https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/centres-forest-rights-letter-could-weaken-gram-sabha-authority-experts-warn https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/olqyhoeu/iStock-854423386.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T12:34:59.509Z Centre’s forest rights letter could weaken Gram Sabha authority, experts warn Forests, forest rights act, scheduled tribes, Community Forest Rights, forest dwellers, forest governance, Gram sabha, Ministry of Tribal Affairs, Forest working plans, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC), community forest governance https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/epr-in-asia-pacific-vietnam-made-companies-pay-for-packaging-then-wrote-discount-into-the-formula https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/ca910tc0/Han-Markeyt-in-Da-Nang-City downtoearth en 2026-08-04T12:29:41.336Z EPR in Asia Pacific: Vietnam made companies pay for packaging, then wrote discount into the formula Waste, World, Waste Management, Pollution, Plastic, Recycling, Waste pickers, Extended Producer Responsibility, Environmental law, EPR, marine litter, EPR in Asia Pacific, packaging https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/first-step-to-fixing-childrens-nutrition-is-listening-to-them-heres-how-140000-young-voices-are-shaping-future-of-food-in-india https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/3wfrx8lh/iStock-1369767092.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T12:18:21.341Z First step to fixing children’s nutrition is listening to them — Here’s how 140,000 young voices are shaping future of food in India Food, public health, food labelling, Ultra-processed foods, adolescents, school food, cost of healthy eating, Children’s nutrition, Let’s Fix Our Food, Food environments, Nutrition literacy, Healthy eating https://www.downtoearth.org.in/rural-water-and-sanitation/bijnor-demonstrates-that-indias-wash-crisis-is-increasingly-unfolding-at-peri-urban-edges https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/tq849jvx/Peri-urban-area https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-31/5e8ql474/1000384364.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-31/6xxzenva/1000384362.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-31/twmpt6jk/1000384359.jpg Trapping point at UPJN office -- Ladapur Ward 32 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-31/rhnsfpb9/1000384365.jpg Rampur Bakli pond in Ward 13 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/45o1yxik/1000387127.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/teqejidg/1000387126.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T12:14:58.616Z Bijnor demonstrates that India’s WASH crisis is increasingly unfolding at peri-urban edges Rural Water and Sanitation, Water, Sanitation, peri-urban, Water and sanitation for the urban poor, Urban Infrastructure and Governance, Urban and Periurban Areas https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/the-snake-in-indias-fields-is-not-the-enemy https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/oukjosff/Cobra-Paddy-Field.jpg An Indian cobra swimming in the rice fields in the morning in remote south India. downtoearth en 2026-08-04T11:53:02.644Z The snake in India’s fields is not the enemy Agriculture, Wildlife & Biodiversity, Food Security, Farmers, harvest, Snakes, Rodents, PESTS https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/ai-could-help-developing-countries-reduce-inequality-but-only-if-basics-are-in-place-world-bank-says https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/9y04m6g5/iStock-2258807282.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T11:46:34.615Z AI could help developing countries reduce inequality, but only if basics are in place, World Bank says Economy, Science & Technology, Developing Countries, inequality, World Bank, global economy, digital divide, generative ai, Artificial intelligence (AI), Jobs and automation, AI in agriculture, Technology policy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/the-sonipat-jind-hydrogen-train-may-one-day-be-remembered-not-for-the-89-km-it-traverses-but-for-the-technological-journey-it-set-in-motion https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/p4t0z994/Hydrogen-Train.jpg The Sonipat-Jind hydrogen train. downtoearth en 2026-08-04T10:12:40.856Z The Sonipat-Jind hydrogen train may one day be remembered not for the 89 km it traverses, but for the technological journey it set in motion Energy, Clean energy, Hydrogen, SONIPAT, Sonipat-Jind hydrogen train, Jind https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/as-the-gi-beyond-20-summit-starts-in-delhi-india-needs-to-reflect-on-hurdles-in-harnessing-potential-of-gis-for-agricultural-commodities https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/jlyyeh5u/Basmati.jpg Basmati Rice. downtoearth en 2026-08-04T10:12:28.027Z As the ‘GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit’ starts in Delhi, India needs to reflect on hurdles in harnessing potential of GIs for agricultural commodities Agriculture, Governance, Basmati Rice, agricultural commodities, Darjeeling tea, Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority (APEDA), GI & Beyond 2.0 Summit, Geographic Indicator https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/indias-distributed-solar-capacity-jumps-to-315-gw-but-regulatory-hurdles-slow-wider-clean-energy-push https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2024-10-22/6abrk64g/iStock-584487610.