https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/nearly-90-of-railway-stations-lack-prescribed-amenities-supplied-drinking-water-found-contaminated-cag https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/t0iwlmjk/iStock-972647478.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-14T11:33:14.185Z Nearly 90% of railway stations lack prescribed amenities, supplied drinking water found contaminated: CAG Governance, Drinking Water, Sanitation, Public Transport, Indian Railways, E coli, CAG audit report, railway stations, railway safety, Railway Budget, Passenger amenities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-13-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/yruwebfm/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-14T11:12:18.732Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 13, 2026) Environment, Kolkata, Kerala High Court, Kolkata Municipal Corporation, environmental compensation, historical building restoration, construction on waterbody https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-ev-buses-in-chennai-reduce-both-smoke-and-noise-with-22-drop-in-particulate-matter-in-5-years-across-the-state https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/bpp151o1/Chennai-Ebuses.jpg Over the past nine years, the Madras Transport Corporation has added more than 30 percent of its bus fleet to EVs. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T10:39:41.386Z India on e-wheels: EV buses in Chennai reduce both smoke and noise, with 22% drop in particulate matter in 5 years across the state Air, Energy, Tamil Nadu, Chennai, EVs, EV buses, India on e-wheels, Madras Transport Corporation (MTC) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-how-serious-is-gujarat-about-tackling-vehicle-pollution https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/rgvy1e8f/downtoearth-hindi2026-08-14c3rxhk5eSurat-mobility.jpg The number of private vehicles is steadily increasing in Surat, Gujarat. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T10:11:34.978Z India on e-wheels: How serious is Gujarat about tackling vehicle pollution? Air, Energy, Gujarat, Vehicular Pollution, Air Pollution, Rajkot, PM10, Ahmedabad, SURAT, Diesel vehicles, VADODARA, National Clean Air Programme (NCAP), India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/heat-is-a-disaster-now-what-does-that-mean-for-workers https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/vlpmu1zj/Workers-Heat.jpg Workers work in the heat in Jodhpur. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T08:36:53.466Z Heat is a disaster now. What does that mean for workers? Climate Change, Workers, Disaster, humidity, world health organization, World Meteorological Organization (WMO), heat, extreme heat, International Labour Organization (ILO) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/drought-spreads-despite-heavy-rainfall-events-as-kharif-crops-face-moisture-stress https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-07-21/imn972xj/Sonepat-Paddy-2.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/tggjgd01/1000396994.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/p0kyuq6z/Dr. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T07:51:34.690Z Drought spreads despite heavy rainfall events as kharif crops face moisture stress Agriculture, monsoon, Drought, Floods, Northeast India, Kharif, Millet, Paddy, rain, Rainfall, PULSES, Kharif crop, moisture https://www.downtoearth.org.in/air/india-on-e-wheels-a-plan-to-bring-e-mobility-lagging-jammu-and-kashmir-back-on-track https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/rdnyu0za/IMD.png Smart City buses parked at Pantha Chowk in Srinagar. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T07:09:42.508Z India on e-wheels: A plan to bring e-mobility-lagging Jammu and Kashmir back on track Air, Energy, SRINAGAR, Jammu and Kashmir, Electric vehicles (EV), e-mobility, Jammu city, India on e-wheels https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/a-new-class-of-metals-could-transform-africas-clean-energy-economy-scientists-explain https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/11vcv9xw/metal-africa Photo for representation only. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T06:34:54.053Z A new class of metals could transform Africa’s clean energy economy — scientists explain Africa, World, raw material, Metal, critical mineral, natural resource, alloy https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-monsoon-depression-triggers-heavy-rain-alert-across-eastern-and-northern-india-clouds-will-also-pour-heavily-over-the-mountains https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/8wjzkvej/IMD.png downtoearth en 2026-08-14T05:59:36.749Z Daily weather tracker: Monsoon depression triggers heavy rain alert across Eastern and Northern India; clouds will also pour heavily over the mountains Climate Change, Southwest monsoon, India Meteorological Department (IMD), Daily Weather Tracker, Southwest Monsoon 2026 https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/can-climate-rankings-tell-us-which-country-is-a-good-performer https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/qiw4c1mx/iStock-534781505.jpg Climate performance can not be judged on the basis of any one environmental index. A fairer assessment would require that the developers of the index examine their design choices and state them transparently. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T05:03:08.036Z Can climate rankings tell us which country is a good performer? Climate Change, Environment, Environment News, climate change performance index, environment performance index, Environmental Performance Index (EPI) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/kerala-wants-to-airlift-wildlife-out-of-conflict-zones-can-moving-animals-solve-the-problem https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/a52pmo6d/Gaur-Wayanad.jpg A gaur in the jungles of Wayanad. downtoearth en 2026-08-14T04:50:18.318Z Kerala wants to airlift wildlife out of conflict zones. Can moving animals ‘solve’ the problem? Wildlife & Biodiversity, elephants, Kerala, Human-wildlife conflict, Tigers, gaur, Wildlife translocation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/odisha-says-all-revenue-villages-electrified-but-nunareshs-failed-dre-shows-how-energy-poverty-persists-beyond-official-coverage https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/lgtfi7en/Nunaresh.jpg A hamlet of 11 houses in lower Nunaresh, a remote Manda Khond settlement in the Thuamul Rampur block of Odisha’s Kalahandi district, which remains off the electricity grid. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/d1fasyuv/Podu-Cultivation.jpg ‘Podu’, or shifting cultivation, is a traditional farming practice followed by tribal communities in Thuamul Rampur, where hilly terrain, limited access to irrigated farmland and dependence on forests have shaped agricultural practices over generations. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/r6nuvzel/Jugal-Majhi.jpg Jugal Majhi, a Nunaresh resident who earns a maximum of Rs 25,000-30,000 a year by driving cars across India to support his 5-member family and cultivates the family’s 1.5-acre farm when he returns home. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T12:16:55.607Z Odisha says all revenue villages electrified, but Nunaresh’s failed DRE shows how energy poverty persists beyond official coverage Energy, Renewable Energy, Odisha, Kalahandi, Decentralised renewable energy (DRE), Kalahandi, Balangir and Koraput, podu cultivation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/waste/sc-pushes-india-towards-structured-environmental-compensation-regime-for-solid-waste-management https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/cym76136/Waste downtoearth en 2026-08-13T12:15:20.664Z SC pushes India towards structured environmental compensation regime for solid waste management Waste, Waste, Waste Management, Supreme Court, Environmental law, environmental compensation https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/myth-and-reality-of-100-year-flood-keralas-recurring-deluges-expose-how-the-comforting-phrase-masks-a-harsh-annual-risk https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/9kmlgozu/iStock-1025232216.jpg Rescue operations in flooded area in Pathanamthitta, Kerala in August 2018. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T11:36:00.660Z Myth and reality of 100-year flood: Kerala’s recurring deluges expose how the comforting phrase masks a harsh, annual risk Climate Change, Water, Disaster Management, Western Ghats, kerala floods, kerala floods 2018, floodplains, flood risk, Kerala Floods 2026, 100-year flood, Flood mapping, Pamba river, Manimala river https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/cop17-still-has-the-opportunity-to-become-a-turning-point-for-biodiversity https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-14/ytrlgeth/Dr.-Georg-Schwede-120619-Kopie.jpg Georg Schwede downtoearth en 2026-08-13T11:34:46.039Z ‘COP17 still has the opportunity to become a turning point for biodiversity’ Wildlife & Biodiversity, Environment, Biodiversity, kunming-montreal global biodiversity framework, 30x30 goal, Biodiversity finance, CBD COP17, Campaign for Nature, Harmful subsidies https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/simply-put-m-p-parameswaran-1935-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/w7begiof/Simply-Put-13-Aug-hero-image-copy-2.jpg https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/cifb57l6/Simply-Put-13-Aug-Parameswaran-copy.