Tamil Nadu

Environment & Forest Conservation

Pichavaram Mangrove Afforestation Drive:
- Event: National Highways Authority of India (NHAI) and the Tamil Nadu Forest Department expanded the Pichavaram mangrove region in Cuddalore district by 25 hectares.
- Key Details: Total expenditure of ₹1.97 crore; 75,000 saplings of Rhizophora apiculata were planted using a modified fish-bone plantation technique across three patches (Vandalmunai, MGR Thittu, and Kottumunai).
- Context: Carried out as compensatory afforestation for mangrove loss incurred during East Coast Road (ECR) / NH-332A expansion near Marakkanam.
Eradication of Invasive Species (Seemai Karuvelam):
- Project Name: Sezhumai Karuvooolam.
- Objective: Court-monitored initiative to eradicate the exotic invasive species Prosopis juliflora (Seemai Karuvelam) across Tamil Nadu and replace it with native plant species to preserve ground water and local ecosystems.
- Head: Supervised by retired Madras High Court Judge V. Bharathidasan.

Exercise Veer Guardian 2026:
- Branches Involved: Bilateral air defense exercise between the Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defense Force (JASDF) held at Air Force Station, Jodhpur.
- Highlight: JASDF Chief Gen. Takehiro Morita flew a sortie in India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA Tejas).
Exercise Yudh Abhyas 2026:
- Branches Involved: Bilateral military exercise between the Indian Army and U.S. Army.
- Indigenous Element: Participation of indigenous Rampur Hounds military working dogs alongside Belgian Malinois and Labradors for specialized room intervention and rappelling drills.

North-East’s Largest Power Project:
- Foundation stone laid for a 3,200 MW Ultra-Supercritical Thermal Power Plant at Chapar in Dhubri district, Assam.