https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/food-vs-energy-can-agrivoltaics-solve-indias-solar-conflict https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/d2xnplp4/Agrovoltaics.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-08T08:46:17.007Z Food vs Energy: Can agrivoltaics solve India’s solar conflict? Energy, Renewable Energy, Agriculture, Solar Energy, Food Security, Energy security, Solar panels, docuseries, agrivoltaics https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/in-memoriam-with-balendu-prakashs-passing-india-has-lost-a-stalwart-of-traditional-medicine https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/bj2tv0vn/Balendu-Prakash.jpg Vaidya Balendu Prakash downtoearth en 2026-08-08T06:31:48.396Z In Memoriam: With Balendu Prakash’s passing, India has lost a stalwart of traditional medicine Health, Traditional Medicine, Ayurveda, Obituary, Vaidya Balendu Prakash https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-bay-of-bengal-stirs-again-orange-alert-in-rajasthan-and-odisha-rain-expected-across-more-than-18-states https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/croe34l7/Delhi-Rains.jpg Recent heavy rains in Delhi caused waterlogging. downtoearth en 2026-08-08T05:56:51.948Z Daily weather tracker: Bay of Bengal stirs again; Orange alert in Rajasthan and Odisha, rain expected across more than 18 states Climate Change, Odisha, Delhi-NCR, Southwest monsoon, Rajasthan, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/on-international-day-of-the-worlds-indigenous-peoples-meet-assams-second-largest-plains-tribe-that-lives-in-harmony-with-floods https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/e5rs8b0a/chang-ghor-during-flood-JPG.jpg A traditional Mising ‘Chang Ghor’ during floods. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/c50hj0gc/Mising-1.jpg A Mising woman weaving handloom garments on traditional looms using techniques passed down largely within families. downtoearth en 2026-08-08T04:43:50.147Z On International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples, meet Assam’s second-largest plains tribe that lives in harmony with floods Governance, Floods, Assam, mising, Assam Floods 2026, International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/the-silent-burden-of-adivasi-women-development-must-begin-with-dignity-and-justice https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/inycq3eh/Adivasi-women.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-08T04:43:34.681Z The silent burden of Adivasi women: Development must begin with dignity and justice Governance, Forests, Women, adivasis, Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA), International Day of the world's indigenous peoples 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/roselle-the-indigenous-crop-helping-odishas-tribal-communities-adapt-to-climate-change https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/7fpuj92x/Roselle-Hibiscus-sabdariffa-2.jpeg Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/2gn83yy6/Roselle-Hibiscus-sabdariffa.jpeg Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa). downtoearth en 2026-08-08T04:43:21.878Z Roselle: The indigenous crop helping Odisha’s tribal communities adapt to climate change Wildlife & Biodiversity, Odisha, PVTGs, International Day of the world's indigenous peoples 2026, Roselle https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/el-niño-2026-how-it-could-trigger-a-global-hunger-crisis-by-2027 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-08/sthoii2l/Global-Hunger.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-08T04:42:59.134Z El Niño 2026: How it could trigger a global hunger crisis by 2027 Climate Change, Food, Agriculture, Floods, Droughts, El Niño 2026, global hunger crisis, delayed monsoons https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/combined-impacts-of-super-el-nino-and-indian-ocean-dipole-to-be-recorded-between-august-and-october-wmo https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/a5pqshkb/ECMWF-El-Nino-Forecast-November-2026.png ECMWF El Nino Forecast for November 2026. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/a15xqanv/Hausfather-El-Nino-Comparsion-Chart.jpeg El Nino comparison chart by Zeke Hausfather, climate scientist at Berkeley Earth. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/iszus4gl/IOD-Detected-in-Indian-Ocean-.png IOD detected in Indian Ocean. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T13:14:50.801Z Combined impacts of Super El Nino and Indian Ocean Dipole to be recorded between August and October: WMO Climate Change, El Nino, Pacific Ocean, Indian Ocean, Indian Ocean Dipole, equatorial pacific ocean, Super El Nino https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-sees-68-major-renewable-sector-grid-disturbances-generation-losses-of-up-to-7-gw https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/k6q5vm87/grid-solar downtoearth en 2026-08-07T13:08:25.391Z India sees 68 major renewable sector grid disturbances, generation losses of up to 7 GW Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, Wind Energy, MNRE, grid disturbance, generation loss, STATCOM https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/mnre-weighs-support-scheme-for-polysilicon-to-back-10-gw-capacity-in-solar-manufacturing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/jvezr2ss/iStock-1038761382.jpg MNRE Secretary Santosh Sarangi said the scheme is being examined separately from the existing solar PLI because polysilicon is also used in semiconductors. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T12:46:51.886Z MNRE weighs support scheme for polysilicon to back 10 GW capacity in solar manufacturing Energy, Renewable Energy, Ministry of New and Renewable Energy (MNRE), Solar Cells, semiconductors, polysilicon, solar modules, production linked incentives, solar manufacturing, Solar supply chain, China import https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/ai-adoption-in-indias-power-generation-sector-to-rise-65-per-cent-by-2030-encis-survey https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/irtq7oce/Power-Infrastructure.