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28/09/2025

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CA-28/09/2025

The Cold Desert Biosphere Reserve of Himachal Pradesh has been included in the UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) as of September 2025, making it India’s 13th biosphere reserve on the WNBR list. This reserve covers around 7,770 sq km across the Lahaul-Spiti district in the trans-Himalayan region and is recognized as one of the coldest and driest ecosystems in the world.

Reserve Features and Zones

The reserve spans altitudes from 3,300 to 6,600 meters and includes Pin Valley National Park, Kibber Wildlife Sanctuary, Chandratal Wetland, and the Sarchu plains.
It is zoned into three sections to balance conservation and community use:

• Core zone: 2,665 sq km
• Buffer zone: 3,977 sq km
• Transition zone: 1,128 sq km

The landscape includes windswept plateaus, glacial valleys, alpine lakes, and high-altitude deserts.

Ecological Importance

• The reserve harbors over 700 species of vascular plants, with a significant number of endemics and medicinal plants, vital for the traditional Sowa Rigpa/Amchi system of medicine.
• It is home to flagship and threatened species such as the snow leopard, Himalayan ibex, blue sheep, Himalayan wolf, and over 119 bird species including the golden eagle and Himalayan snowcock.
• The area supports traditional livelihoods of around 12,000 inhabitants practicing pastoralism and traditional farming, alongside preservation of Tibetan Buddhist cultural heritage.

Global and National Significance

• The reserve was recognized at the 37th session of UNESCO’s Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Council in Paris.
• The UNESCO designation is expected to enhance research, promote responsible eco-tourism, and boost conservation and climate resilience actions in the high-altitude Himalayas.
• India now has 13 WNBR-listed biosphere reserves, reflecting its growing commitment to biodiversity conservation and sustainable development.

This global recognition places Himachal’s cold desert on the international conservation map and highlights the urgency of protecting fragile mountain ecosystems facing threats from climate change and increasing tourism pressure.

UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR)

The UNESCO World Network of Biosphere Reserves (WNBR) is a global network of protected areas that serves as a "learning place for sustainable development" by balancing biodiversity conservation with the sustainable use of natural resources.
The network was established in 1971 under UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme. As of September 2025, UNESCO's Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Programme has a total of 785 designated Biosphere Reserves worldwide, which collectively cover over 8 million square kilometers and are home to nearly 300 million people. 

Functions of a biosphere reserve

Each biosphere reserve integrates three core functions: 

• Conservation: Protecting and preserving ecosystems, species, and genetic variation.
• Development: Fostering human and economic growth that is socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable.
• Logistic support: Providing a network for research, environmental education, monitoring, and training to support conservation and sustainable development efforts. 

Zones of a biosphere reserve

To achieve its goals, each biosphere reserve is organized into three interrelated zones: 

• Core area: A strictly protected zone for conserving landscapes, ecosystems, and genetic variation, with minimal human interference.
• Buffer zone: An area surrounding the core zone that allows for activities compatible with ecological practices, such as scientific research, monitoring, and eco-tourism.
• Transition area: The outermost area where communities foster socio-culturally and ecologically sustainable economic and human activities. 

Key criteria for designation

To qualify for designation as a biosphere reserve, an area must meet several criteria: 

• Contain a mosaic of representative ecological systems and significant biological diversity.
• Be large enough to serve the three functions of conservation, development, and logistic support.
• Involve local communities and stakeholders in its planning and management. 

Biosphere reserves vs. national parks

While both aim to protect natural areas, biosphere reserves differ from national parks in their approach:
 

Feature	Biosphere Reserve	National Park
Main Objective	Balances biodiversity conservation with sustainable use of natural resources and human livelihoods.	Primarily focuses on the strict conservation of wildlife and ecosystems.
Human Activities	Allows limited human activities and settlements in the buffer and transition zones.	Strictly limits or prohibits human activities like grazing, hunting, or forestry.
Zonation	Consists of distinct core, buffer, and transition zones.	The entire area is typically managed as a single, protected unit.
Size	Generally larger in size, often encompassing multiple ecosystems and communities.	Usually smaller in size and focused on protecting a specific area.
Recognition	Internationally recognized under UNESCO's MAB Programme.	Legally designated by national governments.

