India this monsoon: 12% excess rainfall until now, distribution skewed

The North East, for example, is experiencing floods in some regions and below-normal rainfall in others

COVID-19: Bats’ immune system, longevity offer clues for treatment, says study

Bats’ immune systems have mechanisms to control inflammation, a mainstay of disease and ageing

New study can help improve earthquake prediction

An equation developed by researchers brings back focus on earthquake prediction

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 13, 2020)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal

Achieving Zero Hunger by 2030 in doubt, UN report warns

Between 83 million and 132 million people could go hungry in 2020 due to COVID-19, according to the report

SDG commitments need financing, local monitoring: NITI Aayog

The National Indicator Framework, which monitors SDGs at the national level, did not include indicators for 36 out of the 169 targets, pointed the report  

More than Rs 25 crore for Asiatic lions unspent despite 331 deaths

Positions of forest guards, veterinarians and foresters are lying vacant and a vaccine is yet to be developed

Pangolin scale seizures jumped 10 times between 2014 and 2018: UN report

Pangolins have, recently, been vilified because of reports that linked them to the emergence of the novel coronavirus (SARS-CoV-2) that causes the COVID-19 disease

First real-time digital platform to monitor rice fields can bolster food security

Researchers are developing the first real-time monitoring platform for rice fields, which will give information about the quantity of rice planted and the harvest achieved

Civil society praises Centre’s draft order banning 27 pesticides

The pesticides in question continue to be used in India, but are already banned, restricted or withdrawn in other countries 

Operation of brick kilns in UP: NGT pulls up chief secretary

The tribunal, in an earlier order, said brick kilns in the National Capital Region cannot operate until an assimilative carrying capacity study was conducted

DTE Exclusive: Govt report blames half of Gir lion deaths in January-May this year on diseases

The other half died of natural causes, snake bite, electrocution and by falling into wells

Experts flag dilution of NOx emission limit for coal-fired power stations

The SC on July 8 relaxed limits for coal-fired power stations commissioned between December 2003 and 2016 — to 450 mg / Nm3 from 300 mg / Nm3

Cash, on delivery: How India has taken up DBT in the times of COVID-19

India has employed its direct benefit transfer system to help people tide over the ongoing health and economic crises. Its real test will begin when the crises deepen

Global Eco Watch: 1.2 million Indians died of snake bites in last 20 years

Down To Earth brings you the top happenings in the world of global ecology

Court Digest: Major environment hearings of the week (July 6-10, 2020)

Down To Earth brings you the top environmental cases heard in the Supreme Court, the high courts and the National Green Tribunal through the week

Roots of water scarcity

Contrary to popular belief, afforestation programmes that blindly plant trees in the hope of conserving water only end up consuming more water

World Population Day 2020: Women suffered most as COVID-19 took a toll on reproductive health

Women had to skip abortions, undergo unwanted pregnancies, deliver babies at home and suffer domestic violence

COVID-19 airborne transmission possible in some indoor settings: WHO

Asymptomatic patients can pass on virus, extent unknown

Fossil fuels have no place in COVID-19 recovery plans: UN chief

“We can invest in fossil fuels that are lethal or we can invest in renewable energy which is reliable. We have a choice,” said Antonio Guterres 

States reject 543,432 FRA claims in suo motu review

West Bengal has rejected around 92 per cent of all the reviewed claims