Artificial Intelligence (AI) has emerged as a transformative force across scientific disciplines, with profound implications for environmental science. In this paper, let us explore the multifaceted impact of AI technologies including machine learning, deep learning, computer vision and natural language processing on environmental monitoring, modelling, prediction and policy formulation. AI enhances data processing from satellites, sensors and citizen science platforms, improves the accuracy of climate and ecological forecasts and enables real-time decision-making for conservation and sustainability. Case studies in wildfire prediction, deforestation tracking, and species identification illustrate the practical utility of AI. Integration of AI into environmental science promises more responsive, scalable and equitable environmental governance. This editorial underscores the necessity of interdisciplinary collaboration to maximize the potential of AI while mitigating its ecological and ethical risks.

The Kuttanad wetlands of Kerala represent a unique and ecologically sensitive hydrological system where water quality dynamics play a critical role in regulating biological productivity. This study assessed the physicochemical characteristics and phytoplankton diversity across four sites in the Kainakari Panchayat from February 2023 to April 2024. Standard APHA procedures were used to analyse water quality parameters, while phytoplankton were identified microscopically and quantified to the lowest taxonomic level. A total of 55 phytoplankton species belonging to Cyanophyceae, Chlorophyceae, Bacillariophyceae, Chrysophyceae, and Dinophyceae were recorded, with Chlorophyceae showing the highest richness. Spatial variations in nitrate and phosphate strongly influenced phytoplankton distribution, with nitrate-rich Kuppapuram (S1) supporting peak diatom densities and phosphate-rich Punnamada (S4) favouring green algae proliferation. Diversity indices indicated a highly stable ecosystem, with Shannon - Wiener values ranging from 3.853 to 3.892. Correlation analysis revealed a strong positive relationship between diatoms and nitrate concentration and between green algae and phosphate concentration, suggesting nutrient-driven niche differentiation. PCA further distinguished the sites along major nutrient gradients. The present study highlights the significance of nutrient dynamics in shaping community structure and emphasizes the value of phytoplankton as sensitive bioindicators for monitoring the ecological health of the Kuttanad wetlands.

Drinking water safety in low- and middle-income countries is increasingly threatened by post-treatment contamination within deteriorating distribution systems. This study assessed how pipeline integrity influences water quality and public health in Birnin-Kudu, Nigeria. Over 12 months, 180 samples were collected from treatment plant outlets, intact pipelines, and damaged pipelines and analyzed for physicochemical, nutrient, metal, and microbial parameters using geo-accumulation (I_geo), contamination (CF), and health risk (HQ, HI) indices. Though water was of good quality at the treatment outlets and met WHO standards, the quality deteriorated sharply at households served by damaged pipelines; for instance, turbidity, 9.4 NTU; nitrate, 14.9 mg/L; ammonia, 0.57 mg/L; copper, 0.26 mg/L; and coliforms, 134 CFU/100 mL were all elevated. Pollution indices indicated localized hotspots and significant health risks in HQ > 2.5 and HI > 1. Multivariate analysis further identified that deterioration of pipes generates synergistic multi-pollutant clusters that combine physical, chemical, and microbial contaminants beyond safe limits. This study, therefore, gives the first quantitative evidence from sub-Saharan Africa of the linkage of pipeline decay with compound contamination and health hazards and underlines the imperative for predictive maintenance, monitoring of hotspots, and infrastructure rehabilitation toward the safeguarding of global drinking water quality.

In order to determine the most efficient and cost-effective weed management strategy for mustard in Punjab's subtropical climate, a field experiment was carried out during the rabi season of 2024–2025 to examine the impact of weed management techniques on yield, weed dynamics, and mustard economics. The study's findings showed that the weed-free treatment had the lowest mean weed dry weight (00.0 g m-2), the highest weed control efficiency (100%), the highest mean plant height (120.9 cm), dry matter accumulation (13.5 g plant⁻1), siliqua plant-1 (94.3), siliqua length (5.21 cm), mustard seed, straw, and biological yields (22.0, 39.20, and 61.20 q ha-1), and it was statistically superior to the other treatments. Pendimethalin 750g/ha PE + Clodinafop 60g/ha POE, on the other hand, proved to be the best chemical application because it recorded greater values of siliqua plant-1 and yields. Pendimethalin 750g/ha PE + Clodinafop 60g/ha POE treatment increased seed, straw, and biological yields by an average of 99.6%, 55.9%, and 70.1% over the control. The combination treatment of Pendimethalin 750g/ha PE + Clodinafop 60g/ha POE produced the highest net returns (₹106022 ha-1) and B:C ratio (4.20). Because weeds have a suppressive effect on mustard, the lowest values (₹62712 ha-1 and 3.13) were recorded under weedy check.

