https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/madhya-pradesh-forest-department-withdraws-directive-on-community-forest-rights-claims-after-protests https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/508dsg0k/iStock-1089804352.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T14:31:14.963Z Madhya Pradesh forest department withdraws directive on community forest rights claims after protests Forests, Madhya Pradesh, forest rights, forest department, Adivasi rights https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-51 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/19o7ev7z/01-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-22/6xq3imzp/1000427039.jpg Illustration: Yogendra Anand https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/n4kd23dw/26-1.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-10/vvr6wcuj/naga-1.jpg The highway connecting Tamlu with Mon and other parts of Longleng districts destroyed by a landslide. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/bk1st3or/23.jpg Members of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities caucuses protest outside the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, demanding inclusion in decision-making processes during the meeting https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/ocpmo5y0/14.jpg Farmers in Sidpur village of Devbhumi Dwarka district say check dams have proved ineffective in improving the water table as the wells in their fields have run dry https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/f5og2op3/18.jpg Residents of Patalbagh village in Pampore tehsil observe the landfill that has sprung near their saffron farms since 2022 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/pnd05hwt/10.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/6tcd1bsy/Nunaresh.jpg A hamlet of 11 houses in lower Nunaresh. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/nzt8fi42/38.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-25/furlte9l/Untitled-design-2.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/v2hqz3vx/46.jpg Dewas' former district collector Umakant Umrao (extreme left) with the farmers of Kharda village https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/e6d9caf0/53.jpg Kabbu Devi of Aati village in Rajasthan’s Barmer district has been honoured by the state government for weaving a muffler made from bhambhuriya, a type of silk obtained from the aak plant https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/vcnfnqa4/48.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/8avdpkdz/49.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-25/omyyq7o5/Prince-of-Wales-Tiger-Hunt.jpg The Prince of Wales, the future Edward VIII, after his first tiger hunt in India in 1921. downtoearth en 2026-10-01T12:13:39.327Z Highlights from the issue Environment, Drought, Gujarat, Renewable Energy, Odisha, energy transition, soil health, soil, Landslides, saffron https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/last-threads-of-aak-saving-a-desert-tradition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/e6d9caf0/53.jpg Kabbu Devi of Aati village in Rajasthan’s Barmer district has been honoured by the state government for weaving a muffler made from bhambhuriya, a type of silk obtained from the aak plant downtoearth en 2026-10-01T11:26:50.471Z Last threads of aak: Saving a desert tradition Environment, indigenous knowledge, rural artisans, Cultural heritage, natural fibres, Aak Fibre, traditional crafts, Maru Meghwal Community, Desert livelihoods, Sustainable textiles https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/156-billion-hectares-10-of-worlds-land-and-nearly-52-times-the-size-of-india-degraded-un https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/y1vrau58/Burning-forest.jpg Burning forest. downtoearth en 2026-10-01T10:47:19.431Z 1.56 billion hectares, 10% of world’s land and nearly 5.2 times the size of India, degraded: UN Forests, Land Degradation, United Nations, FAO, UN, Degradation, Forest and Landscape Restoration (FLR) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/about-20-per-cent-cbg-blending-could-make-cng-carbon-neutral-on-life-cycle-basis-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/m7xpge3o/CBG-EV.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T10:47:05.747Z About 20 per cent CBG blending could make CNG carbon neutral on life-cycle basis: Study Energy, Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG), TERI, EV transition, compressed biogas (CBG), Electric vehicles (EV), compressed natural gas (CNG) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/the-new-open-source-software-revolution https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/nzt8fi42/38.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T10:37:22.704Z The new open-source software revolution Science & Technology, Data Security, European Union, Microsoft, Technology policy, open-source software, digital sovereignty, US cloud act, linux, digital public infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/transition-20-indias-next-energy-challenge-is-storage https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/n4kd23dw/26-1.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/ap8wp1xe/28.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T10:33:08.246Z Transition 2.0: India’s next energy challenge is storage Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, Energy Storage, Energy security, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), electricity demand, Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS), india's energy transition, grid stability https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/how-india-must-plug-its-leachate-problem https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/8avdpkdz/49.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/1czillke/50.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T10:13:24.487Z How India must plug its leachate problem Environment, Waste, Municipal Solid Waste, Heavy Metals, solid waste management, Wastewater treatment, Groundwater Pollution, National Green Tribunal, landfill pollution, landfill leachate, environmental contamination, waste management in india https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/why-himalayas-are-caught-off-guard-during-floods https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/vcnfnqa4/48.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T10:10:13.848Z Why Himalayas are caught off guard during floods Climate Change, indigenous knowledge, Climate Adaptation, Disaster Preparedness, hindu kush himalayas, Glacial lake outburst floods, nepal floods, Himalayan floods, flood risk management https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/indias-next-big-public-health-tool-could-fit-on-a-food-packet https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/ad0ua4gb/FOPL.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-10-01T09:43:28.641Z India’s next big public health tool could fit on a food packet Food, public health, non-communicable diseases (NCDs), world health organization, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), front-of-pack nutrition labelling (FOPL), high in fat, sugar and salt (HFSS) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/how-ponds-brought-prosperity-in-madhya-pradeshs-dewas https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/v2hqz3vx/46.jpg Dewas' former district collector Umakant Umrao (extreme left) with the farmers of Kharda village https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/r9rjrzf0/p44DLpix-Pope-Singh.jpg Pope Singh of Nipania village, Dewas, says he sells more than 50 tonnes of fish, worth around Rs 1 crore, every alternate year downtoearth en 2026-10-01T09:36:43.570Z How ponds brought prosperity in Madhya Pradesh’s Dewas Water, Agriculture, sustainable agriculture, Madhya Pradesh, Irrigation, Water Conservation, Groundwater depletion, rainwater harvesting, Dewas, smallholder farmers, Farm ponds, Farmer livelihoods https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-permission-for-dissent https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/mwz8txii/1000435213.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/rkc24gfb/1000435214.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-01T08:41:28.865Z Simply Put: Permission for dissent Governance, Mahatma Gandhi, Gandhi Jayanti, October 2, dissent https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/global-drought-framework-stalled-as-impacts-worsen https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/bk1st3or/23.jpg Members of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities caucuses protest outside the 17th Conference of the Parties to the UN Convention to Combat Desertification, demanding inclusion in decision-making processes during the meeting downtoearth en 2026-10-01T08:35:15.667Z Global drought framework stalled as impacts worsen Water, Climate Change, Drought, Climate finance, Desertification, Land Degradation, UN climate negotiations, Early warning systems, El Niño, UNCCD COP17, Drought resilience, Global drought framework https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-retreat-gathers-pace-as-south-and-northeast-brace-for-heavy-rain https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-01/ckerz17j/1000435159.jpg Northeast is expected to remain active as a weakened low-pressure area and its associated circulation continue to influence weather conditions. downtoearth en 2026-10-01T07:07:16.847Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon retreat gathers pace as South and Northeast brace for heavy rain Climate Change, monsoon, Northeast India, SOUTH INDIA, Monsoon retreat, Daily Weather Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/maharashtra-earmarks-rs-6728-crore-for-rural-employment-as-drought-grips-nearly-three-quarters-of-state https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/838wnx4u/WhatsApp-Image-2026-09-28-at-17.20.40-2.jpeg A farm in Kurla village, Beed district, Maharashtra, where the cotton plants had not even reached knee height. downtoearth en 2026-09-30T12:46:45.730Z Maharashtra earmarks Rs 6,728 crore for rural employment as drought grips nearly three-quarters of state Climate Change, Agriculture, Water, Drought Relief, rural employment, Water Conservation, water scarcity, Marathwada, Maharashtra drought, rural livelihoods, agricultural distress, employment guarantee scheme https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/why-kashmirs-saffron-farms-are-under-siege https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/f5og2op3/18.jpg Residents of Patalbagh village in Pampore tehsil observe the landfill that has sprung near their saffron farms since 2022 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/uj6tszni/p19DLpix02-20260801173129.jpg Rodents from the landfill have burrowed into the farms and damaged saffron corms, forcing farmers to abandon the crop downtoearth en 2026-09-30T11:12:49.183Z Why Kashmir's saffron farms are under siege Agriculture, Environment, solid waste management, Environmental pollution, Jammu and Kashmir, Pampore, Farmer livelihoods, kashmir saffron, saffron cultivation, landfill pollution, rodent infestation, agricultural losses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/regenerative-agriculture-a-lifeline-for-smallholders https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/pnd05hwt/10.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-30T11:04:01.854Z Regenerative agriculture: A lifeline for smallholders? Climate Change, sustainable agriculture, Food Security, Agroforestry, Carbon Sequestration, soil health, regenerative agriculture, smallholder farmers, agricultural livelihoods, global food systems https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/delhi-had-only-one-good-air-day-in-92-days-despite-5769-mm-of-rainfall-cse-analysis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/wxosu4jp/Delhi-Monsoon-2026.jpg Delhi during Monsoon 2026. downtoearth en 2026-09-30T10:15:12.013Z Delhi had only one ‘Good’ air day in 92 days, despite 576.9 mm of rainfall: CSE analysis Air, Delhi, Air Quality Index (AQI), Monsoon withdrawal, Summer 2026, Southwest Monsoon 2026, Monsoon 2026, Centre for Science and Environment (CSE), New Delhi https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-sunita-narain-show-what-led-to-the-himalayan-tragedy-in-nepal https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/2cv8lk93/sn-32-NEPAL-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-30T10:14:15.214Z The Sunita Narain Show: What led to the Himalayan tragedy in Nepal? Climate Change, Infrastructure Development, Extreme weather, Sunita Narain, disaster risk reduction, hydropower projects, docuseries, The Sunita Narain Show, nepal floods, Himalayan disasters, Himalayan Glaciers, glacial collapse https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/protecting-the-status-quo-how-cafe-iii-norms-undercut-indias-ev-ambitions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/neq3leip/iStock-2262765536.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-30T09:59:28.931Z Protecting the status quo: How CAFE III norms undercut India’s EV ambitions Air, Energy, Electric vehicles, carbon emissions, Fuel Efficiency, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE), Automobile industry, Clean mobility, CAFÉ III norms, india ev policy, vehicle emission standards, automotive decarbonisation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/perpetual-shortage-why-water-scarcity-persists-in-gujarat https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/ocpmo5y0/14.jpg Farmers in Sidpur village of Devbhumi Dwarka district say check dams have proved ineffective in improving the water table as the wells in their fields have run dry downtoearth en 2026-09-30T09:44:37.972Z Perpetual shortage: Why water scarcity persists in Gujarat Agriculture, Climate Change, Groundwater Recharge, rainwater harvesting, water scarcity, Kutch, SAURASHTRA, rainfall deficit, Southwest Monsoon 2026, Monsoon 2026, gujarat water crisis, check dams, agriculture and drought https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/28-million-indian-children-are-first-in-their-families-to-complete-six-years-of-schooling-study-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/wo6ic191/downtoearth-hindi2026-09-29lqt150qhchildreneducationindia.avif downtoearth en 2026-09-30T09:28:01.887Z 28 million Indian children are first in their families to complete six years of schooling, study finds Governance, Gender inequality, south asia, Child malnutrition, child poverty, Oxford University, Global Education, multidimensional poverty, education in india, first-generation learners, children's rights https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-keralas-electric-future-may-not-always-travel-on-four-wheels-some-of-it-is-already-moving-quietly-across-the-water https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/w20pfseh/Kerala-ferry.jpg A ferry carrying people and vehicles in Alappuzha. downtoearth en 2026-09-30T09:26:23.903Z India on e-wheels: Kerala’s electric future may not always travel on four wheels. Some of it is already moving quietly across the water Air, Energy, Electric vehicles, Kerala, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels, electric transition, ferries https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/pakistan-rights-lawyer-jalila-haider-wins-right-livelihood-award https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/46irgywy/Jalila-Haider-2026-right-livelihood-laureate-016-scaled.webp Jalila Haider downtoearth en 2026-09-30T08:45:19.204Z Pakistan rights lawyer Jalila Haider wins Right Livelihood Award Governance, balochistan, Pakistan, Human Rights, transgender rights, Right Livelihood Award, hazara community, women lawyers, sectarian violence, women’s democratic front https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/indian-women-live-longer-than-men-but-have-fewer-years-of-good-life-after-60-study-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/sy5wnvrc/downtoearth-hindi2026-09-2947vnzfhmwomenindiaistock.avif downtoearth en 2026-09-30T08:33:10.517Z Indian women live longer than men, but have fewer years of ‘good life’ after 60, study finds Governance, Gender inequality, rural india, quality of life, social security, Life expectancy, women's health, ageing in india, healthy ageing, elderly population, cognitive health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/monsoon-2026-report-card-rainfall-12-less-than-normal-across-india-with-60-less-rain-in-meghalaya-and-24-less-in-the-south https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/w7wax28z/Monsoon-Rainfall.jpg Monsoon rainfall in the country was 12 per cent below normal, with a total of 758.5 ​​mm of rainfall recorded through September 29, compared to the normal figure of 865 mm. downtoearth en 2026-09-30T07:49:42.565Z Monsoon 2026 report card: Rainfall 12% less than normal across India, with 60% less rain in Meghalaya and 24% less in the south Climate Change, monsoon, Meghalaya, Southwest monsoon, SOUTH INDIA, Southwest Monsoon 2026, Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/simply-put-data-centres-amid-drought https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/k4nz5poo/Simply-Put-30-Sept-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/i46soaa3/Simply-Put-30-Sept-Data-center-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-30T07:38:20.048Z Simply Put: Data centres amid drought Climate Change, Science & Technology, Maharashtra drought, water consumption, AI data centres https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/india-sets-lower-food-production-target-for-2026-27-as-el-niño-clouds-rabi-season https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/n9a4i2kr/WhatsApp-Image-2026-09-28-at-17.54.59.jpeg Drought-damaged crops in Dharashiv district, Maharashtra. downtoearth en 2026-09-30T06:26:18.592Z India sets lower food production target for 2026-27 as El Niño clouds Rabi season India foodgrain target, El Niño impact, Rabi season, drought conditions, water budget, crop diversification, pulses promotion, oilseeds cultivation, Maharashtra drought, Karnataka drought, Khet Bachao Abhiyan, rainfall deficit, Rabi crop plans, kharif acreage, India Drought Monitor, groundwater assessment, paddy decline https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/cholera-remains-a-challenge-deaths-increased-by-30-in-2025-who https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/uge3etkv/Cholera-Africa.jpg Women in Chad gathering water from a polluted lake for their daily needs. The WHO African Region reported the largest burden, with a 34 per cent increase in cases and a 58 per cent increase in deaths compared with 2024. downtoearth en 2026-09-30T06:25:50.307Z Cholera remains a challenge, deaths increased by 30% in 2025: WHO Health, Cholera, Plague, Meningitis, WHO https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-heavy-rain-forecast-for-northeast-and-south-india-as-monsoon-withdrawal-continues https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/9eao9vao/Rainfall.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-30T05:56:16.050Z Daily weather tracker: Heavy rain forecast for Northeast and South India as monsoon withdrawal continues Climate Change, Northeast, Southwest monsoon, SOUTH INDIA, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/africas-mineral-strength-is-wasted-if-countries-dont-work-together-new-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-30/cq3ed1qz/iStock-2258500276.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-30T04:11:42.687Z Africa’s mineral strength is wasted if countries don’t work together – new report Africa minerals, green transition, critical minerals, regional cooperation, value addition, mineral processing, electric vehicles, renewable energy, China demand, cobalt exports, industrialisation, green technology, World Bank study, resource governance, development finance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/mining/how-a-new-mining-law-cuts-off-the-money-jharkhand-needs-to-protect-its-own-people https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-29/gj52g3xt/iStock-2261738209.jpg downtoearth en 2026-09-29T17:01:19.445Z How a new mining law cuts off the money Jharkhand needs to protect its own people Mining, Jharkhand, Supreme Court, just transition, Fiscal Federalism, mining law, mmdr amendment act, mineral revenue, jharia coalfield, abandoned mines, mining-affected communities