 
Regional and thematic networks

The WNBR promotes international cooperation through various regional and thematic networks, allowing for the exchange of knowledge and best practices: 

• Regional Networks: Include groups like the African Biosphere Reserves Network (AfriMAB) and the East Asian Biosphere Reserve Network (EABRN).
• Thematic Networks: Focus on specific ecosystems, such as mountains, islands and coasts, or wetlands. 

Benefits for local communities

Local communities play a vital role and can receive several benefits from biosphere reserve designation: 

• Sustainable livelihoods: They can engage in sustainable practices like eco-tourism or the production of local goods, which can increase income.
• Empowerment: Their involvement in management fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.
• Cultural preservation: The program helps protect traditional knowledge and cultural practices linked to the environment. 

Examples of biosphere reserves

Some notable examples from around the world include: 

• Sundarbans Biosphere Reserve (India and Bangladesh): A vast mangrove forest and home to the Royal Bengal tiger.
• Nilgiri Biosphere Reserve (India): Known for its diverse ecosystems and indigenous communities.
• Great Barrier Reef Biosphere Reserve (Australia): The world's largest coral reef system. 

  The Indian Army is procuring the Anant Shastra air defense missile system, the new name for the Quick Reaction Surface-to-Air Missile (QRSAM) developed by India's Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This indigenous system is designed to provide highly mobile, short-range air defense for troops on the move. 

Key features of Anant Shastra

• Purpose: To protect mobile mechanized forces, including tanks and infantry columns, from aerial threats in the battlefield. It is designed to counter enemy aircraft, helicopters, drones, and cruise missiles.
• Mobility: Mounted on an 8x8 high-mobility truck, the system has "Search on the Move," "Track on the Move," and "Fire on Short Halts" capabilities. This allows it to advance alongside ground forces and engage targets quickly.
• Range: The missile has an operational range of approximately 30 km and can intercept targets flying at altitudes up to 10 km.
• Guidance: It uses inertial navigation with a mid-course datalink and an active radar homing seeker in the terminal phase for high accuracy.
• Radar: The system features 360-degree coverage provided by an Active Array Battery Surveillance Radar and an Active Array Battery Multi-function Radar.
• Indigenous development: The Anant Shastra was developed by DRDO and is being produced in collaboration with Bharat Electronics Limited (BEL) and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), as part of India's "Atmanirbhar Bharat" (self-reliant India) defense initiative.
• Procurement and deployment: The Indian Army issued a tender in September 2025 to procure five to six regiments of the system for deployment along the northern and western borders with China and Pakistan. The total project is estimated at around ?30,000 crore.
• Combat testing: The system's effectiveness was validated during Operation Sindoor in May 2025, where Indian forces countered Pakistani drone attacks. 

Operational Role

• Deployment: Intended for India's western and northern borders with Pakistan and China; complements Akash and MRSAM for layered air defence.
• Battlefield Impact: Protects mechanised formations (tanks, IFVs, artillery) by neutralising modern aerial threats; enhances operational flexibility.
• Network Integration: Linked to the Akashteer command and control system, enabling real-time coordination and force multiplication.

Technical Specifications Table
 

Feature	Anant Shastra Specs
Range	30–40 km
Max Altitude	6–10 km
Launcher	8x8 high mobility vehicle
Missile Guidance	INS mid-course, Active Radar Homing terminal
Radars	360° active array, 120 km BSR, 80 km BMFR
Fire-on-the-move	Yes
Warhead Type	Pre-fragmented, optical proximity fuze
Targets	Aircraft, helicopters, drones, missiles, rockets
Indigenous Content	>90%, aiming for 99%
Estimated Cost	?30,000 crore

 
Anant Shastra represents a major advancement in India's battlefield air defence, combining mobility, high-tech sensors, automation, and indigenous capabilities to protect armed forces against evolving aerial threats.
 
