Daily Current Affairs Update – 19 June 2025

1. G7 Summit 2025 and India’s Participation

Context

India participated as an Outreach Country at the 51st G7 Summit (2025) in Kananaskis, Canada, where the Prime Minister raised critical questions about global responses to terrorism.

Important Points

• About G7:
  
  
  • An annual forum of seven major economies (France, USA, UK, Germany, Japan, Italy, Canada) plus the EU, formed in the 1970s to coordinate on macroeconomy, trade, and energy.
    
    
• Key Summit Outcomes:
  
  
  • Kananaskis Wildfire Charter: Commitment to halt and reverse deforestation and land degradation by 2030, endorsed by India.
    
    
  • G7 Critical Minerals Action Plan: Builds on the 2023 Five-Point Plan for mineral security, endorsed by India.
    
    
  • RISE Partnership: Strengthening resilient and inclusive supply chains, led by the World Bank.
    
    
  • Condemnation of Transnational Repression (TNR): G7 denounced foreign interference targeting individuals/communities abroad.
    
    
  • Migrant Smuggling: Launched G7 Coalition and 2024 Action Plan to counter migrant smuggling.
    
    
  • AI & Digital Divide: Canada launched the G7 GovAI Grand Challenge for public sector AI solutions; commitment to closing digital divides per the UN Global Digital Compact.
    
    

2. National Mission for a Green India (Green India Mission – GIM)

Context

The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change unveiled a revised mission document for the Green India Mission on World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought (June 17).

Important Points

• Genesis & Objectives:
  
  
  • Launched in 2011 as one of eight missions under the National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC).
    
    
  • Aims to increase forest/tree cover (afforestation over 24 million hectares), improve ecosystem services, and create an additional carbon sink of 2.5–3.0 billion tonnes of CO₂ equivalent by 2030.
    
    
• Three Sub-Missions:
  
  
  • Improve forest quality and ecosystem services.
    
    
  • Increase forest/tree cover and restore ecosystems.
    
    
  • Enhance and diversify incomes of forest-dependent communities.
    
    
• Implementation:
  
  
  • Bottom-up model via Joint Forest Management Committees (JFMCs).
    
    
  • Funding from the Mission and National CAMPA Fund.
    
    
  • Timeline: 2021–2030.
    
    
• Key Strategies:
  
  
  • Micro-ecosystem approach focusing on vulnerable landscapes (Aravallis, Western Ghats, mangroves, etc.).
    
    
  • Involvement of private sector (CSR), use of voluntary carbon markets, and creation of a “Green India Force” of trained youth.
    
    

3. Ordinary Matter vs. Dark Matter & Discovery of Missing Matter

Context

A landmark study involving Harvard, the Smithsonian, and Caltech detected the universe’s “missing” ordinary matter using Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs).

Important Points

• Ordinary (Baryonic) Matter:
  
  
  • Includes gas, dust, stars, planets—comprises ~15% of all matter, interacts with light.
    
    
• Dark Matter:
  
  
  • Makes up ~85% of the universe’s matter, does not interact with light, detected via gravitational effects.
    
    
• Distribution:
  
  
  • 76% of ordinary matter in intergalactic medium, 15% in galaxy halos, 9% within galaxies.
    
    
• Fast Radio Bursts (FRBs):
  
  
  • Brief, powerful radio emissions from distant galaxies; act as “cosmic flashlights” to map matter distribution by measuring how they disperse through space.
    
    

4. 50 Years of India’s Crocodile Conservation Project

Context

India marks 50 years since the launch of its Crocodile Conservation Project, a major wildlife success story.

Important Points

• Project Launch:
  
  
  • Started in 1975 to protect habitats and rebuild crocodile populations, with UNDP/FAO support.
    
    
• India’s Three Native Crocodilians:
  
  
  • Gharial: Critically Endangered, 80% of global wild population in India.
    