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T10:44:35.982Z Simply Put: M P Parameswaran (1935-2026) Environment, Kerala, athirappilly, Silent Valley, M P Parameswaran, nuclear scientist https://www.downtoearth.org.in/economy/global-youth-jobs-in-jeopardy-as-unemployment-rises-and-middle-skilled-work-shrinks-ilo https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/omgl551m/Unemployment.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T09:31:44.515Z Global youth jobs in jeopardy as unemployment rises and middle-skilled work shrinks: ILO Economy, youth, Jobs, Unemployment, International Labour Organisation (ILO), Artificial intelligence (AI) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/food/human-brains-grew-fivefold-in-4-million-years-thanks-to-natural-plant-sugars https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/88v4rolx/HomoerectusTheNaturalHistoryMuseumVienna2021073012281282.jpg Model of Homo erectus man in The Natural History Museum, Vienna downtoearth en 2026-08-13T09:00:57.924Z Human brains grew fivefold in 4 million years, thanks to natural plant sugars Food, Human evolution, meat, homo erectus, plant food, homo habilis, Human brains, sugars https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/nairobi-meetings-2026-cbds-crucial-discussionsend-with-heavily-bracketed-recommendations-for-cop17 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/z0e5uumy/SBI7-UN-Biodiversity downtoearth en 2026-08-13T08:29:33.296Z Nairobi meetings 2026: CBD’s crucial discussions end with heavily bracketed recommendations for COP17 Wildlife & Biodiversity, Convention On Biological Diversity (CBD), global biodiversity framework, Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, CBD COP17, Nairobi meetings, SBI7, United Nations Biodiversity https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-12-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/3wt5zc4y/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T07:36:34.910Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 12, 2026) Environment, Sikkim, Jharkhand, Mining, Punjab, National Thermal Power Corporation (NTPC), National Green Tribunal (NGT), Tunnel, daily court digest, Roopnagar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/environment/daily-court-digest-major-environment-orders-august-11-2026 https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/yruwebfm/Gavel.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T07:10:49.594Z Daily Court Digest: Major environment orders (August 11, 2026) Environment, Delhi, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal, National Green Tribunal (NGT), daily court digest, Muzaffarnagar https://www.downtoearth.org.in/africa/africans-migrate-for-jobs-mostly-within-the-continent-why-regional-skills-partnerships-are-needed https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/122n5i1e/Skills-partnership-Africa downtoearth en 2026-08-13T06:31:48.336Z Africans migrate for jobs mostly within the continent: Why regional skills partnerships are needed Africa, World, Migration, Africa, Jobs, migrant workers, skills, skills partnership https://www.downtoearth.org.in/forests/banks-provided-31-billion-in-sustainable-loans-to-palm-oil-firms-linked-to-deforestation-global-witness-report https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/sgfwhski/Palm-oil-plantation.jpg Oil palm plantation at edge of rainforest where trees are logged to clear land for agriculture in Southeast Asia. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T06:10:14.590Z Banks provided $31 billion in sustainable loans to palm oil firms linked to deforestation: Global Witness Report Forests, Food, Deforestation, Indonesia, Palm Oil, Palm oil plantations https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/daily-weather-tracker-bay-of-bengal-system-intensifies-red-alert-for-west-bengal-odisha-and-chhattisgarh https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/r6cbdlqm/Bay-of-Bengal.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T05:47:35.095Z Daily weather tracker: Bay of Bengal system intensifies; Red alert for West Bengal, Odisha and Chhattisgarh Climate Change, Odisha, West Bengal, Bay Of Bengal, Chhattisgarh, Daily Weather Tracker https://www.downtoearth.org.in/climate-change/marine-heatwaves-are-cooking-our-ocean-ecosystems-and-will-only-become-more-common https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/7xtnoqtu/iStock-1425382824.