Daily Current Affairs – 23-10-2025
National News
India Rises to 9th in Global Forest Cover, Ranks 3rd in Afforestation Efforts
India has made significant progress in global environmental rankings, moving up to the 9th position in total forest cover worldwide, according to a new report released by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN). The report also highlights that India ranks 3rd globally in afforestation — the expansion of forested areas through large-scale tree planting and ecological restoration.
As per the FAO report, the total global forest area is estimated at 4.14 billion hectares, with Russia, Brazil, Canada, the United States, and China together accounting for 54% of the world’s forests. Following Australia, the Congo, and Indonesia, India holds the 9th position, marking a steady improvement in its forest conservation record.
Steady Growth in Green Cover:
Between 2015 and 2025, China leads the world in afforestation with 1.69 million hectares, followed by Russia with 0.942 million hectares, and India with 0.191 million hectares. Other notable contributors include Turkey (1.18 lakh hectares), Australia (1.05 lakh hectares), France (95,900 hectares), Indonesia (94,100 hectares), South Africa (87,600 hectares), Canada (82,500 hectares), and Vietnam (72,800 hectares).
Asia’s Pivotal Role:
The report notes that global deforestation rates have declined sharply—from 10.7 million hectares annually in the 1990s to 4.12 million hectares now. It emphasizes that Asia has been the only continent to record a net increase in forest cover during the 1990–2025 period, thanks to extensive reforestation and sustainable land management initiatives.
India’s Achievement:
The Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change attributed this milestone to the success of national afforestation and social forestry schemes, which have enhanced green cover and supported local communities. The Ministry stated that India’s efforts reflect its strong commitment to climate resilience, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable development.
Andhra Pradesh to Build ‘Great Green Wall’ to Protect Coastline by 2030
To counter the growing threat of coastal erosion, livelihood loss, and property damage along its 1,053-km-long coastline, the Andhra Pradesh government has announced plans to build a five-kilometre-wide ‘Great Green Wall of Andhra Pradesh’ by 2030.
According to official sources, this massive green barrier will serve as a “living ecological shield” to protect more than three million people residing in vulnerable coastal regions. The initiative aims to enhance biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience, and promote sustainable coastal development.
The proposed green wall will feature mangroves, salt-tolerant trees, and native vegetation strategically planted to act as a natural defense system against cyclones, floods, and sea-level rise. It will also help restore degraded ecosystems and create green employment opportunities for coastal communities.
This ambitious project aligns with India’s National Coastal Protection and Climate Adaptation Goals, positioning Andhra Pradesh as a pioneer in eco-restoration and climate action along the eastern coast.
IIT Madras and Coal India Collaborate to Establish Centre for Sustainable Energy
In a major step toward advancing clean and sustainable technologies, the Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) Madras, in collaboration with Coal India Limited (CIL), is set to establish a Centre for Sustainable Energy dedicated to research, innovation, and technology development for sustainable energy solutions.
A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed on Wednesday between Prof. V. Kamakoti, Director of IIT Madras, and P.M. Prasad, Chairman of Coal India Limited, marking the beginning of this strategic partnership.
The proposed Centre will focus on key research areas such as sustainable materials and circular economy, mine repurposing and fleet electrification, environmental remediation and pollution control, and development of materials for energy storage derived from coal.
Kerala to Become India’s First State ‘Free of Extreme Poverty’
Kerala is set to achieve a historic milestone as Chief Minister Pinarayi Vijayan will officially declare the State free from extreme poverty on November 1, at a grand function scheduled at the Central Stadium in Thiruvananthapuram.
The event will see the participation of renowned film actors Mohanlal, Mammootty, and Kamal Haasan as special guests. All State Ministers and Leader of the Opposition V.D. Satheesan have also been invited, said Minister for Local Self-Governments M.B. Rajesh during a press conference.
According to Mr. Rajesh, the Extreme Poverty Eradication Programme, one of the first Cabinet decisions of the Left Democratic Front (LDF) government, was launched in 2021. As per a 2021 NITI Aayog study, Kerala recorded the lowest poverty rate in India at 0.7%, prompting the government to reach out to the remaining vulnerable population through targeted welfare interventions.
Following extensive ground-level surveys, a total of 64,006 families were identified as extremely poor, based on parameters like food, health, livelihood, and housing. Among them were marginalised individuals who lacked essential identity documents such as voter IDs, ration cards, or Aadhaar. The government prepared micro-plans to address both the immediate and long-term needs of each family.
The project provided essential documents to 21,263 individuals, while 3,913 families received new houses and 1,338 families were allotted land. Additionally, 5,651 families were granted up to ₹2 lakh each for house renovation, and 3,822 families were given livelihood assistance to ensure sustained income generation.
With this achievement, Kerala will officially become the first State in India to be free from extreme poverty, setting a model for social welfare and inclusive governance.
Indian Government Proposes Mandatory Labeling of AI-Generated Content on Social Media
The Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) has proposed mandatory disclosure and labeling of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-generated content on all social media platforms.
The Ministry released a draft amendment to the Information Technology (Intermediary Guidelines and Digital Media Ethics Code) Rules, 2021, requiring social media companies to provide users the option to self-declare whether their uploaded content is AI-generated. If users fail to make such disclosures, the platforms will be responsible for automatically detecting and labeling synthetic content.
