https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-september-1-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/3wt5zc4y/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-02T11:06:59.759Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (September 1, 2026) Environment, Waste Management, Delhi, Wetlands, environmental norms, Belagavi, Decentralised sewage treatment plant, Ethanol plant https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/uttarakhands-apple-production-is-caught-in-a-cascading-chain-of-risks-here-are-some-insights-from-stakeholder-perspectives https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/p44jqpkj/apple-1.jpg A still of an apple cluster from an orchard in Mukteshwar. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/9f4dves7/pollination-2.jpg Pollination through honeybees is a critical link in apple production. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/ylepf8r8/apple-3.jpg Mixed cropping in apple orchards involves vegetable production supported by chemical pest control. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/k4gl29j7/apple-4.jpg Premature apple harvesting and packing in response to market demand. downtoearth en 2026-09-02T10:35:21.739Z Uttarakhand’s apple production is caught in a cascading chain of risks. Here are some insights from stakeholder perspectives Climate Change, Agriculture, Pollination, Uttarakhand Agriculture, Apple farming, Apple orchards https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-road-safety https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/89etxnqo/Simply-Put-2-Sept-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/whmxixhd/Simply-Put-2-Sept-Road-safety1-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-02T10:29:57.778Z Simply Put: Road safety Governance, ROAD SAFETY, traffic rules https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/nepal-floods-what-we-now-know-about-the-glacier-collapse https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/67knhstn/Nepal-Floods.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-02T08:37:42.909Z Nepal Floods: What we now know about the glacier collapse Natural Disasters, Glaciers, Nepal, Rasuwa Flood, Rasuwa, Hindu Kush Himalaya (HKH) region https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/germanys-new-export-finance-rules-could-cut-climate-assessments-by-40 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/ne3ki5ai/1000410524.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/qta739pj/1000410457.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-02T07:33:57.237Z Germany’s new export finance rules could cut climate assessments by 40% Climate Change, Governance, Export, Climate finance, Germany https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-233-gw-solar-module-manufacturing-capacity-faces-demand-and-upstream-integration-challenges https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/tamyd3sp/iStock-1170098138.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/36d73qx4/Hero-graphic-India’s-solar-manufacturing-tilted-in-favour-of-module-assembly.png downtoearth en 2026-09-02T06:57:25.797Z India’s 233 GW solar module manufacturing capacity faces demand and upstream integration challenges Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Clean energy, green hydrogen, solar PV, data centres, solar manufacturing https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-low-pressure-system-moves-towards-uttar-pradesh-heavy-rain-and-thunderstorms-likely-across-several-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/id39s0os/Daily-Weather-Tracker.jpg Heavy to very heavy rainfall is expected in Uttarakhand, Chhattisgarh, Madhya Pradesh, and Uttar Pradesh, with an orange alert issued. downtoearth en 2026-09-02T06:43:29.327Z Daily weather tracker: Low-pressure system moves towards Uttar Pradesh, heavy rain and thunderstorms likely across several states Climate Change, Uttar Pradesh, Southwest monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD), low-pressure system, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026, heavy rain and thunderstorms https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/with-the-monsoon-in-its-final-month-nearly-half-of-el-niño-vulnerable-districts-across-25-statesuts-face-deficient-rainfall-dte-analysis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/s31shdht/Northeast-India-Drought.jpg Much of Northeast India is experiencing drought-like conditions. downtoearth en 2026-09-02T06:19:08.861Z With the monsoon in its final month, nearly half of El Niño-vulnerable districts across 25 states/UTs face deficient rainfall: DTE analysis Climate Change, Drought, El Nino, Southwest monsoon, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/a-landmark-un-report-says-world-will-overshoot-15c-climate-target-what-happens-now https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/h03iro19/1000410456.jpg As damage mounts, nations will have to cooperate to cut emissions as rapidly as possible and figure out how to safely and equitably pull carbon back out of the atmosphere. downtoearth en 2026-09-02T06:04:23.537Z A landmark UN report says world will overshoot 1.5°C climate target. What happens now? Climate Change, Climate Change, Paris agreement, climate crisis, Climate change action, Paris Agreement 1.5°C, 1.5°C target https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/nairobis-expansion-is-swallowing-up-rural-land-new-book-reveals-the-impacts-on-families https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-02/nkc3j2f7/file-20260817-60-qjuonh.avif The Nairobi skyline in the background seen from Gachie in neighbouring Kiambu county. downtoearth en 2026-09-02T05:05:08.480Z Nairobi’s expansion is swallowing up rural land: new book reveals the impacts on families Africa, Urbanisation, Cities, Nairobi, Kenya, Alcohol abuse, africa cities, universal basic income, land dispossession, smallholder farmers, kikuyu community, Africa urbanisation, Agriculture + Land, Africa rising, Khat, Land fragmentation, Political dynasties, Land redistribution, economic inequalities, African youth unemployment, Kenya Gen Z protests, Kenya colonialism https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/nepal-floods-expose-climate-finance-delay-gcf-took-seven-years-to-approve-glacier-risk-project-while-lenders-backed-hydropower-in-vulnerable-basin https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/qyz2wooh/HRD9f9bUAAcN5S.jpeg Indian tunnel rescue team making progress at Chilime and Langtang hydropower sites. