Central concerns

In a bid to give more fiscal autonomy to states, the Centre in the last budget gave them a higher share in Union tax receipts. Has this helped …

OMC moves Supreme Court seeking fresh palli sabhas in Niyamgiri

The application is yet to be listed for hearing and any formal comment could be made only after the apex court hears the matter

National bird and state animal—a nuisance in Goa?

The government of Goa has proposed to classify peafowl and the gaur as vermin in the state

BATting for disease

A new study maps the transmission landscape for diseases emanating due to contact with bats

Wild boar declared vermin in Uttarakhand

The wild boar has been declared a vermin in Uttarakhand a period of one year till February 2017

SC vacates Madras HC order staying issue of pattas to forest dwellers

The Madras High Court had passed an interim order in April 2008 staying the issue of pattas in Tamil Nadu without its permission

Presence of snow leopards confirmed on camera traps in Sikkim

In addition to snow leopards, camera traps have also captured the rare Pallas cat, blue sheep and the Tibetan argali

Sri Lanka destroys ivory shipment worth US$3 Million

Lanka is the first South Asian country to publicly destroy seized ivory

Apex court rejects petition against NH-7 widening project

Petitioners have been asked to appear before the Bombay High Court and inform it about the measures needed to be taken for tiger conservation

66th Standing Committee meeting of CITES underway in Geneva

National Ivory Action Plans, domestic legislation and additional measures to protect endangered species being discussed

Supreme Court puts Jallikattu on hold

The Centre had recently revoked a ban on the traditional bull-fighting sport

Activists divided on rhino poaching numbers in South Africa

The numbers of rhinos killed in 2015 range between 1,160 and 1,500

Scientists create map showing bat-human viral transmission

The highest risk hotspots for zoonotic bat viruses are West Africa, sub-Saharan Africa and South-East Asia

Lurking in danger zone

Wild animals are increasingly moving out of protected areas. What should the government do to ensure their safety?

Rising ocean temperatures will lead to sharp decline in marine productivity, says study

According to the study, the rapid warming of the Indian Ocean has reduced the phytoplankton population by a fifth in the past 60 years

Wake-up call: Animals at risk

Climate change is altering the hibernation periods of animals, disturbing their breeding patterns and metabolism

Prevailing El Niño can hit 4.7 million people in the Pacific Islands

The advisory states that less rainfall is affecting agriculture in several countries of the Asia-Pacific region

Nilgai, wild boar declared vermins in Bihar

Nilgais and wild boars frequently damage crops in the western, central and northern parts of the country

India commits to restore 13 million ha of degraded forest under Bonn Challenge

Bringing back degraded and deforested lands can help stabilise the climate while sustainably supporting global and local economies, say experts

When havoc descended upon Chennai

Down To Earth journalist Rajeshwari Ganesan writes about the uncertainty of knowing if your loved ones are safe, even as Chennai's flood worsens

New species of frog discovered in Western Ghats

It has been named Ghatixalus magnus after its large size, making it the biggest known tree frog in the Western Ghats

God’s own country or elephants’ graveyard?

A host of reasons ranging from poaching to intake of plastic, poisonous articles and electrocution have been attributed to deaths

SDGs: Governments' commitment to battle illegal wildlife trade applauded

The inclusion of targets to protect endangered species and end wildlife trafficking in the global goals is a strategic step, says an expert

SDGs: Focus on short-lived climate pollutants ahead of UN Summit

Targeting methane and black carbon rich sources could prevent approximately 2.4 million deaths annually, says report

Sustainable Development Goals: A paradigm shift in United Nations' fund flow

A report cites the changing funding patterns of the UN and its reliance on corporate partners