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/e8uaiceq/India-solar-energy downtoearth en 2026-08-04T09:21:39.660Z India’s distributed solar capacity jumps to 31.5 GW, but regulatory hurdles slow wider clean energy push Energy, Renewable Energy, Solar Energy, rooftop solar, PM-Kusum, distributed solar, implementation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/strengthening-peatland-emissions-monitoring-new-fao-report-updates-factors-points-out-data-gaps https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/8hyl8df1/peatland-emissions-monitoring downtoearth en 2026-08-04T08:37:55.970Z Strengthening peatland emissions monitoring: New FAO report updates factors, points out data gaps Environment, greenhouse gas, Emissions, FAO, peatland, emissions monitoring https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-odishas-women-led-e-rickshaw-service-offers-livelihood-but-drivers-seek-better-benefits https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/tk4oz262/NDP43631.jpg 41-year-old Sabita Bhoi drives an electric rickshaw under Odisha’s AMA E-Ride service, ferrying passengers to and from AMA Bus stops in the state capital. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/98q7ppkd/NDP4599-1.jpg 38-year-old Sanjukta Dagar makes around 22 trips during an eight-hour shift and has developed persistent pain in her knees and back. downtoearth en 2026-08-04T08:19:27.562Z India on e-wheels: Odisha’s women-led e-rickshaw service offers livelihood, but drivers seek better benefits Energy, Air, Odisha, Urban Transport, electric mobility, Bhubaneswar, E-Rickshaws, last-mile connectivity, First-mile connectivity, AMA E-Ride, Women drivers, Capital Region Urban Transport (CRUT) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/nutrient-pollution-is-one-of-the-greatest-emerging-threats-to-urban-freshwater-ecosystems-delhis-hauz-khas-lake-exemplifies-this https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/he4cyz7v/Hauz-Khas-Lake.jpg The Hauz Khas Lake in Delhi. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/h2n18k1z/Hauz-Khas-1.jpg Spatial water quality mapping evaluated through the Ecosystem Health Report Card (EHRC) assigns Hauz Khas Lake an overall Grade D with a score of 60-70%, signalling a poor and severely stressed ecological status. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/z44mureu/Hauz-Khas-2.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T07:18:52.442Z Nutrient pollution is one of the greatest emerging threats to urban freshwater ecosystems; Delhi’s Hauz Khas Lake exemplifies this Water, Nitrogen, Hauz Khas lake, nitrogen and phosphorus, Hauz Khas, Nutrient Pollution https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-intensifies-across-india-as-heavy-rain-triggers-floods-landslides-and-widespread-alerts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/vpgovffu/Monsoon.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T07:15:06.988Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon intensifies across India as heavy rain triggers floods, landslides and widespread alerts Climate Change, Floods, Southwest monsoon, Landslides, Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/natural-disasters/assam-floods-2026-why-does-the-state-flood-every-year https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/vdi7mvcv/Assam.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T07:07:32.848Z Assam Floods 2026: Why does the state flood every year? Natural Disasters, Floods, Assam, Deforestation, Mining, Assam Floods 2026, wetland loss, unplanned development https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/india-on-e-wheels-how-electricity-began-to-enter-countrys-road-transport-energy-mix https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/achkegb4/iStock-1307042935.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/u4ityxud/segmentchartonly.png Share of each state’s estimated transport electricity consumption, by vehicle segment, 2025-26. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/x58pewd9/delhipjchart.png Delhi transport sector energy transition, 2012-13 to 2025-26. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/dukidyh4/1785823567527.png downtoearth en 2026-08-04T06:29:52.469Z India on e-wheels: How electricity began to enter country’s road transport energy mix Climate Change, energy transition, Road Transport, Diesel, E-Rickshaws, CNG, charging infrastructure, EV policy, Electric vehicles (EV), India on e-wheels, Transport energy mix https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/trump-administration-moves-to-block-public-from-enforcing-environmental-protection-laws https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2024-09-07/a03n20qq/air.