    
  • Mugger (Marsh Crocodile): Vulnerable, population rebounded to 8,000–10,000.
    
    
  • Saltwater Crocodile: Least Concern, largest reptile, thriving in Bhitarkanika (Odisha).
    
    
• Conservation Milestones:
  
  
  • Odisha is unique with centers for all three species.
    
    
  • New Gharial Conservation Project (2025) aims to expand populations in major rivers.
    
    
  • Madras Crocodile Bank supports breeding and reintroduction.
    
    

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5. Global Drought Outlook 2025

Context

The OECD released a report warning that 40% of the world’s land faces more frequent and severe droughts.

Important Points

• Impacts:
  
  
  • Economic: 3–7.5% annual increase in drought-related costs, crop yield declines up to 22%, disruptions to hydropower and transport.
    
    
  • Ecological: 37% of land with significant soil moisture decline since 1980, 62% of aquifers in decline.
    
    
  • Social: Droughts cause 34% of disaster-related deaths, exacerbate poverty and displacement.
    
    
• Prevention Initiatives:
  
  
  • Global: UNCCD’s Drought Initiative, International Drought Management Program.
    
    
  • India: NADAMS, Watershed Development, Atal Bhujal Yojana.
    
    

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6. Nonia Rebellion

Context

The centenary of freedom fighter Buddhu Nonia was marked, recalling the Nonia Rebellion against British colonial rule.

Important Points

• About the Rebellion:
  
  
  • Occurred around 1770 in Bihar (Hajipur, Tirhut, Saran, Purnia) by the Lonia community, who were salt-makers.
    
    
  • Aimed to drive out the British, linked to the broader context of early anti-colonial uprisings.
    
    

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7. NASA-ISRO Synthetic Aperture Radar (NISAR) Mission

Context

The NASA-ISRO SAR (NISAR) satellite arrived at Sriharikota for launch, marking a major Indo-US collaboration in earth observation.

Important Points

• About SAR:
  
  
  • Uses radar pulses (not visible light) to create sharp images day and night, through clouds and smoke.
    
    
  • NISAR will scan nearly all of Earth’s land and ice surfaces every 12 days, aiding in disaster management, agriculture, and climate monitoring.
    
    

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8. Shipki La Pass Reopens

Context

Shipki La, a key mountain pass in Himachal Pradesh, reopened to tourists after being closed since the 2020 Doklam standoff.

Important Points

• About Shipki La:
  
  
  • Connects India and Tibet (China) in Kinnaur district.
    
    
  • Sutlej River enters India through this pass.
    
    
  • Other major passes in HP: Baralacha La, Rohtang La, Shingo La, Borasu Pass.
    
    

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9. Dhansiri River: Pollution and Revival

Context

Researchers proposed policy measures to revive the polluted Dhansiri River.

Important Points

• About Dhansiri:
  
  
  • Originates from Laisang peak in Nagaland, forms a boundary with Karbi Anglong, joins Brahmaputra.
    
    
  • Flanked by Dhansiri Reserved Forest and Intangki National Park.
    
    
  • Pollution threatens biodiversity and local livelihoods.
    
    

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10. Nothopegia Fossil Discovery

Context

Scientists discovered 24–23-million-year-old fossilized leaves of the genus Nothopegia, providing insights into India’s paleobotanical history.

Important Points

• Discovery:
  
  
  • Oldest known fossil record of Nothopegia, now found only in the Western Ghats.
    
    
  • Fossils found in Northeast India, indicating past migration and extinction due to Himalayan uplift and climate changes.
    
    
• About Nothopegia:
  
  
  • Genus with 10–11 species, mostly in the Western Ghats, some in Bangladesh and Sri Lanka.
    
    
• Significance:
  
  
  • Sheds light on plant evolution, climate history, and the impact of geological events on biodiversity.
    
    
  • Highlights the importance of fossil studies for understanding current biodiversity patterns and conservation needs.