Current Affairs 07 January 2026

Amazonian Stingless Bees Gain World’s First Legal Rights.

• Amazonian stingless bees in Peru became the world’s 1st insects granted legal rights, including the right to exist, flourish & be legally protected.
• The rights were secured through a municipal ordinance in Satipo, driven by Indigenous knowledge & campaigns by Earth Law advocates.
• Vital rainforest pollinators, these ancient bees sustain over 80% of Amazonian flora but face extinction threats.

UP Opens First Braille Library for Visually Impaired.

• Uttar Pradesh launched its first dedicated Braille library at Dr Shakuntala Mishra National Rehabilitation University, advancing inclusive education for visually impaired students.
• The facility houses 4,000+ Braille books aligned with NEP, covering 54 UG and PG courses to support academic access and independence.
• Inaugurated at Swami Vivekananda Central Library.

Global Study Warns: Farming Shrinks Biodiversity Hotspots.

• A global study (Dec 2025) finds farming has caused a 26% decline in species richness in biodiversity hotspots.
• Small-ranged vertebrates like mammals, birds & amphibians are most vulnerable as minor habitat loss can wipe out entire populations.
• Over 1031 million hectares of high-risk areas lie outside protected zones with regions like India’s Western Ghats facing rising agricultural pressure.

Govt Proposes BPAN for EV Batteries to Ensure Lifecycle Traceability.

• BPAN (Battery Pack Aadhaar Number): 21-character unique ID for each battery.
• Purpose: Enables traceability of batteries throughout their lifecycle.
• Mainly for electric vehicle (EV) batteries, tracking from manufacturing to disposal.
• Mandatory Assignment: Battery producers/importers must assign BPAN to all batteries.
• Dynamic Updating: New BPAN issued for structural or ownership changes.

OECD releases 2025 Economic Outlook on Asia with focus on disaster.

• Report titled Economic Outlook for Southeast Asia, China and India 2025 released by OECD.
• Disaster threats rising in frequency and intensity; floods and storms dominate India, while tropical cyclones affect Philippines and Vietnam.
• India’s average annual disaster-related loss (1990–2024) is 0.4% of GDP.
• India is second in World Risk Index among Asian economies, after the Philippines.