News In Shorts: 12 March 2026

National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI)

Context: Recently, the National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) released the first National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI) for 2025–26

• The first assessment cycle has covered around 30,000 kilometres of national highways across 24 states for the period between July and December 2024.

About National Highways Green Cover Index (NH-GCI)

• GCI represents the percentage of land within each 1 km segment covered by green canopy. 
• Collaboration: The index was prepared in coordination with the National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO).
• Objective: To provide a scientific and quantitative assessment of green cover within the Right of Way (RoW) along the National Highways network by leveraging advanced space-based technologies
• Coverage: In this first assessment cycle, approximately 30,000 km of National Highways spanning 24 States have been covered for the period July–December 2024
• Approach: It uses high-resolution satellite sensors to detect chlorophyll content along highway corridors, enabling an estimate of vegetation within the Right of Way on both sides of the road.
  • It utilizes 5-meter resolution multispectral data from ISRO’s Resourcesat-2/2A (LISS-IV) satellite.

Significance

• Measuring Vegetation Cover: It establishes a baseline for measuring vegetation along the country’s highway network using satellite-based assessment.
• Tracking Yearly Changes: Subsequent annual cycles will track year-on-year changes along the same highway stretches, enabling monitoring of improvements in roadside vegetation over time.
• Comparison Green Cover: It enables comparison and ranking of highway sections based on green cover. 
  • The use of satellite data offers a cost-effective and time-efficient method for monitoring vegetation along the expanding national highway network.

What is Right of Way (RoW)?

• A Right of Way (RoW) is a legal right or designated strip of land that allows entities to traverse, construct, and maintain infrastructure such as roads, pipelines, or utility lines on property owned by another.

Fireflies

Context: A recent study in the journal Zootaxa published the first comprehensive checklist of fireflies in India.

Key Findings

• The recent checklist recorded 92 species across 27 genera, with over 60% endemic to India.
• The Western Ghats have the highest occurrence of fireflies, followed by the North-East, Gangetic Plains, coastal regions and the Deccan Peninsula.
• Very few species occur in the Himalayan and Trans-Himalayan regions, while desert and semi-arid regions show almost no recorded presence due to unsuitable habitat conditions.

About Fireflies (Lampyridae)

• Fireflies belong to the beetle family Lampyridae under the order Coleoptera.
• They are bioluminescent insects popularly known as lightning bugs, capable of producing light through a chemical reaction in specialized abdominal organs.
• Key Features
  • Bioluminescence: Fireflies emit light due to a reaction between luciferin, luciferase enzyme, oxygen and ATP, producing the characteristic glow used mainly for communication and mating.
  • Soft-bodied Beetles: Unlike many beetles, fireflies have soft bodies and elongated shapes with distinct wing covers (elytra).
  • Nocturnal Behaviour: Most species are active at night and use flashing light patterns to attract mates and communicate with other individuals.
• Ecological Role
  • Fireflies play an important role in ecosystems as predators of snails, slugs and other small invertebrates, helping regulate pest populations.
  • Their presence also acts as an indicator of healthy ecosystems, as they are sensitive to habitat loss, pollution and artificial light.

Asteroid 2024 YR4

Context: NASA has officially ruled out the possibility of asteroid 2024 YR4 colliding with the Moon on December 22, 2032.

• Using the James Webb Space Telescope (JWST), NASA observed that the asteroid will safely bypass the Moon at a distance of 21,200 km. 

About Asteroid 2024 YR4

• Introduction: Asteroid 2024 YR4 is a 65-meter-wide, Near-Earth Object (NEO) discovered in late 2024. 

What are Near-Earth Objects (NEOs)?

• Definition: Comets and asteroids that have been nudged by the gravitational attraction of nearby planets into orbits that allow them to enter the Earth’s neighborhood.
• Monitoring: NASA’s Planetary Defense Coordination Office (PDCO) finds and tracks (NEOs). 
• Operations primarily conducted through the Center for Near-Earth Object Studies (CNEOS) at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL).

About James Webb Space Telescope (JWST)

• About: JWST is a collaboration between NASA, ESA, and CSA, is the premier infrared observatory launched on Dec 25, 2021.
• Location: Operates in a halo orbit around the second Lagrange point (L2).
• Mission & Goals: Aims to observe the early universe, galaxy formation, star birth, and exoplanet atmospheres.

Bird Survey

Context: A first-ever comprehensive bird survey conducted across Silent Valley National Park recorded 192 bird species, including rare migratory birds. 

About the Survey

• Organisers: The survey was jointly organised by the Kerala Forest Department and the Malabar Natural History Society (MNHS).
• Coverage: The survey covered both the core and buffer zones of Silent Valley National Park.
• It also included difficult high-altitude locations such as Poochipara, Koomban, Sispara, Meenbhani, and Walakkad.
• Participation: Around 85 birdwatchers from Kerala and Tamil Nadu took part in the survey.