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-07T12:04:45.129Z AI adoption in India’s power generation sector to rise 65 per cent by 2030: ENCIS survey Energy, Science & Technology, Power generation, Artificial intelligence (AI), ENCIS, Ageing infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/chaos-after-heavy-rains-lash-delhi https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/ucpyhqyq/Delhi-Waterlogging-1.jpg Heavy rains on August 6 caused waterlogging in various parts of Delhi. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/ehzc0x92/Delhi-Waterlogging-2.jpg Complaints of waterlogging were received from across the metropolitan area. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/1c4j6q1z/Delhi-Waterlogging-3.jpg While the authorities have been attending to these complaints, the events of August 6 once again show the state of affairs regarding civic infrastructure in Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T11:21:31.203Z Chaos after heavy rains lash Delhi Governance, Delhi, Southwest monsoon, Urban Waterlogging, Waterlogging, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/india-updates-disaster-list-to-include-heatwaves-and-lightning-after-finance-commission-push https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/ujy7l1sg/043A5037.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-07T11:10:04.686Z India updates disaster list to include heatwaves and lightning after Finance Commission push Climate Change, Heatwaves, Natural Disasters, National Disaster Response Fund (NDRF), Weather, Lightning, Extreme weather, Ministry of Home Affairs, Heatstroke, Disaster Management Act, 16th Finance Commission, State Disaster Response Fund https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-metro-river-valley-civilisation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/zgrz2ej0/Simply-Put-7-Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/omf7fj05/Simply-Put-7-Aug-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-07T10:42:58.274Z Simply Put: Metro-river valley civilisation Governance, Water, Urbanisation, Cities, Floods, flooding, urban areas, Floodwaters https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/in-kuttanad-keralas-rice-bowl-an-arterial-road-is-symbolic-of-the-states-changing-relationship-with-its-wetlands-and-floodplains https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/uzzp01qt/AC-Road.jpg Stranded commuters on the flooded arterial Alapuzha-Changanassery Road. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T09:51:26.694Z In Kuttanad, Kerala’s ‘rice bowl’, an arterial road is symbolic of the state’s changing relationship with its wetlands and floodplains Water, Governance, Kerala, Hydrology, Kuttanad, Lake Vembanad, Kerala’s ‘rice bowl’, wetlands and floodplains, Alapuzha-Changanassery Road https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/there-is-a-certain-irony-to-world-elephant-day-celebrations https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/wx5vm6cs/elephant.jpg A bull tusker downtoearth en 2026-08-07T08:35:53.808Z There is a certain irony to World Elephant Day celebrations Wildlife & Biodiversity, world elephant day, elephants, Human-elephant conflict, Captive elephants, wild elephants, World Elephant Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-himachal-pradesh-bets-on-electric-buses-to-clean-up-mountain-transport https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/yh9l63dd/1000737282-1.jpg Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh Sukhvinder Singh Sukhu launching the 297 buses at Kiarighat in Solan district on July 30, 2026. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/n4wy0ace/1000727818.jpg Om Prakash charging buses at HRTC’s charging station in Shimla’s MC Parking. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/bkjexz2g/1000726001.jpg Electric buses typically need recharging once battery levels fall to 30-40%, with steep uphill routes and full passenger loads accelerating battery drain. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T08:28:05.931Z India on e-wheels: Himachal Pradesh bets on electric buses to clean up mountain transport Energy, Air, Himachal Pradesh, Air Pollution, Public Transport, electric mobility, electric buses, himalayan states, clean transport, charging infrastructure, transport emissions, India on e-wheels, HRTC https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/study-shows-disproportionate-burden-of-water-fetching-on-girls-in-ghana https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/36sfyhz0/Ghana-girl-with-water-can https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/9q9tv7d5/women-fetching-water Socio-economic status, infrastrure play a role in deciding involvement of girls. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T08:13:52.185Z Study shows disproportionate burden of water fetching on girls in Ghana Africa, World, Water, Ghana, Women, girls, gender gap, education gender gap, Labour, division of labour https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/after-chhattisgarh-and-maharashtra-gujarat-bans-analogue-paneer-cheese-and-butter https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/olqckw6k/Paneer.jpg ‘Paneer’ or cottage cheese. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T06:40:45.148Z After Chhattisgarh and Maharashtra, Gujarat bans analogue ‘paneer’, cheese and butter Food, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, cottage cheese, paneer, Butter, cheese, analogue ‘paneer’ https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/first-mrna-flu-shot-approved-by-fda-bodes-well-for-improving-drugs-of-the-future https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/evihmbr0/mRNA-flu-shot Two hurdles mRNA drugs face are a short half-life and impurities that trigger immune responses. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T06:27:12.728Z First mRNA flu shot approved by FDA bodes well for improving drugs of the future Health, covid-19, vaccine, mrna vaccines, mrna, Flu, FDA https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-heavy-rainfall-hits-delhi-ncr-and-several-states-orange-alert-issued-for-karnataka-madhya-pradesh-rajasthan-kerala-and-odisha https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/3di6isj7/Delhi-Rainfall.jpg Waterlogging in Delhi-NCR. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T05:25:01.128Z Daily weather tracker: Heavy rainfall hits Delhi-NCR and several states; Orange alert issued for Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan, Kerala and Odisha Climate Change, Delhi-NCR, Southwest monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/adding-an-ai-tool-to-google-earth-shook-our-trust-in-maps-that-has-been-centuries-in-the-making https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-07/2sifqcym/file-20260805-60-zwjnyc.jpg An 1818 map of western Africa shows the continent bisected by the mythical ‘Mountains of Kong’, based on the explorations of Mungo Park. downtoearth en 2026-08-07T04:43:36.747Z Adding an AI tool to Google Earth shook our trust in maps that has been centuries in the making Africa, Science & Technology, Google, Satellites, Maps, Google Earth, Artificial intelligence (AI), Cartography, OSINT, satellite mapping https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/80-butterflies-have-expanded-their-ranges-while-a-quarter-face-range-contractions-due-to-climate-change-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/gt237v4z/Tawny-Coster.jpg The Tawny Coster. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T13:42:31.143Z 80% butterflies have expanded their ranges while a quarter face range contractions due to climate change: Study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Climate Change, Butterflies, range, range expansion, range contraction https://www.downtoearth.org.in/renewable-energy/how-solar-cold-storage-is-helping-women-in-100-marathwada-villages-earn-from-milk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/of0unxvn/Kalinda-Survase-from-Jahagirdarwadi-village-in-Dharashiv-tells-that-since-solar-powered-BMC-dairy-started-she-started-to-get-money-in-her-account.jpg Kalinda Survase, a dairy farmer from Jahagirdarwadi village in Dharashiv, says the solar-powered BMC has ensured that the money she earns from selling milk is now credited directly to her bank account. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/z0pr11cx/100-solar-powered-BMcs-in-100-villages-get-milk-from-over-3500-women-dairt-farmers.jpg Solar-powered bulk milk coolers (BMCs) installed in 100 villages now collect milk from more than 3,500 women dairy farmers. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/5l54ekix/solar-projects-.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/cvbrwoz3/Machines-to-weight-milk-chill-little-ammounty-of-milk-for-chilling-and-machine-to-test-fat-from-left-to-right.jpg From left to right: A milk weighing machine, a small-capacity milk chiller, and a milk analyser used to measure fat content. downtoearth en 2026-08-06T13:19:48.450Z How solar cold storage is helping women in 100 Marathwada villages earn from milk Renewable Energy, Energy, Climate Change, Marathwada, just transition, dairy sector, Climate solutions, rural livelihoods, Solar cold storage, Women dairy farmers, Bulk milk chillers, Milk supply chain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-must-secure-minerals-and-manufacturing-not-just-fuel-to-safeguard-energy-future-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/tt3arfex/iStock-1307689811.jpg The report says India remains fully import-dependent for several critical minerals, including lithium, cobalt, nickel, silicon and rare earth elements. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/ysrvux9q/Screenshot_2026_08_06_at_6_11_44_PM.png downtoearth en 2026-08-06T13:00:05.113Z India must secure minerals and manufacturing, not just fuel, to safeguard energy future: Report Energy, Renewable Energy, Energy security, net zero, Power Transmission, critical minerals, Clean energy transition, Domestic manufacturing, Fossil Fuel Imports, Electricity storage https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/as-told-to-parliament-august-6-2026-asiatic-lions-in-india-have-increased-32-since-2020 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/v0ag41qa/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T12:46:47.871Z As told to Parliament (August 6, 2026): Asiatic lions in India have increased 32% since 2020 Environment, Delhi, himalayas, lok sabha, Air Pollution, Punjab, rajya sabha, parliament digest, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), Kirti Vardhan Singh, AI data centres https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/as-told-to-parliament-august-5-2026-incois-ai-model-forecasts-el-niño-to-continue-until-february-2027-with-up-to-90-probability https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/zw3kj83m/Parliament.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-06T12:07:52.786Z As told to Parliament (August 5, 2026): INCOIS AI model forecasts El Niño to continue until February 2027 with up to 90% probability Climate Change, Governance, lok sabha, green hydrogen, rooftop solar, rajya sabha, Parliament, Rooftop Solar Power Plants, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), National highways, Artificial intelligence (AI), El Niño, data centres, AI data centres, Vehicle scrapping https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/delhi-needs-rooftop-solar-battery-storage-to-meet-rising-power-demand-peaks-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/51faeft1/Delhi-rooftop-solar Unlike most states, Delhi generates only a small share of the electricity it consumes and depends heavily on power allocated from central generating stations and purchases from neighbouring states. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-06/9zsw3tnr/delhi-electricity downtoearth en 2026-08-06T12:02:52.276Z Delhi needs rooftop solar, battery storage to meet rising power demand peaks: Study Energy, Battery, rooftop solar, delhi solar policy, power demand, Delhi EV Policy 2.0, Delhi Electric Vehicle Policy 2026-2030