https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/two-female-leopards-sterilised-in-indias-first-such-initiative https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-06-25/ehvvclhq/Leopard-attack-collar.png Farmers in Junnar taluka of Pune district, Maharashtra, wear collars with metal spikes during the sugarcane harvest season to protect themselves from leopard attacks. downtoearth en 2026-10-18T06:00:19.023Z Two female leopards sterilised in India’s first such initiative Wildlife & Biodiversity, Wildlife Management, Human-wildlife conflict, Maharashtra forest department, Junnar leopard project, Leopard immunocontraception, Human-leopard conflict in Maharashtra, Leopard sterilisation, Wildlife conservation in India, Leopard population management, Immunocontraceptive vaccine, Junnar forest division, Leopard attacks in India, RESQ wildlife rescue https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/indias-climate-action-plan-fails-to-prioritise-health-global-scorecard-finds https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-18/ech8ggsl/HEALTH.jpg A woman adjust her baby's protective mask on a winter morning in Kolkata, India https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-18/hqwr2dsx/Colombia-scorecard-2026.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-18/i70b4sol/India-scorecard-2026.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-18/0jc5eqvq/Jamaica-scorecard-2026.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-18/pzhcpb7f/Japan-scorecard-2026.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-18/a4iuxih6/United-States-of-America-scorecard-2026.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-18T06:00:14.531Z India’s climate action plan fails to prioritise health, global scorecard finds Climate Change, Paris agreement, Climate change and health, greenhouse gas emissions, india air pollution, nationally determined contributions (NDCs), Global Climate and Health Alliance, India climate policy, Healthy NDC Scorecard, India climate action plan, Public health and climate change, Air pollution and health, Climate policy in India, Climate change impacts in India, Climate and health co-benefits, Climate Risk Index 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/west-bengals-durga-puja-turns-pandals-into-platforms-for-climate-action https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-17/gog24b7j/durga.jpg An idol made using natural materials and colours https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-17/dxin0e89/1.jpg Ahiritola Sarbojanin Durga Pandal showcases Kolkata's rich cultural legacy of earthen pots meant to contain sweets https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-17/vr7zqc20/durga.jpg An idol made using lead-free colour https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-17/auhyu75g/2.jpg River based livelihoods used as a theme at a puja pandal in Kolkata https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-17/dg6ygv95/Decorations.jpg Decorations made from deadwood at a puja pandal in south Kolkata downtoearth en 2026-10-17T05:32:36.603Z West Bengal’s Durga Puja turns pandals into platforms for climate action Environment, Climate Change, Waste Management, sustainability, Plastic pollution, West Bengal, soil conservation, Durga Puja, Kolkata, West Bengal Pollution Control Board (WBPCB), Green Durga Puja, Durga Puja 2026, Environmental Conservation, Green Pandal, EnGIO, eco-friendly festivals https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/recommendations-for-the-week-2 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/bnib1wjd/Counter-PoetryPinaki-Ranjan-Mohanty.jpeg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/g7tv1tj0/A-mothers-brain.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/ul5kq7ny/The-AGI-Chronicles.jpeg downtoearth en 2026-10-17T02:21:47.758Z Recommendations for the week Chilika lagoon, lake encroachment, Counter Poetry, Pinaki Mohanty, Art Centrix Space, maternal brain, pregnancy impact, mother-baby bond, AGI technology, OpenAI insights, Google DeepMind, anthropic research, shoreline shift, Odisha tourism, neuroscience book https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/doodh-ganga-under-pressure-how-climate-change-is-deepening-water-woes-in-uptown-srinagar https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-14/lgbtb5v6/1000446726.jpg The Doodh Ganga river originates from the Pir Panjal glaciers near Tattakoti mountain peak, at an altitude of around 4,500 metres. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-14/gmbe59ev/1000446729.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-17T02:07:14.020Z Doodh Ganga under pressure: How climate change is deepening water woes in uptown Srinagar Climate Change https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/ancient-sounds-how-chhattisgarhs-folk-music-found-a-global-audience https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2025-09-08/sz2yjjr6/10.jpg Anup Ranjan Pandey (right) gathered Bastar’s musical instruments with the help of his friends belonging to tribal communities and began searching for artisans who could make and play them downtoearth en 2026-10-17T02:06:38.112Z Ancient sounds: How Chhattisgarh’s folk music found a global audience Environment https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/global-deforestation-falls-15-per-cent-but-world-remains-off-track-to-meet-2030-forest-goals-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/og6fmu90/iStock-1385955614.