It is believed that spatial structure has a significant role in the origin and preservation of genetic diversity. The spatial organization of most populations' habitats has the potential to have significant effects on the processes of evolution. Our goal in this work was to locate the genetic diversity of bacterial strains in various environments. In this investigation, we isolated the bacterial strains from each of the seven samples we took from water bodies from Khujailok and Lairok river, Moreh Manipur India. After gramstaining, the isolated bacteria were separated into gram-positive and gram-negative bacteria. To determine the genetic differences between the isolated bacteria, the DNA was extracted and amplified using PCR. The results showed that salinity was the most important environmental factor in explaining variance in microbial communities, surpassing TN, temperature, TP, or pH. These findings suggested that the genetic diversity and functionality of the water micro biota are influenced by environmental variables. Salinity, not TP, temperature, pH, or TN, was the most crucial environmental component.

The present work was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and to screen the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of the stem and leaves of Cissus quadrangularis (Linn) for the presence of bioactive compounds. Methanol and ethyl acetate were used as solvents to extract the biocompound according to their polarity. The solvents were used to extract into it by the extraction method at optimized conditions. Crude protein, crude fat, and carbohydrate content were determined as primary metabolites. The chemical composition in methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Cissus quadrangularis L. revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, protein, amino acids, fixed oils, fats, tannins and cardiac glycosides. This work could be further useful to the structural evaluation and further quantification of bioactive compounds for further studies in medical, pharmaceutical fields and formation of many drugs in therapeutic fields.

The present work was conducted to evaluate the phytochemical constituents and to screen the methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of the stem and leaves of Ipomoea carnea (Jarq) for the presence of bioactive compounds. Methanol and ethyl acetate were used as solvents to extract the biocompound according to their polarity. The solvents were used to extract into it by the extraction method at optimized conditions. Crude protein, crude fat and carbohydrate content were determined as primary metabolites. The chemical composition in methanolic and ethyl acetate extracts of Ipomoea carnea (Jark) revealed the presence of alkaloids, saponins, phytosterols, phenolic compounds, flavonoids, terpenoids, protein, amino acids, fixed oils, fats, tannins and cardiac glycosides. This work could be further useful for the structural evaluation and quantification of bioactive compounds for future studies in medical and pharmaceutical fields, and the formation of new drugs in therapeutic field.

The forestry sector in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is seeing fewer field-ready technical workers, even as university forestry programs grow. This paper looks at how putting more focus on academic forestry training has changed the workforce, operations, and skill development in the area. By systematically reviewing 15 documents from 2021 to 2025, like skills audits, qualification standards, industry reports, and global comparisons, this study puts together information about the topic. The results show a reversed skills situation, where there are too many university graduates but not enough technicians with practical, on-the-job skills. This issue has raised training expenses for employers, reduced how much they can produce, and slowed down the use of new forestry technologies. Looking at Europe and Latin America, we see that systems that keep separate technical training tracks in two-track education models do a better job at running things efficiently and letting workers move around easily. The paper ends by saying that bringing back diploma-level technical training inside a standard SADC Qualifications Framework, along with ways to recognize past learning and joint public-private management, is key to bringing back lasting, competitive forestry production in Southern Africa.

Scrap waste management is an important part of municipal solid waste systems, especially in fast-growing towns where a lot of recyclable materials are produced. This study looks at how scrap waste is managed in Attingal Municipality, Kerala, using field surveys, direct observation, and interviews with stakeholders. The research gathered information from scrap dealers, municipal officials, and residents living near scrap collection units to understand their awareness, satisfaction, environmental concerns, and views on economic benefits. The results show that scrap collection units help with recycling and provide jobs, but there are still problems with waste separation, regulatory checks, and public awareness. Residents often mentioned noise, soil pollution, and worries about long-term health effects. The study points out the need for better oversight, clearer public communication, and including informal scrap workers in the official waste management system. These findings add local evidence to the limited research on scrap waste management in small and medium-sized towns in India.