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-04T06:28:33.215Z Trump administration moves to block public from enforcing environmental protection laws Governance, World, conservation, Environment, Pollution, judiciary, Environmental law, trump, citizen suits https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/invasive-rats-are-stopping-small-mammals-from-returning-to-madagascars-regenerating-forests-study https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-04/5ttpxz84/iStock-1215736475.jpg Madagascar’s brown mouse lemurs are struggling to flourish in regenerating forests where black rats have invaded in large numbers. downtoearth en 2026-08-04T04:29:24.035Z Invasive rats are stopping small mammals from returning to Madagascar’s regenerating forests — study Wildlife & Biodiversity, Madagascar, Invasive species, lemurs, Natural world, forest regeneration https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/highlights-from-the-issue-47 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/ibcpoulv/01-Highlights-from-the-issue.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-24/mgxdopa8/Editor-2July-copy-2.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/mbcidiub/Znamya-2.jpg Znamya-2, which was deployed as part of a series of orbital space mirror experiments in the 1990s by Russia. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-27/r51kcdrs/9.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-04-17/e0a1cemv/Ken-Betwa.jpg Protesters express anger by staging symbolic hangings during the protest, which lasted from April 5 to 16. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/9td0tgu5/15-1.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-16/gopsxlfu/Ken-Betwa https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-08/otu4utct/6-pyre-protest.png Local tribal residents stage a symbolic pyre protest against the Ken-Betwa River Linking Project in Madhya Pradesh’s Bundelkhand region. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-31/pmp8fhnb/Water-scarcity.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/frc36v1m/28.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/n0o71wfu/p33illu-DTE-Illustration-English-3.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/io3t1qc2/36.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/i176zli8/22.jpg Over the past five decades, sheep numbers in Himachal Pradesh have tripled, goat numbers have risen fivefold, and the number of families dependent on pastoralism has increased tenfold https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/9pam0q19/38.jpg Priyanka Devi of Sikhera village in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district says she has sold about 120 kg of dung cakes in the past three months https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/dhfe6lxk/46.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-28/79mj9uz0/Opinion1-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-27/hzl42mqh/Patently-Absurd.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/sdw8mp3z/52.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/st96l6xf/54.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-27/ivbgmiy8/Chhangu-1.jpg Members of Tsomgo Pokhri Sanrakshan Samiti collect waste near the Tsomgo lake. downtoearth en 2026-08-03T12:48:20.359Z Highlights from the issue Environment, Indigenous Peoples, indigenous knowledge, Sikkim, Cancer, Himachal Pradesh, Pastoralists, eurasia, Birds, new york, dinosaurs, Himanshu Thakkar, AI data centre, Cow dung cakes, Ken-Betwa, Research & Development, dung, Tsomgo lake, Nitrosamines, Reflect Orbital https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/simply-put-route-to-devastation https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/ri69ccn8/Simply-Put-3-Aug-hero-image-copy.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/vajg0gh1/Simply-Put-3-Aug-landslides-i-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T12:33:40.220Z Simply Put: Route to devastation Environment, Forests, Natural Disasters, Trees, Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MOEFCC) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/no-good-day-for-a-night https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/mbcidiub/Znamya-2.jpg Znamya-2, which was deployed as part of a series of orbital space mirror experiments in the 1990s by Russia. downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:18:22.893Z No good day for a night Science & Technology, space, sunlight, Satellite Mirrors, Reflect Orbital https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/life-finds-a-way https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/st96l6xf/54.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:18:07.966Z Life finds a way Wildlife & Biodiversity, Birds, dinosaurs, Steve Brusatte, Bird evolution, ‘The Story of Birds https://www.downtoearth.org.in/science-technology/hidden-carcinogens https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/sdw8mp3z/52.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:17:51.266Z Hidden carcinogens Science & Technology, Processed food, carcinogens, Nitrosamines https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/making-of-eurasias-gateway-network https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/dhfe6lxk/46.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:17:34.136Z Making of Eurasia’s gateway network Economy, Transport, eurasia, connectivity, Strait of Hormuz, Iran-Israel War 2026, chokepoints https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/dung-dividend https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/9pam0q19/38.jpg Priyanka Devi of Sikhera village in Uttar Pradesh’s Bulandshahr district says she has sold about 120 kg of dung cakes in the past three months downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:17:15.671Z Dung dividend Energy, Cow dung, Strait of Hormuz, Cow dung cakes, Iran-Israel War 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/recognise-indigenous-solutions https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/io3t1qc2/36.