https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/what-does-fuel-price-hike-mean-for-farmers-and-how-does-it-influence-inflation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/v52xu60a/War-and-pocket.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T09:15:54.451Z What does fuel price hike mean for farmers and how does it influence inflation? Agriculture, Energy, Food, Farmers, Inflation, Diesel, fuel price hike https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/tamil-nadus-emergency-healthcare-system-emerged-stronger-post-covid-driving-sharp-gains-in-maternal-newborn-outcomes-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/xxp81aok/TN-Pandemic.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T09:07:10.204Z Tamil Nadu’s emergency healthcare system emerged stronger post-COVID, driving sharp gains in maternal & newborn outcomes: Study Health, Tamil Nadu, covid-19, Maternal Health, newborn health, IIT Madras https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-20-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-02-23/215izw94/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T08:27:45.113Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 20, 2026) Environment, Waste, Waste Management, Pollution, bottling plant, cgwa https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/cag-report-raises-questions-over-rs-50072-crore-health-cess-not-reaching-designated-fund https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/2kzvyp5s/down-to-earthimportlibrarylarge2021-12-270.972649001640612028hospital.avif The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) has flagged concerns over the health cess. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/wagw1k9r/downtoearth-hindi2026-05-20kxxci8hlChatGPT-Image-May-20-2026-035607-PM.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-21T08:24:04.106Z CAG report raises questions over Rs 50,072 crore health cess not reaching designated fund Health, Governance, public health, Comptroller and Auditor General (CAG) report, Health cess, Jan Swasthya Abhiyan India https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/newly-elected-bengal-mla-plans-to-conserve-kolkatas-key-environmental-landmarks https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/j23169il/Swapan-Dasgupta.jpg Swapan Dasgupta. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T07:24:35.389Z Newly elected Bengal MLA plans to conserve Kolkata’s key environmental landmarks  Environment, Governance, West Bengal, rabindra sarovar, Kolkata, adi ganga, Swapan Dasgupta, Tramways, Rasbehari Assembly Constituency https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/for-farmers-in-rural-delhi-struggling-with-rising-input-costs-and-declining-water-wastewater-dependence-is-a-no-brainer-despite-health-risks-involved https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/54apon87/Najafgarh-Drain-vegetables.jpg Drain water being used for watering crops in rural Delhi. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T06:38:44.596Z For farmers in rural Delhi struggling with rising input costs and declining water, wastewater dependence is a no-brainer despite health risks involved Agriculture, Rural Water and Sanitation, Water, Delhi, Vegetables, public health, Wastewater, rural areas, Najafgarh drain https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/what-womens-work-songs-reveal-about-the-changing-climate https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/4mrcar2q/Women-work-song-climate-change Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T06:21:35.622Z What women’s work songs reveal about the changing climate Climate Change, Climate Change, Environment, Women, culture, Agricultural labour, Labour https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/health-authorities-are-racing-to-contain-ebola-in-the-drc-and-uganda-heres-whats-making-it-so-challenging https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/oueym927/iStock-1351266625.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-21/k4rrvewj/file-20260520-57-wu4f6u.avif Early warning signals for Ebola in DRC, March to May 2026. downtoearth en 2026-05-21T04:50:31.178Z Health authorities are racing to contain Ebola in the DRC and Uganda. Here’s what’s making it so challenging Health, Health in Africa, Africa, Infectious Diseases, public health, ebola, Ebola outbreak, Ebola Africa, personal protective equipment, Africa ebola, Ebola death, Epidemics, contact tracing https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/ahead-of-cop31-in-antalya-türkiye-calls-for-global-push-to-electrify-economies-and-expand-renewables https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/zzrh625f/HInnYVWoAA9gWI.jpeg Türkiye’s environment minister and COP31 President-Designate Murat Kurum at the Copenhagen Climate Ministers’ Meeting. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T13:23:49.359Z Ahead of COP31 in Antalya, Türkiye calls for global push to electrify economies and expand renewables Energy, Renewable Energy, COP30, COP31, COP31 Antalya, UNFCCC COP31 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/urban-life-makes-animals-bolder-more-aggressive-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/2mekm64v/Pigeon-city-birds Urban-associated increases in behavioural traits occurred across species irrespective of ecological category. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T12:54:31.212Z Urban life makes animals bolder, more aggressive: Study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Bird, Adaptation, Animal, Ecology, City, URBAN, aggressive, bold, avian https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-bee-day-2026-conserving-natures-tiny-treasures https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/ca620qqx/World-Bee-Day-1.jpg May 20 is a day designated by the United Nations to highlight the importance of bees, with whom humanity has shared a millennia-old relationship. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/yuetsxw5/World-Bee-Day-2.jpg Today, awareness of the significance of bees is important as they are on the decline due to pesticide use. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/3cpmop30/World-Bee-Day-3.jpg Promoting steps that will protect and enhance pollinators and their habitats and championing indigenous knowledge can help secure a sustainable future for both bees and people. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T12:41:40.810Z World Bee Day 2026: Conserving Nature’s tiny treasures Wildlife & Biodiversity, Apiculture, Insects, Bees, Honey, pollinators, Pesticides, World Bee Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/sundarbans-to-feature-in-delhi-big-cat-summit-says-environment-minister https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/gwacohes/HD73tZpbEAAZGNk.jpeg Union Environment, Forest and Climate Change Minister Bhupender Yadav. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T12:39:32.026Z Sundarbans to feature in Delhi big cat summit, says environment minister Climate Change, Wildlife & Biodiversity, wildlife conservation, West Bengal, Sundarbans, Mangroves, bhupender yadav, sundarbans west bengal, International Big Cat Alliance, Sundarbans Tiger Reserve, Royal Bengal Tiger, IBCA Summit https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/for-indian-agriculture-the-west-asian-crisis-is-not-just-a-test-of-economic-resilience-but-also-of-policy-responsiveness https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/8upn4scw/Coffee-Plantation.jpg A Robusta coffee plantation. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T12:16:29.373Z For Indian agriculture, the West Asian Crisis is not just a test of economic resilience but also of policy responsiveness Agriculture, Coffee, Spices, Horticulture, Mango, indian agriculture, Grape, Iran-Israel War 2026, West Asian Crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/the-dubare-elephant-camp-tragedy-exposes-a-deeper-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/zi21lscx/Elephant.jpg A trained elephant working in the Ayarabeedu forest, Karnataka. Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T11:25:10.546Z The Dubare Elephant Camp tragedy exposes a deeper crisis Wildlife & Biodiversity, elephants, Karnataka, Kodagu, Dubare Elephant Camp https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/simply-put-heat-adaptation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/lpn93zws/Heat-threat https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/b6mpvzyo/Heat-plan downtoearth en 2026-05-20T11:14:23.054Z Simply Put: Heat adaptation Climate Change, City, urban heat island, heat, extreme heat, Urban heat, heat adaptation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-bee-day-2026-the-scientist-helping-indias-forest-communities-protect-wild-bees https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/v1s8zfp1/Dr.-Gopal-Paliwal.png Gopal Paliwal is the director of the Centre for Bee Development. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/jqvap210/Honey-Bee-Pollination-on-Onion-Flower.jpeg Honey bee pollination on onion flower. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/a2h7zuqn/Demonstration-on-handling-of-hive-and-proper-cutting-of-hive-by-expert.jpeg Demonstration on handling of hive and proper cutting of hive by an expert. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/x1ptj92u/Honey-Collectors-brought-the-raw-honey-to-CBD-Centre-for-further-processing-and-sale.jpeg Honey collectors bringing raw honey to the Centre for Bee Development office for further processing and sale. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T11:10:47.659Z World Bee Day 2026: The scientist helping India’s forest communities protect wild bees Wildlife & Biodiversity, wild bees, Pollination, Honeybees, pollinators, world bee day, wild honeybees, World Bee Day 2026, Apis dorsata https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-bee-day-2026-when-we-conserve-stingless-bees-we-safeguard-our-own-future https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/5jvzlu5s/Stingless-Bees-1.jpg A stingless bee colony. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/mp0hzv0p/Stingless-Bees-2.jpg A stingless bee colony. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/c5oojli5/Stingless-Bees-3.jpg A stingless bee pollinating a pomegranate flower https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/3e92qmww/1000094597-1.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-20T10:39:38.009Z World Bee Day 2026: When we conserve stingless bees, we safeguard our own future Wildlife & Biodiversity, Bees, Honey, Stingless Bees, World Bee Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/around-11-states-could-cut-fiscal-deficit-to-3-through-discom-privatisation-sbicaps https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/3hs34wo9/Electricity-privatisation Nine states including Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Bihar and Chhattisgarh are immediately suitable for complete DISCOM privatisation, says report. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/4dtirb93/Discom_privatisation. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T10:22:17.643Z Around 11 states could cut fiscal deficit to 3% through DISCOM privatisation: SBICAPS Energy, Economy, Governance, Electricity, power, discom, privatisation, transmission, Energy infrastructure https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-bee-day-2026-indias-honey-boom-has-a-hidden-sting https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/jni4u66r/Honey.