How communities in China helped keep desertification at bay

A fast-ageing population could deter efforts to achieve the United Nation’s target of zero land degradation by 2030

Should ivory trade be legalised?

International ban on ivory trade has neither reduced elephant poaching nor the volume of the illegal trade. Is it time the trade is legalised? …

Burning bright in Nepal

The economic blockade by the Madhesi community has inadvertently spruced up demand for biogas plants in Nepal

Cleaning Nepal, brick by brick

The 2015 earthquake has given Nepal an opportunity to adopt cleaner brick kiln technologies

When mining interests prevail over SC order

Uttar Pradesh where IAS officer Durga Shakti got suspended after taking on politicians involved in sand mining is not the only state to bypass …

Bihar pushes to interlink rivers, tame Kosi

Experts say it's just another ill-conceived infrastructure project

Floods follow cyclone Phailin

Thousands of people are trapped in Balasore district, which is far from areas hit by cyclone

Floods in north and east India kill 120 people

Release of flood waters from Nepal affect large parts of Uttar Pradesh and Bihar

India to eradicate kala-azar by 2015: Harsh Vardhan

AmBisome injection to be provided free, incentive to ASHA workers and patients

Bihar all set to check encephalitis

Open defecation along the Gandak in Uttar Pradesh causes the disease in Bihar, says study

Community-based review reveals shocking causes of maternal mortality in Bihar

Sex determination tests, lack of ambulance services major reasons for maternal deaths in Patna

Bihar slashes spending on education and social welfare

Coal-based power receives a major boost in the state budget presented on March 12

Bihar government sees red over unsought pruning of trees

Contractors hired for renovation of a planetarium have been fined for cutting of trees without permission

Jharkhand Assembly elections: parties ignore deforestation, displacement and pollution

Corruption and political stability on political parties’ agenda; 55 candidates have criminal charges pending against them

Vulnerable tribal group’s only candidate contesting Jharkhand election to make villagers aware

Two other candidates from the group contested elections from Bishunpur seat in 2005 and 2009; both lost

Single shot cure for kala-azar launched in Bihar

State alone contributes to nearly 80 percent of kala-azar cases in the country

Panchayat members in Bihar to get protection from frivolous court cases

Minister’s nod will be needed for initiating legal action against mukhiyas

Jharkhand confirms anthrax deaths

Health department starts screening of cattle; National Centre for Disease Control team to camp for a week

Seven people die of suspected anthrax in Jharkhand

State health officials say they probably caught the infection from cattle

Nursing home in Dhanbad operates on patient’s attendant

Relatives allege forced surgery was conducted to avail insurance money under Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana

Koilwar residents approach Bihar human rights agency to stall waste incineration plant near their homes

State pollution control board to hold public hearing for the Ramky project on October 16

Destination Bihar

Migration trends in Bihar are changing, causing labour shortage in several states. A few studies investigate the reasons and patterns

Fourth starvation death in a family in Jharkhand

Supreme Court had directed state to ensure proper care to the surviving family members 11 years ago

Panic, hunger and loss of livelihood follow closure of 12 mines in Jharkhand’s West Singhbhum

The decision was reportedly a result of disinterest shown by mining giants in renewing the lease and their failure to maintain forests in the area

Nepal landslide was a disaster waiting to happen, say experts

Local people had alerted authorities to persisting threat; landslides in the region have claimed 150 lives since 1990