https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/extreme-weather-disrupts-elections-in-india-and-beyond-with-94-polls-affected-globally-report-warns https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/cqysme3i/iStock-2150287165.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T13:13:42.342Z Extreme weather disrupts elections in India and beyond, with 94 polls affected globally, report warns Climate Change, Global Warming, heatwave, Disaster Management, Democracy, Elections, Extreme weather, nternational Institute for Democracy and Electoral Assistance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/rural-indias-energy-crisis-how-rural-households-in-rajnandgaon-balance-cost-fuel-and-survival https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/2dvzsh7g/NDP4084.JPG https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/5lalemjf/Chhattisgarh-Rajnandgaon-locator-maps.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T12:58:32.492Z Rural India’s energy crisis: How rural households in Rajnandgaon balance cost, fuel and survival  Energy, Chhattisgarh, Rajnandgaon (D), Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), Rural India’s energy crisis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/what-is-the-rule-of-women-in-power-like https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/yjzakyv1/Women.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T12:22:00.994Z What is the rule of women in power like? Governance, Women, lok sabha, Panchayats, Nari Shakti Vandan Act https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/hindu-kush-himalaya-sees-record-27-drop-in-snow-persistence-fourth-straight-year-of-decline-icimod-warns https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/ty0vxfut/iStock-1869101978.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/cq871any/Screenshot-2026-04-24-at-2.36.02-PM.png downtoearth en 2026-04-24T12:12:55.468Z Hindu Kush Himalaya sees record 27% drop in snow persistence, fourth straight year of decline, ICIMOD warns Climate Change, Drought, Glaciers, Hindu Kush Himalayan (HKH) region, water crisis, Rivers, International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development (ICIMOD), hindu kush himalayas, Hindu Kush Himalaya, Snow melt https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/el-niño-driven-extremes-act-as-threat-multipliers-worsening-vulnerabilities-far-beyond-what-we-saw-in-the-20th-century https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/83m1z2ed/Untitled-design-1.png downtoearth en 2026-04-24T11:29:27.182Z ‘El Niño-driven extremes act as threat multipliers, worsening vulnerabilities far beyond what we saw in the 20th century’ Climate Change, Water, Climate Change, Agriculture, Global Warming, water crisis, Food Security, water scarcity, Extreme weather, El Niño, water bankruptcy, Super El Niño https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/built-to-explode-inside-virudhunagars-fireworks-economy-of-routine-death https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/bw7ath7x/MakingofBombShells.jpg Sutli Bomb class firecrackers being made in Sivakasi. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T11:02:18.787Z Built to explode: Inside Virudhunagar’s fireworks economy of routine death Governance, Tamil Nadu, fireworks, Virudhunagar, Sivakasi https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/simply-put-migrating-issues https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/4jkn50bf/Simply-Put-24-Apr-hero-image-copy.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/9wxahyli/Simply-Put-24-APR-migration-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T10:50:03.057Z Simply Put: Migrating issues Governance, Inflation, Distress Migration, Gas shortage https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-heat-tracker-above-normal-maximum-temperatures-in-33-cities https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-10/99hv0rx3/Daily-Heat-Tracker.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T10:35:09.642Z Daily heat tracker: Ahead of El Nino, 33 of 36 cities record above-normal temperatures Climate Change, heatwave, temperature, summer, Hyderabad, RAIPUR, heat, minimum temperature, maximum temperature, extreme heat https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/multiple-extreme-weather-events-to-impact-36-land-animal-habitats-by-2085-study https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/wk5dujjg/Bushfire-australia-kangaroo After heatwaves, extreme wildfires have been ranked as the second most prevalent event that is likely to be experienced by the wildlife. Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T10:32:41.696Z Multiple extreme weather events to impact 36% land animal habitats by 2085: Study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Climate Change, Climate Change, Floods, Heatwaves, Global Warming, wildfires, Extreme Weather Events, Mammals, Droughts, Amphibians, land animals, land animal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/international-seed-day-2026-the-women-behind-odishas-millet-revival https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/n32a25d6/Women-participation-in-participatory-varietal-seed-selection-in-Keonjhar-district-in-OdishaPhoto-WASSAN.jpg Women participation in participatory varietal seed selection in Keonjhar district in Odisha. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T10:06:53.845Z International Seed Day 2026: The women behind Odisha’s millet revival Agriculture, Millets, Women, Odisha, millet revival, women farmers, International Seed Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/el-nino-likely-as-early-as-in-may-july-wmo https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/8d66tw57/El-Nino-Equatorial-Pacific-ENSO Many climate scientists have characterised the upcoming El Niño event as a super El Niño. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T09:41:36.922Z El Nino likely as early as in May-July: WMO Environment, Climate Change, Drought, Global Warming, El Nino, Pacific Ocean, heatwave, LA Nina, ENSO, Rainfall, summer, WMO, extreme heat, may-july, equatorial pacific https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/extreme-heat-could-make-farm-work-unsafe-for-up-to-250-days-a-year-by-centurys-end-fao-and-wmo-warn https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/sg74oect/DSC0167.jpg Farm workers are 35 times more likely to die from heat exposure, with women at added risk as unsafe conditions and lack of sanitation force them to restrict water intake and work longer hours. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T09:13:27.153Z Extreme heat could make farm work unsafe for up to 250 days a year by century’s end, FAO and WMO warn Agriculture, Climate Change, Food, India, Global Warming, Farm Workers, Food Security, Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO), FAO, World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), Labour, extreme heat https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rivers/the-river-as-goddess-the-river-as-victim-when-devotion-becomes-pollution https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/ekfxrtz3/Narmada.jpg Narmada river in Omkareshwar, Madhya Pradesh. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T09:01:46.869Z The river as goddess, the river as victim: When devotion becomes pollution Rivers, Pollution, Madhya Pradesh, Narmada, devotion, goddess https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-april-23-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/d5fpi0i5/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T08:55:52.410Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 23, 2026) Environment, Water, Encroachment, Madhya Pradesh, Wastewater, Sewage, ken river, Solid Waste Management (SWM) Rules, 2026, Laharpur dam, Dhasna, Bhopal railway station https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/most-rabi-crops-being-sold-at-prices-lower-than-minimum-support-price https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/9bk30r6r/Wheat-Market.jpg Representational photo. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T07:07:05.805Z Most Rabi crops being sold at prices lower than minimum support price Agriculture, Wheat, Minimum Support Price (MSP), Rabi crops, Rabi season, Union Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-steel-sector-90-energy-import-dependent-with-64-of-new-capacity-coal-based-ieefa https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/ywvoxhrx/India-steel-energy-imports https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/bizkkion/India-diversifying-coal-import downtoearth en 2026-04-24T06:45:24.555Z India’s steel sector 90% energy import-dependent, with 64% of new capacity coal-based: IEEFA Energy, United States, Industry, Australia, coal import, Steel, Iran, Strait of Hormuz, energy import, US-Israel, steel sector emissions, coal furnace, metallurgical coal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-first-energy-exodus https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/cdp85skr/LPG.jpg Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T06:29:02.122Z India’s first energy exodus Energy, Delhi, covid-19, liquified petroleum gas, covid-19 lockdown, migrant workers, Mumbai, SURAT, Iran-Israel War 2026, Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY), energy exodus https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/why-southeastern-us-is-burning-extreme-drought-is-only-part-of-the-reason https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/v3rmv4xc/Wildfire-US More than half of Georgia’s counties are under a state of emergency, as several agencies battle the flames to protect homes with helicopters in the air and firefighters on the ground. Photo for representation. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T06:21:48.447Z Why southeastern US is burning — extreme drought is only part of the reason Climate Change, Drought, wildfire, bushfire, United States, southeastern US, low humidity, low rainfall https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/what-a-postantibiotic-era-could-mean-for-modern-medicine https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/c9udk2uq/iStock-1397004860.