Key Findings

• The survey documented 192 bird species, reflecting the remarkable avian diversity of the region.
• Rare migratory birds such as the Asian house martin and the Western house martin.
• Endemic Western Ghats Species: The team documented 20 bird species endemic to the Western Ghats, including:
  • Nilgiri laughingthrush
  • Black-and-orange flycatcher
  • White-bellied treepie
  • Nilgiri pipit
  • White-bellied blue flycatcher
  • Nilgiri sholakili (Nilgiri blue robin)
• Breeding Records: Researchers recorded evidence of breeding in around 11 species. These included:
  • Sri Lanka frogmouth
  • Indian nightjar
  • Bronzed drongo
  • Malabar trogon
  • Crimson-backed sunbird
  • Purple-rumped sunbird
  • Malabar grey hornbill
  • Malabar imperial pigeon
• Birds of Prey: The survey noted a healthy diversity of birds of prey, including owls and nightjars.
  • Significance: The presence of both diurnal and nocturnal raptors indicates a well-preserved forest ecosystem and healthy food chains.

About Silent Valley National Park

• Location:  Silent Valley National Park is located along the south-western edge of the Nilgiris in the Palakkad district of Kerala.
• The park forms the core of the Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve, which was recognised as a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2012.
• The park is nourished by the Kunthipuzha River, which is one of its major ecological lifelines.
• Vegetation:
  • West Coast tropical evergreen forest
  • Southern subtropical broad-leaved hill forest
  • Montane wet temperate forest
  • Grasslands
• Flora: The park is known for plants of high medicinal value and the presence of towering Cullenia trees.
• Fauna: Lion-tailed macaque, Nilgiri langur, Malabar giant squirrel, Indian elephant, tiger, leopard, and gaur (Indian bison).

Lebanon

Context: India and 29 countries urged protection of UNIFIL peacekeepers amid escalating Israel–Hezbollah tensions along the Blue Line in southern Lebanon.

• The United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) was established by UNSC (1978) to confirm the withdrawal of Israeli forces from southern Lebanon, restore international peace and security, and assist the Lebanese government in regaining authority in the region

About Lebanon

• Lebanon is a small country in Western Asia with Beirut as the capital, largest city, and main commercial and port hub of Lebanon
• Location: It is situated on the eastern coast of the Mediterranean Sea in the Northern and Eastern Hemispheres.
• Borders: Land borders with Syria to the north and east and Israel to the south, while the Mediterranean Sea lies to its west.
  • The Blue Line is a demarcation line dividing Lebanon from Israel and the Golan Heights
• Physiographic Regions: Lebanon’s topography is divided into four regions:
  • Mediterranean coastal plain, Lebanon Mountains, the Bekaa Valley, and the Anti-Lebanon Mountains.
• Mountains: The Lebanon Mountain Range stretches about 160 km, containing snow-capped peaks, with Qurnat as Sawda’ (3,087 m) as the country’s highest point.
• Valley: The fertile Bekaa Valley, part of the East African Rift System, lies between the Lebanon and Anti-Lebanon mountain ranges.
• Rivers and Water Bodies: Several short rivers originate in the mountains, the most important being the Litani River, which irrigates the Bekaa Valley.
• Climate: Lebanon experiences a Mediterranean climate, with hot, dry summers and mild, wet winters, while mountainous areas receive winter snowfall.
• Vegetation: The country historically features Mediterranean forests, including the famous Cedar of Lebanon, a national symbol.

Oman

Context: Amid rising tensions in West Asia involving the U.S., Israel and Iran, Oman has emerged as a neutral mediator promoting dialogue and de-escalation.

Role of Oman in Mediation 

• Oman follows a long-standing doctrine of neutrality “Friend to all, enemy to none” established by Sultan Qaboos bin Said, enabling it to maintain balanced relations with rival regional powers.
• Because it maintains communication with countries such as Iran, Saudi Arabia, Israel and the United States, Oman often hosts negotiations and prisoner-exchange diplomacy.

About Oman

• Oman is the oldest independent state in the Arab world, known for its policy of neutrality and quiet diplomacy in the geopolitically sensitive West Asian region.
• Location: Oman is located in the southeastern part of the Arabian Peninsula in Western Asia, strategically positioned near the mouth of the Persian Gulf.
• Borders:
  • Land Borders: United Arab Emirates (northwest), Saudi Arabia (west) and Yemen (southwest).
  • Maritime Borders: Arabian Sea in the south and east and the Gulf of Oman in the northeast, with maritime boundaries with Iran and Pakistan.
• Geography:
  • Oman has a diverse terrain including coastal plains, deserts such as the Rub’ al Khali fringe, and mountain ranges like the Hajar Mountains.
  • The climate is largely arid desert, though the Salalah region receives monsoon (Khareef) rains, supporting limited vegetation including frankincense trees.
  • Oman does not have any permanent, natural rivers or lakes, as it is an arid country with 0% surface water in the form of conventional rivers.
    • The landscape features extensive wadis with rocky, seasonal river gorges that fill with water during rains.

