NTPC fly ash discharge in Chhattisgarh sparks water contamination fears in Odisha

Fly ash slurry from NTPC plant in Chattisgarh flew over 9 hours Nov 23 into Sukhanara nallah. The gates of power plant are 150 metres away from Odisha border 

Discarded fishing gear threatens Ganga dolphins, turtles

Researchers said the waste fishing gear could be recycled and used in clothes, carpets

Cyclone Nivar isn't over but is Tamil Nadu in for another one?

The state was last hit by back-to-back cyclones, Nada and Vardah, in December 2016

Cyclone Nivar: Chennai shut as rains cause flooding in several parts

Around 0.1 million people, including 28,161 children, were evacuated to 1,694 relief camps across Tamil Nadu from low-lying areas  

On Constitution Day, police use tear gas, water cannon on farmers

While many farmer leaders were detained November 24 and 25 and taken into preventive custody, others were detained November 26 too

Land inequality threatens livelihood of 2.5 bln: Report

There is urgent need to act on land equality for any significant progress towards global sustainability, stability and social justice, flags Land Inequality Initiative report

Sanitation woes cost Africa 115 lives every hour

New UN study urges African countries to pay special attention to invest in sanitation systems for faecal sludge management

Special alert, crackdown: How Bihar is handling COVID-19 surge

The state witnessed a surge in COVID-19 cases after assembly elections, festival season

COVID-19 December guidelines: Offices in areas with 10% positivity rates should stagger timings

Home ministry issues norms for December amid surge in pandemic; states can now fine you for not wearing masks

Despite police action, farmers approaching Delhi for mega protest event November 26

Haryana seals its borders; farmers vow to protest wherever they are stopped

Cyclone Nivar storm, rain may hit agriculture across south India

The cyclone’s approach has slowed, meaning it might travel much further inland causing destruction with winds and rain

Why SECI auction paints optimistic picture for Indian solar sector

SECI needs to sustain favorable project conditions for developers and engage further with state distribution companies to clear backlog

Cyclone Gati spurs locust outbreak threat in Somalia

Gati, the strongest tropical cyclone ever measured Somalia, made landfall on November 22, 2020

New antimicrobial toolkit by WHO, OIE, FAO aims to fill data gaps

Their report called for implementation of standards on antimicrobial use in a comprehensive manner across all five stages of the antimicrobial life cycle

Geospatial tech can fast-track sustainable development beyond COVID-19: UNESCAP

But re-skilling youth and investments to strengthen their technological skills will be essential  

Continental report ranks how friendly African governments are towards girls

Countries that score highest as friendly towards girls are Mauritius, Tunisia, South Africa, Seychelles, Algeria, Cabo Verde and Namibia

Treat sanitation as public good: UN at launch of hygiene fund

The initiative aims to accelerate funding to countries with the heaviest burden of diseases stemming from lack of sanitation services 

PM asks states to gear up for COVID-19 vaccine distribution

Russian developers claim 95% efficacy in interim results of Sputnik V

Cyclone Nivar may hit harder than we think. Here’s why

IMD has upgraded the storm to a ‘very severe’ one; expect it to rapidly intensify

Why the Oxford AstraZeneca vaccine is now a global game changer

There were no cases of severe COVID-19 in those who received the vaccine. And it seems to generate a protective immune response in older people

Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (November 23, 2020)

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