated under the Forest (Conservation) Act, 1980 for diversion of forest land to non-forest use.
• Basis of Calculation: It reflects the monetised value of ecological services lost, such as carbon sequestration, soil conservation, and biodiversity.
• Utilisation of Funds: The collected amount is deposited in CAMPA (Compensatory Afforestation Fund Management and Planning Authority) Fund and used for afforestation and ecological restoration.

Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises

Context: The National Statistical Office has launched the first ever Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE) covering the incorporated services sector.

About the Annual Survey of Incorporated Services Sector Enterprises (ASISSE)

• Objective: To create a comprehensive database of India’s incorporated services sector for better policymaking.
• Coverage: Includes companies & LLPs registered under Companies Act (1956/2013) and LLP Act, 2008.
  • Covers sectors like trade, transport, hospitality, IT, education, healthcare.
• Reference Period: Financial Year 2024–25.
• Data Source & Method: Uses Goods and Services Tax Network database as sampling frame.
  • Data is collected via a secure web-based portal.
• Legal Framework: Conducted under the Collection of Statistics Act, 2008 (amended 2017) and Jan Vishwas Act, 2023.
• Economic Significance: The services sector contributes 50%+ of India’s GDP and is a major employment generator.
  • ASISSE fills a critical data gap in this dominant sector.
• Complementary Surveys:
  • Annual Survey of Industries (ASI): For the manufacturing sector.
  • Annual Survey of Unincorporated Sector Enterprises (ASUSE): For informal sector.

Kozhikode–Wayanad Tunnel Project

Context: Recently, the Supreme Court of India refused to halt Kerala’s Kozhikode-Wayanad tunnel project, citing its national importance.

About Kozhikode–Wayanad Tunnel Project

• Introduction: It is a 8.73 km twin-tube tunnel corridor connecting Kozhikode and Wayanad through the ecologically sensitive Western Ghats.
• Developer: Project proposed and executed by the Kerala State Government, with environmental appraisal by expert committees.
• Objective: To reduce travel time, ease congestion, and improve connectivity in a land-scarce, hilly region prone to road bottlenecks.
• Key Features
  • Engineering Design: Twin-tube unidirectional tunnel (2+2 lanes) with four-lane approach roads for efficient traffic flow.
  • Strategic Connectivity: Links Anakkampoyil–Kalladi-Meppadi corridor, improving regional mobility and economic integration.
  • Terrain and Location: Situated at 700–2061 m altitude, passing through fragile ecosystems and near landslide-prone zones.
• Concerns Raised Against the Project
  • Ecological Fragility: Proximity to the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve raises concerns over biodiversity loss and ecosystem disruption.
  • Landslide Risk: Area witnessed a devastating 2024 landslide (400+ deaths), raising safety concerns due to tunnelling vibrations.
  • Environmental Clearance Issues: Allegations of hurried appraisal and inadequate impact assessment, especially for Category ‘A’ projects.
• Court’s Judgements
  • Kerala High Court Decision (2025 – Wayanad Prakrithi Samrakshana Samithi vs State of Kerala): Upheld the project, permitting construction with strict environmental safeguards and monitoring mechanisms.
  • Supreme Court Decision (2026): Declined to interfere, noting expert approval and allowing recourse to National Green Tribunal in case of violations.

Conclusion

The project highlights the development vs environment debate, requiring strict compliance with safeguards to balance infrastructure needs and ecological sustainability.

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Mission MITRA

Context: The Indian Space Research Organisation announced the launch of Mission MITRA (Mapping of Interoperable Traits and Response Assessment) to take place between April 2-9 in Leh, Ladakh.

About Mission MITRA

• Aim: To generate the vital understanding on team interoperability between gaganyatris and the ground-control teams, their effectiveness of decision-making under extreme environmental and operational stresses
• Approach: As part of this mission, four astronaut-designates – Shubhanshu Shukla, Prashanth Balakrishnan Nair, Ajit Krishnan, and Angad Pratap – will be tested for their physiological, psychological, and operational dynamics under the behavioural set of tests. 
• • In addition, they will be observed for their abilities to communicate, adapt, and handle stress, and their resilience to extreme conditions
• Collaboration: Led by Isro’s Human Space Flight Centre, MITRA is being conducted in partnership with the Institute of Aerospace Medicine of the Indian Air Force and Protoplanet Pvt Ltd, Bengaluru.

Reason For Choosing Ladakh

• Simulated Space Conditions: Space offers a challenging environment, adapting to which requires stringent physical and mental training and adaptability. 
  • Isro is trying to recreate the space-like environment on Earth by using the naturally available harsh and extreme environment existing in Ladakh.
• High Altitude Location: Ladakh is located at about 3,500 metres above mean sea level. It remains under sub-zero temperatures for over six months of the year, receives scanty precipitation, records low moisture levels, and remains cloudless for most months of the year – all of which together make Ladakh an ideal testbed for human spaceflight missions.
• Space Analogue Environment: The low temperatures, hypoxia, and isolation in Ladakh are all analogous to the spaceflight conditions.

Significance: Results obtained from Mission MITRA will contribute towards designing and developing India’s manned Gaganyaan mission.

Rise in India’s Wind Energy

Context: Recently, India recorded its highest-ever wind energy addition of 6.05 GW in FY 2025–26, marking a 46% year-on-year increase.

India’s Achievements in Wind Energy

• Record Annual Capacity Addition: India added 6.05 GW in FY 2025–26, surpassing the previous peak of 5.5 GW (FY 2016–17).
  • This reflects a 46% growth over FY 2024–25 level (around 50 GW ), indicating rapid sectoral acceleration.
• Rising Cumulative Capacity: Total installed capacity has crossed 56 GW, placing India among the top global wind energy markets.
• Policy and Institutional Push: Growth supported by Inter-State Transmission System (ISTS) charge waiver till 2028, competitive bidding, and green energy open access.
  • Technical support from National Institute of Wind Energy and improved project pipeline.
• Contribution to Climate Goals: Wind energy expansion is crucial for achieving 500 GW non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030.

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Wind Energy Production Scenario

• Global Wind Energy Landscape: China leads with over  650 GW capacity .
  • The United States has around 150–160 GW, while Germany remains Europe’s leader.
  • Global installations are projected at ~160 GW in 2026, following a record ~170 GW in 2025.
• India’s Global Position: India ranks 4th globally, with 50+ GW installed capacity and strong future growth potential.
• Leading Wind Energy States in India
  • Gujarat >Tamil Nadu > Karnataka > Maharashtra

Wind energy is emerging as a high-growth renewable segment, combining scalability, sustainability, and energy security for India.

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