Updates on 28 March 2026
All of March 2026 →Indonesia Bans Social Media Use for Under-16s, First in Southeast Asia
On 28 March 2026, Indonesia became the first Southeast Asian country to prohibit children under 16 from accessing major social media platforms. The regulation aims to protect nearly 70 million minors from online risks like cyberbullying, harmful content, and mental health issues. A phased enforcement approach includes penalties for non-compliant companies. This move aligns with global trends, including similar restrictions in Australia and proposals in Europe, highlighting growing international concern for online child safety.
New Butterfly Species Euthalia zubeengargi Discovered in Arunachal Pradesh
Euthalia zubeengargi is a newly identified butterfly species discovered in 2025 in the semi-evergreen forests of Basar, Leparada district, Arunachal Pradesh. This species, exhibiting distinctive wing patterns, is part of the genus Euthalia—a group of brown-winged forest butterflies widespread in South and Southeast Asia. Found at elevations from 600 to 750 meters, E. zubeengargi favors cool and shaded forest interiors and exhibits typical behaviours such as feeding on tree sap and mineral uptake near streams. Its discovery underscores Arunachal Pradesh’s rich biodiversity and the ecological importance of northeastern India as a hotspot for unique species. Butterflies like E. zubeengargi also serve as bio-indicators reflecting forest ecosystem health, emphasizing the need for conservation of fragile habitats. The species was aptly named in honor of Zubeen Garg, an influential cultural icon from Assam, linking regional culture with biodiversity research.
Major Conservation Success: Coringa Sanctuary Protects 20,000 Olive Ridley Turtle Eggs
The Coringa Wildlife Sanctuary in Andhra Pradesh recently conserved nearly 20,000 Olive Ridley turtle eggs on Hope Island, underscoring critical marine conservation efforts. The sanctuary, located at the Godavari estuary, hosts India's second-largest mangrove forest and supports a diverse range of flora and fauna, including endangered species such as the smooth-coated otter. Olive Ridley turtles are famous for their mass nesting event called 'Arribada,' where thousands of females come ashore simultaneously to lay eggs. Classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN and protected under Schedule I of India's Wildlife Protection Act, these turtles depend on healthy coastal ecosystems like Coringa's mangroves, which also serve as natural buffers against coastal erosion and climate change impacts. The protection of these eggs highlights the importance of safeguarding coastal wetlands for maintaining biodiversity and ecological balance.
NASA-CNES SWOT Satellite Unveils Detailed Map of Ocean Floor
The Surface Water and Ocean Topography (SWOT) satellite, a joint mission launched by NASA and France's CNES in December 2022, has created a highly detailed map of the ocean floor. Equipped with the Ka-band Radar Interferometer (KaRIn), SWOT scans 90% of the Earth's surface every 21 days, measuring water surface elevation and mapping ocean topography with unprecedented precision. This advancement enhances understanding of underwater features, ocean currents, floods, and global water distribution, contributing valuable data for climate change research and disaster management.