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T08:54:42.819Z World Bee Day 2026: India’s honey boom has a hidden sting Wildlife & Biodiversity, Bees, Honey, World Bee Day 2026, honey boom https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/ai-boom-masks-deepening-cracks-in-global-economy-developing-nations-most-exposed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/h832y8h8/Global-trade Financial stress among major food trading firms could amplify food security risks, adding pressure on governments already facing limited fiscal space. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/wanm0y5l/1000335030.png Growth of nominal merchandise import bill by products, selected economies, percentage https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/rvwfdaox/1000335029.png Change in exchange rate against the dollar before and after the beginning of the conflict. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T08:38:29.371Z AI boom masks deepening cracks in global economy, developing nations most exposed Science & Technology, Economy, Developing Nations, artificial intelligence, global economy, AI, geopolitical risks, food trade https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-2026-el-niño-is-developing-unusually-fast-and-may-rival-the-strongest-ever-recorded https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/f0elmsu6/iStock-1411260371.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/jef5ya80/SuperElNino.png https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/2gidaeh2/NOAA-ENSO-Strength-Probabilities-May-2026.png downtoearth en 2026-05-20T07:32:57.090Z The 2026 El Niño is developing unusually fast — and may rival the strongest ever recorded Climate Change, Drought, Heatwaves, Global Warming, Pacific Ocean, Climate Science, WEATHER FORECASTING, Extreme weather, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (UNOAA), Global temperatures, El Niño, Super El Niño, El Niño Southern Oscillation (ENSO), Super El Niño impact, Ocean Niño Index https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-bee-day-2026-in-northeast-india-the-disappearance-of-bees-signals-a-deeper-ecological-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/8ih4dn2s/Photo-3.jpeg Farmer Sethsala stands in her former jhum field, now gradually transforming into a developing orchard integrated with bee boxes in Nagaland. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/q77zlmi5/Photo-2.jpeg Farmer Thsathriba beside a bee box placed in his plantation field developed on former jhum land in Amahator village, Nagaland. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T07:05:20.824Z World Bee Day 2026: In Northeast India, the disappearance of bees signals a deeper ecological crisis Wildlife & Biodiversity, Northeast India, Bees, World Bee Day 2026, Bee Declines https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/world-bee-day-2026-how-odisha-farmer-manas-ranjan-jena-built-a-thriving-apiary https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/uytrfa3j/Manas-Ranjan-Jena-in-his-honey-bee-farm-in-Sukunda-village-in-Ganjam-district-OdishaPhoto-Pratyusa-Kumar-Panda.jpeg Manas Ranjan Jena in his honeybee farm in Sukunda village in Ganjam district, Odisha https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/fok2j0jr/Manas-Ranjan-Jena-showing-self-made-honey-bee-boxPhoto-Pratyusa-Kumar-Panda.jpeg Manas Ranjan Jena showing self-made honeybee box. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T07:05:10.342Z World Bee Day 2026: How Odisha farmer Manas Ranjan Jena built a thriving apiary Wildlife & Biodiversity, Odisha, Bees, World Bee Day 2026, Bee Farming, Bee Declines https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/gut-health-why-food-alone-wont-fix-childhood-stunting https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/d9r93fut/Child-Africa-gut-health downtoearth en 2026-05-20T06:30:00.198Z Gut health: Why food alone won’t fix childhood stunting Africa, Health, Food, Health, Food, Malnutrition, Stunting, gut, childhood, Gut function, nutrition absorption https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/elon-musk-sued-openai-and-lost-but-the-core-question-of-the-case-remains-unanswered https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-20/oybpusor/FrMevMwaAAEHlkb.jpeg OpenAI chief executive Sam Altman. downtoearth en 2026-05-20T05:16:28.610Z Elon Musk sued OpenAI and lost. But the core question of the case remains unanswered Science & Technology, Elon Musk, openai, sam altman, big tech, Artificial intelligence (AI), Nonprofits https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/celebrating-one-of-humanitys-oldest-ways-of-living https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/y4cfa6nq/Pastoralists-1.jpg Pastoralism is one of the oldest ways of living known to humanity. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/u0dzvpdd/Pastoralists-2.jpg But pastoral landscapes are under increasing pressure from droughts, floods and other climate impacts, land degradation, animal diseases and competing land uses. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/mkrdaznd/Pastoralists-3.jpg The UN-declared International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists provides a unique opportunity to raise awareness of the importance of rangelands and pastoralists. downtoearth en 2026-05-19T14:36:22.254Z Celebrating one of humanity’s oldest ways of living Governance, Pastoralists, United Nations, pastoralism, International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, rangelands https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/five-pioneering-researchers-named-2026-loréal-unesco-for-women-in-science-laureates https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/ubv8p445/HIrJx5dXMAAGG3G.jpeg Clockwise from top left: Felice Jacka, Gordana Vunjak-Novakovic, Raquel Lia Chan, Sarah A Teichmann and Liesl Zühlke downtoearth en 2026-05-19T12:29:13.699Z Five pioneering researchers named 2026 L’Oréal-UNESCO For Women in Science laureates Science & Technology, women in science, Food Security, gender equality, women in stem, UNESCO, Life sciences, global health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/consumer-empowerment-and-policy-support-are-key-to-catalysing-indias-food-system-transformation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/hxzlsf7t/Thali.jpg Photo for representation downtoearth en 2026-05-19T12:19:07.064Z Consumer empowerment and policy support are key to catalysing India’s food system transformation Food, food system, Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI), SOFI 2025, Consumer empowerment, policy support https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/simply-put-fuelling-crisis https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/c4ogayom/Fuel-price-rise https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/x1t98f9p/fuel-cost-rise downtoearth en 2026-05-19T12:13:14.634Z Simply Put: Fuelling crisis Economy, Oil, Diesel, Petrol, Fuel, hormuz https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/when-mines-closed-a-hill-healed-the-shankargarh-model-of-community-led-restoration https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/410teipc/Figure-1-FieldPhotoBefore2016andAfter2023.png Shankargarh Hill, Dewas: from quarry pits to regenerating forest. The same landscape before active restoration (left) and after soil works, plantation and protection (right). https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/m863xes7/Figure-2-Location-Map.png Location Map of Shankargarh Hills, Dewas District, Madhya Pradesh https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/xttxnxlr/Figure-3-NDVI-Analysis.png NDVI distribution at Shankargarh, 2017 vs 2025. Panel A (before restoration) is dominated by barren and sparse classes; Panel B (after restoration) shows a clear shift to moderate and dense vegetation. NDVI classification for 2017 and 2025 was done by the author using Sentinel-2A imagery, processed in ArcGIS Pro 3.5.4. Pixels were grouped into four standard classes — barren (<0.0), sparse (0.0–0.2), moderate (0.2–0.4), and dense (>0.4) — for direct comparison. downtoearth en 2026-05-19T12:05:53.398Z When mines closed, a hill healed: the Shankargarh model of community-led restoration Forests, Mining, Madhya Pradesh, National Green Tribunal, Dewas, Shankargarh Hill https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-loses-300-gwh-renewable-energy-in-2026-first-quarter-due-to-transmission-delays https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/b4i2z0gr/RE-India-transmission https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/jqgn9eok/RE-transmission downtoearth en 2026-05-19T11:26:17.358Z India loses 300 GWh renewable energy in 2026 first quarter due to transmission delays Energy, Renewable Energy, Clean energy, Grid, transmission, energy curtailment https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/supreme-court-allows-euthanasia-of-rabid-and-dangerous-free-ranging-dogs-to-protect-public-safety https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/otjgtskg/iStock-512335316.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-19T11:17:12.662Z Supreme Court allows euthanasia of rabid and dangerous free-ranging dogs to protect public safety Wildlife & Biodiversity, Governance, animal welfare, public health, Vaccination, stray dogs, Supreme Court, Rabies, Sterilisation, PETA, Animal Welfare Board of India (AWBI), National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), Public safety, euthanasia, supreme court euthanasia, free-ranging dogs, dog bites, animal birth control rules, anti-rabies vaccine, immunoglobulin, street feeding, community dogs, india judiciary https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/indias-future-climate-resilience-will-depend-on-its-ability-to-build-a-public-healthcare-system-that-recognises-heat-as-a-highly-gendered-disaster https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/2rzrvp4l/Women-Heat.jpg A woman with her daughter covers themselves with a scarf for protection from the sun amid scorching heat on a hot summer day in Beawar. downtoearth en 2026-05-19T10:17:24.551Z India’s future climate resilience will depend on its ability to build a public healthcare system that recognises heat as a highly gendered disaster Climate Change, Governance, Heatwaves, Women, climate resilience, heat, women's health https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-may-18-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2025-11-24/6ltnyjya/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-05-19T09:39:13.140Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (May 18, 2026) Environment, Rivers, River Pollution, River Conservation, Milk, Punjab, sand mining, Singrauli, Indus River Dolphins https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/indian-and-tibetan-wolves-found-to-have-important-ancient-genetics https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-05-19/0pt8uttc/Indian-WolvesD1A5573-c-Mihir-Godbole-The-Grasslands-Trust.jpg Indian wolves. downtoearth en 2026-05-19T09:30:15.217Z Indian and Tibetan wolves found to have important, ancient genetics Wildlife & Biodiversity, Science & Technology, south asia, dna, indian subcontinent, indian wolf, Tibetan wolf