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T12:04:02.424Z Global deforestation falls 15 per cent, but world remains off track to meet 2030 forest goals: Report Forests, Climate Change, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forest Conservation, forest restoration, Climate finance, global biodiversity framework, Tropical Forests, biodiversity loss, global deforestation, Forest Declaration Assessment 2026, Indigenous Peoples and Land Rights https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-52 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-15/cygnaoiq/01-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-14/sop2ek3e/Editor-Hindi-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/u8m1a27r/30.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-12/zadh7k4n/Haunted-trails.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/mlp69pwc/46.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-15/t2ssn5lg/20.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-15/ca9ylcqj/A-fisher-selling-dried-marine-food-pic-by-kavitha-yarlagadda.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-09-10/ab6i6pp9/1000418334.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-15/yxoiqai3/10.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-15/agt86upv/50.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/pyx1t1fy/52.jpg On average, nearly nine in 10 women at the district level in India receive minimum quality antenatal care, shows analysis of district-level aggregated indicators derived from National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/fodn3y2v/55.jpg Taradi tuber usually grows in shady forest habitats at elevations of 600-1,000 metres https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-15/t4vh92ym/42.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-15/9bf3fhps/Covid-19 The long-term effects of COVID-19 continue to inflict millions, adding to the morbidity levels downtoearth en 2026-10-16T11:17:16.455Z Highlights from the issue pollution control, air pollution, climate change, monsoon rainfall, low-pressure systems, chromium poisoning, Himalayan nomads, Gadchiroli mining, warming seas, solar farming, food warfare, planetary boundaries, maternal care, forest delicacy, COVID recovery https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/over-1000-clean-energy-projects-got-rs-1443-crore-but-rd-funding-weak-on-manufacturing https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/f5hauurv/1000448716.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T10:59:54.282Z Over 1,000 clean energy projects got Rs 1,443 crore, but R&D funding weak on manufacturing Energy, Renewable Energy, Clean energy, solar power, R&D, clean tech https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/world-food-day-india-is-witnessing-a-protein-boom-but-who-can-afford-to-be-part-of-it https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/oqd49jp5/iStock-909946486.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T10:49:06.488Z World Food Day: India is witnessing a protein boom, but who can afford to be part of it? protein boom, food inflation, protein market, diet diversity, protein-rich foods, affordable protein, protein literacy, urban wellness, crop diversification, protein snacks, plant-based protein, protein affordability, protein transition, protein alternatives, nutritional security https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-gaon-chalo https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/h6m44qpw/Simply-Put-16-OCT-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/tfqfo3vp/SImply-Put-16-Oct-Gaon-Chalo-movement-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T10:03:24.343Z Simply Put: Gaon Chalo Governance, Labour Rights, migrant workers, SURAT, Migrant Labourer https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/disrupted-rhythms-how-climate-change-affects-himalayan-pastoralism https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/mlp69pwc/46.jpg Shepherds from pastoral-nomadic communities move up and down the Himalayas round the year in search of fresh grass and optimal weather conditions downtoearth en 2026-10-16T10:02:29.483Z Disrupted rhythms: How climate change affects Himalayan pastoralism pastoral nomadism, climate change, Himalayan avalanches, Gaddi community, livestock loss, Jarol Jot pass, Chamba district, Kangra grazing, pastoral economy, Rupin pass, Down to Earth, Himachal Pradesh, alpine meadows, Pir Panjal, Dhauladhar range https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/world-food-day-why-indigenous-seed-preservation-knowledge-matters https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/cqcnm3xo/house.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/cehrfqyo/Drying-seeds.jpg While cucumbers and pumpkins are spread out or pressed against walls to dry, corn cobs are tied together and hung from ceiling https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/vnae5ifl/chula-and-bhar.jpg Positioned directly above the chula, the traditional stove, the bhar or raised wooden storage rack above it, receives a steady flow of heat and smoke, which gradually dries seeds and other agricultural produce stored there https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/a5drm4wu/seeds-1.jpg The nanglo or a bamboo winnowing tray, provides a broad surface on which to spread pulses and beans for sun-drying https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/l71invuu/Kothey-bari.jpg Homestead garden is a living repository in which biological diversity and cultural knowledge are sustained together downtoearth en 2026-10-16T09:59:30.040Z World Food Day: Why indigenous seed preservation knowledge matters Agriculture, Food https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/beyond-the-doctors-visit-geography-of-maternal-healthcare-in-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/pyx1t1fy/52.jpg On average, nearly nine in 10 women at the district level in India receive minimum quality antenatal care, shows analysis of district-level aggregated indicators derived from National Family Health Survey-5 (2019-21) https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/680cglcv/53.