Anant Shastra vs. other Indian systems

The Anant Shastra fills a crucial gap in India's layered air defense network. A comparison of its role with other Indian systems shows its unique positioning: 

• Anant Shastra (QRSAM): 25–30 km range, protects moving formations, and specializes in countering drones and loitering munitions.
• Akash Missile System: Up to 70 km range, used for medium-range air defense against aircraft and UAVs.
• MR-SAM: 70–100 km range, provides long-range defense for assets and bases.
• S-400 "Sudarshan Chakra": 400 km range, Russia-supplied system providing long-range, strategic air defense. 

Santorini and Kolumbo are two highly active and interconnected volcanic systems located in the Hellenic Volcanic Arc beneath the Aegean Sea. Recent seismic activity has revealed that these volcanoes, just 7 kilometers apart, share a single underground magma reservoir, complicating eruption prediction and risk assessment for the region. 

Santorini

Santorini is the remnant of a volcanic caldera that formed during the catastrophic Minoan eruption around 1600 BCE, one of the largest volcanic events in recorded history. 

Geology and history

• Volcanic field: Santorini is part of a larger Christiana-Santorini-Kolumbo volcanic field.
• Minoan eruption: The caldera was formed during a devastating Late Bronze Age eruption, which may have contributed to the collapse of the Minoan civilization and potentially triggered a volcanic winter.
• Modern activity: Subsequent eruptions built the islands of Palea and Nea Kameni inside the flooded caldera. The most recent eruption was in 1950.
• Seismic activity: Santorini experienced a period of magma replenishment and swelling between 2024 and 2025, which was largely unnoticed by inhabitants. 

Kolumbo

Kolumbo is a submarine (underwater) volcano located about 7 km northeast of Santorini. It is the largest of about 20 volcanic cones in a rift zone extending northeast from Santorini. 

Geology and history

• Largest eruption: Kolumbo's last major eruption occurred in 1650 CE, a highly explosive phreatomagmatic event that temporarily breached the sea surface.
• Destructive force: The 1650 eruption caused a tsunami and released toxic gases, killing dozens of people on Santorini and neighboring islands.
• Ongoing activity: The volcano remains active, with continuous hydrothermal venting and occasional seismic swarms. Its crater is 1.5 km across and 500 meters deep. 

Recent discoveries of a coupled system

Until recently, the magma systems for Santorini and Kolumbo were believed to be separate at shallow depths. However, new research published in September 2025 demonstrates a deeper connection. 

• Earthquake swarm: An intense earthquake swarm of over 1,200 quakes occurred around Santorini and Kolumbo in January 2025.
• Magma movement: Analyses of seismic data and surface elevation changes from 2024–2025 show that magma rose beneath Santorini, causing it to swell. When the seismic swarm started, quakes migrated towards Kolumbo, and both volcanoes began to simultaneously deflate.
• Shared reservoir: This simultaneous activity provides evidence that the volcanoes are hydraulically connected and share a mid-crustal magma system. The shared system was filled by nearly 300 million cubic meters of magma that rose from deeper within the crust.
• Increased risk: The revelation of a coupled magma system complicates future eruption prediction and risk assessment. Changes in one volcano's system can directly influence the other, increasing the need for high-resolution, real-time monitoring.

  The Gaia Telescope, operated by the European Space Agency (ESA), has produced the most detailed 3D map of the Milky Way ever created, charting over 44 million ordinary stars and 87 massive O-type stars across 4,000 light-years from the Sun in all directions.
This unprecedented 3D map focuses particularly on "stellar nurseries"—regions where new stars are actively forming—using indirect observations of dust and hydrogen gas alongside precise stellar positions and distances.

How the 3D Map Was Made

• Gaia cannot directly image interstellar clouds where stars are born, but it can measure the positions, distances, and dimming (extinction) of stars caused by dust in these regions.
• By analyzing how much starlight is blocked, astronomers infer the distribution of dust and hydrogen gas and identify the hottest, youngest stars that ionize their surroundings.
• The map includes famous star-forming regions like the Gum Nebula, North American Nebula, California Nebula, and the Orion-Eridanus superbubble.