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-24T06:13:51.717Z What a ‘post‑antibiotic era’ could mean for modern medicine Health, Antibiotics, Bacteria, Antibiotic resistance, infections, microbes https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/green-gold-denied-tribal-communities-in-odishas-koraput-fight-for-their-legal-rights-over-kendu-leaves-for-a-third-consecutive-year https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/t96j587o/Koraput-Kendu-Leaf-Collection.jpg Kendu leaf collection in Koraput, Odisha. downtoearth en 2026-04-24T04:39:55.690Z ‘Green Gold’ denied: Tribal communities in Odisha’s Koraput fight for their legal rights over kendu leaves for a third consecutive year Forests, Odisha, Koraput, Gram sabha, 2006 (FRA), Bamboo. Minor forest produce, Kendu leaves https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/from-bastar-to-delhi-gond-adivasis-mark-earth-day https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-24/l4irfihv/earth-day.png downtoearth en 2026-04-24T04:12:25.270Z From Bastar to Delhi: Gond Adivasis mark Earth Day Environment, Delhi, Chhattisgarh, Bastar, Earth Day 2026, Gond Adivasis https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-april-22-2026 https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-07/29scgekk/Court-Digest.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T12:45:16.772Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (April 22, 2026) Environment, Pollution, Jharkhand, River, Ganga, Sewage, Unnao (D), NGT, UPPCB, sewage diversion, NMCG, Joriya, Khichra, Uttar Pradesh State Industrial Development Authority (UPSIDA) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/east-west-anti-cyclones-linked-to-excess-pre-monsoon-rainfall-along-with-hyperactive-weather-systems https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/n67wa4vi/Rainfall.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T12:24:07.083Z East-West anti-cyclones linked to excess pre-monsoon rainfall along with hyperactive weather systems Climate Change, Western Disturbances, pre-monsoon rainfall, Anti-cyclones https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/international-seed-day-2026-why-red-gram-matters-in-maharashtras-drylands https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/5akjexel/An-elderly-women-picking-fresh-legumes.jpeg Woman picking pods of legumes in a Maharshtra farm. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T11:04:17.079Z International Seed Day 2026: Why red gram matters in Maharashtra’s drylands Agriculture, Climate Change, Environment, climate resilience, Maharashtra, Marathwada, International Seed Day, Dryland Farming, VIDARBHA, Toor Dal, International Seed Day 2026, Red gram, Seed diversity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/simply-put-hammer-in-the-wheel https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/rys7l2bu/Simply-Put-22-Apr-hero-image-copy.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/cyq6n8lj/Simply-Put-23-Apr-Bulldozer-copy-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T10:56:27.632Z Simply Put: Hammer in the wheel Forests, forest rights act, forest rights, FRA 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/a-tradition-that-is-now-rare https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/3rs8oomo/Sil-Batta-1.jpg The traditional ‘sil battas’ or grinding stones are still available in Delhi and the National Capital Region. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/xk3uob1j/Sil-Batta-2.jpg They are hand carved by wandering artisans who work on granite or black stone. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/0ib2r4og/Sil-Batta-3.jpg But with the passage of time, this art too could vanish, like so many other traditions. For nothing in this world is constant, as they say. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T10:48:23.695Z A tradition that is now rare Environment, Economy, Food, Delhi-NCR, handicrafts, Sil Batta, Grinding stone, arts, crafts https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/international-seed-day-2026-in-bengals-fragile-landscapes-traditional-seeds-are-holding-the-line-against-climate-stress https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/gz65prhz/Sunderbans-seeds in several blocks of the Sundarbans, farmers continue to cultivate traditional varieties of paddy, pulses and vegetables that are adapted to local agroecological conditions. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T10:04:39.114Z International Seed Day 2026: In Bengal’s fragile landscapes, traditional seeds are holding the line against climate stress Wildlife & Biodiversity, SUNDERBANS, West Bengal, SEED, seed bank, International Seed Day 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/international-seed-day-2026-how-pastoralism-quietly-protects-indias-seeds https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/zkkl8ql4/Seed-Day-Pastoralism-1.jpg A shepherd in Kotturu village in Srikakulam district, Andhra Pradesh. https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/s8bk1zqj/Seed-Day-Pastoralism-2.jpg Poda Thurpu is an indigenous cattle breed from Telangana, known for its remarkable tolerance to drought conditions and its ability to survive with limited fodder and water. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T09:34:48.377Z International Seed Day 2026: How pastoralism quietly protects India’s seeds Agriculture, Seeds, pastoralism, International Seed Day 2026, seed dispersal https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/why-the-lpg-crisis-is-a-biogas-expansion-opportunity-for-india https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/k9zi8yyq/Biogas-from-paddy-straw-in-India https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/gfhlx569/1000319255.jpg https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/6tt0299p/1000319256.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T08:59:09.110Z Why the LPG crisis is a biogas expansion opportunity for India Energy, Energy, Biogas, Energy security, Iran, LPG, Starit of Hormuz, Israel-US https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/ngt-issues-notice-to-centre-and-up-over-yamuna-pollution-in-mathura-vrindavan https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/tlnjba1g/yamuna.avif downtoearth en 2026-04-23T08:47:55.301Z NGT issues notice to Centre and UP over Yamuna pollution in Mathura, Vrindavan Environment, Rivers, Yamuna, Mathura, YAMUNA POLLUTION, Nationa green tribunal (NGT), Vrindavan, Uttar pradesh government https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/nobody-cared-migrants-arriving-in-bihar-from-surat-narrate-stories-of-sheer-desperation-to-survive https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/vsp9t0cl/SuratRailwayStation1.jpg The Surat Railway Station. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T08:47:31.054Z ‘Nobody cared’: Migrants arriving in Bihar from Surat narrate stories of sheer desperation to survive Energy, Governance, Bihar, United States, migrant workers, Iran, LPG, Israel, SURAT, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/edible-orchids-are-being-overharvested-in-the-mediterranean-how-to-protect-these-astonishing-blooms https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/uszsecnx/Orchid-anatolia If the trend persists, orchid blooms may become a rare sight not just across the eastern Mediterranean region, but parts of Asia as well. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T06:59:56.154Z Edible orchids are being overharvested in the Mediterranean — how to protect these astonishing blooms Wildlife & Biodiversity, Mediterranean, Orchids, edible orchids, Salep https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/ngt-rejects-deemed-approval-clause-for-multi-sports-arena-in-delhis-dwarka-area-says-environmental-laws-cannot-be-bypassed-by-resorting-to-it https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/piet98q1/Dwarka-Sports.jpg Dwarka-based Integrated Multi-Sports Arena Project. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T06:51:17.465Z NGT rejects ‘deemed approval’ clause for multi-sports arena in Delhi’s Dwarka area, says environmental laws cannot be bypassed by resorting to it Governance, Delhi, National Green Tribunal, Dwarka, EAC, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/40-years-on-from-the-disaster-why-there-are-foxes-bears-and-bison-again-around-chernobyl https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/oo3kct4z/iStock-517222284.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T05:11:47.678Z 40 years on from the disaster, why there are foxes, bears and bison again around Chernobyl Wildlife & Biodiversity, Science & Technology, Wolves, Nuclear Power, rewilding, Chernobyl, Nuclear Accidents, Brown Bears, Bison, Chernobyl Exclusion Zone, Chernobyl nuclear disaster https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/solar-villages-how-women-run-a-solar-mini-grid-in-gumla-jharkhand https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/mdeg3iuu/SV3.jpg downtoearth en 2026-04-23T03:04:25.390Z Solar villages: How women run a solar mini grid in Gumla, Jharkhand Energy, Jharkhand, gumla, docuseries, solar villages https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/india-plans-contract-overhaul-to-embed-disaster-resilience-as-report-flags-rs-181-lakh-crore-infrastructure-exposure https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-23/jykfc956/Cyclone-Phani.jpg Evacuees at a cyclone shelter at Basudevpur in Bhadrak, Odisha during Cyclone Phani. downtoearth en 2026-04-23T02:48:05.204Z India plans contract overhaul to embed disaster resilience as report flags Rs 1.81 lakh crore infrastructure exposure Climate Change, Cyclone Phailin, National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA), UNDP, CDRI, disaster resilience, Cyclone Phani https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/world-earth-day-2026-telanganas-chenchu-adivasis-resist-forcible-relocation-from-amrabad-tiger-reserve https://gumlet.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-22/am8mp6af/Chenchu-Amrabad-Tiger-Reserve The Chenchu people are one of India’s oldest food gathering tribes who have been inhabiting these forests for centuries downtoearth en 2026-04-22T13:14:40.328Z World Earth Day 2026: Telangana’s Chenchu adivasis resist forcible relocation from Amrabad Tiger Reserve Forests, Project Tiger, Relocation, Telangana, Chenchu, Amrabad Tiger Reserve, Wildlife Protection Act of 2006