SNIPPETS 14 MARCH 2026

National Highways Green Cover Index: NHAI, in collaboration with National Remote Sensing Centre (NRSC) of ISRO, released the inaugural NH-Green Cover Index (GCI) for 2025–26+ Key highlights of the Index+ Coverage: ~30,000 km of National Highways across 24 states for the period between July and December 2024+ It will track year-on-year green cover improvements+ Satellite-based methodology: by detecting chlorophyll content via high-resolution satellite sensors of Resourcesat-2/2A and Cartosat-2S.

White Phosphorous: A translucent, yellowish-white waxy solid+ It glows in the dark (chemiluminescence) and ignites instantly upon contact with air+ Hazards: Extremely toxic to humans+ It causes severe burns to the skin and deep tissue, and causes major internal damage if inhaled or ingested+ Weapon Uses: primarily as an incendiary agent for smoke screens and illumination+ Regulations: Not explicitly banned but prohibited but under International Humanitarian Law.

Stromatolites: Stromatolites (Greek for “layered rock”) are microbial reefs formed by cyanobacteria+ Formation – Built through sediment trapping, binding, and mineral precipitation by microbial communities+ Structure –Microbes remain active on the surface layer+ The deeper layers are lithified remnants of past microbial activity, effectively serving as trace fossils of ancient life.