Arsenic contamination of wastewater poses a serious environmental and public health challenge due to its toxicity, persistence, and bioaccumulative nature. Conventional arsenic removal technologies are often costly, energy-intensive, and generate secondary pollutants, limiting their applicability in developing regions. The present study evaluates the phytoremediation potential of the terrestrial ornamental plant Syngonium podophyllum for arsenic removal from contaminated wastewater using a laboratory-scale constructed wetland (CW) system. Synthetic wastewater containing arsenic at concentrations of 5, 10, 15, 20, and 25 mg/L⁻¹ was treated over 25 days, and the removal efficiency was monitored at regular intervals. Results indicated an apparent time-dependent increase in arsenic removal, with maximum efficiency (93.33%) observed at an initial concentration of 5 mg L⁻¹ after 25 days. Removal efficiency declined with increasing arsenic concentration, suggesting concentration-dependent inhibition of phytoremediation. One-way ANOVA confirmed a statistically significant effect of initial arsenic concentration on removal efficiency (p < 0.001). Bioaccumulation analysis revealed tissue-specific arsenic distribution following the order root > shoot > leaf, indicating limited translocation to aerial parts. The findings demonstrate that S. podophyllum is a practical, low-cost, and environmentally sustainable bio-agent for arsenic phytoremediation in constructed wetlands, particularly under low to moderate levels of contamination.

Agriculture plays a crucial role in ensuring food security, sustainable development and poverty alleviation in developing nations. Despite being one of the largest agricultural producers, India faces low productivity due to a knowledge deficit among farmers as highlighted by the NPC (2006) report. With an extension agent-to-farmer ratio of 1:2879, traditional agricultural extension services struggle to reach all farmers. The rapid expansion of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) has created opportunities for digital solutions in agricultural extension. Social media in particular has emerged as a key tool for bridging the information gap between farmers and extension professionals. A study was conducted in Cuddalore District to analyze the utilization pattern of social media among farmers. Three blocks-Panruti, Kurinjipadi and Bhuvanagiri-were selected, covering nine villages with a sample size of 120 respondents. The findings revealed that most respondents belonged to the 36-45 age group and accessed agricultural information primarily through smartphones. WhatsApp was universally used with multimedia being the preferred format for communication. Farmers ranked WhatsApp as the most preferred platform for agricultural discussions and information sharing. A significant positive relationship was observed between family income, attitude towards ICT, innovativeness and perception of good agricultural practices with the extent of social media usage. However, poor network connectivity and low internet speed were the major constraints faced by farmers. The study highlights the growing role of social media in agricultural extension and its potential in enhancing knowledge dissemination among farmers.

Cigarette butt pollution, the discarded remains of the smoked cigarette, is a global environmental concern with profound health and ecological ramifications. Cigarette butts—the small, fibrous ends left after smoking—are the most commonly littered item worldwide and pose serious environmental and public health risks due to their toxic, non-biodegradable nature. This study addresses the pressing need for coordinated efforts involving the public, manufacturers, lawmakers, and citizens to manage and mitigate the detrimental consequences of this pervasive pollutant. The research focuses on the younger generation's awareness of this issue. The survey encompassed 454 respondents, primarily individuals aged between 13-19 years (60%), with a substantial representation of females (64%) and this was done keeping in mind that the youths of today are the future of tomorrow, especially the females. It is said that if one female is educated then she will educate the whole family which further can bring a change in the society. Encouragingly, an overwhelming majority (97%) recognized cigarette butts as pollutants, irrespective of gender, highlighting substantial public awareness. Notably, respondents reported encountering cigarette debris in public places, often witnessing improper disposal, such as in drains, contributing to water pollution. While respondents exhibited reasonable awareness of the hazards linked to cigarette butts, including fires and harm to wildlife, only 42% were aware of their role in marine pollution, suggesting a knowledge gap. Notably, despite the awareness, improper disposal remains a concern, indicating societal insensitivity. This underscores the need for enhanced public education. The study concludes with recommendations, including awareness campaigns and biodegradable filters, to address cigarette butt pollution. Comprehensive interventions and legislation against careless disposal are essential. This research aims to stimulate further interdisciplinary exploration and draw policymakers' attention to reducing this potential pollutant's impact through sustainable methods.

Alluvial soils across northern Indian states represent one of the most fertile and biologically dynamic landscapes on the Earth. Formed through centuries of sediment deposition by the Ganga, Yamuna, Brahmaputra, and their tributaries, these soils sustain dense agricultural systems, diverse vegetation and complex microbial communities. This review examines microbial niches across the North Indian alluvial plains, emphasizing ecological patterns, nutrient cycling, and adaptive strategies of microbial taxa under varied physicochemical conditions. It synthesizes data from studies across Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, Haryana, Punjab, and Delhi to explore how edaphic factors such as texture, moisture, organic carbon, pH, and salinity shape microbial composition and activity. The article highlights microbial guilds involved in nitrogen fixation, phosphorus solubilization, organic matter decomposition, and stress tolerance, with case studies linking soil microbiomes to crop productivity. Climate change, anthropogenic pollution, and agrochemical use are analyzed as major pressures altering microbial resilience and soil health. The review concludes with an integrated model for sustainable management of microbial resources in alluvial agroecosystems, advocating for molecular-level monitoring, biotechnological applications, and restoration practices.

