https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/international-seed-day-2026-why-red-gram-matters-in-maharashtras-drylands https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/5akjexel/An-elderly-women-picking-fresh-legumes.jpeg Woman picking pods of legumes in a Maharshtra farm. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T11:04:17.079Z International Seed Day 2026: Why red gram matters in Maharashtra’s drylands Agriculture, Climate Change, Environment, climate resilience, Maharashtra, Marathwada, International Seed Day, Dryland Farming, VIDARBHA, Toor Dal, International Seed Day 2026, Red gram, Seed diversity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/simply-put-hammer-in-the-wheel https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/rys7l2bu/Simply-Put-22-Apr-hero-image-copy.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/cyq6n8lj/Simply-Put-23-Apr-Bulldozer-copy-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T10:56:27.632Z Simply Put: Hammer in the wheel Forests, forest rights act, forest rights, FRA 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/a-tradition-that-is-now-rare https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/3rs8oomo/Sil-Batta-1.jpg The traditional ‘sil battas’ or grinding stones are still available in Delhi and the National Capital Region. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/xk3uob1j/Sil-Batta-2.jpg They are hand carved by wandering artisans who work on granite or black stone. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/0ib2r4og/Sil-Batta-3.jpg But with the passage of time, this art too could vanish, like so many other traditions. For nothing in this world is constant, as they say. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T10:48:23.695Z A tradition that is now rare Environment, Economy, Food, Delhi-NCR, handicrafts, Sil Batta, Grinding stone, arts, crafts https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/international-seed-day-2026-in-bengals-fragile-landscapes-traditional-seeds-are-holding-the-line-against-climate-stress https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/gz65prhz/Sunderbans-seeds in several blocks of the Sundarbans, farmers continue to cultivate traditional varieties of paddy, pulses and vegetables that are adapted to local agroecological conditions. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T10:04:39.114Z International Seed Day 2026: In Bengal’s fragile landscapes, traditional seeds are holding the line against climate stress Wildlife & Biodiversity, SUNDERBANS, West Bengal, SEED, seed bank, International Seed Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/international-seed-day-2026-how-pastoralism-quietly-protects-indias-seeds https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/zkkl8ql4/Seed-Day-Pastoralism-1.jpg A shepherd in Kotturu village in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/s8bk1zqj/Seed-Day-Pastoralism-2.jpg Poda Thurpu is an indigenous cattle breed from Telangana, known for its remarkable tolerance to drought conditions and its ability to survive with limited fodder and water. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T09:34:48.377Z International Seed Day 2026: How pastoralism quietly protects India’s seeds Agriculture, Seeds, pastoralism, International Seed Day 2026, seed dispersal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/why-the-lpg-crisis-is-a-biogas-expansion-opportunity-for-india https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/k9zi8yyq/Biogas-from-paddy-straw-in-India https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/gfhlx569/1000319255.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/6tt0299p/1000319256.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T08:59:09.110Z Why the LPG crisis is a biogas expansion opportunity for India Energy, Energy, Biogas, Energy security, Iran, LPG, Starit of Hormuz, Israel-US https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/ngt-issues-notice-to-centre-and-up-over-yamuna-pollution-in-mathura-vrindavan https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/tlnjba1g/yamuna.avif downtoearth en 2026-04-23T08:47:55.301Z NGT issues notice to Centre and UP over Yamuna pollution in Mathura, Vrindavan Environment, Rivers, Yamuna, Mathura, YAMUNA POLLUTION, Nationa green tribunal (NGT), Vrindavan, Uttar pradesh government https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/nobody-cared-migrants-arriving-in-bihar-from-surat-narrate-stories-of-sheer-desperation-to-survive https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/vsp9t0cl/SuratRailwayStation1.jpg The Surat Railway Station. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T08:47:31.054Z ‘Nobody cared’: Migrants arriving in Bihar from Surat narrate stories of sheer desperation to survive Energy, Governance, Bihar, United States, migrant workers, Iran, LPG, Israel, SURAT, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/edible-orchids-are-being-overharvested-in-the-mediterranean-how-to-protect-these-astonishing-blooms https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/uszsecnx/Orchid-anatolia If the trend persists, orchid blooms may become a rare sight not just across the eastern Mediterranean region, but parts of Asia as well. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T06:59:56.154Z Edible orchids are being overharvested in the Mediterranean — how to protect these astonishing blooms Wildlife & Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Orchids, edible orchids, Salep https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/ngt-rejects-deemed-approval-clause-for-multi-sports-arena-in-delhis-dwarka-area-says-environmental-laws-cannot-be-bypassed-by-resorting-to-it https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/piet98q1/Dwarka-Sports.jpg Dwarka-based Integrated Multi-Sports Arena Project. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T06:51:17.465Z NGT rejects ‘deemed approval’ clause for multi-sports arena in Delhi’s Dwarka area, says environmental laws cannot be bypassed by resorting to it Governance, Delhi, National Green Tribunal, Dwarka, EAC, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/40-years-on-from-the-disaster-why-there-are-foxes-bears-and-bison-again-around-chernobyl https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/oo3kct4z/iStock-517222284.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T05:11:47.678Z 40 years on from the disaster, why there are foxes, bears and bison again around Chernobyl Wildlife & Biodiversity, Science & Technology, Wolves, Nuclear Power, rewilding, Chernobyl, Nuclear Accidents, Brown Bears, Bison, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Chernobyl nuclear disaster https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/solar-villages-how-women-run-a-solar-mini-grid-in-gumla-jharkhand https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/mdeg3iuu/SV3.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T03:04:25.390Z Solar villages: How women run a solar mini grid in Gumla, Jharkhand Energy, Jharkhand, gumla, docuseries, solar villages https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/india-plans-contract-overhaul-to-embed-disaster-resilience-as-report-flags-rs-181-lakh-crore-infrastructure-exposure https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/jykfc956/Cyclone-Phani.jpg Evacuees at a cyclone shelter at Basudevpur in Bhadrak, Odisha during Cyclone Phani. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T02:48:05.204Z India plans contract overhaul to embed disaster resilience as report flags Rs 1.81 lakh crore infrastructure exposure Climate Change, Cyclone Phailin, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), UNDP, CDRI, disaster resilience, Cyclone Phani https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/world-earth-day-2026-telanganas-chenchu-adivasis-resist-forcible-relocation-from-amrabad-tiger-reserve https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/am8mp6af/Chenchu-Amrabad-Tiger-Reserve The Chenchu people are one of India’s oldest food gathering tribes who have been inhabiting these forests for centuries downtoearth en 2026-04-22T13:14:40.328Z World Earth Day 2026: Telangana’s Chenchu adivasis resist forcible relocation from Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forests, Project Tiger, Relocation, Telangana, Chenchu, Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Protection Act of 2006 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/for-indigenous-peoples-every-day-is-earth-day https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/6kjgt3zf/Earth-Day-1.jpg Earth Day raises awareness of the need to protect Earth’s natural resources for future generations. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/azvvzsg9/Earth-Day-2.jpg But for indigenous peoples in India and across the world, every day is Earth Day. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/g1ii8k2k/Earth-Day-3.jpg Indigenous communities worldwide are often the original guardians of the lands and possess traditional ecological knowledge essential to tackling the current climate crisis. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T13:05:49.826Z For indigenous peoples, every day is Earth Day Wildlife & Biodiversity, Environment, Indigenous Peoples, Planet Earth, Earth Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/satellite-data-shows-secunderabad-and-mumbai-among-worlds-biggest-methane-emitting-landfill-sites-in-2025 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/uulagkhe/iStock-1458753612.jpg Landfills release methane a potent greenhouse gas, when organic waste such as food, paper and garden material breaks down without oxygen. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T13:02:14.051Z Satellite data shows Secunderabad and Mumbai among world’s biggest methane-emitting landfill sites in 2025 Waste, Climate Change, India, Waste Management, Pollution, Greenhouse Gases, satellite data, Landfills, Methane emissions, Mumbai, SECUNDERABAD https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/forest-rights-act-supersedes-previous-court-orders-allahabad-high-court-on-tharu-community-rights https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/v5bn45iv/Tharu-Community.jpg The Tharu community inhabits the Terai lowlands of northern India and southern Nepal. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T12:25:48.763Z Forest Rights Act supersedes previous court orders: Allahabad High Court on Tharu community rights Forests, Forest Rights Act 2006, Allahabad high court, Lakhimpur, the Forest Conservation Act of 1980, Tharu Community, DLC https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/simply-put-sewage-in-ganga https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/qblpnmqt/Simply-Put-22-Apr-hero-image-copy.