SNIPPETS 26 JANUARY 2026

Border Roads Organisation: Established on 7th May 1960+ BRO today operates 18 field projects across 11 States and 3 Union Territories+ It develops and maintains strategic border infrastructure for all-weather connectivity and defence preparedness+ functions as an executive force under the Ministry of Defence and operates under the Border Roads Development Board (BRDB)+ BRO has created key assets such as Atal, Sela and Shinkun La tunnels, Siyom, Sisseri and Devak bridges, roads under Projects Vijayak and Swastik and upgraded Bagdogra and Barrackpore airfields, ensuring all-weather strategic connectivity

National Disaster Response Force (NDRF) Raising Day: The NDRF was raised on 19th January 2006 under Disaster Management Act, 2005+It operates through four operational zones headquartered in New Delhi+ The NDRF is mandated to respond to all natural and man-made disasters+ Recognising emerging risks, the NDRF declared 2024 as the “Year of CBRN Preparedness”

Gharial: Fish-eating freshwater crocodile+ Most aquatic of all crocodilians+ Thin, elongated snout → specialization = vulnerability+ Found mainly in Ganga river system+ Key rivers: Chambal, Girwa, Rapti–Narayani+ Indian reserves: UP, MP, Rajasthan+ Mating: Nov–Jan | Egg-laying: Mar– May+ IUCN status: Critically Endangered+ Important for river ecosystem health indicator

Global Water Bankruptcy Report: released by The United Nations University Institute for Water, Environment and Health (UNU-INWEH) + It describes a persistent post-crisis failure state where long-term water use exceeds renewable inflows and safe depletion limits, causing irreversible damage to natural capital+ Data: Around 70% of the world’s major aquifers show long-term declining trends+ Nearly 75% of the world’s population lives in countries classified as water-insecure or critically water-insecure as of 2026.