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:17:00.234Z ‘Recognise indigenous solutions’ Climate Change, Indigenous Peoples, indigenous knowledge, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC, indigenous practices, Annamária Lammel https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/the-hidden-ecolexicon https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/n0o71wfu/p33illu-DTE-Illustration-English-3.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:16:45.177Z The hidden ecolexicon Climate Change, Language, Pastoralists, Farmers, ecolexicon, Metrological models https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/ancient-signals https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/frc36v1m/28.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:16:27.746Z Ancient signals Climate Change, Drought, rain, Climate models, heat, Indigenous communities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/new-route-to-pasture https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/i176zli8/22.jpg Over the past five decades, sheep numbers in Himachal Pradesh have tripled, goat numbers have risen fivefold, and the number of families dependent on pastoralism has increased tenfold downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:16:03.479Z New route to pasture Governance, Himachal Pradesh, pastoralism, grazing permits, pastoralist communities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/water/ken-betwa-river-linking-project-will-have-severe-consequences https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/9td0tgu5/15-1.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:15:50.090Z ‘Ken-Betwa river-linking project will have severe consequences’ Water, Rivers, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh, Bundelkhand, ken river, Betwa river, Ken-Betwa protests, Ken-Betwa river-linking project https://www.downtoearth.org.in/health/cancers-unequal-burden https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-27/r51kcdrs/9.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T11:15:39.124Z Cancer’s unequal burden Health, The World Health Organization (WHO), Cancer, Breast cancer, International Agency for Cancer Research (IARC), Prostate cancer https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-july-31-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/5gzfgaf5/court.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T09:45:55.372Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (July 31, 2026) Environment, Wetlands, National Green Tribunal (NGT), sand mining, National Highways Authority of India (NHAI), waterbody encroachment, Chengalpattu, Solaipoigai tank, Ithikkara river, Tenkasi https://www.downtoearth.org.in/renewable-energy/cabinet-approves-rs-5070-crore-floating-solar-scheme https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/qnf8qtym/iStock-1500447760.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T07:11:15.872Z Cabinet approves Rs 5,070 crore floating solar scheme Renewable Energy, Energy, Solar Energy, energy transition, climate action, Reservoirs, floating solar, battery storage, Clean Energy Policy 2024, Pradhan Mantri Surya Sarovar Yojana, National Institute of Solar Energy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-orange-alert-for-heavy-rainfall-across-eastern-and-northeastern-india-know-where-it-will-pour-today https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/hlcbavur/Assam-Floods.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T06:30:11.514Z Daily weather tracker: Orange alert for heavy rainfall across Eastern and Northeastern India; know where it will pour today Climate Change, Natural Disasters, India Meteorological Department (IMD), uttarakhand, eastern india, Daily Weather Tracker, Northeastern India https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/africa-shaped-the-global-2030-development-agenda-how-it-can-influence-what-comes-next https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/82mpn0gx/iStock-2143073238.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-03T04:46:27.868Z Africa shaped the global 2030 development agenda. How it can influence what comes next Africa, african union au, UN Millennium Development Goals (MDG), Africa Agenda 2063, Global development, Structural Adjustment Programmes, Pact for the Future, United Nations Sustainable Development Goals https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/two-thirds-of-indias-58-tiger-reserves-have-either-declining-prey-base-or-poor-habitat-or-both-nine-have-zero-or-critically-low-tiger-numbers-says-government-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-03/psxfcz4x/Tiger-Gaur.jpg A tiger with gaur kill. downtoearth en 2026-08-03T02:38:43.560Z Two-thirds of India’s 58 tiger reserves have either declining prey base or poor habitat or both; nine have zero or critically low tiger numbers, says government report   Wildlife & Biodiversity, Forests, Habitat, Tiger Reserves, Tigers, National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA), prey base