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T09:56:42.569Z Beyond the doctor’s visit: Geography of maternal healthcare in India maternal health, antenatal care, quality care, NFHS-5, health facilities, regional variations, hotspot regions, cold spot regions, pregnancy clinics, iron-folic acid, clinical checkups, tetanus vaccination, blood pressure, health system, India healthcare https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/world-food-day-getting-taradi-out-of-the-wild https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/fodn3y2v/55.jpg Taradi tuber usually grows in shady forest habitats at elevations of 600-1,000 metres downtoearth en 2026-10-16T09:48:43.740Z World Food Day: Getting ‘taradi’ out of the wild World Food Day, taradi root, wild tuber, Himachali folklore, Dioscorea belophylla, western Himalayas, winter delicacy, Shivaratri fasting, forest spirits, RHRTS research, sustainable harvesting, cormlets, COVID-19 impact, Himachal Pradesh, natural germination https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/intimate-takeover-how-low-pressure-systems-are-reshaping-indias-rainfall https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/u8m1a27r/30.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/pwdg404s/36.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T09:00:42.782Z Intimate takeover: How low-pressure systems are reshaping India’s rainfall low-pressure systems, monsoon rainfall, India monsoon, rainfall deficit, extreme rainfall, flash floods, deep depression, Himalayan states, regional contrast, Indo-Gangetic plains, Bay of Bengal, rainfall analysis, western disturbances, climate patterns, Down To Earth https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/world-food-day-what-we-lost-when-we-simplified-farming https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/opi7xxe8/IMG20210908181041.jpg A traditional Akkadi mixed-cropping field in Raichur, Karnataka, where pearl millet grows alongside crops such as green gram, cowpea and moth bean. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/19kpqyoq/1657804601915.jpg The mixed-cropping system provides vegetative cover, helping retain soil moisture. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/vsaxdhvi/1.jpg Hanamesh Nayak harrows his field after sowing crops under the Akkadi mixed-cropping system in Kannal village, Raichur district. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/vld9ikbh/IMG-20210702-WA0024.jpg Seed diversity in practice: Combining multiple crop species can improve nutrient use and reduce the risk of crop failure. downtoearth en 2026-10-16T08:46:43.937Z World Food Day: What we lost when we simplified farming World Food Day, mixed cropping, crop diversity, soil health, Raichur farming, Akkadi system, sustainable agriculture, crop resilience, indigenous crops, drought impact, food security, minor millets, climate adaptation, local seed banks, traditional farming https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-october-15-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-07/yaop3jvv/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T08:09:43.718Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (October 15, 2026) Environment, Waste, Waste Disposal, Lake conservation, Upper Lake https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/super-el-niño-telangana-chief-minister-prays-to-farmers-to-sacrifice-a-crop-to-save-drinking-water https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/6fz4pys2/iStock-1192098741.jpg Reddy’s strategy is to use this limited available water till the next monsoon. To achieve this, the biggest water user, agriculture, must sacrifice to prioritise the drinking water need. downtoearth en 2026-10-16T07:38:23.530Z Super El Niño: Telangana Chief Minister ‘prays’ to farmers to sacrifice a crop to save drinking water super el niño, telangana drought, water crisis, paddy crop, rainfall deficit, reservoir levels, economic losses, climate change, farmers sacrifice, global food security, monsoon deficit, hyper el niño, climate emergency, crop irrigation, global warming https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-october-14-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/i7g5kmlq/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T06:57:44.311Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (October 14, 2026) NGT orders, Singhola waste, Delhi silt, environment orders, waste management, Jangpura dhalao, Ghaziabad waterbody, MCD affidavit, waste disposal, encroachment probe, Delhi landfill, NGT committee, Pant Nagar PCTS, health hazards, wetland authority https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-southwest-monsoon-withdraws-but-heavy-rain-threat-persists-across-southern-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-10-16/kagwazt9/1000448542.jpg downtoearth en 2026-10-16T06:33:24.573Z Daily weather tracker: Southwest monsoon withdraws, but heavy rain threat persists across Southern India Climate Change, monsoon, Tamil Nadu, Weather, Karnataka, rain, Rainfall, SOUTH INDIA, Puducherry, Monsoon withdrawal