https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/maharashtra-waste-to-energy-plant-shut-down-after-pollution-complaints https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/ljfmvlgq/Picture-1.jpg Smoke seen rising from the Sangli waste-to-energy plant. Environmental groups allege that the facility's air pollution control equipment was not functioning. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/8ew1rwh3/Picture-2.jpg Deposits on crops near the Bhumi Green Energy waste-to-energy plant in Sangli, Maharashtra. Campaigners allege that emissions from the facility have affected nearby agriculture. downtoearth en 2026-09-29T11:40:04.946Z Maharashtra waste-to-energy plant shut down after pollution complaints waste-to-energy, incineration plant, Maharashtra pollution, Sangli WTE, plant shutdown, pollution control, toxic emissions, waste policy, environmental compliance, ash disposal, wastewater discharge, emissions monitoring, health impacts, waste segregation, incinerator ban https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/simply-put-e-solution https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/9qudzrys/Simply-Put-29-Sept-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/hb714itc/Simply-Put-29-Sept-E-rickshaw1-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-29T11:12:49.898Z Simply put: e-solution Energy, Governance, Air, E-Rickshaws, India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/women-farmer-producer-companies-can-redefine-gender-roles-and-champion-agri-entrepreneurs https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/shyqf9io/Maharashtra-woman-farmer.jpg A woman farmer works on her field near Pune in Maharashtra. downtoearth en 2026-09-29T10:54:18.103Z Women farmer producer companies can redefine gender roles and champion agri-entrepreneurs Agriculture, Women, Farmers, women farmers, farmer producer companies, Women farmer producer companies https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/nearly-three-in-four-migrant-workers-in-southern-india-report-improved-living-standards-survey-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/hyfty8wn/downtoearth-hindi2026-09-28p127z7igmigrationpic.avif downtoearth en 2026-09-29T10:24:44.542Z Nearly three in four migrant workers in southern India report improved living standards, survey finds migrant workers, southern India, living standards, interstate migration, SIIMS survey, social protection, welfare access, healthcare access, employment contracts, cash wages, gender paygap, financial inclusion, One Nation, safe migration, labour rights https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/birth-of-two-young-przewalskis-horses-after-200-years-signals-important-milestone-for-kazakhstans-steppe https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/j5ms9rxb/Przewalskis-horses.jpg Przewalski’s horses. downtoearth en 2026-09-29T10:14:24.533Z Birth of two young Przewalski’s horses after 200 years signals important milestone for Kazakhstan’s steppe Wildlife & Biodiversity, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), Grasslands, Kazakhstan, steppes, rangelands, equines, Przewalski’s horses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/drought-in-265-talukas-maharashtra-farmers-face-mounting-crop-losses https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/jwsqy9eu/MH-drought.png downtoearth en 2026-09-29T09:15:05.436Z Drought in 265 talukas: Maharashtra farmers face mounting crop losses Maharashtra drought, crop losses, Marathwada drought, Vidarbha drought, deficient rainfall, El Niño, soybean damage, onion crops, monsoon deficit, taluka drought, agrarian distress, crop surveys, relief measures, soil moisture, India Drought Monitor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-kochis-electric-experiment-offers-a-blueprint-for-keralas-ev-transition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/lrjbg2yj/Kochi-Metro.jpg The Kochi Metro. downtoearth en 2026-09-29T07:24:28.288Z India on e-wheels: Kochi’s electric experiment offers a blueprint for Kerala’s EV transition Air, Energy, Electric vehicles, Kerala, Kochi, kochi water metro project, EV transition, Kochi Metro Rail Limited (KMRL), kochi metro, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/nigeria-faces-the-worlds-highest-projected-death-toll-from-super-el-niño-heat-what-could-save-lives https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/u2lfj70k/iStock-847316914.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-29T07:01:16.755Z Nigeria faces the world’s highest projected death toll from super El Niño heat: what could save lives super El Niño, Nigeria heat, heat deaths, Sahel heatwave, climate mortality, extreme heat, heat adaptation, cooling access, heat warnings, Sahel climate, Nigeria climate, heat inequality, power outages, heat health, Climate Impact Lab https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-depression-weakens-over-myanmar-heavy-rain-forecast-across-northeast-and-south-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/9nmwzobp/Daily-Weather-Tracker.jpg Heavy rainfall is forecast in northeastern states including Assam, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Tripura, with a yellow alert issued for several areas. downtoearth en 2026-09-29T06:13:08.468Z Daily weather tracker: Depression weakens over Myanmar, heavy rain forecast across Northeast and South India Climate Change, Northeast India, Southwest monsoon, Myanmar, SOUTH INDIA, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/why-highly-polluting-waste-to-energy-incineration-is-not-a-blue-industry https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/2trwyg34/Okhla-WTE.jpg The Okhla waste-to-energy plant was set up in 2012. It was designed to convert up to 2,000 tonnes of waste into electricity on a daily basis. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/aqogrdyc/Waste-to-Energy-1.png The pollution index (PI) for a waste to energy incineration/power plant according to CPCB. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/r3o22iw9/Feature-ImageHorizontal-Website-48.png The pollution index (PI) for a waste to energy incineration/power plant calculated by CFA. downtoearth en 2026-09-29T05:44:49.654Z Why highly polluting Waste to Energy incineration is not a ‘Blue’ industry Waste, Municipal solid waste (MSW), Waste To Energy, Central Pollution Control Board (CPCB), Okhla waste to energy plant, Waste to energy plant, Waste to Energy incineration, Bluewashing, Solid Waste Management rules (SWM rules) 2026, Pollution Index (PI) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/tribal-rights-group-seeks-suspension-of-madhya-pradeshs-top-forest-official-over-community-forest-rights-directive https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/hp7zmyth/iStock-2259054594.jpg Bandhavgarh National Park downtoearth en 2026-09-28T16:51:34.810Z Tribal rights group seeks suspension of Madhya Pradesh’s top forest official over community forest rights directive Forest Rights Act, community forest, CFR rights, tribal rights, Gram Sabha, Lok Swashasan, Madhya Pradesh, forest officials, PCCF HoFF, forest governance, FRA rules, tribal welfare, forest land, constitutional rights, Adivasi communities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/twin-crises-in-a-year-drought-forces-families-to-leave-maharashtras-beed-district-months-after-devastating-floods https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/qld9io7k/WhatsApp-Image-2026-09-28-at-17.54.59.jpeg A drought-impacted farm in Dharashiv district, Maharashtra. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/lssgzvtt/WhatsApp-Image-2026-09-28-at-17.57.33.jpeg Drought impact in Beed district, Maharashtra. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/dg0e6mk6/Collage.png Ganesh Ghodake’s farm in Kurla village, Beed district, Maharashtra, where the cotton plants had not even reached knee height. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/ji87812a/WhatsApp-Image-2026-09-28-at-17.54.58.jpeg A dried well in Dharashiv district. downtoearth en 2026-09-28T13:07:13.661Z Twin crises in a year: Drought forces families to leave Maharashtra‘s Beed district, months after devastating floods Climate Change, Agriculture, water scarcity, Crop Failure, Marathwada, farmer debt, Maharashtra drought, Beed, rural livelihoods, climate extremes, Farmer migration, agricultural crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/drought-driven-low-river-levels-hit-shipping-and-trade-across-major-routes-itf https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/mch49ypx/Waal.jpg Freight ship barges passing on the Waal river in the Netherlands with a low water level due to a long period of drought during summer 2026. downtoearth en 2026-09-28T11:52:02.394Z Drought-driven low river levels hit shipping and trade across major routes: ITF Climate Change, Economy, Europe, Drought, Danube, Rhine, Elbe, Loire, International Transport Forum (ITF), Po, river transport https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/coal-driven-electricity-growth-raises-urban-air-pollution-deaths-concerns-in-india-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/r6j5mko2/Air-Conditioners-Delhi.jpg Air conditioners in a Delhi neighbourhood. downtoearth en 2026-09-28T11:46:34.705Z Coal-driven electricity growth raises urban air pollution, deaths concerns in India: Study Air, Energy, Electricity, Coal, liquefied petroleum gas (lpg), International Energy Agency (IEA), Indoor Pollution, Aerosols, PM2.5, SO2, Urban air pollution, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), aerosol optical depth (AOD) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/un-adopts-first-declaration-on-sea-level-rise-backs-continued-statehood-of-island-nations https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/p1n0ig7t/iStock-535794940.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-28T11:42:27.147Z UN adopts first declaration on sea level rise, backs continued statehood of island nations sea level, UN declaration, island nations, statehood, maritime zones, UNCLOS, AOSIS, ICJ opinion, climate action, adaptation finance, early warning, coastal protection, small islands, nature-based, coastal cities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/simply-put-carrying-microplastics https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/yuvw36tp/Simply-Put-28-hero-image-Plastic-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/9iw2l82r/Simply-Put-28-Sept-Microplastic2-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-28T11:37:11.249Z Simply Put: Carrying microplastics Health, Waste, microplastics, airborne microplastics https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/delhi-targets-2354-industries-with-tighter-emission-norms-apcd-and-ocems-enforcement https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/btc5cvfi/Delhi-Smog.jpg Smog over Delhi in November 2025. downtoearth en 2026-09-28T10:51:44.998Z Delhi targets 2,354 industries with tighter emission norms, APCD and OCEMS enforcement Air, Delhi, delhi air pollution, Delhi winter pollution, Delhi winter smog, APCD, OCEMS https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/medical-travel-costs-indians-more-than-any-other-type-of-domestic-trip-shows-nso-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/8i8h2nyy/downtoearth-hindi2026-09-25b3zdeut0health-trip.avif Health-related overnight travel was considerably more frequent among rural households than urban households. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/bk9l82im/medical-1.avif https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/ndhjl2xm/medical3.avif https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/9yduhui1/medical-2.avif downtoearth en 2026-09-28T10:22:51.340Z Medical travel costs Indians more than any other type of domestic trip, shows NSO report Health, Healthcare, rural healthcare, Medical Tourism, elderly healthcare, health inequality, healthcare access, National Statistical Office (NSO), Healthcare Expenditure, Domestic tourism, India Health Statistics https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/cea-panel-backs-deeper-coal-flexibility-but-concerns-over-long-term-impacts-demand-stronger-evidence https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/frlrfixb/Thermal-Power-Plant.jpg The cooling towers of Mejia Thermal Power Station near Durgapur, West Bengal. downtoearth en 2026-09-28T09:29:36.176Z CEA panel backs deeper coal flexibility, but concerns over long-term impacts demand stronger evidence Energy, Thermal Power Plants, CSE, Central Electricity Regulatory Commission (CERC), Central Electricity Authority (CEA), NTPC, coal-fired power plants, Merit Order Dispatch (MOD), Flex to Fix https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/felling-of-sal-borer-affected-trees-begins-in-madhya-pradeshs-dindori-forest-division https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/cx7ehy9b/downtoearth-hindi2026-09-252bh3w5kzसाल-बोरर-का-प्रभाव-डिंडोरी-के-करंजिया-रेंज-में-सबसे-अधिक-है।-फोटो-दानिशमंद-ख.avif An infested sal tree. downtoearth en 2026-09-28T07:16:29.889Z Felling of sal borer-affected trees begins in Madhya Pradesh’s Dindori forest division sal borer, sal trees, tree felling, Dindori forest, Madhya Pradesh, forest infestation, forest management, ecosystem impact, forest fires, overgrazing, soil erosion, natural regeneration, forest biodiversity, timber policy, independent assessment https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-kerala-is-electrifying-its-vehicles-but-is-it-actually-cleaning-up-transport https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/1ue6itrq/Kerala-EV.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-28T07:14:36.450Z India on e-wheels: Kerala is electrifying its vehicles. But is it actually cleaning up transport? Air, Energy, Kerala, Public Transport, electric transport, Traffic congestion, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-weather-takes-a-turn-across-delhi-ncr-as-heavy-rain-forecast-in-several-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/e47mzhaa/Rainfall-India.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-28T06:20:51.681Z Daily weather tracker: Weather takes a turn across Delhi-NCR as heavy rain forecast in several states Climate Change, Delhi-NCR, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026, heavy rain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/un-women-launches-ai-hub-to-put-gender-equality-at-centre-of-digital-transformation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-28/0n5j4g48/iStock-2233679886.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-28T06:20:20.706Z UN Women launches AI hub to put gender equality at centre of digital transformation UN Women AI hub, gender equality, AI gender bias, digital transformation, women in AI, AI governance, online violence, gender responsive, AI inclusion, tech inequality, digital rights, AI ethics, UN General Assembly, women’s empowerment, AI policy