Current Affairs 04 March 2026

Varanasi Sets Guinness World Record with Mega Plantation Drive.

• Varanasi entered the Guinness World Records by planting 2,51,446 saplings in one hour.
• The mega plantation drive took place at Sujabad Domari area.
• It surpassed China’s 2018 record of 1,53,981 saplings planted in one hour.
• The plantation used the Miyawaki Method to develop an urban forest across 350 bighas.
• The record was verified using drone monitoring and a digital counting system.

Power Minister Unveils BEE@25 Logo and Digital Platforms to Celebrate 25 Years of BEE.

• Bureau of Energy Efficiency celebrated its 25th Foundation Day at India Habitat Centre.
• Manohar Lal Khattar unveiled the BEE@25 logo.
• He also launched the BEE Star Label Mobile App and the RCO Portal.
• The event highlighted India’s 36% reduction in emissions intensity and 52% non-fossil fuel power capacity.
• The celebration reaffirmed BEE’s role in promoting energy efficiency as India’s “First Fuel” for sustainable growth.

2nd Indian Bison Fest to Highlight Wildlife of Debrigarh Sanctuary.

• Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary will host the second edition of the Indian Bison Fest on March 8, 2026.
• The event will be held at Zeropoint inside the sanctuary.
• The festival celebrates the Indian bison (gaur), locally known as Gayala.
• The gaur population has increased to around 848 in the Debrigarh–Hirakud landscape.
• Activities include gaur safaris, night camping, trekking, and conservation talks to promote eco-tourism and wildlife awareness.

India and Canada Launch Strategic Energy Collaboration, Resume CEPA Talks.

• Prime Ministers Narendra Modi and Mark Carney issued a Joint Leaders Statement in March 2026 to reset India-Canada relations.
• The statement includes a Strategic Energy Partnership and a CAD 2.6 billion uranium deal.
• CEPA talks aim for a trade target of CAD 70 billion by 2030.
• The visit marks 79 years of diplomatic relations between India and Canada.
• The statement outlines cooperation in energy, trade, clean tech, AI, defense, and the Indo-Pacific.
• Both leaders adopted Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam – One Earth, One Family, One Future as the guiding framework for the renewed Strategic Partnership.

Indian Women’s Cricket Team Shortlisted for 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year.

• The Indian Women’s Cricket Team has been nominated for the 2026 Laureus World Team of the Year Award.
• The nomination follows their historic victory at the ICC Women’s World Cup 2025 in India, where they secured their first-ever World Cup title.
• Led by Harmanpreet Kaur, they made history with a record ODI chase against Australia.
• This is the first time a women’s cricket team has been nominated in this prestigious category.
• The nomination is a landmark achievement for Indian cricket and global women’s sport.