According to the draft, the disclosure label must cover at least 10% of the content’s visible area, and the rule will apply to all forms of AI-generated material — including text, video, audio, and images, not just photorealistic visuals.
The proposal marks a significant policy shift in how India plans to regulate synthetic and AI-generated media, aiming to curb misinformation, identity misuse, and the rising threat of deepfake technology.
Key Highlights of the Draft Amendment:
All synthetic content—including video, photo, audio, and text—must carry a visible disclosure label.
The label must occupy at least 10% of the surface area in AI-generated audiovisual posts.
Users must be allowed to self-declare AI-generated content while uploading.
Platforms will be obliged to detect and tag undisclosed synthetic content proactively.
MHA Proposes Special Provisions for Ladakh Under Article 371 as Talks Resume
A month after police action against protestors demanding statehood for Ladakh led to the deaths of four people, including a Kargil war veteran, civil society groups have resumed talks with the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) regarding the region’s future status.
During the meeting held on Wednesday, MHA officials indicated that special provisions under Article 371 of the Constitution could be considered for Ladakh. The discussions were attended by representatives from the Leh Apex Body (LAB) and the Kargil Democratic Alliance (KDA) — two major groups spearheading the movement for Ladakh’s autonomy.
However, both groups reiterated their demand for inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Constitution, which recognizes tribal autonomy and self-governance, along with the release of climate activist Sonam Wangchuk and other protestors detained after last month’s violence in Leh.
Article 371, which falls under Part XXI of the Constitution, deals with “Temporary, Transitional and Special Provisions” and currently applies to 12 States, including Nagaland, Assam, Mizoram, Manipur, Maharashtra, Gujarat, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Arunachal Pradesh, Goa, Sikkim, and Karnataka.
Cherring Dorjay Lakruk, co-convener of LAB and president of the influential Ladakh Buddhist Association, said that while discussions were ongoing, the demand for full statehood remains unchanged.
Personalities, Awards and Events
Imprisoned Journalists from Belarus and Georgia Win EU’s Top Human Rights Award
Two journalists currently imprisoned in Belarus and Georgia have been awarded the European Union’s highest human rights honour — the Sakharov Prize, the European Parliament President Roberta Metsola announced on Wednesday.
The award went to Andrzej Poczobut, a correspondent for the Polish daily Gazeta Wyborcza, and Mzia Amaghlobeli, a prominent Georgian journalist who founded two independent media outlets.
Poczobut was convicted of “harming Belarus’ national security” and sentenced to eight years in prison, which he is serving in the Novopolotsk penal colony. Amaghlobeli, meanwhile, was convicted in August for allegedly slapping a police chief during an anti-government protest, and sentenced to two years in prison—a verdict widely condemned by human rights groups as an attempt to suppress press freedom.
“Both are journalists currently imprisoned on trumped-up charges simply for doing their work and for speaking out against injustice. Their courage has made them symbols of the struggle for freedom and democracy,” Ms. Metsola said during the announcement at the European Parliament in Strasbourg, France.
The Sakharov Prize, named after Soviet dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Andrei Sakharov, was established in 1988 to honour individuals and organisations defending human rights and fundamental freedoms across the world.
Tamil Nadu Government Confers Vaikom Award 2025 on Activist Thenmozhi Soundararajan
The Tamil Nadu government has announced that the Vaikom Award for Social Justice 2025 will be conferred on Thenmozhi Soundararajan, a U.S.-based Dalit civil rights activist known for her work in promoting equality and social inclusion.
The award, instituted by the State government in honour of the late social reformer ‘Periyar’ E.V. Ramasamy and his pivotal role in the Vaikom Satyagraha, recognises individuals or organisations from other Indian States who work for the upliftment of marginalised communities.
According to an official release, Thenmozhi Soundararajan’s parents hail from Madurai district. She is the founder of Equality Labs, a prominent civil rights organisation in the U.S. that advocates for caste equity, digital security, and social justice for oppressed groups.
Chief Minister M.K. Stalin will present the award, which carries a cash prize of ₹5 lakh, along with a citation and a medal. The recognition reflects Tamil Nadu’s continued commitment to social justice, equality, and human rights, values central to Periyar’s reformist legacy.
Science and Technology News
OpenAI Launches AI-Powered Search Browser ‘Atlas
rtificial intelligence pioneer OpenAI, the creator of ChatGPT, has unveiled a new AI-powered search browser named “Atlas”, taking direct aim at Google Chrome’s dominance in the search and browser market.
Atlas will be made available free of charge for Apple macOS users, while Agent Mode will be an exclusive feature for ChatGPT Plus and Pro subscribers. Altman added that OpenAI plans to bring Atlas to Windows and mobile platforms soon, although no official release timeline has been shared.
International News
State of Emergency Declared in Peru
In a significant development, Peru’s Interim President José Jerí has declared a state of emergency in the capital city Lima and the nearby port city Callao to contain ongoing anti-government protests.
In a televised address to the nation, President Jerí announced that the emergency will come into effect from Wednesday midnight and remain in force for 30 days, coinciding with the end of his interim term.
The move comes after weeks of mass demonstrations across the country, sparked by public anger over corruption and organized crime. Earlier, Peru’s popularly elected President Dina Boluarte was removed from office by the parliament, leading to Jerí’s appointment as the interim head of state.