Khejri – the wonder tree of Thar desert

The khejri tree is a lifeline for the desert ecosystem in Rajasthan as it provides food and shelter to many animals, besides being used by humans for its fruit and leaves

Pod of rare orcas found dead on Chile beach

Type D orcas are native to the Southern Hemisphere. Scientists are unsure of the reasons behind the beaching

Popocatepetl, Etna, Nyamuragira: Volcanoes erupt on three continents

Ash spewed on towns and cities nearby by the three volcanoes throws normal life out of gear

In pictures: Wildfires blaze through Canada thanks to unusually hot, dry spring

Wildfires began early in May 2023 in British Columbia, Alberta and Saskatchewan provinces, which have affected over 10,000 people. Alberta government’s wildfire division has responded to 496 wildfires through May 22 and over 842,000 hectares have been burned so far

Endangered Species Day 2023: Elephants to buffaloes, creatures around us that are in danger

Animal conservation in India brings creatures like tigers to mind. But many commonly talked about creatures are in need of public attention as well. Here are some of the species on India’s Red List that we need to talk about more

Saturn gets crown back for most moons in solar system

Jupiter has once again ceded the title of “most known moons” to Saturn, after 62 new Saturnians moons were discovered, taking the grand total to 145. Jupiter had taken over the title in February 23 after its official total moons had gone up to 95. 

In Photos: Tribal women in Odisha battle severe water crisis

The Hill Kharias of Odisha are a particularly vulnerable tribal group living in the Mayurbhanj district. The group lacks access to potable drinking water and is dependent on dirty and muddy water from wells. The women have to wait for hours to draw the water, whose use and consumption is giving them and their kids waterborne diseases

ESA’s JUICE mission will soon start unlocking the secrets of Jupiter’s icy moons

In pics: Sea ingress has left this Odisha coastal town a shell of its former self

The marching sea has taken a toll on Podampeta’s agriculture and fishing communities through rapid sea ingress and consequent cyclones. Now, the town’s houses lie locked and empty. Prakriti Panda captures the state of Podampeta in pictures

In pictures: Indonesia’s Merapi volcano erupts, tourism pauses around region

Indonesia’s second most active volcano suddenly erupted on March 11, 2023, spewing hot lava and a column of hot clouds rising 100 metres into the air.

IN PHOTOS: Bird flu spreads to mammalian species

Seals, sea lions, foxes, otters, raccoons, grizzly bears, minks, porpoises have been infected, as scientists sound alarm about a new pandemic

Photos: James Webb reveals intricate networks of gas, dust in nearby galaxies

Researchers using NASA’s James Webb Space Telescope are getting their first look at star formation, gas and dust in nearby galaxies with unprecedented resolution at infrared wavelengths using Mid-Infrared Instrument (MIRI).

In pics: Ladakhis demand statehood, inclusion in Constitution’s Sixth Schedule

Ladakh residents protested at Jantar Mantar in New Delhi February 15 for statehood, constitutional safeguards, job reservations and other rights

Winter Capital: How Khichan, a village in Rajasthan’s Jodhpur district, came to host demoiselle cranes

Down To Earth’s photographer Vikas Choudhary captures the village of Khichan and its annual visitors

Budget 2023-24: Budgeting for India’s Amrit Kaal

On the move: Antarctic iceberg the size of Greater London breaks away

Antarctica’s Brunt Ice Shelf has broken off into an iceberg of 1,550 aquare kilometre size. However, the event was expected and not linked to climate change.

Cat on the Roof of the World: Pallas’s cat DNA found on Mount Everest

The cats share their territory with the red fox. Their main prey on Everest are pika, a cousin of the rabbit and mountain weasel

In photos: The arid paradise that is Jaisalmer’s Desert National Park

Down To Earth’s photographer Vikas Choudhary travels through the protected area on the Indo-Pak border to bring these pictures

Great Indian bustard in pics: Mighty, but critically endangered

Losing habitat, vulnerable to predators and power lines, there are fewer than 150 individuals of the state bird of Rajasthan left

In pictures: Black kites of the national capital

Down To Earth photographer Vikas Choudhary captures the birds of prey in Delhi