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/eph537x1/Simply-Put-22-Apr-Ganga-water-pollution-1-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T12:21:48.207Z Simply Put: Sewage in Ganga Rivers, Ganga cleaning, CAG audit report, Namami Gange Programme https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-april-21-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/d5fpi0i5/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T11:48:36.705Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 21, 2026) Environment, Governance, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Ludhiana, Ghaziabad, Roopnagar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-new-normal-2025-data-reveals-a-fundamental-shift-in-global-drought https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/gryidywd/Drought.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T11:23:18.460Z The new normal: 2025 data reveals a fundamental shift in global drought Climate Change, Drought, LA Nina, Precipitation, Continents, Global drought https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/a-fuel-crisis-unfolds-migrants-leave-surat-as-rising-costs-and-gas-shortages-disrupt-daily-life-with-ujjwala-20-falling-short https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/jvlitfst/surat.avif Surat's powerloom factories are becoming empty. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/24wmxakl/downtoearth-hindi2026-04-224m2153ewsurat-handloom-worker.avif A hostel run by the Surat Workers' Organization, where migrant workers live. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T10:48:55.434Z A fuel crisis unfolds: Migrants leave Surat as rising costs and gas shortages disrupt daily life, with Ujjwala 2.0 falling short Energy, Governance, Economy, India, food inflation, energy crisis, Economy, Inflation, migrant workers, ujjwala yojana, SURAT, Labour, cost of living, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), LPG crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/womens-participation-in-sub-saharan-africas-agrifood-systems-presents-a-53-billion-economic-opportunity-fao https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/rtb0xc6i/Africa-women-farmers.jpg Two African women farmers. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T10:04:30.968Z Women’s participation in sub-Saharan Africa’s agrifood systems presents a $53 billion economic opportunity: FAO Africa, Agriculture, sub-saharan africa, unpaid care work, agrifood systems, gender-just agrifood systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/when-ritual-meets-risk-fire-heat-and-the-unlearned-lessons-of-thrissur-pooram https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/1ne4moaa/Thrissur-Pooram.jpg Thrissur Pooram. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T09:39:12.294Z When ritual meets risk: Fire, heat and the unlearned lessons of Thrissur Pooram Health, Climate Change, Kerala, Thrissur Pooram, Humid Heat, Thrissur district, fireworks https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/earth-day-2026-in-a-small-village-of-madhya-pradesh-baiga-tribespeople-have-painted-their-forest-blue https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/t11d3kmd/Rajnra-Najariya-Naxsa-Traditional-Boundary.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T09:02:58.456Z Earth Day 2026: In a small village of Madhya Pradesh, Baiga tribespeople have painted their forest blue Forests, adivasis, Madhya Pradesh, Gram sabha, Baiga, NTFP, Baiga Chak, Earth Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/global-loss-and-damage-fund-may-dry-up-by-2027-unlessdevelopednations-startimmediate-contributions-warn-200-organisations https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/99iej1s7/Money.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T09:02:47.226Z Global loss and damage fund may dry up by 2027 unless developed nations start immediate contributions, warn 200 organisations Climate Change, Developing Countries, Loss and Damage, COP27, Developed Countries, loss and damage fund, Fund for Responding to Loss and Damage (FRLD), sharm el sheikh https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/himalayan-tourism-must-be-reframed-as-integral-component-of-forest-based-community-economy https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/2tybjqp3/Tourism-forest-rights-Himachal-Pradesh-Himalaya Tourism in the Himalayas thrives entirely on the region’s ecological wealth. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T08:38:58.070Z Himalayan tourism must be reframed as integral component of forest-based community economy Governance, Sustainable tourism, Lahaul, himalayas, Forests, Himachal Pradesh, Tourism, forest rights, Manali, FRA, cfr, community rights https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/pollinators-feel-the-climate-sting-warmer-temperatures-are-forcing-bees-and-wasps-to-emerge-earlier-but-at-a-cost-to-their-survival https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/apr65mmy/iStock-1164595084.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T07:19:36.190Z Pollinators feel the climate sting: Warmer temperatures are forcing bees and wasps to emerge earlier, but at a cost to their survival Climate Change, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Science & Technology, Environment, Biodiversity, Global Warming, Ecosystems, Insects, Bees, Pollination, pollinators, insect pollinators, wasps https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/earth-day-2026-the-planet-will-be-saved-locally https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/uv4ojwc3/Indigenous-fishermen.jpg When fishers are brought into management in a way that goes beyond consultation, the dynamic changes. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T06:42:10.450Z Earth Day 2026: The planet will be saved locally Environment, local communities, Earth Day 2026, global climate agendas, everyday local action https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/coral-reefs-are-secretly-connected-across-vast-oceans-and-thats-crucial-for-their-survival https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/xm4zk607/coral-network-pacific Industrial fishing, pollution and climate change are pushing these ecosystems to the brink, with longlines intersecting surface waters. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T06:14:15.972Z Coral reefs are secretly connected across vast oceans — and that’s crucial for their survival Wildlife & Biodiversity, Ocean, Coral, Pacific, coral reefs, high seas, baby corals, coral larvae, coral superhighways https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/colombian-environmental-defender-wins-goldman-prize-for-helping-halt-hydraulic-fracturing-along-the-countrys-largest-river-magdalena https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/k71lp87e/Yuvelis-Morales-Blanco.jpg Yuvelis Morales Blanco. downtoearth en 2026-04-22T05:00:30.410Z Colombian environmental defender wins Goldman Prize for helping halt hydraulic fracturing along the country’s largest river Magdalena Environment, fracking, Colombia, Goldman Environmental Prize, Magdalena river pollution, 2026 Goldman Environmental Prize https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-end-of-oil-as-fuel-shocks-cascade-53-nations-gather-to-plan-a-fossil-fuel-phaseout https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/9yk8udds/iStock-2208284640.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-22T04:49:49.838Z The end of oil? As fuel shocks cascade, 53 nations gather to plan a fossil fuel phaseout Climate Change, Energy, Renewable Energy, Environment, Fossil Fuels, US-Israel-Iran conflict, Electric vehicles (EV), Oil shock https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/worlds-most-protected-places-under-pressure-nearly-90-of-unesco-sites-face-environmental-stress https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/4tgr8je7/CHILELauca-Biosphere-ReserveTamara-Merino3.jpg In Chile’s Lauca Biosphere Reserve, reviving ancestral vicuña shearing practices provides local communities with income from high-value vicuña fibre while protecting the species. downtoearth en 2026-04-21T12:28:59.360Z World’s most protected places under pressure: Nearly 90% of UNESCO sites face environmental stress Environment, Climate Change, Biodiversity, conservation, Global Warming, wildfires, Ecosystems, United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), Extreme weather, World Heritage Sites https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/near-water-yet-so-far https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/z4abltl9/Yamuna-Water-1.jpg This location is the floodplains of the Yamuna river in Delhi. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/9yvnc89u/Yamuna-Water-2.jpg But despite being near a major water source, the precious liquid has to be availed by these people through tankers. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/qxrtbmpy/Yamuna-Water-3.jpg Water, the elixir of life, thus becomes a commodity and the right to access it is denied to those on the margins of society. downtoearth en 2026-04-21T11:48:10.056Z Near water, yet so far Water, Rivers, Climate Change, Delhi, Yamuna, Yamuna Floodplains, water tankers, water mafia https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/sunita-narain-show-war-will-change-the-energy-map-of-the-world-what-will-it-mean-for-energy-transition https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/2socc9zc/SNshow-war-energy downtoearth en 2026-04-21T11:37:03.897Z Sunita Narain show: War will change the energy map of the world. What will it mean for energy transition? Energy, Energy, Iran, Israel, West Asia, docuseries, The Sunita Narain Show, hormuz, energy disruption https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/un-escap-flags-mounting-inflation-risks-for-asia-pacific-as-west-asia-conflict-drives-costs-higher https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/uurdkfcg/iStock-157311703.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/rrwy1gvy/Screenshot_2026_04_21_at_3_44_55_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-04-21T11:30:09.543Z UN ESCAP flags mounting inflation risks for Asia-Pacific as West Asia conflict drives costs higher Economy, Economic growth, Food Security, Inflation, United Nations, Asia-Pacific, global economy, india economy, United Nations Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), West Asia conflict, Energy prices https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/illegal-trade-networks-threaten-indigenous-peoples-in-amazon-report https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-21/ceycp6nc/Amazon-indigenous Militarised and securitised responses have failed to address the structural drivers of illicit economies and, in some cases, had exacerbated risks faced by Indigenous communities. downtoearth en 2026-04-21T11:14:38.262Z Illegal trade networks threaten Indigenous peoples in Amazon: report Governance, World, Indigenous, Amazon, Wildlife Trade, trafficking, Illegal Trade