What the Gaia 3D Map Reveals

• The map allows scientists (and the public) to "fly through" the galaxy’s stellar nurseries in three dimensions, offering new insights into star formation and the structure of the local Milky Way.
• This 3D perspective is the first to provide such an accurate "top-down" view and models how hot, massive O-type stars carve out glowing hydrogen clouds in their vicinity.

Gaia Mission Overview

• The Gaia telescope was launched in 2013 and is stationed at Lagrange Point 2 (L2), about 1.5 million km from Earth for stable, unobstructed observations.
• Its main goal is astrometry—measuring star positions, distances, and motions—enabling a precise 3D reconstruction of the stellar environment surrounding the Sun.

 Interactive and Virtual Exploration

• ESA and various partners have made portions of the Gaia data available through interactive sky maps, where users can zoom in and examine individual stars, clusters, nebulae, and even view the structure of the plane of the Milky Way.
• These resources make it possible to simulate a flight through the galaxy, visualizing millions of stars in motion.

The Gaia 3D map marks a significant leap forward in understanding the structure and ongoing evolution of our galaxy, both for scientists and for public virtual exploration. The latest on the "Grue Jay" is that it is a rare natural hybrid bird discovered in San Antonio, Texas, created from a mating between a blue jay (father) and a green jay (mother). This hybrid shows a mix of physical and behavioral traits from both species, such as turquoise-blue plumage with black facial markings. It was first spotted in 2023 and confirmed by genetic testing reported in a 2025 study published by researchers at the University of Texas at Austin.

Discovery and significance

• Location: The first documented wild grue jay was spotted in 2023 in a suburb of San Antonio, Texas, by a local homeowner. This individual was seen again in the same backyard in 2025.
• Scientific confirmation: The sighting was investigated by researchers from the University of Texas at Austin, including graduate student Brian Stokes. Genetic analysis of a blood sample confirmed the bird was a first-generation offspring of a male blue jay and a female green jay.
• Climate change indicator: Researchers believe this hybridization is a bellwether for how climate change is affecting species distribution. In recent decades, green jays have expanded their range northward from Central America, while blue jays have shifted westward. This has caused their territories to overlap for the first time in millions of years, creating opportunities for interbreeding. 

 Unique characteristics

• Appearance: The grue jay exhibits a mix of features from its parents. Its body and tail are similar to a blue jay, but its face features a distinct black mask similar to a green jay.
• Genetic history: The hybridization is particularly noteworthy because the parent species are separated by about 7 million years of evolution and are in different genera.
• Behavior: The hybrid bird was observed to have calls that were a blend of both species. However, unlike its highly social parents, the grue jay was seen behaving more solitarily. 

Hybrids in the wild

While hybridization is not unheard of in birds, a rare event such as the grue jay is considered evidence of ecological changes driven by human activity. The potential for these kinds of encounters to become more frequent highlights how climate change is disrupting long-established natural patterns.  The latest on Hanle Dark Sky Reserve (HDSR) is that it recently hosted its third annual Star Party from September 18 to 23, 2025.

• This event brought together astronomy enthusiasts, astrophotographers, scientists, and local communities for four nights of stargazing under some of the darkest skies in India. The Star Party was organized by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA), the Department of Wildlife Protection of UT Ladakh, and the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC).
• HDSR, notified in December 2022, is India’s first International Dark Sky Reserve, centered around the Indian Astronomical Observatory at Hanle village of Ladakh.
• It is located in the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary at around 4,250-4,500 meters altitude and offers Bortle-1 skies, the darkest sky category globally.

Location and environment

• Altitude: The reserve is situated approximately 4,500 meters above sea level in the Changthang Wildlife Sanctuary.
• Climate: As a cold, high-altitude desert region, Ladakh offers a large, arid area with consistently clear, cloudless, and dry skies, which are ideal for astronomical observation.
• Pristine skies: Due to minimal artificial light pollution, Hanle has some of the darkest skies in India, ranking as the country's largest Bortle-1 region. This allows for naked-eye viewing of celestial phenomena like the Milky Way and the Zodiacal Light. 

Astronomy and research

Indian Astronomical Observatory: Hanle is home to the IAO, operated by the Indian Institute of Astrophysics (IIA). This facility houses one of the world's highest optical telescopes.