Kavach 4.0

Context: India commissioned Kavach 4.0 on 1,452 km of the Delhi–Mumbai and Delhi–Howrah high-density rail corridors to strengthen safety on busy railway routes.

About Kavach 

• Kavach is an indigenously developed Automatic Train Protection (ATP) system used by Indian Railways to prevent train collisions by controlling speed and automatically applying brakes.
• Origin: The system was developed in 2015, received its first operational certification in 2018, and was adopted as India’s national ATP system in 2020.
• Kavach 4.0: Approved by Research Design and Standards Organisation in 2024, is an upgraded version designed for high-density rail routes and speeds up to 160 kmph.

Features

• Automatic Train Protection: The system automatically applies brakes if the loco pilot fails to control speed or obey signals, preventing collisions and signal passing at danger.
• Precise Location Detection: RFID tags installed along tracks provide continuous and accurate location tracking of trains for real-time monitoring.
• Integrated Communication Network: Telecom towers and optical fibre cables enable continuous communication between locomotives, stations, and signalling systems.
• Station–Loco Integration: Station-based equipment and onboard Kavach devices exchange signal information and control train movement even in low-visibility conditions like fog.

Significance

• Enhances Railway Safety: Kavach reduces risks of train collisions, overspeeding, and signal violations, significantly improving operational safety.
• Supports Modernisation: It strengthens digital signalling and automation across major railway corridors.
• Boosts Indigenous Technology: Kavach represents India’s cost-effective domestic railway safety technology, supporting the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative.

Black Rain

Context: The World Health Organization warned that “black rain” reported in Tehran after oil facility strikes may pose serious respiratory and environmental health risks.

About Black Rain

Black rain refers to precipitation contaminated with soot, hydrocarbons, and toxic pollutants, making the rain dark, oily, and chemically hazardous compared to normal rainfall.

Causes of Black Rain

• Combustion of Oil and Industrial Facilities: Airstrikes or industrial fires at oil refineries release thick smoke containing soot, hydrocarbons, and toxic gases such as benzene, sulfur oxides, and nitrogen oxides into the atmosphere.
• Atmospheric Mixing with Rain Clouds: Rainfall passing through smoke-laden air absorbs suspended particles and chemical vapours, resulting in dark, pollutant-rich precipitation.
• Geographic and Weather Conditions: Mountain barriers and stable atmospheric conditions can trap smoke and pollutants over urban areas, increasing the concentration of contaminants that mix with rain.

Impact of Black Rain

• Health Impacts: Exposure to black rain may cause respiratory problems, headaches, skin irritation, and eye inflammation, while prolonged exposure to toxic compounds such as benzene increases cancer risk.
• Environmental Impacts: Pollutants deposited through black rain can contaminate soil, water bodies, and crops, potentially entering the food chain and affecting ecosystems.
• Acid Rain Effects: Sulfur and nitrogen oxides dissolved in rainwater can produce acidic rainfall, damaging vegetation, corroding buildings, and degrading infrastructure.
• Long-Term Pollution Risks: Persistent chemicals such as PFAS (“forever chemicals”) may remain in the environment for decades, leading to long-term ecological contamination and health concerns.

Bug Bounty Programme

Context: The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) has launched its first structured Bug Bounty Programme to further strengthen the security of the Aadhaar system.

• UIDAI is running the program in partnership with M/s ComOlho IT Private Limited, a cybersecurity solution provider.

About Bug Bounty Programme

• Aim: It allows cybersecurity experts to look for possible weaknesses in some of UIDAI’s key digital platforms. 
• Panel of researchers: A panel of 20 experienced security researchers and ethical hackers has been selected to take part in the initiative  to  examine UIDAI digital assets such as UIDAI official website, myAadhaar portal and the Secure QR Code application.
• Level of Vulnerabilities: The researchers will check these systems for vulnerabilities that fall into categories such as Critical, High, Medium, and Low risk.
  • If they find genuine security gaps and report them responsibly, they will receive rewards based on the seriousness of the issue.

Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI)

• The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI) is a statutory authority responsible for issuing Aadhaar, a 12-digit unique identification number to residents of India. 
• It was established in 2009 under the Planning Commission of India and later became a statutory body under the Aadhaar (Targeted Delivery of Financial and Other Subsidies, Benefits and Services) Act, 2016, functioning under the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology.
• Objective: 
  • To provide a unique digital identity that can be verified online anywhere in India using biometric (fingerprints and iris) and demographic data.
  • To eliminate duplicate identities and improve the efficient delivery of government subsidies, benefits and services through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) mechanism.

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