05 Oct 2026 - "Daily Current Affairs" Updates

Buxa Tiger Reserve and the Royal Bengal Tiger

Why in News: A three-year-old tigress, T138, was released into Buxa Tiger Reserve in West Bengal, marking an effort towards a viable and self-sustaining tiger population in the reserve.

Royal Bengal Tiger: Key Facts

• Royal Bengal Tiger (Panthera tigris tigris) is classified as Endangered on the IUCN Red List.

• It is found across India except in the high Himalayas, the Thar Desert and Gujarat.

• Its habitats include tropical evergreen forests, alluvial grasslands and deciduous forests.

• According to the source, India has about 3,167 wild tigers based on the latest All India Tiger Estimation (2022-23), accounting for nearly 75% of the world tiger population.

• The source describes India's tiger census as the largest wildlife monitoring exercise in the world.

• Madhya Pradesh has the highest tiger population in India.

Behaviour

• Tigers are generally solitary and scent-mark large territories to keep rivals away.

• They are powerful nocturnal hunters.

• They are also strong swimmers.

Buxa Tiger Reserve

• Buxa Tiger Reserve is in West Bengal.

• It lies inside Buxa National Park in the Buxa Hills, in the southern hilly area adjoining Bhutan.

Quick Recall

• Scientific name -> Panthera tigris tigris.

• IUCN -> Endangered.

• India tiger estimate in source -> about 3,167.

• State with highest tiger population -> Madhya Pradesh.

• Buxa Tiger Reserve -> West Bengal.

GEOGRAPHY & MAPPING

2. Standardisation of Place Names in Ladakh

Why in News: The Centre identified and standardised 28 places and geographical features in Ladakh for inclusion on Survey of India maps.

Names Standardised

• Peaks: Atisha Giri, Kanishka Peak, Martand Giri, Zorawar Peak, Rinchen Zangpo, Sakyasri Giri, Marpa Lotsava Ri, Milarepa Kangri, Shiva Ri and Maheshvara Ri.

• Mountains: Karun Pir, Drak Karpo and Jolmori.

• Passes: Chapchingal Pass and Shachmirk Pass.

• Glaciers: Parpik and Skamri.

• Lake: Guru Rinpoche.

• Water body: Hot Spring.

• Land areas: Brangsa, Kuksel, Dehra Compass, Gogra, Kumarayana Point, Panglung and Shamal Lungpa.

• Other geographical features: Shkorga Valley and Yangpa River.

Survey of India

• Survey of India is the National Survey and Mapping Organisation of India.

• It functions under the Department of Science & Technology, Ministry of Science and Technology.

• It is the oldest scientific department of the Government of India.

• It was established in 1767.

Quick Recall

• Survey of India -> national survey and mapping organisation.

• Administrative department -> Department of Science & Technology.

• Established -> 1767.

• Ladakh exercise -> 28 standardised place/geographical-feature names.

CLIMATE POLICY & GLOBAL ECONOMY

3. Carbon Pricing, Paris Agreement and OECD

Why in News: Economics Professor Michael Greenstone argued that OECD countries should compensate the Global South for climate damage if developing countries adopt carbon pricing.

Paris Agreement: Temperature Goal

• The Paris Agreement aims to keep global temperature rise well below 2°C above pre-industrial levels.

• It also seeks efforts to limit warming to 1.5°C.

Article 6 and Carbon Markets

• Article 6.2 enables cross-border trading of emission-reduction credits and supports linking carbon-pricing systems across countries and jurisdictions.

• Article 6.4 creates an international mitigation mechanism that promotes sustainable development and permits offset trading of emission-reduction credits.

• Article 6.5 provides accounting safeguards to prevent double counting of emission reductions and improve transparency.

OECD: What to Know

• The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development is an intergovernmental economic organisation.

• It was established in 1961 as the successor to the OEEC.

• Its objectives include sustainable economic growth, world trade and social well-being.

• Headquarters -> Paris, France.

• Membership -> 38 countries.

• India is not an OECD member but participates as a key partner country.

• Major OECD initiatives and reports mentioned in the source include the OECD Economic Outlook, PISA and Better Life Index.

Quick Recall

• Paris target -> well below 2°C; pursue 1.5°C.

• Article 6.2 -> cross-border credit trading.

• Article 6.4 -> international mitigation mechanism.

• Article 6.5 -> prevents double counting.

• OECD HQ -> Paris; members -> 38; India -> key partner, not member.