• Research: The IAO uses its telescopes to study stars, galaxies, exoplanets, and the evolution of the universe.
• Sky protection: The IAO has led efforts to preserve the region's dark skies to ensure the continuation of its valuable astronomical research. 

Astro-tourism and community engagement

• Astro-ambassadors: A key feature of the HDSR is its community-centric model. The local administration and the IIA have trained and equipped 24 young villagers, two-thirds of whom are women, to be "Astronomy Ambassadors".
• Guided experiences: The ambassadors use 8-inch telescopes to guide tourists through the wonders of the cosmos, providing stargazing shows for a fee.
• Economic development: This astro-tourism initiative creates new income streams for the local population and promotes science-based socio-economic development in the region.
• Annual events: The HDSR hosts an annual "Star Party" that brings together professional and amateur astronomers from across the country. 

Protecting the dark sky

To preserve the exceptional night sky quality, a comprehensive Light Management Plan is in place. 

• Minimizing light pollution: The plan provides households with equipment like thick curtains and light shades to reduce light trespass.
• Traffic regulations: Vehicles within the reserve are asked to use dim headlights.
• Visitor guidelines: Tourists are advised to use red-filtered lights, dispose of waste properly, and avoid loud noises to maintain the environment's integrity.

The Dugong Conservation Reserve, established in 2022 in Tamil Nadu's Palk Bay, received formal recognition from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) at the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in September 2025. The global endorsement recognizes India's efforts to protect the vulnerable dugong, a large marine herbivore known as the "sea cow". 

Details on the Dugong Conservation Reserve and IUCN recognition

• Location and size: The reserve covers 448.34 square kilometers in northern Palk Bay, encompassing coastal waters of the Thanjavur and Pudukkottai districts. This area includes over 12,250 hectares of seagrass meadows, the dugong's vital feeding grounds.
• Global recognition: The IUCN resolution formally recognizes the reserve and encourages international cooperation to replicate India's community-led conservation model.
• Conservation strategies: The initiative was praised for its community involvement and innovative restoration techniques, such as using bamboo and coconut rope frames to rehabilitate damaged seagrass meadows.
• Community engagement: Local fishing communities have been involved through awareness programs, compensation for damaged nets, and rewards for reporting entangled dugongs. This has resulted in the safe release of captured dugongs.
• Biodiversity: In addition to dugongs, the reserve's seagrass habitat supports other vulnerable marine species, such as green and hawksbill sea turtles, seahorses, and whale sharks.
• Population recovery: As of September 2025, drone surveys by the Wildlife Institute of India estimated a population of over 200 dugongs in the Palk Bay area, indicating signs of recovery. 

Characteristics

• Appearance: Dugongs are large, gray-brown, bulbous animals with a flattened, whale-like fluke tail and paddle-like flippers. They have a broad, downward-pointing muzzle, which helps them graze along the seabed.
• Size: An adult dugong can grow to 3–4 meters (about 10 feet) in length and weigh over 400 kilograms (880 pounds).
• Lifespan and reproduction: Dugongs have a long lifespan, living up to 70 years. However, their reproductive rate is slow, making them vulnerable to population decline. Females typically give birth for the first time around age 10 and only breed every three to six years.
• Relationship to other animals: Dugongs are related to manatees, another type of sirenian, and even more distantly to elephants. A key difference from manatees is their tail; dugongs have a fluked tail like a dolphin or whale, while manatees have a paddle-shaped tail. 

Habitat and diet

• Habitat: Dugongs inhabit warm coastal waters across the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, East Africa, the Indian subcontinent, and northern Australia. Australia is home to the largest dugong population. They stay in shallow, protected areas such as bays and mangrove channels where seagrass is abundant.
• Diet: As herbivores, they feed exclusively on seagrass. An adult dugong can consume up to 30–40 kilograms (66–88 pounds) of seagrass per day. 

Conservation status

• Threatened status: The dugong is listed as vulnerable to extinction on the IUCN Red List due to threats like habitat destruction, hunting, and fishing-related fatalities.
• Protection efforts: Governments and conservation organizations are working to protect dugongs through research, habitat protection, and regulations on boat speed and fishing. The UAE, for example, protects a significant dugong population within marine reserves. 

IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 highlights
The motion to recognize the Dugong Conservation Reserve was adopted with overwhelming support from governments and NGOs.
The resolution calls for international collaboration to strengthen monitoring systems, improve fisheries management, and share conservation knowledge with global dugong conservation programs. 
  The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in Kerala was officially renamed the Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary in July 2025, becoming India's first sanctuary dedicated solely to butterflies. Located in the Kannur district, it is a key biodiversity hotspot in the Western Ghats region. 

• It covers an area of 55 square kilometers in the Western Ghats and is home to over 266 butterfly species, representing more than 80% of Kerala’s butterfly diversity.
• The sanctuary was originally established as Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary in 1984 and was renamed as Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary in June 2025, recognizing its unique importance for butterfly conservation and migration.
• The sanctuary's habitat includes tropical and semi-evergreen forests, with a rich biodiversity that extends beyond butterflies to elephants, leopards, langurs, and various bird species.
• One of the unique phenomena observed here is the massive seasonal butterfly migration from December to February, including large gatherings of species like the Common Albatross butterfly.
• The sanctuary also supports scientific research, eco-tourism, and conservation education, involving local communities in various initiatives such as butterfly walks and festivals.

Latest developments and activities

• Aralam Butterfly Sanctuary: The Aralam Wildlife Sanctuary was renamed on June 18, 2025, solidifying its status as a dedicated butterfly sanctuary. It was established following extensive ecological surveys and grassroots efforts.
• Butterfly species and migration: The sanctuary is home to over 266 butterfly species, including rare and endangered ones, representing more than 80% of Kerala's total butterfly population. The migratory season for butterflies like the Common Albatross and various Danaid species occurs from October to February.
• Butterfly walk: An organized event called "Butterfly walk 1st Edition" was held in the sanctuary on September 11, 2025, by the NGO Alarmo and the Fireflies Community.
• Guided tours: Visitors can participate in guided tours along a butterfly safari trail to learn about butterfly behaviors, life cycles, and conservation efforts.
• Other wildlife: Beyond butterflies, the sanctuary's dense tropical and semi-evergreen forests are also home to elephants, giant squirrels, leopards, and a variety of birds.
• Entry and access: The sanctuary is open daily from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.. It is located about 40 kilometers from Kannur International Airport.

Recently, the Coffee Board of India held capacity-building programmes to increase the number of growers registering on its mobile application for EU Deforestation Regulation compliance.

About Coffee Board of India

The Coffee Board of India is a statutory autonomous organization responsible for promoting coffee production and export in India. It operates under the administrative control of the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India. 

Establishment and history

• Formation: The board was established by an act of Parliament, the Coffee Act of 1942, during World War II when the industry was in distress.
• Marketing deregulation: Until 1995, the Coffee Board was responsible for marketing a pooled supply of coffee. Following India's economic liberalization, marketing became a private-sector activity.
• Shift in role: Since marketing was discontinued, the board's role has shifted to being a "friend, philosopher, and guide" for the entire coffee sector. Its core focus is now on research and development, quality improvement, and promotion in both domestic and export markets. 

Structure and headquarters

• Headquarters: The head office of the Coffee Board is located in Bengaluru, Karnataka.
• Leadership: The board is led by a Chairman, who serves as the Chief Executive. It also includes 32 other members representing various stakeholders, such as coffee growers, trade interests, labor, and consumers.
• Research centers: The board has a Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in Balehonnur, Karnataka, as well as regional research stations in several coffee-growing states.
• Promotional units: It maintains promotional units, including several India Coffee Houses located in major cities, to promote coffee consumption. 