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T04:40:11.389Z Marine heatwaves are cooking our ocean ecosystems — and will only become more common Climate Change, Environment, marine heatwaves, conservation, Global Warming, Marine Life, coral bleaching, Fisheries, Ecosystems, ocean temperature, Coastal communities https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/global-coal-mine-pipeline-rises-11-to-2521-mtpa-despite-slowing-demand https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/ww7djd3a/Coal-mining-India.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-13T04:05:20.199Z Global coal mine pipeline rises 11% to 2,521 Mtpa despite slowing demand Energy, India, China, Jharkhand, Odisha, Coal, coal mining, coal mine, Coal demand, Global Energy Monitor (GEM), Global Coal Mine Tracker (GCMT) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/bnhs-sterilises-over-2950-dogs-to-save-black-necked-cranes-and-wildlife-in-ladakh https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-13/w2zm5ib4/BNCranes-Kishor-RitheBNHS.jpeg A pair of BNCs in Ladakh. downtoearth en 2026-08-13T03:51:06.211Z BNHS sterilises over 2,950 dogs to save Black-necked Cranes and wildlife in Ladakh Wildlife & Biodiversity, Ladakh, Bombay Natural History Society, Bombay Natural History Society (BNHS), Black-necked Cranes (BNC), Free Ranging Dogs (FRD) https://www.downtoearth.org.in/agriculture/when-pesticides-stop-working-crop-rotation-may-be-the-only-answer https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/97qe0ajy/IMG-20260807-WA0004.jpg downtoearth en 2026-08-12T13:09:13.321Z When pesticides stop working, crop rotation may be the only answer Agriculture, Environment, Farming, Odisha, Crop loss, small farmers, crop rotation, hailstorm, climate risk, Vegetable cultivation, Sinapali, Wilting disease https://www.downtoearth.org.in/wildlife-biodiversity/we-had-set-camera-traps-for-yellow-throated-martens-near-ranikhet-instead-we-got-a-surprise-at-midday https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/pan6fcaf/Leopard-Cat.jpg A leopard cat. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/khlfsgtf/Leopard-Cat-2.jpg The leopard cat captured in the camera trap. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:21:29.811Z We had set camera traps for yellow-throated martens near Ranikhet; instead, we got a surprise at midday Wildlife & Biodiversity, uttarakhand, Ranikhet, camera traps, yellow-throated marten, small wild cats, leopard cats https://www.downtoearth.org.in/energy/india-on-e-wheels-odishas-ev-push-struggles-to-reach-rural-hilly-districts https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/p6p6hhke/1000395780.jpg The only petrol pump in Gunupur experiences shortage. Yet, locals cannot completely rely on electric vehicles because of powercuts lasting days. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/o4wgyyrg/Sahu Sushil Kumar Sahu (35) bought an electric two-wheeler to take her daughters to primary school 120 kms. But he cannot charge it regularly due to frequent and prolonged powercuts. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/7yjktia6/petrol-in-bottle-in-Odisha With petrol pumps far away, people sometimes buy petrol in bottles from local shops at higher prices. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/by4tjfk0/Diesel-bus-odisha OSRTC currently does not have e-buses operating in rural areas. However, a tender is under way to procure 100 e-buses. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:06:14.936Z India on e-wheels: Odisha’s EV push struggles to reach rural, hilly districts Energy, Odisha, mobility, bus, India on e-wheels, e-bus, OSRTC, rural odisha, hilly districts https://www.downtoearth.org.in/governance/it-is-raining-in-delhi-both-water-and-potholes https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/utsg8vsh/Delhi-Potholes-1.jpg Another monsoon and more potholes for Delhi. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/dbvj1vh1/Delhi-Potholes-2.jpg Asphalt has been scraped off roads in the national capital after heavy spells of rain in July and August. https://cf-images.assettype.com/downtoearth/2026-08-12/tglrh8rp/Delhi-Potholes-3.jpg The government’s own data admits that deaths due to potholes have increased in India over the past few years. Yet, citizens are currently having to deal with this menace in the absence of redressal by authorities. downtoearth en 2026-08-12T12:00:15.587Z It is raining in Delhi. Both water and potholes Governance, Delhi, monsoon, Roads, Water, Southwest monsoon, Rainfall, potholes, Southwest Monsoon 2026, asphalt