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T13:48:47.049Z Nepal floods expose climate finance delay: GCF took seven years to approve glacier-risk project while lenders backed hydropower in vulnerable basin Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Governance, Economy, Climate finance, Hydropower, Disaster risk management, Green Climate Fund (GCF), GLOF, Glacial lake outburst floods, nepal floods, Himalayan Glaciers, Bhote Koshi, Trishuli basin https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/climate-change-is-strengthening-el-niño-corals-reveal https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/4zzmtx82/Coral-reefs.jpg Coral reef and tropical fish in Sunlight. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T13:01:09.514Z Climate change is strengthening El Niño, corals reveal Climate Change, Wildlife & Biodiversity, El Nino, Pacific Ocean, Corals, equatorial pacific ocean, Fossil Corals https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/low-pressure-areas-western-disturbances-cause-most-rainfall-in-one-of-the-warmest-august-months https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/75eh5w0n/1000409735.jpg The cold desert of Ladakh had the highest seasonal excess rainfall (195 per cent). downtoearth en 2026-09-01T12:39:39.480Z Low pressure areas, western disturbances cause most rainfall in one of the warmest August months Climate Change, Meghalaya, Ladakh, Indian summer monsoon, imd, Western Disturbances, low pressure area, India rainfall, low pressure systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-49 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/d5z2odpu/01-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/wffagoof/plastic.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/xhdoimvf/31.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/ylygirf2/36.jpg Poonam Muttreja, executive director, Population Foundation of India. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/h9s372b9/37.jpg K Srinath Reddy is a physician and founder president of Public Health Foundation of India. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/xoonfjcf/16.jpg The label on most mustard oil bottles do not mention the exact variety of mustard used to produce the oil. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/2ijfmkxu/26.jpg The Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana provides central financial assistance of Rs 1 crore per megawatt after commissioning and up to Rs 50 lakh per project for feasibility work. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-26/s6cvsuig/p10illu-First-take-1a.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-18/8q8c0ry8/Farmers-transplanting-paddy-at-Maklang-village-Imphal-west-district-Manipur.jpg Farmers transplanting paddy at Maklang village, Imphal west district, Manipur. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-22/po7wwgao/sal-borer-cover.png Sal borer insects collected in Madhya Pradesh’s Dindori district. Local tribal residents are stringing the insects into garlands of 100 each before selling them to the Forest Department, which is paying Rs 2 per insect as part of a control campaign. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/gz8yukh3/CJP.jpg Sonam Wangchuk on fast last month. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-25/1rajmovd/p44illu-PatentlyColomn.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/n3noigj8/55.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/suzfl0bn/48.jpg Sandalwood trees growing with their host, Malabar neem (Melia dubia) in Pimpode Budruk, Satara, Maharashtra. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/gs85ubor/56.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:49:18.213Z Highlights from the issue Environment, Manipur, Northeast, Demography, ebola, Mustard, Oilseeds, pastoralism, Total Fertility Rate, fertility, Sandalwood, mustard oil, sal borer, floating solar, Water Vapour, Gen Z Protests 2026, Ig Nobel, Baby bust https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/indias-women-farmers-are-finally-being-recognised-will-they-ever-own-the-land https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/h8l65pdg/iStock-1420776314.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:30:44.386Z India’s women farmers are finally being recognised. Will they ever own the land? Agriculture, Governance, Gender inequality, rural india, land rights, Land Ownership, Maharashtra, women farmers, farm policy, Women Farmers Empowerment Act, Feminisation of agriculture, Agricultural workforce https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/a-laugh-and-think-riot https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/gs85ubor/56.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:09:48.083Z A laugh and think riot Science & Technology, Research, Nobel Prizes, Ig Nobel, curosity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/epr-in-asia-pacific-philippines-built-a-tough-plastic-penalty-but-its-polluters-set-the-footprint https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/xe4zd3b3/Philippines-plastic Philippines' EPR system has real strengths: Rising targets written into law, a penalty built to make non-compliance the costlier option, and a mandatory third-party audit few comparable economies have. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/0sro3wq7/1000409545.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:09:37.380Z EPR in Asia Pacific: Philippines built a tough plastic penalty but its polluters set the footprint Waste, Waste Management, Plastic, Plastic pollution, PLASTIC WASTE, policy, Extended Producer Responsibility, The Philippines, plastic penalty, Philippine pesos, Plastic recovery https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/vapour-on-the-rise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/n3noigj8/55.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:09:29.138Z Vapour on the rise Science & Technology, wildfire, Global greenhouse gas emissions, Volcanic Eruptions, Water Vapour https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/sandalwood-reborn https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/suzfl0bn/48.jpg Sandalwood trees growing with their host, Malabar neem (Melia dubia) in Pimpode Budruk, Satara, Maharashtra downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:09:11.339Z Sandalwood, reborn Forests, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Nirmala Sitharaman, Ayush, Sandalwood, Sandalwood cultivation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/low-fertility-doesnt-clamp-down-our-development https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/h9s372b9/37.jpg K Srinath Reddy is a physician and founder president of Public Health Foundation of India downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:08:48.830Z Low fertility doesn’t clamp down our development Health, Demography, Total Fertility Rate, fertility, Gender dividend https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/goal-shouldnt-be-to-push-fertility-up-or-down https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/ylygirf2/36.jpg Poonam Muttreja, executive director, Population Foundation of India downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:07:28.842Z ‘Goal shouldn’t be to push fertility up or down’ Health, Demography, Demographic dividend, Total Fertility Rate, fertility, reproduction, Population Foundation of India (PFI) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/indias-sudden-baby-bust https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/xhdoimvf/31.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/y6m2fgov/32.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T11:07:12.251Z India’s sudden baby bust Health, Demography, Total Fertility Rate, National Family Health Survey (NFHS-3), fertility, birth rate, Thomas Malthus https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-population-paradox https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/ig1onee5/1000409599.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/jvmj7308/1000409598.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T10:53:35.250Z Simply Put: Population paradox Governance, Delhi, Census, Vatican City, 2027 Census, SIR, Special Intensive Revision https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/waterborne-solar https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/2ijfmkxu/26.jpg The Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana provides central financial assistance of R1 crore per megawatt after commissioning and up to R50 lakh per project for feasibility work. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T10:25:00.828Z Waterborne solar Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Odisha, floating solar, GRIDCO https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/whats-in-a-botanical-name https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/xoonfjcf/16.jpg The label on most mustard oil bottles do not mention the exact variety of mustard used to produce the oil downtoearth en 2026-09-01T10:14:34.363Z What’s in a botanical name Food, FSSAI, Mustard, Oilseeds, mustard oil, rapeseed https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/this-area-witnessed-the-dhauliganga-disaster-after-nepal-the-stakes-have-only-become-higher https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/aevce1ik/Niti-Valley.jpg After the Rasuwa tragedy in Nepal on August 26, 2026, the fear of ‘cascading hazards’ looms across the Himalayas, not least the western part of the range in Uttarakhand. The Niti Valley is located not far from the course of the Dhauliganga river, which witnessed something similar to Raswua in 2021. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/aeq05xqp/Niti-Valley.jpg After the Rasuwa tragedy in Nepal on August 26, 2026, the fear of ‘cascading hazards’ looms across the Himalayas, not least the western part of the range in Uttarakhand. The Niti Valley is located not far from the course of the Dhauliganga river, which witnessed something similar to Raswua in 2021. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T09:58:23.602Z This area witnessed the Dhauliganga disaster. After Nepal, the stakes have only become higher Natural Disasters, China, Nepal, himalayas, tibet, uttarakhand, Western Himalaya, Dhauliganga, Rasuwa Flood, Rasuwa https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/gen-alpha-calls-for-new-syllabus https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/gz8yukh3/CJP.jpg Sonam Wangchuk on fast last month. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T08:31:34.484Z Gen Alpha calls for new syllabus Governance, youth, Gen Z, Gen Z activism, Gen Z Protests 2026, Cockroach Janata Party https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-punes-uniform-fares-for-ac-and-non-ac-buses-could-offer-model-for-public-transport https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/5wp3zky7/iStock-1622047488.