In the quest for sustainable nanomaterials and eco-friendly wastewater treatment technologies, this study presents a green synthesis of iron oxide (Fe₂O₃) nanoparticles utilizing commonly discarded kitchen waste—pomegranate peels (Punica granatum). The synthesized nanoparticles were extensively characterized using UV-Vis spectroscopy, XRD, FTIR, SEM and TEM, confirming the presence of crystalline α-Fe₂O₃ phase by pomegranate peel while no distinctive peak suggesting amorphous nature of Fe₂O₃. Their catalytic performance was assessed in the decolouration of six industrially significant dyes- Methylene blue, Acid orange 7, Basic Dyes Malachite, Direct red 12B, Disperse yellow 3 and Reactive Black 5. Punica granatum mediated Fe₂O₃ nanoparticles showed significant dye removal efficiency. Notably, ~90% decolouration of all the dyes was achieved within 90 minutes by derived Fe₂O₃. The analysis highlighted that Punica granatum peel extract is the superior biogenic source, making the resulting Fe₂O₃ NPs highly effective candidates for treating diverse industrial dyes in polluted water streams. The study contributes to circular economy strategies and promotes green chemistry in nanotechnology and environmental remediation.

The 30th Conference of Parties (COP30) arrives at a critical point for climate action, globally, and especially for developing countries such as India. This short communication explores why COP30 is significant and relevant for India, by focusing on key areas of climate justice and the renewable energy transition which is expanding in the country. India’s growing leadership in renewable energy, low per-capita emissions and high climate vulnerability, makes it a key stakeholder in the movement of shaping the path ahead for equitable climate. This article highlights renewable energy as India’s key and primary climate strategy and further explores the challenges and opportunities that COP30 presents for an inclusive and sustainable climate action.

Tuberculosis (TB) remains a major public health concern in low- and middle-income countries, including India, where social, lifestyle and environmental conditions strongly influence disease transmission and clinical presentation. The present study aimed to assess the clinical symptom profile and sociodemographic characteristics of TB patients in Patiala, Punjab, with particular emphasis on age, lifestyle habits and selected environmental factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 100 TB patients attending outpatient departments of three hospitals in Patiala. Data on sociodemographic variables, lifestyle factors and clinical symptoms were collected through face-to-face interviews using a structured questionnaire. Out of the 100 participants, 44% were older than 45 years, 58% resided in urban areas and 54% were female. Chest pain (p = 0.020), shortness of breath (p = 0.015) and night sweats (p = 0.003) were significantly more prevalent in older patients. Chest pain showed a significant association with smoking (p = 0.03) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.003). Living in crowded conditions was significantly associated with cough (p = 0.013), highlighting the role of environmental exposure in early respiratory manifestations. The findings suggest that the severity and pattern of TB symptoms are influenced by age, lifestyle habits and environmental conditions such as crowding. Incorporating environmental and sociodemographic risk assessment into TB control strategies may facilitate early diagnosis and improve patient-centred management.

Rainfall variability under arid and semi-arid climatic conditions has profound socio-economic implications for agricultural livelihoods. Understanding the spatial and temporal variability of rainfall is therefore essential for sustainable agricultural planning. The present study examines long-term rainfall variability and trends over a 122-year period (1901–2022) across 20 districts of Punjab, India, with the objective of identifying significant temporal patterns and providing insights for future agricultural sustainability. Descriptive statistical analyses combined with trend detection techniques, including the Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen’s slope estimator, were employed to assess rainfall trends at multiple spatial and temporal scales. The results indicate that Pathankot, Hoshiarpur, and Shaheed Bhagat Singh Nagar received the highest average annual rainfall, while Fazilka, Sri Muktsar Sahib, and Bathinda recorded the lowest. The long-period average (LPA) rainfall for Punjab was estimated at 630.2 ± 154.9 mm. Among agro-climatic zones, the sub-mountain undulating plain zone (SMZ) exhibited the highest LPA rainfall (1039.4 mm), followed by the central plain zone (CPZ; 689.4 mm), undulating plain zone (UPZ; 663.5 mm), and western zone (WZ; 435.2 mm), whereas the western plain zone (WPZ) recorded the lowest LPA rainfall (385.6 mm). Decadal analysis revealed the highest rainfall intensity during 1951–1960 (722.7 ± 148.6 mm) and the lowest during 1921–1930 (542.7 ± 101.6 mm). Although an increasing rainfall trend was observed during the initial decade (1901–1910) and a declining trend during the most recent decade (2011–2022), the overall long-term rainfall trend was not statistically significant. The findings provide valuable insights for rainfall management, agricultural planning, and policy formulation aimed at enhancing resilience and ensuring food security, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions.

The present study documents the floristic and faunal diversity of the Devchand College campus, Arjunnagar, Tal. Kagal, Dist. Kolhapur, located in the Maharashtra–Karnataka border region of India. Field surveys were conducted over a one-year period from June 2024 to May 2025 across diverse habitats including gardens, open grounds, freshwater ponds, roadsides, and built-up areas, using standard methods such as line transects, point counts, and visual encounter surveys. A total of 148 plant species belonging to 63 families were recorded, with Fabaceae and Arecaceae emerging as the dominant families; habit analysis revealed the predominance of trees (60.81%), followed by herbs (21.62%), shrubs (15.54%), and climbers (2.03%), while 50 species showed notable ethnobotanical importance. Faunal assessment documented 160 animal species representing four major phyla Annelida (5 species), Mollusca (11 species), Arthropoda (66 species), and Chordata (78 species) with arthropods dominating the invertebrate fauna and chordates comprising amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals, among which avifauna exhibited the highest species richness. The observed biodiversity reflects habitat heterogeneity, food resource availability, and favorable microclimatic conditions, indicating that the Devchand College campus functions as an important semi-natural biodiversity refuge within a semi-urban landscape and highlighting the role of educational institutions in biodiversity conservation, environmental education, and sustainable ecosystem management; regular biodiversity monitoring and habitat enhancement through native species plantation are therefore recommended to strengthen long-term conservation efforts.

The growing reliance on chemical-intensive fertilizers has created severe concerns about soil deterioration, nutritional imbalance, and long-term agricultural viability. Organic remedies, particularly biofertilizers like Azolla, present a promising way to restore soil health while maintaining crop output. The current study compared the effects of Azolla-based biofertilizers, alone and combined with cow dung, to inorganic NPK fertilizers on soil physicochemical parameters, nutrient dynamics, and early plant growth under pot culture conditions. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used, with five treatment options: control (no fertilization), Azolla, cow dung, Azolla plus cow dung, and NPK fertilizer. Soil pH, organic content, moisture content, and NPK levels were measured up to 60 days after planting, as well as seed germination and seedling growth parameters. The results showed that the combined Azolla + cow dung treatment (T3) provided the most balanced improvement in soil quality, maintaining a stable pH, significantly increasing organic carbon (up to 16%), improving phosphorus availability (36 kg/ha), and increasing potassium content while supporting favorable moisture retention. The Azolla-only treatment (T1) had the highest soil moisture levels, resulting in improved root growth and 100% seed germination. Although the NPK treatment (T4) produced the highest soil nitrogen and potassium concentrations, it did not lead to superior plant growth when compared to organic treatments. Organic amendments consistently boosted root and shoot development, indicating higher nutrient uptake efficiency and soil biological activity. Overall, the study shows that Azolla, especially when coupled with cow dung, can successfully increase soil fertility, moisture retention, and plant development, providing a sustainable alternative or supplement to synthetic fertilizers. These findings encourage the use of Azolla-based biofertilization techniques in environmentally responsible and sustainable agricultural systems.

Agricultural productivity in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) is currently undermined by a structural "inverted skills pyramid" resulting from "academicization"—the systematic phasing out of certificate and diploma programs in favour of university degrees. This review employs a Systematic Narrative Synthesis (SNS) of literature and institutional reports from 2021–2025 to evaluate the consequences of this shift across all 16 SADC member states. The findings reveal that while the region produces an oversupply of theoretically grounded degree holders, it faces a critical shortage of field-ready technicians capable of managing irrigation, mechanization, and the Fourth Industrial Revolution (4IR) technologies. In the absence of formal technical pathways, the "technical cadre" has been replaced by fragmented industry-led academies, donor-funded stop-gap programs, and an aging experiential workforce. Comparative analysis with dual-track models in Germany and Brazil suggests that SADC’s current trajectory limits 4IR adoption and food security. The paper recommends an immediate restoration of autonomous technical colleges and the institutionalization of industry- Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) co-governance to bridge the widening skills gap.