KARNATAKA

• The Karnataka High Court has declared Nirmiti Kendra a public authority under Section 2(h) of the RTI Act, as it was established by the state government, funded through HUDCO, sanctioned by government order, and governed by officers like the Zilla Panchayat CEO. The ruling arose from a petition against its refusal to provide information. The court upheld that the Kendra operates under direct government control, making it subject to RTI, thereby promoting transparency and accountability.
• The Karnataka Forest Department has launched the Karnataka Forest, Wildlife and Climate Change Foundation (KFWCCF) to involve corporates in conservation via CSR funds. Key aims include correcting conservation gaps, preventing duplication, branding, and impact assessment. Brand ambassador Anil Kumble will promote awareness. The foundation will address urgent field needs, fund patrolling, conflict management, and promote urban greenery, including carbon-neutral neighbourhoods. Registered as a charitable society, it offers tax benefits to donors and engages public participation in conservation.

ENVIRONMENT

• The Perito Moreno Glacier in Argentina, once stable despite global ice loss, has been thinning rapidly since 2019. Located in UNESCO-listed Los Glaciares National Park, it spans nearly 20 miles and is crucial for freshwater and climate regulation. Stability was aided by its valley shape and a bedrock ridge anchor. Scientists warn its detachment could speed disintegration. Causes of recent thinning remain uncertain, but climate change in the Andes is accelerating glacier retreat, threatening water security for billions.

SCIENCE AND TECH

• India’s first fully indigenous commercial Earth Observation (EO) satellite constellation will be developed by a private consortium led by Bengaluru-based PixxelSpace India, along with Piersight Space, Satsure Analytics India, and Dhruva Space, with an investment of over ₹1,200 crore in five years. Selected by IN-SPACe via competitive bidding, the 12-satellite PPP project will feature advanced sensors for environmental, strategic, and commercial applications, enhancing data sovereignty, economic strength, and India’s leadership in space-based intelligence.
• The Union Cabinet has approved four new projects under the India Semiconductor Mission (ISM) with a total investment of ₹4,594 crore, aiming to strengthen India’s electronics manufacturing ecosystem. Two plants will be set up in Bhubaneswar, Odisha; one in Mohali, Punjab; and one in Andhra Pradesh. The projects, involving firms like SiCSem, Continental Device India, 3D Glass Solutions, and ASIP Technologies, raise the total ISM projects to 10 under the ₹76,000-crore programme launched in 2021 by MeitY.
• The US government plans to shut down NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) and OCO-3 satellites, which track global CO₂ levels and crop health, citing they are “beyond their prime” and aligning with budget priorities. Experts argue the satellites remain unmatched in accuracy and continue to aid climate research, agricultural planning, and emissions tracking. Developed for ~$750 million with $15 million annual upkeep, their data has reshaped understanding of carbon sinks and influenced global climate policy.

INTERNATIONAL ISSUES

• The third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) has begun in Turkmenistan to address the unique challenges of the world’s 32 LLDCs. The conference, themed “Driving Progress through Partnerships,” focuses on developing efficient transport corridors, boosting trade, and mobilizing investments. It will facilitate the implementation of the new Awaza Programme of Action (APoA) 2024–2034, a framework designed to tackle structural barriers to their development.