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T08:14:43.098Z India on e-wheels: Pune’s uniform fares for AC and non-AC buses could offer model for public transport Air, Energy, Maharashtra, Public Transport, electric mobility, electric buses, Urban mobility, Pune, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels, Bus fares, Pune Mahanagar Parivahan Mahamandal Ltd (PMPML) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/mechanical-compression-prevents-short-circuits-in-solid-state-batteries-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/tn2f0zj2/1000409470.jpg Researchers have struggled to determine where dendrites originate because they are thinner than tens of nanometres and can propagate within seconds. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T07:20:28.882Z Mechanical compression prevents short circuits in solid-state batteries: Study Energy, electric battery, solid-state battery, dendrites, compression https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/is-nepal-the-new-bangladesh-of-climate-migration https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/weh24ppm/Nepal.jpg Rescue and relief efforts at the site of the tragedy in Rasuwa, Nepal. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T06:53:24.883Z Is Nepal the new Bangladesh of climate migration? Natural Disasters, Climate Change, Nepal, climate migration, Bangladesh, Rasuwa Flood, Rasuwa https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/plastic-regime-needs-transparency https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/wffagoof/plastic.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T06:16:04.308Z Plastic regime needs transparency Waste, Editorial, Plastic, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Extended producer responsibility (EPR), plastic waste processors (PWPs) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/nepal-floods-chinas-strict-control-of-tibet-makes-it-harder-to-prepare-for-himalayan-disasters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/chbemzia/Nepal-floods Already impoverished, Nepal faces grave challenges of rebuilding once the relief effort is over. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T06:14:49.766Z Nepal floods: China’s strict control of Tibet makes it harder to prepare for Himalayan disasters Natural Disasters, China, tibet, nepal floods, Himalayan floods, Himalayan disasters https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/the-mocha-monopoly-how-yemens-dominance-of-the-global-coffee-trade-birthed-the-houthi-rebels https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/3e6ol8ij/MochaRedSea-panoramio.jpg View of the Mocha port city on the Red Sea coast. downtoearth en 2026-09-01T05:14:37.020Z The Mocha monopoly: how Yemen’s dominance of the global coffee trade birthed the Houthi rebels Economy, Governance, History, Trade, Coffee, Yemen, Red Sea, Houthi rebels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-heavy-rains-trigger-flash-flood-alerts-in-chhattisgarh-odisha-uttar-pradesh-uttarakhand-and-several-other-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-01/ieorckvv/Monsoon.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-01T04:57:36.706Z Daily weather tracker: Heavy rains trigger flash-flood alerts in Chhattisgarh, Odisha, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand and several other states Climate Change, Southwest monsoon, Heavy rains, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/coral-bleaching-events-becoming-more-frequent-leaving-reefs-little-time-to-recover https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-31/85rvc14y/iStock-2289149647.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-31T13:04:55.115Z Coral bleaching events becoming more frequent, leaving reefs little time to recover coral bleaching, coral reefs, marine heatwaves, reef decline, heat stress, global bleaching, coral mortality, climate change, GCRMN report, hard coral, degree heating, reef recovery, Caribbean reefs, Acropora corals, global warming https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/simply-put-loan-waiver https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-31/fvmdhtgt/Simply-Put-31-Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-31/wv763pzv/SImply-Put-31-Aug-Debt2-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-31T11:56:30.213Z Simply Put: Loan waiver Agriculture, Governance, farm suicides, Loan waiver, Farm loan waiver, Hosur https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/660-children-acquired-hiv-every-day-in-2025-while-200-died-from-aids-related-causes-unicef https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-31/juveg35f/iStock-1224410603.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-31T11:31:51.699Z 660 children acquired HIV every day in 2025, while 200 died from AIDS-related causes: UNICEF UNICEF HIV report, children HIV, paediatric HIV, AIDS deaths, adolescent HIV, mother to child, sub-Saharan Africa, AIDS orphans, HIV prevention, HIV testing, HIV treatment, AIDS-free generation, global HIV, health inequalities, HIV data https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-maharashtra-has-second-largest-ev-fleet-but-official-said-numbers-mask-adoption-gaps https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-31/a3g7altk/IMG1932.jpg Maharashtra has nearly 1.13 million registered EVs. downtoearth en 2026-08-31T11:25:50.432Z India on e-wheels: Maharashtra has second-largest EV fleet, but official said numbers mask adoption gaps Air, Energy, Maharashtra, electric mobility, electric buses, E-Rickshaws, ev charging stations, EV charging, clean transport, EV charging infrastructure, EV policy, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels