https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/why-indias-summer-isnt-as-hot-as-expected https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/ys3v9hpv/eA5RQkITa3M-HD.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T12:07:20.758Z Why India’s summer isn’t as hot as expected Climate Change, El Nino, Rainfall, Western Disturbances, Summer 2026, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-13-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-01-29/7g59xue1/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:57:41.804Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 13, 2026) Environment, PLANTATION, tree felling, Industrial Pollution, Jaipur, Compensatory afforestation, Illegal tree felling, textile, JCB, Delhi trees https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/the-sleep-sweet-spot-study-links-six-to-eight-hours-of-slumber-with-slower-biological-ageing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/v54681ec/iStock-478884893.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:55:53.635Z The sleep sweet spot: Study links six to eight hours of slumber with slower biological ageing Science & Technology, Health, Sleep, immune system, health research, heart health, brain health, Nature journal, biological ageing, late-life depression https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/eu-aviation-fuel-rules-may-raise-costs-and-energy-use-scientists-warn https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/aqcyn9i6/Aviation-fuel-sustainable Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:52:05.719Z EU aviation fuel rules may raise costs and energy use, scientists warn Energy, Energy, Europe, Decarbonisation, Biomass, energy use, European Union, aviation fuels, gasification, renewable fuels of non-biological origin https://www.downtoearth.org.in/my-food-story/lakhori-bhaji-ki-sabji-is-all-about-culinary-curiosities-hidden-within-indias-traditional-landscapes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/hq40tcdz/Lakhori-Bhaji-ki-Sabji.jpg ‘Lakhori Bhaji ki Sabji’ served with millet laddoos downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:46:41.660Z ‘Lakhori Bhaji ki Sabji’ is all about culinary curiosities hidden within India’s traditional landscapes My Food Story, ‘Lakhori Bhaji ki Sabji’, Grass Pea, Lathyrus sativus https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/simply-put-daily-earnings https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/um3i930h/Simply-Put-14-May-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/t564psbj/Simply-Put-14-May-SME-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:46:09.240Z Simply Put: Daily earnings Economy, self-employment, daily earnings, new businesses https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/harvesting-of-wheat-almost-complete-yet-government-procurement-has-slowed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/zamze1gj/Wheat.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T11:37:56.543Z Harvesting of wheat almost complete yet government procurement has slowed Agriculture, Food, Wheat, wheat harvest, msp, procurement, wheat procurement https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/scientists-warn-kheer-ganga-diversion-in-uttarakhands-dharali-could-increase-disaster-risk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/gjdge7od/dhhrali-2.jpg A letter to the National Disaster Management Authority warns that diverting the Kheer Ganga in Dharali could disrupt the river’s geomorphological balance and expose new areas to erosion, sedimentation and flooding. Seen here, Dharali two and a half months following the disaster downtoearth en 2026-05-14T10:14:13.086Z Scientists warn Kheer Ganga diversion in Uttarakhand’s Dharali could increase disaster risk Natural Disasters, Governance, Climate Change, Glacial Melt, Flash flood, uttarakhand, Landslides, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), River Diversion, himalayan rivers, Bhagirathi eco-sensitive zone, floodplains, Kheer Ganga, Dharali, Border Roads Organisation (BRO), debris flow, Dharali cloudburst, Ganga rejuvenation, bhagirathi river https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/pcos-to-pmos-what-does-the-name-change-mean-for-indian-women https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/b0sf7ofg/Indian-woman-at-a-doctors-clinic Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T09:51:56.523Z PCOS to PMOS: What does the name change mean for Indian women? Health, Health, Women, Obesity, Diabetes, Metabolism, pcos, fatty liver, Insulin resistance, hormone, PMOS, lean PCOS, cardiovascular disorders, ovary https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/sand-demand-surges-fivefold-in-five-decades-raising-global-environmental-concerns-says-un-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/87e06frz/Chambal-Sandmining.jpg Sand mining in the Chambal. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T09:46:06.019Z Sand demand surges fivefold in five decades, raising global environmental concerns, says UN report Environment, Mining, United Nations, Sand, sand mining, Sand extraction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/harish-rana-makes-plain-that-indian-law-takes-dying-with-dignity-seriously-the-question-now-is-whether-it-takes-it-seriously-for-everyone https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/ytucvfkl/Euthanasia.jpg Photo for representation downtoearth en 2026-05-14T09:07:03.565Z Harish Rana makes plain that Indian law takes dying with dignity seriously. The question now is whether it takes it seriously for everyone Health, Children, euthanasia, adults, Harish Rana case https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/onions-dumped-potato-crops-destroyed-why-falling-farm-prices-are-not-lowering-retail-food-bills https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/g7u19agy/down-to-earthimportlibrarylarge2024-03-070.151757001709817548onion.avif downtoearth en 2026-05-14T07:21:08.838Z Onions dumped, potato crops destroyed: Why falling farm prices are not lowering retail food bills Agriculture, Food, food inflation, tomato prices, Uttar Pradesh, Farmers, Maharashtra, Karnataka, Minimum Support Price, Nashik, APMC, Potato prices, Cold storage, union consumer affairs ministry, onion prices, Agricultural Markets, chhatrapati sambhajinagar, paithan, agmarket, price stabilisation fund, retail prices, mandi prices https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/illegal-gold-mining-causes-surges-in-malaria-in-the-amazon-and-the-association-is-far-worse-than-we-suspected https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/3wzdwlpz/Gold-mining-Brazil Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-14T06:47:17.540Z Illegal gold mining causes surges in malaria in the Amazon, and the association is far worse than we suspected Health, Governance, World, Health, indigenous people, Mining, Malaria, Disease, Amazon, Illegal mining, Gold, Brazil, yanomami, gold mine, Yanomami territory https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/the-womens-rights-crisis-in-afghanistan-is-an-ongoing-humanitarian-calamity https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-14/ofkrtb3u/iStock-1400947528.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-14T04:35:08.033Z The women’s rights crisis in Afghanistan is an ongoing humanitarian calamity Governance, United Nations, humanitarian crisis, Humanitarian aid, United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF), TALIBAN, Afghanistan, Women's Rights, Afghanistan women, Gender apartheid https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/new-study-sheds-light-on-indoor-nighttime-heat-retention-in-indian-homes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/51q96lux/Chennai-homes.jpg Homes in Chennai along Marina Beach. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/lziendov/Screenshot-2026-05-13-at-4.50.48-PM.png Diurnal Variation in Temperature across 50 Households downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:06:35.359Z New study sheds light on indoor, nighttime heat retention in Indian homes Climate Change, heat, indoor heat, night time heat, heat retention https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/if-amr-is-to-be-addressed-effectively-communication-must-move-beyond-awareness-and-function-as-a-driver-of-behavioural-change https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/rzn4nqja/Pills.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:06:25.371Z If AMR is to be addressed effectively, communication must move beyond awareness and function as a driver of behavioural change Health, Communication, behavioural change, AMR https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/watermelons-summers-symbol-causes-scare https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/4l3ka8w8/Delhi-Watermelons-1.jpg Watermelons are coming in the hundreds to markets across Delhi as summer starts to peak. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/zlc69fkm/Delhi-Watermelons-2.jpg However, the recent incident of a family of four in Mumbai dying after consuming the fruit is still fresh in public memory. It was later found that there were traces of zinc phosphide in the fruit that the family consumed. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/75f5cpn2/Delhi-Watermelons-3.jpg The incident is a reminder that even an unassuming fruit can become a death trap in India owning to issues of hygiene and contamination. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T13:05:55.364Z Watermelons: Summer’s symbol causes scare Food, summer, Fruit, Mumbai, Watermelons, Pydhonie, zinc phosphide https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/heatwaves-rooftop-solar-and-data-centres-force-rethink-of-indias-power-sector-planning https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/zf2c4a8l/iStock-1368514998.jpg Cooling devices already account for 40% of household electricity use, while rising night-time temperatures and falling evening solar generation are making power demand harder to manage. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T12:58:24.370Z Heatwaves, rooftop solar and data centres force rethink of India’s power sector planning Energy, Renewable Energy, Heatwaves, energy transition, Energy Storage, decentralised renewable energy, rooftop solar, solar power, discom, Central Electricity Authority (CEA), Power grid, electricity demand, transmission, battery storage, pumped hydro, data centres, India power sector, Cooling demand https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-will-need-rs-25-lakh-crore-sweeping-reforms-to-achieve-100-gw-nuclear-target-by-2047-teri-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/kfhr4lcb/India-nuclear-power https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/9nuq1xar/1000330375.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T12:11:52.901Z India will need Rs 25 lakh crore, sweeping reforms to achieve 100 GW nuclear target by 2047: TERI report Energy, Governance, Economy, Energy, Electricity, Nuclear energy, power, TERI, Nuclear Power Plant, small modular reactor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/every-summer-indian-cities-run-dry-it-is-because-they-simply-cannot-afford-their-own-water https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/annhxpgf/Delhi-Tanker.jpg With no piped drinking water, residents rely on tanker supply in the Yamuna floodplains, where demand surges alongside soaring temperatures in Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:52:24.060Z Every summer, Indian cities run dry. It is because they simply cannot afford their own water Water, Cities, summer, urban areas, water tankers https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/after-months-without-rain-arunachal-pradesh-villages-count-losses-from-severe-forest-fires https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/61ikjiud/WhatsApp-Image-2026-05-13-at-11.40.03.jpeg Authorities containing forest fire in Mebo, Arunachal Pradesh in March. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:33:23.947Z After months without rain, Arunachal Pradesh villages count losses from severe forest fires Climate Change, Natural Disasters, Agriculture, Drought, wildfire, Forest fire, Disaster Management, Forest Fires, Arunachal Pradesh, Shifting Cultivation, Indian Air Force, dry spell, Pasighat, Lower Dibang Valley, East Siang, orchard, Jhum cultivation, mebo, roing, Namsai, siluk village, bamboo plantation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/uttarakhands-van-panchayats-survived-the-british-they-may-not-survive-a-state-steadily-governing-communities-out-of-their-own-forests https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/5ueimmov/Uttarakhand-Forests.jpg Women collect fodder in villages near Corbett Tiger Reserve in Uttarakhand. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:00:18.292Z Uttarakhand’s van panchayats survived the British. They may not survive a state steadily governing communities out of their own forests Forests, uttarakhand, british india, Indian Forest Act, Van Panchayats https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/beyond-the-carbon-count-why-uttarakhands-indigenous-water-knowledge-must-enter-indias-national-adaptation-plan https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/z9q9hzf9/Uttarakhand-Spring.jpg A natural spring in Uttarakhand. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T11:00:08.198Z Beyond the carbon count: Why Uttarakhand’s indigenous water knowledge must enter India’s national adaptation plan Climate Change, Water, Governance, himalayan springs, himalayas, uttarakhand, National Adaptation Plan, Naula https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-vb-gram-g-transition https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/b9iju63c/VB-GRAM-G https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/y8i2pn15/VB-GRAM-G-transition downtoearth en 2026-05-13T10:50:36.153Z Simply Put: VB-GRAM-G transition Governance, rural employment, Employment, MGNREGA, VB-GRAMG https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/nearly-2000-hectares-of-rabi-paddy-affected-in-odishas-nuapada-as-reservoir-levels-fall-and-irrigation-systems-falter https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/toi7fhf3/IMG-20260513-WA0002.jpg Acute water shortage in the command area of the Upper Jonk Irrigation Project. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T10:43:44.694Z Nearly 2,000 hectares of Rabi paddy affected in Odisha’s Nuapada as reservoir levels fall and irrigation systems falter Agriculture, Water, Drought, Groundwater, Drinking Water, Odisha, Climate Adaptation, Irrigation, Farmers, Water shortage, Crop loss, Mahanadi Basin, Nuapada, sunabeda wildlife sanctuary, Pani Panchayat, Upper Jonk Irrigation Project, rabi paddy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/rural-indias-energy-crisis-in-mohad-sursuli-high-lpg-refill-cost-keeps-rural-households-tied-to-biomass https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/nxozccel/Chhattisgarh-village-cooking-fuelwood Sebti Sahu from Mohad village in Rajnandgaon district has an LPG connection but cannot afford to get refills. In this photo, she is frying fritters on her woodfire chulha. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/kakwo74x/Chhattisgarh-villages-rural-cooking-fuelwood downtoearth en 2026-05-13T10:32:52.546Z Rural India’s energy crisis: In Mohad & Sursuli, high LPG refill cost keeps rural households tied to biomass Energy, Village, Chhattisgarh, LPG, LPG crisis, Mohad, Sursuli https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/indian-banks-climate-action-falling-short-driven-more-by-regulation-than-strategy-report-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/8zdkl4z2/Indian-Banks.jpg Representational photo. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T08:39:50.041Z Indian banks’ climate action falling short, driven more by regulation than strategy, report finds Economy, Climate Change, climate action, Banks, banking, Indian banks https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/two-key-targets-reversing-forest-loss-and-eliminating-extreme-poverty-among-forest-dependent-populations-remain-off-track-finds-un-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/tyopahks/Forest.jpg Photo for representation downtoearth en 2026-05-13T08:06:04.204Z Two key targets — reversing forest loss and eliminating extreme poverty among forest-dependent populations remain off track, finds UN report Forests, United Nations, Forest loss, Global Forest Goals Report 2026, United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (DESA), United Nations Strategic Plan for Forests 2017-2030 (UNSPF), Global Forest Goals, Forest dependent poor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-12-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/d5fpi0i5/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T07:25:26.817Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 12, 2026) Environment, Assam, Groundwater Recharge, Mining, Industrial effluents, environmental clearance, Dibru Saikhowa National Park, cpcb, drilling, Oil India, Sukinda Valley, Bichhapuri coal mine, Dharamshala Nalla https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/fast-fashions-rewear-problem-why-millions-of-reusable-clothes-still-end-up-as-waste https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/ma3wz61w/iStock-1061807480.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T07:10:17.214Z Fast fashion’s rewear problem: Why millions of reusable clothes still end up as waste Waste, sustainability, global south, Recycling, textile waste, Extended producer responsibility (EPR), fast fashion, fashion industry, sustainable fashion, circular economy, Rewear, Second-hand clothing, Overproduction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/370-billion-crickets-are-farmed-for-food-every-year-scientists-have-discovered-they-may-feel-pain https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/8a3anas0/Crickets downtoearth en 2026-05-13T06:49:14.975Z 370 billion crickets are farmed for food every year. Scientists have discovered they may feel pain Wildlife & Biodiversity, Biodiversity, Food, Pain, Insect, Pesticide, Crickets, insect biology https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/how-the-worlds-poorest-remain-insulated-from-their-15-trillion-annual-forest-economy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/rwr67rby/Baka-Pygmy.jpg A woman from the Baka tribe of the Central African Republic. Sub-Saharan Africa, which is home to many forest-dependent poor, has seen little change, with extreme poverty still close to 46 per cent. downtoearth en 2026-05-13T06:40:25.080Z How the world’s poorest remain insulated from their $1.5 trillion annual forest economy Forests, Poverty, sustainable development goals (SDGs), Global Forest Goals Report 2026, Forest-dependent poor https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/mount-dukono-erupts-three-killed-17-rescued-from-indonesian-volcano https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-13/4h9deetk/NGU4woZOJL4-HD.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-13T04:37:55.961Z Mount Dukono erupts: Three killed, 17 rescued from Indonesian volcano Natural Disasters, Indonesia, volcano eruption, Mount Dukono https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/tourism-and-human-activity-are-stressing-indias-tigers-affecting-choice-of-breeding-sites-csir-ccmb-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/q228n1rm/Tigers.jpg A tigress on her morning stroll is gawked at by tourist hordes in Pilibhit Tiger Reserve, Uttar Pradesh. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T13:49:49.580Z Tourism and human activity are stressing India’s tigers, affecting choice of breeding sites: CSIR-CCMB study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Tourism, stress, Tigers, Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CCMB), CCMB, anthropogenic activity, tiger breeding https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/fuelwood-demand-emerges-as-major-driver-of-global-forest-loss-un-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/6jz3v0ci/Forest-loss-due-to-fuelwood The world lost 16 million hectares of primary forests during 2015-2025, with South America accounting for the largest share of losses. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/v0ki72t8/1000329885.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-12T12:47:45.024Z Fuelwood demand emerges as major driver of global forest loss: UN report Forests, Energy, Energy, Agriculture, conservation, Deforestation, Forest cover, forest, Firewood, natural resources, Forest loss, Fuel, Fuelwood https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/over-82-million-people-displaced-within-their-own-countries-in-2025-as-conflict-and-violence-drive-global-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-12/83qcevbg/0c3ce3ee-3690-4eeb-b3c1-00dcf7d5475a.jpeg Internally displaced people are those who have been forced to flee their homes as a result of conflict, violence, or disasters and who have not crossed an internationally recognised State border. downtoearth en 2026-05-12T12:26:21.326Z Over 82 million people displaced within their own countries in 2025 as conflict and violence drive global crisis Governance, Climate Change, India, World, Migration, Manipur, south asia, Pakistan, Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Conflict, Human Rights, Climate disasters, violence, humanitarian crisis, Palestine, Refugees, Extreme weather event, Iran, Gaza, internal displacement, Internal Displacement Monitoring Centre, Norwegian Refugee Council