October-Environment & Ecology

Environment & Ecology

1. National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM) Updates

October 2025 marked a shift toward large-scale infrastructure for the Hydrogen economy.

• Launch of Green Hydrogen Hubs: On October 23, 2025, the Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE) officially designated three major ports as India's first Green Hydrogen Hubs:
  • Deendayal Port (Gujarat)
  • V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tamil Nadu)
  • Paradip Port (Odisha)
• The "SIGHT" Impact: Under the Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) program, 19 companies have now finalized their production plans, targeting a cumulative capacity of 8.6 lakh tonnes of Green Hydrogen annually.
• Green Ammonia Auction: A milestone auction for the long-term supply of Green Ammonia to fertilizer units was completed at a price of ₹55.75 per kg, signaling the economic viability of green feedstocks.

2. High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) & Domestic Law

Following the global ratification threshold being met in September 2025, India moved to align its national laws.

• Drafting Committee: In October 2025, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) constituted a 12-member committee to draft the National High Seas Legislation.
• Objective: This law will govern how Indian entities conduct deep-sea research and manage marine genetic resources in areas beyond national jurisdiction, ensuring compliance with the UN's "30x30" target (protecting 30% of oceans by 2030).
• Deep Ocean Mission (DOM): October saw the successful sea trials of the MATSYA 6000 submersible's communication systems, a key component of India's readiness for high-seas governance.

3. Coastal & Maritime Governance

• The Coastal Shipping Act, 2025: Formally published in the Gazette in late 2025, this Act reached full implementation status in October. It mandates a National Coastal and Inland Shipping Strategic Plan to integrate green shipping corridors.
• MCZMA 189th Meeting: The Maharashtra Coastal Zone Management Authority (MCZMA) met in early October to enforce stricter "No Development Zone" (NDZ) rules for the Mumbai Metropolitan Region, specifically targeting the protection of mangroves around the Navi Mumbai International Airport site.

4. Wildlife Conservation: Project Lion & Dolphin

• Lion Population Milestone: Official figures released in October 2025 showed the Asiatic Lion population in Gujarat has reached 891, a 17% increase since 2020.
• Barda Wildlife Sanctuary: The "Second Home for Lions" project at Barda saw the inauguration of a new safari park and breeding center (₹75 crore outlay) to ease the overpopulation in Gir National Park.
• Project Dolphin: The first-ever National Riverine Dolphin Estimation Report was finalized in October, documenting over 6,300 dolphins across the Ganga and Brahmaputra basins.

5. Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS): Mandatory Targets

On October 8, 2025, the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) reached a watershed moment in India's climate policy.

• Final Notification: The government notified legally binding Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission intensity targets for the first four industrial sectors: Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-alkali, and Pulp & Paper.
• The Mechanism: These 282 entities must reduce their emission intensity by approximately 3% to 15% over the next two years.
• Baseline: Fiscal Year 2023-24 was set as the baseline. This marks the transition from the voluntary market to a mandatory compliance market, positioning India as one of the world's largest emissions trading systems.

6. National Green Hydrogen Mission (NGHM): Strategic SIGHT

While the hubs were designated earlier in the month, a major financial milestone was finalized in late October.

• Green Ammonia Auction: The first-ever auction for the long-term supply of 7.24 lakh metric tonnes of Green Ammonia to fertilizer units was concluded at a price of ₹55.75 per kg.
• Significance: This provides the "price discovery" needed for the industry to move away from fossil-fuel-based gray ammonia.

7. Air Quality Governance: The "Winter Action Plan"

As air quality began to deteriorate in the Indo-Gangetic Plain, the Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB) and CAQM initiated seasonal protocols.

• GRAP Implementation: On October 15, 2025, Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) was invoked across Delhi-NCR as the AQI crossed the 200 (Poor) mark.
• Dust Mitigation: The Delhi Pollution Control Committee (DPCC) mandated the registration of all construction projects above 500 sqm on the Dust Portal by October 30 to prevent particulate matter surge.
• NAAQS Overhaul: In late October, a technical report from IIT Kanpur was submitted to the CPCB, proposing a total overhaul of the National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS) (the first since 2009) to align closer with WHO's stricter 2021 guidelines.

8. Conservation: The Barda Safari Park Approval

• The News: In the final week of October 2025, the Central Zoo Authority (CZA) gave in-principle approval for the Barda Safari Park and Zoo in Gujarat.
• Strategic Intent: This ₹180 crore project is the final administrative step to transform Barda into a formal "second home" for the Asiatic Lion, addressing the overcrowding in Gir and mitigating the risk of disease outbreaks.

9. The Carbon Market Milestone (October 8, 2025)

This is the most critical verified update for the month.

• The Notification: On October 8, 2025, the MoEFCC officially notified the final Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emission intensity targets for the first phase of the Carbon Credit Trading Scheme (CCTS).
• The Sectors: This initial compliance cycle covers 282 industrial entities across four sectors: Aluminium, Cement, Chlor-alkali, and Pulp & Paper.
• The Goal: Entities are now legally mandated to reduce emission intensity (based on the 2023-24 baseline). Those who over-achieve will earn Carbon Credit Certificates (CCCs), while those who fail must purchase them to offset the gap.

10. National Green Hydrogen Mission: Strategic Hubs

• The Update: In October 2025, the government finalized the selection of three major "Hydrogen Hubs" under the NGHM.
• Selected Ports: Deendayal Port (Kandla), Paradip Port (Odisha), and V.O. Chidambaranar Port (Tuticorin) were designated to lead the export and bunkering infrastructure.
• Green Ammonia Discovery: The auction for 7.24 lakh tonnes of Green Ammonia concluded this month at a landmark price of ₹55.75 per kg, proving that green fertilizer production is becoming commercially competitive.

11. Air Quality: GRAP Stage-I (October 14, 2025)

• The News: The Commission for Air Quality Management (CAQM) officially invoked Stage-I of the Graded Response Action Plan (GRAP) on October 14, 2025, across the Delhi-NCR.
• The Trigger: The AQI in Delhi was recorded at 211 (Poor), triggering the 27-point action plan, including a ban on open waste burning and stricter dust control at construction sites.

12. High Seas Treaty (BBNJ) Readiness

• Legal Framework: On September 20-25, 2025, the Ministry of Earth Sciences (MoES) constituted a 12-member drafting committee to create the national law required for treaty ratification.
• October Action: In October, the committee began its first round of inter-ministerial consultations to align the new law with the Biological Diversity Act and the Environment Protection Act, preparing India for the treaty's global entry into force in January 2026.