Core functions and objectives

The primary activities of the Coffee Board aim to enhance the quality, productivity, and profitability of Indian coffee. Its key functions include: 

• Research and development: Conducting research into new and improved coffee varieties, better cultivation techniques, and pest and disease control.
• Extension support: Disseminating the latest technologies and best practices to coffee growers through a network of extension units.
• Quality improvement: Implementing strategies and schemes to improve the quality of Indian coffee for both domestic and international markets.
• Market intelligence: Collecting and providing statistical and market-related information to the industry, including export and domestic market trends.
• Promotion: Promoting Indian coffee in both export and domestic markets through trade fairs, exhibitions, and competitions like the "Flavour of India – The Fine Cup".
• Export facilitation: Issuing export permits and certificates of origin to registered exporters.
• Welfare measures: Implementing labor welfare schemes and providing development support and financial assistance to coffee growers.

Coffee Board of India Latest

Latest updates from the Coffee Board of India include a push to raise awareness among growers about the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), a strategy to boost domestic consumption, and the recruitment of new staff. 

Production and promotion

• Targeted growth: In March 2025, the board announced a 10-year roadmap with an ambitious goal to nearly triple India's coffee production to 9 lakh tonnes by 2047, up from a provisional figure of 3.63 lakh tonnes in 2024–2025.
• Global promotion: India's specialty coffees were showcased at the SCAJ World Specialty Coffee Conference & Exhibition in Tokyo from September 24–27, 2025, to promote Indian coffee to a global audience.
• Domestic market: To increase domestic consumption, the board launched premium single-serve, GI-tagged coffee drip bags in March 2025. The bags feature five GI-tagged Arabica varieties and only require hot water to prepare.
• Brand building: The board plans to sell GI-tagged coffee online to make these products accessible to more consumers across India. 

Exports

• Strong performance: India's coffee exports showed robust growth in fiscal year 2024–2025, reaching $1,803 million, and have continued to surge in the early part of FY 2025–2026.
• EUDR compliance: To prepare for the European Union Deforestation Regulation (EUDR), which affects coffee exporters, the board is conducting awareness programs for growers. It is encouraging growers to register and add geo-location data through its mobile app to provide proof that their coffee is not linked to deforestation. 

Recruitment

• New vacancies announced: In June 2025, the Coffee Board announced a recruitment drive for 55 positions in Scientific and Technical cadres, including Divisional Head, Subject Matter Specialist, Junior Liaison Officer, and Extension Inspector.
• Online applications: The application period was from June 9 to July 9, 2025, with eligible candidates required to apply online through the official website. 

Other initiatives

• Centenary celebration: The Coffee Board has called for an event management agency to organize the centenary celebration of the Central Coffee Research Institute (CCRI) in 2025.
• Community quality centers: Expressions of interest were sought for establishing Community Coffee Quality Centres (CCQCs) to improve quality under the Participatory Quality Improvement program. 

  Recently, the external affairs Minister highlighted India’s deepening engagement with the countries of the Central American Integration System (SICA) during the India-SICA Foreign Minister’s Meeting.

About Central American Integration System.

The Central American Integration System (SICA) is the institutional framework for regional integration in Central America.
It is composed of eight member countries: Belize, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua, and Panama. 
History

• SICA succeeded the Organization of Central American States (ODECA), founded in 1951. The current framework was established by the Tegucigalpa Protocol in 1991, which reformed the ODECA charter to focus on peace, democracy, and development. It became operational in 1993. 

Objectives

SICA aims to create a region of peace, liberty, democracy, and development, based on human rights.

Key objectives include: 

• Consolidating democracy and strengthening regional security.
• Moving towards economic integration, including a Free Trade Area and eventual Customs and economic union.
• Promoting social and cultural integration to improve human development and quality of life.
• Developing integrated regional infrastructure.
• Coordinating a common foreign policy.
• Creating common policies for regional mobility.
• Balancing economic development with environmental conservation. 

Structure and functions

SICA has various bodies, including a rotating Presidency, biannual Summits, and a General Secretariat in El Salvador.
 It also includes the Central American Parliament (PARLACEN) (not including Costa Rica), the Central American Court of Justice (CCJ) to resolve disputes, and the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) for financing. Other specialized bodies exist, such as SIECA. 

Observers

SICA has both regional and extra-regional observer countries and organizations. Regional observers include countries like Mexico and the United States, while extra-regional observers include the European Union and Spain.
 

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