Week of 21 – 27 Sept 2026
3 articles this week.
Monday, 21 September 2026
Mahanadi Water Dispute 2026: Both States Accept Centre's Decision as Tribunal Hearing Approaches September 28Chhattisgarh Chief Minister Vishnu Deo Sai stated on September 20, 2026 that both Chhattisgarh and Odisha have agreed to accept the Central Water Commission's (CWC) water-sharing formula for the Mahanadi river. Technical teams from both states met on September 21, with the Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal (MWDT) hearing scheduled for September 28 — signalling a potential resolution of a decade-long inter-state river dispute.Western Ghats Ecologically Sensitive Area: 6th Draft Notification 2026, Kerala's Push to Exclude 131 Villages, and the Conservation-Livelihood DebateThe Union Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) issued its 6th draft notification on July 25, 2026, proposing to declare over 56,825 sq km of the Western Ghats as an Ecologically Sensitive Area (ESA). The public objection window closes September 24, 2026. Kerala has moved to exclude 131 villages and approximately 9,993 sq km, while the Centre insists no part — except the Palakkad Gap — should be excluded to maintain ecological continuity.Exercise Veer Guardian 2026: India-Japan Bilateral Air Exercise at Jodhpur — Second Edition, F-2A Fighters on Indian Soil for the First TimeThe Indian Air Force (IAF) and Japan Air Self-Defence Force (JASDF) are conducting Exercise Veer Guardian 2026 — the second edition of their bilateral air exercise — at Air Force Station Jodhpur, Rajasthan (September 9–22, 2026). Japanese F-2A fighters operated from Indian soil for the first time, both air chiefs flew the indigenous LCA Tejas, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh described the exercise as a "significant milestone" for the India-Japan strategic partnership.